Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Zelie Adebola remembers a time when magic filled the land of Orisha. But life changed when the magic disappeared. King Saran had the maji killed, and Zelie was left without a mother and forced to live in fear because of her heritage. Then Zelie meets a rebel princess and learns of a chance to bring magic back and move against the monarch, but danger follows every step of the way. Will Zelie and her friends have the strength and bravery to overcome oppression?

Children of Blood and Bone introduces an interesting new fantasy world, but it also highlights real world issues. The plight of the maji and their oppression echoes issues of race and prejudice in the world today. Readers will be captivated by the story as well as social issues as they read.

Recommended ages--12 and up