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Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha) Hardcover – 6 March 2018
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Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha)
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Product details
- Publisher : Adeyemi, Tomi (6 March 2018)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 544 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1250170974
- ISBN-13 : 978-1250170972
- Reading age : 14 - 18 years
- Dimensions : 16.26 x 4.76 x 23.77 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 180,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Review
New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2018
TIME Top 10 Best YA and Children's Books of 2018
NPR's Book Concierge 2018 Great Reads List
Bustle's Top 25 Best Young Adults Books of 2018
2018 Kirkus Prize Finalist
Paste Magazine's 30 Best YA Novels of 2018
Newsweek's 61 Best Books from 2018
Boston Globe's Best Children's Books of 2018
Publishers Weekly Best YA Books of 2018
School Library Journal Best Books of 2018
Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2018
New York Public Library Top Ten Showstopper Favorite of 2018 (Notable 100 Books for Kids)
A TAYSHAS 2019 Reading List Pick
2019 YALSA Best Fiction Pick
2019 YALSA Teen's Top Ten List
"Meet Tomi Adeyemi--the new J.K. Rowling. (Yep, she's that good)." --Entertainment Weekly "Poses thought-provoking questions about race, class and authority that hold up a warning mirror to our sharply divided society." -The New York Times "A fast-paced, excellently crafted hero's journey...populated with compelling and nuanced black characters." -NPR "A debut novel that is nearly impossible to put down."-USA Today "Adeyemi's writing is beautiful and immersive." -Tor.com
"A miraculous achievement." -The Guardian
About the Author
Named one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people, Tomi Adeyemi is a Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Nigerian-American writer and storyteller based in Los Angeles, CA. After graduating from Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature, she studied West African mythology, religion, and culture in Salvador, Brazil. Her first novel, Children of Blood and Bone, debuted at #1 on The New York Times Bestseller list and is being developed into a movie by Disney's Fox & Lucasfilm. Its highly anticipated sequel, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, also debuted at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list. When she's not working or playing with puppies, Tomi can be found teaching creative writing at thewritersroadmap.net. In 2020, she was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Media, and her website has been named one of the 101 best websites for writers by Writer's Digest.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
7,976 global ratings
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Top reviews from Australia
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Reviewed in Australia on 26 July 2018
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I don't have the words to adequately appraise this book. I don't have the words to adequately describe the author's imagination captured in black and white (no purchase intended). I don't have the words to adequately express my complete and utter awe with the unpredictability of the plot, of not knowing what next to expect. I don't have the words to express my appreciation for this fictional land that Toni has created which bears a resemblance to my country, a land that mirrors the happenings of my country, the oppression, the hopelessness, the tyranny. But this books sparks a light of hope in me. One day we will rise. We will rise up against ethnic hate, ethnic cleansing, the rule of tyranny. One day the children of blood and bone will find the inner strength to rise and cursed rule will end. Thanks Toni for this book. I can't wait to read the continuation of the story.
Helpful
Reviewed in Australia on 21 August 2019
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Read this book. It is not an easy read but it is incredibly moving and a beautifully woven fantasy. Really strong characters, a nail-biting plot, but most of all a hymn to strength in the face of fear and oppression.
Reviewed in Australia on 17 July 2018
Verified Purchase
How do you put into words something so powerful and great that it longs to stay with you forever?
85 chapters and 525 pages later I regret not picking it up sooner.
Full review at rhartauthor.com
85 chapters and 525 pages later I regret not picking it up sooner.
Full review at rhartauthor.com
Reviewed in Australia on 14 November 2018
Verified Purchase
I absolutely adored this book. I loved how exciting and thought provoking it was, to the point where I was forcing myself to not skim read as I was so desperate to find out what happened next. I've never read a book where social issues were combined with magic but it really worked for me.
The only bad thing is that the second book isn't out until March 2019!
The only bad thing is that the second book isn't out until March 2019!
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Reviewed in Australia on 16 August 2018
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Good book! Could have had more explaining about new words and concepts used
Reviewed in Australia on 21 March 2018
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Wow! Just read it.
Reviewed in Australia on 2 April 2019
This was meh.
