Clem and his sister Cris come from a dynasty of "gen" magic users. Their status was stolen by another family of gen users who now control the magic council of New Orleans. These two teens fight to right wrongs done to them and their family and take back their power within their community.

Blood Debts is a great idea with poor execution. The pacing is so fast and the amount of information dropped is overwhelming and sometimes the story never comes back around to the interesting things. I have a feeling a lot of the plot points that dropped off will be in the next book but I think even books in series should try to not leave so many plot points hanging open. It just makes it seem like an unfinished book instead of part of a series. This book also didn't feel YA enough to be YA fantasy and not adult enough to be adult fantasy so it just came out messy most of the time. There's also violence and death that, to me, was very unexpected and felt a bit strange to the story. I'm not sure how to explain it, but it didn't sit right. I'd definitely recommend looking into content warnings for this book. There are four perspectives in Blood Debts but it really only needed two and the other two felt quite jarring any time it switched to them.

That all being said, the magic system is really interesting and the implications at the end left me quite curious. I might pick up the sequel in the future.

I enjoyed this read, but I think if I hadn't done the audiobook I would have DNFd. Just because the beginning was hard to get invested in the characters, and the overall plot. I did enjoy the family coming together, but even that was very surface level. Everything felt surface level. This book would be better as a TV series, it has that kind of writing. The narrators also helped me stay engaged, they were VERY good in their pace and intonation.

Picture modern day New Orleans, but with magic... generational magic that is passed down by the ancestors. This is the world twins Christina and Clement live in. And when someone curses their mother and almost kills her, they work together to solve the mystery.

This book delves into deep topics like institutionalized rascism, assault, and generational trauma through magical realism. Gen magic, typical among Black families is often pitted against white magic, and the book deftly discusses how the laws are written and enforced in favor of white magic.

Couched in these strong (yet not preachy) messages is the story of a family rebuilding after loss. It's a story of redemption and love and second chances.

Definitely worth a read.

3 ⭐️

Blood Debts is a story of teenage twins, Clem and Cris, who enlist the help of their (somewhat estranged) family in getting revenge on the people who stole their right to lead the magic council in New Orleans.

I was a big fan of the magic in this book - the spells, the appeals to different Gods for help and protection, and the way every bit of magic had a balance to it was really neat, and clearly rooted in the lore and history of magic in New Orleans. However, the rest of the book was rather hard to follow, with too many characters and too many side plots that didn’t fully come together for me even when the mystery was solved. Plus, it got incredibly dark with necromancy and cold-blooded murder that I probably should have expected from the title, but wasn’t actually expecting in a YA fantasy. It bordered on horror more than fantasy at some points, and that’s not my cup of tea. If I have nightmares tonight, I won’t have to question why.

I thought the LGBTQ representation was stellar, and really portrayed the full spectrum of how gays are being treated in our country currently (ranging from total acceptance to total homophobia). I also appreciated the racial discourse and the timeliness of its message.

The narration of the audiobook was very well done, and I liked having a full cast for all the different POVs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, this was quite a ride and can't wait to see what comes next.
There is a lot going on in this book so I won't try to even summarize it. Just know that is a great read that mixes magic, mistery, great black representation along with great insight into racism and the toll it has taken on black people and getting back at whoever wrong you.
I ended up listening to this and highly recommend it on this version.

I loved the world that Benton Walker created. I love the sibling relationship and their struggles to relate to each other while all this was going on around them. The bad guy was obvious, but the path to confrontation was fraught and interesting.
There were a couple things that bothered me. The healing happened weirdly quick. The love was too instantaneous. Both of those things made it hard for me to connect with the characters that were involved in this.
I am unsure about the third perspective, but I understand why it was there. We see how easy it is to become the bad guy and it made me doubt what I was being told by all the points of view. So I both liked it and didn’t like it.
I hope we see more of Cris and Clem trying to find their way together through the complicated world they are a part of.

