Mythspeaker by Christopher Roubique

Frankly, any good faith attempt to bring the world’s diverse mythologies to a wider audience of young readers — a la Rick Riordan’s Camp Half-Blood Chronicles — is a win in my book. While Christopher Roubique is careful to note that his story is based not on any one tribe’s beliefs but on an amalgamation, it’s clear that this Middle Grade novel is strongly rooted in his diaspora Native American heritage.

Kyta is a bit of a loner. This is due in large part to an encounter he once had with Deer Mother, who told him that it was his destiny to save the world. Ever since then, he’s been training himself for this as yet unknown mission, staying hyper-alert to any opportunity for heroism.

Unfortunately, this state of constant vigilance means that he doesn’t have time — or so he believes — to enjoy his childhood or make friends with anyone except for Old Moon Eyes, a Living Myth who inhabits the forests. Old Moon Eyes thinks that Kyta should loosen up, but grudgingly helps quiz the thirteen year-old on the languages that Kyta instinctively understands and knows how to speak (his superpower, if you will.)

Tragedy strikes when the egg of the World Turtle Gonoka, that will eventually hatch to create a new continent of its own, is stolen from its heavily guarded cave. The guards have been slaughtered by a strange new beast, and the egg carted off by newcomers to the lands of the Ay’do. The Tenemusuh had sequestered themselves behind the high walls of the city they’d quickly built upon arrival but had seemed peaceable, until now at least. Perhaps, the Ay’do posit, the Tenumusuh don’t understand the ramifications of their actions? For Gonoka is not pleased that her egg has been stolen, and will not hesitate to destroy every living thing on her back should her egg not be returned to where it belongs.

After some deliberation, the Ay’do send a delegation — including Kyta — to communicate with the Tenemusuh. Unfortunately, Lord Endellion is not only unrepentant about his theft, he’s excited to learn of the egg’s rarity and potential. Kyta soon finds himself needing to plan a heist to steal the egg back and return it safely to its home, before Gonoka eradicates them all in her grief.

This is a fast-paced novel of cultures (and monsters!) clashing as Kyta puts together a crew to save the world. I high key love Eno Blackfeather, tho Yudove and Tumuhv also make excellent additions to the team. The introduction of different mythical creatures from both American and European mythology was also really cool, tho I did think that the Christian allegory was pretty heavy-handed and not necessarily reconciled with the tone of the rest of the book. Overall, however, it was an entertaining adventure novel that I quite enjoyed reading. Hopefully, there are more books in this series to come.

Mythspeaker by Christopher Roubique was published February 24 2026 by Viking Books for Young Readers and is available from all good booksellers, including