Instant New York Times BestsellerNew York Times Notable Children’s Books of 2018 TIME Top 10 Best YA and Children’s Books of 2018NPR’s Book Concierge 2018 Great Reads List Buzzfeed’s 24 Best YA Books of 2018Bustle’s Top 25 Best Young Adults Books of 20182018 Kirkus Prize Finalist YALSA William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist Paste Magazine’s 30 Best YA Novels of 2018Newsweek’s 61 Best Books …
YALSA William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
Paste Magazine’s 30 Best YA Novels of 2018
Newsweek’s 61 Best Books from 2018
Boston Globe’s Best Children’s Books of 2018
Publishers Weekly Best YA Books of 2018
School Library Journal Best Books of 2018
2019 YALSA Teen’s Top Ten List
With five starred reviews, Tomi Adeyemi’s West African-inspired fantasy debut, and instant #1 New York Times Bestseller, conjures a world of magic and danger, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sabaa Tahir.
They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.
“A phenomenon.” —Entertainment Weekly
“The epic I’ve been waiting for.” —New York Times-bestselling author Marie Lu
“You will be changed. You will be ready to rise up and reclaim your own magic!” —New York Times-bestselling author Dhonielle Clayton
“The next big thing in literature and film.” —Ebony
“One of the biggest young adult fiction debut book deals of theyear.” —Teen Vogue
This title has Common Core connections.
#1 New York Times bestseller, March 14, 2018
more
Fantastic writing, inspirational story. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
It’s different
Such a great story that really pulled me into the character’s world. The great description made it easy to visualize every bit of what was happening and kept the flow a constant thrill. Such an amazing pick if you’re looking for something to satisfy your adventuristic and imaginative side!
I’m still marveling over the mastery of the storytelling. Hands down it’s one of the best YA Fantasy novels I’ve ever read. From page one, the world-building and character growth was unparalleled. It’s fast-paced but it never felt like too much. I needed to know where it was all headed and whether certain characters would be redeemed. There were so many passages and arcs that are relevant for us, that resonated and gave me hope. Zélie, Amari, Tzain, and Inan captivated all my waking thoughts until that heart-racing cliffhanger ending. I need March to be here so I can dive into book 2! I have no idea where Tomi Adeyemi will take this series but I’ll be there every step of the way.
Easily one of the best five books I read in 2018. It is really refreshing to read great fantasy with people of color, which is a significant thing, but this book is great for reasons way beyond that (very important) fact. It’s exciting and action packed; it’s got really fleshed out, interesting characters with amazing hearts and big flaws (I always love relatable villains!); the world building is completely transportive; and the story itself just grabs you and immerses you in a whirlwind of adventure. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel – this is destined to be a classic.
I think this book was way overhyped. I was finally able to listen to it on audiobook. I appreciated the author’s note at the end and her purpose for writing the book, but the characters just didn’t do it for me. I liked Amari as a character, but didn’t care for any of the others. The multiple points of view had potential to make the story more complex, but I didn’t really get that. Unfortunately, I think it only deserves 3 stars and I doubt i’ll pick up the sequel.
This is a delightful hero’s journey set in a magical West Africa. The alternating first person views, make each character believable.
An ultimate journey! Adeyemi’s storytelling is spellbinding. Zelie is a powerful heroine.
I liked this book: it had foreign, unfamiliar magic, romance, a stubborn main character and many twists.
I usually skip YA stories, but the ratings and reviews for this book caught my attention. The book was well written and the characters interesting. But I have to say I never became endeared to the heroine. Perhaps it was what the author intended. I don’t know. The “world” the author creates is believable until she introduces certain nouns for the animals for instance. Whenever referenced, it just didn’t flow. I did like the various POVs, but didn’t like having the author constantly remind me of the source of their angst/tragedy every chance the POV changed. It became repetitive. It’s really a good book and I may continue with part two when released in March 2019, but I know I will never revisit this book again. Although by reading the book I could naturally draw contrast to the plight of African-Americans today, I’m torn as to whether the note the author placed at the end of the book belonged there. All in all, I can see why it’s well received.
Despite the boring title, the book is well written and invokes a lot of mixed feelings for me.
I so appreciated the world that combines the folklore of the author’s own ethnic heritage with the tropes of young adult fantasy to make a statement about violence and fear that is neither pedantic or simple.
“Courage does not always roar. Valor does not always shine.”
I am currently devouring books at an alarming rate and heard great things about this one. My YA journey started 12 months ago and is only about 175 books strong lol. I was hoping for a stronger deviation from the average YA with this story. However, this book is still very enjoyable. The storyline is a powerful weaved with authentic emotions. There’s also some real bloodshed laced throughout the story.
The writing is just brilliant! Tomi has a wonderful way with words and enveloping you in all of her characters. I felt like there is ton of depth laced in most of the characters and that was great to read. There is little growth from most of them and they are pretty predicable at times.
Zélie the main character is relatable. She finds her strength and is kick ass throughout the whole book.
Tzain is the loving and protective brother that is always cleaning up the messes. I really enjoyed his character.
Amari is the princess who finds her backbone when it’s needed most. I think her character has the most growth.
Inan is the prince with the yin and yang priorities. He did not have me fooled, in fact I thought he was the most predicable.
The King is true tyrant and that’s all I have to say about that.
Love is in the air even if it’s not fair. There are some ships going on and I approve…. all of them. I also foresee another one. I’ll wait for book two to see if i’m right.
Lets talk about the world building. The magic system has some complexity to it and I love that. The different clans were very interesting as well. However, I was hoping to be transported into a rich and elaborate world that engulfed all my senses. Creating scene after scene of the beautiful landscapes and soul of Africa, was what I wanted. So yeah, that didn’t happen. I definitely feel like she missed the mark on world building.
Overall the journey this book takes you on is awesome. There is an energy of truth and understanding these characters bring. If this book isn’t already on your “to read” list, put it on there right now.
This is Avatar: The Last Airbender with West African mythology. We have Zélie (Katara, the headstrong younger sister with magic powers), Tzain (Sokka, the warrior-type older brother who comes up with all the plans) and Amari (who carries magical objects that can save the world and have been lost for years, making her sort of Aang). Together, they travel across Orïsha while being chased by Inan (Zuko, the crown prince obsessed with dutty that really just wants his father’s love). The plot is basic, the pacing is terrible, and the romance is atrocious. It’s an okay book, but I’m invested enough in the worldbuilding to read the sequel.
This will be one of my favorite books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
A very interesting story from an ancient land.
This is a GREAT, ORIGINAL, tale with each of the major characters displaying love, loyalty and inner strengths to follow through on what they individually believe is in the best interest of their people. Extreme loyalty to a father that in the end forsakes his family for his personal benefit. This story revolves on the dual premise that MAJIC is dangerous or it can be used for the good of the people. In my opinion “magic” is a metaphor for religion. The second book in the series is due March 2019. I’ve already pre ordered. Truly tremendous read in the line of “THE BLACK PANTHER”.
Thought provoking and entertaining.
Amazing book!!!
What a wonderful book. Loved all the characters.