Zélie Character Analysis in Children of Blood and Bone

Zélie, the protagonist of the novel, is Tzain’s younger sister and Mama and Baba’s daughter. Ever since the Raid, when her mother was violently killed before her eyes, Zélie has lived in a state of perpetual fear and anger. She has trained with the staff so that she can defend herself and her family against attack. Even amidst the unfair taxes that King Saran constantly levies against divîners and their families, Zélie has worked hard to feed her family. Despite these noble intentions, Zélie is also headstrong and short-tempered, especially with guards who threaten or harass her, and this attitude has put her family in danger. Zélie feels as if she is never doing enough to keep her family safe. At the same time, she knows that she is part of a wider cause: the only way to end the oppression of divîners like her is to overthrow the monarchy and put power back in the hands of those who can do magic. Because of this violent past, Zélie is reasonably mistrustful of nobles like Amari and Inan, though Zélie and Amari eventually develop a deep friendship, and Zélie and Inan share a brief romance. Zélie slowly lets her guard down once she sees that other people have good intentions. Zélie is also guided by her love for her mother and the traditions of magic and faith that bind them together. Harnessing the power of all her ancestors, Zélie succeeds in restoring magic in the kingdom.

Zélie Quotes in Children of Blood and Bone

The Children of Blood and Bone quotes below are all either spoken by Zélie or refer to Zélie. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Deep down, I know the truth. I knew it the moment I saw the maji of Ibadan in chains. The gods died with our magic.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Mama Agba

Page Number and Citation: 15

Explanation and Analysis:

He wants to believe that playing by the monarchy’s rules will keep us safe, but nothing can protect us when those rules are rooted in hate

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Tzain

Page Number and Citation: 27

Explanation and Analysis:

You must protect those who can’t defend themselves. Mama Agba’s words from this morning seep into my head.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Mama Agba, Amari, Tzain

Page Number and Citation: 58

Explanation and Analysis:

I arch my eyebrow at Amari and think back to her mention of a training accident. I assumed the scar came from her brother’s sword, but was she holding a sword, too? Despite her escape from Lagos, I can’t imagine the princess locked in battle.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Inan, Amari

Page Number and Citation: 129

Explanation and Analysis:

After I perform the ritual and bring magic back, after Baba is safe and sound. I’ll rally a group of Grounders to sink this monstrosity into the sand. That announcer will pay for every wasted divîner life. Every noble will answer for their crimes.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Baba

Page Number and Citation: 212

Explanation and Analysis:

Zélie’s memories don’t hold the villains Father always warned of. Only families he tore apart. Duty before self. His creed rings through my ears. My father. Her king. The harbinger of all this suffering.

Related Characters: Inan (speaker), Zélie, King Saran

Page Number and Citation: 286

Explanation and Analysis:

This pawn was the only piece I managed to salvage. Shame ripples through me as I stare at the tarnished metal. The only gift he’s ever given me, and at its core is hate.

Related Characters: Inan (speaker), Zélie, King Saran

Related Symbols: Majacite Pawn

Page Number and Citation: 324

Explanation and Analysis:

Zu’s tears make my own eyes prickle. Kwame’s face pinches with pain. I want to hate him for what he did to Tzain, but I can’t. I’m no better. If anything, I’m worse. If Inan hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve stabbed that masked divîner to death just to get answers.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Tzain, Amari, Kwame, Zu, Inan

Page Number and Citation: 343

Explanation and Analysis:

A pit of guilt opens in my chest, tainted with the smell of burning flesh. The fires I watched from the royal palace resurface, the innocent lives burned before my young eyes. A memory I’ve pushed down like my magic, a day I longed to forget. But staring at Zélie now brings it all back: the pain. The tears. The death.

