The Door of No Return was initially published in September of 2022 by Little, Brown and Company. It follows an eleven-year-old named Kofi Offin, who has intense dreams of water and the Earth. Kofi often hears the call from the river from his village in Upper Kwanta (in the African country of Ghana). To his credit, Kofi heeds the call of the river and decides to prove his swimming prowess in front of his crush named Ama and some of his other friends. Kofi and others around him call him a minnow because of how he moves and the contest, in Kofi's estimation, should be a sinch. But Kofi's cousin is older and stronger than him.
Before the two begin their competition, Kofi's brother is called to represent their village in a wrestling competition. Despite the comp and circumstance, tragedy ensues when a death occurs almost immediately after Kofi's brother first starts. Understandably, Kofi's life is turned upside down, and his swimming competition takes on a whole new meaning. Still, to get over the death of his brother and to maintain his own safety, Kofi goes on a perilous journey across the land and the river which had long called him.
Fundamentally, The Door of No Return is an exploration of life and death, the slave trade (and the surprising people who took part in it), and the influence of religion and history on culture. The reviews for the novel reflect its complex themes. Kirkus Reviews wrote that the novel is "A riveting, not-to-be-missed trilogy opener that will leave readers invested in what is to come." Other reviews felt similarly; an animated film based on the book is currently being developed.
