Quirky Cat
Book Summary:
They say you should always heed a warning once given. Abeni’s village ignored the warning given by an old woman who lived outside their borders, and now the world has come crashing down.
Abeni watched every member of her village walk into hell, figuratively speaking. They were all taken by some horrible force, and Abeni would have been taken with them if not for that old woman.
My Review:
I absolutely adore P. Djèlí Clark, so you better believe I carved out the time to read Abeni’s Song. While it was fascinating, it wasn’t the compelling masterpiece I hoped it would be. That’s probably at least partially my fault due to my high expectations. To be clear! I still liked it; I didn’t fall in love with it.
Abeni’s Song is whimsical, dark, and fascinating. The story can transport readers to a different world or location. While it is labeled for middle graders, I think it’s an appropriate read for nearly any age (well, middle grade and up).
Something about the narration kept Abeni’s voice from feeling…real? I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it is the main reason I didn’t feel a deeper connection to Abeni’s Song. It’s such a shame because I so desperately wanted to cherish this book.
Highlights:
Middle-Grade Fantasy
Mythology
West African Diaspora-Inspired
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