Related Characters: Inan (speaker), Zélie, King Saran

Page Number and Citation: 364

Explanation and Analysis:

The children of Orïsha dance like there’s no tomorrow, each step praising the gods. Their mouths glorify the rapture of liberation, their hearts sing the Yoruba songs of freedom. My ears dance at the words of my language, words I once thought I’d never hear outside my head. They seem to light up the air with their delight. It’s like the whole world can breathe again.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 377

Explanation and Analysis:

“I thought things could be different. I wanted them to be different. But after what we just saw, we have no choice. We can’t give people that kind of power.”

Related Characters: Inan (speaker), Zélie, King Saran, Kwame

Page Number and Citation: 412

Explanation and Analysis:

In that instant it hits me: Zulaikha’s death. Zélie’s screams. They don’t mean a thing to him. Because they’re maji, they’re nothing. He preaches duty before self, but his Orïsha doesn’t include them. It never has.

Related Characters: Inan (speaker), King Saran, Zélie

Page Number and Citation: 432

Explanation and Analysis:

The ache that cuts through me is sharper than the blade that cut through my back. It’s like losing Mama all over again.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Mama

Page Number and Citation: 456

Explanation and Analysis:

I stare at the blade; the inscription gleams in the moonlight. Its words simplify my mission, creating space for my pain. A soldier. A great king. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to be. Duty over self. Orïsha over Zélie.

Related Characters: Inan (speaker), King Saran, Zélie

Page Number and Citation: 476

Explanation and Analysis:

I don’t want to be alone. Not when tonight could be my last night. Blind faith in the gods may have taken me this far, but if I’m going to get on that island tomorrow, I need more.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Amari

Page Number and Citation: 481

Explanation and Analysis:

Minutes stretch into hours, an eternity that drags like death. Each second that passes is another second my mind tumbles in guilt What if they’re captured? What if they die? I can’t have more people perish for this. I can’t have more blood stain my hands.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 494

Explanation and Analysis:

As I approach Inan, Baba’s shaking grows frantic. I can’t let him break my resolve. I don’t want them to win, Baba. But I can’t let you die.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Inan, Baba, King Saran

Page Number and Citation: 499

Explanation and Analysis:

As long as we don’t have magic, they will never treat us with respect, Baba’s spirit booms. They need to know we can hit them back. If they burn our homes—I burn theirs, too.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Baba, King Saran

Page Number and Citation: 503

Explanation and Analysis:

Zélie Character Timeline in Children of Blood and Bone

The timeline below shows where the character Zélie appears in Children of Blood and Bone. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Zélie, a white-haired divîner, is selected from a group of students to face off against formidable... (full context)

Yemi, who is a privileged Orïshan, looks down on Zélie and calls her a “maggot” as they are fighting—which only excites fiery Zélie’s anger more.... (full context)

When Zélie bursts out in protest, a guard threatens her. Mama Agba pays the guard, narrowly avoiding... (full context)

...eleven years ago. On that day, known as the Raid, King Saran took over, and Zélie’s mother was taken. Although they no longer have magic, those with white hair are still... (full context)

After the other students leave, Mama Agba holds Zélie back. She expects to be beaten for her impulsiveness, but instead, Mama Agba presents her... (full context)

Tzain and Zélie dash across the floating city of Ilorin. Tzain scolds Zélie for leaving their Baba alone... (full context)

...has been weak and confused, sometimes blacking out. Baba says the guards threatened to force Zélie into the stocks, or forced hard labor, if he could not pay the taxes. Feeling... (full context)

Zélie feels responsible for all of this misfortune because of her identity as a divîner. In... (full context)

Barely speaking to one another, Zélie and Tzain arrive at the bustling capital city, Lagos. Tzain is angry that Zélie left... (full context)

...against relationships with divîners, the guards at Lagos’ gate are all too eager to harass Zélie, making lewd remarks and touching her inappropriately. Containing her rage, Zélie makes her way into... (full context)

In the market, Zélie identifies a pushy nobleman interested in the sailfish. By bargaining hard, Zélie convinces him to... (full context)

