Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC of Forged by Blood.

I just finished this book minutes ago and wanted to give my immediate thoughts:

This books reads extremely YA. It's been labeled adult (and being featured in Fairyloot's August Adult box subscription), but the characters are all teenagers. The themes are heavy, but the overall plot still feels very young.

The main character, Dèmi, is compelling character with a formidable drive behind her story arc. She's extremely talented (to the point of me wondering *how* she's gotten so good at magic, despite it being outlawed, but anyway) and smart, and someone you want to root for. I enjoyed her journey as a character.

Jonas was a great addition to Dèmi's character arc. He's supportive and trusting of Dèmi's decisions, which is always nice to see in a MMC.



Things I liked about this book:

-Enemies x Lovers is always a win for me
-The world building is interesting and definitely unique
-Dèmi and Jonas <3

Things that could've been done better:

-Pacing. This story is so *gogogo* every page that I didn't feel like I had the chance to really absorb the rich world the author was attempting to build.
-There was SO much telling (vs showing). I understand to a point, with all the folklore that was included, but half this book was backstory that was being explained in text walls to the reader. Information overload.
-Colin was such a third wheel.

this was a solid foundation to this duology! a nice balance of action, plot twists, and dashes of romance. the pacing did seem wonky at times to me, but nothing too jarring. the term “mate” did deter me a bit while reading, but it wasn’t too prominent as the romance was kind of a back burner thing. all of the characters seemed memorable to me and i love Demi as a MC, reminds me a lot of a younger Ikenna from the Blood Trials.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.

When we first meet Dèmi, she's a young child. Her mother is a powerful healer, and a sick boy has been brought to their home. This is a fraught situation: Dèmi and her mother are Oluso, humans with magical abilities shunned by the general population, and the boy is Eingardian, part of a light-skinned ruling caste that has invaded from the north. When the situation escalates and Demi's mother is murdered, Dèmi flees her village. We encounter her next as a young woman who, through unexpected events, is tasked with kidnapping a nobleman who turns out to be, of course, the sick boy from years past.

Ultimately, the book was most interesting to me because Dèmi is the protagonist instead of Jonas, the nobleborn boy. This would not have been the case until very recently, and we've all read those books before. It's important to see more stories about and not just with strong women and people of color-- representation matters, and it matters a lot-- and it's also crucial because we haven't read Demi's story countless times like we have Jonas's.

It's a solid introduction and set-up, but my enjoyment waned as the book progressed in large part because I felt like I had been bamboozled into reading a long middle grade book marketed as young adult or adult fantasy.

I don't care about the age of the protagonist or even the inclusion or exclusion of violence or sex. It's more about if the plot flows, if the plot extends below the surface into actual themes, if exposition is integrated thoughtfully instead of being plopped on the reader, if the villain is more than just mindlessly evil or violent, the maturity of the internal voice of the narrator/protagonist, and so on. This is most obvious in how we see Dèmi as an 8-year old, with a voice appropriate to an 8-year old, and how that voice hardly changed when we meet Demi again as a young woman.

I'll mention a few more issues that I think is independent of how the book is classified. The pacing is all over the place. There's a love triangle, but there are also soulmates, which reduces any romantic tension to null.

The story also has an odd cadence where elements worthy of page-time are cut curiously short or only mentioned in passing. I'll share two examples. After Dèmi escapes her village, there's mention of the fae-like Aziza and then the scene fades to black. We next encounter Demi living in another human community. Another 30% in, we learn that she stayed with the Aziza for months after her mother's death-- surely another formative experience-- that's only given a paragraph in summary. Similarly, much later, there's a misunderstanding between Jonas and Dèmi that is resolved in just a few sentences with no further consequences. If it's so quickly described and doesn't materially impact the plot or character enough to warrant more text, it probably shouldn't be in there. Similarly, there are some cloyingly detailed descriptions ("A moment later, I wrestle scalding, too-sweet custard down my throat as it tangles in my teeth and clings to my tongue") that make me wish for a heavier hand in editing.

As Ranganathan says, every reader their book, and this will undoubtedly be someone's new favorite on top of being an important addition to the conversation on whose story matters. Honestly, I wish I had encountered this book and more like it when I was younger.

3.5 ⭐️
I genuinely really enjoyed myself with this one! I liked the concept of magic in this world and Demi’s character.

We’ve got some enemies to lovers featured here, which I always root for.
I love Nana and Baba and Jonas.
There is a LOT that happened in this book, especially at the end.

I loved the progression of things with Jonas and Demi. I’m obsessed with Jonas tbh.

