This was super enjoyable! Definitely a new YA contemporary fantasy series to keep an eye on. This first installment does have some debut growing pains - mostly repetitiveness and some minor pacing issues - but it's overall a solid debut.

I personally could have benefited from a little more worldbuilding - I wanted to know about Vamps and how all the sects of magic fit together - but I can be patient to learn more in future installments.

I've seen a lot of commentary about the content feeling too adult, and I actually disagree. These are things teens are doing and conversations teens are having and it's dealt with in an age appropriate way. I think this book really meets Gen-Z where they're at.

The narrators are great and do a great job at embodying the characters.

The cover may have misled me, but I ended up in a pretty fabulous place anyway.

This was such a solid debut! It was a lot of fun to read with some great characters at its heart and on the periphery to keep things constantly interesting. There are magical gods, revealing twists and terrible betrayals, and big family love. Clement and Christina are twins, but they approach magic very differently. For Cris, she is a natural with Gen magic but turned her back on it a year ago after a spell she crafted dealt her a heavy loss. On the other hand, Clem tries so hard to get better at it and just can't, so his frustration with his sister is palpable, especially in the beginning.

I guess I should quickly explain why the cover misled me, and it's nothing dramatic. Without looking too closely I had assumed this was a historical fantasy. I came into it expecting 1920's New Orleans and was surprised to find it modern day. I don't read a lot of urban fantasy but books like this just prove to me I need to change that. And for what it's worth, I think the magic system fit best into this setting. It gave the story extra nuance that I appreciated reading. As a whole, the magic system was quite neat, even if I did wish for more of it throughout the entire book. Gen magic, moon and sunlight magic, necromancy--there are so many possibilities for it that makes me want more books in this world.

Audio was a great way to read this. The narrators were absolutely fabulous, especially Joniece Abbott-Pratt. I've not read a single book narrated by her that I'd call a flop, and anything she touches is a must-read for me. I did see a few reviews complaining about the prose, but I honestly didn't notice and am a little shocked that anyone found it "bad." When given the voice of the characters, it is perfectly done. Maybe hearing them is what's missing from the physical version, but I had zero concerns.

The last quarter is what knocked a star off for me. It lost it's footing a bit. I read this pretty much back to back across a few days and I genuinely forgot who certain characters are. Don't even remember them being introduced, actually. Aurora? Don't know her. Xavier? Never met him. And the problem is they were involved in a large part of what Cris was doing in the last half of the book, and I didn't know why or what the connection was.

The ending itself was great though! So much excitement and very satisfying. It does mostly wrap up, but there are definitely some loose threads that need to be tugged further. I know a sequel is coming and I saw the author tweet he was hoping to do his planned five(!) books, but I'll happily take the sequel to this when it comes.

I picked this up because the premise sounded really good. The setting and the promised storyline sounded like it could be something right up my alley. However, I don't think I am the right reader and I was not able to get through the entire book.

The execution did not meet my expectations. The writing lacked depth and I felt like I was hearing the author's voice come through, instead of letting the story guide where he wanted to make a point. This is a book turn-off for me when I'm reading fiction.

3.5 stars rounded up.

I really, really wanted to like this book but it was just okay tbh. It turned out to be a lot more family drama than magic, which wasn't what I was expecting.

I really liked the chapters where we read from Chris and Clem's viewpoints. I received the audio arc and the narrators were wonderful and brought out the twins' personalities. Listening to first person perspectives from Chris and Clem gives the audience intimate knowledge of their family, their history, and how they're intertwined with race, magic, and the city of New Orleans itself. I also really liked the setting of the story, and being an urban fantasy gave it a unique twist.

While I ultimately didn't love this book, I do like how it brought up the issues of race and magic and wove them together, such as generational magic being practiced by black people and how it's a mixture of magic, Christianity, and traditional African beliefs to how magic in general is seen as a divisive issue within society i.e. should it be regulated or not? The book excelled on that end and I'd love to read a second book based on that type of magic system.

I think the book could've been shorter and viewpoints other than Chris's and Clem's weren't really necessary to the story. It was a bit jarring to listen to the twins in first person and then listen to a third person perspective from Valentina (who honestly sounded very one-dimensional) or some other minor character with only one chapter.