Zélie attempts to shake the girl off, knowing she will be killed if they are caught.... (full context)

When Zélie and the girl are stopped by two guards as they try to leave town, Zélie... (full context)

At the gate, the girls are confronted by a line of guards mounted on panthenaires. Zélie fashions an explosive out of a torch and a bottle of liquor, throwing it at... (full context)

Fighting her instinct to run, Zélie dives back through the gates, expecting to be killed on the spot. She thinks of... (full context)

Inan suddenly remembers Zélie’s face, and feels a sensation like electricity under his skin. The King orders Inan’s mother... (full context)

...it a safe distance from the capital city, Inan stops Nailah and begins to reprimand Zélie for putting them in danger. Zélie is angry, until Amari reveals the scroll and claims... (full context)

Zélie reaches for the scroll. The moment she touches it, a shock seems to travel through... (full context)

Still, Zélie can’t help but imagine how things would have gone differently if her mother had possessed... (full context)

But Tzain worries that if Zélie has magic, she will be a target. He says they need to get back to... (full context)

...that Inan must go with Admiral Kaea, his second in command, to find Amari. Because Zélie passed through the control gate on her way into the city, they know her name,... (full context)

Zélie, Tzain, and Amari arrive at Mama Agba’s home in Illorin. They find Baba asleep there.... (full context)

To Zélie’s surprise, the scroll awakens Mama Agba’s magic. Zélie had assumed she was a kosidán because... (full context)

...everyone has been forced to speak only Orïshan. Hearing the old language is overwhelming for Zélie. She is filled with longing. Using the incantation is clearly exhausting for Mama Agba—the price... (full context)

Light explodes between Mama Agba’s hands, and Zélie suddenly feels that the gods have been with them all along. In the light, they... (full context)

Suddenly, they hear shouts from outside. The village of Illorin is ablaze. Zélie fights her way home through the chaos, desperate to find Tzain and Baba. When she... (full context)

Suddenly, Zélie sees her family afloat in a small boat, safe. Just then, the floating village breaks... (full context)

Once she gets to the shore, Zélie thinks about those who perished in the fire. Because of her magic, she could feel... (full context)

Baba tells Zélie she can’t stop fighting. He says their homes have been destroyed twice by the monarchy,... (full context)

A strange cloud of turquoise air floats towards Inan, bringing with it a vision of Zélie sinking into cold water. Admiral Kaea can’t see the cloud or the vision. Inan worries... (full context)

Exhausted and scared, Zélie, Amari, and Tzain make camp for the night. In the dark, Zélie tentatively reaches out... (full context)

When Zélie awakens, everything is wrong. Instead of being where she fell asleep, she’s alone in a... (full context)

Zélie notices a shock of white in Inan’s dark hair. She realizes he must be a... (full context)

Zélie wakes up beside Nailah, where she fell asleep. Now that she knows the Inan’s secret,... (full context)

Zélie is angry to see that Tzain gave Amari his cloak to use as a blanket.... (full context)

As Amari is changing, Tzain and Zélie catch a glimpse of a huge, ragged scar running down her back. Embarrassed, Amari says... (full context)

When they arrive at the lakeside town of Sokoto, Amari and Zélie split off to trade the dress. As they walk, Amari asks if Zélie’s mother died... (full context)

Zélie asks Amari about her scar. Amari reveals that Saran forced her and Inan to fight... (full context)

Zélie and Amari enter the tent of an elderly kosidán to trade the dress. They can... (full context)

...Kaea that he is worried about Amari. His only thought is that he must kill Zélie. (full context)

As Amari, Tzain, and Zélie clamber up a mountainside, Amari reminisces about Binta. With a pang, she remembers their dream... (full context)

...they rest on a ledge, they suddenly see broken human skulls among the grass. As Zélie touches one, a chill passes through the group, and Zélie says she can see the... (full context)

