Children of Blood and Bone

by Tomi Adeyemi
Children of Blood and Bone cover
Good Books rating 3.58
Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 4139
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9781509871360
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2018-03-08
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Children of Blood and Bone is a West African-inspired fantasy that follows Zélie, a young woman determined to bring back magic to her people after it was brutally taken away. The story is set in Orïsha, a world filled with dark magic and danger, where different clans once ruled with unique powers. Zélie's journey is fraught with peril as she teams up with a rogue princess to outrun the crown prince, who seeks to eradicate magic forever. The novel is the first in the Legacy of Orïsha series and has been praised for its complex world-building and superlative characterisation. /n/n The book has garnered significant attention, with a major movie adaptation in the works from Paramount Pictures, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and starring a stellar cast including Amandla Stenberg, Viola Davis, and Idris Elba. Tomi Adeyemi's stunning world of dark magic and danger promises to captivate readers and re-examine the world around them.

Reviews
Student Life · 2020-10-30
compelling 4.50

The book successfully draws readers into a magical world with an engaging story while also opening their eyes to important social issues.

This review praises the book for its ability to immerse readers in a magical world while also tackling important social issues. The reviewer found the story fantastically engaging and appreciated how it opened their eyes to broader cultural and social contexts. They highlighted the unique blend of fantasy and real-world relevance, making it a compelling read. The reviewer concluded that the book does what all good fantasy books should do: entertain and enlighten.

Quick quotes

    This book does what all good fantasy books should do; it draws you into a magical world with a fantastically engaging story whilst also opening your eyes to important social issues.

    The unique blend of fantasy and real-world relevance makes it a compelling read.

    It's a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Karissa Reads Books · Karissa · 2020-07-29
compelling 3.80

The book is suitable for ages 14+ due to its violence and gore, but it offers a compelling story with a strong protagonist.

Karissa found the book to be quite violent and gory, making it more suitable for older teens. However, she appreciated the strong protagonist and the compelling story that kept her hooked. The reviewer also noted the unique setting and the exploration of themes like oppression and resistance, which added depth to the narrative. While the violence might be a turn-off for some, the story's strengths make it a worthwhile read.

Quick quotes

    While this is definitely a YA book, I would say it's most suitable for age 14+.

    The protagonist is strong and the story is compelling.

    The setting is unique and the themes of oppression and resistance are well-explored.

Elitist Book Reviews · Writer Dan · 2019-08-20
unsatisfying 3.00

The story is well-written but ultimately unsatisfying, focusing on a young girl seeking revenge and renewal through magic.

Writer Dan found the book well-written but ultimately unsatisfying. The story follows a young girl seeking revenge and renewal through magic, which is a compelling premise but doesn't fully deliver. The characters and world-building are strong points, but the execution falls short of expectations.

Quick quotes

    A well-written but ultimately unsatisfying story.

    A young girl seeking revenge and renewal through the magic that was once part of her.

    The story is compelling but doesn't fully deliver.

The Guardian · The Guardian · 2018-03-07
unsatisfying 3.00

The story is well-written but ultimately unsatisfying, with a young girl seeking revenge and renewal through magic.

The Guardian reviewer found the book to be well-written but ultimately unsatisfying. They appreciated the unique setting and the exploration of themes like revenge and renewal. However, they felt that the story lacked depth and the characters were not fully developed. The reviewer also noted the pacing issues, which made the story feel rushed at times. Despite these criticisms, they acknowledged the book's strengths, such as its unique setting and the exploration of important themes.

Quick quotes

    A well-written but ultimately unsatisfying story.

    A young girl seeking revenge and renewal through the magic that was once part of her.

    The story is well-written but lacks depth and the characters are not fully developed.

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