Let's talk about children of blood and bone | Review

[@Anesjournal]

I've now read Children of Virtue and Vengeance, if you would like to know my thoughts, then click the link! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJOTmqh_jp15bLc

[@satan_from_hell]

as i was reading, i kept thinking “amari and zelié would be perfect together. they should date!” and i’m so happy to know everyone agrees with me

[@TheStrawberrysweetca]

Great review Ane! As a Nigerian, it's so refreshing and exciting to see my culture in such a well loved and highly publicised FANTASY novel. With that being said I haven't read it yet! (I know, shame on me) but I just know I'm gonna love this series so much, and I know it will kill me to have to wait a year in between each book, so I'll be reading when the whole series is out!

[@Anesjournal]

That's a lot of restraint! But I get what you mean, I hate having to wait so long for a conclusion so it's nice to be able to marathon.

[@tickycup]

I agree with you! The romance was my least favorite part. Haha. But I did indeed like it and I think it'd be a great movie. Love the world she built.

[@Anesjournal]

I can't wait to see what else she has in store

[@digthewarmth]

The water battle scene. Ugh! Epic!! I can't wait to see it. They're working on a movie. Star Wars and Twilight producers are working on it, so they'll have a good budget, I'm so excited. I hope they make it look amazing.

[@charleneakamissc]

I loooovvvveeee this book! I can’t wait until the next one comes out, and I hear there is a movie coming out in the future. I’m so excited for both.

[@Anesjournal]

I'm really excited to see what they do with the movie!

[@Strawberryfearsforever]

MisscB I be the movie is going to be beautiful. Literally and figuratively.

[@ThistleVerse]

Adeyemi saying she's an AtLA fan makes a lot of sense. I could see the influences. I hadn't thought too much about Saran's villainy. Bigotry is irrational, and I just assumed that prejudice against maji existed before the incident with his family, and that incident crystallized his world view. On 2nd thought, I see your points. Building laws and systems around subjugating people usually benefits someone (being able to use the subjugated as scapegoats, being able to take their resources, feelings of superiority without having to do anything, etc.), and we don't really see how it benefits Saran in this story.

[@tjackgranberg8921]

I suppose the constantly rising taxes and subsequent increase in the kingdoms free labour force in the sticks will end up benefiting the crown by having a large group of people to build stuff for free. And of course the taxes themselves also increase the amount of money the royalty has access to.

[@mrager123]

Great review and I 100% agree with you in regards to Inan! I knew if Amari didn't trust him, then there was no reason why I should have had faith in him. I was rooting for him though LOL!

[@Anesjournal]

Haha! You have a point there

[@cleverjade巧玉]

Loved your review! I just finished the book and can't wait to read the sequel!

[@TheGdoodygrl]

I just read these books and I LOVE them. So thank you for teaching me more about it and letting us hear your opinions on this story. It's an amazing journey that Tomi has brought to our world!!

[@herminembikukinkela3715]

Inan Inan how thee has fallenth. To be honest, he has flipped left, right, up down all over the place... Still really sad for him

[@nicodiangelo4185]

Loved your review, helped me remember some plot details since I'm only reading the second book now and also agree with everything you said. Great review Looking forward to watching your review on the second book

[@Victorialovee21]

You are so funny! First book review and already my favorite!

[@Anesjournal]

How nice of you to say, thank you 😊

[@carolijnkwezi4326]

YES I JUST finished the book but I really ship amari and Zélie

[@moshi1189]

Am I the only one who thought all the characters were one-dimensional? Everyone seems to really like Amari but to me, she was boring and cycled through the same thoughts (Binta, her low self-confidence, and the incident with Inan and her father). She was clearly just the opposite of Zelie in personality and had no interesting qualities. Inan's inner conflict was interesting at first but Adeyemi's character development is poor. I loved the beginning of the story and was really interested in seeing the beautiful, dark-skinned young characters rise into their own, but the writing isn't well developed. I do love Zelie's character though.

[@zarartss]

100% agree

[@allibart]

Agreed and the pacing is so quick. Like a movie script instead of a novel.