Leaving Nailah outside, the Zélie, Amari, and Tzain enter a metal temple that is still standing. In the dark passageway,... (full context)

Amari, Tzain, and Zélie awake to find themselves tied together in a cave. Their weapons and the scroll are... (full context)

It seems that the man (Lekan) is going to kill them, until Zélie begins to talk about the vision she saw outside—of Chândomblé full of other people. Amari... (full context)

Zélie, Amari, and Tzain follow the man down a dark passageway. Zélie knows he is a... (full context)

Lekan leads Zélie, Amari, and Tzain to a vast central chamber decorated with beautiful murals of the gods.... (full context)

The ritual must be performed by a woman. If Lekan performs a ceremony to connect Zélie to the Sky Mother, he says, she can be the one to carry out the... (full context)

Lekan begins the ceremony to connect Zélie to the Sky Mother: he cuts Zélie’s hand with the bone dagger and submerges her... (full context)

The group runs through the temple’s passageways, Tzain carrying a weakened Zélie. As they break outside, Zélie is overwhelmed by the magic she can now sense thrumming... (full context)

Suddenly, Zélie finds herself lifted by white light—Lekan’s magic. But while he is turned towards her, Admiral... (full context)

Admiral Kaea approaches, and Inan convinces her that they should rebuild the bridge and pursue Zélie and Amari. Privately, Inan thinks that he will explore the temple to try to amplify... (full context)

Amari, Tzain, and Zélie have been traversing the desert for days now. As they walk, Amari remembers dreaming with... (full context)

...those settlements are gone, but many still make their way across the desert to Ibeji. Zélie and Amari split off, looking for food. They are shocked to see the streets full... (full context)

Zélie and Amari start to fill their canteens at a fountain, but a guard slashes his... (full context)

Zélie asks the girl why so many laborers are there. She tells them the nobles send... (full context)

Tzain, Amari, and Zélie go to the arena that evening. Zélie can feel many deceased spirits around them. As... (full context)

Zélie, Amari, and Tzain sneak into the backstage area of the arena. Zélie imagines bringing back... (full context)

...they see the door open, they start to beat him violently. Tzain tries to hold Zélie back, but she bursts out of their hiding place to stop the beating. (full context)

The guards deliver a final, killing blow to the boy, but oddly, Zélie can’t feel his spirit. Forcing her gaze back on the guards and the announcer, she... (full context)

Outside town, Amari and Tzain argue that Zélie’s plan will never work. But she has a secret weapon—she says she can learn an... (full context)

Zélie practices the spell unsuccessfully for many hours. She feels abandoned by the gods, as well... (full context)

Zélie focuses on the girl she offered water to. As the girl died, Zélie was able... (full context)

...looks at the sênet pawn Saran gave him, a reminder to stay focused and kill Zélie. (full context)

By imagining Zélie, Inan is able to summon her to the dream space. Zélie taunts him, asking if... (full context)

Inan and Zélie realize that as Zélie steps away from him, new reeds sprout under her feet. Zélie... (full context)

Zélie says that if water cost Inan a gold piece per cup, he’d want to swim,... (full context)

Amari, Tzain, and Zélie board their boat. Secretly, Amari prays they won’t have to compete. The crew of laborers... (full context)

Overwhelmed by the number of boats, Zélie feels like she’s losing faith in herself. Tzain looks into her eyes and says that... (full context)

Zélie’s magic is beginning to dwindle, but she knows she must save Amari and Tzain. Knowing... (full context)

An army of reanimated spirits do Zélie’s bidding, but, at the same time, she feels as if her skin is being torn... (full context)

Only two ships are left. But when Zélie doesn’t surface, Tzain leaps overboard and drags her to the surface. As the other ship’s... (full context)

The captain of the other ship comes running forward, preparing to attack Zélie. Before she realizes what she’s doing, Amari stabs the captain. Everything goes silent, and then... (full context)

