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Afia in the Land of Wonders: Book Review

Afia in the Land of Wonders is a middle grade fantasy book written and illustrated by Mia Araujo. It is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and it was published this year, 2025. The story is about Afia, a sixteen-year-old girl who is dissatisfied with her life at home, a place called Dafra. Her mother and the rest of her family expect her to go through her ewende, which is her coming of age ceremony, and continue their crystal selling business. However, she yearns to explore the world, and wants more for her life. So when a young man named Bakame offers her an escape, she takes her chance and finds herself in the magical land of Ijábù. However, after being warned by a ghost boy named Ojike, she quickly discovers that not everything is as it seems, and she must escape this so-called “land of wonders.” The Non-Spoiler Review One thing I like about this book are the illustrations. Most of the images are fully colored and take up a page or two, while others are smaller pencil sketches. All o...

The Book Curse of Bumblebee Verse

When I was a young fairy,

I borrowed a tome

From my local library

And took it home.


Now library books

Cannot be kept

But must be returned,

Else you’d get into debt.


But me being a bookworm

Who was also a fool

I thought I could somehow

Break that little rule.


I wanted to keep the tome

And have it all to myself,

For it was a rare book

I wanted to add to my shelf.


So I thought about stealing it

And never returning it

Despite my conscience

Telling me not to do it.


But as I read the book

I found a book curse

That was written by none other

Than Bumblebee Verse.


He was a fairy scholar

Of great renown in my time

Known for his excellent poetry

And his great skill in rhyme.


It was the first book curse

I had ever read

And when I read it

My heart filled with dread.


“Those who would steal this book

From its rightful owner

Will be attacked by vicious hounds

And be torn asunder.


“Those who would tear a page

From this illuminated book

Shall see their books destroyed

Along with their favorite book nook.


“Those who would scribble on

These wonderful pages

Shall be attacked ruthlessly

By wrathful book fairies and book mages.


“Heed this warning

Those who wield this tome

Be careful with this treasured book

As you take it home.”


What was I to do?

Well, needless to say,

I vowed never to do such horrid things

That very same day.


One would be foolish

To risk being cursed

Especially by such a respected fairy

Like Bumblebee Verse.


I repented of my ways

And as soon as I could

I returned the book to the library

Like all good fairies should.

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