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remaininlullaby's review against another edition
unfortunately, nothing in this made sense to me. the second it got interesting, the protag did smth again that completely contradicted what her inner monologue said before. also, how much trauma do you want your 15yo to have, gdi
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, War, and Torture
Moderate: Rape, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, and Slavery
Minor: Vomit
librarybookscene's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Violence, Rape, Racism, Sexual assault, Self harm, Colonisation, Blood, and Classism
dingakaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-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
4.5
This is an incredible debut. Powerful, emotional, raw, the first person perspective and present tense, along with Falaye's skill, bring Sloane's every idea, whim, and feeling out of the page and into your chest. The plot is also interesting and the mythology upon which the story is based keeps the reader engaged and turning pages constantly. The graphic nature of the violence is also very refreshing. Fantasy authors often turn their battles/fight scenes into theatrical or artistic sets. If there is gratuitous violence or killing, it is often seen through a distant lens; Blood Scion zooms into its violence so you experience it on an individual level with all its pain, gore ,and sense of loss. Overall, this is a true thrill ride and is well set up for further installments.
My only complaints are minor and relate to plot construction and the mechanics of the magic in Sloane's world. These seem more like issues born from this being the first book in a series and Falaye finding her groove rather than fundamental issues with the story. To clarify:
- It is unclear whether the scars/blisters on Sloane's body are visible or not. She references them frequently but often intimates they're "below the surface." Other times it seems like a literal description of the damage her asé does to her skin. However, if the latter is the case, how do the Lucis not see it and question why this new recruit has new blisters and scars popping up at random times?
- If Celeste was gifted with divination, and Theodus gained that ability from her, why is Sloane now gifted with fire? We got some historical perspectives on Scions and Yorubas early in the book and this should have been included in that. I seem to remember it being a hereditary which would make Sloane's powers unexplained.
- I would have liked more context building with respect to the magic in this story. It's hard to tell exactly how powerful Sloane is and where that power is located within the spectrum of power in this world. When stories want this to be a mystery, it is more clear from the narration. At times, it seems like we shouldn't know how powerful Sloane is and that in itself might become a plot point. At other points, it feels almost assumed thatt she's extremely powerful.
- There was a lot of double-crossing that drove the plot forward in the last 100 pages. That was fun, but I don't quite understand the context within which it happened. The last 50 pages spends a lot of time explaining Sloane's family tree and how we got to this point in the story, but it's unclear what Theodus' motivations are and how the Blades fit into it all. I'm still not sure if the rest of the Blades knew Theodus' plan or not.
- I don't really buy that one month is enough to turn a teenager into a killing machine. Whether physically or with training/talent, it just feels like it's not enough.
- The use of the collar to suppress asé is very interesting. I wonder if Falaye was inspired by the A'dam in Wheel of Time.
- I'm excited for Falaye to build this world and expand the story. If this will become a trilogy, or something more, we're going to need maps. Geography and geopolitical struggle is a huge aspect of this world and being able to visualize the relative locations of major players is important.
- It is unclear whether the scars/blisters on Sloane's body are visible or not. She references them frequently but often intimates they're "below the surface." Other times it seems like a literal description of the damage her asé does to her skin. However, if the latter is the case, how do the Lucis not see it and question why this new recruit has new blisters and scars popping up at random times?
- If Celeste was gifted with divination, and Theodus gained that ability from her, why is Sloane now gifted with fire? We got some historical perspectives on Scions and Yorubas early in the book and this should have been included in that. I seem to remember it being a hereditary which would make Sloane's powers unexplained.
- I would have liked more context building with respect to the magic in this story. It's hard to tell exactly how powerful Sloane is and where that power is located within the spectrum of power in this world. When stories want this to be a mystery, it is more clear from the narration. At times, it seems like we shouldn't know how powerful Sloane is and that in itself might become a plot point. At other points, it feels almost assumed thatt she's extremely powerful.