...the thought of all those who died in the competition, many of whom perished at Zélie and Tzain’s own hands. In Amari, who killed the other captain to save her, Zélie... (full context)

The announcer presents them with the glowing sunstone. Touching it fills Zélie with a surge of warmth and energy. She knows that she could summon unlimited animations... (full context)

That night, the three teenagers are hailed as heroes in the city. Zélie is called “The Immortal,” Tzain “The Commander,” and Amari “The Lionaire.” Amari feels like an... (full context)

Inan arrives in Ibeji, where the townspeople are celebrating. He senses that Zélie is close. He finds a man and presses his sword to the man’s throat, demanding... (full context)

Zélie, Tzain, and Amari travel through the lush Gombe River Valley. They come upon a river... (full context)

Zélie’s warning comes too late: Inan is speeding towards them on a panthenaire. They prepare to... (full context)

Amari pushes past Zélie and approaches Inan. She says that they won’t hurt each other, and that fear of... (full context)

Inan pushes Amari aside and lunges for Zélie. He says that killing her will kill the magic within him, too. They begin to... (full context)

Amari and Tzain watch helplessly while their siblings fight. As they follow Inan and Zélie through the jungle, they are suddenly caught up in nets. Amari tries to fight back,... (full context)

Zélie hears Amari’s screams, and she and Inan freeze midway through their fight. Realizing Tzain has... (full context)

Inan feels his goal of killing Zélie tantalizingly close. He presses down on her arms and raises his sword, preparing to plunge... (full context)

...he can’t bear to bring more death in his father’s name. Instead he, slashes off Zélie’s restraints. Realizing Tzain and Amari are gone, they both feel shattered and collapse on the... (full context)

Zélie is awash with guilt. If she hadn’t tried to fight Inan, none of this would... (full context)

Zélie is determined to find Tzain as quickly as possible. She slams her staff against the... (full context)

Inan grabs Zélie’s hand and feels magic thrumming in his skin. Now that he’s seen her past, he... (full context)

Inan tells Zélie they have to work together to save their siblings. Zélie does not want to trust... (full context)

Zélie and Inan trudge through the forest, following a series of hidden symbols at the direction... (full context)

...upon a grove of trees in the valley, arranged in the symbol of the outlaws. Zélie wants to attack immediately, but Inan warns against it. There are masked soldiers stationed all... (full context)

...argue about how to proceed. Inan wants to call guards from a nearby town, but Zélie scoffs, saying the guards would kill them both, as they are divîners. Instead, she says... (full context)

Zélie tries desperately to summon enough animations to take down the guards, but Inan easily takes... (full context)

Zélie says that Inan should use his own magic to attack, but he refuses, panicked. He... (full context)

Zélie has another perspective: she says that lack of power has led to the maji’s oppression.... (full context)

Inan feels Zélie’s pain sharply, causing him to question his father again. Zélie says that the only possible... (full context)

Inan calls after Zélie, looking for her. He feels hopeless—he realizes now that instead of being the one to... (full context)

Zélie returns and says, reluctantly, that she thinks they should work together. She reveals the sunstone.... (full context)

Zélie says that Inan is holding out loyalty to someone who will always hate him for... (full context)

As Zélie and Inan prepare to attack the encampment, Zélie remembers the self-hatred she experienced after the... (full context)

...trade it. As more and more masked people emerge from the trees and the fort, Zélie dashes forward and Inan throws her the sunstone. It fills her with energy and visions... (full context)

Inan and Zélie fight amidst the crowd of animations. Kwame runs out of the encampment’s gate, his hands... (full context)

Melting the ground around him, he stalks towards Zélie and prepares to strike her with a jet of fire. Inan rushes forward to counter... (full context)

As they enter the encampment, Zélie is surprised to see a thriving, hidden community of divîners. She is also confused that... (full context)

Questions tumble out of Zélie, but then Amari stumbles in with Tzain holding onto her for support. As she heals... (full context)