It's been a while since I read a series starter that made me this excited for the sequels. There are A LOT of threads in the story - but they intertwine and are so well presented that it's not too much of a challenge to keep them straight.

I will point out here that I am around the same age as the parents in the story, so well past the age of the target audience. But I absolutely love that the "long ago" part of the family history is 1989 - so many current stories are written by people my age and older whose grandparents were born 100+ years ago, and since we grew up with that twilight memory of most of the 20th century, we tend to think of "long ago" as the early 20th century. But mathing it out, if Chris and Clem are 17 in 2023, they were born around 2006 - so 1989 is twice as long ago for them as how old they are.

I also love that the primary families involved are rich enough that Chris, Clem, Oz, Valentina, Yves, etc. (I listened to the audiobook, so apologies if I've misspelled anyone's name) are able to come and go as they please, so the story can take place during the summer and isn't limited to school and home - these are the kind of folks who think nothing of driving around and parking within the French Quarter at the height of tourist season and have regular coffee shops and go on dates to museums. That opens up the story in ways that you might not appreciate until you think about other teen-focused magic series and notice that this one avoids falling into the same tropes.

I don't want to spoil the plot too much and deprive anyone the excitement of letting the story unfold, but in a very general sense I will say that for me the book struck a perfect balance for a series starter of exposition and blending short term mysteries that can be wrapped up in one book with a larger story to unfold in the sequels. The ending does not feel abrupt, but you definitely will be looking forward to finding out what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book. For me it seemed to drag a bit towards the beginning but I expect that for character and world building. Once the story picked up pace I was extremely engrossed in what was going on. I will say Clem was my favorite character and my heart absolutely broke when Eve died😭 I’m looking forward to seeing what the next book holds.

Thirty years ago, New Orleans saw the biggest magical massacre in its history. Trudeaus were lynched and dethroned. Despite what’s happened over those years, Trudeau twins, Clement and Cristina have continued to practice magic. Last year. their father died of a heart attack. Now, their mother starts dying form multiple organ failure. When the twins find a hex doll, the two realize that someone has cursed their family and coming for them next. Suspicious it’s someone on the magical council, the two start to investigate. To save their mother, the two must call upon their estranged relatives to help them solve the mystery. As the clues uncover, they point more and more to what happened 30 years ago. Can Clement and Cristina stop what’s happening before it’s too late?

Narrators, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Bahni Turpin, Torian Brackett, and Zeno Robinson do a great job of capturing the characters’ voices. They do a great job of navigating the intricately woven plot. The author does a great job of bringing historical and current events into the novel. characters are relatable and draw the listener into the story. The world building is well done and brings to life a magical world within New Orleans. Characters are black and some are LGBTQ+. Fans of fantasy, mysteries, and magical adventures may want to pick this one up. Social themes of sacred practices, racism, mental illness, sex work, sexuality, and consent do suggest that this book is best suited for more mature young adults. Recommended where fantasy audiobooks are popular.

Please Note: A copy of this audiobook was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own. No other compensation was received.

"Blood Debts" by Terry J. Benton-Walker, narrated by Bahni Turpin, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Torian Brackett, and Zeno Robinson, is a gripping urban fantasy set in New Orleans. The audiobook's diverse narrators breathe life into the vibrant characters, enhancing the immersive experience.

The story is rich with mystery, political intrigue, and intricate magical elements, woven against the backdrop of a magical New Orleans. While the plot is complex with multiple subplots and twists, it adds depth to the narrative, though it can sometimes be challenging to follow.

Despite its complexities, "Blood Debts" offers a compelling exploration of themes like racism, cultural appropriation, and family secrets, with well-rounded and flawed characters that feel authentic and relatable. Overall, it's a captivating listen for fans of urban fantasy and mystery.

