I had a fun time with this book! The setting of this book was gorgeous and I loved all of the characters. I appreciated how Malik's story unfolded and even though there were parts of the magic system that needed to be more flushed out, I think that the characters were the main carrier of the story. The only downside was the treatment of female carriers in the book, which all seemed to be overly sexualized. There were a few very millenial references that made me cringe, but overall an interesting read.

A delightful young adult title with a well-fleshed out male protagonist, a fascinating magical system, and a story which keeps you turning the pages. Looking forward to book 2.

I have not been able to enjoy very much fantasy recently but this got me out of that slump. I am loving where this story is going. It felt very emotional and personal but relatable. It was also very insightful.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the e-book copy!

I requested the arc for this book before I saw it was getting bad reviews. I gave it a chance but it ultimately did not work for me. I want to say the biggest reason why it didn't work for me was the pacing. I got bored about 20% into this book and I was not motivated enough to continue. I respect that this book was written with young men in mind as I feel like they could relate the most to the main character and his struggles. It just lost me very early on for some reason.

For context, I am a white almost 30 yo woman so take my review with a grain of salt.

I love the premise, and I heard the author talk a lot about the book on Tik Tok before reading so I was really looking forward to this. But I was a little concerned with some seeming homophobic/transphobic vibes. The author talked about how black men are usually treated in mainstream stories (killed off early, falsely accused, "thugs", sidekicks, etc.) and I agree with his point, but in making sure this isn't what happened to Malik, it kind of became what happened to all the women in the story. Pretty much all of them were portrayed as "jezebels" or "mammy" type characters. The way in which Katia is murdered is especially horrible. I'm not sure if that was intentional to talk about the way women are often treated, or a bit of misogynoir. In trying to make sure he didn't put another black man in this role, he just put women in them instead? And the fact that I'm not sure the intent is making me think it's the later and not the former. Malik also misgenders a character and comes off a bit homophobic to D Low (also naming a queer character Down Low feels JK Rowling level insensitive naming). But maybe all of this was the point, and it just went over my head given the overall maturity level and target age for the book. I'll be reading other people's opinions and reviews on this book to try to understand better and reshape some of my own. The story is told in a mix up of AAVE and standard colloquial English that I found easy enough to enjoy. Overall the plot is entertaining and easy follow. I have some concerns about a few interwoven elements, but again I may not be the intended audience or have the requisite cultural understanding to appropriately interpret. And that's okay too.

I wanted to like this so much more. A fantasy. With a magical Black male main character. That takes place at an HBCU. Say less. However, I was confused by the plot for the majority of the story. Things just weren't quite connecting for me and the world-building felt lacking. But the most egregious issue for me was how the female characters were treated in this book. Almost all of them were basically set pieces. They had virtually no depth or personality. Essentially, they were defined by what they were to or could do for the male characters. Additionally, Malik himself wasn't very likeable. I wanted so much more out of this story, but was left disappointed. I won't be continuing with this series, but I would consider giving this author another chance in the future.

I am actually enjoying this book, but I will not be completing it at this time. I do still highly recommend it though. Especially to young Black readers who long to see more of us in Fantasy.

Ahhh, LOVED THIS BOOK! It brings an urban take on southern traditions/lore. I loved the magical HBCU! I was sincerely not ready for the plot twist at the end! It made for a great mix of emotions! I’m excited there is a book two on the way. Highly recommend!!!

I wanted to like this book. I was excited when I first heard about it but oh boy. This book has bad writing, bad/weak worldbuilding, and not well done characters. Reading this book was a chore. i would give it zero stars if i could

Blood at the Root is the first volume of a YA fantasy/wizardy series by LaDarrion Williams. Released 7th May 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Labyrinth Road imprint (YA/Children's), it's 432 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in second quarter 2025 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

There are so few books written with a strong, well rounded, positively rendered, three dimensional person of color in the MC role that it's refreshing, (and sadly often remarkable) when it happens. It's especially notable when YA novels feature young men in a not-primarily-romantic role, and this one has both, and is quite readable and engaging in addition.

There's a thread of unresolved mystery from the past, a solid setup, an appealing MC, a HBCU school setting (for magical types), however, the book has been marketed as racial trauma free, and that's not accurate, there is a fair bit of open reality-driven racist commentary/judgement (well deserved) on the foster care system as it's implemented in the USA (sadly). There's also a *lot* of racist(ish?) misogynoir which made me wince (women are represented as either oversexed or elderly, and there's a lot of twerking going on).

Other readers have commented on the jargon/Creole language. Although not competent to comment on the accuracy, it's certainly noticeable and prevalent.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 14 hours and 54 minutes and is capably read by Jalyn Hall. He has a well rounded pleasantly modulated voice and is easy to listen to. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Three and a half stars. It would make a good choice for fans of dark academia, YA fantasy, or a good buddy read. It's potentially a bit edgy for public school library acquisition (given the challenges happening across the USA), but should be fine for public library acquisition.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Dear @itsladarrion You have gathered me tuhday!
My heart is absolutely full, not only as an avid reader myself but also as a ELA teacher

I am singing your praise right now!!

This book is such a prestigious piece of literature that every single person needs, especially for our black and brown kids so that they can see that they are magical too!!

I am truly fascinated, and you are truly honored for giving us this piece of work!!

You have gifted the Culture !!!

Thank you So much for sharing your magic with us!!

#turnthepagetours #ladarrionwilliams #prh #ttpt
#bloodattheroot

Blood at the Root is a strong debut novel from LaDarrion Williams. This is a fun read with a complex story, unexpected twists, and deep historical culture. The main character, Malik, wields enormous power, but without knowing how to harness it, conflict ensures. Reminiscent of Harry Potter, Malik finds himself at a magical school, but it is an entirely fresh take. While lengthy and bit slow to start, the final act was powerful and I can’t wait to read the next book.

