Children of Blood and Bone is a complex fantasy novel, in which one people fight their way to win magic back in order to stay alive. There is a corrupt and vicious king, a credulous young prince, a very strong young woman, and a lot of action.
Story:
Children of Blood and Bone managed to tell a compelling story, build a complex world, and include magic that was quite different from other stories I've read. There was a dictatorial king, and he would kill the smallest flutter of magic he could find - to keep his people safe, or so he said. Zélie was learning to fight, to survive, to keep the former magic users - dîviners - safe. And she had a very strong sense of right and wrong.
There was quite a quest to go on for Zélie and her cohorts, and Children of Blood and Bone took the readers on a long trip. It included both magic, fights, action, a little romance, and scenery that was lush in some places and completely desolate in others.
Some of the fighting scenes in Children of Blood and Bone were gruesome. The total lack of empathy some of the characters showed made my skin crawl. And the fact that those who might be able to use magic had white hair made it easier for the ruling king to get rid of them as he wished. Because of the racial / ethnic aspect, I felt that the story is also very much current with all that is going on in the real world right now,.
Characters:
Zélie is a strong female lead, but she doesn't always think through her actions fully, and that makes for some messy situations. She is definitely relatable, though, and she carried a lot on her young shoulders.
Amari is a sheltered princess, hardly ever allowed out of the castle, and only dreaming about traveling the world, making it better.
Inan is the future king, and he is almost as ruthless as his father. Magic scares him, and he'll do whatever it takes to keep it away from the kingdom.
Zélie's brother and father are both present at the beginning of Children of Blood and Bones, and her brother follows her on her quest to re-ignite magic to all.
Writing style :
Children of Blood and Bone is written in three different points of views, Zélie has the most chapters to her name, but both Amari and Inan have an important part as well. First person point of view, present tense made the action appear immediate, and I was right there with the characters through their trials and tribulations.
Feels :
Excitement has to be the top feel, however, I also felt disgust because of some characters actions. And I felt anger! Thankfully, I also felt hope and a little bit of light.
"They don't hate you, my child. They hate what you were meant to become."
"I teach you to be warriors in the garden so you will never be gardeners in the war. I give you the strength to fight, but you all must learn the strength of restraint." Mama turns to me, shoulders pinned back. "You must protect those who can't defend themselves. That is the way of the staff."