Dragon Diaspora: An interview with Natasha Bowen

New York Times bestselling author and teacher Natasha Bowen is of Nigerian and Welsh descent. She grew up in Cambridge and studied English and creative writing at Bath Spa University. Passionate about exploring her dual heritage through a multi-faceted mythical lens, she reinvented the mermaid myth with her dazzling debut Skin of the Sea. Whilst juggling full time teaching and motherhood she wrote within the time span of a year what would have appealed to her as a fan of mermaid stories when she was growing up, drawing on West African religion, Yoruba culture and history for her inspiration. A sequel, Soul of the Deep, followed.

Switching from mermaids to magnificent scaly winged beasts, her third book is equally inventive, with vivid world building and exciting depictions of dragons influenced by stories of spirit serpents from Benin. Wishing to move away from archetypal Eurocentric representations, Bowen’s prose breathes drama, spectacle, vibrant colour, fire, fury and majesty.

Natasha’s powerful creation narrative revolves around the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Kwa who worship their dragon deities, earth born Yida and sky born Dam, relying on them to provide precious magical energy known as Idan to those they deem worthy. Her electric prose reflects the intensity of the people’s ritual by connecting dance and claps to prayers as they invoke the gods during their theatrical Dírágónì ceremony.

When this deeply religious community’s way of life is threatened by greed, protagonists troubled healer Moremi, daughter of the Chief Priestess, Nox, the brave son of the High Priest, conflicted royal Jagun and difficult, jealous orphan Zaye, must go on an epic quest and channel dangerous magic to protect the sacred customs and heal the land. This results in high stakes peril and complex feelings.

Bowen shares that her story was influenced by her favourite fictional dragon Sisu from the 2021 animated fantasy Raya and the Last Dragon, which she enjoyed watching with her enthusiastic son. She confides that she appreciates fiction that has fast and exciting plots and believes that quest stories capture ‘journey, drama and self-discovery’ which are essential ingredients of compelling reads.

Call of the Dragon’s pacy momentum is infused with a beautifully evoked sense of place as the characters travel through lush jungle, salt flats and mountainous peaks. Readers are entertained with landscapes inspired by Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and Wales, including the mysterious Ghost Ocean, a geological marvel modelled on the alien terrain of The Danakil Depression, inhabited by the Nefu which Natasha loosely based on the Fulani tribe who are nomadic cattle herders.

Impacted by her love of African myths, a diet of Point Horror books and her favourite African YA authors Namina Forna and Jordan Ifueko, who also reflect their cultural heritage and explore conflict through fantasy, Bowen produces a balance of imperious gods and terrifying monsters. Her 7 kingdom world is inhabited by weird and wonderful mythical creatures like the fire breathing Izulu bird from Zulu lore, Aziza fey, the hybrid guiamala and the winged feline nundá. She also adds sensory flavour, with the inclusion of Nigerian street foods as her characters feast on akara fritters, creamy Koko and papaya, and infectious rhythm with the magic of tribal dance. The musicality of both the Welsh and Yoruba languages are reflected in the names she gives to the sinister soul sucking evil spirits who ravage the land, emi buburu and Tywyll duw.

Bowen believes in the escapism of fantasy describing it as a genre that gives you ‘the ability to lose yourself completely. As a writer and as a reader.’

She hopes her epic visualisation of dragons will encourage teens to investigate the rich tapestry of draconic world myths and to read more about other cultures.

This talented author’s sequel to Call of the Dragon is nearly complete, promising readers not only more on the love triangle, which evolved into her plot through the strength of Jagun and Nox’s personalities, but a visit to the Kingdom of Carew, a perfect opportunity ‘to compare and contrast the myths of dragons in West Africa and Wales.’

Tanja Jennings is a judge of the Cilip Carnegie Medals, a dedicated school librarian, children’s book reviewer and creative book blogger from Northern Ireland.

Call of the Dragon by Natasha Bowen is published by Penguin, 978-0241706862, £9.99 pbk.