Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
(Format for this read: Print–Hardback)
I read this book at this exact same time a year ago.
(you can read that review here:
The second book in this series was released not too long ago and I wanted to revisit the story again before I delved into the next part.
I enjoyed this the first time but think I enjoyed it even more this go round.
Here is the official summary:
“With five starred reviews, Tomi Adeyemi’s West African-inspired fantasy debut, and instant #1 New York Times Bestseller, conjures a world of magic and danger, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sabaa Tahir.
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 book is drawn from African folklore and is not only a fantasy story about magic…it is also a narrative that speaks on real life issues like oppression, family, inner strength, friendship, love, ancestoral heritage, culture and fighting for justice and human decency.
So many things packed into the pages y’all.
Strong, fierce, complex powerful women characters too.
This young author calls her book “an allegory for the modern black experience”.
When I read it the first time I was aware of this but it really sunk into me this time.
Racism, classism, brutality from authority figures…the author weaves powerful metaphors on these heavy issues in this story while at the same time creating an entire mystical land with characters that fascinate you.
My heart hurt on all kinds of levels.
This time I really paid attention to why.
If you miss the message the author was intending for the audience, she directly informs you of it in the epilogue.
The whole reason she wanted to share this story was to bring awareness of the pain and horrors the black community is and has been experiencing, especially thru police shootings of unarmed men, women and children.
She wrote this story in the hopes that hearts and minds of readers will be opened and changed.
I want to type the entire thing here for you to read but I really want you to get the book and experience it yourself.
I will share one quote:
“If this story affected you in any way, all I ask is that you don’t let it stop in the pages of this text.”
I loved the story in this book but the message is what I value the most…I hear her loud and clear and will keep listening.
I am grateful for Toni Adeyemi and her willingness to use her gift in this way.
**If you want to hear my review of the second book in this series, here is the link:
https://brainglitterwithdani.com/children-of-virtue-and-vengeance/