Publishers Weekly
06/05/2023
In this enchanting first installment of an epic fantasy series based in West African mythology, a small village’s Harvest Celebration ends in disaster after a mysterious force destroys the town and kidnaps all the villagers—except 12-year-old Abeni. She’s saved by Asha, an elderly witch who lives in the surrounding Jembe forest and has been warning the villagers of impending doom. Distraught and confused following the traumatic event, Abeni struggles to adjust to living with Asha and Obi, a man made of straw, in a home in the witch’s secluded magical garden. Asha is secretive, only revealing that a great war involving spirits and mortals is brewing, that the villagers have likely boarded ghost ships far from the forest, and that Abeni must grow into her magical powers if she hopes to survive the ordeal. As Abeni experiences harrowing trials and tribulations, and recruits new fantastical and human friends, she’s forced to reckon with her hidden abilities and her place in her village’s shrouded history is this intricately detailed, riotously fun adventure by Clark (A Master of Djinn, for adults) that explores themes of loyalty, friendship, courage, and the power of belief in oneself. Ages 8–12. (July)
From the Publisher
An Indie Next Pick!
A Junior Library Guild Selection!
A Common Sense Media Selection!
★"A rich story of love, loss, and friendship steeped in West African lore. Readers will thrill to the fantastic plot points as well as the genuine relationships between magical and mortal characters, and the fast-paced plot will keep them fully immersed in the story from beginning to end." —Horn Book, starred review
"[Abeni's Song is a] coming-of-age fantasy adventure novel takes place in an intricately-imagined fictional West African setting." —Common Sense Media (selection)
"Abeni’s Song does a fantastic job building a world full of deep lore." —BookPage
"Vibrant and utterly immersive, Abeni's story will sweep you away with its depth of fantastical wonder, tragedy, and coming-of-age adventure." —Amanda Foody, New York Times bestselling author of the Wilderlore Series
"A whimsical tale of found family and hope that brilliantly weaves lush worldbuilding with witches, magic, and an incredibly brave protagonist who learns to believe in herself while on a quest to save her village. This story will live in readers' hearts and minds long after turning the last page." —Rena Barron, Author of the Maya and the Rising Dark Series
"This sweeping epic fantasy takes beloved West African folklore and spins it into a tale of whimsy, horror, and adventure. Clark masterfully builds beautiful, authentic worlds and fills them with characters that are both endearing and flawed. This has the feel of a classic fantasy, something that will be passed down for generations to come." —Booklist
"Enchanting first installment...intricately detailed, riotously fun adventure that explores themes of loyalty, friendship, courage, and the power of belief in oneself." —Publishers Weekly
"A lush and magical fantasy that will leave readers craving more of Abeni's adventure."—Kwame Mbalia, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Tristan Strong series
"An original, enjoyable coming-of-age story.” —Kirkus Review
"Abeni’s Song is simply unlike anything else in the field. An astonishing adventure that managed to thrill, scare, and delight, all while telling a story that is beautifully complicated and moving. Middle grade readers, meet your new favorite author." —Mark Oshiro, #1 New York Times bestseller co-author of The Sun and the Star (From the World of Percy Jackson)
"Anyone can read P. Djèlí Clark’s Abeni’s Song and get something out of it, but Black children are especially going to be drawn to it. It would make a great book for children who love fantasy, adventure, and found family stories." —Locus
Praise for P. Djèlí Clark:
Winner of the Nebula, Alex, Locus, and British Fantasy Awards
ALA's RUSA Reading List Fantasy Winner
One of "Speculative Fiction's Rising Stars" (Goodreads)
"Perfect" —NPR on The Haunting of Tram Car 015
“A fantastical, brutal and thrilling triumph.” —New York Times Book Review on Ring Shout
“Rousing, boisterous, and clever.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Ring Shout
“Readers will be both captivated and entertained.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Ring Shout
"Sure to wow.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on A Master of Djinn
Kirkus Reviews
2023-04-24
A 12-year-old West African girl attempts to save children who were stolen from her village.
Abeni and her best friend, Fomi, plan to enjoy their annual Harvest Festival, but the festivities are interrupted when Asha, the local witch, appears. She reminds everyone that she gave three warnings that they must leave their homes, but they did not obey; she can no longer protect the village from the coming war. After watching over them for generations, Asha is here to collect her payment: a child. To her great shock, Abeni’s mother gives her to Asha. And then war does in fact come to their peaceful valley where they lived quietly, surrounded by a forest. Abeni watches in horror as storm women assisted by magical black ropes capture the adults before a mysterious goat man plays a haunting melody on a flute that ensnares the other children. Abeni, trained in self-defense by Auntie Asha, sets out to find the kidnapped children. She crosses paths with porcupine spirit Nyomi and panther spirit Zaneeya who join her as they pursue quests of their own. The magical storytelling and West African spirit elements will keep readers engaged, while authentic relationships between the central characters offer a nice counterbalance for the fantastical plot points, making this work appealing to fantasy and realistic fiction readers alike.
An original, enjoyable coming-of-age story with complex fantasy worldbuilding and multifaceted characters. (Fantasy. 9-13)
