Summary
Tomi Adeyemi's debut novel Children of Blood and Bone took the literary world by storm in 2018. This West African-inspired young adult fantasy became an instant New York Times bestseller and garnered widespread critical acclaim. Set in the magical land of Orïsha, the story follows Zélie Adebola as she fights to restore magic to her oppressed people.
The novel tackles weighty themes of racism, oppression and power through its rich fantasy world. Adeyemi drew inspiration from Yoruba culture and mythology as well as real-world issues like police brutality against Black Americans. Her vivid worldbuilding and complex characters earned comparisons to fantasy giants like J.K. Rowling.
Children of Blood and Bone sparked a fierce bidding war, landing one of the biggest young adult publishing deals ever. The film rights were quickly snapped up, with Paramount Pictures now developing a big-screen adaptation. Adeyemi's debut launched an acclaimed trilogy that has captivated readers with its blend of magic, adventure and social commentary.
Plot
In Tomi Adeyemi's fantasy novel Children of Blood and Bone, magic has been eradicated from the kingdom of Orïsha under the orders of a ruthless king. The story follows Zélie Adebola, a young divîner who remembers when her people could wield magical abilities. After her Reaper mother was killed in the king's purge, Zélie is left without magic and her people without hope.
Zélie's chance to bring magic back arrives when she encounters Princess Amari, who has fled the palace with a magical artifact. Together with Zélie's brother Tzain, they embark on a dangerous quest to restore magic to Orïsha. They must outmaneuver and outrun Crown Prince Inan, who is determined to destroy magic forever. As they journey across Orïsha, facing threats from both human and supernatural forces, Zélie struggles to master her newfound powers.
The group's mission becomes more complicated when Prince Inan discovers he possesses magical abilities of his own. This revelation causes him to question his father's crusade against magic and his own role in it. Meanwhile, Zélie and her companions work to gather the necessary items for a ritual that could bring magic back to all divîners. Their efforts culminate in a tense confrontation at a sacred temple, where they must face off against the king and his forces.
In a climactic battle, Zélie uses blood magic to complete the ritual, seemingly at the cost of her own life. However, she is granted an audience with the gods in the afterlife and returned to the world of the living. The novel concludes with magic restored to Orïsha, but the balance of power remains uncertain as both Zélie and Princess Amari now possess magical abilities, setting the stage for further conflict and adventure.
Themes
Oppression and racial injustice
Power of magic and spirituality
Coming of age and self-discovery
Family bonds and legacy
Revolution and resistance against tyranny
Identity and belonging
Love and sacrifice
Setting
Children of Blood and Bone is set in the fictional kingdom of Orïsha, a land inspired by West African mythology and culture. The story takes place in a pre-colonial era, where magic once flourished but has since been violently suppressed by the ruling class. This fantastical world blends elements of traditional African society with mythical creatures and supernatural abilities.
The narrative unfolds across various locations within Orïsha, from bustling cities to remote temples. Key settings include Lagos, the capital city where the oppressive monarchy resides, and Chândomblé, a sacred temple of the maji. The characters' journey also takes them through diverse landscapes, including dense forests, treacherous waters, and hidden settlements of divîners.
Adeyemi's world-building is rich with detail, incorporating elements like snow leoponaires (large feline mounts) and specific magical abilities tied to different clans. The author carefully crafted the geography and travel times between locations to create a cohesive and believable setting. This intricate backdrop serves as a vivid stage for the characters' quest to restore magic and overthrow the oppressive regime.
Characters
Zélie Adebola: The fierce and determined protagonist. A divîner with white hair, Zélie lost her mother in King Saran's purge of magic. She embarks on a dangerous quest to restore magic to Orïsha and overthrow the oppressive monarchy. Zélie struggles to control her newfound Reaper powers while grappling with her growing feelings for Prince Inan.
Princess Amari: Daughter of King Saran who flees the palace after witnessing her father's cruelty. She joins Zélie's mission, bringing the magical scroll that can reawaken divîner powers. Amari evolves from a sheltered royal to a brave warrior, ultimately embracing her own magical abilities.
Prince Inan: Conflicted crown prince of Orïsha and Amari's brother. He pursues Zélie to stop the return of magic, but discovers he has magical powers of his own. Inan struggles between his duty to his father and his growing attraction to Zélie, torn between two worlds.
Tzain Adebola: Zélie's protective older brother. A skilled athlete, Tzain reluctantly joins the dangerous mission to restore magic. He provides strength and support to Zélie throughout their journey.
King Saran: The tyrannical ruler of Orïsha who ordered the purge of magic and oppression of divîners. Saran's fear and hatred of magic drive his brutal actions. His reign of terror looms over the entire story.
Mama Agba: A wise divîner elder who trains young girls in self-defense. She serves as a mentor figure to Zélie and other divîners in their village.
Lekan: The last priest of the maji temple Chândomblé. He sacrifices himself to help Zélie begin her quest to restore magic.
Binta: Princess Amari's servant and best friend. Her death at King Saran's hands after her magical abilities awaken spurs Amari to action.
Quick facts
Author Tomi Adeyemi wrote the first draft of the book in just one month to meet a writing competition deadline.
The novel went through 45 drafts over 18 months before publication.
Adeyemi drew inspiration from Yoruba culture, West African mythology, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
The book deal was reportedly seven figures, one of the biggest for a young adult debut novel.
Film rights were sold to Fox 2000 Pictures before the book was even published.
It debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list for young adult books.
The audiobook narrated by Bahni Turpin won the 2019 Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year.
Adeyemi wrote much of the book while binge-watching the TV show The Good Wife in the background.
It was selected as the first ever “Tonight Show Summer Read” by viewers of Jimmy Fallon's show in 2018.
Adeyemi was just 23 years old when the book and film rights deals were made.
About the Author
Tomi Adeyemi, born in 1993 to Nigerian immigrant parents in the United States, is a celebrated author known for her groundbreaking young adult fantasy trilogy, Legacy of Orïsha. After graduating from Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature, Adeyemi's journey as a writer took flight when she studied West African mythology in Brazil, an experience that would later inspire her debut novel.
Adeyemi's first book in the trilogy, Children of Blood and Bone, was published in 2018 to critical acclaim. It debuted at number one on The New York Times Best Sellers list and remained there for over 120 weeks. The novel's success earned Adeyemi numerous accolades, including the Andre Norton Award and the Hugo Lodestar Award. Her follow-up, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, also topped bestseller lists upon its release in 2019.
Beyond her literary achievements, Adeyemi has made significant contributions to the writing community. She offers creative writing coaching through her online platform, The Writer's Roadmap, which has been recognized by Writer's Digest as one of the best websites for writers. In 2020, TIME magazine named Adeyemi one of the 100 most influential people in the world, highlighting her impact on literature and popular culture.
Adeyemi's work extends beyond the page, with her trilogy being adapted for the big screen. Paramount Pictures acquired the film rights to Children of Blood and Bone in 2022, with Adeyemi set to write the script and serve as executive producer. As she continues to shape the fantasy genre and inspire young readers, Adeyemi's influence in the literary world shows no signs of waning.
