Children of Virtue and Vengeance Themes

Power and Systems of Oppression

Children of Virtue and Vengeance, the second installment of the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, picks up a few weeks after the finale of Children of Blood and Bone. Zélie, the novel’s protagonist, is a maji (a person with magical abilities). She and her kosidán (non-magical) brother, Tzain, bury their father, Baba, who died during Zélie’s attempts to perform an ancient ritual that would ensure magic’s continued existence in Orïsha. Rather…

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Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon

Cycles of Violence

Orïsha is an extremely violent place. Years before the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy begins, the now-deceased King Saran conducted what’s known as the Raid. During this time, Saran brutally murdered every divîner and maji over the age of 13 and instituted laws and taxes turning divîners and those who associate with them into second-class citizens liable to be raped, beaten, kidnapped, or killed at any time. The violence Saran espoused extended to his nuclear…

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Tradition and History

For the maji, winning the war against the monarchy isn’t just about establishing a government that allows them recognition under the law or freedom from violence and oppression. It is, at its heart, about preserving a belief system and a way of life that those in power would like to see wiped out of Orïsha altogether. This demonstrates, first of all, the immense power of belief systems and history to educate, to soothe, and—especially…

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Love vs. Duty

Loving bonds in the novel, whether between family members, friends, or lovers, are extremely powerful. Everyone, to some degree, is motivated by their love for others: Zélie both fights to avenge her parents and tries to call off the war because of love for her fellow maji; Inan and Amari try to orchestrate peace out of love for Zélie, each other, and their family; Mama Agba loves the young maji like children of her…

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