In "Blood Scion" by Deborah Falaye, the story follows Sloane, a young Scion with magical powers living in a land run by tyrants who draft young soldiers to exterminate all Scions. When Sloane gets drafted, she uses the opportunity to uncover the truth about her mother's disappearance and fight against injustice from within the oppressive system. The plot intertwines elements of war movies, explores themes of survival and resilience, and delves into the brutal realities faced by Sloane as she navigates a world filled with secrets, betrayal, and sacrifices.

As Sloane faces the challenges of surviving brutal boot camp while concealing her magical abilities, she must confront the harsh realities of her existence as a Scion in a society that seeks to eradicate her kind. Through a blend of Yoruba religious mythology, political commentary, and emotional depth, the narrative unfolds with gripping tension and poignant moments that highlight Sloane's journey of self-discovery, resistance, and the complexities of navigating a world filled with violence, loss, and hope.

Characters:

Characters are nuanced, especially Sloane, who is portrayed with resilience and complexity amidst themes of guilt and betrayal.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is emotionally engaging, with exquisite world-building and vivid imagery that captures the story's grim essence.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot artfully intertwines survival themes with military challenges, exploring Sloane's struggle to maintain her identity and powers amidst brutality.

Setting:

The setting is a fictional world grounded in reality, characterized by a brutal military atmosphere infused with rich cultural elements.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast, filled with action and unexpected twists, keeping readers engaged and on edge.

Notes:

Sloane is a young woman who is searching for evidence of her mother's disappearance in unmarked graves.

She has magical powers as a Scion, a descendant of Orisha gods, which she has to keep secret.

Sloane is drafted into a brutal army where child soldiers are common.

She faces a bully, Malachi, who wants revenge on her for an accident that killed his family.

The story is filled with action, twists, and explores themes of survival and sacrifice.

Sloane's world is brutal, and she must make difficult choices to survive.

The book has been compared to popular series like Hunger Games and Divergent.

Falaye's storytelling is recognized for its emotional depth and cultural relevance.

The narrative includes elements of Yoruba religious mythology.

The book has received positive reviews for its compelling characters and engaging plot.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings are high due to themes of violence, child soldiers, abduction, trauma, grief, and abuse.

From The Publisher:

"Equal parts soaring fantasy, heart-pounding action, and bloody social commentary, Blood Scion is a triumph of a book." -Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times bestselling author of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

This is what they deserve.

They wanted me to be a monster.

I will be the worst monster they ever created.

Fifteen-year-old Sloane can incinerate an enemy at will-she is a Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods.

Under the Lucis' brutal rule, her identity means her death if her powers are discovered. But when she is forcibly conscripted into the Lucis army on her fifteenth birthday, Sloane sees a new opportunity: to overcome the bloody challenges of Lucis training, and destroy them from within.

Following one girl's journey of magic, injustice, power, and revenge, Deborah Falaye's debut novel, inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, is a magnetic combination of Children of Blood and Bone and An Ember in the Ashes.

Reader Stats (10):

Want To Read (8)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (1)

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Blood Scion

Deborah Falaye

Book 1 in the series:Blood Scion