[@templeofteardrops706]

the romance was my least favorite part too,but it still made me feel so sad an warm at once! just finished this amazing novel yesterday 😊 👏

[@AdilKhan-vn2xj]

chrissy Temple I finished it 7 months ago and I know how you feel #relatable #blackgirlmagic

[@keepLaffN]

Yaaasss for this skin!!

[@danielanthony2578]

@Ane Adores Do you think this book can be classified as Afrofuturism? Thanks for your review.

[@Enhallbarbokmal]

I hate Inan. but the rest though 😍🤗😍

[@fearlesssfcappuccino]

Loved your review!! Such great thoughts and insights!! I agree about the romance thing as well. I don't think it was necessary that much at all - plenty of other good relationships and connections to play on already without that, too. I will say that re Saran and Inan, those characters did come across as plausible to me, partially because I've unfortunately met and known people like that - Inan moreso than Saran, I think. With Inan, I was also banging my head against a wall > . < But it was more the character versus thinking it was poor writing, because I have absolutely known people who will rationalize sh*t like that, where they'll do mental gymnastics just like he did where you're just sitting there like "ok what the f*ck are you doing?!!? You should absolutely know better by now!!!" - . - I actually thought she captured the nonsensical pseudo-logic people like that use to rationalize their stances and tolerances, too. It's so frustrating to watch (in both fiction and real life - . -) Totally agree with you on the potential arc thing, too. I was wondering about that as well!! (And omg!! I hadn't even thought about the Airbender parallels!!) And Saran I agree more with you - I didn't feel quite so strongly about the 2D-ness per se, but I do agree I kind of wish he could have been more fleshed out. I think it would have made things a lot more complicated (in a good way) and interesting if that had been done a bit more.

[@balim3662]

finally someone that pronounces Zelie's name well!!

[@fruitsarelife148]

Great review😍😍😍 Do you ever think about writing afrofuturism/fantasy yourself?

[@Anesjournal]

Thanks! I've always wanted to write a book, maybe I'll give it a go during nanowrimo

[@RachelEyo]

I love this book and I’ve just done my review on it!!

[@Anesjournal]

fab, I'll check out your channel

[@acajudi100]

Thank you for this excellent review.💕❤️🇺🇸

[@sheilablackburn5947]

Loved it !

[@Anesjournal]

Thank you!

[@AshleyNickoleLikes]

Zuzu 💪🏽

[@hermionehart3091]

I found Amari and Inan the most frustrating

[@goldensilenceakagoldielove133]

U seem like a nice person; not sure if we read the same book (or that U read the same book as the rest of the world, who LOVES it). Even in Ur intro, there are TOO MANY Spoiler Alerts to mention, which diminishes your credibility as a Reviewer: your Followers must really love U! Re: brief time spent in various locations? This was brilliant! Author preps us for sequels where these locations will most likely be re-introduced, and perhaps explored in more depth. Additionally, the main villan-character (King Saran) is flushed out pretty well. He's mad: insane. Insane people do not think rationally. So, we TOTALLY GET his motivations. Not sure how U missed it. Also, Zelie's early hatred of Imari TOTALLY makes sense. Wouldn't U hate her with all she represents via her family, AND, all the trouble she's brought U? Also, the romance between Zelie and Inan is dangerous and sexy, which is GREAT Writing! Not just good, but GREAT. The character, Inan, is a GREAT character --- almost as interesting as Zelie. GREAT characters are flawed --- confused, even. They exhibit INTERNAL struggles. Shakespeare's most famous characters are famous for this reason. Inan's INTERNAL struggles are vast! Of course he's confused, and he fluctuates! GREAT villans are highly flawed, yet they also illicit reader/viewer compassion, since we understand that they are also victims. In this respect, Inan is prob THE most interesting story character. And, ALL the romance is endearing esp. Amari and Zain. I DO agree with U, however, re: the "suggested" developing romance between Zelie and Amari ... which kind of builds from Imari's closeness and love for Binta. Personally, I'm glad the Writer DID NOT go there, but it may re-surface in the sequels. I agree that the death of Zu could have been more impactful, although THE MOST FRUSTRATING aspect of that chapter-sequence was the party itself! You have a bounty on your head, but while enroute to the only thing that will free you (restoring magick), U pause to party? I don't think so 😐. For me, THIS was the story's weakest link, not the romance, and even THIS irrational behavior can be expained away since these ppl are REALLY young: Zelie being 17, and Zu is 13? We're talking REALLY young ppl, who might be more prone to "throw a party," when they should be saving the world! In short, however, Tomi is not just a good Writer: she's a GREAT Writer. Some are calling her the new J.K. Rowling.

