“Lost Souls of Benzaiten” by Kelly Murashige

Mental health struggles and an encounter with a Shinto goddess combine in this buzzy debut

Your friendly correspondents love a good coming-of-age novel that incorporates ancient mythology, which is why we were thrilled when “The Lost Souls of Benzaiten” landed on our desks.

Kelly Murashige’s debut novel follows Machi, a Japanese American teenager who has been unable to speak since she had a falling out with her two best (and only) friends.