It only became interesting halfway through the book, so it could've been better paced. Some secondary plotlines could've been cut without affecting the storyline. (Like what was the point of that one guy tormenting Clem?)

Anyway, I'd love to read another book by Terry J. Benton-Walker. He has a talent for world building.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this arc.

This is not a genre I usually gravitate too, but this book intrigued me. I enjoyed the story but the side characters made the story more complicated than it needed to be. If you are a fan of books with voodoo and hexes, give this novel a try.

Blood Debts is an urban fantasy novel set in present-day New Orleans where magic is openly practiced and managed by different organizational bodies. I would describe the plot as a two-fold murder mystery, one from the past and an attempted murder of the present.

Clement & Christina are twins whose family has a dark history. Their grandmother was accused of murder many years ago which resulted in not only her fall from Queendom of their magical community but a family lynching from a local mob. In the present day, the twins’ mother falls ill and when they discover a hex doll in her room, the teens decide to figure out who is attacking their family and why. As the reader moves through the plot, they stumble upon information surrounding the notorious grandmother as well as complicated politics plaguing the magical and non-magical communities of New Orleans at present.

I finished reading this book yesterday and have been struggling with how to rank my final review for this book. On one hand, it contained many elements I loved but then it also included a lot of shortcomings as well. I suppose the best place to start is to share what this book left me wanting.

First off, I felt like the plot twists and outcomes were not overtly surprising, so I was missing the shock factor. The novel weaves a decades-old murder as well as a present situation, and therefore the cast list was incredibly long. As the climax approached and it was revealed who was tied to which plot points, I realized just how overwhelmed I had been with the numerous characters. I had a hard time connecting who was who and how they were interconnected to others in the mass web; to me, the many threads of characters convoluted the story. I was also missing information about the motivations behind the opposing communities and their overlapping relationship with the gods.

The story contains information about two main warring families in this magical community, and we see a generational cycle of targeted abuse from one to the other. This toxic vengeance carried the theme of, “an eye for an eye,” and I kept hoping for a character of good conscious to stop the cycle. This volatile relationship felt unsustainable and gives the reader a sense of hopelessness that there will never be peace amidst the community. My last critique ties into the previous one as well, which is that I felt like elements of the story lacked depth. The main characters didn’t show substantial character growth. If anything, they spiral more into chaotic choices and traits than finding strength or growth.

Okay, I know that seems like a lot of issues and you may be asking why I was struggling to review this book. Well, that’s because there were many elements I really enjoyed in this story! The setting of modern-day New Orleans was very atmospheric, and I loved seeing how magic was performed on the page for each of our character’s POVs. The reader gets to witness several instances of conjuring and the resulting aftermaths. I loved the simplicity of the objects needed for the spells and how when tied with their generational gifts, it brings magic into the world.

I also felt like the family dynamics were a highlight. I love a good sibling bond, where twins add a double layer of tension. I felt like Clement & Christina had a realistic sibling dynamic and their relationship was one of the most interesting for me to see unfold. The extended family was a messy element in the best of ways; I bask in dramatic family relationships like we see in this story.

A theme explored in Blood Debts surrounded the sexual activity of the teens. I personally like seeing this in young adult books, because it would have been the type of story I’d of sought out during my adolescence. There are mentions of sex workers, safe sex practices, consent, and LGBTQ+ representation with one of the main characters. All of which I felt were handled beautifully and included important messages for the reader.

Finally, I listened to the audiobook format of this book and absolutely loved the production. The story contains multiple POVs, and the narration includes a full cast of voice actors for each one and included some of my favorites such as Bahni Turpin, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Torian Brackett, and Zeno Robinson. Jazz music was an appropriate and fun special effect that opened the book and served as an interlude between each section of the novel.

So, you may ask, what’s my final review? I decided to settle on 3 stars. I’m glad I gave this book a chance and though it had many elements I enjoyed, there were too many faults to ignore. Blood Debts will be a series, and this first book ends on a cliff hanger with many elements needing to be explored in the sequel. I don’t see myself rushing to pick up the next book, but if raving reviews poor out – I may reconsider. So it isn’t a hard no, but just unlikely. Coming to this decision is what moved me to keep my final review at 3 stars instead of bumping it up to a 3.5/4 star review.

