A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with the crushing weight of family expectations or the paralyzing grip of grief and guilt. It is an essential choice for teens who feel like they are carrying the world on their shoulders and are searching for a way to honor their heritage while forging their own identity. The story follows Malik, a refugee trying to save his sister, and Karina, a princess mourning her mother, as they are set on a collision course during a magical festival. This West African inspired fantasy offers a profound exploration of mental health, specifically anxiety and panic attacks, within a high stakes adventure. It provides a safe space for older teens to examine the complexity of doing the wrong things for the right reasons. Parents will appreciate the nuanced representation of cultural identity and the realistic, secular approach to processing deep loss within a lush, imaginative setting.