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A review by violentlyagitated
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
2.5
2.5 stars, as 3 stars would mean that I somewhat liked it when I mostly felt nothing while reading it. Nothing, generously laced with mild annoyance.
Although it‘s been a hot minute since I‘ve read volume one, I didn‘t have any problems getting into this again. So this isn‘t the reason why I just couldn‘t find it in me to care about their war. Reading came easier when I reminded myself that these terrible decisions were mostly made by inexperienced teenagers traumatized by oppression and violence, who somehow were the only people available for leadership positions (everyone else is dead or old). Yet sometimes the distinct lack of communication and empathy between the leads was really jarring despite everything. Saving the world by yourself with no help has always worked so well, right?
As to the plot: many things didn‘t make sense and/or weren‘t properly explained – where did the prior connector elder go, was she unconscious the whole time? How exactly did Nehanda figure out her powers when no one even knew they were a thing? Why do they suddenly have a name for these powers? And why do titans get it for free but maji have to make a big sacrifice? What significance does someone you love have on a blood sacrifice? How do you even measure if it‘s enough love worth sacrificing?
The romance aspect was, of course, nonsensical. That much hasn‘t changed so I wasn’t disappointed by that anymore. Just as with Inan, he was still the boy who changes sides like clothes. And even though she gets a lot of shit for it, I think the way Zélie acted was justified and made sense given what she‘s been through. Still think she makes a good protagonist. I didn‘t like the way Amari turned out (though she does regret what she‘s done by the end), but then again I don‘t feel like there were many sympathetic characters in this story, if any at all.
I won’t pick up the third instalment, nevertheless, the ending was no ending at all and taking over two years to release the next book after THAT cliffhanger is criminal :)
Although it‘s been a hot minute since I‘ve read volume one, I didn‘t have any problems getting into this again. So this isn‘t the reason why I just couldn‘t find it in me to care about their war. Reading came easier when I reminded myself that these terrible decisions were mostly made by inexperienced teenagers traumatized by oppression and violence, who somehow were the only people available for leadership positions (everyone else is dead or old). Yet sometimes the distinct lack of communication and empathy between the leads was really jarring despite everything. Saving the world by yourself with no help has always worked so well, right?
As to the plot: many things didn‘t make sense and/or weren‘t properly explained – where did the prior connector elder go, was she unconscious the whole time? How exactly did Nehanda figure out her powers when no one even knew they were a thing? Why do they suddenly have a name for these powers? And why do titans get it for free but maji have to make a big sacrifice? What significance does someone you love have on a blood sacrifice? How do you even measure if it‘s enough love worth sacrificing?
The romance aspect was, of course, nonsensical. That much hasn‘t changed so I wasn’t disappointed by that anymore. Just as with Inan, he was still the boy who changes sides like clothes. And even though she gets a lot of shit for it, I think the way Zélie acted was justified and made sense given what she‘s been through. Still think she makes a good protagonist. I didn‘t like the way Amari turned out (though she does regret what she‘s done by the end), but then again I don‘t feel like there were many sympathetic characters in this story, if any at all.
I won’t pick up the third instalment, nevertheless, the ending was no ending at all and taking over two years to release the next book after THAT cliffhanger is criminal :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Death