The writing almost killed me i kept pushing so hard but nothing kept me going. Not the plot, nor the characters. The writing felt too passive in my opinion I may as well just read a summary

I think I must note something important that my issue was with the craft itself, not the subject matters tackled in the story. I do think so many people will truly enjoy this book, I am just not the target audience for it

Speaking of the audiobook, I personally have not read many audiobooks to give a proper review, but I would say this was done well for a pre-release. I could distinguish between the two main protagonists pretty well. Nothing more to add on

Told in dual POVs I was immersed with the siblings story. It follows a brother and sister, Cristina and Clement as they figure out their own life, and attempt to solve a mystery. Filled with magic, hope, and curses. I was lost in their world and before I knew it-that ending!! It’s dark, but the author does a phenomenal job of keeping me engaged to every word.
The narrators, Bahni Turpin, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Torian Brackett, Zeno Robinson did a phenomenal job elevating the story and keeping me engaged till the very last word. I enjoyed the jazz music played at certain chapters too. I highly recommend the audiobook.
Old mystery, curse, and gods…what could go wrong?

Special thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
Publishes: April 3, 2023

Rep: Black gay mc, Black gay li, Black mcs and scs, gay scs
Rating: 3.75 stars

This was a pretty good read. Twins Clem and Chris are magic wielders who are trying to uncover the mystery and truths behind how their grandmother was falsely accused of murder, and in turn was murdered herself. They’re also dealing with their mother’s illness and the more recent death of their father. This is told in 2 major povs, Chris and Clem’s, with a few side character’s povs. It’s got messy characters and deals with some heavier topics such as racism, death, abusive relationships and depression.

The magic system was unique and really cool. The idea of passing down your magical powers through your ancestry is great. And of course we have white people trying to steal it from Black people for themselves. It really mirrored our society. It did not shy away from systemic racism.

I really liked the twins and was rooting for them. They had grown apart and I just wanted to see them get closer again, but they each had their own struggles going on and issues to deal with. I really liked Clem’s love interest. I was not expecting what happened with him. I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.

This book was a lot heavier than I thought it would be. I anticipated a nice story with magic, but wow the author really put these characters through the wringer. I also didn’t expect there to be necromancy, but it was pretty interesting to see everything unfold.

The cover is gorgeous!! The narrators did a good job. I love when multiple pov books have different narrators for each character. I wasn’t a fan of the side characters povs though. They had me confused a few times. I also liked the addition of jazz music in the interludes between parts.

Check trigger warnings before reading this.

Overall, it’s a great book for magic in a contemporary setting.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book

Blood debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker was an interesting book basically following different characters throughout time. I enjoyed the fact that the narrators were both a male and a female voice for the different characters that they portrayed.

The story itself was traveling through different issues investigating and the characters mind murder and its resolution.

Although I expected this to be a little more fanciful it was in fact started in current times and flashing back and forth depending on which character the chapter was focusing on.

I felt it was well written and engrossing and a good pick up and read. Just make sure you don't get too spooked.

When I saw the synopsis for this, I got very excited. A queer, YA fantasy about a Black magical family, set in New Orleans?! Yes, yes, yes. The vibe of this book was so unique and engaging, definitely a release to be excited for in 2023. Clem and Cris are twins fighting to uncover the mystery of how their grandparents were framed and murdered for a murder they didn't commit. It's up to them to bring their feuding family together so that justice can finally be served.

What I Enjoyed:

-Loved how this book got historical with its examination of systemic racism. The themes of overcoming generational curses and reparations for wrong-doings were so badass, I was rooting for Clem and Cris the whole time.
-Enjoyed the magic system and how there were different types of magic, some used only by the Black people and some specifically used by white folks. Thought it was very interesting that there was a whole magical aspect to the Civil War, which impacted the present day racism within the different factions. The Black magical families are calling on their ancestors and the white magicians are trying desperately to appropriate it for themselves. Very apt because I see this all time in the witchy community in real life!
-Loved all the messy Dupont family drama and Aunt Ursula was such a great character.
-Loved Clem and thought he was awesome queer representation because he was such a fierce defender of himself and his family. He did not take anybody's shit and I adored him.
-The overall atmosphere and vibes of this book were everything I wanted them to be.
-I listened to this as an audiobook and I would recommend it that way because all the narrators were awesome and the jazz playing between parts really added to the whole production.

