“As an educator, I love the premise of King Real. The model of unlikely friendships, formed by curiosity of minds, is inspiring and heartwarming. The concept of young adults impacting the values and mindsets of adults brings a fresh perspective of transformation and unconventional learning. Those four adolescents, Martha, Derek, Sonia and Jack turn their heartaches, losses, and misfortunes into opportunities to transform an imperfect world around them and never miss an opportunity to learn. The novel leaves you with a desire to follow in the footsteps of those teens and travel to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Haiti. It is where the students of Nolan Heights get insight into the mystery of the Fibonacci Spiral and then join the teacher and other classmates to explore its significance in South Africa. The symbolism of the Golden Ratio and the learning experience of each chapter make reading this novel a truly unique adventure.”

— Maria Krotla

“King Real encourages all of us to see the interconnectedness of our life journeys, how our choices impact others in ways we can’t foresee, and that the touch of a higher power is present everywhere if we take the time to notice. As four gifted students form an unlikely friendship, they learn the value of community and compassion and show us how to become the best versions of ourselves.”

— Jennifer Laba

“King Real, the debut novel by Marzena Barcinska, masterfully bridges science and narrative into a hard-hitting novel that will profoundly affect its readers. The story takes unexpected twists and turns, from Shakespeare to South Africa, but is held together by the symbolic Fibonacci Spiral, present throughout the whole book. King Real is written with evident care and years of research, combining layers of allegory and metaphor into a palatable treat for readers that takes them through every corner of the natural world. The young protagonists deal with hardship and existential issues, but the plot is expertly handled in a way that engages the reader and teaches them valuable life lessons. These are the topics that every young adult needs to be hearing about. King Real is the perfect book for the youth of today.”

— Charlotte Newman