Switch! The Lost Kingdoms of Karibu

Ancient African mysticism meets the technological age, as Ethan Flynn, a computer-centered fifteen-year-old, is forced to go camping with his cousin Joe in the wilds of Zimbabwe. It is difficult enough to leave the comforts of a roof and enclosing walls behind, but plans have changed to allow in a friend of Joe's, Tariro, who has nothing but disdain and contempt for the geeky cousin.The first thing Evan finds strange is that, even though there are two crocodiles swimming lazily among the locals, no one pays them any heed. It seems to him that they are treated as pets, which is certainly not a common attitude toward maneaters.Things go from bad to weird in a New York hurry when Joe suddenly disappears. In his place is Gogo Maya, a witch who has switched places with him to get out of some trouble she is having in her own land. Along with her comes her leopard familiar, Salih, who takes to Evan right away-especially since Evan gives Gogo Maya CPR in order to save her life. Evan finds that Salih can communicate to him via thought patterns-and only to him, which makes him even weirder in the sight of the other boys-especially Tariro's.The witch is grateful, but also apologetic about the switch. Usually, she explains, she switches with a rock or a tree and no one is the wiser. Calculations having been wrong this time (the whole process is pretty much a wild guess anyway), she switches back to see if she can find Joe. But her powers have been sapped-by Evan. When he "kissed the witch", as the others describe it, he absorbed most of her abilities. So everyone else must go to her country via a more conventional way.To Evan's chagrin, he finds himself in charge of a small handful of seekers intent on getting into the magic land through an underground river. Not only does Salih come along, but they are also accompanied by Fisi, a shape-shifting hyena-boy; the crocodiles, Darwishi and Amun (shape-shifting humans as well), who pull the makeshift rafts; Tariro; and Jimoh, a friendly and knowledgeable local boy.Along the way they meet hippos, the Sobek crocodile people, a weird little tribe known as the Tokoloshe, and strange creatures, such as the vampiric fireflies called the Adze.In the meantime, Joe is having his own adventures: he meets up with a strange, but friendly, talking tiger; he is caught and strung up by fierce hyena shape-shifters and saved by a group of the same people; running away, he is led by the tiger to the Almohad people, a charming but brutal, self-absorbed tribe that treats all outsiders as slaves and property. He becomes the slave of Kitoko, whose sister, Nandi, wants Joe for herself. Joe gets no help from the tiger, who sits by passively and waits.For the tiger has his own agenda...Throughout the journey, Evan is learning a lot-about the outside world, other people, and especially about how much he can really do for himself and for others, and that he can conquer adversity through his own self-reliance.As for me, all I can say is, "Wow!!!"What a fantastic story! This may be classified as YA, but there is no reason why adults can't enjoy it too. All the adventure of Tom Sawyer, and all the "life's lessons learned" as well. The story started with a bang and just kept going. There were a lot of characters along the way, and every one of them was rounded out and given a personality. Africa, with its varied and colorful environments, was so richly detailed.I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series. I have to know-does Tariro learn to use his magic correctly, or does he exploit it because of his rather large ego? Inquiring minds want to know...

Initially posted on Theexemeus.blogspot.comIn the novel Switch the author, Karen Prince, creates an intricate story about self-discovery set in the heart of Africa. Prince seamlessly blends multiple points of view and a dynamic setting together in a way that makes for a wholly original coming of age story about a germaphobic, hypochondriac named Ethan. When Ethan is sent from the technologically advanced city of Cape Town to stay in the underdeveloped countryside of Zimbabwe with his father, Ethan has to decide how far he is willing to go to survive and what he's willing to do to save those he loves.With a cast of side characters such as a witch with a vacillating moral compass, a scrupulous soul jumper, and a shape shifting Hyena with his own agenda Switch is unlike any other young adult book on the market. The characters are multi-dimensional, with motivations that make them seem more human than your average protagonist or antagonist. No one can be classified as all good or all bad, which is an accurate depiction of the world-- and people --not often seen in books. This setup challenges the reader to consider all possible outcomes, and to constantly reevaluate the characters for who they become as the novel progresses.Although this story shines, because of its innovative setting and its cast of characters, there are portions of setting and inner monologue that could have been edited out to ensure a continuous flow of action. Additionally, there are aspects where complex problems are quickly and easily fixed (or not fixed) with no consequences. Despite these flaws, Prince has written a timeless coming of age piece that will appeal to people of all ages. *********** 3.5 STARS ****************

