A review by orionmerlin
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Characters – 6/10
The characters in Children of Virtue and Vengeance felt less compelling than in the first book. While I appreciated the complexity of their struggles, many of the main characters, especially Zélie and Amari, came across as frustratingly inconsistent. Their emotional turmoil often led to repetitive inner monologues that made them feel stagnant rather than evolving. Some secondary characters had potential, but their development was often sidelined, making them feel more like plot devices than integral parts of the story. Though their motivations were clear, their constant internal conflicts sometimes made them difficult to root for.
Atmosphere/Setting – 8/10
The world of Orïsha remains vibrant and immersive. Adeyemi's descriptions of the magical landscapes, battle scenes, and cultural elements of the world were visually striking and atmospheric. The tension of war was palpable, and I could easily picture the grandeur of the settings, from the temples to the battlefield. However, at times, the chaotic nature of the action sequences made it difficult to fully absorb the details, making some of the intensity feel more exhausting than gripping.
Writing Style – 7/10
Tomi Adeyemi’s prose remains engaging, and her ability to create urgency in her storytelling is undeniable. The short, fast-paced chapters made the book an easy page-turner. However, the writing often felt overly dramatic, with characters spending too much time in their heads repeating the same emotions. The balance between dialogue and narration was decent, but the internal monologues bogged down the pacing. While Adeyemi’s style is compelling, the heavy-handed emotional beats became repetitive, reducing their impact over time.
Plot – 5/10
The plot suffered from a frustrating sense of circular conflict, where progress felt minimal, and the characters seemed to be running in place emotionally and strategically. The political and magical stakes were intriguing, but the constant cycle of betrayal, indecision, and repetitive power struggles made the story feel stagnant rather than dynamic. The ending, while meant to be a shocking cliffhanger, felt rushed rather than satisfying. The unpredictability of the narrative was more frustrating than thrilling because it often lacked coherence.
Intrigue – 6/10
I wanted to be fully engaged, but the uneven pacing and repetitive conflicts made it difficult to stay consistently invested. While there were moments of excitement, the frustration of watching characters make the same mistakes over and over again lessened my enthusiasm. The high stakes should have driven more intensity, but instead, they were undercut by a lack of substantial character growth or forward momentum.
Logic/Relationships – 5/10
The relationships in this book often felt forced or underdeveloped. While Children of Blood and Bone established deep emotional connections, this sequel leaned too heavily on conflict and division without truly exploring the depth of these relationships. Many character interactions felt reactionary rather than organic, making some alliances and betrayals feel unearned. Additionally, the magic system and political world-building, while visually stunning, often lacked clarity in terms of rules and consequences, making it difficult to fully grasp the stakes.
Enjoyment – 6/10
I had high expectations after Children of Blood and Bone, but Children of Virtue and Vengeance felt more frustrating than fulfilling. While the action, world-building, and overall stakes remained intriguing, the repetitive conflicts, stagnant character arcs, and uneven pacing lessened my overall enjoyment. It wasn’t a terrible read, but it didn’t live up to its predecessor. I’d recommend it only to those deeply invested in the series, but I wouldn’t call it a must-read. 
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