Scan barcode
jcaikin's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I think this is a wonderful, horrible book. To me, it felt especially poignant to read with current events as they are and serve as a grim reminder what the realities of war entail.
This story is cruel, torturous, and, at times, unclear. I didn't feel the violence to be gratuitous or intended for shock value, but a blunt reflection of how low humans can sink in their treatment of each other.
I can understand where some readers may find it frustrating or off-putting that it's unclear what the technology of the Lucis includes but I found myself along for the ride through Sloane, outsider looking in. And, like Sloane, I found I didn't really care. What difference does it make how the oppressors operate - they wield lies, deception, and hatred.
Sloane is just a kid who has her childhood, innocence, family, and friends ripped from her at every turn, over and over again. Her asé is her only connection to her culture, but even that is a painful mystery to her.
(Slight spoiler) Even the romance, to me, served as a grim reminder of the potential for betrayal at any corner. After everything she suffers through, you know it's a bad idea and doesn't make sense, but that's kind of the point, isn't it? The desperation for human connection that comes from deep suffering. But this is war, and the only person you can trust is yourself.
Be prepared to lose everything and everyone because no one walks away from war unscathed.
This story is cruel, torturous, and, at times, unclear. I didn't feel the violence to be gratuitous or intended for shock value, but a blunt reflection of how low humans can sink in their treatment of each other.
I can understand where some readers may find it frustrating or off-putting that it's unclear what the technology of the Lucis includes but I found myself along for the ride through Sloane, outsider looking in. And, like Sloane, I found I didn't really care. What difference does it make how the oppressors operate - they wield lies, deception, and hatred.
Sloane is just a kid who has her childhood, innocence, family, and friends ripped from her at every turn, over and over again. Her asé is her only connection to her culture, but even that is a painful mystery to her.
(Slight spoiler) Even the romance, to me, served as a grim reminder of the potential for betrayal at any corner. After everything she suffers through, you know it's a bad idea and doesn't make sense, but that's kind of the point, isn't it? The desperation for human connection that comes from deep suffering. But this is war, and the only person you can trust is yourself.
Be prepared to lose everything and everyone because no one walks away from war unscathed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Torture
Minor: Self harm
serinas's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I considered to DNF the first 100 pages, but I got hooked when I neared page 100, so the start was kind of slow.
Blood Scion also tackles some heavy topics, like SA during war and child soldiers, so beware of that.
The pacing was odd at times - some natural "endings" in chapters were dragged out, and made it harder to continue reading. The timeline was good, it's just that some parts, mostly the endings in the chapters, felt dragged out.
Sloane's black and white view on everything annoyed me soooo much as well - but she is 15, and I was very similar at that age. Therefor, I feel like I can forgive that.
I enjoyed it a lot, and I plan on reading the sequel. I got really emotional towards the end, and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!
Blood Scion also tackles some heavy topics, like SA during war and child soldiers, so beware of that.
The pacing was odd at times - some natural "endings" in chapters were dragged out, and made it harder to continue reading. The timeline was good, it's just that some parts, mostly the endings in the chapters, felt dragged out.
Sloane's black and white view on everything annoyed me soooo much as well - but she is 15, and I was very similar at that age. Therefor, I feel like I can forgive that.
I enjoyed it a lot, and I plan on reading the sequel. I got really emotional towards the end, and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Self harm
bookishbeth96's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Gore, Child abuse, and Self harm
lilacs4b's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Sexual violence, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Self harm
Minor: Rape
kelly_e's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Title: Blood Scion
Author: Deborah Falaye
MSeries: Blood Scion, #1
Genre: YA Fantasy
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: March 8, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Emotionally Charged • Complex • Unforgiving
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Fifteen-year-old Sloane can incinerate an enemy at will—she is a Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods.
Under the Lucis’ brutal rule, her identity means her death if her powers are discovered. But when she is forcibly conscripted into the Lucis army on her fifteenth birthday, Sloane sees a new opportunity: 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.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Blood Scion first came onto my radar when it was longlisted for Canada Read 2023 back in January. Unfortunately, it didn't make it onto the shortlist, but being a completionist, I wanted to continue to pick up the longlist titles throughout the year. Of all of the books on the list, I'd have to say this was the one more outside my comfort zone, yet I was pleasantly surprised enjoying more than I'd originally anticipated.
Inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, this novel is marketed as YA fantasy, however, for me it read more like the type of YA primarily written for adults. Books based in mythology will never be my cup to tea, but I definitely don't mind getting my toes wet from time to time, and this book took me places I didn't know it could. It is fierce. It is raw. It is brutal. And it's hard to believe it is a debut.
Equal parts compelling and heartbreaking, Blood Scion offers a fictionalized account of the real-life horrors endured by child soldiers. The intensity of the violence is hard to digest, yet showcases the lived experiences of so many of these child soldiers. There is quite a large cast of characters, but the one that truly matters is Sloane. She's one of those unforgettable heroines and everything about her character development was fantastic.
Tackling themes of slavery, oppression injustice, revenge and power tinged with a little bit of magic, Blood Scion took me by surprise. And while this genre will never be something I rush to pick up, I can definitely see myself continuing on with this series. I have no doubts that Deborah Falaye has a bright future ahead.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• mature readers
• fantasy fans
• readers looking for a strong debut
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Treat something like a monster and it will certainly learn to become a monster."
Author: Deborah Falaye
MSeries: Blood Scion, #1
Genre: YA Fantasy
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: March 8, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Emotionally Charged • Complex • Unforgiving
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Fifteen-year-old Sloane can incinerate an enemy at will—she is a Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods.
