Abeni’s Song is the middle-grade debut of P. Djèlí Clark — an author whose adult works I’ve very much enjoyed. Continuing in the trend, I really enjoyed the world of spirits and adventure created here. Abeni is a protagonist who is young and very much still trying to figure out who she is, and when tragedy strikes that process is interrupted by grieving for what she’s lost. Her relationship with Asha was endearing and convincingly fraught for the situation, as well as the additional friendships she forms along the way. The ways Abeni grows, sometimes in the wrong ways and eventually correcting that, was very satisfying to see unfold. Her story is only just beginning in this book, clearly setting up for a series. Not resolving everything that occurred in this book worked well to keep the pacing from being too breakneck and the resolution from feeling too simplistic, I think. I look forward to seeing the next stages of Abeni’s journey in following books.