This black fantasy was so interesting. Here were the things I loved:
-twin witches trying to find the the truth
-loved black history x fantasy/magic
-the writing really made me feel like I was with the twins
-the drama was juicy, the love rectangle is crazy
-I love how close the family was and the connection
-I loved that it was set in New Orleans
-the audiobook felt immersive
only note:
-sometimes the book felt a little long on redundant

I loved the concept but was confused most of the time. There were so many characters doing so many things that I lost track of who was who. I loved the storyline but would have enjoyed it more if it explained the magic system more and didn’t add side stories. I have so many questions and will probably pick up the next book to hopefully have them answered.

I really enjoyed this book! Listening to the audiobook was amazing! I loved that there are more than one voice actors. I loved the different relationships in the book and how a large focus of it was on family and race relations. It really pointed out how white people can be with other cultures (the entitlement) and I respect this book for that. There are parts in this book that really broke my heart but it is amazing. This book was interesting and the ending left definitely wanting to read the next book in the series. I recommend to go read this book!!

I was very happy with this story and the interesting take on magic. The diverse cast of characters, examination of trauma, and mysterious elements were very enjoyed. I loved the audiobook and felt like the narrators did a phenomenal job! I need to get my hands on the sequel asap!

Blood Debts deals with not only generational magic but generation trauma and how unchecked trauma by those who came before can poison those that follow. At the start of this tale we are introduced to Cristina and Clement Trudeau. The sixteen-year old twins are both Gen which means they practice moon magic. Once as close as the womb they shared, these two have steadily drifted apart due to how they view the magic that is a part of their bloodline. For Cristina, magic is what destroyed her family, including her grandparents and dad. For Clement, magic gives him purpose.

Terry J. Benton-Walker does an amazing job of introducing a sizable roster of characters and making sure each of them is given depth and motivation. Before long we are introduced to the remaining members of Cristina and Clement's family which includes their mother and four aunts. Both of our main characters have love interests as well. Then we have Cristina's rival, Valentina, whose grandmother is the reigning queen.

Magic, betrayal, generational trauma, LGBTQUIA rep and revenge are the main things I loved about this book.
I absolutely adored the cast or narrators for being this book to life. They captured the soul and message of this story so perfectly.
I went into this book pretty much blind. Which sometimes is the best cause the book resonates with you more. I loved Clement and Christina’s journey of uncovering the truth behind the brutal murder of their grandparents while navigating their own personal journeys through fear, depression, anxiety and negative self image.
I found myself submerged in their world of magic, betrayal and revenge.
I honestly can’t wait to get into the next book in this series. Terry for sure created a compelling world and characters that you can’t help but root for.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for an Audio Edition of this book. Y’all are the best. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.

I cannot give this enough stars. This was F***** fantastic! I cannot wait for the sequal. Terry J Benton Walker has fan in me forlife. The mix of hoodoo and ancestral work and fantasy... chef's kiss!

Thank you to Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this AudioARC in exchange for an honest review!

This story is a WOW! There are so many layers to the story, the world, and the characters, it is hard to know where to start. Add in the narration from multiple fantastic voice actors, and you've got an easy, instant hit in the audiobook world.

I initially knew I wanted to read this story just from the synopsis - I am also from New Orleans, and the queer and mental health representation caught my eye. However, the way that Terry J. Benton-Walker captures the beauty and hardships of the Black spiritual community of NOLA, from the dedication all the way to the final lines of the book, are just gripping and achingly realistic.

Our story is about the Gen-Magic (or generational magic) community in NOLA, in particular the Dupart family. While we do have multiple POV characters (each with unique voices in both writing style and narration), the story is mostly told through the eyes of twins Clement and Christina. I'm usually not a huge fan of multiple POV's beyond maybe three (ala Game of Thrones), but I appreciated the moments where we were able to get the whole picture of what was happening along with getting to know the ins and outs of our twin protagonists.

Clement begins our story as an anxious gay young Black man learning the Gen-magic and grieving the death of his father and illness of his mother (who we later find out is not sick, but cursed). I felt connected to Clement's vulnerability very quickly. His story is one of rage, love, and consequences, and there were many moments that I had my mouth wide open in shock at the twists in his story. I don't want to give any spoilers, but there is one facet of his storyline, something traumatic that seems like maybe a throwaway with Zack, that leads to a massive consequence - I really hope in the sequel that this part is addressed more. I feel like it had to be moved to the backburner to address the Big Bad at the end of the story, but I have a lot of feelings and questions!