Overall the book felt a little too backloaded for my liking. I’m all for a big reveal at the end but it just felt like SO many things were happening in the last 20% of the book. It was hard to keep up and I found myself getting a little confused with the world building.

Overall I’d recommend to people looking for a fun, fantasy packed, ya, enemies to lovers, love triangle, found family, magic, chosen one/she saves the world type thing for your next read!

[3.75 rounded to 4] FORGED BY BLOOD by Ehigbor Okosun is a Nigerian mythology-inspired fantasy that incorporates themes of racism, colonialism, and power. The official synopsis provides a thorough overview of what to expect in this novel: vengeance, secrets, and rebellion. Dèmi seeks retribution for her mother's murder, biding her time until the moment is right. What she didn't initially bargain for in her personal quest is to play a role in giving her people, the Oluso, a voice.

Nigerian mythology is not something with which I'm familiar. Thus, I don't feel that I have the knowledge base to comment on that aspect of the story. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading about the various mythical and fantastical elements included in FORGED BY BLOOD. What I found the most interesting was the history of the Oluso and the various powers that manifest among them.

The thematic elements are obviously incorporated, but in such a way that they flow well with the story rather than reading like a push of every agenda imaginable. Racism is a very dominant theme. The Oluso, who are Black, are the oppressed group and the Eingardians, who are White, are the oppressors. The Eingardians' major goal is to wipe out the Oluso and fully seize power in the region. To make their point to the people, the Eingardian rulers continuously facilitate the fear of magic, held by the Oluso, to justify racism, genocide, and imprisonment.

The Eingardians are also the colonizers, which, along with racism, results in destruction of Oluso culture and identity. This includes the loss of ancenstral lands and the erasure of languages and historical knowledge of things such as medicine and nature. That is, except for when it benefits the Eingardians and their own methods prove fruitless. The demonization of the Oluso and the relative deification of the Eingardians even permeates the Oluso community. There are examples of colorism and attempts to try to "fit in" with the Eingardians by lightening skin or ironing hair.

FORGED BY BLOOD is easy and straight forward to read. At times, though, I found the writing style a bit too plain and matter-of-fact for my preferences. Additionally, it reads as more of a Young Adult novel despite its Adult marketing in the U.S. Dèmi, the female main character, is 17 and what transpires feels more like a coming-of-age story that transitions into one that challenges authority. Some events also came together a little too easily. There were several instances where something became difficult, but conveniently another kind of ability presented itself for utilization. However, I appreciated the nuance of Jonas's character, who is the Aje prince of the Eingardians. It's not possible to share more details without including spoilers. But suffice it to say that allyship can also come from outside one's culture.

Overall, FORGED BY BLOOD is a pertinent statement about racism and colonialism wrapped in an approachable fantasy format. Those who enjoy Nnedi Okorafor's The Nsibidi Scripts series, which includes Akata Witch, will no doubt appreciate Okosun's debut novel.

[Review will be published on July 27 at https://aliteraryescape.com/2023/07/27/arc-review-forged-by-blood-by-ehigbor-okosun/]

Forged by Blood: Tainted Blood Duology Book 1 by Ehigbor Okosun is an epic fantasy that takes readers on a journey filled with rebellion, redemption, and intriguing magical elements. Set in a world plagued by a tyrannical regime and political invasion, the story follows Dèmi as she strives to survive amidst the challenges posed by the nonmagical Ajes, the oppressive King's brutal genocide, and her own formidable blood magic.

The novel excels in crafting a rich and immersive world, bringing to life the ancestral homeland of Ife with its diverse characters and intricate political landscape. Dèmi's quest for vengeance after her mother's tragic death adds a compelling layer of depth to her character, driving the plot forward with gripping intensity.

The dynamic relationships between Dèmi, the Aje prince Jonas, and her childhood friend Colin are skillfully explored, blending forbidden romance with conflicting loyalties. As they embark on a joint mission to challenge the system designed to silence the Oluso, the stakes are raised, and the narrative becomes increasingly riveting.

Ehigbor Okosun's writing showcases an enthusiastic and emerging voice, delivering a captivating tale that delves into themes of race, class, love, trust, and betrayal. Overall, Forged by Blood shines as a five-star read, offering an epic fantasy experience that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Tainted Blood Duology.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

I'm a sucker for fantasy novels, especially those with Yoruba and other African elements after reading Children of Blood and Bone and the Gilded Ones...so I was super happy to receive this arc. Demi is an Oluso, one with magic in their blood in a government where that basically means death now if anyone figures it out. After misplacing her trust as a child and getting her mother killed, there is a time flash forward to Demi as an adult and now tasked with kidnapping the prince to help free her people from enslavement and colonialism and death. This book kept me hooked throughout it with all of the action and the folklore and oh my GOD THE TWISTS. I truly did not see the last 25% of the book coming.

