This book was beautifully written. It tells a comping of age story even when all the odds are stacked against you. I loved the African influences throughout the book. I love it when fantasy books are not only based on western culture. This way you can learn about other cultures in a different way. The book also reminded me of the raybearer series. 
I must say though that sometimes I completely lost the plot which may have been a me problem but still it was kind of annoying sometimes that is why the rating is not higher.