Blood Scion audiobook

‘you have to decide what matters most: your humanity or your survival.’ let me tell you what. this story is hard-hitting and unforgiving.i honestly cant recall the last SFF book ive read. its either fantasy or sci-fi, but hardly ever both. so i was really impressed with how the african mythology/yoruban religion so seamlessly integrates with the destructive technology of the army. and i think its because both aspects are so powerfully brutal, with the sure potential for characters to lose themselves in both. ‘real monsters are not born. we are made.’with complex characters who are more than their revenge, fast pacing and accessible writing, lush world-building and a compelling plot, its hard to believe this is a debut novel. and with so many interweaving webs and shocking events, not only making this an impressive first book, but a really promising start to a series. cant wait to see where the story goes next!thank you so much deborah falaye and harpercollins for the ARC!!↠ 4.5 stars

This is probably one of the hardest reviews that I’ve had to write in a while. Blood Scion isn’t a book that you necessarily enjoy. The intensity of violence that directly correlates with the experience of children soldiers is not easy to digest, but reiterates the very real experiences for some individuals. At its core, Blood Scion is about betrayal, heartache, lost humanity, anger, suffering, and pain. The story follows Sloane, the descendent of the ancient Orisha gods. Due to the nature of her origins, Sloane is forced to hide her identity or die under the rule of Lucis. She is eventually conscripted into the military where she is forced to commit rather heinous atrocities to prove her worth to the group. It is in this military training that Sloane loses the essence of herself and every thing she thought she knew about her family. I think that over time many individuals will consider this to be a read alike for The Gilded Ones; however, it is much gritter, much darker, and a lot harder to digest. Falaye does not hold back from expressing, on page, the violence that Sloane must face. It was so dark that I could only consume this book in chunks, taking a step back whenever the violence became too overwhelming. However, never did I once forget that while this may be a fantasy world, it is often the reality of many children. They are exposed to violence, made to commit violent acts/crimes, broken to the point that they no longer reflect the individuals they once were. This is clearly and readily reflected in Sloane who is one of the most fascinating, yet morally grey characters that I’ve encountered. She will not be a fan favorite. Readers will dislike many decisions that she makes, but Falaye forces the reader to consider the question, “what would you do if you needed to survive; if this was a matter of life and death?” I had to remind myself of this when I became infuriated with decisions that she made. Especially decisions that were made towards the end of the novel. The magic system, based on Yoruba mythology, was quite interesting. However, I’m interested in seeing how Falaye will expand on this in the second novel. I would highly recommend listening to this on audio to hear to the Yoruba language spoken. I loved that this was incorporated into the story and how it directly connected with Sloane’s self-discovery. This book also directly addresses and tackles colonialism in a way that will make teen readers really consider its history and lasting impact. Overall, I think that this book was well-written, but definitely a difficult read. It’s grim. There isn’t really a great feeling of hope once you finish it, but I think it’s intentional and I’m sure that a lot of this will be addressed in the forthcoming book. I wouldn’t say that I’m necessarily rooting for Sloane, but Falaye did a great job displaying the conflicts she has to face and the heart wrenching and awful decisions she makes along the way. This is not an enjoyable read, but it is powerful and pushes the reader to do some self-reflection and consideration for the experiences of others.

