Her destiny was certain. Until it wasn’t.

Exploring her beloved forest, young Princess Chibuike “Chi” encounters a man unlike any she has seen. His skin is as pale as the moon that watches over the Queendom of Kana, a land where women rule fiercely and freely. But outside the comforting embrace of her homeland, a disturbing change blows with the wind.

Ten dry seasons later, in 1619, Chi, now a seasoned warrior in the Kanaian army, and preparing for her own future as queen, faces a mystery that threatens the existence of Kana. The once-peaceful queendom is upended when nearby villagers disappear en masse, including their ruling families—and one of Chi’s closest friends. Chi vows to find her missing landspeople and bring them home, no matter where they are. She and the women warriors travel across the ocean to Jamestown, Virginia to face down the pale men who have built a trade in human beings. To free their people, the warriors withstand perils at sea, the dangers of an unknown climate and unfamiliar societies, and the insatiable greed that drives the pale men.

While she creates unforeseen alliances in distant lands, Chi also faces betrayals at home. Returning to Kana does not bring an end to her battles. To change the course of history for her people and herself requires Chi to discover a new kind of bravery and her true destiny. Bend Don’t Break follows each woman as they fight for their own dreams and create pathways for their daughters to scale greater heights. This vitally important novel is a captivating testament to women’s ambition and a mother’s love.