Student Question
How does Zelie evolve throughout Children of Blood and Bone?
Quick answer:
Zélie evolves significantly, gaining awareness of her magical powers and accepting the responsibility to restore magic to Orïsha. Initially fearful due to King Saran's ban, she embraces her identity as a maji and becomes skilled in combat. Her journey strengthens her relationships with Amari and Tzain, and she learns to balance fear with vigilance. Captured and stripped of her powers, Zélie finds hope in her allies, ultimately reconnecting with her mother and surviving near-death, marking profound personal growth.
Throughout the course of the novel, Zélie changes considerably. One of the most important changes begins to become apparent very early in Children of Blood and Bone: her awareness of her powers. While Zélie has known since childhood that she is a divîner, she had understood her power as latent and had expected it to remain that way because of King Saran's ban on practicing magic. Once Princess Amari defies her father and brings the magic scroll that Zélie touches, she is quickly made aware that things will never be the same. She now becomes responsible for taking the scroll to the temple.
After she sets out on the quest with her brother, Tzain, and Amari, Zélie must accept an even greater responsibility. She learns that not only is she a maji with full powers, as her late mother had been, but she has also been assigned the solemn...
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task of restoring magical practice to Orïsha. As they progress, she becomes more skilled at things she had just been practicing, including combat. She now understands that thekosidán forces of Prince Inan are pursuing them.
Therefore, Zélie must accept that part of her identity is now to be a target. An important part of her adjustment is to acknowledge that she is afraid—and realize that fear is both an advantage and a disadvantage. She must not deny her fear, for that would mean pretending she is not their prey, and she cannot completely overcome it because that would make her careless. Keeping the fear at bay is now a constant part of her vigilance.
Another way she changes is to develop new and trusting relationships, especially with Amari and Tzain. When they reach the temple, the Chândomblé temple, she must also accept the trust the priest places in her through transferring the sacred artifacts. She is humbled as well by his sacrifice. Once she is captured, however, and her powers disappear, her trust in the others provides hope for her rescue, which they achieve. With her powers restored, she must summon up all her reserves and connect with her mother. Her brush with death and return to earthly life are two final major changes.