Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 24/11/2023
Published by: Harper Voyager
ISBN: B0C5Y2RLKX
Cover:
I am obsessed with the vibrant colours, text and illustrations that make this design stunning. This cover also does a great job of capturing the essence and genre of the story.
Writing:
The first-person narrative and smooth, descriptive prose made immersing myself in this story really easy. I was also fascinated by the rich world filled with diverse creatures, magic and culture, even though I wished it had been better developed and incorporated into the story.
People will always fear those with more power, and those with power will always fear that they will lose it.
Storyline:
Following inciting events at the start, a compelling, action-packed tale that dives into complex themes such as colonialism, grief, and beauty standards quickly unfolds. While the storyline also includes several twists and turns that keep it interesting, it relies heavily on Young Adult (YA) fantasy tropes and convenient moments, which makes it somewhat predictable.
Main character:
With Demi’s painful past and constant struggles adding some depth to her character, it was easy for me to root for and connect with her. However, I was constantly irritated by her impulsive and reckless actions, which made her character seem childish and quickly get tiring.
Fear is a strange master. It makes monsters from the simplest of men.
Secondary characters:
A good mix of secondary characters helps drive the story and support Demi through her journey. These characters generally had distinct roles and personalities that made them stand out, but I would have loved it if a few had some complexity.
Romance:
Despite initial hints pointing to a cute yet complicated childhood-to-adulthood romance, this aspect of the story turned into a cliché love triangle. Even though both connections were interesting, they seemed forced and underdeveloped, especially with the fated mate trope thrown into the mix.
Narration & Audio:
Nneka Okoye gives a brilliant performance that is perfect for this story. I was particularly impressed by her use of different voices for the characters and vocal effects, including some beautiful singing!
Ultimately, I went into ‘Forged by Blood‘ expecting a rich YA fantasy read steeped in Nigerian mythology, and that was what I got. Yes, the storyline was somewhat predictable and filled with many tropes, but it was also very immersive and thought-provoking. Those looking for a similar read should check out Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye.
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below. For those who have read this and want to discuss it, swipe for some questions (contains spoilers!!):
Q: Which part of the story surprised you most?
My answer: I was most surprised by the revelation that Jonas had been a part of the scheme that caused Demi to lose her mum. This twist came early in the story, and after Jonas and Demi formed a cute friendship, so was both devastating and intriguing.
Q: Do you think there is more to the prophecy regarding Jonas and Colin?
My answer: In some way, the events in this book fulfilled the prophecy (one will bring sadness and despair, the other death). Still, I hope the sequel will dive deeper into this, as otherwise, it would be somewhat anticlimactic.
Q: Do you think Demi is right to seek diplomacy so her people do not become like their oppressors?
My answer: This complex topic came up towards the end of the story and was very thought-provoking. On one hand, I thought Demi was right to seek peace and diplomacy instead of inciting revenge and mayhem. On the other hand, our world today clearly shows how challenging and unreliable diplomatic change is, so it is bound to be a painful, slow journey to liberty.
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