magic + tears/ “Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi

I’ve been waiting to read this book since December and my long suffering patience was worth it. And against all odds I was the first person on hold for this at the library??? I’m usually #143 and at that point why have hope, so in contrast this book and I started together wonderfully ❤

“Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi

Rating: 4/5 stars

Pg. count: 525 pgs

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. 2018

Plot:

Zélie lives in Orïsha (there is a map and I am joyous) where some of the population has magic connected with natural forces. Cancers (which would be my power) create and send out disease, Reapers work with the dead, etc.

But sadly the king wants magic and maji dead. Because he has a bitter past. And no maturity. It’s up to my sweet darling girl, Zélie to restore magic with the help of her wonderfully protective brother and a grieving fugitive Princess. But things are doubly hard when a morally confused Prince Nolan stands in their way.

 

To be honest even though I always cry on the inside when books are beautiful, it’s RARE I actually create real tears. It takes overwhelming despair for me to even think about the possibility of crying???? /I cannot be vulnerable./ HOWEVER after I closed COBAB my face burned and I CRIED (bodddyyy stopppppp??????) and watched Kill Bill: Vol. 1 to restore myself.

It’s because as much as this book is thrilling with magical plot, fight scenes, and romance, it also reflects what’s tragically happening in the world, especially in my own country. In Orïsha social class and inherent human value is determined by color. Nobles gossip that Princess Amari is too “dark” to be the king’s daughter. Bleaching one’s skin is how to appear “regal.” If you have white hair you’re a magi, a “maggot,” subjected to persecution, slavery, and death.

Tomi’s author’s note calls on the deaths of Jordan Edwards, Tamir Rice, and Aiyana Stanley-Jones, American children killed by police, a fate our MCs, Zélie and Amari, live in fear of. Zélie, as a Reaper, channels the dead to bring magic back to the world and save the future.

Then, there’s one point in which my own precious Zélie is horribly injured by men, a metaphor for the control and manipulation of women irl. The reality of that was stunning and heartbreaking????? Race and gender were so faithfully and overwhelmingly portrayed and Tomi’s rendered everything sincerely and imaginatively and I love her ❤

 

 

Zélie

She is so fiercely loyal, powerful, her confidence is very high considering her tragic past, and I love how INVESTED she is in fighting for herself, her family, and her people. She is so selfless but also wonderfully accepting of who she is. I’ve always thought that loving someone more than yourself is NOT weak or wrong, and Zélie validated that because she loves her brother and father more than anything and YET was bad*ss and romantic and so precious.

I love her so much. My heart smashed into tiny pieces so many times for her sake????? She is sweetpea and I am terrified, just admire her???????

 

Amari

I felt so comforted by Amari. Her voice is so wise, strong, and feminine. Amari is a peaceful waterfall of royalty and cotton candy. Also her relationship with Zélie was so supportive and their bond was one of my favorites to track throughout the narrative. I ALMOST shipped them romantically, but then I was like, NO, this is obviously a platonic sisterhood that shall defend magic everywhere.

 

Inan

*long disappointed sigh* I LIKED Inan but he is so confused and confusing????? His romance with Zélie was passionate and consuming and he was, at times, willing to commit to it entirely. But he also has deep issues with his dahd and his dahd had made him an obedient capricious af dahd soldier. But I feel perhaps there might be a replacement for him?????? maybe?????? at the end of the book??????????

 

 

 

The book was somewhat emotionally slow at the beginning. We were TOLD how much the MC loves her family, but not immediately SHOWN the extent of that love. I thought Zélie and her brother were distant around one another at the beginning??? Which was understandable considering the drama that unfolds right off the bat, BUT I feel like family closeness is so integral to the story that I needed a warm fluffy introduction. but everything changes over the course of the novel so do not fear.

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What did you think of COBAB???? I recommend you go out and retrieve it as soon as you can, it seems long but the pages just whhhooooooshhhh by especially once you get past the halfway mark