Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi is a 2019 Morris Award Finalist. This fantasy is based on the Nigerian heritage of the the author, It is also an allegory of the experiences of young black Americans. Although fantasy is not my usual genre, I found this book very exciting and haunting in its exploration of hate and of hope.
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.
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.
Awards and Honors
- Instant New York Times Bestseller
- 2019 YALSA William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
- 2018 Time Magazine Top Ten Best YA and Children's Books
- 2018 Kirkus Prius Prize Finalist
- Boston Globe's Best Children's Book of 2018
- Publishers Weekly Best YA Books of 2018
- School Library Journal Best Books of 2018