So I did technically cheat a little on this challenge. I did previously read Children Of Blood and Bone, but it had been so long that I needed to reread it in order to read the sequel: Children of Virtue and Vengeance. Since both books are narrated by Bahni Turpin, I decided to use both books for this challenge and create even more work for myself.

If you have never listened to an audiobook narrated by Bahni Turpin, you are missing out. She is ridiculously talented, and her voice is amazing.

Now to the story itself, it is awesome. There is a reason this series has won so many awards. It is a well-woven fantasy inspired by West African culture and mythology. We have four main characters: Zelie, Amari, Tzain, and Inan. It is rare that a story manages to get you equally invested in this many characters. Typically, I’ll have one favorite and be completely ambivalent to the fates of the rest- especially when there are multiple points of view.

But not this series. I am deeply attached to each of the main characters to the point where I honestly don’t know if I can pick a favorite.

This is one of those books that you wish you could go back and read it again for the first time. At the same time, you want to read it again so the story never truly ends.

If you haven’t experienced it yet for yourself, check it out below!