Goldenborn

A teen must decide what she’s willing to risk to save her father in Lieb’s suspenseful Ghanaian folklore–inspired debut fantasy novel. It’s been one year since 17-year-old Akoma Addo’s father slipped into a coma after saving her from a mysterious ball of light. Trying to keep her grief from overwhelming her, Akoma—a detective who investigates magical crimes in San Francisco’s AfricaTown—accompanies her friends to a local hangout spot where she encounters a cryptic oracle who tells her to “follow the golden spider.” Later, Akoma is called to examine a murder that eerily resembles a story about Anansi, the spider god. Akoma’s discovery of a note at the crime scene describing the same tale solidifies her suspicion that the god may be involved. Unbeknownst to Akoma, her grandmother Esi embarks on her own parallel investigation. Crisp third-person narration follows Akoma and Grandma Esi’s alternating POVs, which are punctuated by intriguing classified transcripts relating to Akoma’s investigative work that slowly unveil the history of this alternate San Francisco and its magical residents. Ages 12–up. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Aevitas Creative Management. (June)