Trigger Warnings: Family death, foster care system, mentions of assault

Ten years ago, Malik’s life changed forever when his mother mysteriously vanished into green smoke and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Now at seventeen, Malik’s kept his powers hidden, focusing on looking out for himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. However, after a daring act to rescue Taye, Malik’s found an unexpected connection to his magical ties and to a hidden magical university his mother attended.

At Caiman University, a door opens for a future Malik never could have envisioned for himself - one with magic, and one that includes Alexis, his first love. His search for answers about his heritage, his powers, and what really happened to his mother exposes cracks in the magical community - feuding covens, magical politics, forbidden knowledge, and buried mysteries. While digging, Malik also discovers the reawakened evil dating back to the Haitian Revolution.

I actually found this book through LaDarrion Willam’s TikTok, right as he was getting ready to publish it - I’ve only just now been able to read and review it. I knew I was going to like this novel, but I didn’t think I would love it as much as I did. This book is action packed and will keep readers turning page after page with anticipation as to what’s to come.

I both read and listened to the audiobook and I would highly recommend giving the audiobook a listen to, because Jalyn Hall does a phenomenal job at the dictation and appropriate inflections needed for the dialogue to feel genuine. There were also a few sound effects and music that played along with it and gave it a nice atmosphere.

Overall, a wonderful POC magical YA novel written in a world that Malik is still learning about (so readers can too). I’m definitely keeping my eyes out for the second book in the series.

*Thank you Labyrinth Road and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Williams' fantasy novel is a wonderful read! I loved the world building and character development. He has set up an amazing series and I am looking forward to the next book already.

Ladarrion Williams crafts a breathtaking story with Blood at the Root, blending magic, history, and a pulse-pounding mystery. When we meet Malik, he’s not your typical teenager. Haunted by his mother’s disappearance and hiding powers he barely understands, he’s just trying to survive with his younger foster brother, Taye. But a single act of courage shatters his quiet life, revealing a lost heritage and a powerful connection to his grandmother, a legendary conjurer.

I LOVED this book so much. I saw it compared to Legend born quite a bit and I think that's a fair comparison. I really enjoyed it and I am really looking forward to more from this author. I always love seeing Black storytellers tell stories in which we are the main characters and the chosen ones for once and that was definitely the case here. I loved this book and I'm so happy it exists

I was intrigued by the concept of Black boys having magic in a world that tells them they're just the supporting character, but ultimately I was disappointed by this book. I love diverse fantasy and I pretty much grab most fantasy with a diverse cast but this book was a little too derivative of Harry Potter for me, complete with a Chosen One who grew up as an orphan who learns his magical powers late.

It basically read like Harry Potter centering Blackness at a magical HBCU. And the magic was built on generational trauma in a story that starts with the main character, Malik, abandoned by his magical family for the last 10 years, bouncing through the foster system after his mother dies in a horrific accident when he was seven and everyone believes he killed her. He kidnaps his little foster brother to run away from abuse when the story opens. The story is sold as the usual Black boys don't die at the end tale, but there was a ton of trauma and death in this story, even though the MC stays with us.

Then he finds out he has a famous magical grandmother and enrolls at Caiman University, where he's reunited with another magical Black girl whom he knew for six months when they were seven at an orphanage. He hopes to find answers about his mother at college, who may still be alive and went down a dark path in her youth.

I enjoyed the academic, magical school portions of the world; it does a good job of showing college life, parties and attending classes, and I appreciated the clever CaimanTea social media app. The magic system rooted in ancestral power was intriguing.

And I could forgive Malik for some of his shallowness and rudeness because he is a 17-year-old boy who's been through a lot and has no reason to trust anyone and the audience for this book is 17-year-old Black boys. I may be in a phase of being off YA for awhile, some of the themes are just too young for me. I appreciate YA when the themes are universal.

There was a bit of biphobia when a bi boy was referred to as being "sexually fluid" and there was a nod to including queer characters, but these characters often seemed one-dimensional and only men and amabs were queer; women were all straight and sexually objectified "baddies". Alexis, the love interest, had an uneven character development and I didn't feel the chemistry between the two; Malik acted like he owned her because they had a special connection when they were seven and didn't speak for 10 years. It felt like Alexis was just stringing him along and Malik didn't know her as an adult or respect her activism.

The writing style was also hard to read because a lot of the book was written in AAVE and not just in dialogue; for me I think it would have worked better as an audio book. It was also just too long and I ended up speed-reading the last half.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I cried. Malik’s heartbreak in the end over his mother had me in tears. I loved the setting of this, incredibly immersive.

This book fills a much-needed gap in the literature. Magical stories have existed in all religions, and I found this take on the "Magical School" refreshing. Making the school and HBCU provided the perfect vehicle for making magic non-Eurocentrically-American, and it gives all the Black traditions a place in the conversation. Not every spell has to be cast in Latin, and wands aren't serious.

Malik's journey is scary and fun. His love for his brother transcends blood ties, and his stumbles at making friends, and at romance feel authentic. I wonder at the YA rating for a college-age character, but I have my suspicions about how that happened.

There are some clunky scenes with some of the young people, but overall, I love the representation. This generations gets it! Not all of the characters feel real, and I will need to see more of Malik's mother's backstory to truly understand her motivations. I look forward to the next installment!

Absolutely loved this cover! And a heard this is a series so I have more to look forward to. Had to buy a physical copy to add to my library.