Teneō
Kojo Gyan
Independently Published (2025)
ISBN: 978-1069344410
Reviewed by Jennifer Bishop for Reader Views (10/2025)
Have you ever wondered what happens when your mind begins to wander? What happens in those moments between active thought and sleep? Have you ever had moments where you don’t quite remember how you got somewhere or what happened in the recent past? Author Kojo Gyan explores this in Teneō. In this novella, there are invisible beings that are able to inhabit humans when these moments of absent thought occur. In order to live, they must inhabit us whenever possible, or they will cease to exist. But what exactly does that entail?
This book was extremely thought-provoking from the very beginning! While I personally have never had moments where I couldn’t go back and trace my steps to where I was before, I have known people to say they don’t remember. This novella explores the possibility that maybe something else was in control during that time. While certain humans are more susceptible to this, it definitely got me thinking about all the times that I allow my consciousness to waver.
The main character is one of these other beings. We get to tag along as they discover how to survive and what exactly that means. They discover there is more than just survival and that they can experience human emotions and feelings through those they inhabit. However, it’s hard, as once the human is fully aware of what they are doing, the other being is immediately ejected. It was honestly a bit of an emotional journey of fear, discovery, and determination.
This is definitely a story that I felt like had a bit of a message in it, while also just exploring an idea that Gyan had. Something that is heavily emphasized is that those who take any type of drug (alcohol, sleeping pills, illegal drugs, etc.) are more susceptible to being controlled by these other beings. This is also a self-reflection on how often we tune out the world.
One thing that I think was beautifully done was how well Gyan described some of the experiences the other being was having while possessing the different humans. He did an amazing job at what it might be like for someone to experience food, heat, showers, and human interactions without the upbringing we as humans become familiar with from birth.
Teneō by Kojo Gyan explores the concept of something able to take over when there is a lapse in control of our minds. He did a phenomenal job portraying what this might be like. I do want to mention I would recommend this only for adult audiences. There are some things talked about (drugs, sex, alcohol) that would not be suitable for a younger audience. There is very little cursing; however, there is a mild description of the physical sensations experienced during an open-door bedroom scene. I really loved the layout of the book and the way Gyan successfully broke through to the audience. I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading thought-provoking books.