ABENI AND THE KINGDOM OF GOLD

In this sequel to Abeni’s Song (2023), two teen girls’ paths cross: one who’s bound to the work of a spirit of destruction and one who’s dedicated to protecting a spirit of creation.

Fulan is the 16-year-old adopted daughter of the Witch Priest, who’s amassing a massive, unrelenting army to remake the world. Fulan has the shape of a teardrop on her forehead—her father’s mark, which connects her to his power and his voice. She wants to lead one of his armies, but the Witch Priest instead sends her off, accompanied by a man called the Huntsman, to capture reborn spirit Asha and her guardian, Abeni. Thirteen-year-old Abeni, whom readers met in the series opener, is looking for both the Storm Women who ravaged her village and the elder spirits who can protect Asha, who was her village’s local witch and now, in the form of a little girl, must relearn her powers. Asha and Abeni are accompanied by flutist Songu, a traumatized nonspeaking boy, Zaneeya, a shape-shifting panther girl, and Nyomi, a porcupine spirit. A dramatic encounter with the Gold Weavers forces them to change their plans, and their original quest is made even more complicated by detours and complicated bargains. Clark’s worldbuilding connects readers even more deeply to this mythical African-inspired world. The strong character development combined with the humorous elements will resonate with a broad range of readers.

Strong storytelling unfolds in a vivid fantasy world.