We’ve already introduced a couple of the amazing feminine forces behind Kwame Mbalia’s latest page-turner, but there are so many we wanted to do a deeper dive. This book has goddesses to spare, so let’s get to it.

Mami Wata

Goddess of lakes, rivers, and streams, Mami Wata is a water spirit whose origins date back to fifteenth century Africa. Often depicted with mermaid-like features, Mami Wata also bestows good fortune. As you can imagine, her disappearance spells trouble for Alke. If a water goddess can be restrained, there’s no telling what sort of stormy calamity could result. But rest assured, Mami Wata is not so easily restrained…

Lady Night

Lady Night certainly looks like a goddess, doesn’t she? She’s technically a boo hag, a mythical creature from Gullah culture who can slip off and steal the skins of others, not to mention feed on human life-force. Lady Night is thankfully not as sinister as all that. In fact, she strikes a crucial bargain with Tristan and company. You can expect that she comes through with a powerful magic and all the severe majesty you see in this illustration.

Keelboat Annie

We met Keelboat Annie earlier this month, and her story is the stuff of classic African-American folklore. While she clearly has the bearing and stature of a goddess, we are here to tell you that she is, literally, a goddess. And what a helpful goddess she is, paired up in a mentoring role with young pilot Ayanna. Annie commands respect and, as Tristan learns, is not to be interrupted.

Miss Sarah and Miss Rose

These winged goddesses of the MidPass are the most schoolmarmish of deities, and will silence you with extended mom-ologues, as Tristan likes to call them. As if looking over their glasses with a withering glare, they can hover several feet in the air while doing so! You can bet if that isn’t enough to make Tristan behave, they’ll “and another thing” him into submission one way or another.