This is the first book in the Legacy of Orïsha series.
Synopsis
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl, and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers – and her growing feelings for an enemy.
Tomi Adeyemi’ Children of Blood & Bone was one of the books I picked up because so many people were recommending it and it was around the start of the Black Lives Matter movement. I hadn’t really read any other books set in a West-African inspired fantasy world, but I really loved this story.
Zélie is such an interesting character and I loved seeing her grow. You connect with Zélie in the sense that everything seems to be going against her and she wants to be something but because of what she is it is difficult for her.
The themes of identity and change that is inherent in Children of Blood and Bone is timely in the world right now. Zelie has stood out because of her maji heritage which is seen by her white hair.
I really enjoyed the magic system in Children of Blood and Bone. Adeyemi gives a wonderful chart of the different maji groups, who their goddess/ god is and what they control. This made is really easy to go back to double check the different groups whenever you were introduced to them.
The characters that surround Zélie and who you meet are as interesting as Zélie. I love the bond between Zélie and her brother. I really loved her lionare Nailah and how much Zélie considers her her family. The relationship between Zélie and Inan is an interesting one, one that I want to read more of.
At times I felt that the pacing was a bit slow but there was enough happening to push me forward to find out what will happen.
Adeyemi beautifully set up the world in Children of Blood and Bone. I can’t wait to delve into it again in her next book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lara Jane Reviews 