What I Disliked:

-The writing style/prose was not my favorite and felt too young at times. This is YA, I know, but certain parts did make me cringe a bit.
-The world building was oversaturated and there were a few too many things going on with the plot. I loved the deity worship and different gods but in combination with the magical royalty system and different factions of magic, it got confusing and felt a little all over the place. Sometimes less is more. Had this been executed differently, it would have made for a more cohesive read. There were also some characters that could have totally been omitted and felt unnecessary.

4.5/5 Stars.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC!

I loved this book and am crying that I have to wait for the sequel! New Orleans, witchcraft, necromancy, greed, revenge, this book had it all! It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger.

★ 3.5 // 5

TW: racism, homophobia, misogyny, sexual assault, abusive relationship (romantic), gun violence, extreme grief depictions, terminal illness (parent), loss of a parent (before start of book), bullying, corpse imagery, death

For starters, getting to listen to this on audiobook was so much fun. I loved the interludes between parts where jazz music from New Orleans played. Those moments made me feel truly connected to the setting, and it made me want to take the six hour drive to the city itself from my own home.

Blood Debts was a very interesting debut. I think it does fall into the typical issues that reside with debuts, but it surprised me a hell of a lot more than I thought it would. Cristina and Clement Trudeau are twins descended from some of the strongest magic users of New Orleans. Their grandmother was accused of murder, so she was stripped of her title as queen. Then, the twins decades later lose their father under mysterious circumstances, leading to the events of this book. Cristina believes she inadvertently caused her father's death due to a spell gone wrong, and Clement is trying every spell in the book to get more answers about his father's death.

Cris and Clem are very compelling leads. I loved getting to squat inside their heads and see their world through their own eyes. Twins in general have always been very interesting in literature, so I loved getting to have their very different perspectives on magic, etc. Plus, the twins go through some very serious trauma/ realities for teens now-a-day. These chapters in particular surprised me because the writing is a quite simple (telling based rather than showing), so I didn't expect shootings, SA, or even necromancy. Looking back I should not of assumed this book would not be heavy, but I was looking for a fun YA ride and I still got that.

My biggest critique is the writing style and pacing, which is typically my biggest issue with most debuts. The telling vs. showing part of the writing was definitely unbalanced, so there's a ton of instances where the author goes into heavy detail recounting a moment or telling the readers about a moment. Moreover, the pacing was quite sporadic, so I felt some whiplash going between the chapters, especially ones that weren't Cris or Clem. Usually when Cris's chapters were intense and gripping, Clem's were slower and calmer, and then, the chapters would flip flop back and forth between this for the two of them. It made my reading harder because I wanted to stay with that twin instead of the other, and When I'm about to switch back, I suddenly find out big information to want to stay with that current twin. It was tug of war between the two, so I really didn't like that element. Finally, the pacing did skyrocket at the end. Every book increases its pacing at the end, but with all the new revelations and emotional intensity, I didn't have a big chance to breathe and take in those scenes. It was just BOOM BOOM BOOM. End. I'm really excited to read the sequel and see if this part of the author's writing improves.

I definitely want to continue this series to see more gods too!!

Thank you Tor Teen and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There aren't enough stars in the sky to give Blood Debts, but I guess I'll have to settle for 5. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this AudioARC.

Chris and Clem are pure magic....Generational or Gen magic that is. In a world where the African American community has access to their Gods and power via the moon, Chris has sworn off the use of magic after she fears a spell she conjured led to her father's death. Clem is wading through the waters of depression and anxiety while trying to help his mother, who fell ill after their father's death. When the twins discover a hex doll is the cause of their mother's ailments will they find who is gunning for their family before it's too late, or will they all find themselves at the wrong end of a blood debt?

