Love the way that Nigerian mythology is woven throughout the story. Culture is very important and stories like this making learning about them relevant. A five star for me.

Forged by Blood is the story of Dèmi. Tasked by the mysterious Lord Ekwensi to kidnap Jonas, the prince and next in line to the throne. Dèmi is a magic user, called an Oluso, and throughout the kingdom, Oluso are faced with hatred and discrimination. Dèmi is determined to help her people, no matter what it takes.

The world that Ehigbor Okosun has created is vibrant and inspired by Nigerian mythology. The different creatures encountered were interesting. While the magic of the Oluso isn’t necessarily unique, I thought that the lore behind it and the story of their people was well done.

This was a very fast paced and action packed read. I would say that the pace could be seen as a negative to some readers, as I personally felt like I was hit with reveal after reveal, horrible tragedy after horrible tragedy; I would’ve like a teensy bit more breathing room.

Overall, I would recommend this to a reader who is looking for a darker read; there aren’t many happy moments to be found, and the Oluso really go through awful things. I’m interested in seeing how the second book will tie up the loose ends.

There is excellent world-building here, and so much potential for the story. Unfortunately, I found myself often confused or frustrated.

For example, in the first chapter the main character and her mother are using magic to heal a boy. They kept using the word "boy" so I pictured a little boy, perhaps age six or seven -- I pictured someone small enough to be moved around. But halfway through the chapter, when he wakes and speaks with the main character, I realize he's actually older than that, perhaps even a teenager. At that point I even begin questioning the age of the protagonist, which isn't immediately clear.

The confusion combined with the somewhat clunky exposition and jerky pacing was making for a choppy reading experience overall, and I had to put it down.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperVoyager for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Dnf’d at 30%
This is a good YA fantasy, but I’ve realized YA fantasy no longer interests me. The writing is great, easy to read and descriptive, though it does have the common sci-fi/fantasy problem where there’s not enough context to always tell what differently named tools/words do or mean. But this is a fairly minor problem.
The story is well-paced and there are a lot of like-able characters. As for the magic system, it’s based around gods and morality. There is no lack of diversity in this book, which is nice, and though the plot is not really groundbreaking, the setting is interesting and immersive. Fans of YA fantasy would likely enjoy this book.

An interesting read for people that are into African magic! The reader goes on a journey with the main character, Demi, as she is determined to rescue her people, the Oslo, from the Eingardians. With the help of Jonas, she will try to get the kingdom to see that they cannot continue to abuse and murder magic users.

My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In “Forged by Blood,” young Demi has healing powers that are both feared and coveted by the society around her. Those with powers are darker-skinned and have been oppressed and killed by their lighter-skinned, nonmagical counterparts. Demi and her mother live in hiding until a young prince befriends and betrays Demi, resulting in her mother’s death. Years later, Demi has the opportunity to use that same prince as a bargaining chip to win freedom for her people.

This book featured rich world building and setting with a very interesting magic system. However, the bland cast of characters in a predictable plot line made it impossible to invest in the story. My greatest struggle with this book was the way in which the text constantly circled between the past and the present. The exposition was so clunkily delivered, it robbed the text of any sense of direction and momentum. It also took entirely too long for the real action to start, and good worldbuilding can only carry a book so far.

The writing style did not work for me. The writing style felt a bit rushed and I just was not compelled to keep reading. It may work for others, as there is real talent in the world building.

this was a really good! I liked the characters, and they were super well-developed. the plot was super cool and fun to read, and the writing was also smooth and easy to understand
highly recommend

I have never read this author before but the premise attracted me. The author has created a vibrant world here of magic and misery, oppression and rebellion. It is deeply rooted in Yoruba culture with northern Caucasian types as both the villains and potential allies. The main character is a magic user in a land conquered by northern oppressors. The King of them having declared magic anathema and evil and rooting out and destroying her people and trying to grind out their way of life. I cannot begin to describe the beauty of the mythology in this story. I bleed for the heroine in her struggles to stay alive and free. The clothing, food and descriptions had me scanning my online dictionary several times and my West African cookbook several others. I loved it. This book had me so excited from beginning to end. If you love magic, rebels and the joys of new mythos to emerge yourself in then this book is definitely for you. I thank netgallery for making a copy free for me to read in exchange for an honest review.