This review and others @Bookerification Rating: 4.5 stars Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 I am obsessed with this cover! Not only are the colours striking, but the portrait of Scion as a warrior is incredibly stunning. Her headpiece screams power and ferocity, beautifully contrasting her peaceful expression. Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 Steeped in Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, the world Deborah Falaye creates is immersive, graphic and fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the extensive history and culture that unapologetically showcases the Yoruba language. While there is no avoiding the wealth of information needed to establish this complex world, I love that Deborah takes her time to gradually weave this information into the story. This allows the fast pace of the story to be maintained and presents the details in manageable pieces. However, this does lead to some information being repeated, but it did not seem often enough to be irritating. My only other criticism is that the time jumps in the story are not explicit, making it difficult to keep track of the passage of time. “I am a descendant of Shango, the god of heat and fire. I am a living inferno. I am a dead girl walking.” Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 The storyline follows the journey of the protagonist, Sloane, in a world that not only wants her dead but forces her to be a child soldier. What unfolds is a complex rollercoaster of events and emotions that I lost myself within. The pace is fast, the storyline violent and unpredictable with numerous twists spread through-out. The substance and power of the storyline is further strengthened by the brutal themes it presents: rape, child abuse, self-harm, torture, genocide, murder and more. While I am not someone who balks at the harshness of these topics, the brutality of the story eventually began to claw at me. In truth, parts of the story felt like a physical gut-punch while other parts had me crying without warning. Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Like the storyline, Sloane is a beautifully complex protagonist brimming with rage and violence. She is morally ambiguous - selfish and fierce, yet kind and compassionate. While I usually find such a big contrast annoying, Deborah does it to perfection in this story through Sloane's inner conflicts. Without slowing the story's fast pace, there are constant reflections and a deep exploration of how far Sloane is willing to go to survive. These made it really easy to understand all that drives Sloane's actions and choices. In fact, there were numerous times when Sloane's internal voice perfected matched some of my thoughts while reading. This made her character far more relatable, and I even began sympathising with her. "Your humanity is worth fighting for" Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟 There may not be many secondary characters in this story, but most of them are memorable. This is mainly because of the emotional ties each character has with Sloane rather than their complexity or because they are entertaining. In truth, most of these characters are simply used to propel the storyline as they are either involved in the few predictable moments of the story or the numerous twists. Romance: 🌟🌟🌟.5 The romance has to be the weakest part of this story, but thankfully, it also takes up very little of the storyline. Without a realistic, natural progression, the only clue we have to anything happening between the characters is the strange and questionable behaviour of the male lead. I felt no sparks, no chemistry, no attraction. In a nutshell, 'Blood Scion' is a brutal, compelling read that I thoroughly enjoyed despite the weak romance. With this book, Deborah Falaye has earned herself a place as one of my favourite authors, and I cannot wait to read the sequel! __________________________________"The beauty of a fire is that it knows no bounds” Wow! I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. It is violent and intense, yet very powerful.RTC @ Bookerification

