Book Review: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
A Spellbinding Tale of Magic, Betrayal, and Transformation.
“They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.”
This review may contain spoilers for Children of Blood and Bone. If you haven’t read the book yet and want to avoid plot details, proceed with caution!
★★★★★ 5/5 Stars
Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone captivated me from the very first page and refused to let go. This gripping fantasy novel is exactly what I needed to break out of a reading slump, and I found myself devouring its pages with a passion and intensity I haven’t felt in quite some time.
Adeyemi has created a richly imagined world inspired by West African culture, where magic has been suppressed and the oppressed Maji fight to reclaim their legacy. From the very beginning, the stakes are high and the tension never lets up.
One of the most compelling parts of this story are its characters, each of whom is beautifully written and layered. The story alternates between the views of Amari, the Orïshan princess, Zélie, a motherless maji on the brink of losing everything, and Amari’s brother Inan, the future king.
Amari’s journey from a timid, sheltered princess to a fierce warrior was one of the most satisfying transformations I’ve ever read. I rooted her for her (sometimes audibly) as I watched her grow into her strength and purpose in the unfolding of this stories events and I hope to see her rise as queen in future installments.
Zélie, the protagonist, carries the weight of her people’s suffering and loss, and her journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring. She grapples with trust and betrayal, particularly as she navigates her complicated relationship with Inan.
Inan, was a character who elicited every possible emotion from me—mostly frustration and disdain. From his introduction, I sensed his weakness. He hides behind his father’s orders, using them as an excuse to avoid responsibility for his actions. Time and time again, his cowardice causes others to suffer, and though he feels remorse, it’s always fleeting. His betrayal of Zélie was heartbreaking yet unsurprising. Like Zélie, I wanted to believe he was capable of change, but his vision of unity under his father’s oppressive rule was dangerously naive. By the end, I found myself hoping for his downfall, though it seems Amari’s mercy may have spared him. If he survives, I hope the sequel brings him the reckoning he deserves.
Adeyemi’s writing is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her vivid descriptions transported me to the world of Orïsha, where I could see the colorful kaftans, feel the tension in the air, and witness the statues of gods coming to life in the epic final battle. Every scene was so immersive that it felt like I was right there alongside the characters. The storytelling was both refreshing and invigorating, reigniting my love for fantasy.
What truly makes Children of Blood and Bone special, however, is its celebration of Black voices and stories. As a lover of fantasy, I find it deeply enriching to read stories rooted in the experiences and cultures of the African diaspora. Adeyemi’s work is a powerful reminder of how vital these voices are in shaping the literary world, particularly in genres where they have been underrepresented.
I raced through the last 300 pages, completely engrossed in the action, emotion, and stakes of the story. Adeyemi has crafted a tale that is thrilling, moving, and deeply resonant. I’m eager to begin the sequel and can’t wait to see where this journey takes us. Tomi Adeyemi, thank you for this masterpiece. Children of Blood and Bone is everything I hoped for and more—a triumphant, unforgettable fantasy.
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