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lshorner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really, really, REALLY loved this book. The only thing I didn’t like is the ending. The adventure is intriguing and keeps you turning the page. DEFINITELY recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, lots of action, mystical quests, Harry Potter like quality, and magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: War
Minor: Vomit
brenna_kcw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, and War
the_wistful_word_witch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh, my heart and soul! I KNEW this book would wreck me and it absolutely did, in the best way. That's part of why it took me so long to finish it. I couldn't bring myself to face the inevitable ending. This book had me crying so hard, especially at the end, but also awwww-ing and smiling at the bright moments in between the dark.
The vividness of the world Adeyemi builds is breathtaking and her characters suck you in, carrying you along with them on their whirlwind adventure. You can't help but root for Zélie, Tzain, and Amari, and the other maji they meet along the way, as they face near-impossible odds to take down their royal oppressors and bring magic back to their oppressed peoples.
I am both eager and hesitant to start the second book because even though I think I know how it will end, it's the getting there that I know will break my heart again - just like the Children of Blood and Bone. Exactly what a great book should do! 😉
The vividness of the world Adeyemi builds is breathtaking and her characters suck you in, carrying you along with them on their whirlwind adventure. You can't help but root for Zélie, Tzain, and Amari, and the other maji they meet along the way, as they face near-impossible odds to take down their royal oppressors and bring magic back to their oppressed peoples.
I am both eager and hesitant to start the second book because even though I think I know how it will end, it's the getting there that I know will break my heart again - just like the Children of Blood and Bone. Exactly what a great book should do! 😉
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Child death and Injury/Injury detail
dayellew's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, Murder, and War
blissfulbrii's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a really well executed contemporary YA Fantasy Novel! It had a lot of depth to it and its major underlying themes. I loved learning about the land of Örisha and the different clans, powers, and deitys. The character Inan was an example of not breaking the generational cycle despite knowing how much harm and turmoil it has caused generations of people, despite knowing about the discrimination. Which was unfortunate but a real life lesson that happens when people choose to turn a blind eye to evil in their face or end of justifying it for their sanity.
Amari made me emotional especially fighting for the maji divîners and against her own father, risking her own life for what’s right. So powerful. Tzain was such a cute character and I felt he had a lot of personal development as well as Zélie. Her motivation to fight for not only her people and restoring magic, a sacred part of their identity, but also by the motivation of Mama Agba and Baba.
I enjoyed the intricacies of Yoruba indigenous society in Nigeria in the book and Tomi Adeyemi’s constant effort to educate readers while also emotionally impacting us.
Amari made me emotional especially fighting for the maji divîners and against her own father, risking her own life for what’s right. So powerful. Tzain was such a cute character and I felt he had a lot of personal development as well as Zélie. Her motivation to fight for not only her people and restoring magic, a sacred part of their identity, but also by the motivation of Mama Agba and Baba.
I enjoyed the intricacies of Yoruba indigenous society in Nigeria in the book and Tomi Adeyemi’s constant effort to educate readers while also emotionally impacting us.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, and War
silverwings's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is the incredible start to Zélie’s story as she is pulled into an arduous journey seemingly bound by fate. Despite what sounds like the typical start of a hero’s journey, this was so much more - each of the POV characters, even some of the side characters, have a poignant role to play in the narrative.
I found the characters to be immediately compelling, more so after the first quarter. The theme of seeking justice in the face of immense violence and oppression is woven throughout - as an older reader, it is clear it is meant to be an allegory to modern violence and brutality by authoritarian groups. I felt strongly about this story and its characters: I was inspired by Zélie and her internal conflicts; Amari and her growth as more than a shy, compassionate-yet-powerless princess; Tzain as the brother enduring for his sister; and evenInan, who sacrifices everything despite awful truths about himself and blindly hopes to achieve peace for Orïsha and his father’s approval.
In short, this was a fantastic, heart-wrenching, and beautiful story.
Its small flaws (some rapid pacing and some minor character arcs left unexplored) can be overlooked since it is just the first part of the tale. I will definitely recommend it and reread it in the future, so 5 stars from me. The audiobook has a great narrator, Bahni Turpin, and she kept me in the minds of each character with her range and emotional narration. I was hooked by the first few chapters and listened to it everyday!