꧁ 4.5 stars ꧂ “Sometimes, the things we don’t want to do are exactly what needs to be done.""Great soldiers are made from pieces of their broken selves." I am now officially married to the cover. It's so Stunning! But what out-ranks this gorgeous cover is the divine quality of the story Deborah Falaye bestows upon us. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a YA fantasy so much. "Blood Scion" deserves the love it's receiving and much more...."Blood Scion" is a wonderfully executed revenge story. It follows a young girl named Sloane who carries forbidden Magic in her blood. She is a Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods. The book opens up with a scene where Sloane accidentally incarnates a Nightwalker to defend herself . But reason of crime doesn't matter in this land. The audacity itself is more than enough to get her killed. From there we follow Sloane to her journey as she gets drafted to be a child-soldier. She is forced to leave her entire world behind to join the Lucis army. She hates them. But now she has to fight under their command against her own kind - the Scions.And for the whole time period, she has to hide the forbidden, dangerous power she posses. Under the Lucis’ brutal rule, her identity means her death if her powers are discovered. However, Sloane is determined to get her revenge at any cost. She is Dexter to overcome the bloody challenges of Lucis training, and destroy them from within.Sloane rises through the ranks and gains strength but, in doing so, risks something greater: losing herself entirely, and becoming the very monster that she abhors. "Scion. Scion. SCION. The words echoes over and over in my brain. I don't need to hear it to know who I am. Who I am..I am a descendant of Shango, the God of heat and fire. I am a living inferno. I am a dead girl walking." "Only the dead have truly earned the right to do nothing. As long as you live and walk this earth, you must make a mark." The writing style is so perfect. It perfectly blends with the exquisite narration. I just couldn't believe that it is a debut novel. The prose is insanely beautiful. The dialogues are flawlessly distributed. The author knows exactly what the readers need and where they need that. Deborah has fashioned her debut novel with such a brilliance that it would leave the readers in awe. I loved this African lore inspired world. And it is one of the best one I have ever found in YA fantasy novels so far. The world Deborah has constructed in this book is absolutely arresting. It has been inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology. The breath taking combination of ancient mythology and the author's innovative imagination is superlative to say the least.Excellent characterization. Sloane has such a badass, kickass, girl-boss attitude. It's hard to not like her. Her unyielding resonance enthralled me. Sloane is valiant and bold. I was so in love with her fierce persona that I didn't even notice how quickly time passed away and just like that - I've finished the book. “When the legends of heroes are told,” he says, “they won’t just remember you, Sloane Folashadé. They will fear your name.” I loved Sloane. But don't get the idea that she's a pure soul cause she's not. Deborah shapes her protagonist as a morally fraudulent character. When Sloane ventures out on a quest to find information about her missing mother, she allows nothing to stop her. She does everything needed to be done to achieve success. Sloane is hot tempered and vicious. Her rage - all consuming and demolishing. She kills uncountable numbers of people throughout the whole book. She abandons others to save herself. She harms and murders her friends to live. So yes, Sloane's character walks the balance of morality and turpitude very delicately. But still it's easy to forgive her, feel sympathy for her. Because the girl has to suffer sooo much at such a young age. I absolutely loved how the author portrayed her grief and guilt. "Guilt is a tyrant I cannot escape, caging me in a prison of my own making." Now, the action lovers! Here comes your gem. This bloody brilliant book can be your obsession. It's packed with thrilling action scenes. The sequences are written vividly. They are easy to picture in your head and get chill of anticipation. So grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the freak show ..."Blood Scion" is near perfect in its making. Deborah Falaye does a bloody brilliant job. But I still am reluctant to give it five stars. Here is why. This book is written in first person. The entire story is told from Sloane's perspective. So obviously it focuses a little too much on her. It's her revenge story and she is the protagonists, so I get. Yet it is a common trend to be found in YA novels which I personally don't like. The subordinate characters always get side tracked and all attention lands on the main character. It is a very common problem to find in the YA genre. It usually works for the younger readers. So I have no complains. Only want to say that these stories don't belong to a singular person; they features so many other characters. Lots of them are even more interesting than the main ones. For example I would love to see more of Sloane's friends. Some of them died but I couldn't get to know them well before that. But Jericho and Nazanin still lives. I really hope the next book gives them the attention they deserve.There are on page descriptions of murder, violence, torture, abuse, racism and genocide. There are also mentions of rape and mutilation. Though the book is YA, it's very very dark and gore. I mean, the first chapter opens with a murder act. So you imagine the rest. Sensitive readers, please check the trigger warnings before picking this book up. Thank you. That's all for now. Can't wait for book 2 be released....

