Ms. Lyons AP English discussion

I'm finally writing my first journal entry after reading 8 chapters of my novel so far. The first 8 chapters of the novel, Children of Blood and Bone, is extraordinary. I've never read a young adult novel such as this one, I don't know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't what I read so far. I must compliment the author, Tomi Adeyemi, for her spectacular work. She has done an excellent job including an all-black cast of characters, expressive diction that has held reader's attention while they read the novel, and simply a captivating plot. The main character, Zelie, is a warrior. A strong-hearted descendant of the Maji people, now a diviner, full of the resistance who refuses to fall in the abyss of oppression the king has upon her and her people. Characters close to her have characterized her as "foolish, immature, stupid," but she reminds me of myself. Her love for her family is so intense, she'll risk her self being informing the kinsmen that they don't have control over her, even though they are the oppressors and she is oppressed. I'm thankful the author included a different perspective in her novel. She introduced another character, Amari, who is the daughter of the king. Amari's character is special, and much needed in the novel because she reveals to readers her feelings regarding her father and his ruthless actions after witnessing him slander her best friend, who happened to be a diviner, oppressed and hated.

It's nice that you were able to see yourself within Zelie's character. I feel that being able to connect to the book makes me want to read more! I wonder if Amari will turn against her father for the death of her friend?