[@Anesjournal]

The first few lines you wrote automatically stopped me from properly reading the points you went on a tirade about, I can only assume this lengthy dissertation is full of reasons why and how my opinions are "wrong". I wish fans learnt how to conduct a meaningful discussion, imagine how interesting the discourse could have been if you respectfully brought forth your opinion for me to consider and hopefully change some of the takes I had. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@goldensilenceakagoldielove133]

@@Anesjournal : Your invite: "Let's talk about Children of Blood and Bone," so I did! Also, I'm not a "fan" of Urs; I only happened across Ur review. I wish amateur Reviewers would learn how to respond when their subjective opinions are challenged. Then again, if they knew HOW to do this they wouldn't post their subjective opinions, to begin with, calling them "reviews." I admit my dissertation is detailed; so's the book, as well as your "review." Not sure why my initial dissertation is labeled a "tirade"? Is this because I disagree with Ur interpretations, and offer alternate viewpoints? How is that a tirade? I suspect my opening line is offensive, yet I am actually trying to be nice; I LOVE this book! Thus, the urgent desire to refute criticisms. I apologize if my tone was offensive, but I was actually offended by Ur "review," since the book is so beloved to me and others. Be well. Hetepu.

[@goldensilenceakagoldielove133]

@@Anesjournal So, U can crticize someone else's work, but can't 'take it' when someone reviews UR "so-called work" (which is anctually an amateur opinion, not a professional review)? Your response is a total cop out, based on Ur resistance to being challenged. Of course U didn't read my full "tirade," as U label it; HEAVEN FORBID Ur subjective opinions are shown 2-B EXACTLY what they are.

[@Anesjournal]

*sigh* if this was a rave review the tone you began this conversation, and continue to adopt would be completely different. No issue with you having an opposing opinion, I welcome it. I actually liked the book and I'm looking forward to the 2nd one, I just had issues with certain aspects of it and I think that's perfectly ok. And its perfectly ok for you to disagree with me. If you would like to discuss this book with me minus the passive aggression I'm genuinely happy to do so, but if it's going to be more of you putting things in quotations and questioning how seriously my opinion should be taken then I'm just going to bow out on this one as neither of us are gaining anything from this exchange.

[@goldensilenceakagoldielove133]

@@Anesjournal : Ok. I apologize 4 my harsh tone. Very few of my friends have read the book; this has resulted in my long comments on this thread, lol. Apologies. I was itching to converse about the book, in detail, as U can see.

[@LunaciaBooks]

I absolutely loved this book. Totally will push it on patrons in my library, LOL.

[@daustin8888]

You're beautiful

[@mrwolley1741]

This book is an absolute disappointment... Here are some reasons why: The relic stone is given away so easily, it's ridiculous. Who gives slaves riches and a priceless stone in an arena type vibe? When they saw how powerful the stone was, who leaves them with it? Rubbish. Next, which mercenary have you ever heard of, risks their life for no money? How many useless characters does one book have? Mama yaga, the monk by the temple, the fire wielder, her brother etd, none of these characters have any depth or use. The book is so predictable, when you saw arena fighting, you could tell right away they'd be fighting. You knew frm before hand, Inan would betray her. Have you ever seen black people turn red? Have you ever seen dark skin people flush? We literally cannot get red in the face. I cannot trust a reviewer who gives this book five out of five.

[@codywilliams4021]

I don't think you read this book very well. Maybe you let your frustrations with what was happening block you from realizing why they were happening and how it could happen.

[@Anesjournal]

Thanks, I know how to read