Children of Blood and Bone - Tomi Adeyemi

"They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.

Now we rise."

Hi Guys. Long break, I know, I'm sorry but end of year exams and the first weeks of holiday caught up with me. Hope you are all having a great year. Anyway back to the review.  

Children of Blood and Bone is a fantasy novel inspired by Nigerian mythology, specifically focusing on the  mythical land of Orisha. In this world, magic has been cut off and those who are descended from the maji are called "maggots" and systematically oppressed, if not killed outright. It's narrated by three characters. Zelie, who is a maji/diviner and a target of these genocidal tactics employed by the King of Orisha.] Inan and his sister Amari, who are the children of the evil king but also maji, so uh-oh, nobody better find out or anything because that would be awkward.

Zelie runs away accompanied by her brother and Amari, the runaway princess. Inan hunts them down while fighting his unwanted (of course) attraction to Zelie. I found it not exactly a slow read but nothing action packed either. I didn't care about any of the characters. When the climax happens, we're supposed to be so worried for poor Zelie, but I didn't care because her voice is completely interchangeable with the other two. Characters appear whenever it's convenient for the plot, and there's a romance thrown in haphazardly because what's a YA without mediocre romance?
I get why so many people are excited about this book. I was too because it's exactly what so many readers have been asking for: Diverse Fantasy! It's thrilling to read books about people who are like you and have a narrative that you identify with. Even if I didn't find it too exciting, I can appreciate the meaning and importance it has for people who are seeking out those stories. Fantasy novels are notorious for having bad rep, and when you do see characters of colour, they often fit neatly under the cringe-worthy Magical Negro umbrella, which is not cool.

That's a huge reason behind why I was so ready to embrace this book: I want those diverse stories too. Stories that give a new perspective and delve into territories that aren't explored nearly enough, I just wish this book had taken a deeper plunge into that world and really explored the different culture. Also why where there panther and snow leopards in a land based off Nigeria????

Age Rating 13+. Everything is very mild just one torture scene and allusion to sex, not really sure. That how much of an allusion it was. And warning, awesome cliff hanger.