Children of Blood and Bone Terms

Divîners are people who have the ability to do magic, but their powers may not yet be activated. All divîners who are under thirteen cannot yet use their power, which is why King Saran spared… read analysis of Divîners

Maji is the term for divîners whose powers have been activated, meaning that they can perform magic. There are many different kinds of Maji with unique powers. read analysis of Maji

The kosidán are common citizens in Orïsha who do not possess the ability to do magic. read analysis of Kosidán

The fictional kingdom of Orïsha is the setting for the book, inspired by West Africa. It is comprised of a number of cities and includes regions in the desert, in the jungle, and on the… read analysis of Orïsha

Lagos is the rich capital city of Orïsha. It is far more opulent—and heavily patrolled—than other cities. read analysis of Lagos

A northern lakeside town where Zélie and her family lived before King Saran’s brutal Raid. read analysis of Ibadan

A town in the middle of the desert. Wealthy nobles have set up a massive arena in the town where they force divîners to fight each other to the death to win the sunstone. read analysis of Ibeji

A bustling town perched on the edge of a lake. read analysis of Sokoto

A port city overrun by mercenaries and other lawless types. It is outside the oppressive rule of the monarchy, but also dangerous because it is said to be full of criminals. Jimeta is where Zélie… read analysis of Jimeta

A sacred temple which once served as a center of worship for the divîners. It was inhabited and cared for by sêntaros, high priests of the divîners. read analysis of Chândomblé

High divîner priests who helped preserve the stories of the gods and helped divîners to understand and use their magic. They performed the annual ritual necessary to keep the connection to the gods strong and… read analysis of Sêntaros

One of three artifacts that is needed to bring magic back to Orïsha. The other two artifacts are a scroll and a dagger made of bone. The sunstone is about the size of a… read analysis of Sunstone

The language spoken by divîners, which Saran has outlawed as part of his campaign to keep divîners weak, powerless, and afraid. Yoruba holds special significance because it is the language that divîners use to… read analysis of Yoruba

A traditional divîner festival in honor of the gods. Like all other divîner traditions, Àyojo was outlawed by Saran. read analysis of Àyojo

Massive, mystical creatures similar to jungle cats but larger and with unusual horns on their backs and heads. Ryders are fast, powerful, and intelligent, and may serve as companions, steeds, and fighters for humans. read analysis of Ryders

Ryders that resemble panthers. read analysis of Panthenaire

The most ruthless of all Ryders. The snow leopanaire is King Saran’s royal seal. read analysis of Snow Leopanaire

Ryders that resemble lions, like Nailah, the ryder belonging to Zélie and her family. read analysis of Lionare

A special metal designed to sear the skin of any divîner it touches. Saran has used majacite to torture divîners and keep them captive. Inan’s pawn is made out of majacite, which is why… read analysis of Majacite

Maji who have the ability to manipulate earth and the ground. They sometimes create fantastical structures. read analysis of Grounder

Maji, including Kwame, who can manifest and manipulate fire. read analysis of Burner

Maji with control over death and the afterlife. They can summon the spirits of the dead to take on physical form or help the dead move on to a peaceful afterlife. Zélie and her mother… read analysis of Reaper

Maji with the ability to influence dreams and create dreamscape-like artificial worlds. Inan is a connector. read analysis of Connector

Maji, like Zu, with the ability to heal wounds. read analysis of Healer

Maji, like Mama Agba, with the ability to see the future. read analysis of Seer

The most powerful and central of the deities worshipped by the divîners. She is seen as the source of all life and magic. read analysis of Sky Mother

The patron goddess of reapers, worshipped by Zélie and her mother. read analysis of Oya

The patron god of connectors. read analysis of Ori

A game similar to chess involving small game pieces and a board. Inan’s majacite pawn is from sênet. read analysis of Sênet