Ehigbor Okosun’s debut novel, Forged By Blood, is a promising beginning to an excellent duology. The book is filled with intricate world-building, including customs and traditions that transport readers into the story’s setting, making them feel as though they are walking alongside the characters. Furthermore, I have never read another book that draws inspiration from Nigerian mythology . Therefore Forged By Blood was truly a refreshing and original book. With its fast-paced and action-packed plot, it is a thrilling read that is brimming with unexpected twists and turns. The book’s suspenseful and intriguing storyline will keep readers on the edge of their seats until its very last page.

Being a woman of color myself, I eagerly anticipate reading literature penned by fellow female writers of color, especially debut authors. Therefore, I sincerely hope that Ehigbor will regard my feedback as constructive criticism, rather than an affront to her writing abilities because she truly is a gifted writer.

Despite my appreciation for the novel’s rich world-building, dynamic plot twists, numerous character arcs, and action-packed scenes, I found myself frequently experiencing a sense of frustration while reading it. In my opinion, I felt as though the author attempted to incorporate an excessive amount of information and story into this book, resulting in a rushed and occasionally bewildering reading experience.

I found myself confused by the magic system in the book, as it was never adequately explained. Additionally, the characters seemed to utilize magic in some situations while disregarding its existence in others, leading to further perplexity on my part. The plot at times was flimsy and unconvincing. I found the justifications provided for certain characters’ behavior to be questionable, leaving me feeling dissatisfied with the story’s development.

Although I greatly appreciated the author’s realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by people of color and the devastating impact of racism, I was disappointed by the lack of unity and action displayed by the community in the face of oppression. Rather than taking a stand against their oppressors, the characters often appeared to simply voice their grievances without actively pursuing change. Furthermore, even when the characters did attempt to formulate plans of resistance, it felt as though they were hastily put together with no clear or effective long-term strategy in place.

Demi often acted impulsively, disregarding the potential impact of her actions on both her loved ones and the broader community. Despite being aware of the consequences of her behavior, she frequently made decisions without due consideration for the ramifications. I would have defenitely liked to see more character growth in her as the story progressed.

I must admit, I was not particularly fond of Jonas’ character, and I found it challenging to believe that Demi could fall in love with him so quickly and easily after harboring such deep-seated animosity towards him for years. Their romance was lackluster and held no real depth.

Despite my frequent frustrations with the narrative, I still found myself engrossed in the story’s peaks and valleys because the world building was brilliant and I am eager to read the forthcoming installment.

What a stunning and powerful debut. The magic. The story. The world building. The grief. Wow. It was beautiful.

I read an eARC of Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun. Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this opportunity.

This book was both traumatizing and so much action fun!

The book starts when Demi is little, helping her mother with healing a little boy whose mother is both frantic to have him saved, and hates that she has to ask help from “people like them”, and keeps threatening them then breaking down as she asks for help. In this world people connected to the spirits and able to use magic that way, are vilified, hunted down, and executed. Demi wants to give back the woman’s gold and make her leave, but her mother is intent on healing the boy despite his mother’s attitude.

After the healing, Demi stays with the boy while both women go their separate ways while he recovers afterward. She learns that the reason he went into the dangerous forest where he was poisoned was to get his mother’s favorite flower, a violet. He explains that she’s sick, and he wanted to get something to make her happy and the woman who brought him is simply the person who looks after him. They bond as he seems open to learning about her and her people.

But then, when they go back home, soldiers show up to arrest her mother and her. Demi runs to her mother, grabbing her and telling her they both have to run. That’s when a woman captain shows up, and at first, it looks like she might disperse the tension and let Demi and her mother get away long enough to start running, but then she recognizes Demi’s mother, and in a series of devastating twists and turns, Demi’s mother is killed, Demi thinks she killed someone, something that can make people with connections to the spirits go insane, and she limps into the dangerous forest wounded and poisoned, and close to death.

Years later she has trained under a skilled fighter with the teleporter and rebel Colin. After kidnapping two slaves that like her have connections to the spirits in order to free them, she is tasked by Lord Ekwensi to kidnap the King’s nephew and then return him to the king to make him look better to the King and hopefully put Lord Ekwensi better in his eyes so he can better support their people.

Demi agrees, and the real story really begins. The story is amazing, a few slower parts, especially when they’re in the forest, but overall a great ride with amazing heart-wrenching moments. The love triangle is silly, but it’s meant to symbolize two different choices in her life, but whom she’s going to choose is obvious from the start.

