Reviews

Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun

lleullawgyffes's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jordanadreams's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective 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

3.5

reading_as_pastime's review against another edition

3.0

I really enjoyed this book. Although the end seemed to drag on a bit. Colin was kind of annoying (ngl). And Demi's whole reason for hating the prince was kind of iffy (like ma'am y'all were eight and you were literally with him the whole time, so her holding that grudge against him didn't really make any sense in my honest opinion). But her unwillingness to kill or to change her views to fit what other people thought should be was admirable. Jonas was my favorite. He was freaking adorable (I need more jealous Jonas in my life).

gillianc695a's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

soulfulcrow's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense 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? Yes

3.5

jaymehunt's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

nika33's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

alyssasaurus's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

starrysteph's review against another edition

dark 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

2.0

Forged by Blood is a fantasy book inspired by Nigerian mythology. We follow Demi, a young woman who must hide her magic from the violent occupiers of her land. When her mother is murdered, she seeks revenge and stumbles into a mysterious opportunity from a Lord, and she sets out on a deadly mission alongside her childhood best friend and a figure from her past that she never thought she’d see again.

Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed by this one. I was ready for a fresh epic fantasy, but it was recycled tropes & scenes that I’ve read a hundred times before. I swear there were moments that felt like they were copied from other books almost word for word. I had a strange sense of deja vu while reading. 

The characters and storytelling both felt young and immature. I believe this was originally intended to be young adult, but was aged up? The world-building didn’t quite make sense (too many holes in logic & the magic system was not developed well) and the choices and flatness of the characters baffled me a bit. 

Both young men who were the love-triangle-interests were disappointing & toxic in different ways (and don’t get me started on the fated mate trope, especially when a young Black girl is paired with the white oppressor). 

I was also disappointed by some of the framing around the oppressed group rising up against their genocidal rulers. 

CW: death of parent, murder, colonization, genocide, slavery, racism, grief, sexual harassment, child abuse, child death, confinement, sexism, torture, xenophobia, war, pregnancy

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(I received an advance reader copy of this book; this is my honest review.)

elsecallerreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.0

This was a great debut book. You jump right into the action and the worldbuilding was so immersive. 
The pacing was a little all over the place and I wasn't a fan of the love triangle. I also wasn't sure if this was supposed to be YA or adult fantasy. 
Despite these smaller issues I am really looking forward to the sequel.