“She takes in every inch of the floating village like a starving laborer placed before a majestic feast.” (Simile)
In Chapter 9, Zélie observes how Amari delights in seeing the village of Ilorin. This simile is slightly ironic because Amari is the wealthiest, most privileged girl in Orïsha, yet she looks at the impoverished village of Ilorin with awe.
"They wear their secrets like glittering diamonds" (Simile)
Amari uses this simile to describe how the oloyes, or noblewomen, navigate court politics using luxury, beauty, and gossip as tools to gain influence and power.
“Her stance holds a power, a storm brewing beneath her black skin.” (Metaphor)
Zélie sees a vision of her sister goddess Oya, poised for battle. Using the image of a storm, Zélie describes Oya's power and rage. She also invokes Oya's skin tone, affirming that dark skin is sacred and powerful.
“Sharp and jagged like its rumored inhabitants, its sand cliffs and rocky bluffs jut out over the Lokoja Sea." (Simile)
In Chapter 72, Zélie compares Jimenta's landscape to the criminals who live there. Like the craggy mountain landscape, the inhabitants of Jimenta are dangerous and difficult to navigate.
“Like a suppressed sneeze, my curse jumps to the surface.” (Simile)
Inan suppresses his magic, which he believes is a curse. However, his magic is powerful and violently forces itself to the surface like a sneeze, an unstoppable biological function.