Don’t get me wrong, I adored the world. I loved the giant creatures, the gods and their corresponding maji clans, the writing style, the links to Nigerian culture and mythology, the geography, the politics, and the roller coaster quest to restore magic. And I will ALWAYS be here for speculative fiction that centres people of colour.
But unfortunately I didn’t love the plot or the characters. The first quarter was super compelling and fast paced, but I lost interest when I realised how this book relies so heavily on convenience. While Adeyemi throws a lot of obstacles at her characters, they barely pose any conflict because they’re solved/escaped from/beaten far too easily.
Perhaps the worst example of this is a scene where the cast are easily outnumbered and facing certain death, but thanks to a handy dandy new character and their crew, things are magically solved off-page in under 7 minutes. The protagonists win yet again without the author even bothering to show us how! It feels like lazy storytelling.
As for the characters, the only one I cared about and felt any genuine connection to didn’t show up until 450 pages through! This book is a multi-perspective story, but all 4 were bland, hollow, tropey characters and were all written in the same voice. Zelie was really fiery and compelling in the first act, but she rapidly lost what makes her *her* as the narrative progressed.
Im so bummed because I really wanted more from this given the incredible hype! If this is a duology I may give the sequel a chance, but if it’s more than two books it’s a no from me. Sigh.
Don’t get me wrong, I adored the world. I loved the giant creatures, the gods and their corresponding maji clans, the writing style, the links to Nigerian culture and mythology, the geography, the politics, and the roller coaster quest to restore magic. And I will ALWAYS be here for speculative fiction that centres people of colour.
But unfortunately I didn’t love the plot or the characters. The first quarter was super compelling and fast paced, but I lost interest when I realised how this book relies so heavily on convenience. While Adeyemi throws a lot of obstacles at her characters, they barely pose any conflict because they’re solved/escaped from/beaten far too easily.
Perhaps the worst example of this is a scene where the cast are easily outnumbered and facing certain death, but thanks to a handy dandy new character and their crew, things are magically solved off-page in under 7 minutes. The protagonists win yet again without the author even bothering to show us how! It feels like lazy storytelling.
As for the characters, the only one I cared about and felt any genuine connection to didn’t show up until 450 pages through! This book is a multi-perspective story, but all 4 were bland, hollow, tropey characters and were all written in the same voice. Zelie was really fiery and compelling in the first act, but she rapidly lost what makes her *her* as the narrative progressed.
Im so bummed because I really wanted more from this given the incredible hype! If this is a duology I may give the sequel a chance, but if it’s more than two books it’s a no from me. Sigh.
Reviewed in Australia on 1 June 2018
Children of Blood and Bone was one of my most anticipated reads of 2018 and it did not disappoint. This is an epic fantasy from start to finish. Children of Blood and Bone is a diverse West African inspired fantasy and the world building in this book is seriously amazing. I finished it last night and I can’t stop thinking about the ending, I just want to know what happens next. The magic system is so interesting I wish it was real. Tomi Adeyemi’s writing is absolutely beautiful and makes it so easy to imagine the world through the amazing descriptions.
There are so many incredible characters in Children of Blood and Bone, that you grow to love throughout the story. The story is told from three perspectives: Zélie, Amari, and Inan. Zélie is such a great protagonist to follow, she is a fierce warrior and talented maji. I loved the strong sibling bond between Zélie and Tzain. Also, I am hoping in the second book there might be a Tzain point of view chapter. The friendship that develops between Zélie and Amari is wonderful to read about. I love how much Amari’s character grows throughout the story. Inan is struggling within himself and wanting to make his father proud.
Overall, Children of Blood and Bone is one of my favourite fantasy books I’ve read. If you love fantasy, definitely pick up a copy.
Thank you Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many incredible characters in Children of Blood and Bone, that you grow to love throughout the story. The story is told from three perspectives: Zélie, Amari, and Inan. Zélie is such a great protagonist to follow, she is a fierce warrior and talented maji. I loved the strong sibling bond between Zélie and Tzain. Also, I am hoping in the second book there might be a Tzain point of view chapter. The friendship that develops between Zélie and Amari is wonderful to read about. I love how much Amari’s character grows throughout the story. Inan is struggling within himself and wanting to make his father proud.
Overall, Children of Blood and Bone is one of my favourite fantasy books I’ve read. If you love fantasy, definitely pick up a copy.
