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Sneak Peek - Children of Blood and Bone
Download a FREE sneak peek of CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE!
Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy debut.
They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy debut.
They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
84 pages, ebook
Published November 7, 2017
1193 people are currently reading
1638 people want to read
About the author
Tomi Adeyemi
11 books21.2k followersTomi Adeyemi is a Nigerian-American writer and creative writing coach based in San Diego, California. Her debut novel, CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE, comes out March 6th, 2018 and the movie is currently in development at Fox with the producers of Twilight and The Maze Runner attached. After graduating Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature, she received a fellowship that allowed her to study West African mythology and culture in Salvador, Brazil. When she’s not working on her novels or watching Scandal, she can be found blogging and teaching creative writing to her 3,500 subscribers at tomiadeyemi.com. Her website has been named one of the 101 best websites for writers by Writer’s Digest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
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August 26, 2017Oh My, this has been intense!
I've been provided with this Preview Expert of the first 6 chapters of the book in exchange for an honest review, via Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Books to which I'm very grateful about it.
I don't want to give it any rating yet, until I read the entire book, which I'm more than sure that I want to read it when the full book comes out, I'll have to wait alot, SO UNFAIR!
What I've read I LOVED IT, it's a strong plot, a brillant idea in a fantasy world full of diversity, unique characters and magic. I'M IN!.
I feel that I've never read anything similar for which I'm super excited
I've been provided with this Preview Expert of the first 6 chapters of the book in exchange for an honest review, via Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Books to which I'm very grateful about it.
I don't want to give it any rating yet, until I read the entire book, which I'm more than sure that I want to read it when the full book comes out, I'll have to wait alot, SO UNFAIR!
What I've read I LOVED IT, it's a strong plot, a brillant idea in a fantasy world full of diversity, unique characters and magic. I'M IN!.
I feel that I've never read anything similar for which I'm super excited
Read
May 3, 2018Entertainment Weekly from April 20, 2018, had this on the cover "Meet Tomi Adeyemi - The New J.K. Rowling (Yep, She's That Good!)"
I was obviously very curious, so I was glad when I found this free sampler on Kindle.
Well, what can I say?... The story that unfolds in these first six chapters has some interesting parts and the short sentences give it a very rapid rhythm. I especially liked Chapter One, with the scene at Mama Agba's. However, I really don't care for the use of present tense in the narration (though if it's well written then sometimes you don't even realize it's present tense) and for several points of view that all sound the same. Plus, I couldn't shake a feeling of deja vu, in the story, in the behavior of the characters, in the usage of words ("the breath I did not realize I was holding rushes out"), as if I were reading several other YAs at the same time. A very strange feeling.
Not to mention the dreaded insta-love, already showing its head in chapter six...
I was obviously very curious, so I was glad when I found this free sampler on Kindle.
Well, what can I say?... The story that unfolds in these first six chapters has some interesting parts and the short sentences give it a very rapid rhythm. I especially liked Chapter One, with the scene at Mama Agba's. However, I really don't care for the use of present tense in the narration (though if it's well written then sometimes you don't even realize it's present tense) and for several points of view that all sound the same. Plus, I couldn't shake a feeling of deja vu, in the story, in the behavior of the characters, in the usage of words ("the breath I did not realize I was holding rushes out"), as if I were reading several other YAs at the same time. A very strange feeling.
Not to mention the dreaded insta-love, already showing its head in chapter six...
December 3, 2017
4.75 really
This was just a preview, but it was a great one. The author definitely knew how use every chapter to add a lot to the story.
The chapters were not short, but they were still fast-paced and intense, so it was never boring. I also feel that in a just a few pages we managed to get a good sense of who each character was, and the worldbuilding was very interesting, lots of words to get used to, but I think the information was well delivered to us.
There were heavy prejudice issues regarding magic, but also very reality based racial issues.
My only cons are that I think we should've met Binta right away before things developed, and I don't like the way some adults treat kids, but I'm sure it's intentional that we feel unfortable.
Overall this was really well written, and I can't wait to actually read the entire book.
This was just a preview, but it was a great one. The author definitely knew how use every chapter to add a lot to the story.