I have been ITCHING to find the right words to do this book justice. For a debut there is nothing else the author could have done to make this novel better. It is perfection on page: a FANTASTIC new magic system, characters with depth and purpose, a who dunnit mystery, pacing of THE GODS, and the narration is bliss. I felt for these characters, I wanted to lift them up when they needed it, be a force behind them when they were throwing punches, and just be friends with them on a personal level. These are obviously teens, they make mistakes and you find yourself verbally saying "oh, no! Don't!" However you root for them even in those moments. The magic system is unlike anything I've read before, and it's just that....magic. The history of their Pantheon is rooted deep in African American stories and it's great to see a group of Gods with true teeth. The violence was done tastefully and perpetuated the story rather than just going for gore factor. I could go on forever about Blood Debts, but I hope you get to experience this for yourself; I really don't think you'll regret one second. Final thought: there better be a book 2!!!!!

5 beaming stars as bright as the sun for Blood Debts. Recommend for readers who enjoyed Shadow and Bone, Ninth house, and the Devouring Gray. Age recommended for 15+ as there is a little sexual content and some violence.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I listened to the aduobook version.

I had high hopes for this one: New Orleans and magic and lots of hype.

Maybe it was due to the audiobook, but I had trouble following along or getting into the story.

I ultimately didn't love Blood Debts but I will say that the audiobook was really well done. There are multiple POVs and each character had a different voice actor which I always enjoy. I think the audiobook is a good way to enjoy this story, especially since you get some of the New Orleans accents as well that helps provide a nice atmosphere. The story itself just didn't really work for me unfortunately.

Set in modern day New Orleans, Blood Debts gives it's listener the feel of the history with the context of modern day. I thought the narrators did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. Twins Clement and Cristina are faced with their mother's crippling illness only to discover that it is not a natural illness. As the two work to unite their estranged family members to save their mother, they learn more about their family's tragic history. This is a tale that twines around the racism of the past while helping one family heal and move forward, resetting some of the tragedies of their past. I feel like Benton-Walker did a good job dealing with the racism of the past intruding on the modern day, but not being overbearing. The author's note at the beginning mentioned that he was using this as a way to work through somethings in his own life, and there were definitely some raw moments, especially with Clement. As a story, I enjoyed this very much but would love to have seen more of the magic. In some ways it felt like you needed to have some inside knowledge in order to fully understand mechanics. This book could have been amazing with a little more polishing and I look forward to seeing what else Benton-Walker gives us in the future.

3.25 Stars

I love the idea, concept, and setting but couldn't fully immerse myself into the story. A lot was going on but it wasn't as flushed out as I would like, especially with the side characters.

Overall, a decent read. If you're a fan of YA novels and NOLA settings with voodoo and hexes, give this novel a try.

***I would like to thank NetGalley, Terry J. Benton (the author), and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

Chris and Clement are twins blessed with Generational magic that's been passed down from their ancestors. Their story is set in modern day New Orleans (which is very dear to me), and there is... a lot going on.

I was so excited for this book-- a story about magic, family ties, and politics from the perspective of Black teens. The magic system was interesting, and the scenes involving it were really beautiful. And it was nice to watch the teens pull their fractured family back together to push back against the dark forces trying to destroy them. I also love the queer and mental health representation.

However, some other things fell flat for me. I feel the story took on a little too much. There were so many things happening to so many different characters that I had some trouble keeping it all straight. The general pacing of the story and the big tangle of plot lines left me feeling a little frazzled.

Some of the relationships felt rushed, and it made the intensity of their feelings seem less realistic. And the inner thoughts of some of the POV characters were really repetitive.

Overall, this was a solid, well-written read that kept me engaged throughout. The ending of this boon clearly sets up an equally action-packed sequel, but I'm on the fence about whether I'd pick it up.

The narration of this audiobook was fantastic. I ADORE that the different POV characters have very different voices, and I thought they were all really well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC in return for my honest review.

I really liked the magical system and world building in this book! The family secrets were interesting to unravel and the characters were super interesting and realistic! I loved that the audiobook had jazz to introduce each part of the book too.