Children of Blood and Bone
Tomi Adeyemi's "Children of Blood and Bone" is the first installment in the young adult fantasy trilogy, Legacy of Orïsha, drawing inspiration from West African mythology and Yoruba culture. The narrative follows Zélie Adebola, a diviner whose people, the maji, had their magic stripped away and were brutally suppressed by the ruthless King Saran. Zélie embarks on a perilous quest to restore magic to Orïsha, aided by the rogue Princess Amari and pursued by Prince Inan. The story explores profound themes of oppression, systemic racism, social justice, and identity, set against a backdrop of magical conflict and political intrigue. Intended for older young adult readers, the book contains mature content, including significant violence and complex moral dilemmas.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe book contains frequent and often graphic depictions of violence, including battles, combat, and death. Characters face threats of slavery and sexual harm, and participate in dangerous, life-or-death scenarios. The intensity of violence reportedly escalates in later installments.
The narrative features 'lots of battles, sometimes involving civilians' with 'pretty graphic descriptions of combat and death.' Zélie and her allies are forced to fight in a 'gladiator arena style match where only the winners come out alive.' There are also references to 'sexual assault/near rape' and 'torture.'
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult practices are fundamental to the world and plot. The story revolves around characters who wield various forms of magic, drawing power from gods and interacting with spirits. This includes 'reaper magic' and 'blood magic.'
Magic is central to the story, with Zélie's goal being to restore it to Orïsha. Different 'god or goddess is connected to a type of magic,' such as Zélie's 'reaper magic which connects with dead spirits to create animated helpers.' A Goodreads review also mentions the presence of 'blood magic' in the narrative.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe book contains highly intense and potentially frightening content, including graphic violence, torture, and life-threatening situations. The themes of oppression and persecution contribute to a pervasive sense of dread and danger for the protagonists.
The narrative includes 'some pretty graphic descriptions of combat and death,' and characters face the threat of 'slavery.' The content also involves 'torture, and fear,' alongside 'death, tragedy, violence, sexual assault/near rape.'
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion are central themes, as the protagonists actively defy and fight against an oppressive monarchy. Main characters exhibit strong will, defiance, and sometimes selfish or disrespectful behavior towards both antagonists and allies in their quest for freedom.
The entire premise is Zélie and others rising against 'a ruthless king' and his 'monarchy.' Zélie is described by some readers as 'insanely selfish and self righteous' and 'mean to Amari... shes mean to her brother,' often making 'bone headed decisions on a whim.'
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe book does not feature explicitly canon LGBTQ+ characters. However, many readers and reviewers interpret the oppression of the maji as a clear allegory for the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, suggesting strong queer themes. Some fan discussions also point to queer-coding for certain characters and relationships in both the first and second books of the series.
Josh Hedgepeth on Goodreads states that while there are 'no queer characters,' 'there are clear LGBT themes. It doesn't revolve around sexuality, but magic itself becomes a metaphor for sexuality' for a character struggling with a 'curse' they were born with. In the sequel, "Children of Virtue and Vengeance," some Goodreads reviewers express disappointment over 'forced heterosexual romantic pairings' and suggest 'criticisms suggesting that Amari’s character is queer-coded hold merit,' noting moments like Amari's reaction to a kiss with Tzain by asking about Zélie.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomantic relationships are present, featuring kissing and implied sexual activity without graphic descriptions. A significant amount of sexual tension is noted between characters. The romance in the first book is often criticized as 'insta-love' by readers.
The book includes 'kissing between boy and girl,' and 'one romantic interlude progresses further and hints at sex,' though it lacks graphic descriptions. Many readers found the romance, particularly between Zélie and Inan, to be 'incredibly unnecessary, overly contrived and it blossomed literally in a matter of hours.'
Profanity
MediumThe book uses mild profanity with moderate frequency. Reviews indicate a moderate level of strong language throughout the narrative.
Reviewers note 'mild profanity used with moderate frequency.' The language content is generally described as being at a 'moderate level' overall.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe book does not explicitly contain anti-Christian themes. Instead, it is deeply rooted in a fictional polytheistic spiritual system inspired by West African mythology and Yoruba culture, which forms the basis of its magic. The story focuses on the oppression of those who practice this indigenous magic.
The world of Orïsha is structured around 'gods or goddesses' that are 'connected to a type of magic.' The maji 'observe their own religion,' and their practices are central to their identity, often forcing them to operate in secret due to persecution.
Substance Use
LowSubstance use is minimal, with only occasional references to alcohol. There is no depiction of illegal drug use or glorification of substance abuse.
The book contains 'references to wine.' No other significant substance use, such as drugs or smoking, is noted in the reviews.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 14-15 and up. The book is recommended for this age range due to its mature themes, including graphic violence, implied sexual content, strong emotional intensity, and allegorical discussions of oppression and racism. Some reviewers equate its content to an 'R' rated movie, suggesting it is not suitable for younger teens.
Additional Notes
The series intensifies in later installments, particularly concerning character conflicts and moral ambiguities. Reviews of "Children of Virtue and Vengeance" highlight an escalation in violence and problematic character arcs, such as Princess Amari's descent into morally questionable actions for power. The romance subplot across the series often receives criticism for being rushed or underdeveloped. The book effectively uses fantasy elements to explore real-world issues of racism and oppression.
Related Reviews
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