The Stars Have Aligned: Champions of the Galaxy!
A Cosmic Cover Reveal...
It has been over a year since the publication of the last book in the Onyeka series, and I know that many people have been wondering what would come next. If you have attended any of my recent author events, you might already have a hint. For those who have not (and even for those who have), I would like to officially reveal the cover of my next book, Champions of the Galaxy.
“When a powerful group of aliens threaten Earth, a mysterious species called the Onni offers humanity hope. But there’s a catch. Ninety-one children from across the planet must first prove their worth by competing in a series of trials set on a distant planet.
For twelve-year-old Kola, who has long dreamed of going into space, it’s the chance of a lifetime. But once aboard the Onni mothership, Kola finds himself thrown into a misfit team of Champions.
As secrets unravel and tensions rise, Kola and his team must decide who to trust and what it really means to be a Champion. Because in the end, it’s not about being the smartest or the strongest. It’s about standing together.”
It is no exaggeration to say that this book nearly finished me. Although the idea for the story came to me back in 2022, it took almost two years to bring it to life. I really had no business trying to write something so ambitious, coming off the back of the Onyeka series. I was creatively drained, and it has taken many drafts and a lot of sweat and tears to complete it.
Imposter syndrome was also very real during the writing of this book, and in many ways, it felt as though I was writing my second novel – even though, chronologically, it is my fourth. I am so proud of myself for pushing through the doubt, frustration and fear, and I cannot wait for you to read about Kola and his cosmic adventures. Here’s a brief snippet to give you a taste:
“It was a cloudy July morning when the enormous spaceship appeared suddenly over the Houses of Parliament. An imposing feat of alien engineering that overshadowed the hallowed and iconic structure and the city below. Its arrival stunned everyone, even the people whose job it was to know about these things. It turns out that when an advanced alien species comes to visit, they like to do it with maximum drama and a lot of cloaking technology.”
Champions of the Galaxy publishes on September 25th with Simon & Schuster Children’s UK and you can pre-order now.