After what felt like forever, I finally got my hands on the last book of Tomi Adeyemi’s spellbinding trilogy—Children of Anguish and Anarchy.

The wait was long, but the anticipation of returning to the world of Zélie, Tzain, Amari, Inan, and the fearless fighters of Orïsha made cracking open the final book all the more thrilling.

Before I began, I knew I needed a mental refresher. It has been a while since I read Children of Blood and Bone and Children of Virtue and Vengeance, and their sweeping battles and betrayals aren’t easily contained in memory. I considered rereading the first two books (I own both), but the sheer size of those hardcovers was enough to make me attempt a different strategy. Instead, I relied on my old reviews and my own recollections to piece the story back together.

The moment I started reading, everything I thought I’d forgotten came rushing back—like magic awakening after a long sleep. Within a few pages, I was once again pulled into Tomi Adeyemi’s mystical, magical, dangerous, breathtakingly imagined world. Her characters still pulse with grit, love, strength, and an unyielding determination to survive.

Here’s what stood out to me—without giving too much away:

What I Loved

• New Characters and Powers: Adeyemi introduces fresh characters and abilities that add exciting layers to the story. My favourites? Mae’e, the Skulls, and their enigmatic and relentless king, Baldyr.
• A Dazzling New City: The introduction of Gaïa and its magical vines is a visual feast. I could picture every detail, and I can’t wait to see how this unfolds on screen one day.
• Unity at Last: I’ve been rooting for the people of Orïsha to find a way to come together since book one, and this instalment finally gave me moments of hard-won solidarity.
• Sibling Love: The bond between Tzain and his formidable sister, Zélie, continues to be one of my favourite threads—steady, fierce, and grounding amidst all the chaos.
• The Storytelling: Tomi Adeyemi’s writing remains as cinematic as ever. Every page feels like a scene from a series, vivid enough to play across your mind like a film. I also noted bits of poetry intertwined in the words. It was so satisfying. 

What I Didn’t Love

• Endless Battles: The characters had no rest. They leap from one fight to another with barely a pause to breathe.
• Questionable Decisions: At times, the protagonists make choices that feel too careless for people trying not to get caught. We all know a captain locks away his prized possessions. It stretched believability in a few key moments.
• A Rushed Finale: After such careful build-up, the final act felt a little too quick. Zélie’s last journey in particular could have used more detail—especially after we’d been carried through every other major crossing. The last and most important act left me feeling like it was missing something. 

Was It Worth the Wait?

Absolutely. Despite the relentless battles and a few moments that left me questioning the pacing, Children of Anguish and Anarchy delivers a gripping and satisfying conclusion to one of the most imaginative fantasy trilogies I’ve read in years. I’m happy I can finally and proudly say I’ve read all the books, and it’s incredible work. She deserves all her flowers. Tomi Adeyemi remains a master of world-building, weaving together magic, politics, love, and legacy in ways that keep you turning pages long into the night.

Have you read the final book in the trilogy?

I’d love to know your thoughts—was it everything you hoped for?

Mariam Shittu