There are some major tropes including love triangle, fated mates, and betrayals, along with some pretty well-done plot elements BUT I still loved this and can't wait for the next one in the duology.

4 Stars

A magical fantasy with a powerful fmc.

The first 50% of this was wonderfully paced and I was loving it. Things got a bit convoluted in the middle 50-80%, with too many new characters and almost needless plot twists/new information/monologues. Where it got kind of confusing.

The ending was actually pretty epic, and had me hooked.

Overall I enjoyed this book and am excited to read the sequel!

Dèmi has lived most of her life on the run. Ever since her mother died before her eyes, trying to protect Dèmi from those who wished to cause her harm, she has known little more than fear. In a kingdom where people like her, those with magic, are hunted down, captured, and killed, she has little reason to hope. But when someone pulls her into a plan, she dares to begin to believe again. The entire plan hinges on capturing the prince of the kingdom, and with her magic, Dèmi is confident that she will succeed. But when she learns that the prince is none other than the boy she trusted and who got her mother killed years ago, her whole worldview shifts.

I received an advanced reading copy of Forged by Blood in exchange for an honest review.

Forged by Blood is a fantasy novel by Ehigbor Okosun. It’s a novel that is technically adult, but it very much has crossover potential into young adult, especially considering the ages of the protagonists. Dèmi is in her late teens in this book, from what I could tell, and I believe a few of the other characters are too.

Quick mention of some content warnings, before I go into the review. This book contains mentions or descriptions of racism, rape, slavery, abuse, suicide, and violence. Please be aware of these before picking the book up.

Forged by Blood throws the reader into a world where magic is very real, and very feared. I love when authors give us such a rich history in the setting of the world they create, and Okosun definitely delivered with it! This kingdom is one of many cultures and traditions, but they all share one common history, and it’s one where magic users used their magic to hurt people and thus became incredibly feared. But also, once they did that, they also lost their magic and their minds. And this is such a great detail! It really limits what the magical protagonists can do, when you know they can’t kill with magic, and if/when they do (of course I won’t say if they do in this book, that would be a major spoiler), it’s something that is not done lightly. Even moments when characters consider it, there is so much weight to it, because the reader knows exactly what they’re risking, should they go through with it. Honestly, this limitation on their magic was one of my favorite parts of this book.

One of my other favorite parts of this book was Colin. Colin is a secondary character, who joins Dèmi on her adventures. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say this, since I feel like the summary of the book above would let most fantasy-readers know what inevitably happens between Dèmi and the prince (it’s an enemies-to-lovers thing), but Colin is her friend who sticks by her and who is also in love with her (love triangle). I know the story is focused more on Dèmi and the prince, but I found that Colin had a much more interesting arc, especially with some great twists at the end, and I’m definitely interested to see more of him in the sequel. I’m probably in the minority here, but I just really loved those twists, and I might have to go back and read his scenes, just to see them from my new understanding of him and what he’s been through.

Oh yeah, there’s going to be a sequel! But before I talk about that, I should probably also mention the plot, huh? The plot was incredibly fast-paced. It was amazing just how much happened inside these 400ish pages. I know 400 pages sound like a lot, but trust me, when you have this much story happening in there, I am actually amazed looking back. For readers who love to have so much stuff happening, and a plot that never slows down, this would be a fantastic read! And when it ends, it does a good job of closing off enough plot points so that, if you wanted to, you could just stop reading there without having to pick up the sequel. I, however, will definitely have to pick up the second book once it comes out!

Forged by Blood is a great read for those who enjoy fast-paced plots; tropes such as enemies-to-lovers, love triangles, and fated mates (yup, that’s in here too!); and magic with interesting rules.

Forged by Blood will be released on August 8. You can pre-order your copy from Harper Voyager here.

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and now that I’ve read it I can say that it fulfilled my expectations. I caught myself reading deep into the night. Not once while reading this book did I remember that it was a debut novel, simply because it did not read like one. There was a twist at every turn. I found that while I wasn’t reading the book I was thinking about the book, if I wasn’t thinking about the book, I was talking about the book. I can not wait for the second. Much more for this book to get released into the world! This fantasy YA novel is based in Nigerian mythology blended with wonderful world building, well developed characters, a love triangle to die for, and a unique magic system. As for notes to the future readers, this book touches on colonialism, racism, and slavery, but it was all well handled. If you like stories that intricate stories that weave through generations of powerful people, you’ll love this.

