Read This: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

It can be daunting to read a book that’s been surrounded by hype. You hear jargon like “the most anticipated book of the year” or “the YA breakout of 2018” thrown around, and it sets expectations so high. I can’t imagine being Tomi Adeyemi right now, waiting for numbers to come in, reading reviews from every source there is. Well, I think Ms. Adeyemi can rest easy – because she’s got a hit in her hands. You need to read Children of Blood and Bone, right now.

The Woman, The Myth, The Legend

First, let’s talk about Tomi Adeyemi because she’s one amazing woman. At twenty-four, she’s a graduate of Harvard with an honors degree in English Literature, received a grant to study West African mythology and culture in Brazil, and oh, no big deal wrote an almost 500-page book that’s being developed into a movie before it even hits shelves. She also blogs to her 4,500 followers (if you’re a writer or aspiring writer, subscribe) and has time for good TV. Yas. Queen. This woman is my idol. Can your idol be younger than you? Asking for a friend…

Don’t really have words for this moment.

Have officially held my first book.

I cannot wait to share #ChildrenofBloodandBone with you all in 30 days pic.twitter.com/JWdaFe1PiW

— Tomi Adeyemi (@tomi_adeyemi) February 7, 2018

Next, let’s talk about her inspiration for Children of Blood and Bone. At the forefront are her experiences as a WOC in today’s world, watching tragedy after tragedy needlessly happen to groups of people deemed “different.” Translating that into writing, there needs to be more diversity for younger readers, which Adeyemi deftly addresses. So they can grow up with all sorts of heroes and heroines and aspire to be like them. So children don’t feel the need to hold back in life because there’s no princess that looks like them, no immortal hottie that will fall in love with them, or no normal girl turned hero of the world with their skin color. We all need someone to relate to, a story that we can see ourselves in. And Tomi Adeyemi is adding to that lexicon. Children of Blood and Bone has created a heroine for the ages with Zélie. Someone girls can see themselves in and imagine themselves as without feeling like they’re wrong for it.

So that is why I write. The dream is the same, but the purpose is different. It isn’t fame or success; it is a burning passion to tell a story about someone who is different and to force readers to fall in love with what is different from them.

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Beyond the inspiration to create something new, different, and desperately needed, Adeyemi drew from West African mythology to create this fantastical story and world. It’s a world that hasn’t been seen yet in YA fantasy, at least on this level. There are gods and goddesses, maji, clans, and beautiful descriptions of weapons and wardrobes. It’s lush, dark, and unforgiving. You will truly get lost in this world and not want to find your way out. Adeyemi says Children of Blood and Bone is the love child of Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. So if any of those are your jam, you’re going to love this book.

The World of Orïsha

Ok, so let’s actually talk about the book. It takes all the best aspects of fantasy – princesses, tormented, rule-obsessed soldiers, the battle to restore magic against those trying to suppress it – and does something completely new with these familiar elements. Also, every single character is black. Something that shouldn’t be a big deal, but definitely is. The story often parallels to the real world. The injustices of racism and how they affect us all. The desire to be equal to everyone else and the fight to get there, when there’s so much standing in your way.

It’s set in the world of Orïsha, former home to magic, current home to an elitist monarchy who has it all, ruling the peasants who fight for their share of nothing. This wasn’t the way it was when magic spread through the land, and now there’s a chance to bring it back. Of course, the fate of magic rests on a strict deadline, a journey across a soldier-ridden country, memorization of an ancient incantation, and keeping three magic artifacts safe – no biggie, right?

It’s told from three perspectives. First, Zélie, a diviner, whose powers lie dormant after magic was removed from the world eleven years before this story takes place. Next, Amari, princess of Orïsha, who’s rebelled against her tyrannical magic-hating father, accidentally/coincidentally aided by Zélie in her escape. And finally, Inan, Amari’s brother, and also our antagonist, on a chase to “save” his sister and carry out to his father’s bidding. The way these three perspectives interweave works well for the story. We see these characters grow and change, become friends and enemies.

The pace of this book is fast. Delightfully so – I’ve never had that many pages go so quickly. 200 pages in we were at the part of the story I assumed would be the end, and there were about 300 pages to go. I had no idea what could happen in those 300 pages. The answer is a lot. It’s intense – there’s never a dull moment. My heart was pounding for the last 50 pages. No joke, I should probably see a doctor, that can’t be normal.

There’s a cliffhanger ending which SUCKS, but what can you do?* I say enjoy your book hangover until the next book in the series comes out. And when it gets close, savor this book again with a reread. With all the twists and turns you’ll definitely need it. I’m so excited to see what this series brings. It’s refreshing to read something different and relevant. Sure, fantasy is escapism, but that doesn’t mean it has to forgo the real world. If this book resonates with someone and changes their perspective on the world then it’s all for the better.

^{*You can talk about it here – I need someone to fangirl over this with me. I’m dying over here.}

FIRST OFFICIAL #CHILDRENOFBLOODANDBONE FANART AND I AM ??? AT ITS BEAUTY!!!! Thank you @shea_standefer !!!!

A post shared by Tomi Adeyemi (@tadeyemibooks) on Jan 17, 2018 at 9:37am PST

TL;DR

This book is relevant, engrossing, wondrous, and important. Read it – you’ll want to be part of the hype. Also, follow Tomi Adeyemi everywhere. She’s a joy and we can expect big things from her.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi is available now.
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