"I would find the missing royals even if it was the last thing I did for her."
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The Missing Royals by N.K. Chris Trafford Publishing
book review by Maria A. Hughes
Chris McCandless, the protagonist in Jon Krakaeur's unforgettable novel, Into the Wild, wrote, "Happiness [is] only real when shared." N.K. Chris', The Missing Royals, is a living example of this truth. Set in Nigeria, the story begins with a young girl off-handedly asking her grandmother why she has no female aunts. While a simple enough question, it spurs the grandma to tell her granddaughter the tragic story of her missing (and thought to be dead) twins due to Nigeria's violent, superstitious beliefs. The young girl, wishing closure for her grandmother, embarks on journey to find what happened to her children, hoping that she will find them alive and be able to reunite them with their mother.
N.K. Chris weaves a tragic yet compelling tale on the importance of family through the view of both the grandmother and the young girl. Overall it is a well-thought out story, one in which the reader is enveloped in such a way that they feel as if they have become part of the young girl's family and her cause. The plot, while well-written, seemed unnecessarily short. The reader is drawn in, but it leaves one hungering for further insight into the girl's struggle or her mission. The story, while discussing Nigeria's horrific treatment of mothers and their newborn twins, is not graphic to where it would offend the sensibilities of a younger audience. This story is a pleasant read and will appeal to readers who enjoy stories that primarily focus on family relationships.