I loved the beginning of this book. The sights, scents, and tastes of Africa are lavishly described in this book. I learned of beautiful African lingo new to me such as mahobohobo and nyanga. The author spent years living in Zimbabwe, in Africa and it definitely shows. She writes of the African flora and fauna with a familiarity that more than equally matches ours of boreal forests, elk, and groundhogs in Europe or North America.The magic is enchanting. Various shapeshifters pop up throughout the book, transforming from humans to African animals with ease, and vice versa. Many of them befriend and aid Ethan, the primary character in this book.I was spellbound perfectly until the point where Ethan and a determined group of boys resolve to find a missing friend, named Joe, and enlist telepathic crocodiles and a graceful leopard (who are also shapeshifters). After that, the plot got a little confusing for me, with plenty of misfortunes, skirmishes, newly introduced characters, and majestic locations. If the author had streamlined the encounters and adventures in a more linear way, I might have been able to track who was who and what was happening. There were dozens of names of various characters at the mid-point in this book, and I was unable to keep up with the frequent new dollops of information. I wasn't sure who the enemies were sometimes; I knew that the Almohad had tried to capture the witch, and then the boys encounter the Tokoloshe, but wasn't sure what the connection of these two tribes had with each other, or who were the antagonists (the Tokoloshe seemed quite friendly as time went on!). The original mission was to find Joe, the boy who disappeared when the witch switched with him, but developed into much more complicated consequences with more new tribes and lost cities.But for a majestic tapestry, with fascinating African folklore and mythology, I definitely recommend this book!

Karen Prince has created a timeless masterpiece of jungle fever that will have every teenager begging for more. Her obvious love of her homeland Zimbabwe shines from every page with startling knowledge and insights to the hardships and wonders encountered in the bush.Ethan is a pampered teenager used to the comforts of wealth, hates dirt, animals, anything outside his comfort zone which is basically outside the walls of his home. During a visit to his family's farm, Ethan's friend Joe invites him on a camping trip. Reluctantly Ethan agrees and while having a swim at the Crystal Pools Joe vanishes before Ethan's eyes to be replaced by Gogo Maya, a tribal witch.Ethan dives into the water to save Joe but returns to the surface with a strange amulet that gives him even stranger powers. Gogo Maya tells Ethan the truth of Joe's disappearance - that she switched with his body to escape the Tokoloshe - forcing Ethan to gather a hunting party of teenage boys and trek into the vast jungle to save his friend. He is not alone as the amulet has empowered Ethan with all of Gogo Maya's magic. Now Ethan's prissy ways are tested to the extreme as with each dangerous encounter he sheds his finicky childhood and grows stronger. Along the way Ethan gains the trust of the Tokoloshe Tribe, battles vampire fireflies, strange animals that are not what they seem and discovers the true magic of faith in himself. And Joe too must survive the gauntlet of trials blocking his path to freedom.Karen uses such lyrical names and dialogue mixed with prose that roll off the tongue like beautiful songs rich with life affirming properties. Switch is a 5 Star adventure of epic proportions for all ages and had this reader desperate for the next expedition into the interior.