...for the hurt she inflicted on Tzain. She felt as if she had no choice. Zélie wants to be angry, but she knows that she’s no better. She would have killed... (full context)

...suggests they could have each divîner touch the scroll, unleashing their powers. The suggestion makes Zélie hesitate. Even though the restoration of magic has long been her goal, now she worries... (full context)

Tzain confronts Inan, saying that he will not trust him. When Zélie tries to convince him, Tzain says she’s stupid for trusting the person who burned their... (full context)

...will earn her trust. Amari says she will try, but that her loyalties are with Zélie and her people now. She will fight him for them, if need be. (full context)

...is abuzz with preparations for the celebration. The sight of so many happy divîners fills Zélie with joy. (full context)

A stranger bumps into Zélie. He is clearly a foreigner, the first Zélie has ever met, and she is delighted... (full context)

Zélie offers to help Inan learn how to control his magic, which he is still suppressing.... (full context)

Zélie and Inan swim in the cool lake in the dreamscape. Zélie talks about living in... (full context)

Zélie feels conflicted. She knows she shouldn’t trust Inan, but she’s also seen his kindness over... (full context)

Zélie begins to believe Inan really does want to change Orïsha for the better, despite herself.... (full context)

Suddenly, Zélie and Inan are pulled violently out of the dream. Tzain throws Inan to the ground.... (full context)

Tzain says that he’s glad their mother didn’t live to see Zélie sink to this level, and her magic erupts. Using her magic, she strikes his shoulder... (full context)

Zélie is devastated, but when she returns to the camp that evening, Amari brightly dresses her... (full context)

Amari also gives Zélie a word of caution. She says she can see that Inan is infatuated with her,... (full context)

Amari asks again why Zélie doesn’t want to share the scroll. All Zélie can picture is destruction at the maji’s... (full context)

Amari pulls Zélie outside, where the festival is in full swing. It takes Zélie’s breath away. Seeing dances... (full context)

Inan watches Zélie dance with a child, thinking that she looks beautiful. He grabs her hand and pulls... (full context)

Zélie is full of fear, thinking about the violence inflicted by the monarchy and the potential... (full context)

Inan tells Zélie she should move to Lagos with him, and she bristles. He says that when she... (full context)

...give up his fear and violence toward the maji. He thinks they can unify Orïsha. Zélie is hopeful for a moment—but then she thinks, again, that magic is too dangerous. But... (full context)

Tzain abruptly stops dancing with Amari, as he sees Inan kissing Zélie. When he sees Zélie kissing Inan back, Tzain storms away, gathering his belongings. He says... (full context)

Amari asks why Tzain can’t forgive Zélie this time, and he explodes. Inan destroyed their home, killing innocent people, children. Now, Zélie... (full context)

As Zélie and Inan kiss passionately, a horn blares. Soon, a horde of royal guards surrounds the... (full context)

The guards cut down as many divîners as they can. Panicked, Zélie searches for Tzain. A guard slashes down the defenseless young boy Zélie danced with earlier.... (full context)

Because of Kwame’s attack, many divîners escape. Zélie realizes that this violence, this use of magic, is the only way to truly fight... (full context)

Tzain and Amari search in vain for Zélie on the scorched, corpse-strewn field. Inan isn’t there either, and Amari is forced to consider... (full context)

Watching Tzain mourn Zélie, Amari is wracked with shame. She wonders how many families her father, King Saran, has... (full context)

Zélie is chained up with majacite in a dark chamber. She thinks of all of those... (full context)

...supplies—so he didn’t betray her, after all. He says he doesn’t have much time, and Zélie has to tell him how he can destroy the scroll. Otherwise, Saran will kill her. (full context)

Zélie knows that destroying the scroll won’t solve anything—Saran won’t stop until he’s wiped out the... (full context)