4.8 / 5.0 This story is a rich and beautiful tapestry. Magic and love and freedom and hate. I did not know what I was getting into but after the first chapter I was absolutely willing to continue. The world is so rich and masterfully built with tradition and politics woven together brilliantly.

The FMC is flawed but focused on her tasks. She and those surrounding her are written with such depth that when they choose a course of action the reader can see how it is within their characters to do so. There are many secrets being kept too, and the story ends with a sigh and a pause, intermission to the entire production, that has the reader anticipating the next book while being completely satisfied with this one.

I loved it and will definitely read the next one. Because of the violence and political intrigue, I would classify this as an Older Young Adult or New Adult fantasy. It also echos many of the themes and struggles of modern society, giving voice to the changes needed if true equality is ever going to exist.

Please read this book, it is worth your time and attention.

Until Next Time
MC

I reviewed an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion on NetGalley.

This book was PACKED with action, which I love in a story. I felt like I was sprinting through it at times. I liked our main character, who was a total badass. I’m not a huge fan of the love triangle trope but I did enjoy Okosun’s version of it! I’m excited to see where book 2 goes. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc.

It is always so refreshing to read fantasy that develops on non-Eurocentric mythologies and traditions! The writing style is a little uneven for me, but in a way I find is common among YA fantasy and mostly sticks out to me when I’ve been reading a lot of high fantasy. It’s is a stunning debut though from Ehigbor and I believe she will be a strong voice in the genre for years to come.

This was a very interesting and unique fantasy with heavy influence from Nigerian mythology. I loved how this book incorporated mythology with a coming of age adventure and a love triangle. The author is a wonderful storyteller and did a fantastic job weaving this tale.

Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun is a captivating epic fantasy that takes readers on a thrilling journey through a world plagued by tyranny, political intrigue, and magical power. Set in the richly imagined realm of Ife, the story follows Dèmi, a young woman grappling with her identity and fighting for survival in the face of oppression and genocide.

The world-building in Forged by Blood is masterfully crafted, immersing readers in a society torn apart by racial and magical divides. The nonmagical Ajes' occupation of Ife and the brutal genocide of the Oluso, the darker-skinned magic wielders, create a tense and gripping backdrop for the story. Okosun skillfully weaves themes of race, class, and power dynamics into the narrative, making it not only a fantastical adventure but also a thought-provoking exploration of real-world issues.

Dèmi's journey is the heart of the novel, and she is a compelling and multi-faceted protagonist. Her desire to survive and protect her people is evident, and her growth throughout the story is both believable and empowering. As she navigates the treacherous path of vengeance, Dèmi's character evolves, and readers are drawn into her struggle to control her formidable blood magic while maintaining her humanity.

The dynamics between the characters are a highlight of the book, particularly the complex relationship between Dèmi, Jonas, and Colin. The forbidden attraction that develops between Dèmi and Jonas adds a layer of tension and emotion to the narrative, as their bond becomes inseparable from their shared mission. The moral dilemmas they face and the trust they must place in each other add depth to their individual arcs and the overall plot.

The pacing of the story is generally well-handled, with moments of intense action interspersed with introspective moments that allow readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The plot twists and turns keep the reader engaged, as the trio faces unexpected challenges and betrayals along their journey.

As an emerging voice in the genre, Ehigbor Okosun demonstrates a talent for storytelling, weaving together a tale of rebellion, redemption, and self-discovery. However, there are instances where certain plot elements could have been further explored, and additional depth could have been given to some secondary characters.

In conclusion, Forged by Blood is an enthralling and thought-provoking epic fantasy that delivers a powerful message about resilience, identity, and the bonds that form in the face of adversity. With its rich world-building, well-developed characters, and themes that mirror real-world complexities, this book is sure to resonate with fans of fantasy and social commentary alike. Ehigbor Okosun proves to be an exciting new voice in the genre, and I eagerly anticipate more from this promising author.

First of all, I am so happy to read more diverse fantasies that center mythology and lore that isn't Eurocentric. This debut is another stunning addition to that effort and I'm glad to see it! Forged by Blood unapologetically weaves African (or in this case more specifically, Nigerian) folk tales. It does not shy away from discussing colonialism, racism, xenophobia, child abuse, and more, all while telling a story filled with magic and powerful women.

