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natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Why did I take soo long to read this!? It’s definitely gonna be one of my fave reads this year — and one I won’t be forgetting for a very long time!
Drawing on her Nigerian heritage and her beautifully skillful prose, it’s easy to see why Tomi Adeyemi’s sweeping YA fantasy debut has become such a beloved book to millions worldwide.
The rich magic system, vividly detailed lore and pacy, high stakes action will have any fantasy adventure aficionado on the edge of their seats. But Adeyemi’s ability to weave such dark (yet incredibly relevant) themes into such an empowering story — imbuing her cast of characters with such depth and poignancy that had me crying (and during the lighter moments laughing) alongside them.
Zelie (one of our MCs and the first POV of character we meet) was probably my favourite of all three of our POV characters. Headstrong, short tempered but utterly invested in protecting her family from the kingdom’s oppressive regime.
Delving deep into her fears, insecurites and childhood trauma we get to explore Zelie’s connections with the Orisha, her magic and her bond to her maji powers —which really brought her to life for me and helped me to understand her motivations and thought processes.
Runaway Princess, Amari and Zelie’s steadfast older brother, Tzain were both really fascinating characters too and I look forward to following the journeys in the rest of the series, I just wish we got the explore Tzain’s POV.
With the themes of oppression, inequality and genocide at the forefront of the story, it’s definitely not hard to see comparisons to current world events— highlighting the work that still needs to be done to create a safer, more equal society for everyone.
It’s rare that a book will leave me utterly speechless (and unable to think about anything else) but this one certainly managed to , and that ending?! I won’t spoil it, but if you love your plot twists frequent and shockingly unpredictable then you’re gonna be incredibly satisfied.
Overall, a phenomenally adventurous, epic fantasy that really lived up to the hype, I’m soo excited to read the rest of the series! Though do check TWs beforehand.
Also, a huge thank you to Pan Macmillan/ Macmillan Children’s Books for the finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
Honestly, I don't think there are other books doing it like Children of Blood and Bone is. This is fantasy! This is dark and gritty and a big abcdefu to colonialism. The world building happens naturally throughout the book instead of all at once in the beginning, which I really liked. It's been weeks and I can't stop thinking about this book.
Every single character feeds the plot so well. Zélie is a badass, magical warrior from start to finish and you just want to root for her forever. Amari's character arc starts off strong from princess to rebel; her romance with Tzain adds a bit of sweetness to an otherwise intense book. Inan is a mess, but the kind of mess that makes you so invested in his story. Tomi Adeyemi captures the nationalistic system and the struggle to deradicalize when you are actively benefitting from said nationalistic system.
Read this if you like fantasy rooted in social issues, lush environments, real, honest to god enemies to lovers to enemies, messy teenage decisions, and intentionally causing yourself pain by reading a book.
Every single character feeds the plot so well. Zélie is a badass, magical warrior from start to finish and you just want to root for her forever. Amari's character arc starts off strong from princess to rebel; her romance with Tzain adds a bit of sweetness to an otherwise intense book. Inan is a mess, but the kind of mess that makes you so invested in his story. Tomi Adeyemi captures the nationalistic system and the struggle to deradicalize when you are actively benefitting from said nationalistic system.
Read this if you like fantasy rooted in social issues, lush environments, real, honest to god enemies to lovers to enemies, messy teenage decisions, and intentionally causing yourself pain by reading a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Genocide, and Slavery
Minor: Rape and Sexual harassment
chrisb913's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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 was an absolutely incredible story. Tomi Adeyemi put me through an emotional rollarcoaster. The worldbuilding and descriptions of the places the characters visited was so masterfully done! The magic system was incredible and I absolutely loved that Tomi did not give all the details away in a info dump but rather gave more and more info as the story progressed. But for me the characters were the best part. I had such visceral reactions throughout the story. I flip flopped between loving and hating the MC's. The villains were so well written. The hero's fell and stumbled along the way. Everything about this book just made me feel something. Absolutely recommend and so excited for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Genocide, and Slavery
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
strawhat_kd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.75
Tomi Adeyemi came out the gate swinging with Children of Blood and Bone. The book reads like a blockbuster movie in the best way possible. The scenes are detailed to bring you in to what's going on, but they are fast moving so even though a lot is happening you process what just happened after the scene ends. You get three different points of view and each one is just as engaging as the last and helps propel the story forward. Although, I liked the different perspectives, one of the characters I wasn't too fond of. Not because I didn't like them, but because I couldn't trust their motives. The pacing mixed with the different perspectives made this an engaging read. The synopsis tells you what you need to know, but if you are looking for an action packed book, filled with emotion, this is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Hate crime, and Blood
Minor: Rape
sarina_goh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape
apuchan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.25
It got slow in the middle. Had to put it down. Finally caught back up and got interesting at the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Torture
raeneptune's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Rape
bookishperseus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
kaylaboevers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Genocide and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
jotoide's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book started out fine but by half it started to draaag, so many things happened, so much violence and death but I was left wondering what was the point of it all the ending felt bleak and aimless
I guess it was supposed to be about zelie believing in herself? Or something? I never got a clear feel of her character it seemed like she just did things
Inan was a bitch all book and his romance with zélie was rushed and weird. Amari was good but I cant say much else. Not the worst I've read but it left me wishing it was better
I guess it was supposed to be about zelie believing in herself? Or something? I never got a clear feel of her character it seemed like she just did things
Inan was a bitch all book and his romance with zélie was rushed and weird. Amari was good but I cant say much else. Not the worst I've read but it left me wishing it was better
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Rape