Blood Scion

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Blood Scion

What is Blood Scion?
Blood Scion is a 2022 young adult fantasy novel by Deborah Falaye. It’s her debut and the first book in a planned series. The story draws on Yoruba mythology and Nigerian culture.

Plot in simple terms
Set in a Nigeria-inspired world, Sloane Folashadé is a 15-year-old Yoruba girl who is a Scion—a person with magical powers descended from the ancient Orisha gods. The Lucis, colonizers who have taken over the country of Nagea, hunt Scions and try to erase their culture. On her birthday, Sloane is drafted into the Lucis’ child army. She decides not to run away with her village boyfriend and is taken to Avalon, where she’s trained to fight other Scions and to participate in the oppression of the Yoruba. Throughout the story, she must hide her true identity, discover what happened to her mother, and find a way to bring down the Lucis from inside the army.

Development and inspiration
Falaye grew up in Nigeria and later moved to Canada, where she noticed how different she felt from other Black kids. She began writing Blood Scion in 2012, inspired by Yoruba culture, West African mythology, and authors like Things Fall Apart’s Chinua Achebe. The book also reflects real-world concerns, such as the kidnapping of girls in Nigeria and the trauma faced by child soldiers.

Publication
Blood Scion was published on March 8, 2022, by HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Reception
The novel received positive reviews and was anticipated by readers in 2022. Critics praised its fast pace, engaging story, and strong themes. It was highlighted by media outlets such as The Mary Sue, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Tor.com, Booklist (which gave a starred review), YA Books Central, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly for its blend of survival, sacrifice, and the impact of trauma, as well as its commentary on colonization and rebellion.

Themes
Blood Scion tackles survival, resistance, and reclaiming culture. It explores the effects of colonization, the trauma of war, and the power of love and family to drive courageous choices.