Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Children of Blood and Bone: Goldener Zorn

Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Children of Blood and Bone: Goldener Zorn by Tomi Adeyemi

209 reviews

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 even

Inan, 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!

Content Warnings

greysun69's review against another edition

Go to review page

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!

Content Warnings

abbszabbs's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional 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

Content Warnings

bujoxbooked's review against another edition

Go to review page

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!

Content Warnings

enc3336's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

mcfeinics's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

cmaree88's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark medium-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

4.25

Content Warnings

queenofsages's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

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

maddy4prezident's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny 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

4.5

This book was so beautifully written and the story was heartbreaking yet compelling. The fantastical elements of the story were grounded in the raw, deeply emotional, and unfortunately perpetually relevant realities of our own world. From page one, this book captured my attention, and I read the whole story on the edge of my seat. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone looking for an immersion, poignant, and deeply original fantasy novel.

Content Warnings

More...