Goldenborn: A GMA Book Club YA Pick
by Ama Ofosua Lieb
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A girl with a mission. A god with a deal. A story that could change everything.
When 17-year-old Akoma Addo stumbles into a world of ancient gods and modern magic, she'll have to choose between saving her father... or staying true to everything she's ever believed.
Akoma Addo has one rule: don't get too close to the supernatural.
Ever since a blazing orb of light left her father in a coma, she's buried herself in her secret job investigating magical crimes in San Francisco's AfricaTown -- just enough to keep her grief at bay. But when a body turns up in a pool of molten gold and ash, Akoma's pulled into something much bigger -- and far more dangerous. At the center of it all is Anansi, the trickster god of stories, who makes her an impossible offer: help him catch a killer and awaken the ancestral magic buried deep in her blood... and in return, he'll give her a chance to bring her father back. To take the deal, Akoma will have to lie to everyone she loves and embrace the very power she's spent years trying to deny. And as her connection grows with Xander, the new guy in town with secrets of his own, Akoma must decide who she can trust -- especially when she's no longer sure she can even trust herself. Rooted in Ghanaian mythology and packed with mystery, danger, and slow-burning romance, Goldenborn is a gripping fantasy about legacy, lies, and what it really means to rewrite your story.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781546147466
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Ama Ofosua Lieb
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published Date
- June 2, 2026
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 416
- Physical Info
- 1.35 in H x 8.44 in L x 5.6 in W

Just buy it
This was a simply excellent ride that I could not get off till I came to the end. It had fun and interesting characters, an awesome storyline and creative worldbuilding. I live in the Bay Area, but grew up in Ghana, and just seeing some of these characters I grew up hearing about was surprisingly emotional for me. It put me in touch with my roots, but I think it would be a window into Ghanaian culture for the uninitiated (Fufufest, anyone?) I also love Sci-fi stories, and really enjoy it when come across an author who takes me on a journey that showcases the amazingly vibrant African culture. I highly recommend it. Ama, ayekoo!!
I am an avid reader and I was so sad when this book ended! In Akoma, a star has been born… I’m already envisioning the movie. If you enjoy action, romance, and or learning about culture along the way… this book is for you!
The mixed reviews had me hesitant to read this one, but once I got into it I found myself enjoying the read.Keep reading if you get stuck. It is so worth the read.I am glad I plunged forward.
A huge thank to Scholastic for granting my wish to read an early copy of this amazing fantasy debut! Publication date 6/2I needed more time with Akoma and let me tell you it was well worth it. The cover of this book immediately caught my attention and the story that unfolds inside captivated me. This story is rich in detail, folktale lore, family and inheritance. Akoma Addo is our fmc who is seventeen but she’s not your average “teenager” she’s very mature, a good student, and respectful towards her grandmother. Her mother is gone and something mysterious happened to her dad! I love that we as the reader follow her day to day life and experience her first crush and see how she navigates tracking clues to solve her dads case. This is was the perfect fantasy for me because even when I began to become confused or lost it’s like she took me by the hand and guided me along the way! My only wish is that we had a glossary that not only defined the names for reference while reading but also pronunciations for the names.Knowing the author wrote this story for her children and even featured them as characters in the book makes me want her to adopt me! Seriously I need to know what happens next, where do we go from here, because the way she left me on the edge of my seat!!! That ending!!!The waiting will be torture but I know it will be worth it!Thanks again to Scholastic and to Net Galley for opportunity to read this amazing fantasy debut!
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