Book cover of Children of Blood and Bone

Book description

Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy debut Children of Blood and Bone. Winner of the Tonight Show Summer Reads with Jimmy Fallon.

They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.

Zelie remembers…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Children of Blood and Bone as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Adeyemi’s book features wonderful powers and magic, all set in an epic setting.

The masterful way she writes, the supernatural world she paints, and her expert use of story elements all caused me to emote out loud in fits of “oh my god!”, “don’t do it!”, and “I can’t stand (insert person)!” while reading the book.

I’m always a sucker for writers who construct worlds in which powers fall into categories.

I love the idea of wondering which type of power would be best and which one would I want to have in real life.

The beauty of this story is that it finally gives magic to the nations of Africa. After years of reading stories about witches and magicians around the world, we finally have a series that focuses on the great continent and its rich history of folklore.

The main character is named Zelie, a young woman from a tribe of fishermen. Her personal relationship with her mother and her father shaped her into a leader she did not know she needed to be. Filled with the cultures of various African tribes, this book delves into the great Orishas and their magic. It…

From Amber's list on strong female leads of color.

If you love Children of Blood and Bone...

Ad

Book cover of The Switch

The Switch by April McCloud,

A hundred years in the future, in a world where technologically enhanced bodies are valued above organic ones, Complete Life Management (CLM) is selling perfection in the form of the latest and greatest bionic model, the Apogee. As an elite runner and inadvertent spokesperson for the humanism movement, NYPD Detective…

Want books like Children of Blood and Bone?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 75 books like Children of Blood and Bone.

Browse books like Children of Blood and Bone

Book cover of Gone
Book cover of Dawn
Book cover of Scythe

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,278

readers submitted
so far, will you?