Abeni's Song
IN DARKNESS, A SONG CAN LEAD THE WAY. BEWARE WHICH ONE YOU LISTEN TO.
Abeni's Song by award-winning author P. Djèlí Clark is the enchanting beginning of an epic West African and African Diaspora-inspired fantasy adventure for middle-grade readers about a reluctant apprentice to magic and the stolen villagers she sets out to save.
On the day of the spirits festival, the old woman who lives in the forest appears in Abeni's village with a terrible message:
You ignored my warnings. It’s too late to run. They are coming.
The old woman hasn't come to save them, only to collect one child as payment for her years of service and protection. When warriors with burning blades storm the village and a man with a cursed flute plays an impossibly alluring song, everyone Abeni has ever known and loved is captured and marched toward far-off ghost ships set for even more distant lands.
But not Abeni. Abeni escapes the warriors in the clutches of the old woman, magically whisked into the forest away from all she’s ever known. And there she begins her unwanted magical apprenticeship, her journey to escape the witch, and her impossible mission to bring her people home.
Abeni’s Song is the beginning of a timeless, enchanting fantasy adventure about a reluctant apprentice, a team of spirit kids, and the village they set out to save from the evil Witch Priest who stole away Abeni’s people.
Readers also enjoyed
P. Djèlí Clark
P. Djèlí Clark’s stories pulse with the energy of the fantastical, weaving together history, magic, and the profound complexities of culture and identity. A voice that stands out in speculative fiction, Clark’s work blurs the boundaries of genres, often blending elements of alternate history, steampunk, and Afrofuturism. His world-building is immersive and rich, creating spaces where the past and future collide in ways that challenge our perceptions of both.
Born in New York and raised by the vibrant storytelling traditions of his family, Clark's imagination has always been fueled by the histories and myths of his heritage. This grounding in history and culture provides a unique lens through which he views the speculative genre, leading to his groundbreaking novels and short stories that resonate with both fantasy and literary audiences. His narratives often draw from African, Caribbean, and African American traditions, embedding them in imaginative settings where the stakes are high, and the characters are as multifaceted as the worlds they inhabit.
Abeni's Song
Abeni's Song consists of two books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
