Bill Masuku,
Daniel Quartey (Illustrated by)
Oct 6, 2026
Hardcover
Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fantasy / Action & Adventure / African American & Black
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
In a world in which magical runes determine a person’s fate, runeless best friends find themselves on opposite sides of an epic fight for justice.
This exciting fantasy graphic novel about friendship and power is perfect for 8-12-year-old fans of Amulet and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
In the wealthy city of Dura, a person’s fate is determined by which of seven magical runes they’re born with. And Fungai and Ngoni, both born without runes, have nothing—except each other.
But when a mysterious, hooded figure known as the Vagabond offers to magically grant them runes, the boys see their chance for a normal life . . . though it comes at a terrible cost. For the first time ever, Fungai and Ngoni disagree—and their choices change everything, pitting them against each other in a bitter fight for justice.
Full of action and emotion, Runeless is the epic story of friends torn apart—and, against all odds, reunited—in an adventure that transforms their world.
Story Locale:a fantasy world inspired by pre-colonial Zimbabwe
Series Overview: Kugali Ink is a children’s graphic novel program within Disney Hyperion, dedicated to high-quality and authentic storytelling that raises up new African voices and tells stories inspired by African culture.
Created in partnership with African media company Kugali Limited and exploring a variety of genres, Kugali Ink books respect the history of the continent and imagine the future of Africa.
This exciting fantasy graphic novel about friendship and power is perfect for 8-12-year-old fans of Amulet and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
In the wealthy city of Dura, a person’s fate is determined by which of seven magical runes they’re born with. And Fungai and Ngoni, both born without runes, have nothing—except each other.
But when a mysterious, hooded figure known as the Vagabond offers to magically grant them runes, the boys see their chance for a normal life . . . though it comes at a terrible cost. For the first time ever, Fungai and Ngoni disagree—and their choices change everything, pitting them against each other in a bitter fight for justice.
Full of action and emotion, Runeless is the epic story of friends torn apart—and, against all odds, reunited—in an adventure that transforms their world.
Story Locale:a fantasy world inspired by pre-colonial Zimbabwe
Series Overview: Kugali Ink is a children’s graphic novel program within Disney Hyperion, dedicated to high-quality and authentic storytelling that raises up new African voices and tells stories inspired by African culture.
Created in partnership with African media company Kugali Limited and exploring a variety of genres, Kugali Ink books respect the history of the continent and imagine the future of Africa.
