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Isobel Stellar and the Ubuntu Song
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Isobel Stellar and the Ubuntu Song is a young-adult South African fantasy novel by Iwan Jooste. Plot summary Baroness Famika de Lauer, ruler of the glamorous Principality of Rock, has unearthed the legendary Dark Scroll, the means by which she plans to monopolise the entire world’s music industry. All the Queen of Rock lacks in her secret plan for domination is the final ingredient that will unlock a set of spells that will render her a perfect singing voice. The story begins when the neighbouring Empire of Cathania, music epicentre of the world, is thrown into panic at the announcement of the assassination of its beloved ruler Emperor Marcus Amthynbora. Shockingly it is his own wife, the pregnant Empress Sophea, who is accused of his murder. Isobel Stellar, a thirteen-year-old orphan in the employment of Baroness Famika, is witness to several bizarre events in the Principality of Rock. This leads her to suspect that Baroness Famika and her sinister Federal Bureau of Marionettes is somehow involved in the assassination of Emperor Marcus of Cathania. Found guilty of her husband’s murder, Empress Sophea Amthynbora is banished to the mythical Hydersteel Island where she must remain in captivity until the birth of her child. At the trial her faithful manservant, Sir Gobling Galileo, who is in turn branded a conspirator in the assassination and exiled from Cathania, accompanies her. A parallel set of adventures ensue involving Isobel Stellar’s investigation of Baroness Famika de Lauer and Sir Gobling Galileo’s attempt to prove Empress Sophea’s innocence. Baroness Famika takes to the throne of Cathania and her preposterous Vogue Revolution, by which she enforces her stringent Style, Appearance and Wealth laws on the capital, Bouldia City. Children begin falling ill as the airwaves are dedicated to the now Empress Famika’s hypnotic rock music. After her suspicious victory at the annual Cathanian Music Competition where she wins the Vivre Award, Empress Famika sets her sights on the International Music Competition where she must win the Double Vivre Award in order to achieve her goal of global domination. Meanwhile, en route to Hydersteel Island, Sir Gobling Galileo makes the acquaintance of a runaway; the young Evinrude Scarnite. In the Forest of Dreams the duo discovers, by means of the Light Scroll, that Isobel Stellar is the Chosen One, that it is her destiny to win the Double Vivre Award and prevent Empress Famika’s siege on the music world at large. Sir Gobling and Evinrude stage a limousine ambush and effectively kidnap Isobel Stellar. Isobel is reluctant to believe she is destined for greatness - her lifelong lack of self-belief and self worth are crippling thanks to the weekly fattening spells cast on her by Empress Famika and the accompanying lifetime of slavery. Once Sir Gobling persuades Isobel to sing a song detailed in the Light Scroll, it is clear that she has a phenomenal and exceptional talent. Narrowly escaping capture by the nefarious Federal Bureau of Marionettes, Isobel embarks on a fantastic journey where she is faced with a series of gruelling musical quests. Isobel must leave the only life she has ever known and make a perilous journey across the realms of Cathania to the dance-crazed dangers of La Isla La Diva where she must hack it on the dance floor and face judgment by the bloodthirsty and narcissistic Mannequins. Her success here leads her to the mythical Mandelaland where she must stage a pop concert for the evil Tokoloshe* Queen, the grotesque Nonqawuse. Her third and final quest takes place in the soul-revealing solitude of Mirror City where Isobel must simply face herself in a mirror and to tell herself with conviction, “I love you”. Isobel’s challenge here is to overcome her lifelong issues of self-doubt and self-hatred. The story ends in Bouldia City on the evening of the Double Vivre Awards (a fantastical MTV awards ceremony) where a now slim and beautiful Isobel Stellar, externalising her inner self, finally confronts Famika about the years of abuse she suffered and proves her newfound confidence by singing the Ubuntu Song. She wins the coveted Double Vivre Award - and as a result saves both her inner and outer world. Main Characters Isobel Stella "Somehow. Somehow I will stand on that stage and sing! I'll do whatever it takes." Orphaned at a young age, thirteen-year old Isobel has been in the employ of Baroness Famika for as long as she can remember. Her one and only dream over the years - to become a singer and win the most renowned musical award in the world: the Double Vivre - is a lifeline in the darkest of times. Her voice is exquisite, her talent unparalleled - however a life riddled with challenges and pain has left her with a deep sense of worthlessness. The fattening spells cast on her by Famika only compound Isobel's critical lack of confidence. As she crawls deeper within herself she uncovers two saving graces - a razor-sharp intelligence and a will to survive that can shift an island from its moorings. Isobel's trusted position in Famika's entourage allows her to witness several dubious events that lead her to suspect the Baroness's involvement in the assassination of Emperor Marcus Amthynbora. As the situation in Cathania becomes more and more dire by the day, Isobel finally realises what it is she must do. Will