Book written by Tomi Adeyemi, published 2019.
Magic has returned to Orïsha. Maji of the ten clans have regained their power, but their rekindled hope lasts a fleeting moment as a shocking revelation is made: Along with the maji, magic has returned to the noble families with godly ancestry. The rise of these tîtáns means that this war is far from over.
Zélie is tortured. Inan’s betrayal, her Baba’s death, and the suffering she endured at the king’s hand all weigh heavily on her spirit. With so many now looking up to her as the Soldier of Death, Zélie can’t afford to give up when that’s all she wants to do. That, and take her revenge on the lying prince that broke her heart.
Amari is haunted. After taking her father's life, Amari expects to take his place on the throne. But her lineage and new powers as a tîtán make forming alliances with the maji harder than she expects. Amari must take control of her kingdom, but should she listen to her father’s voice, which echoes in her head, or her own heart?
Inan is alive. The nobility has recognized him as King of Orïsha, yet they question his motives at every turn. He struggles to find a way to keep the promises he made to Zélie, but without any allies he can truly trust, it quickly becomes an uphill battle Inan will have to fight alone.
In the second installment of Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone series, loyalties will be tested, sacrifices are made, and the concept of strength is redefined as the battle for Orïsha begins.
I liked the first book, Children of Blood and Bone, primarily for its world-building and strong characters, but the second book took the emotional factor up to a whole new level. Whether reading about Zélie’s anger or her heartbreak, Adeyemi portrayed them both in such a powerful way that I could actually feel those emotions on the same level as Zélie. I don’t usually cry while reading/watching sad stories, but I actually shed a few tears for this one. That says something about this novel not just as a story, but as a dystopia as well. Stories like The Hunger Games and Divergent always had me rooting for the protagonists, but I never really understood the depth of their anxiety and depression before. Adeyemi wrote these burdens in a more relatable way, and my connection with her characters was that much stronger.
In short, everything about Children of Virtue and Vengeance has been elevated from the first book in the series; well done, Tomi Adeyemi! If you read Children of Blood and Bone but maybe were unsure about continuing on, I definitely recommend that you do! You won’t be disappointed.
This book contains some language, very brief nudity, and lots of blood.
Double spoiler warning is in effect from here on out because we’re talking about two books together!
"You are not your mistakes . . . Do not let one moment define or destroy you. The gods work in mysterious ways. Have faith in their greater plan."
Something that I really like about Adeyemi’s writing is that she chooses titles that don’t fully realize their own purpose and meaning until the end of the book. The first book’s title, Children of Blood and Bone, was meant to remind us that we’re all made of the same stuff. Even though we’re each put together a little differently, we come from the same beginning, which was a simple yet powerful message I wasn’t quite expecting. This title, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, is, I think, meant to teach us of a needful balance when fighting oppression. In the times of loss that Zélie and all the other maji have endured, there is a strong desire to take something back. They are all ready to fight and take back their lives and their homes after years of prejudice. “Vengeance” is a very fitting term for this story, but it must be tempered by “virtue”.
There can be a sense of justice and righteousness in revenge, but only when it is balanced with responsibility and compassion. Mama Agba is the champion here, I think. She is constantly trying to remind her people that it’s not about anger. It’s not about returning the hurt and the pain that you were given. It’s about standing up for yourself and protecting all of those that will come after you. Mama Agba always encouraged Zélie and Amari to look past their own mistakes and give themselves another chance to do it right. She taught them that they had to fight with love and respect for themselves, not only for their people. I interpreted it as virtue and vengeance make for true strength, and I really like that thought. I feel like it’s not an idea that’s widely expressed in dystopian literature, so it made the novel feel that much more refreshing.
I am trying in every way I know how to be patient for the third book of the series, which I believe is expected to hit stores in 2023. I’m in agony over here, but I doubt I’ve been waiting as long as some of you have. Does anybody have any fun ways to preoccupy yourself when you’re waiting for the next book/season of something? I’d love to hear them!
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