I was late to reading and reviewing this. Magical is an understatement. I do this there is potential but overall underrated book. Such an interesting concept.

Ehigbor Okosun's "Forged by Blood" is a captivating debut novel that seamlessly blends elements of Nigerian mythology with a compelling fantasy narrative. The story follows Dèmi, a young woman seeking vengeance in a land where her people, the magic-wielding Oluso, are oppressed by the non-magical Aje. Okosun's rich world-building and intricate plot twists create a truly immersive reading experience.

One of the standout aspects of "Forged by Blood" is its exploration of complex themes such as identity, power, and cultural heritage. Dèmi's journey is not just about revenge; it's about reclaiming her heritage and fighting for justice in a society that seeks to erase her people's existence. The novel's exploration of these themes adds depth and resonance to the fantasy narrative.

Okosun's writing style is both evocative and accessible, drawing readers into the vibrant world of Ife and its diverse characters. The magic system is well-developed, and the action sequences are thrilling. The relationships between the characters are also well-crafted, adding emotional depth to the story.

While "Forged by Blood" is a strong debut, there are moments where the pacing feels slightly uneven. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Overall, "Forged by Blood" is a must-read for fans of fantasy literature, particularly those interested in stories that explore diverse mythologies and cultures. Okosun has crafted a compelling and thought-provoking novel that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

I had high hopes going into this book because the premise and world sounded fascinating, and Nigerian mythology is not something I’ve often seen in the books I’ve read. Unfortunately, Forged by Blood ended up falling short of my expectations in a few ways.

To start, I do have to say that the world itself was quite interesting, at least the aspects centered on that mythology. It made for an intriguing landscape for the story to take place in, and the scenes that were most focused on these more magical or mythological characters were my favorites! It makes me want to explore this type of mythology more.

Unfortunately, beyond that, there wasn’t much that I really liked or even enjoyed. There was a frustrating love triangle that seemed to dominate most of the plot (and usually just served to make the three MCs look bad). The plot, while interesting at first glance, proceeded in a mostly linear way that ended up just being disappointing. I also often found myself frustrated with the MC and her choices. It just combined into a story that sadly didn’t work for me.

In the end, I don’t think I’ll move on with this series, though I don’t necessarily regret my time with this first installment. It introduced me to new worlds and magic, even if this exact story wasn’t for me.

Unfortunately I did not finish this novel. I tried 3 times however it was jot holding my focus. I was really hopeful has ive read others like it and enjoyed them immensely. This one just felt too long winded despite being standard aize.

Let me just start by saying that this cover is GORGEOUS. And it perfectly fits this book. This felt like a fresh world and take in the fantasy genre, some much needed diversity in landscapes and voices. I'm a sucker for vengeance tales and a bit of a messy love triangle. Can't wait for the sequel!

This book is a captivating read that effortlessly draws you in from the first page. The story flows smoothly, with intriguing characters and an unpredictable plot that keeps you hooked. It's the kind of book that makes it hard to put down, with just the right balance of depth and entertainment. A thoroughly enjoyable experience that will keep you engaged until the very end.

I loved Children of Blood and Bone so I was super excited about Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun. Getting to explore a completely different magic system and setting is always a favorite of mine.
This book delivers on all the important parts for a ya fantasy but the love triangle was disappointing.

Life got in the way and I could not finish the book. Thanks to the publishers for the chance to read the book.

Pacing was a huge issue in this book. I felt as though the good scenes were rushed and then nothing happened afterwards for pages and pages on end. This book was originally for a YA audience and I feel like that is how it should have stayed. Aging up the characters and not changing a single other thing about the story does not make it an adult novel.

I started this one a while ago, and it just couldn’t catch my attention. In just the little bit of the book that I read, I can tell that the characters aren’t going to be for me. I may come back to it another time, but I have to put it on pause for now. If I ever pick it up again I will update my review!

The beginning grabbed my attention however as it went on I did get bored, however love the diversity and the world building was stunning.

So this was one of my backlog arcs, and I ended up doing the audio version for most of the book. The world building is exquisite, the cast of diverse characters and the themes of racism, forbidden love and a few others were incredibly well written. I found myself swept away into this world and completely captivated. Absolutely will be reading the finale to this magical duology!!

Forged by Blood offers an epic adventure set in a richly imagined Kingdom of Benin, where magic and the supernatural come alive in vibrant, sometimes terrifying ways. The story follows Dèmi, a young magic-user (Oluso), on a quest for vengeance against the oppressive non-magical Aje who have enslaved and persecuted her people. After her mother's murder, Dèmi teams up with the hidden Oluso Lord Ekwensi and her childhood friend Colin to kidnap the tyrant king's nephew, Prince Jonas, in a bid to save her people.

Okosun's world-building is a standout, drawing heavily from Nigerian folklore to create a deeply immersive setting. The novel's magic system and mythos are compelling, and the narrative is packed with action, political intrigue, and moments of genuine tension. However, the story is not without its flaws. The love triangle between Dèmi, Colin, and Jonas feels forced and underdeveloped, detracting from the otherwise engaging plot. Additionally, the characters, particularly Dèmi, can be inconsistent, and the dialogue often disrupts the pacing during high-stakes moments.

Despite these issues, Forged by Blood remains a promising debut. Okosun's writing shows great potential, and her ability to weave Nigerian mythology into a fantasy narrative is impressive. While the novel struggles with some typical debut pitfalls, it delivers an engaging and imaginative story that will leave readers eager for the sequel.

The cover is stunning with its vibrant colors and illustrations. The writing is immersive, though the world-building could be deeper. The story is action-packed and explores complex themes but relies on predictable YA tropes. Demi is relatable but can be frustratingly impulsive. Secondary characters are well-defined, while the romance feels clichéd and forced.

The imagery was well done but the story couldn't keep me turning pages as quickly as other books. Thanks to the publisher and author for the chance to read it.

This is a book that I was excited to read and it certainly grabbed my attention early on and kept it. However, I began to see that it was quickly falling into the "colonized falls in love with the colonizer" trope and that is a hard one for me to read and suspend enough reality for in order to enjoy. Other than that, this was well-written!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for an honest review! Forged in Blood is an immersive tale, that explores West African mysticism with beautiful prose and gorgeous imagery. From the beginning of the story, I was interested in Demi's fate and wanted her to succeed. Okosun did a wonderful job of drawing readers and keeping their attention throughout the book. Even though the pacing slowed in the middle, I still believe this book is a solid debut. I cannot wait to read more of Okosun's work, I will be recommending this book to my patrons for sure!

I loved the beginning of this one. It definitely sucked me in! However, somewhere towards the middle I began to lose interest in the book. The cover is beautiful and while I liked it - I just didn't love it as much as I would have liked.

Gosh dang I wanted to love this book and in moments I did.

I think it could have been me and just not the right time. I ended up confused for most of the book. It could have been me not paying close enough attention during the audiobook and just not following as closely as the book deserved.

The setting was really well done and I absolutely loved the culture aspect of this. It was explained in such a good way. As for the plot it wasn’t really anything new but it was enjoyable overall. A middling new adult fantasy really that’s just okay. The writing was pretty good for a debut author and I found the characters really well done with depth and personality.