If you tore out my heart, it would feel just like this.Rating: ✨✨✨✨✨4.6When someone talks about near perfection, you normally think, 'OH, they mean those dreams about owning a bookstore and having a unicorn as a BFF'. Well, for me (it's definitely that, but also-) it's this book. I say near perfection because if I say this is perfect, other books I've said the same about will band together and make away with my fantastic yet deadish looking cadaver.This book deserves to be hyped.Let's begin with that. It deserves the love, and the freaking out rants, the late night spewls, the grunting sounds of pain, the red eyes, the gasps-all of it! Frankly, I still can't believe I haven't seen more people begging for ARCS.It has:-Monstrous people -POC characters-People striving to break out of slavery-Girl whose power is as vicious as it is beautiful.-A FREAKING ROMANCE THAT GAVE ME LIFE- (even though it wasn't the focus of the story, but I don't care- it was amazing) SO really.... why aren't more people adding the book-Before I write a whole essay about why you should undoubtedly give this book permission to tear out your soul and play badminton with it, I'll write a quick overview of the things that left me at the side of the road, crying out for divine help.Was the help delivered?AHAHAHAHA no.I need to start with how savage the world was. This section includes what I think of the worldbuilding and pace (basically me trying to organize my thoughts from weeks ago, when I *actually* read the book). There's angst, the complexity of how gritty everything seemed to be. The ambience of the story came with the scent of a storm brewing, it warned of impending disaster, possible destruction and yet, I was entranced with it. Of course, it had flaws, but they were not what I focused on. My eyes were steady on the action, the powers and how everything just... clicked. You know? The pace was incredibly fast, the kind of fast that I crave. Not the one that feels rushed or that one that missed the whole point since the beginning, but the sort of pacing that captures you from the get go. And I really,REALLY liked it. *giggles half way to death**she cannot die until she has read the second book*The twists and action scenes were flipping delicious. Imagine being served a plate full of steak, mashed potatoes, mouth watering gravy- and then told to eat a little every minute. Not eat it all, just bit by bit. It's tortorous, is it not? But you end up eating every crumb, every residue. Because it's just THAT good. I really wished we had been blessed with more training scenes but you never know, maybe the second book will have that gift-*screams into pillow of how unfair life is**continues living said life*Also, don't even get me started on the plot twists.I hate you with my very being.But I don't-Give me the second book please-Then we jump onto the writing. Excuse me??? How is this a debut novel??? With that writing??? That's illegal??? No, really, it is. You stole the words I never knew I needed to say straight out of my brain sometimes. And I love you for it (me pretending I'm talking to the book like that's normal- is it not??) Have you ever read a book where the writing kind of makes you stare at the wall for a few seconds while saying 'Holyyyyyy crappppp', because it just hits that hard? This is one of those books.And it hurts.But it's the good kind. (me justifying why I like literal red flags-)The characters can run me over, throw me off a forest trail, snap my bones, destroy my life- and I would ask them how much money` I owe them for that blessing. Aggressive, but absolutely true. The MC is my soulmate. It had to be said. In fantasy/ dystopian/ mythological books, the MC is most of the time that one snowflake that is the only one able to do a certain skill, the difference with this MC is that she failed. She failed, and tried and failed. Her frustration went unheeded, agony unheard of, screams ignored, frankly I LOVE when characters are built like that. Not just become the best of the best in 10 chapters. It's difficult to become even decent at something you haven't practiced in a while, and it showed in this story. I loved the raw honesty, the sassy moments and most of all, how all the characters lost a part of themselves. Because it made the story REAL. How would you go into a war that you were forced into, scared and alone, and not sacrifice a part of yourself by the end of it? Who wouldn't become a monster?Now, the rest of the characters would be spoilers, so the only thing I would blatantly admit is that this book made me feel for a character that was in the story for two pages.AND THEN THEY DIED-I'm okay.Everything is okay.No, it is not, but we'll cut off some extremities and make it okay.A special shout out to the romance, lads and gents! A round of bloody applause for the trope that made my heart beat out of rhythm for a week. And freaking donkey on a pole, it made that whole week a blessing.Like come, on. This?"You hate me, Show me how much"*Booksy is disconnected from life at the moment, dial 348- KILL A PIGEON to revive her*(I have a battle with those blood suckers-)(Seriously, I want to electrocute them)(With human teeth)(I don't know how, but I will.)I AM TRYING TO BREATHE, OKAY? I. AM. TRYING.On a closing note, before I really decide to dedicate a complete thesis to this book. I strongly encourage you to scream out of the window for at least five minutes, so your voice is all hoarse and pained, so you can feel like I do. And want to feel it again because you just let out all the frustrations and worries in that agonizing scream, that's me with this book. The plot is an intricate delicacy, the storyline is capturing a scenic picture of a blood filled path where the characters might suffer and might die, but there's always going to be a speck of hope.Like me hoping to get a sudden email from the author asking me to read the second book ahead of everyone- *chokes on toilet paper*~👑Special thanks to Netgalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!👑~..................I am such an emotional mess.Currently playing Warriors from League of Legends because it just encompasses everything I'm feeling right now.

