Children of Virtue and Vengeance

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

by

Tomi Adeyemi

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Children of Virtue and Vengeance makes teaching easy.
A person with activated magical abilities. All maji are part of a clan, worship a specific clan god, and have corresponding powers. Reapers like Zélie, for instance, are part of the Reaper clan, worship the god Oya, and have power over the dead.

Maji Quotes in Children of Virtue and Vengeance

The Children of Virtue and Vengeance quotes below are all either spoken by Maji or refer to Maji. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
).
Chapter One Quotes

The moment magic breathes under my skin, I can’t find my voice. The purple light of my ashê glows around my hands, the divine power that fuels our sacred gifts. I haven’t felt its heat since the ritual that brought magic back to Orïsha. Since Baba’s spirit tore through my veins.

I stumble back as magic bubbles inside me. My legs go numb. Magic shackles me to my past, dragging me under despite how hard I pull—

“No!” The shout echoes against the ritual walls [...]

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Tzain, Baba
Related Symbols: Yoruba
Page Number: 3
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Two Quotes

“I can’t be expected to carry the plight of my people forever.”

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Amari, Roën, Tzain
Page Number: 11
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Four Quotes

I tuck away my white streak, wishing I could just chop the lock from my hair. Tzain may not notice the way Zélie looks at it, but I always catch the snarl it brings to her face. For so long, she had to suffer because of her gift. Now those that hurt her the most wield that magic themselves.

I can understand why she despises it, but at times it feels like she despises me.

Related Characters: Amari (speaker), Zélie, Tzain
Page Number: 22-23
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Twenty-Three Quotes

“For so long we’ve been defenseless against the havoc the maji wreak, but now the gods have blessed us as well. We’re powerful enough to annihilate them, Inan. The only way to achieve lasting peace is to cleanse the maggots from this land.”

Her words make my fingers grow cold. To cleanse Orïsha of maji would be finishing Father’s work. It would be another Raid.

Related Characters: Inan (speaker), Queen Nehanda (speaker), King Saran
Page Number: 111
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Twenty-Four Quotes

“Yoruba is sacred to our people. It’s not just something you can learn.”

“This is bigger than that,” I wave my hand. “For skies’ sake, we’re at war—”

“Our magic isn’t about the war!” Zélie shouts. “Our incantations are the history of our people. They’re the very thing your father tried to destroy!” Her chest heaves up and down and she shakes her head. “Titans have already stolen our magic. You can’t steal this, too.”

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Amari (speaker), Queen Nehanda, King Saran
Related Symbols: Yoruba
Page Number: 118
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Twenty-Seven Quotes

“These rebels burned your city to the ground. They wanted you and your people to starve. They are the poison of Orïsha! If you do not cut off the hand now, eventually you will be forced to sever the entire limb.”

I clamp my mouth shut, digesting her words. I know as long as these rebels terrorize us, every maji in Orïsha will be seen as a criminal. The Iyika have to go.

But despite knowing this, my insides twist as Ojore grabs the Burner by her hair.

Related Characters: Inan (speaker), Queen Nehanda (speaker), Ojore, Raifa
Page Number: 138
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Twenty-Eight Quotes

Even before Mother interrupted my rally, the support of the Orïshans didn’t touch the boundless joy of these maji. I wonder what it would be like to be embraced like that. To actually have a place where you belong.

[...]

I nod, beginning to understand what it means to be an elder. All this time I assumed it was like occupying the throne, but now I realize that it’s so much more. It isn’t simply a position of power. An elder forms the foundation of their clan’s home.

Related Characters: Amari (speaker), Zélie, Tzain, King Saran
Page Number: 140
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Thirty Quotes

“If you’re going to be an elder, you need to understand that true magic isn’t about power,” I explain. “It’s something that’s a part of us, something that’s literally in our blood. Our people have suffered for this. Died for this. It’s not something you can just learn. You may have helped us get it back, but right now we’re still being hunted and killed for the very magic tîtáns like you use against us.”

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Amari, Ramaya
Page Number: 152
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Thirty-Four Quotes

“After the Raid, practicing these incantations was the only part of him I had left.”

My heart sinks in the echo of his words. In my mind, Kâmarū still whispers these incantations, but without the father he loves. Without the magic that was meant to run through his veins.

[...]

As we walk, I think of the other elders and maji, what their lives might’ve been like before the Raid. Mâzeli’s already told me how the monarchy took both his parents away. How his sister Arunima perished from grief.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Kâmarū (speaker), Amari, Mâzeli, King Saran
Related Symbols: Yoruba
Page Number: 174
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Forty-Five Quotes

“I do not think you’ve gone far enough,” she says. “You speak of this war as if it is the start, but the maji and the monarchy have been fighting for decades. Centuries. Both sides have inflicted great pain on each other. Both sides are filled with mistrust.” [...] “You cannot blame Zélie for her actions any more than you can blame Inan for his past mistakes. You have to look beyond the surface if you truly want to achieve the peace you seek.”