Isobel have the courage to overcome her crippling lack of confidence and self-loathing to save the Empire and fulfil her destiny? Will anyone ever actually hear her sing? Crown Empress Famika deLauer "The time for me to shine has arrived, and shine I shall! At my feet your blood will spill, dahlings." This statuesque woman has a heart as cold as she is beautiful, and ambition void of any conscience. The quintessential couture-addict, HRH Famika deLauer devours Gucci for breakfast and Louis Vuitton for dinner. What a shame her voice doesn't match her flawless ensembles. As Baroness of the ultra-chic Principality of Rock, she has everything she could ever desire - except two things: the Cathanian Throne and control over the world's entire music industry. Obsessed with perfecting her voice, Famika uncovers an ancient document that might just bring her the fame and power she so vehemently craves. As her astonishing new songs begin infiltrating the airwaves, will Cathanians be able to resist her hypnotic talent - and more importantly, can the world survive it? Empress Sophea Exulte Amthynbora"' "I call on you in these darkest of times as my future is now fated for other realms." The regal and much-loved Empress Sophea Exulte-Ytheron Amthynbora rules the Empire of Cathania, music epicenter of the world, with her husband, Emperor Marcus Ytheron Amthynbora. Winner of the coveted Vivre Award, she understands the power of music and that it serves a far greater purpose than mere entertainment in the lives of her beloved Cathanians. In a shocking twist of events, a pregnant Empress Sophea is found over the murdered body of Emperor Marcus, her hands covered in blood. She is banished to the desolate Hydersteel Island where she must spend the remainder of her natural life. Did Empress Sophea commit the crime? Will she ever take to the throne of Cathania again? Sir Gobling Galileo "Famika's going for the Vivre Music Award, probably the Double Vivre. And at this stage there's not much we can do to stop her!" The ever-refined and noble gentleman, Sir Gobling Nkululeko Galileo has been faithfully serving the Amthynbora Royal Family for countless years. As personal confidant and advisor to Empress Sophea, Sir Gobling would gladly take a bullet for her. It is this fidelity that leads him to be branded as co-conspirator in the assassination of Emperor Marcus. Risking further prosecution, he sets out to defend the honour of his mistress and to save her from her terrible fate. Sir Gobling is also one of the only people in the world that knows of Empress Sophea's pregnancy. Can Sir Gobling reach Hydersteel Island in time to rescue the baby? Will Famika intervene before he can reveal that there is a rightful heir to the Cathanian throne? Evinrude Scarnite "If the Guardians are involved, what chance do we ever stand of saving Empress Sophea? Evinrude Scarnite is a typical teenager. Disillusioned by farm life, he decides to leave his home in Port Anaxx to find his fortune. Armed only with charm, good looks and a relentless confidence, his path crosses with Sir Gobling's and together they set out to rescue Empress Sophea. A treasured memory reveals that it more than mere chance that he and Sir Gobling find themselves embarking on such a dangerous yet crucial mission. Will Evinrude find his purpose and become the man he is destined to be? Will his treasured memory, in fact, result in his demise? Ming Ho "Am having best time of whole life! I rock this party big time! Hailing from Rio de Grande, capital of the Principality of Rock, this street-smart fourteen-year-old is one of Baroness Famika's servant girls. Her thick accent often leads to confusion, much to the amusement of those around her. As Isobel's honorary sister, Ming is the only person in the world that Isobel trusts. Fiercely loyal, though occasionally wayward, Ming assists Isobel in her quest to uncover Famika's scheming. An incident on a dance floor almost jeopardizes the lives of both girls, much to Ming's regret. Wise beyond her years, Ming sees the awe-inspiring potential in Isobel, even if Isobel can't see it herself. Will Ming be able to convince her best friend of her talent and help her conquer her fears? Can she ever stay out of trouble long enough to do so? Captain Sertida Sroliknaya "Famika I'm deeply concerned about this, especially for your safety. The Dark Scroll should never have been removed from that vault. Captain Sertida Stoliknaya has charmed his way to the top. Breathtakingly handsome and ruthlessly ambitious his sights are set on marrying the exquisite Famika deLauer. Entrusted with information that could expose her, Sertida truly believes that Famika's feelings towards him are genuine. His world is rocked to the core during a spectacular musical event where a drama of cataclysmic proportions unfolds. Will Captain Stoliknaya achieve his goals? Will the woman he loves so dearly choose him over her own ambitions? Development According to the author, the original idea for the book was very different to the end result. Jooste says that the inspiration for Isobel Stellar came from Isobel herself: “Writers are merely channels and, if we are very lucky, we get chosen to bring into our world the stories of people and places that are, in fact, very much real. We as humans have a great power - for what we believe to be real, is real. I often ask myself, ‘have I dreamed up Isobel, or has she dreamed me?’” 
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