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zpitts's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Injury/Injury detail
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
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
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
enc3336's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Torture
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
mcfeinics's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Colonisation
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
martinatrevelin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
drymice's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Sexual content