Related Characters: Mama Agba (speaker), Zélie, Amari, Inan, King Saran
Page Number: 230
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Sixty-Four Quotes

“This war didn’t start when magic came back, Inan. You are only seeing the end of a battle countless have given their lives for. By winter’s dawn, we will have wiped the scourge of maji from this land. Even your wretched father couldn’t achieve that.”

“Mother, what are you talking about?” I grab her arm. “We’re fighting the Iyika. Not the maji.”

“We’re fighting them all. We have been for decades. This war started long before the Raid. It began before you were even born.”

Related Characters: Inan (speaker), Queen Nehanda (speaker), Amari, Mama Agba, King Saran
Page Number: 306-07
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Eighty-One Quotes

I feel the most sacred gift of Oya beneath my hands, the holy magic of life and death. When the last body breathes again, I stare at the glowing tattoos on my hands.

No Reaper or Healer in history has ever been able to do that.

In our magic, I see the answer. What Oya wanted me to understand all along. If we use the moonstone to bind our lifeforces, we can save the maji from the monarchy’s grasp.

Related Characters: Zélie (speaker), Roën, Khani
Page Number: 363
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter Eighty-Five Quotes

“I see the truth now. We pretend that magic is the root of our pain when everything rotten in this kingdom begins and ends with us. There’s no helping it.” I clench my fist. “Amari proved that in Ibadan. This throne corrupts even the purest of hearts. As long as it exists, people will continue to tear this kingdom apart.”

Related Characters: Inan (speaker), Amari, Queen Nehanda
Page Number: 384
Explanation and Analysis:
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Children of Virtue and Vengeance PDF