The chapters were not short, but they were still fast-paced and intense, so it was never boring. I also feel that in a just a few pages we managed to get a good sense of who each character was, and the worldbuilding was very interesting, lots of words to get used to, but I think the information was well delivered to us.
There were heavy prejudice issues regarding magic, but also very reality based racial issues.
My only cons are that I think we should've met Binta right away before things developed, and I don't like the way some adults treat kids, but I'm sure it's intentional that we feel unfortable.
Overall this was really well written, and I can't wait to actually read the entire book.
January 15, 2018
I love everything about this. Admittedly I was a bit distracted at the start but once I actually started paying attention. OMG. March will be here but not soon enough!
April 5, 2018
Definitely, going to read the entire book. The sneak peek was interesting.
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April 25, 2023Loved this book!
April 10, 2018
I don’t know why I did it but I did and I don’t think I will ever do it again. This was my first and instead of calling it a sample, I will call it a teaser because that is exactly how I feel, teased. When I first laid eyes on this novel, I wanted to read it and when I saw the opportunity to read a portion of it, I jumped on it. Big mistake!
From the beginning pages where Mama Agba picks Zelia to fight Yemi with the staffs, to where the King’s men enter the arena, which has now been transformed into a seamstress shop, I was hooked. As Mama Agba tells the girls about the rise and fall of the Maji, who the Diviners are, and why these girls are training with her, I knew the confrontations reached way beyond the walls of their room. The novel started on a journey and then since this was a sample (teaser), it stopped. There was a cliffhanger on the final page but I didn’t need it, I was already hooked.
So now, I am left hanging until I can get a copy of this novel and finish reading it. For now though, I need to read some other novels that have been calling my name before I bring another novel into this house. I will be picking up Children of Blood and Bone and giving a full review in the near future.
I received this sample (teaser) from NetGalley Macmillian Children’s Publishing Group and in exchange for an honest review.
From the beginning pages where Mama Agba picks Zelia to fight Yemi with the staffs, to where the King’s men enter the arena, which has now been transformed into a seamstress shop, I was hooked. As Mama Agba tells the girls about the rise and fall of the Maji, who the Diviners are, and why these girls are training with her, I knew the confrontations reached way beyond the walls of their room. The novel started on a journey and then since this was a sample (teaser), it stopped. There was a cliffhanger on the final page but I didn’t need it, I was already hooked.
So now, I am left hanging until I can get a copy of this novel and finish reading it. For now though, I need to read some other novels that have been calling my name before I bring another novel into this house. I will be picking up Children of Blood and Bone and giving a full review in the near future.
I received this sample (teaser) from NetGalley Macmillian Children’s Publishing Group and in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2018
(received from netgalley for review)
Cover: is actually representative of what is in the novel. The colors are is so eye-catching and vibrant.
Pros
1.Fantasy world- it’s not clunky/info-dumpy, it is interesting to have a world that is majority if not completely filled with black people
2.How it deals with the problems of the world- the greatest thing about having a world with majority/completely filled with black people is that the story can be intraracial issues such as colorism. It also does a good representation of systematic oppression ( there is even some commentary about misogynoir )
3.Brutal- the stakes are high and real
I really did not have anything I did not like about it so I’m ready for it to come out. I’m actually a bit annoyed at myself for sampling something coming out next year in March.
Cover: is actually representative of what is in the novel. The colors are is so eye-catching and vibrant.
Pros
1.Fantasy world- it’s not clunky/info-dumpy, it is interesting to have a world that is majority if not completely filled with black people
2.How it deals with the problems of the world- the greatest thing about having a world with majority/completely filled with black people is that the story can be intraracial issues such as colorism. It also does a good representation of systematic oppression ( there is even some commentary about misogynoir )
3.Brutal- the stakes are high and real
I really did not have anything I did not like about it so I’m ready for it to come out. I’m actually a bit annoyed at myself for sampling something coming out next year in March.