Thank you Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Top reviews from other countries

Arkham Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Engrossing start to the series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2018Verified Purchase
I really haven't been this drawn into a fantasy world for a long time. When I started reading Children of Bone and Blood, I found it almost impossible to put down. I really got invested in the setting - a fantasy West Africa where magic has disappeared, the children of former maji are treated as second class citizens and three teenagers are tasked with a mission from the Gods to bring back magic. The African setting gave the novel a very different feel from other young adult fantasies that I've read and present a cast that were entirely persons of colour.
I also felt that the story's message was pretty poignant. It presented a world where an entire group of people have been down-trodden for years - stripped of their right to defend themselves and treated like second-class citizens in their own country - which is certainly something that resonates with the politics of today. However, it also does a great job of showing that this isn't so clear cut. The maji and the kosidán are both guilty of terrible crimes in this story and the novel makes clear that there will never be an easy peace between the two races. While there are good and bad people in the novel, there are also a lot of shades of grey and terrible situations that move their hands.
In terms of structure, the novel flows well and I certainly never got bored despite its length. Adeyemi's writing is very evocative and easy to read. However, it should be noted that the print edition has a very small font. If you have any visual impairment, I'd suggest buying an eBook of this novel. While I did love every minute of reading it, there were a few small things that frustrated me. The main one was the ending, as the novel broke off on a very abrupt cliffhanger which left a lot hanging for the sequel. The story also felt a lot like Avatar: The Last Airbender. If you've watched this excellent cartoon, you will recognise a number of characters and plot points that were lifted directly from this series.
In terms of character, I also had a few issues. On the whole, I loved the core cast. They were all very complicated characters who learned and developed through their experiences as the novel progressed. Zélie learned to not see the world in black and white, Amari found her courage and Inan was forced to choose between his duty to the throne or the people he would one day rule. However, the characters were all wildly indecisive. I appreciate that they were in a difficult situation, but Inan in particular would flip back and forth between wanting to destroy magic and protect it at a drop of a hat.
There were also a couple of romances in the story that felt really shoehorned in. After taking half the book to trust Amari, Zélie forgave and developed feelings for Inan within a couple of chapters. The relationship between Amari and Tzain also felt forced. They exchanged smiles a couple of times and then seemed to become a couple out of nowhere. Neither of these relationships felt very natural and I felt they could probably have been saved for a later story.
Anyhow, on the whole this is a really promising start to the series and, despite my issues, I would definitely recommend it. I am really excited to see what adventures the sequel will hold.
I also felt that the story's message was pretty poignant. It presented a world where an entire group of people have been down-trodden for years - stripped of their right to defend themselves and treated like second-class citizens in their own country - which is certainly something that resonates with the politics of today. However, it also does a great job of showing that this isn't so clear cut. The maji and the kosidán are both guilty of terrible crimes in this story and the novel makes clear that there will never be an easy peace between the two races. While there are good and bad people in the novel, there are also a lot of shades of grey and terrible situations that move their hands.
In terms of structure, the novel flows well and I certainly never got bored despite its length. Adeyemi's writing is very evocative and easy to read. However, it should be noted that the print edition has a very small font. If you have any visual impairment, I'd suggest buying an eBook of this novel. While I did love every minute of reading it, there were a few small things that frustrated me. The main one was the ending, as the novel broke off on a very abrupt cliffhanger which left a lot hanging for the sequel. The story also felt a lot like Avatar: The Last Airbender. If you've watched this excellent cartoon, you will recognise a number of characters and plot points that were lifted directly from this series.
In terms of character, I also had a few issues. On the whole, I loved the core cast. They were all very complicated characters who learned and developed through their experiences as the novel progressed. Zélie learned to not see the world in black and white, Amari found her courage and Inan was forced to choose between his duty to the throne or the people he would one day rule. However, the characters were all wildly indecisive. I appreciate that they were in a difficult situation, but Inan in particular would flip back and forth between wanting to destroy magic and protect it at a drop of a hat.
There were also a couple of romances in the story that felt really shoehorned in. After taking half the book to trust Amari, Zélie forgave and developed feelings for Inan within a couple of chapters. The relationship between Amari and Tzain also felt forced. They exchanged smiles a couple of times and then seemed to become a couple out of nowhere. Neither of these relationships felt very natural and I felt they could probably have been saved for a later story.
