Convincing, intricate world-building and strong characterisation add up to a stand out YA fantasy debut with a powerful feminist slant. - The Guardian

Filled with breath-taking action sequences, scintillating romance and strong female characters, Goddess Crown is an exciting addition to the romantasy genre. - The Bookseller

In a market dominated by US authors, this feminist fantasy from British Nigerian author Lapite is a breath of fresh air. - Ten Titles Not to Miss, The Bookseller

Humming with a vibrancy drawn from its West African inspired cultural elements, like food, dress and music, Lapite has created a grounded world that operates outside of the reader’s field of vision, complete and autonomous… Fast-paced, the book ambitiously tackles its world’s spiritual belief system, not just as a background theme but interwoven through the social systems and politics of its ruling court. A début that will have the reader’s heart with the women of Galla, Goddess Crown is undoubtedly a book with something to say. - Inis Magazine, Children's Books Ireland

Set in an opulent West African-inspired kingdom, this feminist fantasy blazes with revenge, courage and Goddess energy... a richly conjured feminist fantasy set in sumptuous West African- inspired Galla, a patriarchal kingdom that’s long conspired against women... Shot-through with suspense and forbidden love, the writing crackles with energy, and Kalothia - a fearless young woman who exposes how patriarchal teachings have misrepresented the Goddess - is a heroine no reader will forget in a hurry. - LoveReading4Kids

Shade Lapite is British–Nigerian and has drawn on her heritage to create the world of her debut novel. She spent a significant slice of her childhood nestled in the library, inhaling books by Diana Wynne Jones, Tamora Pierce, Lois Duncan and Mildred D Taylor. Her love for the arts led her to a degree in Media Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London. She now lives in Toronto and juggles writing with her career in digital marketing. Her blog, Coffee Bookshelves, celebrates writing and promotes titles by authors of colour.