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grace_reads_sometimes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
What can I say? This book took a lot of YA tropes and twisted them on their head. Tomi Adeyami writes beautifully descriptive scenes, whether is the characters fighting for their lives, having a joyful moment together, or despair in their anguish. Zeile, Tzain, Amari, and Inan are all complex characters who we see struggle. Sometimes they make the right choices and sometimes they don’t but Adeyami makes you like (or at least sympathize) with them all. I was lucky enough to get her speak at a book festival and listen to her speak on heritage and story telling. You can really see it all come out in this story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
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
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
bubblybuttercup's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
this is how you start a series! this is how you introduce a world!! CBOB is a quintessential fantasy read that i will always recommend. Adeyemi masterfully writes the beauty of magic and the land of Orisha, action and adventure, the trauma of the characters, the generational pain of a people, genocide and societal oppression, grief, young romance, a love letter to nigerian spirituality, the wonders of YA, and i still might’ve missed something in this list! CBOB is everything and more. I will forever stand by this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
buud_w0rm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Genocide, and Slavery
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
ivi_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Great storybuilding and storytelling. Gives you a glimpse into African mythology and religions.
I felt myself rooting for the characters who fight to bring magic back
I felt myself rooting for the characters who fight to bring magic back
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Slavery, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
zari_safari's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and War
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
ibadella's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Fatphobia 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
good_names_dont_exist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Genocide, Slavery, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Child death, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment