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A review by destdest
Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun
adventurous
tense
medium-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
I thought this would be solely African/Nigerian-influenced, but it was more multicultural than I expected. Not a bad/good thing just an observation. Personally, I had a little trouble differentiating the different racial groups: there were non-magical white ppl, Asian people(?), and the black/Nigerian people. Most importantly the Oluso was the only magical people, but it seemed like any race could be Oluso though it seemed to be predominantly black characters.
Anyway, the love triangle was so very unserious. Not for ONE MINUTE did I think the other dude had a chance. Like, if y’all don’t stop playing. I generally love enemies to lovers or in this case misunderstood lovers, but I didn’t feel anything at all for Demi and Jonas. Or, any of the characters really. I had no strong feelings either way. Demi just needed comfort in the form of kisses and Jonas just had too much guilt in him; not enough to make a relationship. Colin was just there to make it a trio.
Demi as a character was okay. She had a need to overextend herself and prove her worthiness. She had no regard for her own safety because she was always trying so hard to save someone else.
There are a lot of action-packed, reverse uno moments, but it couldn’t keep my interest. Like, at one point, someone literally explodes. I was very tempted to dnf this around the 200-mark, but I kept reading because I was so close to the end.
Also, the ending... Oluso has been demoralized and disenfranchised their entire lives. Oluso are never supposed to kill others or their magic will turn on them. Ewenski apparently fines a loophole. He's one of those the odds justify the means type of people.
Demi however is immediately souled out to the thinking that the oppressed will become the oppressor. I don't know about that. Protecting and defending yourself are two different things. Who said they were going to put the ajes in enslavement? I don't doubt Ewenski's going to go too far, but it's unrealistic that Demi's going to change the Oluso's minds without any internal conflict.
As a positive, the cover is so GORGEOUS. Looking at it hung stars in my eyes. The story is easy to read, but I won’t finish this duology. It lost my interest and left me with pure indifference.
Anyway, the love triangle was so very unserious. Not for ONE MINUTE did I think the other dude had a chance. Like, if y’all don’t stop playing. I generally love enemies to lovers or in this case misunderstood lovers, but I didn’t feel anything at all for Demi and Jonas. Or, any of the characters really. I had no strong feelings either way. Demi just needed comfort in the form of kisses and Jonas just had too much guilt in him; not enough to make a relationship. Colin was just there to make it a trio.
Demi as a character was okay. She had a need to overextend herself and prove her worthiness. She had no regard for her own safety because she was always trying so hard to save someone else.
There are a lot of action-packed, reverse uno moments, but it couldn’t keep my interest. Like, at one point, someone literally explodes. I was very tempted to dnf this around the 200-mark, but I kept reading because I was so close to the end.
Also, the ending...
Demi however is immediately souled out to the thinking that the oppressed will become the oppressor. I don't know about that. Protecting and defending yourself are two different things. Who said they were going to put the ajes in enslavement? I don't doubt Ewenski's going to go too far, but it's unrealistic that Demi's going to change the Oluso's minds without any internal conflict.
As a positive, the cover is so GORGEOUS. Looking at it hung stars in my eyes. The story is easy to read, but I won’t finish this duology. It lost my interest and left me with pure indifference.