- There was a lot of double-crossing that drove the plot forward in the last 100 pages. That was fun, but I don't quite understand the context within which it happened. The last 50 pages spends a lot of time explaining Sloane's family tree and how we got to this point in the story, but it's unclear what Theodus' motivations are and how the Blades fit into it all. I'm still not sure if the rest of the Blades knew Theodus' plan or not.
- I don't really buy that one month is enough to turn a teenager into a killing machine. Whether physically or with training/talent, it just feels like it's not enough.
- The use of the collar to suppress asé is very interesting. I wonder if Falaye was inspired by the A'dam in Wheel of Time.
- I'm excited for Falaye to build this world and expand the story. If this will become a trilogy, or something more, we're going to need maps. Geography and geopolitical struggle is a huge aspect of this world and being able to visualize the relative locations of major players is important.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Violence, and Gun violence
The violence in this story is stark and frequent, but it enhances the story instead of detracts from it. Readers should be warned that it includes gun violence, hand-to-hand violence, murder, and gore. There is also ample discussion of fire and killing with fire.ashlislibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Genocide, Child death, Gun violence, Colonisation, Self harm, Rape, War, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Murder, Hate crime, and Death of parent
bookish_paws's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Death, Child abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Child death, Blood, War, Torture, and Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
mer1554's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, War, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Torture, Slavery, Sexual assault, Racism, and Colonisation
lennie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, War, Violence, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Racism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Self harm
bookishflower's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I really wanted to like this, but I think it was just not my thing as I found it quite triggering. (This is my own fault for not knowing reading this book would not be good for me personally).
However, this book has my total respect and there is no doubt that this is a rich world that will be so meaningful to other readers. You can tell the sheer amount of research that Falaye put into this book, how the topic of child soldiers was handled brutally beautifully.
However, I was just not mentally prepared enough for the unrelenting and hard-hitting reality built into Blood Scion. I’d strongly advise checking the trigger warnings. I feel this book should be approached with the same discretion as The Poppy War which I have avoided but respected from a distance for this very reason.
I’m glad I read Blood Scion because of Fairyloot and the read your own adventure read-a-thon, but I don’t think I will read this book again (at least not for a while).
However, this book has my total respect and there is no doubt that this is a rich world that will be so meaningful to other readers. You can tell the sheer amount of research that Falaye put into this book, how the topic of child soldiers was handled brutally beautifully.
However, I was just not mentally prepared enough for the unrelenting and hard-hitting reality built into Blood Scion. I’d strongly advise checking the trigger warnings. I feel this book should be approached with the same discretion as The Poppy War which I have avoided but respected from a distance for this very reason.
I’m glad I read Blood Scion because of Fairyloot and the read your own adventure read-a-thon, but I don’t think I will read this book again (at least not for a while).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Self harm, War, and Xenophobia
azrah786's review against another edition
dark
4.25
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I received a proof copy from Harper360YA in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, gun violence, blood, gore, injury, death, child death, death of parent, grief, murder, torture, war, genocide, rape/sexual assault, fire, emotional abuse, racism, cultural appropriation
--
This book is intense, it is dark and it is one hell of an addictive debut.
Blood Scion is a story inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology following a child soldier, Sloane as she is forcibly conscripted into the army of a colonist regime known as the Lucis. They have occupied the continent Nagea after slaughtering many of its native people and have a particular animosity towards those known as Scions, descendants from the Orisha gods who have been gifted some of their magic.
Sloane, who is a Scion herself, manages to hide her identity and slip under their radar when she is drafted and is determined to uncover records on her mother’s disappearance, which she is sure the Lucis, are behind. It also provides her with the opportunity to bring the Lucis down from within but as she fights to survive, each day comes with the threat of her losing more and more of her humanity.
**I received a proof copy from Harper360YA in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, gun violence, blood, gore, injury, death, child death, death of parent, grief, murder, torture, war, genocide, rape/sexual assault, fire, emotional abuse, racism, cultural appropriation
--
This book is intense, it is dark and it is one hell of an addictive debut.
