Book Review: Kaya Abaniah and the Father of the Forest, by Wayne Gerard Trotman

September 12, 2021 0 Comments

I hate cliches, but this book has left me speechless. In a good way. First, knowing that it is set in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago tells you something of its uniqueness. Trotman’s first-hand experience of the Caribbean islands is reflected in vivid descriptions of the area’s history, culture, and environment. But this is not a brilliant travel journal. At least not in the traditional sense. Instead, we are treated to a coming-of-age story with all the trials, pain, and energy that only teenagers fully understand, or any of us who survived those tumultuous years.

The main character, Kaya, has some special gifts that not everyone appreciates. It’s hard enough being normal. But in Kaya’s world nothing is what it seems. From myths to the paranormal, to aliens and vice versa, college for Kaya, with her goons, allies and enemies, is one adventure after another. But it’s Trotman’s knack for grasping the nuances of relationships and the pains of these years that really pulls this book out of any type of pigeonhole.

First is Kaya’s relationship with her mother Josephine. Always mindful of her son’s well-being, nothing escapes Josephine’s keen eye:


Later that night, Josephine found Kaya, sitting at the kitchen table, doing her homework and trying not to sulk.

But even though Kaya had managed to reduce the swelling, Josephine’s immediate reaction was, “What do you think of the face?” Deep lines of concern appeared on her forehead, and she gently turned Kaya’s face from side to side, examining her bruises.

“Ah, I fell,” Kaya said meekly.

“Off the bike”

Kaya grunted ambiguously. During his fight with the Mapepires, he fell, so technically he wasn’t lying; at least that’s what Kaya thought. If Josephine wanted to believe she had fallen off her new bike, she wasn’t going to argue with her.

“How do you fall off your bike? Look how you look like Mastifay,” Josephine said, dismayed.

Equally well worked are Kaya’s feelings, anguish, and interactions with her love interests, Wendy and Raima:


He stared at the screen, mesmerized by the slow progress of the browser; until finally an image of Raima’s face, with tousled hair and closed eyes, began to emerge. The slightly blurred shot captured her dancing with savage abandon, an evil smile tracing her glowing lips. In other circumstances, Kaya would have enjoyed the sensual provocation of the photograph. Yet all he felt was a growing knot in the pit of his stomach and the increasingly crushing weight of waves upon waves of devastating jealousy.

Also, true to a school system with “houses” or indeed any school, Kaya must navigate cliques, bullies, and shifting alliances. If this wasn’t difficult enough, some of Kaya’s teachers, friends, enemies, and even some of her relatives are not what they seem. He, and we, wonder who he can trust as he grapples with the normal problems of teenage life and some out-of-this-world problems. I can’t say more without spoiling the fun and wild moments of Kaya Abaniah. Suffice it to say, you’ll be glad you had a satisfying time with this unique and powerful epic from an adventure tale.

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