3.5 stars rounded upYou should know going in that Blood Scion is a fantasy book about child soldiers- how they are treated, what they are forced to do, what they endure. It's pretty horrific and therefore this book can be difficult to read and at times feels quite bleak. Honestly, I would say that Gilded Ones (also a fantasy novel about child soldiers) was significantly easier to read. So if you're picking this up, know what you're getting into. Inspired by Yoruba mythology, Blood Scion follows a girl who must hide who she is and her magic in order to survive. She is drafted by a colonizing force into a military and undergoes brutal training that forces her to kill a lot, including people she cares for deeply. Her goal is to uncover the truth of her mother's disappearance. There are definite anti-colonial themes in play here with white rulers appropriating culture, taking resources, and sending children to die in their army. The imagery can be a little heavy handed, but it's also a YA novel so that's not out of line. I'm seeing a lot of reviews say that the characters read as older than 15, but personally I disagree. While they go through things no 15 year old should have to endure and are affected by that, they still reason and make choices at the level of a 15 year old. The content can be rough, but I would be a lot more critical of the characterization and some elements of the plot if this was an adult novel. I have complicated feelings about this book. I could nitpick some things that don't make sense with the world-building, or how the romance isn't totally believable, but I feel like that misses the larger point which is to represent that all-to-real experiences faced by children forced to become soldiers. I read an early copy of this without acknowledgements etc, but I hope there is some discussion at the end of the book on this topic and resources for teens to learn more and take action. It's doing something important that young people should talk about. This wasn't necessarily an enjoyable book for me to read. Which is okay. In some ways this is kind of like The Poppy War but for teenagers. And part of why I make that comparison is Sloane and Ren are both not super likable characters, but they are survivors through horrific circumstances. If you want a book on this topic that is a little more on the enjoyable side (though still quite dark and violent) with a character I found to be fairly likable, I would recommend The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. Of course, not every character needs to be likable or relatable. But I do think that element adds to how bleak this book ends up feeling. Well, that and the ending. I'm not sure I love the ending and because of how many people end up dying through the course of the book, the stakes for book 2 just don't feel that compelling to me. I don't know, I'm still processing my thoughts on this one. Other readers seem to be having a better time with it, but for me the story was really heavy. Maybe I just know too much about how closely things parallel real life child soldiers. Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy for review, all opinions are my own.

A little birdie just told me BLOOD SCION is now up for request on both Edelweiss and NetGalley! After almost a decade alone with these characters, many of you will be getting a chance to meet them for the first time, and it’s starting to set in that this story doesn’t just belong to me anymore.As you go on this journey with Sloane and co, please read with care. Blood Scion is dark. As much as it’s a story about my Yoruba culture and its beautiful mythology, it’s also a story about child soldiers, about the brutality of war and oppression, and the dehumanization of children. Some scenes may be hard to read, but I hope I’ve done a decent job of balancing the horrors with glimmers of hope and resistance. Certain aspects of this book are also deeply personal, so again, please try to read with care and grace.Content warning will be coming soon. But for now, I hope you enjoy every bit of this wild ride of a book, and I hope Sloane’s journey sparks all the fire in you.

Resulting from my present state of elation, I shall be writing this review in a different way. First will come an open, short message to the author. Then will come the review proper. Here it goes...Dear Mrs Falaye, I will not dwell too much on the astounding cover (sentiments well documented). Instead, I will begin by thanking you for introducing our lore and mythology to the West in such a brilliant manner. You are a writer of considerable potential (I believe you can do so much more), and I'm truly amazed at your natural talent. Of all the writers I know who have delved into this particular mythology (a certain, ahem, Tomi Adeyemi, inclusive), your work stands head and shoulders above them all. For me, your work has now become the standard for African Mytho-Fantasy, at least until you go one better by giving us an even more impressive sequel to Blood Scion. Thank you for the eARC.Yours truly, Akinwale Ojo. Now, on to the review proper. I shan't give any spoilers...Blood Scion is epic fantasy based on the Yoruba culture, of Yoruba lore and mythology. It incorporates elements of this inside of its pages, to great effect too...The author's blend of mythological accuracy and standard YA tropes is impressive, as she adds her own perchant for the spectacular into the mix. The result is YA Fantasy that I personally rate higher than COBAB. The main character is just 15, but there are no hints of childishness in many of her decisions. Think of Hunger Games and Harry Potter with a touch of joyless Joe Abercrombie. Her sufferings are highlighted with the right amount of intensity. And perhaps, even more importantly, she is not prone to a certain sickness of the mind that plagues almost all female YA leads that I've read. The other characters are just as great, and the storyline itself is impressive, with some massive reveals littered here and there, plenty of surprises in this one. It's quite bloody, to be honest. Not the overly detailed, sadistic, gory delight that I enjoy reading (and writing), but violent nonetheless. The violence is cold, and given how the genre is YA, readers of the, ahem, "softie" propensity would do well to steel their minds before reading this, else risk heartache, shocking gasps or downright tearing up at strategic intervals. Speaking of strategic intervals, I think much of the suspense occurs at the best possible times. For such a fast-paced read, one can appreciate how the author manages her punchlines and big reveals...The world building is one of the very best I've read, over a relatively low page-count (I have a preference for Oathbringer-style tomes). It is done with all the deliberacy and precision of Cristiano Ronaldo taking a spot kick. I believe that the beauty of any mytho-based fantasy lies in the fineness of the juxtaposition of mythological facts and creative leeway. For instance, we can enjoy Rick Riordan's works today because the man did well to balance things out. He did not forget for one second that he was writing actual history (mythology), to a potential audience of Greek mythology nerds like me who are quick to notice disparity, inaccuracy and creative overzealousness. In this, Deborah Falaye truly excels, as she leaves no stone unturned in her bid to deliver incisive, accurate, and deliciously exciting Yoruba mytho-fantasy. So, here's one for fans of COBAB: you've probably heard some discontent murmurs from a certain black fanbase- a fanbase of locals who discount COBAB, not because the story was bad, but because of its mythological inaccuracy....READ BLOOD SCION and meet Sloane of the Fire God! (That's as far as I can go without dropping spoilers)P.S: I'm curious to know the bits that will change in the final version of this book....

