Latoya Walker

A Slave on the Throne Latoya Walker

Plot Synopsis
Set in the last days of the transatlantic slave trade, this work of historical fantasy tells the story of Chichima, an extraordinary Igbo girl. Chichima is a special girl with special powers from God. However, when the king realizes she is powerful, he rejects her and sells her into slavery.

Chichima is transported to America where she will be sold into chattel slavery. On voyage to America, Chichima attempts a revolt, using her powers, in which the captain of the ship is killed. However, the ship is soon captured by pirates who take charge of all the cargo, material and human.

The pirates begin selling the captured Africans in different stops in the Caribbean before they land in the port of Charleston, South Carolina where Chichima is sold. After nearly a decade Chichima escapes from slavery with a few slaves and they hijack a ship which some slaves steer back home to Africa. At home, she is honored and made Queen of the Nri clan. But British colonialism in Nigeria complicates her tenure and she must once again summon her powers and fight for her people against a new form of slavery. Latoya draws from history and fiction, the real and the surreal to shine fresh light into a sordid part of American history.