As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
To continue you need an active subscription to hbook.com.
Subscribe now to gain immediate access to everything hbook.com has to offer, as well as our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database, which contains tens of thousands of short, critical reviews of books published in the United States for young people.
Thank you for registering. To have the latest stories delivered to your inbox, select as many free newsletters as you like below.
No thanks. Return to article
368 pp.
| Tor/Starscape |
April, 2025 |
TradeISBN 9781250825858$19.99
|
EbookISBN 9781250825865$11.99
(2)
4-6
In this compelling sequel to Abeni’s Song (rev. 9/23), Abeni and her companions continue their quest to find the elder spirits who might protect Asha (the first book’s benevolent witch who here has been reborn as a child) from the malevolent Witch Priest. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they’re captured by the Gold Weavers, mysterious beings with the ability to manipulate gold at will. The Gold Weavers offer Abeni a bargain: her freedom in exchange for locating an ancestral relic containing the soul of their kingdom. Meanwhile, the Witch Priest builds his army, intent on world domination. Fearing Asha’s power to de-rail his plans, he dispatches his adopted daughter, Fulan, to capture both the re-born spirit and her guardian, Abeni. Fulan’s determination to prove herself adds another layer of danger. Clark adeptly combines action and emotion in this fast-paced narrative, which also explores themes of loyalty, heritage, and personal growth through Abeni’s evolving relationships with her companions. The author’s skilled incorporation of historical and magical elements enriches the worldbuilding while reinforcing the tale’s central themes. This second installment successfully builds upon its predecessor while raising the stakes for all involved.
Reviewer: S. R. Toliver
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2025