Anyhow, on the whole this is a really promising start to the series and, despite my issues, I would definitely recommend it. I am really excited to see what adventures the sequel will hold.
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gizmo91
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible, deeply involving and magical novel.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2018Verified Purchase
AMAZING.
Why did it have to end there?! This is serious Book Hangover material. BE WARNED. Sometimes I think publishing a series one book at a time should be outlawed.
What a read. What a cast! What a great story. This is one of the best books I've read in years - I think the series is going to be incredible. It is such a beautiful celebration of African culture, love, family and the unerring belief in doing the right thing. It is also a novel filled with unexpected twists and turns. I never knew how each chapter was going to end, never mind the whole story.
We meet Zélie when she is competing in a fighting competition. She's bold, stubborn and has a vein of anger running beneath her veins, along with the crushed remnants of her maji heritage. Crushed, because magic was wiped out years ago, during a brutal massacre called The Raid. Zélie's mother was murdered during this same massacre, and now she fights so she will never have to suffer that same fate.
The first chapter had me hooked, and I was perfectly happy to read a novel focused on this fighting competiton. But that's not the story Adeyemi wanted to tell. Within a few chapters, Zélie has left that world completely behind her, after running into Amari, a princess who has escaped the palace with a relic which has the ability to bring back magic.
The tale which ensues is thrilling. Adeyemi writes her characters with so much depth, so many emotions bubbling to the surface, that the reader can't help but become embroiled in the narrative. It certainly helpes that the novel is written from the perspective of our 4 main characters: Zélie, her brother Tzain, Amari and her brother Inan. Each character is clearly defined, different from the others and motivated by their own, detailed backstories.
There is a strong thread of family running through the entire novel, which resonates with me as I'm one of four siblings. There is nothing more important than family for keeping you grounded, telling you when you've messed up, and lifing you up when you've done something well. Children of Blood and Bone is a true celebration of family, and it was a truly enjoyable read.
I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
P.S. This novel has been optioned for film release - if you're someone like me who loves to read the book first, get in there quick!
Why did it have to end there?! This is serious Book Hangover material. BE WARNED. Sometimes I think publishing a series one book at a time should be outlawed.
What a read. What a cast! What a great story. This is one of the best books I've read in years - I think the series is going to be incredible. It is such a beautiful celebration of African culture, love, family and the unerring belief in doing the right thing. It is also a novel filled with unexpected twists and turns. I never knew how each chapter was going to end, never mind the whole story.
We meet Zélie when she is competing in a fighting competition. She's bold, stubborn and has a vein of anger running beneath her veins, along with the crushed remnants of her maji heritage. Crushed, because magic was wiped out years ago, during a brutal massacre called The Raid. Zélie's mother was murdered during this same massacre, and now she fights so she will never have to suffer that same fate.
The first chapter had me hooked, and I was perfectly happy to read a novel focused on this fighting competiton. But that's not the story Adeyemi wanted to tell. Within a few chapters, Zélie has left that world completely behind her, after running into Amari, a princess who has escaped the palace with a relic which has the ability to bring back magic.
The tale which ensues is thrilling. Adeyemi writes her characters with so much depth, so many emotions bubbling to the surface, that the reader can't help but become embroiled in the narrative. It certainly helpes that the novel is written from the perspective of our 4 main characters: Zélie, her brother Tzain, Amari and her brother Inan. Each character is clearly defined, different from the others and motivated by their own, detailed backstories.
There is a strong thread of family running through the entire novel, which resonates with me as I'm one of four siblings. There is nothing more important than family for keeping you grounded, telling you when you've messed up, and lifing you up when you've done something well. Children of Blood and Bone is a true celebration of family, and it was a truly enjoyable read.
I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
P.S. This novel has been optioned for film release - if you're someone like me who loves to read the book first, get in there quick!
24 people found this helpful
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Harmony Kent
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most compelling book I've read in years
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 July 2018Verified Purchase
Children of Blood and Bone is the first book of a planned series: Legacy of Orïsha. It is an epic fantasy inspired by West African culture with all the elements you'd expect: A princess in trouble, a next-in-line prince struggling to reconcile what he's taught from what is right or wrong, a domineering king, a people oppressed, and magic in all its glory. However, this book turns it all into something unique and powerful.
