Absolutely fantastic , such a unique fantasy. This is a wonderfully immersive read, with creative world building and magic systems, nice romance plot and a storyline that was interesting enough for me to not want to put the book down. Brilliant

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

Prelims 5 star next on list to be read.
Update with full review to come
I also have the fairyloot and omnicrate version of this book!

I was VERY excited for this one! More black girls on book covers please!

The story is set in a very harsh world, with the total subjugation of an entire people, their history and traditions swept away with brutal violence. I really enjoyed the start of this story (even as my heart was breaking with the struggles of the characters ), the magic system and setting felt so unique and fresh, the MC is that stubborn, rush forward to help type, that frustrates but you adore anyway. Unfortunately, by the 70% mark the author starts to rush the story, several things happen in very rapid succession that you nor the characters get to decompress or understand the implications of, I think this story probably was a trilogy that got forced to be a duology.

That being said, it ended at a very thrilling point, and I am excited to read the conclusion! And especially excited to see what the author does in her future stories!

Note for the romantasy girlies, I think this is one you will like!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun and unique fantasy read! I found myself very immersed in the first 25% but unfortunately I did find the rest a tad confusing and overwhelming. Even in the final few chapters new characters were being introduced and it was a little hard to keep track of.

Overall a really good and gripping fantasy read. A good but slightly confusing magic system (would have liked a bit more explanation), good romance plot and interesting storyline.

This is absolutely stunning. From the world building to the magic system to the imagery to the characters, everything is beautiful.
The narrative from Demi regarding the colonisation of her people and the discrimination that she faces are really powerful. The raw emotion behind her words, towards the treatment she receives, from her 9 year old perspective in particular, is so striking. There is no way that you could not be moved by it. The way this affects her perception and treatment of Jonas is really interesting. The theme of friendship and family, and how that looks, is strong throughout.
The slow burn romance smoulders away throughout.
The plot is strong and so captivating. One of the most beautiful books I've read in a long time. I am absolutely in love with this book, there is nothing that doesn't work.

This is a powerful story. It sings with words and wisdom and a deep love of Nigerian mythology and possibly the history of its people.

This story gives us as readers everything you could want. There are sword fights, daring escapes, chases, and rescues .

Together with all those you have wonderfully human characters that you just have to know what happens next. There's so much I could say but I lack the words

It is a gripping read and will keep you up long past your bedtime.

Forged by Blood is a fantastic epic fantasy debut. I found myself fully immersed in the world and the characters, desperate to know more when the next book in the duology comes out. Demi is a wonderfully strong character and I felt her every emotion of anger, betrayal and helplessness in a world where what she is is forbidden.

Is there romance? Yes but personally it felt like a subplot rather than an overall plot point, the narrative focused more on the conflict than the romance. I usually heavily dislike the ‘fated mates’ trope but it was done in this book without the author hitting you over the head with the word ‘mate’ until you want to cry.

Unfortunately, I was no convinced by this book. It started interesting and well-paced, but I quickly lost interest. It's not the ya I didn't like, I can read that, it felt unfinished an un-thought-through, as if not edited properly. The authoer has potential, though, so looking forward to what else there will come!

I knew of this book, because it was a Fairyloot monthly book box. It wasn't the fantasy book I'm typically used to. I wished it gave off more adult vibes, because it seemed more like a YA book to me.

I loved the Nigerian mythology in this, which is what I picked it up for. But it felt very young adult, especially with a love triangle that was very obvious who she would pick. If I’d known it was more young adult, I’d probably have passed. It’s not a bad book, but not right for me.

In forged by blood we follow our character Demi who has to kidnap a prince in order to save her family. The world is built colourfully and our characters are fleshed out well but i did have a few reserves.

This book is pushed as an adult but at times it read as a YA with similar tropes and pacing. It has a great story but at times it seemed to take a straightforward approach and some plot points were predictable. For example the love triangle, it felt clear who Demi would end up with from very early on.

It ended in a way that it wrapped things up nicely but still left space for the next book and i will continue the series.

Thanks to net galley for the arc.

What a fabulous read! I loved the Nigerian mythology inspiration and thought the pacing of the book was really strong. I'm really intrigued as to what happens next!

3.75 stars.
It was an interesting book, especially because of the culture it represents. Still, there was something missing from the story, but I couldn't say what.
Our protagonist is a strong woman, who evolves throughout the story, and her relationships with the other characters are interesting and fun.
The story itself has moments of tension, plot-twists and wonderful descriptions that help to put you in the situation.
If you like fantasy set in African culture with touches of romance, betrayal and political tension, this is the book for you.