...Kwame took things too far. He says they can’t give people that kind of power. Zélie says she can’t believe what she’s hearing. (full context)

King Saran enters, overwhelming Zélie with memories of the Raid. But her desire for vengeance outweighs her fear. She knows... (full context)

Saran asks if she killed Kaea or knows who did. Zélie thinks about revealing Inan, but his terror stops her. Saran tells Inan that when Saran... (full context)

Zélie yells that Saran has murdered and exploited her people, thinking they would never fight back,... (full context)

Saran calls in a physician who injects a serum into Zélie’s neck while Inan watches, horrified. Saran says it is to keep her from passing out... (full context)

...of the room just as he realizes the soldiers are carving the word “maggot” into Zélie’s back. (full context)

Desperate, Inan snaps into the dreamscape. He needs to bring Zélie there, to save her from the pain. Zélie appears, but she seems not to know... (full context)

...them in. He and Tzain are on rival sports teams; Tzain masks his fear about Zélie, and they step inside the bar. The bar is overflowing with divîners, and only a... (full context)

...to fight back against Saran and avoid being killed themselves. But first, they must save Zélie. (full context)

Inan feels Zélie’s pain like a lingering presence. He enters King Saran’s office, and sees that his father... (full context)

...when they didn’t keep magic in check. He says he needed to break the “maggot,” Zélie, and then she told him everything he needed to know: the scroll can only be... (full context)

Saran says that Zélie deserves to be killed because she killed Kaea. He holds up a turquoise crystal—one of... (full context)

After they kill Zélie, says Saran, they will parade her body around Orïsha to put down any thoughts of... (full context)

...In some ways, it’s all Inan’s ever wanted, but all he can think about is Zélie. (full context)

Late at night, Inan sneaks into Zélie’s cell. Zélie is bloodied and almost lifeless, in chains. Inan wonders how Saran can think... (full context)

...guard enters, Amari presses a blade to his neck and gets him to say where Zélie’s cell is. She feels surprised by the venom in her voice; it reminds her only... (full context)

...through the guards who remain in the hall. Amari surges forward, thinking of how close Zélie is. (full context)

...He reminds her that they need to go. Amari turns her attention back to finding Zélie. (full context)

Inan is now determined to stop magic, but he also must save Zélie. He realizes that the maji breaking in will head to Zélie’s cell to try to... (full context)

...Amari, wielding a sword with confidence. The Amari he knows would never fight. Inan hands Zélie to Tzain, who is devastated at the sight of the slur carved into his sister’s... (full context)

Zélie feels nothing but pain and guilt. Seeing Tzain’s face, she thinks that her injuries are... (full context)

Zélie finds herself once again in the dreamscape. Inan approaches gingerly, and all Zélie can think... (full context)

Zélie awakens, awash with confused memories of Inan, Saran, and the scars on her back. The... (full context)

Tzain enters, cowering and uncharacteristically quiet. The sight pains Zélie. He says that he broke his promise to protect her, and that what happened is... (full context)

Also disturbing is the fact that Zélie can’t seem to access magic, which means she won’t be able to perform the ceremony.... (full context)

...But it is dangerous to go to Jimeta, a city of thieves and outlaws. Conflicted, Zélie attempts to appeal to the Sky Mother in prayer, but feels nothing. She feels abandoned... (full context)

...the ocean. There are no guards in Jimeta, but there are no laws there, either. Zélie fears mercenaries are hiding in every nook and cranny. This is the only place in... (full context)

...just in time. Only one person can enter the lair. Everyone agrees it should be Zélie, because of her magic. Wracked with guilt, she agrees without revealing the truth about her... (full context)

Zélie walks down a long passage into the cave until she comes to a central area... (full context)

Roën is quietly amused. Zélie says she can’t pay Roën, but he would be helping achieve the will of the... (full context)

Roën’s ship cuts across the water. Zélie raises a prayer to the gods, but still can’t feel them. Still, she thinks of... (full context)