February 26, 2018
Well, it's hard to judge a book by its sneak peek. The storytelling is fairly exciting and compelling, the setting in Africa is a welcome change from pretty much every other book I read, but some things are a bit much... like the strange creatures that are supposedly like giant cats and that can be used as mounts? Also, the escape was a bit heavy on the deus ex machina...
July 14, 2018
I wish I could rate this book 100 stars. I haven’t felt this way about a story is such a long time and I was truely moved. I highly HIGHLY recommend listening to the audio book, the narrator is INCREDIBLE!!! and who else cried during the authors notes? Because I sure did. If you haven’t read this book yet, I urge you to.
December 13, 2017
I need the rest of the book right now! So good!
January 30, 2019
Amazing book
I loved how the author paints the scenes. I enjoy the history that is told and how it relates to the main characters.
I loved how the author paints the scenes. I enjoy the history that is told and how it relates to the main characters.
October 1, 2020
Richly written and beautifully told the story of Zélie who is a descendant of the diviners, maji who had the magic to heal, destroy, or summone the elements to do their will. But eleven years ago all the magic disappeared over night and Zélie's mother was killed for the power she held.
Zelie has been secretly training in her village to be a fighter with other girls her age. As she is returning home she finds out that her father has nearly drowned trying to catch fish to help pay the tax collectors that keep coming and taking everything they own. Zel goes to the nearby city with a prize fish to sell for money that will hopefully help their family get ahead. There she is confronted by a young girl who has stolen a scroll from her father that can supposedly help bring magic back to the diviners. Now the girl that has taken the scroll is the princess of the king that is responsible for slaughtering the diviners to begin with. So begins the journey of Zel, her brother, and the princess to bring magic back.
This book was absolutely gorgeous. It is so original and lush, it kept me enthralled to the very end. If you liked The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor or The Bone Witch by Ren Chupeco you'll definitely fall in love with this book!
Zelie has been secretly training in her village to be a fighter with other girls her age. As she is returning home she finds out that her father has nearly drowned trying to catch fish to help pay the tax collectors that keep coming and taking everything they own. Zel goes to the nearby city with a prize fish to sell for money that will hopefully help their family get ahead. There she is confronted by a young girl who has stolen a scroll from her father that can supposedly help bring magic back to the diviners. Now the girl that has taken the scroll is the princess of the king that is responsible for slaughtering the diviners to begin with. So begins the journey of Zel, her brother, and the princess to bring magic back.
This book was absolutely gorgeous. It is so original and lush, it kept me enthralled to the very end. If you liked The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor or The Bone Witch by Ren Chupeco you'll definitely fall in love with this book!
February 25, 2021
I found this book completely randomly at the library. I gave it a shot, thinking I might just read a few pages and then putting it back on my shelf for months. But once I opened it, I couldn't put it down. I read it while I was walking, in class, at lunch break, in the train, late at night, etc. I was completely into it, I fell into Adeyemi's world and I loved it. Her imagination has no limits, her characters are very loveable and interesting, her world is so unique. I read the first and the second volume and I cannot wait for the third one!
Je suis tombée sur ce livre complètement par hasard à la médiathèque. Je lui ai laissé une chance, en pensant lire quelques pages avant de le remettre sur mon étagère pendant des mois. Mais une fois que je l'ai ouvert, je ne pouvais plus le reposer. Je le lisais en marchant, en cours, à la pause déjeuner, dans le train, tard la nuit, etc. J'étais complètement dedans, je suis tombée dans le monde d'Adeyemi and j'ai adoré. Son imagination est sans limites, ses personnages son très attachants et intéressants, son monde est unique. J'ai lu les deux premiers tomes and j'attends le troisième avec impatience!
Je suis tombée sur ce livre complètement par hasard à la médiathèque. Je lui ai laissé une chance, en pensant lire quelques pages avant de le remettre sur mon étagère pendant des mois. Mais une fois que je l'ai ouvert, je ne pouvais plus le reposer. Je le lisais en marchant, en cours, à la pause déjeuner, dans le train, tard la nuit, etc. J'étais complètement dedans, je suis tombée dans le monde d'Adeyemi and j'ai adoré. Son imagination est sans limites, ses personnages son très attachants et intéressants, son monde est unique. J'ai lu les deux premiers tomes and j'attends le troisième avec impatience!
