Magic has a price. And in our fifth episode, we begin to understand just how high that cost can be. The Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi is the first book of the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy that we ever cracked open—and it did not hold back. This West African-inspired fantasy pulled us into a world that felt both mythical and mirror-like, reflecting real struggles through richly imagined lands, lineage, and loss. With this book, everything changed. We didn’t just enter a story—we entered a movement of the spirit. Zélie’s rage. Amari’s awakening. Inan’s contradictions. Each character demanded that we look inward while looking outward at the systems, silences, and survival tactics we know far too well. And to make this moment even more special, we welcomed our first-ever guest host, Stephanie, whose voice and energy brought a bold new dimension to our circle. From the moment she joined us, she felt like she’d always been here—adding wit, wisdom, and the kind of honesty that reminds you why storytelling matters. Her perspective helped us uncover even deeper questions about loyalty, grief, and what it means to carry generational power when the world fears you for it. In this episode, we dig into: • What magic really symbolizes for Black people • The trauma of cultural erasure and the hunger to reclaim identity • How grief becomes both a weapon and a wound • The layered tension between Zélie, Amari, and Inan—and who we trusted (or didn’t) • The weight of belief: in ourselves, in each other, and in something greater Our featured cocktail, Berberé Breeze, was bold, spicy, and full of flavor—much like the story itself. Infused with tamarind, lime, ginger, and a dash of berberé spice, it honored the heat and heart that pulsed through every chapter. And with our scroll, sunstone, and bone dagger elements built into the tasting experience, we didn’t just read the book—we drank it in. This was the start of something big. The book that set the tone. The moment we realized Black Girls Lit! was going to be more than a podcast—it was going to be a space where magic, meaning, and memory all converge. Come for the book. Stay for the conversation. 💫 We like to know HOW LIT you were for this episode. Send us a text!! Let us know how you feel about this 📖 & 🍸. Support the show ✨ Loved the vibe? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to laugh, live free, and have a good drink. Follow us on Facebook and IG @BlackGirlsLit_Podcast for behind-the-scenes sips, book pairings, and all the lit energy.
