I enjoyed the world building and magic in this book. I'm not use to reading romantic themes in fantasy but im not mad at. The cover is breathtaking and I can not wait to get into book two.

I'm honestly not sure why the publisher listed this book as "epic fantasy" when it's clearly just YA fantasy. Because of that, I expected so much more. I'm glad at least Goodreads was correct (for once) when it came to labeling this book as YA fantasy.

Anyway.

Forged by Blood is your typical YA fantasy with all its tropes and plot points. The characters are older teens/young adults. The worldbuilding and magic weren't fully developed. The FMC was very impulsive and extremely short-sighted. Nothing screamed "epic fantasy."

Honestly, it read like a rough draft instead of a final draft because nothing really made sense logically. It felt like the author threw in a bunch of YA tropes hoping that it would make a story. There were so many deus ex machina solutions to every single problem, so nothing really felt high stakes.

The only thing that stood out to me was the Nigerian folklore and mythology. That was done really well. You could feel yourself immersed in a Nigerian-inspired fantasy world, especially during the sequence in the spirit world with the spirit beings.

But everything else was so lackluster. The worldbuilding made no sense. You could tell that the author wanted to touch on colonization, but it felt wishy-washy. The Eingardians/colonizers were the bad guys, but yet the FMC was super cool with teaming up with their prince? (I haven't even touched on her decisions at the end of the book.)

The politics were weirdly convoluted in an attempt to make it more adult/epic fantasy. I had to wait until 85% through (when the bad guy explained everything) for me to understand wtf was going on. (Turns out it was partly family drama that included a not! Luke Skywalker reveal. Wtf lol)

The magic system was also underdeveloped. I had the sense that certain people had certain magic skills, like healing, teleportation, clairvoyance, etc. But the FMC had elemental powers AND healing? I was so confused, but there was no other choice but to roll along with it.

Another HUGE issue I had were the deus ex machina solutions to every single problem. Our heroes would be in trouble but ofc, they'd be saved somehow.


***SPOILERS AHEAD***

Around the midpoint, when the FMC and other Oluso are about to be burned at the stake, her adopted family just shows up to save them? What? How? They're not even in the same part of the country/territory.

I had so many issues with the ending... What was the author even trying to say?? The FMC didn't believe in Ekwensi and the Oluso's cause, so she stayed with the prince and the Eingardians in order to find a diplomatic solution? Even though the Eingardians wouldn't recognize her as queen and the FMC didn't fully trust the prince, but since they were ~fated mates, it was totally okay? So we're cool with colonizer romances these days?

Also, the final battle made absolute ZERO sense. The FMC is fighting the king, who's a trained soldier, and she's not supposed to use her magic in order to make it an even match. But how tf does she even know how to use a sword? This was never hinted at or alluded to at all.

So she breaks her iron bracelets in order to use her magic to defeat the king, which didn't make sense because at first, she didn't want to "cheat" using her magic, but now she realizes that it's totally fine to use her magic because she's about to die?

Also her dead(?) father's spirit appears out of nowhere during the death match to give her a weapon? And I'm not sure she even used that weapon? What was the point of that scene???

MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.

***END SPOILERS***


I was so lost. I finished this novel a few days ago and I'm still lost.

I'm definitely not picking up the sequel.

Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this arc.

I enjoyed this more than I expected, but it did read pretty young. The pacing was also way off - it went smoothly at times and was choppy in other parts. It did make it hard to finish, but I'm glad I did!

Favorite quote(s):

“Just because we donʼt understand others doesnʼt mean they deserve our ridicule or hatred.”

Review:

This book was amazing. I loved the mythology and magic and the complicated relationships. This story had war, romance, magic betrayal and so much more. The characters were complex, interesting, and, occasionally, infuriating. The descriptions were vivid and gave a great sense of the world and everything in it. I loved so much of this story. However, there were hard things to read, like people forced to be servants and deaths. Overall, I enjoyed this book and the story it told, and I can't wait to read the next book.

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!