Abeni's life growing up in a remote West African (fantasy version) town has been one of mundane concerns and small triumphs as she moves towards being a grown-up member of her community. But then horror strikes, when a mysterious piper leads all the children but her off into who knows where, and a supernatural force destroys the town, capturing all the adults. Abeni is saved only because the local witch/wisewoman saves her.
Safe (but trapped) in the witch's compound, Abeni burns with grief and fury, and is desperate to do something for all those loved and lost. She tries to run, but outside the compound are magical dangers and she cannot find a way home. Gradually she accepts that the witch has much to teach her, both magical and practical skills. And gradually, too, her feeling of being trapped turns into a feeling of being at home (though her despair and anger simmer on a back burner of her mind).
And what a home the witch's compound is! The first half of the story is set here, and it was an utter joy for me as a reader who loves houses of many doors, leading to magical strangeness. But this interlude does not last; even the witch, who we are learning is much more powerful than your ordinary wise woman, can't stand alone against the dark forces of destruction.
The compound is attacked, and the witch defeated. But she isn't killed--rather she is reborn as a small girl, who remembers almost nothing of practical use. Now Abeni must be the teacher and take her small (but still powerful and wise in spots) charge on a journey to find the witch's sister....
And so the second part of the book is a quest fantasy, in which Abeni and the child are joined by two other magical comrades, and almost impossible danger is faced and overcome. This was solid mg fantasy as well, and readers who aren't me might even like this more action and adventure part better than the slower first half. Abeni's character really shines in the face of the daunting obstacles she faces.
The ending is a fine place to stop book 1, but clearly there is lots more for Abeni to do! Read this if you like found family, brave girls learning what they are capable of and facing seemingly impossible odds, and West African infused family (as well as magical houses of many rooms....). The story, though set in a fictional Africa, reference the real world--it is impossible to miss evocations of the Atlantic slave trade, child soldiers in Africa, and the exploitation of African resources.
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I have heard a lot about this author but haven't tried any of his books! I like the sound of the premise of this one; I'll keep an eye out for it.
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