The Genie Game
Jordan Ifueko
Piccadilly Press

The story begins on the thirteenth birthday of the narrator Valentine Adesanya when an unexpected birthday present flies through her window in a box – it’s a purple beret . Also in the box is a note ‘ THE SKY IS BLUE, VALLYBEAN.’ – surely this has come from her twenty three year old sister, Vanessa (aka Mango), who since her disappearance, has been forgotten by everyone in her family other than Valentine. These objects set Valentine off on a quest to find her sister.

All her parents (Nigerian immigrants to the U.S.) are anxious about is the future of Valentine who dreams of becoming a movie-maker, rather than working for the Trio Trust that comprises three mega-corporations which run the U.S. It’s these three – Bumblebell Foods, Gloss & Gleam Beauty, and Farafyte Technologies that Valentine suspects have something to do with the disappearance of her sister.

During her investigations, Valentine unintentionally becomes caught up in the Trio Trust’s Genie Game and learns that it’s the wishes granted by the genies trapped in bottles that have been powering her entire world. Having agreed to become a participant in the genie games she rapidly rises to the top of the leader board while also undertaking other quests relating to issues of social justice and the environment as well as capitalism, consumerism and AI. Will she find her sister though?

A powerful, action-packed adventure that leaves readers eagerly awaiting what comes next for Valentine and her family.
Make sure you read the author’s note that follows the story.