The sequel to Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year category winner Children of Blood and Bone, this is another thrilling adventure packed with cinematic set pieces and credible, involving characters. Yet, in its portrayal of race and civil war, there is real emotional and political depth here too.
Children of Virtue and Vengeance is the breathtaking second title in Tomi Adeyemi's YA fantasy trilogy, Legacy of Orisha, following her ground-breaking, West African-inspired debut Children of Blood and Bone.
After battling the impossible, Zelie and Amari have finally succeeded in bringing magic back to the land of Orisha. But the ritual was more powerful than they imagined, reigniting the powers of not only the maji but also some nobles with magic ancestry.
Now, Zelie struggles to unite the maji in an Orisha where the enemy is just as strong and magical as they are. When Amari's mother forms an army of royals with newly awakened powers, Zelie fights to secure Amari's right to the throne and protect the new maji from the monarchy's wrath.
But with civil war looming on the horizon, Zelie finds herself at a breaking point: she must find a way to bring the kingdom together or watch as Orisha tears itself apart.
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 9781529034431
Number of pages: 416
Weight: 520 g
Dimensions: 224 x 144 x 41 mm
Black Girl Magic indeed! It's no surprise that this epic trilogy opener has already been optioned for film. Full of cinematic action sequences (the most memorable of them set underwater and employing an army of the dead) and creatures worthy of Star Wars (horse-sized 'lionaires' have saber teeth and horns), it storms the boundaries of imagination. Yet it also confronts the conscience. Adeyemi's brutally depicted war between the noble, lighter-skinned kosidans, and the enslaved, darker-skinned majis poses thought-provoking questions about race, class, and authority that hold up a warning mirror to our sharply divided society. - The New York Times, on Children of Blood and Bone
Infused with rich mythology of west Africa, Adeyemi’s lush world-building and consummate plotting breathes new life into a YA fantasy epic. Themes of oppression and racism resonate all too strongly in today’s political climate. The cliffhanger ending may leave some readers reeling but, rest assured, this is first in a trilogy. - Observer, on Children of Blood and Bone
Epic fantasy YA debut of magic and war. - Guardian, on Children of Blood and Bone
In one of the most highly-anticipated fantasy releases this year, Tomi Adeyemi spins a luxe tale of magic, adventure, and forbidden love. Zélie lives in a world once ruled by magic, but mass-murders decreed by a new king have all but stamped her people out, and she has a narrow window to bring the magic of her lands back to life. Fans of Leigh Bardugo and Game of Thrones will gobble this up. - Buzzfeed, on Children of Blood and Bone
The series will be a trilogy, and if, at times, that middle book feeling weighs down events, Adeyemi’s consummate worldbuilding remains a star turn, while the political shifts and prejudices reflect contemporary struggles - Fiona Noble, Observer
All our bookselling instincts tell us Children of Blood and Bone is a book apart. Posted to YouTube, author Tomi Adeyemi’s surge of tearful joy at seeing her debut in the flesh instantly went viral, lending something very real and important to the long journey of her novel finally finding print. This is a tale brimming with courage, injustice, magic and star-crossed love, as young Zélie comes to terms with the extraordinary gifts she has been forced to keep hidden and the revenge that burns in her heart. With sweeping, prescient themes of race and heritage, Children of Blood and Bone is poised to be the breakout YA hit of 2018. - Waterstones Loves, on Children of Blood and Bone
When it comes to fantasy fiction, Tomi Adeyemi is leading the charge. Zélie Adebola is a character who has pulled me into her deliciously magical world once more, and I don’t want to leave. As far as sequels go, Tomi Adeyemi could write a hundred books in this series and keep us just as gripped as we were in the first instalment. Astonishing. - Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie
This highly anticipated fantasy novel earned its 23-year-old Nigerian-American author a seven-figure deal. The first instalment of a three-part young adult trilogy, it draws on African myth and folklore and was reportedly inspired by the Black Lives Matters movement. The film rights were snapped up before the book was even published. - Irish Independent, on Children of Blood and Bone
Tomi Adeyemi has created a lush, vibrant world, full of legend and lore, more than enough to sate even the most ravenous fantasy fan. She deserves special commendation for steering away from the creatures so often shoe-horned into fantasy novels, and instead creating her own magical beasts, who fit seamlessly into the narrative. There are swoony moments, shocking moments, terrifying moments, and heartbreaking moments. It's a masterful debut, and one many readers will adore. - Melinda Salisbury, author Sin Eater’s Daughter on Children of Blood and Bone
The Harry Potter I should have had. - MostlyLit Podcast, on Children of Blood and Bone
It’s a YA book but so good. I was taken away for a good 36 hours as I stayed in those pages. It’s fantasy, a love story, a mystery, a tragedy while tackling the complexities of culture, injustice and identity - Kenya Young, Yahoo
Adeyemi’s debut, 2018’s Children of Blood and Bone, was a publishing sensation. This much-anticipated sequel doesn’t disappoint, as Zélie and Amari discover that bringing magic back to Orïsha comes with its own set of problems - i News
Gripping fantasy adventure - Love It Magazine
Young adult fiction lovers, rejoice - here lands the long-awaited sequel to Tomi Adeyemi's bestselling debut book Children of Blood and Bone - Pride Magazine
How I wish that I had book three in my hands now! The ending to this epic fantasy adventure is amazing and it leaves you wanting to read more… - ReadingZone
I enjoyed the visuals in my head based on how the locations were described. The plot was certainly not short of action either and the pacing was very fast, which made this quite a quick read - Books Nest
This continuation to CoBaB is just gorgeous! I’m in the US, and continually cringe at paying the shipping but will do it every time because Waterstones books are just stunning. Keep up the great work!
Children of Virtue and Vengeance is the gripping sequel to the stand out epic YA novel Children of Blood and Bone. Once again we are plunged back into the world of Orisha. Magic has returned to both the rebels... More
I always prefer fantasy books when they are used a tool to make a point, usually one on social issues, much like the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman. This series does just that and more. There is love,... More
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