`Switch' by Karen Prince is a fine example of how writers will often take their own familiar environment and transform it into a wonderland inhabited by beings of myth and imagination. Whether it's vampires in New York or London, ghosts in Glen Laragain, or here, as in this case, witches, shape shifters and magic pools in the jungle of Zimbabwe.What begins as a camping trip in the Zimbabwean jungle soon degenerates into a frantic search for a lost boy. While diving into a waterfall Joe suddenly vanishes, to be replaced by Gogo Maya, a dishevelled and apologetic witch.Gogo Maya has 'switched' with Joe whilst fleeing from her own land, leaving the unfortunate lad to materialise in Karibu, where his bad day is about to get a whole lot worse,His friends set off into the jungle intent on rescue. En route they meet shape shifting hyenas, a talking leopard, vampire insects, the Tokoloshe - little hairy jungle dwellers - and a whole host of other weird and wonderful beings.Under Karen's deft touch the unbelievable becomes believable. Talking cats, magic pools, vampire insects; all seem perfectly plausible. I enjoyed the clever use in the story of something as mundane and everyday as a tin of chocolates and toffees. I also enjoyed the way the main characters grew and developed as the tale unfolded. Ethan especially evolved from being a neurotic hypochondriac into a little jungle warrior.All in all 'Switch' is an enjoyable and fun read from a talented author.Now, where did I leave that bar of Cadbury's?

This is indeed an exciting adventure story that had my slugs and I on the edge of our seats. A couple of slugs got so excited that they fell of their seats. Unfortunately, for them, there was a a frying pan beneath. Fortunately for me, it provided me with a little snack whilst I read this quite wonderful story.The main reason I like it is because I am a little OCD and a bit of a maniac when it comes to hygiene, like our protagonist, Ethan. The poor boy has to leave his opulent home and then, via his Dad and stepmother's place in Zimbabwe go on safari and then gets transported to a strange, magical kingdom trying to rescue his cousin, Joe! Think of the dirt the poor Ethan has to encounter!With poor cousin Joe being held captive, will Ethan and the others rescue him in time? Or will he end up like those slugs that fell off the chair?What we have is a story with magic, adventure, witchcraft, all set in Africa - which is wonderful for kids to read and learn about. My remaining slugs are already looking forward to book two! Excellent stuff.Elias Zapple, author of  Duke & Michel: The Mysterious Corridor: 1Duke & Michel: The Mysterious Corridor: 1

Never kiss a witch unless you are prepared for a magical adventure. Ethan doesn't intend to kiss Gogo Maya, but it's impossible to avoid when performing CPR. This half drowned witch has made an unfortunate magical switch with Ethan's cousin, Joe. And she's unable to get him back.Ethan's preferred environment is his Mum and rich stepfather's home in Cape Town, freshly squeezed orange juice on tap, playing computer games in his air conditioned room. Now he's far away from this comfortable home, in a place full of germs,strange plants and wild animals, on a rescue mission to the lost kingdom of Karibu. Accompanied by top tracker Jimoh, moody Tariro, mysterious Fisi plus his new best friend, a leopard.Things go from bad to worse. Ethan even runs out of hand sanitiser.The witch's kiss has had interesting results and Ethan discovers..... well, you'll need to read 'Switch!' to find out. This books is so much fun, I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone. Karen Prince has a vivid and original imagination making her book enjoyable for adults as well as older children and teens. 'Switch!' also has one of my favourite themes, courage in the face of adversity. Joe, you are a hero. The buffaloes.....

The High Priest Drogba needs another body so that he can prolong his life, so what does he choose?Gogo Maya is a witch who has to make a switch in order to escape, but unfortunately for Joe, he was in the way. Joe's cousin Ethan then finds that he has to save the life of the witch by giving her the kiss of life.....but the result is somewhat unexpected.The story revolves around Ethan's trek through the jungle in order to find his cousin. With the help of a couple of friends, a leopard, some crocodiles, a hyena or two and some strange little people called the Tokoloshe, as well as the witch, he finds he has to enter a magical kingdom in order to rescue Joe.....but magical kingdoms are magic, so what will he find?The characters are well developed and mature through their trials and efforts as the book progresses. Well written and nicely paced, with rich setting and gentle humour, the author takes us on a journey through the Africa that she undoubtedly knows well.Switch should have a wide appeal; a YA book, yes, but adults can enjoy the Kingdom of Karibu too.