Tomi Adeyemi’s 2018 debut novel “The Children of Blood and Bone” took the young adult fiction world by storm. This fantasy novel is based on Nigerian mythology, tying Nigerian culture with a beautiful, fantastical twist. Adeyemi’s writing blends aspects of African politics, culture and spirituality into a book that connects with young adults in a deep and meaningful way.
“The Children of Blood and Bone” follows a young woman named Zélie Adebola on her adventures to fight back against the oppressive monarchy that has taken over her people’s land, the kingdom of Orisha. While fighting this war, Zélie struggles to understand her own magic so that she can become the leader everyone needs. The book includes a little romance between the four main characters.
What is amazing about this book is the fact that it is realistic in the way that it depicts Zélie’s true feelings; she is afraid all the time. In other books with unpredictable violence, characters don’t often acknowledge their fears but in “The Children of Blood and Bone” they do. This makes characters more relatable. The reader can really see Zélie grow through the hard times and the sweet times.
This book won the Goodreads choice award and was an instant number one on the New York’s Times Best Sellers list. The third and final book of this series will be released this summer.
Even in the detail of the cover art, the author enhances the reader’s experience. You’ll be cheering, crying, and yelling for Zélie throughout this gripping trilogy.
