Children of Blood and Bone

Description:

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’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 the enemy. 

Hardcover, 525 pages

Published March 6th 2018 by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

My Review:

The Land of Orisha,
Ten Maji Clans,
Magic was once….

The King of Orisha is out to oppress the people and Diviners to eradicate magic from the land. Zelie Adebola, the daughter of a powerful Diviner, is left to witness the hanging of her mother and slaughter of her people. A Diviner tax unparalleled to any goods or services is enforced to be paid, which creates an atmosphere of thievery, poverty and enslavement for some of the clans. 

“As long as we don't have magic, they will never treat us with respect. They need to know we can hit them back. If they burn our homes, we burn theirs, too.” 
― Tomi Adeyemi

But there is a way to restore the magic and Zelie with the help of 3 other characters is out to embark on a terrifying journey through Orisha to collect artifacts and spells to reinstate the power of magic.

“You crushed us to build your monarchy on the backs of our blood and bone. Your mistake wasn't keeping us alive. it was thinking we'd never fight back” 
― Tomi Adeyemi

“As it fades, I see the truth - in plain sight, yet hidden all along. We are all children of blood and bone. All instruments of vengeance and virtue. This truth holds me close, rocking me like a child in a mother's arms. It binds me in its love as death swallows me in its grasp.” 
― Tomi Adeyemi

***

This book is written in alternate points of view. The characters in this novel come from different backgrounds and are absolutely fascinating. I admire their different strengths, struggles and parts in the plot. 

It took me a little while to get into the rhythm of this novel. I found it to be very spiritual. I understand the underlying themes and messages, but for me it is the sense and feel of Africa that stands out and created the land of Orisha in my mind. I was fortunate to have the book as well as the audio version, and the audio book narrator has a fantastic accent. You simply can't but feel immersed into this distant culture, brother-/sisterhood and hear drums and chanting in the background. 

On a personal note, I grew up in Europe with a diverse multicultural upbringing and friends from all over the world. I have always been fascinated with other cultures and even taken African dance lessons for a while. I simply love the flair and flavor of it, hence my liking of this treasure of a book. I think I will most definitely reread this before book 2 will be published.