Suddenly, a fleet of warships appear on the horizon. Zélie squeezes Amari’s hand in fear. Under Roën’s advice, Zélie says they should try to take... (full context)

Inan can’t stop thinking about Zélie, and he can’t shake the feeling that he’s lost her forever. Saran approaches and sees... (full context)

...will make him a noble king. Secretly, Inan thinks that he must choose Orïsha over Zélie. He says he knows how they can get the scroll back. (full context)

In the captain’s quarters of the stolen warship, Zélie tries to sleep, but memories of her torture are too terrifying and painful. She runs... (full context)

Roën says that he can tell Zélie’s own scars, and the terror of her torture, are still fresh. He wants to know... (full context)

...about them. He says it seems like too much of a coincidence that he and Zélie met twice and are now working together. He also tells her that talking to someone... (full context)

Amari combs Zélie’s tangled hair. They talk about their respective mothers, memories of having their hair brushed as... (full context)

Zélie admits that she used to think Amari was weak, because she was so obviously afraid... (full context)

Zélie’s tears make Amari choke up, too, just thinking about all the pain her family has... (full context)

...the fortress at Gombe, she was ready to strike with her blade. Amari says that Zélie’s harsh criticisms when they first met are part of what made her brave—it was the... (full context)

Looking down, Zélie admits something else: she can no longer do magic. She worries that no one will... (full context)

Zélie addresses the assembled group. Her heart is in her throat knowing she may not be... (full context)

As soon as they set foot on the island, Zélie feels the thrum of the gods’ presence, though not her magic. The island is overrun... (full context)

...back to the shoreline to cause a distraction on the beach. As they leave, all Zélie can think is that she can’t bear to have any more blood on her hands.... (full context)

Zélie and her friends and the mercenaries enter the temple, decorated with beautiful images of the... (full context)

At the sight of her father, Zélie crumbles. They have to surrender. She admits that her magic is gone and hasn’t returned.... (full context)

Inan steps forward to trade Baba for the artifacts. Zélie drops the sunstone and scroll, and an ordinary dagger, realizing Inan has never seen the... (full context)

Zélie remembers when her mother was killed in the Raid, when she swore never to let... (full context)

As the guards approach Zélie, she sends her magic arrowing at them. All she wants is blood and death, to... (full context)

Zélie has turned her deadly focus on Inan. He aches with her heartbreak, but he focuses... (full context)

Inan runs towards Zélie, yelling that this is all her fault. He says it’s her fault Baba died. Angered,... (full context)

Zélie tries to channel energy from the ashes of the scroll, but to no avail. She... (full context)

Zélie realizes there may be another way to reach the Sky Mother. She thinks about drawing... (full context)

Zélie picks up the sunstone and thinks not of magic but of the blood and bone... (full context)

Zélie thinks of her mother as she floats through blackness to her mother’s voice. She sees... (full context)

Zélie says they must bring Tzain there, so they can all be together. But Mama says... (full context)

Zélie open her eyes and realizes that she’s at sea with Amari, Tzain, and Roën. She... (full context)

Children of Blood and Bone

Zélie Character Analysis

Zélie Quotes in Children of Blood and Bone

Chapter One Quotes

Chapter Two Quotes

Chapter Five Quotes

Chapter Thirteen Quotes

Chapter Twenty-Five Quotes

Chapter Thirty-Nine Quotes

Chapter Forty-Seven Quotes

Chapter Fifty-One Quotes

Chapter Fifty-Four Quotes

Chapter Fifty-Six Quotes

Chapter Sixty-Three Quotes

Chapter Sixty-Six Quotes

Chapter Seventy-One Quotes

Chapter Seventy-Four Quotes

Chapter Seventy-Five Quotes

Chapter Seventy-Eight Quotes

Chapter Seventy-Nine Quotes

Chapter Eighty Quotes

Zélie Character Timeline in Children of Blood and Bone