Harmonia Rosales‘ Chronicles of Ori: An African Epic, her debut book, leads a panel of authors presenting new books rooted in mythic worlds and powers. Chronicles of Ori is an epic that spans the birth of the universe to the modern world of colonialism and resistance. Vividly brought to life by her artwork, Rosales writes of the Orishas, the founding of Yorubaland, and the bond – sometimes fraying – between the Orishas and the humans who worship them. Seventh grader Jackson Jax” Freeman is a summoner – he can call on the magical powers of his ancestors. In Kwame Mbalia’s Jax Freeman and the Tournament of Spirits he faces summoners from around the world – but the competition isn’t the only thing in store for him. The elders of the magical families have a secret special quest for Jax. Can he win and still save himself and his friends? As night falls on Asgard in George O’Connor’s Asgardians: Loki the trickster god is thinking about his challenge to the wolf Fenrir. He remembers Thjazi the jotunn in monstrous eagle form and he worries he has fallen out of favor with his blood brother Odin. Can he worm his way back in or feeling spurned will Loki choose to burn it all down? Lena the central character in Ivy Pochoda’s Ecstasy wants her life back. Her wealthy controlling humorless husband has just died and now she contends with her controlling humorless son Drew. Years of marriage among the wealthy elite have smothered her spirit – but an ancient god will soon stir leading her to rediscover her true nature.
NOTE: The next day, don’t miss the opportunity to catch Harmonia Rosales again as she speaks at Pérez Art Museum Miami for the Scholl Lecture Series: Harmonia Rosales With Special Guest Desmond Howard. The Scholl Lecture Series, featuring the premier cultural creatives of our time, presents a conversation between self-taught Afro-Cuban American painter and author Rosales and former professional football wide receiver and art collector Howard. Rosales will share her journey from artist to author and discuss her new book Chronicles of Ori: An African Epic, which features never before seen work by the artist. For more information, please visit the Pérez Art Museum Miami website.
Buy Chronicles of Ori: An African Epic – Rosales
Buy Jax Freeman and the Tournament of Spirits – Mbalia
Buy Asgardians: Loki – O’Connor Buy Ecstasy – Pochoda