Blood Scion is a story inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology following a child soldier, Sloane as she is forcibly conscripted into the army of a colonist regime known as the Lucis. They have occupied the continent Nagea after slaughtering many of its native people and have a particular animosity towards those known as Scions, descendants from the Orisha gods who have been gifted some of their magic.
Sloane, who is a Scion herself, manages to hide her identity and slip under their radar when she is drafted and is determined to uncover records on her mother’s disappearance, which she is sure the Lucis, are behind. It also provides her with the opportunity to bring the Lucis down from within but as she fights to survive, each day comes with the threat of her losing more and more of her humanity.
"When I was a child, Momma always taught me to fight for those too weak to raise their fists. Scream for those too afraid to find their voice. And stand for those too tired to rise on their feet."
Falaye’s writing immediately draws you into to a world and a story that reads like the perfect blend of An Ember in the Ashes and The Hunger Games - both big favourites of mine and if you loved any or both of those series you'll really enjoy this book too - but also brings something totally new to the YA genre. Not only are we introduced to elements of Yoruba-Nigerian culture and lore (which I really hope is further expanded on in the sequel along with the magic) but we are pulled along on a storyline that meticulously explores the brutal realities of war, colonialism and the cost of survival.
Sloane is a fierce and strong-willed protagonist and like pretty much everyone in this book doesn’t make the most moral of decisions throughout the story, but you can’t help but root for her.
My favourite aspect of the book has got to be the relationships and alliances that form between the various characters. Not only were the supporting characters fleshed out really well but by using that air of mistrust and reluctance that floated around Sloane and her fellow recruits, Falaye carefully shaped some really interesting dynamics between them all that really invests you with their stories too.
"Sometimes, you have to walk in the dark before you can see the light."
The only real issue I had with the book was the age of the characters or more so how often we were reminded of Sloane being 15 years old. The themes within this book and just how deeply they were being explored are definitely more characteristic of the adult fantasy genre and I’m not trying to say that they can’t be used in YA. It’s just that the way the characters were written made them feel older that being reminded of the ages on page threw me off at times - it felt as though it was constantly being pointed out as a way to box the book in as YA more than anything else.
All that aside I really enjoyed this one and though I’ll admit I did see some of the reveals coming, the ending was such a gripping set up for book 2 and I can’t wait!
If you like morally grey characters, twisty storylines with intriguing magic and high stakes then this book is for you.
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, Genocide, Sexual assault, Racism, Violence, Gun violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gore, Rape, Child death, and Torture
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Cultural appropriation
gem114's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? No
4.0
Damn. There's a warning at the beginning of this book that while the story itself is fiction the experiences of the characters are based on the real experiences of child soldiers, and Falaye doesn't hold back. This book is dark. Many of the scenes are hard to read because the content is brutal. Still, Falaye does an amazing job packaging these hard truths in a way that pushes readers to grapple with them and keep reading rather than turning away.
This book reminded me a lot of Children of Blood and Bone since that's the only other book I've read that is based in the same mythology, but Falaye does a better job at developing complex, morally gray characters. Sloane is a great main character. She's a strong young woman with badass ancestral magic taking on an oppressive monarchy while struggling to balance her own humanity with her survival instincts.
The whole book is a roller coaster, but the last 50 pages or so are absolutely wild. So much happens. Almost too much. Definitely too much given the number of questions I still have and the fact that the next book isn't out yet. This is me impatiently waiting for a sequel.
This book reminded me a lot of Children of Blood and Bone since that's the only other book I've read that is based in the same mythology, but Falaye does a better job at developing complex, morally gray characters. Sloane is a great main character. She's a strong young woman with badass ancestral magic taking on an oppressive monarchy while struggling to balance her own humanity with her survival instincts.
The whole book is a roller coaster, but the last 50 pages or so are absolutely wild. So much happens. Almost too much. Definitely too much given the number of questions I still have and the fact that the next book isn't out yet. This is me impatiently waiting for a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Racism, Physical abuse, Murder, Blood, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, War, Death of parent, Colonisation, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Gun violence, and Child abuse
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Terminal illness
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