• Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2019 December #2
  *Starred Review* After Zélie and Amari successfully completed the ritual that restored magic to magic-wielding majis, they soon find that they weren't the only ones bestowed with powers as a result. Some nobles have developed powers, too, and—ironically enough—they're building an army to carry out the legacy of King Saran and eliminate majis by any means necessary. Led by Prince Inan, Amari's big brother and Zélie's toxic yet electrifying love interest, the nobles wage a war against the Iyika, a group of maji rebels, testing the strength of blood, loyalty, magic, and love. Adeyemi's propulsive writing will have readers aching for resolve as twists and turns hit unscrupulously and without pause. While the first installment builds the narrating characters' foundations and familiarizes readers with the Yoruba orïshas, this follow-up gets into their psyches and unleashes the power of the deities and their respective maji as they fight for claim of Orïsha. From the beginning, Adeyemi has hinted that the fight for Orïsha would be won by either the monarchy or the maji, a political reality that will likely be all too familiar to today's readers. Terrifyingly enough, however, this sequel seems to ask: What if neither wins? Relentless even beyond its finish, this is a sure-fire hit. Endpapers include maps of Orïsha, which will delight those looking for a little extra to color the reading experience.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Children of Blood and Bone (2018) was a runaway hit, and fans of the first book have been waiting with bated breath for this one. Definitely have more than one on hand. Grades 9-12. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

Tomi Adeyemi is the #1 New York Times-bestselling Nigerian-American author of Children of Blood and Bone. After graduating Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature, she received a fellowship to study West African mythology, religion, and culture in Salvador, Brazil. When she’s not working on her novels or watching BTS music videos, she can be found blogging and teaching creative writing on her website. She lives in San Diego, California.