In the fictional land of Orïsha, people are divided into the magical and the not. When an oppressive ruler sought to eradicate all traces of magic, the gifted maji quickly learned to suppress their magical abilities or die. Zélie Adebola’s mother was one of the gifted and unlucky ones. Since then, the king has found a way to switch off magical abilities within his kingdom. When a chance encounter between Zélie and Princess Amari offers a way to bring the magic back, the two find themselves on the run, with an epic quest ahead.

Tomi Adeyemi weaves a wondrous tale of magic and fantasy steeped in West African mythology and culture. A triumph in the young adult fantasy genre, Children of Blood and Bone is sure to take listeners of all ages by storm. The tale offers everything you could want from a fantasy story: excitement, magic, uprising, and adventure, paired with strong characters that pull at heartstrings and form bonds with the audience. And it’s narrated by the brilliant and prolific Bahni Turpin. Winner of the Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year, this listen is a true masterpiece.

Adeyemi has been praised not only for her literary and narrative skills, creating a deep and complex world for her characters and their adventures. She roots everything in a deep sense of history and knowledge that adds layers of meaning and subtext to her work. Parallels between the divided people and their skin colour highlight racial tensions and cultural unrest, while the rebellious spirit of Zélie and her supporters reference political uprising and social justice. Within a gripping work of fiction, Adeyemi powerfully highlights oppression and the different paths taken in the face of it. At once an enthralling tale of fantasy and magic and a platform for change, Children of Blood and Bone is a pause-resistant listen that will leave you thinking. Adeyemi continues the story in her sequel, Children of Virtue and Vengeance.