Review: Children of Blood & Bone (ARC)
I got my very first ARC in the mail this month, a book that I've been hearing about forever: Tomi Adeyemi's Children of Blood and Bone! I recently won a giveaway on Twitter, and am overjoyed to have this beautiful book in my hands. The cover of this book is beautiful and empowering - this truly is an amazing year for sheroes of color in film and books! I've been reading about the inspiration behind the book, and I must say that I fully support Tomi's desire to put something out there that centers black characters and contributes to conversations about racial violence and abuses of power.
I didn’t think I’d be able to get through 600 pages of a fantasy novel, as this is not really my preferred genre. The story is fast-paced, however, and the heartbreak and conflict that each of the characters feels is compelling. There are clear connections to history and current events, with themes of oppression and resistance at the center of the book. I enjoyed Inan’s character the most, as his internal struggles reflected those of people of color dealing with internalized racism, seeking acceptance from mainstream America while denying who they really are. The ending confused me, and I had to read it several times to try to understand where the book is going next. I didn’t succeed. It’s going to be a long wait till Book 2 comes out!