The POV shifts between three main characters: Zélie, Amari, Inan. The plot is fast-paced and intense with only a few areas of let up, so be prepared for a roller-coaster of a read. The story covers oppression, genocide, racial control, and many other ills that ail the real world. Having said that, it doesn't read like an allegory but as true fantasy.
The characters come to life, and while they have moments of immaturity, this only makes them more real based on the ages they're supposed to be. I would expect older teens to swing between childishness and adult maturity. In a way, this aspect lends the tale an element of coming-of-age as well as the other points mentioned. From page one, the characterisation and scene-setting pulled me right in.
While the ending is a bit of a cliff-hanger, the storyline does round up a lot of loose threads. However, this is not a stand-alone novel. This is the first ever book I've bought just because of its trailer. That led me to Amazon's look inside feature, and from there, I never had a choice! I can't wait for book 2 to be released in 2019. I can't recommend it highly enough.
The POV shifts between three main characters: Zélie, Amari, Inan. The plot is fast-paced and intense with only a few areas of let up, so be prepared for a roller-coaster of a read. The story covers oppression, genocide, racial control, and many other ills that ail the real world. Having said that, it doesn't read like an allegory but as true fantasy.
The characters come to life, and while they have moments of immaturity, this only makes them more real based on the ages they're supposed to be. I would expect older teens to swing between childishness and adult maturity. In a way, this aspect lends the tale an element of coming-of-age as well as the other points mentioned. From page one, the characterisation and scene-setting pulled me right in.
While the ending is a bit of a cliff-hanger, the storyline does round up a lot of loose threads. However, this is not a stand-alone novel. This is the first ever book I've bought just because of its trailer. That led me to Amazon's look inside feature, and from there, I never had a choice! I can't wait for book 2 to be released in 2019. I can't recommend it highly enough.
10 people found this helpful
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Muse
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is one of those books that gets better and better as you keep on reading.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 October 2018Verified Purchase
4.5/5 Stars
I was so nervous to start this book because of all the hype surrounding it, but I can definitely see why it's so popular. I was intrigued from the very first page as Tomi Adeyemi has a way of creating atmosphere and setting, without chucking in a load of unnecessary words. So I would describe her writing as powerful and straight to the point. The opening was a perfect way to introduce us to Zelie's world, it was exciting and a meaningful glimpse at the resilience that Zelie displays throughout the book. It is also quite incredible how the hierarchy in Orisha is so clearly established in just the first chapter, you know exactly what it means to be a diviner/ 'maggot' in Orisha.
The early chapters that followed were just as good as the first, however I started to find myself becoming less interested as the characters began traveling. It didn't really carry the same energy of the earlier chapters. Also by this point, we were reading quite a few chapters from Prince Inan's perspective and I found them to be quite repetitive. If I'm honest, I was really worried that the book was going to be a disappointment and this is what prevented it from getting a full 5 stars.
Things really started to pick up again when Zelie, her brother Tzain and Princess Amari had a run in with a mysterious stranger, who provides some very important information/help for their quest. And then came one of the stand out moments of the novel, the story of how the Gods came to be. It was truly magical to read about their origins and it really helped reignite my excitement for this book. Adeyemi described the Gods and their story so beautifully that it wasn't hard for you to vividly picture every aspect.
I liked Zelie and I enjoyed witnessing her growth, but I do think she was unnecessarily mean to Amari at times, even though Amari proved herself time and time again. I loved how their relationship developed, as there was definitely an aura of girl power surrounding them towards the end. Out of all the characters, Amari was the one who stole the show for me. It was nothing short of a miracle, how she progressed from a timid mouse to a roaring Lionaire and with the other characters being so intense all the time, she was like a breath of fresh air.
