The Children of Blood and Bone Review

The Children of Blood and Bone By: Tomi Adeyemi

Meet your new favorite fantasy series. I absolutely loved this book and I am so excited for the second book to come out in December. I have been looking for a new fantasy series to fall in love with and I have definitely found it in this wonderful novel.

Summary (Directly From the Book)

Zelie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orisha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed once magic disappeared. Under ordres of a ruthless king, the maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zelie without a mother and her people without hope. Now Zelie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarch. With the help of a rogue princess, Zelie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good. Danger lurks in Orisha, where snow leopanaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest threat may be Zelie herself as she struggles to control her powers - and her growing feelings for an enemy.

Jessie's Review

Every time I picked up this novel I felt like I was stepping into a new world. Tomi Adeyemi masterfully sculpts Orisha as the story progresses so that with each new chapter a new piece of understanding falls into place. The story is told from three points of view, each distinct in perception and full of depth. The characters in this book come to life.

The intricate origin story of Orisha’s magic is sculpted in a way that feels like a true ancient myth. I won’t go into too much detail so I don’t spoil the mythic story but, the way that all the diviners and magi are tied to their magic and sister/brother deities, adds a whole new level to

this story. Not only does the reader follow Amari, Inan, Tzain, and Zelie, but they learn more and more about these mythic beings as the story continues. Anyone who enjoys reading mythology will appreciate the added origin story of magic and the gods of Orisha. However, don’t let the idea of mythology turn you off to this book if you are not a fan, the story has a lot more to offer than this added bonus.

As the reader follows Zelie’s quest to bring magic back to her world, they watch her grapple with the fear that has consumed her life since the Raid, since her mother was taken away from her. Zelie must overcome obstacle after obstacle, but most importantly she has to learn to believe in herself and trust that she is the right person, that the gods are on her side. Amari, the troubled Princess, must learn to have courage and strength. She is forced to face the reality of her father, the ruthless king’s, brutality and blatant hate of his people. Inan’s complex relationship with himself, his family, and those he meets on his quest to kill magic, highlight issues with accepting oneself and breaking from learned ideology. I love the message this book has because of these complex characters. I think there is something to love about each one of these characters and sometimes to hate as well. Most importantly, I think everyone can learn from their struggles and personal growth. This story shows how fear can rip a kingdom apart, and it shows the struggles those who are oppressed grapple with as they try to accept themselves in a world that won’t accept them.

This book is a wonderful start to a series that I can’t wait to finish. I’m so excited to read what happens next in Orisha and I hope that everyone will love the book as much as I do.

I give this book 5/5 stars.