kt_his treasure_453x680Who is Kiru Taye?

Kiru Taye is a Nigerian author who writes on love, relationships and more amongst Nigerians/ Africans in Africa.  We celebrate authors who are willing to show that love can and does occur in Africa.  I learnt about her most recent work which is a historical romance set in precolonial times.  Ambitious project I thought, maybe we can blame this on westernization but just imagining our precolonial ancestors in a love relationship was difficult to wrap my mind around.  It was easier to imagine European colonial or precolonial people in these relationships.  I read the book more out of curiosity than anything else.

On The book - His Treasure

This book opens up with the phrase, “Stubborn pride was a foolish thing.” Taye, Kiru (2011-12-01). His Treasure (Men of Valor) (Kindle Location 19). Breathless Press. Kindle Edition.  We just knew that we were in for a ride. His Treasure tells the story of Obinna and Adaku - a married couple in pre colonial South Eastern Nigeria.  The marriage isn’t really one that Adaku chose but rather she was forced to marry Obinna because of  a situation.  (You have to read the book to find out what it was) So, she is pretty much upset during most of the earlier parts of the marriage and takes out her frustration on Obinna.  She refuses to take anything from Obinna and tries to be independent from her husband.   Obinna on the other hand, has loved his wife from the first moment he saw her, that when the opportunity arose to have her, he ran with it.   Despite, all Adaku does to frustrate him out of the marriage - he sticks it out because she is LOVE to him.   Everything takes a turn for the better - as Obinna, uses patience, love to ‘tame’ his sturborn, bitter and frustrated bride.  Let’s all say awwwwww! Beyond all that, there are several themes explored in the book such as: how class and money can play a role in love relationships and jealousy. 

Where is the heat?

Now, most historical fiction often feature a couple of heated, ‘between the sheets’ scenes. I was very interested in seeing if, how far, and how will she place it within the story.  She  did a great job of placement and they were heated, ‘enough’.  It could have used a little bit more heat.  That was one of the flaws I noticed in the story.  The second flaw can be seen in the relationship between Obinna and Adaku.

Okay, the author really went out of her way to present Obinna as the perfect hero/protagonist.  He loves his wife - we know why he does.  That love doesn’t change, even when she goes out of her way to frustrate him.  We get that.  But, why did Adaku suddenly change her attitude towards  him?  Was it out of loneliness, lust or what?  Yes, I know ‘licking fingers and spouting words’   - you have to read the book to find out what I am talking about, is fine and all but I am very sure she has seen those fingers licked before, several times, so what else was going on?  What made her suddenly change her stance?  That was one of two main areas, I felt that was lacking.  

My thoughts:

For a first attempt at historical romance fiction, I give this author - two thumbs up.  She tried sha!!  I will read this book again.  But does it compare to other historical fiction that I have read - hmmmmm, honestly, no.  I believe her next attempt will be better.  Now, this book had a strong redeeming feature which was the setting.  The author went out of her way to reconstruct South Eastern precolonial times in her book and she really went out of her way to showcase the lifestyles of those who are from the South East of Nigeria.  It was fun reading about the festivals.  That was a very strong redeeming feature, it made the book very different and atypical. Of course, as is typical of most romance novels - the idea that love can surmount stubbornness, pride, jealousy, class systems, and more was inspiring.

Change and Recommendation

What will I do differently if I were the author?  I will probably spend more time on the sex scenes and also, I will also spend more time on the why question.  But, beyond that - this was a fun book.  I will recommend it. If you love historical romance novels set in Africa written by an African, (the first of its kind that I have read), then this is the book for you.


You can get your copy from Amazon.  


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Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 December 2011 12:45 )