My Reading Response to Children of Blood and Bone

My initial thought of Children of Blood and Bone was that it wasn’t going something I like or enjoy to read. Hey, but thats why people said don’t judge a book by its cover. For starters, I was truly amazed on how it captivated me in the first chapter. Without knowing anything about the world or its people it brought you in as soon as you read the first couple of pages. Though meant for younger audiences, the book’s writing style and world really captivated me and made me want to dive deeper into the story. I was surprised on how they utilized magic in the novel and I like how they utilized things like white hair to symbolize the ability to use magic in this world, it was quite unique.

I believe a lot of what I felt about this novel is attributed to the rhetoric and writing style of the author. Many motifs and devices were used to have me relate to many of the characters and feel their struggle as they experience it. For example, the author utilizes pathos in the moments when Zelie’s father is drowning to reveal the dread and suffering Zelie feels as her father’s life is at risk. This allows us to live through that moment with her and understand the weight of the situation and her actions as she neglects her duties to watch over her father. I also think the author’s message and use of kairos mingles very well as in chapter 1 and 3 it connects the story of the Magi and how the people grow to fear them. In chapter 1, Mama explains the ordeal the diviners face as the Magi were taken from their families and sent off to camps in fear of their powers. This is then reinforced in chapter 3 as the royal family and especially King Savan as the royal family avidly tries to hide their diviner ancestry and the king slays the princess’ fellow friend as her magic is unlocked at the touch of the relic. This really brings out the message of fear the people have of the Magi and how they are condemned in their society. I feel that this novel will continue to get more intriguing and continue to captivate me if I keep reading. The story is great and is comparable to the The Lightning Thief in enjoyability.