Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Read if you like: interesting magic systems, strong young women saving the world and realizing their power, reading that feels like you're watching a movie in your head

Reading goal: 17/100

The land of Orïsha was once filled with magic, where a class of people, known as the maji, had control over flame, the tides, and even death itself. Zélie grew up surrounded by this magic, until a ruthless king destroyed the source of their powers, and ordered those with powers to be killed. Under this regime, Zélie's people are without power and without hope. Until Zélie crosses paths with Amari, a runaway princess with a scroll that can bring magic back to Orïsha. Zélie must learn to harness her newfound powers and use them to strike out against the corrupt monarchy. Zélie, along with her brother Tzain and Amari, begin an epic journey fulfill her destiny and bring magic back to her people before the cruel crown prince, Inan, can ruin their chances and rid the land of magic for good.

I love YA fantasy. It's been my genre of choice for most of my life. It's the first section I go to in Barnes and Noble. These books are the ones that overflow off my bookshelves, cover my nightstand, and my occupy windowsill. I have read and loved a lot of them. So, I do not say this lightly: Children of Blood and Bone is easily the best YA fantasy I have read in recent years, if not ever. Tomi Adeyemi is a master storyteller. Her writing transports you to Orïsha, and it was one of those books that made me truly forget I was reading until I looked up several hundred pages later and realized I forgot to eat dinner. While Children of Blood and Bone seems to have a pretty standard set up for a YA Fantasy book (you know, young girl with magical powers goes on a journey to save her land), Adeyemi breathed new life into the genre with this tale by pulling inspiration from West African culture, crafting fascinating characters, and discussing themes of racism and oppression in a way where the story felt poignant and moving while also being action packed and fantastical.

Most importantly, this is a book that I still think about all the time, despite the fact that I finished it several weeks ago. For me, that's the judge of a truly fantastic story. I waited so long to write about Children of Blood and Bone because, like so many of the books I love most, I don't really know what to say about it. Any words I type can't fully explain the feeling of magic I got in these pages. So, you'll have to experience it for yourself. Pick up this book, that's all I can say.