Tzain was a much needed character to me as he really allowed us to see a softer, more likeable side to Zelie, as he only wished to protect his little sister and she longed not to disappoint her big brother. Prince Inan was a very complex individual indeed, he changed his mind more times than I can count. Even with chapters from his perspective I was constantly questioning why on earth is he doing this or that. I guess given how he's been brought up it's understandable that he'd be so conflicted about what's wrong or right. Consequently Inan was very unpredictable and therefore very interesting, and I can't wait to find out why he's different. I really enjoyed his relationship with Zelie and their moments together were my favourite to read, especially in the dreamscape!!!! I'm really intrigued to see what lies ahead for him due to his actions at the end of the book.
I'm really grateful to the author for having characters that weren't stupid!! By this I mean characters that actually thought before they did things, this helped the plot flow really nicely and clearly. This is one of those books that gets better and better as you keep on reading. There were so many exciting characters and surprises that popped up towards the end of the book. It ended on quite a big shocker so I'm more than eager to read the next installment!!!
I was so nervous to start this book because of all the hype surrounding it, but I can definitely see why it's so popular. I was intrigued from the very first page as Tomi Adeyemi has a way of creating atmosphere and setting, without chucking in a load of unnecessary words. So I would describe her writing as powerful and straight to the point. The opening was a perfect way to introduce us to Zelie's world, it was exciting and a meaningful glimpse at the resilience that Zelie displays throughout the book. It is also quite incredible how the hierarchy in Orisha is so clearly established in just the first chapter, you know exactly what it means to be a diviner/ 'maggot' in Orisha.
The early chapters that followed were just as good as the first, however I started to find myself becoming less interested as the characters began traveling. It didn't really carry the same energy of the earlier chapters. Also by this point, we were reading quite a few chapters from Prince Inan's perspective and I found them to be quite repetitive. If I'm honest, I was really worried that the book was going to be a disappointment and this is what prevented it from getting a full 5 stars.
Things really started to pick up again when Zelie, her brother Tzain and Princess Amari had a run in with a mysterious stranger, who provides some very important information/help for their quest. And then came one of the stand out moments of the novel, the story of how the Gods came to be. It was truly magical to read about their origins and it really helped reignite my excitement for this book. Adeyemi described the Gods and their story so beautifully that it wasn't hard for you to vividly picture every aspect.
I liked Zelie and I enjoyed witnessing her growth, but I do think she was unnecessarily mean to Amari at times, even though Amari proved herself time and time again. I loved how their relationship developed, as there was definitely an aura of girl power surrounding them towards the end. Out of all the characters, Amari was the one who stole the show for me. It was nothing short of a miracle, how she progressed from a timid mouse to a roaring Lionaire and with the other characters being so intense all the time, she was like a breath of fresh air.
Tzain was a much needed character to me as he really allowed us to see a softer, more likeable side to Zelie, as he only wished to protect his little sister and she longed not to disappoint her big brother. Prince Inan was a very complex individual indeed, he changed his mind more times than I can count. Even with chapters from his perspective I was constantly questioning why on earth is he doing this or that. I guess given how he's been brought up it's understandable that he'd be so conflicted about what's wrong or right. Consequently Inan was very unpredictable and therefore very interesting, and I can't wait to find out why he's different. I really enjoyed his relationship with Zelie and their moments together were my favourite to read, especially in the dreamscape!!!! I'm really intrigued to see what lies ahead for him due to his actions at the end of the book.
I'm really grateful to the author for having characters that weren't stupid!! By this I mean characters that actually thought before they did things, this helped the plot flow really nicely and clearly. This is one of those books that gets better and better as you keep on reading. There were so many exciting characters and surprises that popped up towards the end of the book. It ended on quite a big shocker so I'm more than eager to read the next installment!!!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A welcome approach to Afro-mysticism; a must-read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 August 2018Verified Purchase
The story follows a young girl: Zélie. She is haunted by the murder of her mother and the subjugation of her Reaper clan - one of the ten Maji clans oppressed by the ruling class of Orïsha. Circumstances see her journeying and fighting alongside her brother and an escaped princess to restore magic to the land and allow her clan and the nine other Maji clans in the land, a fighting chance. In this story, the ruling class of Orïsha can be seen as a metaphor for oppressive classes or races across the world, with the Reaper clan and other formerly magic clans being forced to live in slums, work as slaves and suffer abuse from corporal power.
