Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Sampler)

Title: Children of Blood and Bone

Author: Tomi Adeyemi

Genre: Sci Fi & Fantasy, Teens & YA, Diverse Fiction

Publication Date: 08 March 2018

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Plot Overview:

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.

My thoughts:

As this was a sample of the full novel, I can’t do a full review of it but from the six chapters I did get to read, I am absolutely hooked. I kept flicking the page on my kindle thinking there was more and being sorely disappointed when I realised the sampler had ended! I am already so attached to the characters and invested in what happens next, that I will definitely be pre-ordering or buying a copy when it’s released. I encourage you to take a read if you can, you will not be disappointed!

Here are a few reasons why I desperately want to read the full book:

• Magical Elements – I feel like Adeyemi has done a fantastic job in introducing and explaining the Magi and their powers, without it being too repetitive or tedious. Granted I only had access to six chapters, but within this limited amount, I was enthralled and it got me very much interested in learning more about these characters.
• Intriguing characters – The main character Zélie, was both strong willed and deeply sensitive, I appreciated that while she could stand her ground, she was also vulnerable. I liked this balance and for me it made her a character I am interested in reading more about. She didn’t feel flat or two dimensional, I only hope this complexity is carried through the rest of the novel. As well as Zélie, Amari, the princess and daughter of the notorious and cruel King Saran also drew me in. I am interested in reading about Amari’s brother, Inan too and the role he has to play.
• Issues of Colourism – This was a theme which I didn’t expect to encounter within a sci fi or fantasy novel but it was so unique. Within the novel, the darker skinned characters or Kosidán, are shunned and made subservient whilst their fairer skinned counterparts are seen as desirable. They even go to the point to bleach their skin and lighten their complexion in order to be deemed more socially acceptable. This is an issue which is ever present in our own societies and cultures, especially in the Black and Asian communities. I’m so impressed seeing a work of fiction include and highlight such an important and problematic issue.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan for sending me the sampler, through Net Galley. This is a release I am eagerly awaiting now, so thanks for the opportunity to review even a short amount of it. Consider me a fan!

Until next time,

Rumaanah x