Children of Virtue and Vengeance: Chapters 27–43

by Tomi Adeyemi
In the second book of the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, Zélie and Amari must fight the monarchy in order to protect practitioners of magic.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–13, Chapters 14–26, Chapters 27–43, Chapters 44–63, Chapter 64–Epilogue
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. subdue
    put down by force or intimidation
    You’ve done an incredible job of subduing these rebels.
  2. decimate
    kill in large numbers
    “The king struck back,” the Burner pants. “He and the tîtáns decimated our camp..."
  3. writhing
    moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion
    Within seconds, I’m on the ground writhing beneath the painful stabs erupting through my sternum.
  4. reprieve
    a relief from harm or discomfort
    Ramaya’s attacks subside, a brief reprieve as she catches her breath.
  5. scrutinize
    look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail
    Some scrutinize me with a heavy gaze.
  6. prosthetic
    relating to or serving as an artificial body part
    Kâmarū leans forward, resting an elbow on his prosthetic leg.
  7. leverage
    strategic advantage; power to act effectively
    “I’m not saying a bid for peace is off the table. But let’s get these scrolls first. We need new leverage against your mother in case peace doesn’t work.”
  8. placate
    cause to be more favorably inclined
    I wonder if she’s just trying to placate me, or if she truly believes her own lies.
  9. expansive
    able or tending to extend in one or more directions
    An expansive brick labyrinth with dozens of rooms, the palace cellar seems to hold all of my darkest memories.
  10. traverse
    journey across or pass over
    I expect them to make their way up the stairs, but instead they disappear down the cellar’s dark halls. They move with confidence, as if they’ve traversed this labyrinth before.
  11. spar
    practice boxing or fighting
    He forced us to spar. I still remember the way her screams bounced against the stone walls when I took things too far.
  12. lilt
    a jaunty rhythm in music or speech
    The boy speaks Orïshan with a strange lilt, as if he isn’t from this land.
  13. clad
    wearing or provided with clothing
    I peek around the corner to find Mother standing with two masked men clad in black.
  14. elude
    escape, either physically or mentally
    “They eluded our forces after an insurgent rally in Zaria, but today they were spotted moving south.”
  15. sparse
    not dense or plentiful
    Sweat gathers above the Seer’s sparse brows as he summons his magic.
  16. prodigious
    very impressive; far beyond what is usual
    Though only fourteen, Tahir’s prodigious talents have made him Kâmarū’s Second. It’s because of him and Mama Agba the lyika have their innovative armor.
  17. terse
    brief and to the point
    “Everybody ready?” Amari turns back to the others, and they meet her with terse nods.
  18. oscillate
    move or swing from side to side regularly
    The last time we were here, the temple felt alive; it was as if I could touch the magic oscillating through the air.
  19. swath
    a path or strip (also figurative)
    The silver sparks writhe like smoke, giving birth to the swath of night that grows beyond Dakarai’s palms.
  20. muddle
    mix up or confuse
    But with only a wall between us, all the words I want to say muddle in my chest: incomplete sentences within a mountain of unfinished letters.
  21. strew
    spread by scattering
    With only seven fighters, the lyika have left dozens of our best strewn across the floor.
  22. apprehend
    take into police custody
    “Be ready to apprehend the rebels at a moment’s notice. This was their only way in. That means it’s their only way out.”
  23. disheveled
    in disarray; extremely disorderly
    Amari runs a hand through her disheveled hair before turning to Dakarai instead.
  24. impassioned
    characterized by intense emotion
    “This is war.” She meets my impassioned words with a cold stare.
  25. solemn
    dignified and somber in manner or character
    A solemn air fills the room as we look at the hundreds of scrolls, silently calculating how many will have to burn.
  26. stark
    complete or extreme
    I wheeze when the golden glow ignites in my chest, so stark it paints my rib cage in black silhouettes.
  27. sternum
    the breastbone
    I rest my fingers against my sternum and I can feel it: the vibration as my magic swells.
  28. implication
    a meaning that is not expressly stated but can be inferred
    “Skies,” I curse, realizing the implication behind her words.
  29. falter
    walk unsteadily
    My steps falter as I try to slow, but Ojore drags me around the corner.
  30. waver
    move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
    The char of the explosion mars his breastplate. He wavers as he unfastens it and throws the armor to the ground.
  31. stoke
    (of a fire) stir up or tend
    Despite his hesitation, I hold on to my rage, stoking the fire in my core.
  32. poised
    marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
    I turn to see an admiral charging forward, his sword poised to cut me down.
  33. hallowed
    worthy of religious veneration
    I remember wandering its hallowed grounds in search of Zélie’s path moons ago. Kneeling before the portrait of Ori. This temple was the one place that could quiet the noise in my head.
  34. fissure
    a long narrow opening
    The ground cracks on impact.
    The fissure speeds through the jungle, tearing up the earth in its path.
  35. contemplation
    a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
    Tzain purses his lips in false contemplation, scratching his chin.
  36. entail
    impose, involve, or imply as a necessary result
    I imagine what a few hours with him might entail.
  37. solstice
    when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator
    “It is a power bestowed by the gods. They must have granted it to you during the solstice.”
  38. volatile
    liable to lead to sudden change or violence
    “A power that volatile would consume anyone it touched, and binding yourself to someone’s lifeforce means binding yourself to their death.”
  39. viable
    capable of being done with means at hand
    “All I’m asking for is a chance to find out if peace is a viable option.”
  40. enthralled
    filled with wonder and delight
    My chest falls as the other elders jump in, enthralled by their future fight.
Created on Fri Mar 06 18:20:53 EST 2020 (updated Wed Mar 11 13:05:34 EDT 2020)

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