Christina starts the story very closed off, even to herself, because she blames herself for the death of her father after using magic to seek revenge. She has sworn off magic, is dating a white boy that everyone in her family is suspicious of, and her walls are all the way up. As her story progresses, we see her walls come down, see her pick herself up again from pain after pain, and eventually see her come into her own power and confidence both magically, and as a strong Black woman surrounded by strong Black women. I grew to feel very protective of Christina, and it was easy to celebrate when she triumphed.

There are many important and interesting side characters in this book from the many Dupart sisters, the darker magic being done by the political scheming inside the Gen-Magic Council, the Gods intervening, and then we have a whole other conflict with the White Mages - magical white people who have had years of conflict with those of Gen-Magic descent. We even have a nod to the evangelical right with the anti-magic folks protesting and the election for mayor - with generations of trauma and fighting between the the communities. I must repeat - the narration with all of these characters is a stunning addition to the audiobook, and I think it sets it apart as a quality piece of art.

Terry J. Benton-Walker's urban fantasy rides the tricky and lovely line between modern day challenges (and this felt very real-world) and the magic its characters carry as a part of their heritage. This is a story about family and revenge, owning your truth and the consequences of our actions, regardless of intentions. I'm very excited for the sequel to come out, and I hope that anybody who loves audiobooks or fantasy will check this one out, especially folks in the upper young adult and new adult range. A definite 5 stars!

A powerful story of black and queer justice! 4.5 stars ⭐️

In Blood Debts we are following an array of characters, mainly twins Clement and Cristina. After finding a hex doll under their mother’s bed, together they unravel the story of the death and magical dethroning of their grandmother who was framed for murder. They seek justice for their family’s right to rule the council of magic.

Although there were many characters and POVs, this story was weaved so intricately that not once was I lost or confused. I love a book where small clues are woven in and piece together perfectly at the end. This book screams, you need to pay attention to every detail, but in the best way possible. The characters were so throughly crafted and there was great character development. Also THE DRAMA!! I was reeling. I loved it.

The magic system was throughly explained and as an avid fantasy reader, this is really big for me. The magic system was weaved into the book instead of info dumped on us and I loved that.

The queer representation was well done and the history of racial injustice was well discussed.

I received the ARC via audiobook and I think this was the best way to experience the story as there was a full cast which made it a lot easier to follow along.

Thank to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know why, but I had the impression that this book took place in like an alternate 1920s. Maybe it was the clothes of the characters on the cover? But this is definitely a modern urban fantasy.

Pros: There are some pretty excellent small moments (my favorite may be when Cris confronts her boyfriend about race, Clem and Cris working on their relationship, the magic system as an allegory). Where is does shine is the antagonist chapters with Valentina. She often comes across as a mean girl stereotype (in the worst way possible), but her chapters where you get to see the layers to her are great. I think that's how you can tell this is a debut author: strong in some sections and incredibly weak or relying on tropes in others.

Cons: It took a while to explain the magic systems and the different types of magic. Gen magic was referred to so often by Cris and Clem, but I couldn't figure out what made it so special. I also never understood the whole "queen" aspect of this world. What do they even do? There's a board that can remove them. How does the "crown" get passed down? Ultimately, there were too many questions around the worldbuilding for me.

This book is so strange. It's YA, but it's like the author wants to be able to make the teens more adult-like. Ex. Ursula giving Clem whiskey and him pretending like he hasn't had it before. Both twins having partners sleep over all the time as if they're bed hopping (where's the adult supervision for either party).

The narrators: Holy cow, I can't believe the range the narrator for Clem has. From teenage boy tenor to deep velvety bass, it's freaking amazing. Altogether, there are four narrators and they all hold their own very well.

I wasn't the biggest fan of this YA fantasy and don't see myself picking up the next in the series.