Huge thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me to read this early!

This captured me from the very start! The writing is absolutely beautiful and the characters feel real and dynamic. The magic system is based on Nigerian Mythology, which is something I know nothing about, so having this introduction was really great! The explanations of the magic system were very well fleshed out and were the driving force for the entire story.

I cannot wait for book two!

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dèmi, a young magic-wielding warrior, sets out on a mission in this debut fantasy novel.
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Like most fantasy, this novel is half fantastical magic and lore, and half real-life sociopolitical commentary. The fantasy side has everything one would want: magic, MMA-style warfare, and mythical creatures. And the reality side has commentary on racism, corruptive power, and other oppressive ideals.
The setting is really great. It’s based off of the mythologies of Okosun’s Nigerian background, and it seems to have some medieval and Roman influences as well.
One miss for me, though, is the contrived nature of the plot. It kind of felt like bits and pieces were taken from other fantasies and thrown at the wall to see what would stick. In other words, the plot outline was kind of choppy and didn’t standout as its own refined, unique piece of work. It’s an enjoyable read nonetheless!

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dèmi is a classic YA fantasy heroine, for better and worse. For better, she’s admirable in her pursuits in a way that feels authentic to the character; she’s tough and kindhearted without feeling fake or too perfect. For worse, Dèmi didn’t extrapolate enough on other characters; my read on her friends/enemies was limited to what she shares, but Dèmi as a narrator made it harder for me to understand others’ motivations and actions.
I was also kind of surprised and disappointed that there aren’t more female characters. Other than Dèmi, it kind of feels like all of the other important characters are males.
Also, I don’t like love triangles, so this aspect really threw me off and disappointed. Especially because the two love interests feel strangely similar, which is to say, simple: nice, moral, tough, and that’s it. Though I’ll say I love the vulnerable and gentle sides to the male characters.
But in all, I’m excited to see how the characters develop in the sequel.

Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The figurative language is gorgeous and enjoyable to read. Okosun writes prose that enhances and complements the plot.
Furthermore, there are SO many important nuggets of truth in this novel that parallel the real world: tyranny (and colonialism?), racism (specifically anti-Blackness), and a general fear of those who are different. Most accurately, it’s clear that Okosun uses her Nigerian background - specifically the mythologies of her culture - to bring to life the story and its messages.
On a more critical side: I don’t usually say this, but I think this story actually went TOO fast. Not that the plot goes fast (which is generally a good thing), but that the writing is quickened; instead of things developing naturally and being explained thoroughly, it feels rushed or as if pieces are missing. Part of this is that descriptions are lacking. I love imagining a story in my head, but usually this requires some level of description as the basis for what I’m seeing. But there aren’t enough descriptions of people or places - I couldn’t always tell what was happening or exactly where they were within or between scenes.

Recommended to fans of fantasy, especially BIPOC fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Ehigbor Okuson for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fine. I’d place it somewhere between YA and NA, mostly due to violence, although the violent scenes are not at all graphic.

The first half of the book, where the story and world are being built up and the characters are developing is great. But towards the end it starts to get rushed and there’s quite a few YA fantasy cliches and tropes and some of them left me feeling like I missed something, but I really don’t think that I did.

I will likely still read the sequel just to see how it plays out.

Forged by Blood is an decent debut novel, but there were quite a few things I didn't like.

The good, it had fabulous world building. The magical creatures she encounters were fascinating. The magic system is easy to understand. I think my favorite part of this book was reading about the magical creatures they encountered in the forest. They were so fascinating.

There were also moments where the authors words really resonated with me when they spoke about injustice, colonialism, and discrimination. There is heavy topics in this book but if you're like me and enjoy thinking about social issues than you will perhaps also enjoy these parts of the book.

Now, the things I didn't like. I think mostly these things are just personal preference. So I really don't like the mates trope and this book had it but then there's also a love triangle. It just doesn't make sense to me because if she has a mate she's destined to be with what's the point of the other love interest? I like love triangles if they are done well and unfortunately I don't think it was done well here. One is her friend and the other the prince she met as a child, but then didn't see him again until years later. I mean none of the relationships here were explored enough for me to like any of them. It's insta love with the prince and everything with the friend is confusing because in the very beginning she says she doesn't see him like that and then she kisses him, but then she's professing her love for the prince. It's all so weird.

I think I'm at a point where I don't want to read about the oppressed "taking the higher ground" and not violently overthrowing those that enslaved, killed, and r**** them. I want anger! I want revenge! I want a vengeful MC that's ready to do what it takes to end the violence even if it means more violence. Morals be damned. That's not what we get here and I was just disappointed. I think after reading Iron Widow I just want more characters like that MC.

Then I take issue with her giving up the throne she rightfully won. Why give her power if you're going to take it away before she can even do anything with it?

Thanks netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun was a great read filled with rich history and story telling that just keeps you going

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this book.

DNF at 62%

This debut novel has wonderful world building and an interesting magic system. However, it very much reads like a debut novel. The chemistry between the characters is very forced, the plot line is very predictable, and our main character is so stubborn and refusing to learn from the mistakes she is currently making it feels repetitive.

The intro is very captivating, but in the first four chapters we are constantly reminded that Dèmi is eight years old, it is reinforced over and over. She even pees herself to show how much of a young child she is. Yet this eight year old is capable of murder, and while it’s absolutely possible it definitely threw me off.

There are also many times where we are getting info dumped in the middle of an action scene which completely takes away from the scene and yanks the reader out of that moment.

This book definitely has potential and I do see myself eventually finishing it, Ehigbor Okoson is extremely talented and I look forward to the potential she unleashed in her future works.

4.25/5 stars! This cover gave me absolute life and I was so excited to read this debut novel by author Ehigbor Okosun. There is beautiful POC representation in this novel and every page of this book had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The world-building is stunning and I adore Demi. I did struggle at times with a lack of depth for some of the characters. But for a debut, this was expertly written.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

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

Ehigbor Okosun has a great start to the Tainted Blood Duology, it had what I was looking for from this type of book. I was invested in what was going on in the world and getting to go on this journey in it. The characters were unique and I'm glad I got to know them through this book. I'm excited to read where this series goes.

"My mind flashes to the woman in the market, her ugly smirk mocking me even now. I feel a small swell of satisfaction from having resisted buying her cream. With the venom she was spewing, it probably would have poisoned me. Will’s voice gets quieter, so faint I can hardly hear it. “What if I said your informant was mistaken? What would you say to that?”

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!