SHE DRINKS THE LIGHT

When her best friend disappears, a teen must accept her ancestral powers to find her.

Addae Ewiem’s home is a special place, one she never wants to leave. Her ancestors and other families running from enslavers found the abandoned South Carolina island near present-day Hilton Head. They named it the Golden Isle for the fireflies who helped guide their journey, and there they maintained their cultures and traditions, which came from all over Africa. Their descendants—called the Kinfolk—are now led by Nana Ama, Ada’s grandmother. They keep to themselves, raising their children with the Adinkra—“centuries-old Akan symbols” offering guidance from the gods—and avoiding the mainland. When one of the Kin turns up on shore with his throat ripped out, and then Ada’s best friend and her boyfriend go missing, Ada ventures to the mainland to investigate. Her search leads to more secrets about the island and her ancestors than she ever could have imagined. Angoe’s YA debut seamlessly weaves Akan lore into the story, creating a foundation for strong character development. The inclusion of beings from West African mythology—from widely familiar Anansi to others that are less well known—enriches the story. The supernatural elements are well balanced with the complex family dynamics. The pacing for the most part is strong, revealing information in layers, but the ending feels rushed and a little too clean.

A unique, well-characterized addition to the paranormal genre that celebrates West African culture.