In Medieval Africa, dual natured dragons thrive on the coast. But humans encroach on their island, and the tribe abandons its paradise for the interior. One dragon, Nguni, resents the move. He contrives to build the city’s wealth, oust its leader, and return to the east. Simple. Until his ego and hubris endangers them all.
By DENISE LAJUAN PETERS
NGUNI’S TRADE – a novella
Tanninim Tale Book 1
In a land where dual natured dragons reign unchallenged, the coast of Medieval Africa is their paradise. Until humans encroach on their island, forcing the tribe to retreat inland.
Nguni, a young dragon who resents the loss of his beloved tropical home, challenges tradition through skirmishes both physical and ideological. With a cunning mind and an ambitious plan, he sets out to build the community’s wealth. And if he overthrows their leader in the process, the dragons could reclaim their homes in the east.
Nguni’s Trade is a story of internal rebellion and external ambition. A youth torn between the call of ancestral duty and the seductive promise of innovation embarks on a journey of self-discovery. His struggles, marked by familial discord, economic ingenuity, and the ever-present risk of revealing the tribe’s secret existence, form a paradox that will either destroy his tribe or himself.
Denise LaJuan Peters’s books transport readers to spaces where history and fantasy collide. Her character driven tales will pull you into communities in which the overlooked soul has the opportunity to save souls or destroy them. To redeem self, or throw a life away.
Psalm 148:7
General Book Information
- ISBN 9798986613093
- ASIN B0DP5Z6949
- Published in 2024
- Tanninim Publishing, Mineral, Virginia
- Printed in the United States of America
- Fiction/Fantasy/Dragons & Mythical Creatures
- Fiction/Fantasy/Historical
- Fiction/Fantasy/General
- New Adult and College Readers
Tropes
- Shapeshifters
- Hidden World/Secret History
- Sibling Rivalry
- The Unchosen One
- Coming of Age
FOR MY READERS
SAMPLE: SCENE ONE
NGUNI'S TRADE GLOSSARY
NGUNI'S TRADE: PICTURE IT!
A flamboyant poinciana tree brightens the Keeper’s mood for a moment before she delivers to Nguni her inciting news.
A guinea turaco protests the noise interrupting it much as Nguni complained about one’s chirps interfering with his thoughts.
Mangrove forests embrace most sides of Kilwa Kisiwani island where Nguni was born. The Indian Ocean batters coral reefs on its eastern side.
Coral stone houses contrast waving palms. When Nguni lived on Kilwa, large rectangular houses boasted central open courtyards. They contained several rooms, including an indoor bathroom.
The high veld’s massive stones provide an impressive backdrop for the tanninim’s humble dagas. Nguni loathed his new accommodations. The buildings had no windows, a single entrance, and two rooms.
Dhows transported men and their wares along the eastern African coast. Once Great Zimbabwe’s traders reached Sofala on the coast, they traded their gold, iron goods, and cottons at the port city before sailing far north for Kilwa and Zanzibar.
BOOK CLUBS
Nguni’s Trade’s short length, a two-hour read, makes it a great choice for your next book club meeting. The clash of pride’s ambitions and societal norms will stimulate great discussions.
Nguni's Discussion
Guide
TEACHERS
Use Nguni’s Trade with your high schoolers. The novella provides an excellent opportunity to examine the effects of pride on relationships.
Nguni's Trade
Lesson Plans