Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms

By: Jamar J. Perry

Narrated by: Marc Anthony Samuel

Bloomsbury presents Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms by Jamar J. Perry, read by Marc Anthony Samuel.

Inspired by West African and Igbo history and mythology, this adventurous middle-grade fantasy debut perfect for fans of Aru Shah and Tristan Strong celebrates the triumphs and challenges of a boy finding his truth path to greatness.

As the true Descendant, I command to open
The door to Chidani; it shall be broken

Magic awaits those who seek the queen’s peace
And all the suffering you feel will cease

Those who open the histories will hear a sound
What was lost has finally been found.

Cameron Battle grew up reading The Book of Chidani, cherishing stories about the fabled kingdom that cut itself off from the world to save the Igbo people from danger. Passed down over generations, the Book is Cameron’s only connection to his parents who disappeared one fateful night, two years ago.

Ever since, his grandmother has kept the Book locked away, but it calls to Cameron. When he and his best friends, Zion and Aliyah, decide to open it again, they are magically transported to Chidani. Instead of a land of beauty and wonder, they find a kingdom in extreme danger, as the queen’s sister seeks to destroy the barrier between worlds. The people of Chidani have been waiting for the last Descendant to return and save them . . . is Cameron ready to be the hero they need?©2022 Jamar J. Perry (P)2022 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Critic reviews

A thrilling, imaginative adventure that kids are sure to love! As immersive as it is fun, you’ll feel you’re tagging along with Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah the whole way through.

Breathlessly magical from start to finish.

Perry has a gift for creating dialogue and writing fast-paced, suspenseful scenes that will both enchant readers and leave them wincing in empathy. Cliff-hanger endings abound that will have students begging for more.

Narrator Marc Anthony Samuel fills this action-packed middle-grade audiobook with cinematic character voices. . . . He creates wonderful voices for the magical character voices, and the text has more than enough wonder and power of its own. Listeners will be thrilled to the last cliff-hanging moment and clamoring for the next audiobook

Rooted in Igbo mythology and starring Black protagonists of various ethnic backgrounds, Perry’s tale offers up a fast-paced, intense story of legacy and loss as Cameron worries about whether he’s fit for the task at hand, even as he draws on the support of his companions and memories of his family legacy.

Perry has written an action-packed fantasy with Igbo and other African mythology. . . . This title is a must-read for fans of Kwame Mbalia's Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky.

Perry presents a fantasy adventure full of adventure, loss, bravery, and perseverance.

Nice story for middle grade children

The story is a nice one, if a bit derivative. Children likely won't mind that. The main character experiences some modicum of growth, but there are a number of instances in which his plans and level of understanding rapidly shift back and forward.

Great Read!

Love to read a fantasy teen book that is based in African mythology and history! I will definitely be having my scholars read this series next year! Downloading book 2 immediately to find out what happens next!

This was an interesting and exciting story

I think this book should be made into a movie. It is full of action and the best part it is African and African-American fantasy. I am sure many people will enjoy this as a movie too!