Today I get to talk about Children of Virtue and Vengeance, the second book in Tomi Adeyemi's incredibly popular Legacy of Orïsha series. I had the privilege of hearing Adeyemi speak at the 2019 LibraryPalooza in February, and was able to endure an incredibly long line to have her sign my copy of the first book, Children of Blood and Bone. We already know that the series is a trilogy, so another book is still to come. But knowing that this second book is not the end still may not prepare readers for the questions that may remain once the last page is turned. And I have to issue a major *spoiler alert* as some of the key details of the plot will be discussed. The Situation: It has been a few weeks since Zélie successfully brought magic back to Orïsha. The thing is, she was so successful that she awakened the magic inside of those with royal blood as well. Now there are not only more maji with incredible abilities, but also those that are referred to as tîtàns: those in the royal blood line, like Amari, who had no idea they had magic inside of the them and now have a power they have no idea how to handle or control. When a plan to have Amari claim the throne as queen is unsuccessful, it is clear that the war between the maji and the royals is not over; if anything it has only intensified. Amari's own mother has declared her daughter a liar, and decides to double-down on the crown's long-standing position of seeing the maji as the enemy, using her own newly-discovered powers to her advantage.
The Problem: While Zélie understands that the war is not over, she is certainly tired of fighting. Her father died so that the maji could finally live in Orïsha in freedom and peace. But instead, the enemy has been given their own power, and a fight that could tear Orïsha apart continues. And after learning that Inan still lives, her one desire becomes to end his life for good, which is of course the opposite of what Amari wants. Even though she was unable to secure her place as queen, Amari is insistent that she can find a way to end this war and obtain peace for everyone. Of course, she would be better able to execute her plan if any of the maji trusted her. As a royal, most of them will barely look at her, much less listen to her. And her desire to do what is right may reveal some similarities with both her father and brother, even as she insists she can be better than both of them. For Zélie and Amari, fighting royals and military with newly discovered powers will be no easy thing, even with the maji resistance behind them. And fighting each other certainly will not help matters either.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book set in an undetermined time in the fictional land of Orïsha. As told in the first book, when Zélie was young, the then king of Orïsha decided to rid the world of magic, but then Zélie brought it back...for everyone. Now the country is even more divided, despite the two sides having something in common. The monarchy insists that ridding Orïsha of the maji is the answer, while the maji resistance, or Iyika, launch a full assault on the palace. Zélie's one desire is to kill Inan and end the monarchy, while Amari insists that peace between the two sides can be achieved. In other words, it is a war, and there is no easy way to end it. In this second installment, readers see more of the different maji clans and the different types of magic. More of Orïsha's history is also revealed, allowing some characters to rethink what they have been taught to believe, and to wonder if magic was ever the real problem.
My Verdict: Book number two in the Legacy of Orïsha series proves to be as intense and thrilling and thought-provoking as the first one, if not more so. I have to say, I like this one even better than Children of Blood and Bone, maybe because I came into this one already having a decent handle on the world, though there are still some shocking things about Orïsha's history that are revealed. I was surprised to see that this book was actually shorter than the first one, but that does not at all indicate a lack of plot, or characters, or adventures, or anything really. It actually feels more focused, while still not skipping on the details. Adeyemi used every page to build on what she has already accomplished, leaving me excited (and also somewhat apprehensive) for whatever the third book will bring.
Favorite Moment: When Zélie closes a wall on the arm of a tîtàn soldier. It is incredibly brutal and bit gross, but she does what she has to do.
Favorite Character: While I adore many of these characters and want them to succeed, I am having a hard time choosing. For the first book I chose Amari, and while I still adore her, in this book she is blind to how her fear of repeating her family's mistakes are actually causing her to repeat her family's mistakes. And she wants to help the maji, but cannot understand their mistrust or why they do not see things her way. She is kind of a lesson in privilege. And Zélie often gets on my nerves, so I suppose I will choose Mama Agba, her mentor and friend.
Recommended Reading: I will once again recommend the Reader Trilogy by Traci Chee, which also includes elements of magic and adventure in a fictional land and in an unknown time.
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