Honest Book Review of Children of Blood and Bone
Check out my full book review of Tomi Adeyemi’s fantasy novel, Children of Blood and Bone, the first book in the Legacy of Orisha series. This enchanting book has a lot to unpack and even more that leaves you thinking.
Here’s a short synopsis of the book:
“Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were 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 an enemy.”
Full Book Review Without Spoilers
As a fantasy reader, I was completely drawn into Children of Blood and Bone from the very beginning. This book felt fresh and unique, with a story that stood apart from many of the typical fantasy novels I’ve read. The way Tomi Adeyemi wove together themes of oppression, hope, and resilience made the story feel powerful. It wasn’t just an adventure—it was a journey that felt layered with meaning.
One of the standout elements for me was the incredible depth of the world-building. The land of Orïsha was so vividly crafted that it felt like I could step right into it. The mythology, gods, and magic system were fascinating, unlike anything I had encountered before.
The characters were another part of the story that really resonated with me. Zélie, Amari, and Inan especially stood out as dynamic, complex, and flawed in ways that made them feel very real. Their struggles, fears, and growth pulled me in, and I found myself caring about what happened to each of them.
Characters
Not only were the characters themselves good, but the relationships between them really made the book. Watching the dynamics between the main characters shift and grow was just as engaging as the larger, action-packed narrative. These relationships grounded the story and added emotional depth to all the magic and mythology.
Plot
The plot together with the writing style pulled everything together beautifully. The pacing kept me hooked, balancing action with introspection, and the stakes felt high from beginning to end.
Writing
Adeyemi’s writing was both lyrical and gripping, which made me truly invested in the story. By the time I reached the last page, I was already eager to continue the series, because this book was not only a thrilling fantasy adventure but also a deeply moving story that stayed with me long after I finished.
Full Book Review With Spoilers
You’ve been warned that from here on out there will be spoilers. Continue on to the conclusion section to avoid them.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi was a great read for me. With its breathtaking world-building, fascinating mythology, and characters who felt vividly real, this story pulled me in from the very first page and never let go.
I have to mention how much I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Zélie and Inan. It’s one of my favorite tropes, and watching them clash while also feeling drawn to each other made their interactions electric. The fact that they were literally trying to kill each other at times only heightened the tension, making their relationship one of the most gripping parts of the book for me.
I also appreciated how the characters’ choices were rarely simple or easy—they carried weight, and that added a lot to the story’s tension. And I loved the array of relationships throughout the book. The bonds between siblings, friends, and even the complicated ties between enemies gave the story heart and nuance.
Major spoiler ahead: The only problem I had with this book is that the ending felt…not great. It was all looking good (bad for the main characters though), but something about the ending was not satisfying. But I’m hoping it’s all rectified in the second book because there’s lots of opportunity for that.
Prince Inan had a great redemption arc going after realizing he was wrong and coming to accept his magic because of Zélie. And then he just throws that all out the window after a two minute conversation with his dad? The book could have ended with Inan using his magic to help Zelie instead. The betrayal at the end just seemed out of place when Inan realized he was in love with Zelie just pages before that.
Pros of the Book
The biggest pro of the book for me was the dynamics between the main characters and how the characters themselves were written. They were all so real, with real flaws and shortcomings, that really made you invested in their stories. And they all had great development throughout the book, especially Princess Amari.
Cons of the Book
My biggest (and really only complaint) about the book was with the ending. If you’ve read it, check out the section above that says major spoilers ahead. If you haven’t read the book, yet, you should do that before reading this.
Conclusion
Overall, Children of Blood and Bone was everything I love about fantasy and more. Tomi Adeyemi crafted a story that stayed with me long after finishing. It’s a book I would wholeheartedly recommend to any fantasy lover looking for a powerful, original, and beautifully written adventure.
I have a full summary of the book here if you need a refresher on any of the main points.
Rating- 4.75 Out of 5 Stars
This was really a great read because of the world building, the characters, and magic in the book, but I took off the quarter star because of my problems with the ending. I’m hoping that the problems will be addressed in the second book, though. You should still read this book!
Who Would Enjoy Reading?
If you’re a fan of fantasy with great background lore, world building, and prophecies all tied together with a neat bow, you should give this a read. I’m amazed at the level of detail included in this fantasy world, from the language to the myths to the gods. Everything adds to the magic.
What to Read After Children of Blood and Bone
If you liked this book as much as I did, either because of the characters or the writing style, check out more of my recommendations below.
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
This is the next book in the Legacy of Orisha series that you should read if you want to continue the series. Full disclosure: I haven’t read it yet, and the reviews are not favorable. But I still want to give it a chance to fix some things that happened at the end of the first book.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang
If you loved the magic system in this book, try out this novel. I was thinking about this for weeks after I finished.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
This is another great YA book with very similar vibes to Children of Blood and Bone. And, while I haven’t finished the whole series yet, people love these books!