Maji Term Timeline in Children of Virtue and Vengeance

The timeline below shows where the term Maji appears in Children of Virtue and Vengeance. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter Two
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
...tells Amari that there was an attack on the capital city, Lagos. The attackers are maji called the Iyika, and no one has heard from Queen Nehanda. People believe the royal... (full context)
Chapter Five
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
As they disembark, Zélie notices that the people of Zaria, maji, kosidán, and tîtáns included, just stare. Zélie assures Amari that the gods chose her for... (full context)
Chapter Six
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...gods want magic to help people thrive, not to divide people. She lists how different maji and tîtáns can help and promises that under her, everyone will have what they need.... (full context)
Chapter Seven
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
...insists that Amari is a power-hungry tyrant making silly promises. Nehanda accuses Amari of sending maji to kill her and points out that Amari killed Saran and Inan. Flustered, Amari admits... (full context)
Chapter Eight
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...then becomes a gas. It does nothing to kosidán and makes tîtáns cough, but the maji scream in pain as their skin burns. It’s majacite gas. Zélie shouts at Tzain and... (full context)
Chapter Eleven
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...Baba died to bring magic back and now, with magic, Nehanda is stronger than any maji.  Amari sees Zélie’s point, but knows she can’t just back down. Tzain tries to calm... (full context)
Chapter Fifteen
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
...wakes up. She sees Tzain and remembers what happened, and then she notices a young maji touching her and chanting in Yoruba. Two more maji yell to the Healer, Safiyah, to... (full context)
Chapter Sixteen
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...she doesn’t know what to do if he’s alive. Zélie stops short, suspicious, but three maji children come around the corner asking for food. Amari pulls out dried meat for them... (full context)
Chapter Eighteen
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...group to a halt in order to check what’s up ahead. He discovers two young maji, clearly killed by majacite. Zélie recites the Yoruba incantation to lay their souls to rest.... (full context)
Chapter Nineteen
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...When Zélie calms down, Mama Agba greets Amari and Tzain. Zélie turns to the other maji. The young Reaper steps up and explains that everyone in his family can make animations... (full context)
Chapter Twenty
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...takes over the tour and Amari begins to count the sleek soldiers. A beautiful young maji woman walks up and introduces herself as Nâo. She tells Mâzeli that Zélie needs to... (full context)
Chapter Twenty-One
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...an Iyika girl. There are stale bread loaves around her. General Jokôye insists that child maji are as dangerous as adults, but Inan kneels next to the girl and asks her... (full context)
Chapter Twenty-Two
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
...with a note from Lagos. Ramaya reads that Inan is alive and offering food to maji who leave the Iyika. (full context)
Chapter Twenty-Three
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
...can absorb power and because of this, they’re blessed and powerful enough to annihilate the maji. Inan realizes that what Nehanda talks about doing is conducting another Raid. With a sigh,... (full context)
Chapter Twenty-Four
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...rocks, she asks Amari to think of the water as ashê and explains that when maji use incantations, it’s like lifting one rock. When tîtáns use magic, it’s always powerful blood... (full context)
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...control by using an incantation, but Zélie tersely insists that Yoruba is sacred to the maji and not something Amari can just learn. When Amari insists that they’re at war, Zélie... (full context)
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...shares the history of the elders: the elder of a clan is the most powerful maji, and the title can transfer through challenges or simply passing the title along. Mama Agba... (full context)
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...that Amari has no right to even be in the sanctuary, since she’s not a maji. Amari’s ashê glows hot and blue; she knows that because of Ramaya and the current... (full context)
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...Amari’s chest. People cheer for Ramaya. Ramaya whispers in Amari’s ear that Orïsha and the maji will be better off with Amari dead. Energized, Amari grabs Ramaya and unleashês all of... (full context)
Chapter Thirty
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
Zélie walks to Amari’s room in the elder quarters, thinking of the almost 200 maji and divîners they have to feed. The new arrivals all bring stories of the monarchy’s... (full context)
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...an incantation. She reminds Amari that Amari promised to not use the Yoruba against the maji, but Amari insists she had no choice. Zélie spits that Amari always has a choice,... (full context)
Chapter Thirty-One
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...refuse to help, but Kenyon mutters that it’s the fault of people like Amari that maji are dying. Amari apologizes as Folake, the elder of the Lighter clan, enters. She’s the... (full context)
Chapter Thirty-Two
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...for Lagos: they’re headed for Chândomblé. If the army leaves tonight, they could catch the maji. Ojore asks if Inan can face Amari. Inan says that he won’t hurt Amari, but... (full context)
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...burn the rest. Zélie insists they can’t, since the scrolls are the history of the maji, but Amari coldly says that they’re weapons in the monarchy’s hands. Everyone knows Amari is... (full context)
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...tattoos now stretch down her back. Zélie realizes she can see ashê glowing in each maji, but Amari radiates waves of blue, especially when they touch. Zélie says that Oya showed... (full context)
Chapter Forty-One
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
...as Ojore arrives and slices at Zélie. Inan blocks him and Zélie grabs Mâzeli. The maji run. (full context)
Chapter Forty-Two
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...Orïsha’s history, but Nehanda points to the bodies and says that Inan doesn’t serve the maji. Inan knows Nehanda is right and gives the order to destroy the temple. Nehanda pulls... (full context)
Chapter Forty-Three
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
...Mâzeli escape, but Zélie snaps that she still wants to kill Inan to keep the maji safe. Amari refuses to fight if Zélie insists on killing Inan. Amari realizes that their... (full context)
Chapter Forty-Five
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Mama Agba suggests that Amari isn’t thinking big enough. The monarchy and the maji have been fighting for centuries, and both Inan and Zélie are products of that fight.... (full context)
Chapter Forty-Nine
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...times before. Amari pleadingly says that Inan brought a treaty, but Zélie insists that the maji won’t be free until the monarchs are all dead, including Amari—Zélie doesn’t trust Amari anymore.... (full context)
Chapter Fifty-Six
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Amari rushes up the stairs of the sanctuary, horrified. Healers work on injured maji on the grass. When Amari asks a Healer for Zélie, the Healer sends her to... (full context)
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
The maji and divîners gather. Amari anxiously waits for someone to realize that it’s her fault the... (full context)
Chapter Sixty
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
...while they’re divided. Zélie says they have to take the opening and leave Orïsha. The maji are furious. Kenyon roars that he doesn’t care if the monarchy catches him, but Zélie... (full context)
Chapter Sixty-Four
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...it’s been years in the making. Inan insists that they’re fighting the Iyika, not all maji, but Nehanda says that this war started before the Raid and before Inan’s birth. Nehanda... (full context)
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...the Burners, but she did show the nobles what would happen if they joined with maji. Inan’s world spins; Saran was the only monarch to survive the attack and if it... (full context)
Chapter Eighty-One
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...to understand that by using the moonstone to combine their lifeforces, they can save the maji from the monarchy and win the war. She climbs onto the well’s edge and addresses... (full context)
Chapter Eighty-Two
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
Zélie thinks of all the maji who dedicated themselves to this fight and of whom they’ll need to sacrifice. Zélie can’t... (full context)
Chapter Eighty-Four
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...Agba, but Mama Agba says they have to move quickly: Nehanda will execute the other maji within days. Mama Agba silences Zélie’s protests, promises to forgive anything, and pulls Zélie into... (full context)
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...heartbeats. They all rise as Mama Agba grows black and then bright white. As the maji’s hearts fall into sync, Mama Agba lights up the sky. The maji fall back to... (full context)
Chapter Eighty-Eight
Power and Systems of Oppression Theme Icon
Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Tradition and History Theme Icon
...the story of how Sky Mother gave birth to the gods, which led to the maji. He says the first rulers came about when maji abused their gifts. They lost their... (full context)
Chapter Eighty-Nine
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Cycles of Violence Theme Icon
Amari feels like she’s in a nightmare. The maji wreak havoc on the palace as Zélie runs for the cellars and the captive Iyika.... (full context)
Chapter Ninety
Love vs. Duty Theme Icon
...finally sees Màri at the end of a hall. Kâmarū, Imani, and Khani free the maji and Zélie gathers Bimpe and Màri close. She soothes them, but then sees Inan run... (full context)