20 Feb Book Review: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

There’s something about diving into a richly built fantasy world that feels like stepping into an entirely new reality—one where magic, history, and deeply personal struggles all collide. Children of Blood and Bone had been on my radar for a while, promising an epic adventure inspired by West African mythology. And let me tell you, this one delivers.

What’s it about?

Welcome to Orïsha, a land once brimming with magic, where powerful Maji wielded the ability to control elements, life, and even death itself. But everything changed when magic suddenly vanished. Under the ruthless rule of King Saran, the once-feared Maji became targets of genocide, and those born with magical lineage—the Divîners, easily recognizable by their white hair—were oppressed, hunted, and silenced.

At the center of this story is Zélie Adebola, a young woman who remembers when magic was alive—when her mother, a powerful Reaper, used her abilities to harness souls. But after the Raid, in which her mother was brutally killed along with countless others, Zélie has been forced to survive under a regime that wants her kind erased from existence.

When fate throws Zélie into an unexpected alliance with Princess Amari, the daughter of King Saran, she discovers a chance to bring magic back. Amari has stolen a sacred scroll that could awaken the dormant powers within Divîners, reigniting the magic that had been thought lost forever. But they’re being hunted—by none other than Prince Inan, Amari’s brother, a soldier bound by duty but tormented by his own secrets.

What follows is a high-stakes journey across Orïsha, where Zélie, Amari, and Zélie’s brother Tzain must outwit the monarchy, evade capture, and unlock the full power of magic before it’s too late. Along the way, betrayals, forbidden romances, and heart-wrenching losses force them to question who they can trust—and whether restoring magic will truly bring salvation or unleash something even more dangerous.

What This Chick Thinks:

Right from the start, Children of Blood and Bone hits the ground running. The opening chapters throw us straight into the tension and oppression of Orïsha, making it impossible not to root for Zélie as she fights back. Adeyemi’s world-building is incredible—every location, every struggle, every bit of magic lore feels fully realized and deeply connected to the story’s themes.

Speaking of themes, this book doesn’t shy away from tackling real-world parallels. The treatment of the Divîners feels like a direct commentary on oppression and systemic violence, giving the novel an urgent, emotional weight. But rather than becoming preachy, Adeyemi weaves these themes seamlessly into the plot, making them feel personal rather than abstract.

The Characters:

Zélie is a fantastic protagonist—fierce, emotional, and flawed in ways that make her feel real. She’s angry. She’s scared. She makes mistakes. And yet, her resilience and determination to fight for her people make her easy to love and impossible to ignore.

Amari was a surprise favorite for me. Her transformation from privileged princess to rebel warrior feels earned, and her internal conflict makes her one of the most compelling characters in the book.

Prince Inan is where things get complicated. His internal struggle—caught between duty and desire, loyalty and morality—adds layers of tension to the story. His dynamic with Zélie is filled with chemistry and conflict, and while some of his choices frustrated me (oh, did they frustrate me), I appreciated the way his arc was handled.

Tzain, Zélie’s brother, serves as the grounded, protective force in her life. Though he doesn’t get as much development as the others, his role in the story is essential to Zélie’s journey.

The Magic & World-Building:

Orïsha feels alive, bursting with history, culture, and a tangible sense of loss. The way magic works—the different Maji clans, the gods they worship, the relics that hold power—feels both fresh and timeless, pulling from Yoruba traditions and African folklore. The stakes aren’t just about getting magic back—they’re about who should wield it, how it should be used, and whether absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Final Thoughts:

Children of Blood and Bone is an explosive debut—thrilling, emotional, and deeply immersive. It’s a richly layered fantasy that hits hard, offering not just adventure but also poignant reflections on power, oppression, and resistance.

It’s not a light read—some moments are brutal, and the emotional punches hit hard. But it’s absolutely worth the journey. The only downside? The cliffhanger ending that left me needing book two ASAP.

Rating: 9/10

Try it if you like:

• The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang: If you want a fantasy that doesn’t hold back on brutality, high stakes, and political tension, this is a perfect next step.
• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo: Another fast-paced, magic-driven adventure where a young woman discovers her untapped power while fighting against oppression.
• The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin: If you love rich world-building, intricate magic systems, and narratives that challenge power structures, this is right up your alley.