I loved it. There’s this point in the story where I realized Demi’s life could have been different and I wanted to write fanfiction about the moment, and I realized then how invested I was not only in these characters but the plot and how all the characters are effecting the plot and how different actions are effecting the plot, and I know this sounds standard, but while I read a lot, there’s not a lot of books that make me care that much about every aspect of the book. A lot of time I’ll just like the characters or the plot or even the magical system, or even if I like all of these, I’ll be more interested in one part.

So, yes, I say read this book. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Wow! This book was amazing! I am avid reading but since the beginning of the year I’ve felt like I was in a book slump. I’ve read some pretty good book but haven’t gotten the usual enjoyment from them. This book changed that. I was sucked it from the beginning. Sounds cliche but there was never a dull moment. I enjoyed the storytelling. The author did a great job with helping me feel the emotions of the characters and feel emerged in the world. If you’re a fan of Children of Blood and Bone or Legendborn I would recommend giving this a go.

My Ranking: 5 stars

*** I received a digital copy on Netgalley*** I am absolutely blown away that this is a debut book. It is PURE MAGIC. I loved this book from the start and it held my interest the entire way through! I loved ALL the characters. Demi was such a well-rounded character. She had her faults but still wanted better for her people. This would make such an epic movie! I also LOVE Jonas. I can’t say enough about this book. The world-building was fantastic. I’ve never read a book like this. The Authors' imagery was just spot on. Her ability to put you right there in the story was just top-notch. I don’t give 5 stars out very often but this one is VERY VERY well deserved. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one. Once this book is released I will most definitely keep it stocked in my bookstore!

Ehigbor Okosun does a MAGNIFICENT job as a storyteller.

Forged by Blood is not told by that of a novice, but of a true "WORDSMITH"

Okosun surprised me when I read this was her debut novel, many Kudos to her.

This book is so beautiful and magical if you just pay attention to what Okosun is trying to say.

I am hoping that there is a second book because I am curious to see if Colin will be right or wrong.

Also to see if the prophecy (one will lead to despair, one will lead to death) has truly been fulfilled yet or not.

I personally do not think it has happened yet.

If you are looking for an action-packed, magical, fantastical amazing book, then look no further.

Because on 08 August 2023 Ehigbor Okosuns book, Forged by Blood drops and you HAVE to get it.

This is a must-buy in hardcover for me!

EXCELLENT!!!

LISTOPIA 2023

Thank you, NetGalley/Ehigbor Okosun/Avon and Harper Voyager.Harper Voyager/ For this "MESMERIZING" eARC for my honest review. My opinions are of my own volition.

I wanted to enjoy this but overall found the story, characters, and plot to be something not what I was longing for or one that I would pick back up.

We open to a life-or-death scene meant to invoke feeling and care, but unfortunately I have no reason to feel invested in the characters because it’s literally the first moment. It feels like this should be a book 2, and maybe I missed something? I do appreciate opening books with action scenes, but this is reactive instead of proactive with nothing they can actually do to fix the situation.

I did continue reading but then it started to feel like an information dump. I just wasn’t here for it. I stopped at 5%.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.

Ehigbor Okosun’s debut novel gives the reader action, adventure, magic, and more. Our main character Demi is Oluso, which means she has magical powers, but it also means that she is in danger every day of her life. Magic has been outlawed, and her mere existence is illegal. The story follows Demi as she violently loses her mother, a healer in their community, and has to find a new family to call her own. She finds a close circle of friends and found family and is living her life in a new place, haunted by her past. After a daring rescue, she is approached with an offer to help gain peace and freedom for the Oluso and all she has to do is kidnap the prince. And off we go - Demi begins this quest and encounters soldiers hunting her and her companions, other Oluso and magical beings, and enough adventure to keep you turning the pages.
I found the bones of this story intriguing, and I felt compelled to know what happened. However, it did have two of my least favorite tropes in books: a love triangle and mates. And I felt confused at times by the properties and parameters of the magic and the politics of the fictional kingdom. I did find myself rooting for Demi and her journey, and it is always great to add another voice to young adult fantasy, especially one that brings diversity to the genre and broadens the scope of worlds, myths, and folklore. I would recommend this to someone who has read and enjoyed Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and/or Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake.

This book and author are ones to watch. Forged by Blood was so incredibly magical and diverse. I adored each page from begining to end. Okosun weaved such an incredible story and made me a fan of mythology I haven't had exposure to. I look forward to the conclusion of this duology.

Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun is very well-written and poignant. It had me hooked from the beginning!