“As it fades, I see the truth - in plain sight, yet hidden all along. We are all children of blood and bone. All instruments of vengeance and virtue. This truth holds me close, rocking me like a child in a mother's arms. It binds me in its love as death swallows me in its grasp.”
Hello world and welcome to another edition of I can’t tell you a thing. I wish I could, but you’re just swell outta luck.
Joking aside, the thing I most want to complain about… I can’t. I think it ruins the whole book because instead of focusing on the story, you sit there the entire time trying to figure out what Adeyemi meant. What I will tell you is, under pain of death, don’t read the author’s note until the end. Or better yet, don’t read it ever.
Why you might ask????
It will just ruin your entire life, which in turn will ruin the premise of the book. It’s been decided that inside of a written letter at the end of the book - which everyone would then end up reading - she should have said it in an interview.
I can see what Adeyemi was trying to achieve. There are some beautiful moments, a million quotes and thought-provoking scenes to bring it there. The story alone is pretty decent. But it all comes into question with that note.
“I teach you to be warriors in the garden so you will never be gardeners in the war.”
Now back to the actual story.
Children of Blood and Bone is about the struggle of regaining power, which is magic in this case, in a world where it’s far off balanced. One day, all magic has been wiped out, leaving those without it lost and enslaved to the current ruling class. Zelie, a child at the time, loses her mother to the deadly change and in essence has no idea what to become where she is marked with one of magic blood. When a scroll is discovered that could possibly bring magic back, it becomes a race for those that want power and those that hope it never returns.
This is an action packed story with intensive world building and told through the eyes of three characters. A mix of African and Roman culture, Adeyemi really went for it. I think this would be stunning on screen. And I really wanted to like it, I promise. There was just something lacking for me. A disconnect of sorts.
“They don't hate you, my child. They hate what you were meant to become.”
Maybe it’s just me, but I felt an immaturity to the characters that I don’t often get when reading YA. Being older, I appreciate when characters leave their teenage annoyances at the door. Not saying that these characters didn’t, I just felt this whining come through that set my teeth on edge.
The biggest standout, and one reason I kept reading was Inan. His character is well developed and adds a complexity to the plot and story. His wants were apparent. His struggle really felt through the words. Zeile was also well done, but Amaria, which I know a lot of people liked, was downright a waste of paper. Her POV was not needed and really created a lopsided story. For almost the whole story she was with Zeile which required a retelling of scenes, and her input didn’t add much. Then on the flip side, you’ve got Tzain the brother, a very important character on the quest, and we hear nothing. If we needed Amari then maybe we should have had Tzain. I can see where she could be very important in the next book, but we could have added her in then. I know a lot of writers that add in a new POV on the next book.
In terms of world building, I wouldn’t say this was a fantastic creation. Everything was a little too cookie cutter. We had a beachy town, a desert, and a jungle oh my. We jumped around in so many towns that we never got to settle and appreciate what Adeyemi had to offer. I’m very thankful we had a map, and it was in an excellent location for access. Great job. I think this could be another reason I struggled to become grounded in the story.
I think what Adeyemi was trying to achieve was very commendable. For a debut book, it has a lot of good points. This was an undertaking and one that she did well with. I am excited for the next book because I think, with all the feedback and experience, it’ll be well done. I’m also really curious to see where the story goes. There is kind of a bet in book club. I really hope I win. But now we have to wait until next March. My overall rating is 3.5 stars.
Love Kait
Reading Challenge 36/100