October 27, 2019
I have never been this enraged when reading a book. So mad that my head started to hurt. Almost every page pissed me off. This book is full of cruelty, racism,and etc. The so called king in this book is the cause of it all!
The story is very good though,you don't want to stop reading and it makes you want to know what happens next! I love the main character Zélie so much. She's strong and not afraid to speak her mind! She's a great fighter and super smart. I highly recommend this book!
The story is very good though,you don't want to stop reading and it makes you want to know what happens next! I love the main character Zélie so much. She's strong and not afraid to speak her mind! She's a great fighter and super smart. I highly recommend this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2020
I very much enjoyed this book. Without spoiling too much, I will say it has a little bit of everything; magic, oppression from monarchy, cycles of violence, etc. I'm not drawn to YA books as much as I used to be but this one had enough themes that are reflected in our everyday society that made it hard to put down. I will be definitely picking up the sequel and will add this to my permanent bookshelf. I can't wait.
July 8, 2021
Excellent first few chapters. Want to finish the whole book!
I started reading something similar to this; but never got to finish the series. I get upset with myself when I do this.
The characters are fresh & the ideas are clear. If you're different, you are going to pay with your life.
Differences should be celebrated not something to be ashamed of because life would be extremely boring if we were ALL the SAME!
I started reading something similar to this; but never got to finish the series. I get upset with myself when I do this.
The characters are fresh & the ideas are clear. If you're different, you are going to pay with your life.
Differences should be celebrated not something to be ashamed of because life would be extremely boring if we were ALL the SAME!
March 14, 2020
It was a good start
If I had known it was only the beginnings of the story and I would have to buy more books to continue the story I wouldn't have even bothered.
If you don't mind TO BE CONTINUED then you might enjoy the book, but I hate having a book not be complete
If I had known it was only the beginnings of the story and I would have to buy more books to continue the story I wouldn't have even bothered.
If you don't mind TO BE CONTINUED then you might enjoy the book, but I hate having a book not be complete
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June 12, 2020What an adventure!
I couldn't stop until it was over! The setting, the characters, the magic. I'm glad the author didn't try to sugar-coat the true violence of war and racism. The events evoke more emotions because they're so real. On to the next book!
I couldn't stop until it was over! The setting, the characters, the magic. I'm glad the author didn't try to sugar-coat the true violence of war and racism. The events evoke more emotions because they're so real. On to the next book!
April 6, 2021
The book is written quite easy. In my opinion, the plot sometimes goes too fast and isn't very deep. But the context (racism, fight for rights) is very interesting and I like that it is a book with non-white people.
October 1, 2022
CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE
This book was a fast-paced jogging narrative of warring persons. It might not have reflected a daily relationship of persons at odds, but it gradually pitted many antagonists against each other over and over again. It was a quick and gutsy read.
This book was a fast-paced jogging narrative of warring persons. It might not have reflected a daily relationship of persons at odds, but it gradually pitted many antagonists against each other over and over again. It was a quick and gutsy read.
August 16, 2019
Action packed
I didn’t want to put the book down. I took this book to the gym and didn’t want to stop reading after the treadmill stopped!
I didn’t want to put the book down. I took this book to the gym and didn’t want to stop reading after the treadmill stopped!
November 6, 2019
A must read with a serious message from the author. I can’t wait to read the next one.
December 18, 2019
This book has made it to the top of my book list. I loved the story. I felt this book deep within my spirit. I have started my third read.
July 21, 2020
Can't wait to read the next one
August 1, 2020
Fantastic read, definitely added to one of my new favorites! I was able to really immerse myself in the story and enjoy the new perspective.
January 13, 2021
Couldn't put down
This book kept you hanging on every word wanting to know what happens next. I love love love it and recommend this as a top read for this year
This book kept you hanging on every word wanting to know what happens next. I love love love it and recommend this as a top read for this year
March 6, 2021
Excellent read!
March 22, 2022
This book is very captivating. I couldn't put it down
January 2, 2023
Great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews