A psalm of storms and silence

Gr 9 Up--Karina lost everything--her kingdom, her throne--and her only path to getting it back is the divine power in the long lost city of her ancestors. Consequences from the first novel have thrown Sonande into chaos as disasters rain down upon the fragile peace. With Karina the key to fixing it, Malik will have to find a way to lure the woman he tried to kill back to his side. Despite a heavy dose of miscommunication, Brown's characters continue to shine and her representation of mental health is both dark and respectful. The first entry in this West African folklore--inspired fantasy duology was on a number of anti-racist reading lists in 2020 and is worth having on the shelf. VERDICT An ending that is hopeful rather than strictly happy, this duology is perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir's "An Ember in the Ashes."