Forged by blood follows Demi who is an Oluso (magic user) that is in hiding as her people have been subjected to genocide by the current regime. After the death of her mother Demi is set on revenge and eventually receives an opportunity to do just that.
This is a first book in a new fantasy duology.
The way Ehigbor Okosun uses Nigerian mythology in her world building and the magic system is really well integrated.
However I did struggle understanding the world as a whole. Just as I thought I got a grip on what was going on more information was just being dumped when I just wanted to enjoy the plot and characters without the story getting bogged down.
If you are a big fan of more heavy fantasy stories you'd probably enjoy this.

"Forged by Blood" by Ehigbor Okosun is a gripping and intense epic fantasy that delves into the intricate web of power, honor, and the choices that shape destinies. From the very first page, readers are immersed in a world rich with history, magic, and political intrigue.

Okosun's storytelling is both grand and intimate, weaving together multiple perspectives and plotlines that converge in unexpected ways. The intricate world-building draws readers into a realm where kingdoms clash, alliances shift, and characters must grapple with the consequences of their actions.

The characters in "Forged by Blood" are multi-dimensional, with motivations and flaws that make them feel real and relatable. The protagonist's journey from adversity to strength is captivating, and their growth is skillfully intertwined with the larger narrative.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of themes like loyalty, sacrifice, and the complexities of power dynamics. Okosun's prose is evocative, bringing to life the landscapes, battles, and emotions with vivid detail.

"Forged by Blood" stands as a testament to Okosun's ability to craft a sprawling fantasy world that is both immersive and thought-provoking. The story's momentum never wanes, keeping readers engaged and invested throughout its twists and turns.

Fans of epic fantasy will find "Forged by Blood" to be a compelling addition to the genre. Ehigbor Okosun's masterful storytelling and world-building make this novel a must-read for those who enjoy tales of intricate politics, grand battles, and characters who are shaped by the crucible of their experiences.

A fantasy debut, Forged By Blood is a refreshing tale inspired by Nigerian mythology and packed with magic. This is one of those books, that immediately leaves you wanting more (SERIOUSLY the wait for book two is going to be the worst).

The world-building and magic was effortlessly woven into the tale, with a vivid setting. The main character was fierce and yet had flaws, making her completely believable and understandable as a character.

This book started strong and then got me in a reading slump. The main characters are sooo annoying, I couldn't connect with them at all. The pacing is constantly changing, for the most part the story feels dragged out so I got bored a lot while reading this. The magic system sounded great at first but along the way it got me confused. There's a lot going on at all times but also nothing important happens for most of the journey.

I'm not a big fan of love triangles unless we're talking about 2000s books/vibes and I didn't understand its purpose in the story. One of the love interests feels like a forced, better-than-nothing option, and at no point did I think that he would be picked. In my opinion, a love triangle done right is when the choice is difficult to make and this one wasn't.

Forged by Blood is not bad; I say this about a lot of books and I'm sure everyone is tired of hearing this from me but it's the truth. Some books aren't bad, they're just not that good for me.

This book was an ARC. This is my true feelings on the book.
3.5 stars. I really liked this book. I appreciated the mythology aspect although i wish there were more explanation of certain creatures and their origins. I feel like some characters were not fully fleshed out and some areas was rushed and some parts were fairly slow. I do want to read the next one when it is published

**I would like to thank the publisher, HarperVoyager UK, for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!**

2.5* rounded up

Forged by Blood is a fantasy debut novel isnpired by Nigerian mythology. The mythology is what intrigued me about reading it and it delivered on this front. I enjoyed all the folklore and how it got effortlessly woven into the magic system and the worldbuilding. The story even takes part in a Spirit Realm, which was my favourite part of the book and the most interesting one, too. If this is the reason why you got interested in the book, too, the author does a great job with that and definitely try reading it.

However, I could tell this is a debut novel. The story was missing some sort of nuance. I feel like everything was happening at once without any room for a reader to actually get connected to the story and characters. Events were rushed, plot points got resolved too quickly and characters didn't have much time to actually develop further. It's also supposed to be an adult fantasy, however, the characters and their reactions felt very juvenile. There was also a romance aspect to the book, which consisted of tropes I don't enjoy. I think the love "triangle" was unnecessary when having fated mates/souls, because of its predictability.

I really wanted to enjoy this story, but it just didn't work for me at all. On more positive note, I definitely want to read more fantasy inspired by African mythology and folklore, as I loved it in this book.

Wow wow wow! Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC to review!
I am having difficulty forming the words to say how good this book is!
Many kudos to Ehigbor Okosun! She has woven this story so masterfully and beautifully- I am actually shocked this is a debut with how fantastic it is!
I cannot wait for book 2 ….there will be a book 2 right?
I need to know if Dèmi made the right choice and also how her promise to the Aziza pans out.
I just need to know what happens next and Ehigbor is now on my automatic read list.

Read this book - you won’t be disappointed!