However I have mixed feelings on the execution of this book, as it's pacing and tone weren't exactly my favorite. There is SO MUCH happening constantly, I feel like we never got a chance to breathe and just let characters develop. Demi is a FMC I was both rooting for and frustrated by. Her decision-making skills had me worried. And finally, two of the main tropes that really took me out of this book was the love triangle AND fated mates.

So in this case, my rating reflects more of a "It's not you, it's me" scenario. I highly recommend picking up this book regardless and experiencing the magic for yourself!

4 stars This was well written and brought African mythology to the forefront. The Magic system is well written and has drawn a Ka that it needs for the story to work. The only thing that needed improvement was how we the readers get pulled from one plot to another without an explanation for a good chunk of the book. Everything looks like it is being set up to be resolved in the sequel.

2.5 ⭐️

This is not terrible in terms of a debut writer. Ehigbor Okosun can write and has a great imagination. She has lots of potential.

Unfortunately this book just did not work for me to the point where I considered DNFing it. There were some parts that were so cringey. But there were aspects I did like.

What I liked: the world building. It was interesting and not an info dump. I can appreciate that. She weaved it into the story. I also really liked the magical system and thought it was interesting though there were times I was confused. This book would benefit greatly with an index/glossary Bea sue there were so many terms and I honestly had a hard time remembering them all and their meanings.

What I didn’t like: the main character did annoy me at times because her decisions just didn’t make sense, but I can understand why she made certain decisions.

The love triangle.. I’m already not a huge fan of these tbh. I can handle love triangles if they’re done really well and I’m this case, it’s a negative. Not to mention the one trope I usually don’t really mind, but just did not work in this book. I needed more context as to why this is a thing in this world.

The pacing and inconsistencies. There were times that I was just bored and wanted to skim through and then there were times I wish we could slow it down.. the ending just seemed so rushed.

I’m hoping the next book will tackle all the questions that arose towards the last 25%.

Do I recommend this book? Maybe. Someone out there will like this. It’s a fresh fantasy with violence and war, magic and romance, enemies and betrayals. I just don’t think this book is for me. There were certain scenes I did enjoy though so there’s something for everyone.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Net Galley and Harper Collins for the advanced reader copy. This is a 3.75 rounded up to 4. I rounded it up because I'm old and not the target audience.

Demí is a magic user. After healing a colonialist's kid(Jonah), her mother is killed. Demí is betrayed by a new friend, and she is forced to take a life debt to live. Fast forward 9 years, Demí is forced to kidnap her betrayer and go on a quest to save her people and her family.

This reads like an entertaining YA. If you like love triangles, fated mates, inventive African worlds, interesting revenge plotlines, and magic, you might enjoy this book. It was a fun read, and I can't wait for book two.

It does cover colonialism, racism, xenophobia, slavery, child abuse, rand marginalization. Please check content warnings.

Rating 3.5 (rounded up to 4)

“𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒖𝒑; 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.”

𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨:
When I was asked to review this book, I was so excited because I love fantasy books. I recently have been specifically loving Fantasy books based around African folk tales or, in this instance, Nigerian Folktales, and this book definitely came out swinging! The book started very strong, at 5% in; I just knew that it would be my new obsession; however, it just didn't seem to follow through completely.

The world-building was great, and I was sucked into the political and social aspects of everything. However, toward the middle of the book, I got lost; there was so much going on it was hard to keep up. I mean, this book is ACTION PACKED, to say the least, but it also felt like there wasn't much room or time to process events because there was always something going on. I’d also say that I was not the biggest fan of the FMC as she was just very naïve, which made her hard to like at times because her decisions just did not make sense to me ( idk sometimes violence IS the answer🤷🏽‍♀️). Despite all of that, I still could not seem to put the book down. Something just kept me wanting to read and see where the story goes, so overall, I’d say it was a pretty good time for me, and I am interested to see where the second book in the duology goes from here.

Thank you, @harpercollins, for reaching out about this book & @netgalley for providing the Ebook.

𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕊𝕪𝕟𝕠𝕡𝕤𝕚𝕤:
Demi is a magic-wielding Oluso who has to avoid suspicion of the nonmagical Ajes who occupy her ancestral homeland and the King’s brutal genocide of her people. All Demi wants to do is survive, but when Dèmi’s misplaced trust costs her mother’s life, survival gives way to vengeance. She bides her time until the devious Lord Ekwensi grants her the perfect opportunity—kidnap the Aje prince, Jonas, and bargain with his life to save the remaining Oluso. But what happens when shared secrets and a mated bond gets in the way of Demi’s plans?


Release date: August 8th, 2023