FIERCELY FICTIONAL celebrates fierce, inspiring fictional girls we know you’ll love. To us, “fierce” isn’t just about slaying dragons or solving mysteries. It’s about breaking free from your comfort zone, discovering your confidence, fighting for what you believe in, & discovering your emotional strength. Any girl can shine bright & be fierce, & that’s what this series is all about!
We’re back with another FIERCELY FICTIONAL spotlight, and this time, we’re highlighting Kaya Morgan from Kaya Morgan’s Crowning Achievement by Jill Tew.
Some of Kaya Morgan’s best memories happened at the Renaissance Faire with her dad by her side. But after he passed away two years ago, Kaya hasn’t returned to the fair. With the Faire’s Apprentice Camp on the horizon, Kaya is determined to spend the summer achieving a dream that she and her dad shared together – for her to become the first Black Queen of the Faire. Unfortunately, Kaya ends up being given a spot as a Court Jester and unknowingly becomes the face of the Faire’s marketing for all the wrong reasons.
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As Kaya spends the summer learning new skills and embracing the inner nerd she’s so proud to be, she’ll have to decide if it’s okay for dreams to change, and might just learn the true meaning of being a queen.
Kaya Morgan’s Crowning Achievement
A vibrant and heart-warming novel about the unforgettable joys of the Renaissance Faire, overcoming grief through cherished memories, and remaining true to yourself—even in cosplay.
For as long as she could remember, Kaya Morgan has spent her summers with her dad at the greatest place on Earth: The Renaissance Faire. Full of performers cosplaying as thieving pirates, enchanting fairies, and courageous heroes, the Ren Faire has always been a place where anyone could be anything they wanted to be. And for as long as she could remember, Kaya and her dad have dreamed of her someday being named the first Black Queen of the Faire.
Unfortunately for the last two summers, Kaya has been known as something else: the girl with the dead dad. But she’s not going to let anyone stop her from taking her place as the Queen’s apprentice (the first step on her journey towards Queen). But when the role is given to the pretty and blonde Jessie, the only spot left for Kaya is the Court Jester (who doesn’t even come with a crown).
It’s bad enough that it’s another summer at the Ren Faire without her dad, and that her family thinks her love of medieval times is weird. But with everyone around Kaya determined to put her in a role she doesn’t want to be in, Kaya must decide whether to hold onto her old dreams no matter what, or realize that it’s okay for new dreams to become reality.
Kaya Morgan’s Crowning Achievement
AUTHOR: Jill Tew
PUBLISHER: Freedom Fire
DATE: April 1, 2025
Kaya Morgan’s Crowning Achievement is as laugh-out-loud funny as it is heartfelt, and reading it feels like the warmth of summer sunshine, the buzz of being proud of who you are, and you’ll be kicking your feet with glee at all of the descriptive Ren Faire ambiance.
What makes Kaya fierce? She’s an unapologetic nerd with big dreams who isn’t interested in being told who she should be. She might be going through some stuff and make some mistakes on her journey towards the crown, but she’s sure of who she is, passionate about the things she loves, and determined to make her goals a reality.
We’re excited to share that author Jill Tew is here to share a peek between the pages of Kaya Morgan’s Crowning Achievement and all the reasons Kaya is totally fierce!
Five Reasons Kaya Morgan is Totally Fierce:
She’s an unapologetic nerd
Kaya loves all things medieval, from archery to classic movies like Ever After. But her one true love is the Renaissance Faire, a summer festival that’s kind of like a cross between Camelot and a carnival. She loves dressing up in costume and watching the jousting competitions (on real horses!).
Most Faire attendees are white, but as a Black girl Kaya’s not embarrassed by her passion– even when other people tease her for being a fish out of water.
She’s a trailblazer
Kaya fights hard for her dream, to be the first Black queen of her local Renaissance Faire’s summer camp. She’s courageous when she steps onto the scene, ready to earn her crown, even when others say she should be happy in other, more “appropriate” roles for a Black girl.
She faces adversity on the way to becoming Faire royalty, but overcoming those obstacles just makes the journey to the throne that much sweeter.
Tries new things
The path to the crown includes a few speedbumps, and sometimes Kaya has to learn new skills like juggling– not exactly regal! But she takes it in stride, finding a way to have fun with the detours while moving toward her goal.
Loves her bro
Despite his questionable hygiene, Kaya deeply loves her older brother, Kev Jr. They may not always see eye-to-eye on things like the Faire, but Kaya knows he’s just trying to look out for her. Plus, who else is she gonna play her favorite video game, Raging Siegelands 3, with?
Makes it right
Over the course of camp, Kaya sometimes becomes so focused on winning the crown that she loses track of what’s really important: her friends and family. But she makes it right in the end, apologizing for bulldozing their feelings with her own ambitions.
And the best part? She finds a way for everyone to win, together.
📚Need another fierce read to add to your shelf after Kaya Morgan’s Crowning Achievement? Catch up on our FIERCELY FICTIONAL series!
