Where Women Are Kings

Book excerpt: “An intense cross-cultural story of love” about an adopted Nigerian boy who can’t shake his beliefs that his birth mother loves him—and that he’s possessed by a wizard. Elijah, 7 years old, is covered in scars and has a history of disruptive behavior. Taken away from his birth mother, a Nigerian immigrant in England, Elijah is moved from one foster parent to the next before finding a home with Nikki and her husband, Obi. Nikki believes that she and Obi are strong enough to accept Elijah’s difficulties—and that being white will not affect her ability to raise a black son. They care deeply for Elijah and, in spite of his demons, he begins to settle into this loving family. But as Nikki and Obi learn more about their child’s tragic past, they face challenges that threaten to rock the fragile peace they’ve established, challenges that could prove disastrous. “ . . . an unforgettable story that will make your chest tighten, your eyes leak and your heart lurch.” —InStyle