Under the Lucis’ brutal rule, her identity means her death if her powers are discovered. But when she is forcibly conscripted into the Lucis army on her fifteenth birthday, Sloane sees a new opportunity: 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.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Blood Scion first came onto my radar when it was longlisted for Canada Read 2023 back in January. Unfortunately, it didn't make it onto the shortlist, but being a completionist, I wanted to continue to pick up the longlist titles throughout the year. Of all of the books on the list, I'd have to say this was the one more outside my comfort zone, yet I was pleasantly surprised enjoying more than I'd originally anticipated.
Inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, this novel is marketed as YA fantasy, however, for me it read more like the type of YA primarily written for adults. Books based in mythology will never be my cup to tea, but I definitely don't mind getting my toes wet from time to time, and this book took me places I didn't know it could. It is fierce. It is raw. It is brutal. And it's hard to believe it is a debut.
Equal parts compelling and heartbreaking, Blood Scion offers a fictionalized account of the real-life horrors endured by child soldiers. The intensity of the violence is hard to digest, yet showcases the lived experiences of so many of these child soldiers. There is quite a large cast of characters, but the one that truly matters is Sloane. She's one of those unforgettable heroines and everything about her character development was fantastic.
Tackling themes of slavery, oppression injustice, revenge and power tinged with a little bit of magic, Blood Scion took me by surprise. And while this genre will never be something I rush to pick up, I can definitely see myself continuing on with this series. I have no doubts that Deborah Falaye has a bright future ahead.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• mature readers
• fantasy fans
• readers looking for a strong debut
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Treat something like a monster and it will certainly learn to become a monster."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Hate crime, Genocide, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, War, Blood, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Racism, Death, Child death, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Colonisation, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Classism, and Self harm
alyxbeau's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was a really difficult book to review and decide a rating on. Considering the topic, it is not a book you ENJOY, it is far too dark for that -but it is masterfully written. This is a no holds barred look into the child soldier issue we face in both our past and present on Earth, through a SFF lense. No details are spared about the brutality of the situations Sloane faces or the decisions she has to make to ensure her own survival. These things do not happen off the page, they are described in detail leaving almost nothing to the imagination of these horrors. I think it is an important book, especially for the young adult population if they are up to reading something so dark at their age. It allows readers to get an idea of the horrors happening in our societey around the globe and develop empathy, understanding, and (hopefully) a sense of reponsibilty to help change the world we live in for the better. The novel may be a work of fantasy, but the horrors are something very real faced by children in many places today. Its imperative that people care about our world and that they start caring at a younger age than the generations before us did. I would reccomend that anyone capable of reading violence take a look at this, and if you are not sure if you are capable, to try digesting this in smaller chunks. It contains lessons on the lasting impact of cultural appropriation, colonialism, and so much more than that, if you can stomach the content of the book to approach it from a learning standpoint.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Cultural appropriation, Child death, Emotional abuse, War, Xenophobia, Torture, Suicide attempt, Slavery, Self harm, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Genocide, Death, Blood, Child abuse, and Violence
zee's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Blood Scion is a dark fantasy story steeped in Nigerian-Yoruba mythology. It follows Sloane, a 15-year-old Scion, who is drafted into the Lucis army to continue the centuries-old genocide against the Yoruba people, specifically targetting Scions for their magical abilities. There is seriously a lot to unpack in this novel, and it is extremely violent (though, expected for a story of genocide backed by child soldiers, I guess).
Although the story teems with lore, I found it hard to engage in. The recruit training is only 30 days, which seems impossibly short for the amount of action and events, while it also managed to drag on painfully at times. The pacing was highly inconsistent, and the end is similarly (and unsatisfyingly) abrupt.
It sounds like there is already a film deal on the table, and I think this story would translate really well, while adding a rich diversity to the usual types of Western stories told. It was a very impressive debut novel, but just not one for me.
Although the story teems with lore, I found it hard to engage in. The recruit training is only 30 days, which seems impossibly short for the amount of action and events, while it also managed to drag on painfully at times. The pacing was highly inconsistent, and the end is similarly (and unsatisfyingly) abrupt.
It sounds like there is already a film deal on the table, and I think this story would translate really well, while adding a rich diversity to the usual types of Western stories told. It was a very impressive debut novel, but just not one for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Violence, Child death, War, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual assault, Self harm, Death of parent, and Blood
samjdoe's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Sexual violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Murder, and Child abuse
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Grief, and Violence
kaylamoran's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wow.
This book was nothing like I expected, and I loved every moment. It reminded me a bit of the Poppy War at times, which is one of my favourite fantasy series.
The pacing was perfect. Sloane was so well developed, so human despite everything she goes though and every awful thing she has to do. Her moments of selfishness were so human, and its nice to read a protagonist for whom self preservation is more important than morality. The story was so well crafted, and the twist at the end caught me totally off guard. Overall, I thought this book was brilliant.
The only reason this isn't 5 stars is because a few words felt overused in descriptions. "Bleeding" (as in to replace a swear word, like the f word) and bastard come to mind.
This book was nothing like I expected, and I loved every moment. It reminded me a bit of the Poppy War at times, which is one of my favourite fantasy series.
The pacing was perfect. Sloane was so well developed, so human despite everything she goes though and every awful thing she has to do. Her moments of selfishness were so human, and its nice to read a protagonist for whom self preservation is more important than morality. The story was so well crafted, and the twist at the end caught me totally off guard. Overall, I thought this book was brilliant.
The only reason this isn't 5 stars is because a few words felt overused in descriptions. "Bleeding" (as in to replace a swear word, like the f word) and bastard come to mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Torture, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, War, Blood, and Child death
Moderate: Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Self harm and Cultural appropriation
tentwentyfourty's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Rape, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Sexual assault, and War
Minor: Self harm and Vomit