Children of Blood and Bone

4.5. It took me a long time to read, not just because it's over 500 pages, but becauseI kept putting it down and then coming back, partly due to the intensity of the story. Adeyemi does not shy away from real violence, torture, and death to/against characters that you care about. Though none of it is gratuitous and it all makes sense within the story, it's tough and intentionally so, because this is a larger allegory around BLM/POC lives and the police state/structural racism/white patriarchy that doesn't value their very existence. That she takes on these major themes within a realy well written YA fantasy with Nigerian magic is a testament to her awesome ability. I didn't love the romance but again understand it in the plot. The audio is by my favorite narrator (and best in the game), Bahni Turpin, and I recommend it if you can devote the time to it.