Today, I’m diving into Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, a book that took me longer than expected to finish—not because it wasn’t captivating, but because I’ve recently drifted away from the fantasy genre, gravitating more towards historical fiction.
Still, I know this is just a phase, and eventually, I’ll circle back to my fantasy roots.Tomi Adeyemi is a remarkably talented writer. Going into this book, I expected something akin to Harry Potter, one of the works that inspired her.
But I quickly realized that Adeyemi is in a league of her own, delivering a richly woven tale that defies simple comparisons.
Children of Blood and Bone is a young adult fantasy novel, first published in 2018, and the debut entry in a planned trilogy. It follows Zélie Adebola, a determined heroine on a quest to restore magic to the kingdom of Orïsha.
In this world, the ruling kosidán class has violently suppressed the maji, a once-powerful group of magic wielders to which Zélie belongs.
The story is told from the perspectives of its three main characters: Zélie, Amari Olubori, and Inan Olubori. Initially, I found it a bit challenging to adjust to the alternating viewpoints, as it had been a while since I’d read a book with this kind of structure.
But once I settled into Adeyemi’s style, I was fully immersed.At the heart of the novel is Zélie’s quest to bring magic back to Orïsha and free her people from the oppressive kosidán rule.
This mission is fueled by the courage of Amari Olubori, daughter of the tyrannical King Saran. Amari turns against everything she has been taught, risking her life to steal a sacred scroll said to restore magic after witnessing her father murder her friend Binta, a maji.
In contrast, her brother Inan is deeply loyal to their father, to the point of ruthlessly harming his own sister to gain the king’s approval.
However, after encountering Zélie in a shared dreamscape, Inan begins to manifest maji-like powers, which he despises. His internal struggle leads him to hide his abilities, and in a shocking twist, he murders Admiral Kaea to conceal his secret.
While Inan and Zélie develop a complex romantic connection, I wasn’t entirely surprised by his eventual betrayal at the end of the book.
Adeyemi’s storytelling is both vivid and intense, blending rich world-building with fast-paced action. I was particularly struck by the novel’s exploration of themes like oppression, identity, and resistance.
The book’s violence and emotionally charged scenes may raise concerns about its suitability for younger readers, especially without parental guidance. It’s a far cry from the whimsical fantasy I initially expected.
In my next article, I’ll be reviewing the second installment of this series. In the meantime, feel free to reach out with your thoughts, questions, or topics you’d like me to cover. You can contact me at ademigbujiaishat@gmail.com.
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