As with many Young Adult novels, Children Of Blood And Bone is also love story—in the romantic and familial sense—as well as a story of self discovery. The added beauty of this narrative is its Afro-mysticism: a genre that is finally getting its deserved spotlight after existing off the fringes of literary discourse, and being conflated with magic-realism. In this Afro-mystical novel, the magical, in the African sense, is not othered as something from a scary, unknown, feared presence but, rather, portrayed as a gift from the deities. These deities are pointedly inspired by the Nigerian, Yoruba tradition.
In Yoruba tradition, children are named to reflect the circumstance of birth, or, as prophecy into their destinies. The names given to a child usually holds weight both on paper and when sounded out. In both reading and sounding out the names—particularly of the four central characters—I felt no depth. On the other hand, as a friend suggests, the ambiguity of the names could be seen as representative of the loss of and disdain for magic across Orïsha. In this sense, Zélie and Tzain’s names can be seen to reflect the new Maji existence under their tyrannical, magic-hating ruler, and displacement from their true identity. Though this perspective is equally valid, it is with one exception: the novel’s time frame.
That aside, it's a really good read that explores a good number of themes in a unique way. A must-read! Looking forward to the sequel: Children Of Virtue and Vengeance!
As with many Young Adult novels, Children Of Blood And Bone is also love story—in the romantic and familial sense—as well as a story of self discovery. The added beauty of this narrative is its Afro-mysticism: a genre that is finally getting its deserved spotlight after existing off the fringes of literary discourse, and being conflated with magic-realism. In this Afro-mystical novel, the magical, in the African sense, is not othered as something from a scary, unknown, feared presence but, rather, portrayed as a gift from the deities. These deities are pointedly inspired by the Nigerian, Yoruba tradition.
In Yoruba tradition, children are named to reflect the circumstance of birth, or, as prophecy into their destinies. The names given to a child usually holds weight both on paper and when sounded out. In both reading and sounding out the names—particularly of the four central characters—I felt no depth. On the other hand, as a friend suggests, the ambiguity of the names could be seen as representative of the loss of and disdain for magic across Orïsha. In this sense, Zélie and Tzain’s names can be seen to reflect the new Maji existence under their tyrannical, magic-hating ruler, and displacement from their true identity. Though this perspective is equally valid, it is with one exception: the novel’s time frame.
That aside, it's a really good read that explores a good number of themes in a unique way. A must-read! Looking forward to the sequel: Children Of Virtue and Vengeance!

5.0 out of 5 stars
A welcome approach to Afro-mysticism; a must-read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 August 2018
The story follows a young girl: Zélie. She is haunted by the murder of her mother and the subjugation of her Reaper clan - one of the ten Maji clans oppressed by the ruling class of Orïsha. Circumstances see her journeying and fighting alongside her brother and an escaped princess to restore magic to the land and allow her clan and the nine other Maji clans in the land, a fighting chance. In this story, the ruling class of Orïsha can be seen as a metaphor for oppressive classes or races across the world, with the Reaper clan and other formerly magic clans being forced to live in slums, work as slaves and suffer abuse from corporal power.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 August 2018
As with many Young Adult novels, Children Of Blood And Bone is also love story—in the romantic and familial sense—as well as a story of self discovery. The added beauty of this narrative is its Afro-mysticism: a genre that is finally getting its deserved spotlight after existing off the fringes of literary discourse, and being conflated with magic-realism. In this Afro-mystical novel, the magical, in the African sense, is not othered as something from a scary, unknown, feared presence but, rather, portrayed as a gift from the deities. These deities are pointedly inspired by the Nigerian, Yoruba tradition.
In Yoruba tradition, children are named to reflect the circumstance of birth, or, as prophecy into their destinies. The names given to a child usually holds weight both on paper and when sounded out. In both reading and sounding out the names—particularly of the four central characters—I felt no depth. On the other hand, as a friend suggests, the ambiguity of the names could be seen as representative of the loss of and disdain for magic across Orïsha. In this sense, Zélie and Tzain’s names can be seen to reflect the new Maji existence under their tyrannical, magic-hating ruler, and displacement from their true identity. Though this perspective is equally valid, it is with one exception: the novel’s time frame.
That aside, it's a really good read that explores a good number of themes in a unique way. A must-read! Looking forward to the sequel: Children Of Virtue and Vengeance!
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