Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Title: Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha, Book 1)
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Year of Publication: 2018
Date of Publication: March 6, 2018
Pages: 544
ISBN-10: 1250170974
ISBN-13: 978-1250170972

Summary of Children of Blood and Bone

Children of Blood and Bone follows Zélie Adebola, who lives in a world where magic has been wiped out by a ruthless king.

The once-powerful Maji have been hunted down, and those who remain live in fear. When Zélie unexpectedly gains the chance to restore magic, she embarks on a dangerous journey with her brother, Tzain, and an unlikely ally, Princess Amari.

As they race against time, they must evade the crown prince, Inan, who is determined to stop them.

Main Plot & Characters

At the beginning of the book, Zélie Adebola is a diviner—born with dormant magic in her blood but not yet a full Maji. Years ago, when she was just a child, the ruthless King Saran, fearing the power of magic, ordered its complete eradication.

In a brutal purge, all Maji were slaughtered, including Zélie’s mother, a powerful Reaper with the ability to command spirits and the afterlife. Though Zélie carries her mother’s bloodline, magic has vanished from Orïsha, leaving her powerless in a kingdom that once feared her kind.

To survive, Zélie and her brother, Tzain, help their father fish, selling their catch at the market to scrape by. But on one fateful day, their quiet routine is upended when a commotion breaks out in the marketplace. In the chaos, Zélie collides with a desperate stranger pleading for help. She doesn’t yet realize this is Princess Amari, daughter of the very king who destroyed magic.

Amari has fled the palace after witnessing a horrific execution—one that shattered her faith in her father’s rule. The king has found a magical artifact capable of reigniting lost powers in any diviner who touches it. When Amari’s loyal servant, a diviner, accidentally activates the artifact and regains her magic, the king strikes her down without mercy. Horrified, Amari steals the relic and runs, determined to right the wrongs her father has inflicted on the Maji.

As Zélie helps Amari escape, she crosses paths with Prince Inan, the king’s son, tasked with hunting them down. But when their fates briefly collide, an unexpected connection sparks between them—one neither can explain nor ignore. Their destinies are now entwined in ways they never could have foreseen.

In Orïsha, diviners and Maji are marked by their striking silver hair, a trait impossible to hide, as any attempt to dye it fades instantly. Zélie, with her silver-white hair and piercing gray eyes, carries the mark of magic—a lost legacy waiting to be reclaimed.

Key Characters:

• Zélie Adebola – A fierce and determined young diviner fighting to restore magic and free her people.
• Tzain Adebola – Zélie’s protective older brother, always by her side despite the dangers they face.
• Amari – A runaway princess who defies her father’s cruelty in a quest for justice.
• Inan – The crown prince, torn between loyalty to his father and a dangerous secret connection to magic.
• King Saran – The ruthless ruler of Orïsha, determined to keep magic buried forever.

The battle for Orïsha’s future has begun. Magic is calling, and Zélie must decide how far she’s willing to go to bring it back.

Key Themes of Children of Blood and Bone

The novel explores oppression, resilience, and the fight for justice. It highlights the importance of identity and heritage while questioning the price of power. The characters must face their fears and challenge the systems that seek to control them.

Writing Style

Tomi Adeyemi tells the story through multiple points of view. This allows you as a reader to get to know each character’s thoughts and struggles. One thing that comes off very clearly is that the characters are very likeable.

The pacing of the book is fast yet the author does a great job with the world-building. Readers will easily get a good sense of what is going on.

Some of the descriptions used in the book including the descriptions of foods and cultural element really add to the authenticity of the writing. For example, small yet significant details like the mention of Nigerian traditional foods such as Jollof rice and plantains help ground the story in a cultural setting.

Impact of Children of Blood and Bone

Children of Blood and Bone is one of the most talked about books in this genre and has been praised for its West African-inspired setting. It became a bestseller and sparked discussions about representation in fantasy literature.

It is currently being adapted into a movie, which is scheduled for release in 2027.

What are your thoughts on this book? Have you had a chance to read it? Let us know in the comments!