I found the characters to be immediately compelling, more so after the first quarter. The theme of seeking justice in the face of immense violence and oppression is woven throughout - as an older reader, it is clear it is meant to be an allegory to modern violence and brutality by authoritarian groups. I felt strongly about this story and its characters: I was inspired by Zélie and her internal conflicts; Amari and her growth as more than a shy, compassionate-yet-powerless princess; Tzain as the brother enduring for his sister; and even
In short, this was a fantastic, heart-wrenching, and beautiful story.
Its small flaws (some rapid pacing and some minor character arcs left unexplored) can be overlooked since it is just the first part of the tale. I will definitely recommend it and reread it in the future, so 5 stars from me. The audiobook has a great narrator, Bahni Turpin, and she kept me in the minds of each character with her range and emotional narration. I was hooked by the first few chapters and listened to it everyday!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Slavery, Vomit, Sexual harassment, and War
greysun69's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5⭐️ I don’t use this word often, but PROFOUND! Ughh! I can’t wait to buy this book and give it to everyone as birthday gifts.
This book is such a powerful work of art on the concept of oppression. Oppression of others and oppression of ourselves. It talks about the effect of trauma on our sense of self and strength and power. It also brings into view the power of forgiveness and togetherness. Who is worthy of forgiveness? How far is too far to be forgiven? At what point does someone go from being a product of their environment, to being a bad person with horrible intentions? I hated Anon for majority of the book and didn’t find him redeemable at all but I was able to see the good, the bad, and the lost boy trying to make Orisa great again 👀.
I could see the fear mongering that his father fed him and even be sympathetic so I appreciate that perspective. There is so much in this book and it is made digestible and open to interpretation due to how well this book was written! Easy 5 star read.
I think Zel forgave Anon too easily and was far too eager to let him in. Yes, I believe he changed and he cared but he also burned down your village due to mind control, sis. There will be no letting bygones be bygones lmao. I understand Zane being unwilling to have faith in him. Zane is an asshole but at least we KNOW he loves his sister. The ancestor veneration in this book at the end was PRECIOUS! I CRIED! And the fucking author’s note was everything I needed!
This book is such a powerful work of art on the concept of oppression. Oppression of others and oppression of ourselves. It talks about the effect of trauma on our sense of self and strength and power. It also brings into view the power of forgiveness and togetherness. Who is worthy of forgiveness? How far is too far to be forgiven? At what point does someone go from being a product of their environment, to being a bad person with horrible intentions? I hated Anon for majority of the book and didn’t find him redeemable at all but I was able to see the good, the bad, and the lost boy trying to make Orisa great again 👀.
I could see the fear mongering that his father fed him and even be sympathetic so I appreciate that perspective. There is so much in this book and it is made digestible and open to interpretation due to how well this book was written! Easy 5 star read.
I think Zel forgave Anon too easily and was far too eager to let him in. Yes, I believe he changed and he cared but he also burned down your village due to mind control, sis. There will be no letting bygones be bygones lmao. I understand Zane being unwilling to have faith in him. Zane is an asshole but at least we KNOW he loves his sister. The ancestor veneration in this book at the end was PRECIOUS! I CRIED! And the fucking author’s note was everything I needed!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Hate crime, Racism, Torture, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
bujoxbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ok ok I get all the hype and love for this series! Initially it took me a minute to get into it because I am not a full fantasy girl but after hearing Ms. Tomi at two author talks and getting my book signed by her, I really wanted to keep going. I'm glad I did! I can’t waittttttt to see this in movie form and I already know it may not match the magical pictures in my head but baby! When Zelie says “that’s the last mistake they’ll ever make!” Let’s goooooooooooo! . I will say it is a really long book because 18 hours for an audiobook is crazy! There were portions of the book that could've been taken out for sure.
It took me almost a month to finish it but definitely enjoyable!!! I tried reading this back in 2021, BUT I finished it now!
It took me almost a month to finish it but definitely enjoyable!!! I tried reading this back in 2021, BUT I finished it now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and War
kyahs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If I could rate this book higher I would. This is by far one of my favourite books of all time from the first page to the heart wrenching epilogue. The characters were amazing, culture pored off the pages and so many emotions were forced upon me. Black literature that captures the history and everyday experiences of oppression and fuses it with magic. Tomi Adeyemi is an artist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
kristypinpim's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and War