SHORTLISTED FOR THE WEEK JUNIOR BOOK AWARDS, THE JHALAK PRIZE AND THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD

"Thrilling, tautly-written, pulls you right in and keeps you there! Plus: bonus trickster god!" Louie Stowell, author of Loki
"A fast-paced, first-class debut with action scenes that will leave you breathless and characters who will have you cheering. I loved it!" A.F. Steadman, author of the Skandar series

Discover a fierce and fun story of one boy versus six gods, from a magical new voice in children's fiction...

Kayode dreams of eating the forbidden fruit of the Orishas, so he can gain the power of the gods and stop them terrorizing his people. So when a fruit mysteriously appears in his path after the Orishas snatch his sister, he leaps on it.
Surging with new and difficult-to-control powers, he joins forces with a shapeshifting trickster god and a vengeful princess to save his sister and put an end to the mighty Orishas. But each has more fearful powers than the last - and Kayode's stolen half-god strength won't last for ever...

Prizes

Short-listed for The Branford Boase Award 2025 (UK),Short-listed for Jhalak Children's and YA Prize 2025 (UK),Short-listed for Warwickshire Junior Book Award 2025 (UK),Short-listed for The Week Junior Book Awards 2025 (UK)

Thrilling, tautly-written, pulls you right in and keeps you there! * Louie Stowell, author of Loki *
A fast-paced, first-class debut with action scenes that will leave you breathless and characters who will have you cheering. I loved it! * A.F. Steadman, author of the Skandar series *
With world-building so lush, you'll want to jump inside the book, The Boy to Beat the Gods is an electrifying adventure that will leave you breathless. Thorpe has written a cracker of a story! * Tolá Okogwu, author of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun *
A spectacular debut!...a heart-pounding, heart-lifting adventure... With danger, dazzling magic, edge-of-seat action, humour, wisdom and brilliant characters who leap off the page, this is going to enthrall readers and spark imaginations in the best of ways. * Sophie Anderson, author of The House With Chicken Legs *
An amazing, fast-paced adventure filled with action. Kayode and his friends facing off against the Orishas had me at the edge of my seat. * Alex Falase-Koya, co-writer of The Breakfast Club Adventures *
A furious and defiant adventure as one boy seeks magical powers to destroy the Orisha and save his people. Tremendous, nail-biting action filled with brilliant characters you can't help but root for; this is children's fiction at its finest. Thorpe is a talent to watch! * Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend *
Fast paced, full of heart and will have readers rooting for Kayode. * A.M. Dassu, author of Boy, Everywhere *
A smash hit! * Kimberly Whittam, author of Quiet Storm *
A beautifully written, fresh and gripping tale of bravery in the face of formidable odds. An astonishingly great debut! * Gabrielle Kent, co-author of Tiffany Aching's Guide to Being a Witch *
A thrilling and magical adventure that stands out from the crowd. You can't help but root for Kayode and his epic quest to take on the divine. Spectacular. * Jasmine Richards, author of The Unmorrow Curse *
Youngsters will be willing on plucky Kayode as he battles against the odds in a heart-thumping quest full of magical world-building, fast and furious adventures and spine-tingling danger. Epic fun from start to finish! -- Pam Norfolk * Lancashire Evening Post *
A sparky debut for 8+ with a riotous sense of adventure * The Guardian *

Ashley is an author and editor living in Manchester with his partner and a greedy cat. His fantasy adventures The Boy to Beat the Gods and Spirit Warriors put a compelling spin on West African and Caribbean mythology and folklore. When he isn't reading or writing stories, Ashley enjoys making music, gaming, anime, and being out in nature.