Loved it! My official Blurb:"A thrilling debut fantasy! Falaye creates an intricately woven world that draws beautifully on Yoruba-Nigerian mythology. With a fast-paced, heart thumping plot that will have you rooting for Sloane and her friends to not only survive but get the justice they deserve! This story is full of heart, resilience, and magic that will pull you in from the very first page and have you thirsting for more by the end."

Brutally honest, emotionally charged and brimming with Yoruba-Nigerian Mythology,Deborah Falaye’s spellbinding debut incorporates real world politics (such as injustice and power) with one girl’s journey of survival, self discovery, empowerment and revenge. “This is what they derserve. They wanted me to be a monster. I will be the worst monster they ever created”As a Scion and descendant of the Orisha gods, Fifteen year old Sloane can incinerate an enemy at will—but under the brutal Lucis rule, her powers will spell her death (should they be discovered) but after being forcibly conscripted into the Lucis’ army of child soldiers on her fifteenth birthday, Sloane sees this as a new opportunity—to use their own brutal training to destroy them from within.Rising through the ranks, Sloane begins to gain strength but, in doing so, risks losing herself entirely—and becoming the very monster she despises. An absolutely compelling read with lush and beautifully expansive world building, complex characters and an immersive plot I literally couldn’t get enough of. The pacing was really good (I literally devoured it in only 2 days), it doesn’t scrimp on the details or the intricately woven plot. I’m also in awe of how exquisitely crafted and complex the plot actually was and would never in a million years have guessed this was a debut novel—the depth and rich complexity of the characters alone is simply breathtaking. Sloane is an utterly phenomenal protagonist (and my new favourite female badass), I loved her strength in spirit; watching her suppressing years of rage, pain and the terrible injustices she’s witnessed (and experienced) was absolutely heartbreaking to behold. Sloane’s story is not an easy one but it’s utterly compelling nonetheless. It’s a story of violence, child soldiers, of colonisation and oppression,the loss of morality. But most of all, it’s a story of survival—exploring the choices and sacrifices people are willing (or have no other choice) to make in order to survive.I also loved the gorgeous mythology woven into the every fibres of this story and that us, the readers, are treated to several wonderful tales (told by Sloane or the other characters) which really adds to the world-building —my favourite was the story of the world’s creation which was utterly fascinating. Deborah Falaye also manages to expertly tackle some pretty dark and emotionally deep subject material which could be a trigger for some (TW: rape, self harm, child abuse, torture, genocide, gore and death.)Overall, Blood Scion is an unflinchingly raw and undeniably thrilling masterpiece and Falaye’s endearingly complex characters and fearless prose, will ensnare you until the very epic and plot twistingly explosive end. I’d definitely recommend to high stakes action lovers and fans of Namina Forna and Tomi Adeyemi—trust me you do not want to miss one of the big, if not the biggest, fantasy debuts of the year!Also an absolutely massive thank you to Harper360YA for the arc.

BEYOND FIVE STARSThis book traumatized meReview to come

Whoever the FUCK said this was suitable for young adults needs to take a long hard look at themselves.This emotionally ruined me as a woman in the mid twenties.

I cannot wait for this book!

If I could give Blood Scion more than five stars, I would!!! I loved this dark and gripping read! It’s a ya military fantasy that follows one girl’s journey for survival, freedom, truth, and vengeance. This is the kind of book that pulls you in from the very first page. It is haunting and brutal but also has moments of hope and resilience, and I became so invested in Sloane’s journey that I didn’t want to put the book down.Falaye is a gifted storyteller with a writing style that immerses the reader into the story with complex and compelling characters, a layered and unpredictable plot, and rich world-building steeped in Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, history, and folklore. This world came alive, from the small village where Sloane grew up to the island and facilities where Sloane and the others train, each setting is richly described and vivid.Raised in a society that fears and persecutes anyone with powers, Sloane, a Scion who can incinerate her enemies, has spent her entire life hiding her ability. But when she is drafted and expected to join the Lucis army, Sloane is forced to train with the very people who would see her dead. Determined to use this position to her advantage, Sloane plans to infiltrate and take down the regime while also finding out what happened to her mother, who disappeared without a trace. However, can Sloane achieve her goals without turning into the monster the Lucis hope to create?Sloane is a brilliant protagonist – layered and complex and so compelling. Her experiences are horrific and unfathomable, but Sloane is a survivor. She’s fierce and determined, and she never stops fighting. This is a girl who has been forced to hide parts of herself, and she knows little about her family’s past. Sloane learns so much about herself, her capabilities, her family, and what is important to her, and there are great messages about family, loyalty, friendship, and trust as Sloane meets new allies and enemies and faces her past.The secondary characters are also dynamically developed and complex, and their stories are as heart-breaking and complicated as Sloane’s. Forced to make impossible and indescribable decisions, Sloane is one of many kids facing brutal, grueling, and traumatic life as a child soldier. Falaye depicts the terrible life children face when thrust into this hopeless situation, yet she also offers signs of hope. Determined and resilient, Sloane forms this little found family that helps each other as much as they can in a vicious and unforgiving world. Their interactions offer glimpses of hope, friendship, and possibility even as people try to strip their humanity away.This is an exceptional debut novel. The story is well-paced, intense, action-packed, and layered, and the mythology and world-building are as compelling and richly developed as the characters. Plus, the themes are powerful and poignant and highlight difficult, disturbing, and relevant issues like the savagery of war, oppression, genocide, and the dehumanization of child soldiers. There are also many twists and turns and shocking revelations, and after that incredible ending, I can’t wait to read the next book!

Das war das bisher beste Buch des Jahres.Und es ist einfach ein YA Fantasy DEBUT. (Wobei man drüber streiten kann ob das hier wirklich YA sein sollte) Dieses Buch trifft alle meine Geschmacksnerven - kann man das so sagen ? Fantasy + Military Environment + HIGH STAKES + Action + Spannung + Ernsthaftigkeit + FREUNDSCHAFTEN DIE MICH INTERESSIEREN + ein Romance Plot der nicht im absoluten Fokus ist aber auch nicht zu sehr im Hintergrund ist und richtig schön viel Konfliktpotenzial hat und alles andere als easy ist + eine Protagonistin die wirklich der MAIN CHARACTER ist (anstatt irgendein evil Bad boy um den die Protagonistin herum gebaut ist) + Übelst interessante Welt + Überraschende Momente bei denen ich wirklich laut nach Luft geschnappt hab + BETRAYAL + Ein Plot bei dem ich so übelst mitgefiebert habe dass ich teilweise Angst hatte weiterzulesen + HAMMER Dialoge, also hier sind so vieeeeeele meeeega Zitate die ich am liebsten alle aufzählen würde aber für irgendeins muss ich mich entscheiden:„You People - you treat us like we are not human. You replace our smiles with blood, our hearts with bullets. You destroy our innocence and our beings. And when you no longer have any use for us, you feed us to the earth. (…) Is there someone out there who wants you dead? Or are you just another hand amongst many pulling the trigger?”Es gab hier wirklich 1-3 „Abers“. 1-3 Kritikpunkte von meiner Seite die mich geärgert haben und die meiner Meinung nach hätten anders gelöst werden sollen - und vor allem Potenzial für weiteren Plot ausgelöscht haben. Aber das ist meckern auf hohem Niveau wenn man bedenkt dass es ein DEBUT IST HALLO. Okay - das war’s - This shit WAS FIRE.