This action-packed title does an excellent job at world building and tying together magical concepts with historical events. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Blood at the Root was a promising start to a trilogy. I thought Malik was a great protagonist. I liked his voice and resiliency. I enjoyed watching Malik become more confident and comfortable with his powers. His relationship with Taye was heartwarming. I wish there were more scenes with Taye, especially during the 30-40% mark of the book. I was happy when Taye got a happy ending. I wanted more development between Malik and Alexis. So much of their relationship was based on a past that we never really got to see. I didn't feel emotionally connected to their relationship. I think the book would have benefitted with more Malik and Alexis scenes. I thought the Caiman University setting was neat. The author's inspiration from the Harry Potter world showed. There were a few things I struggled with. The slang was hard for me to read/understand at points. I also thought the fighting scenes felt clunky. There were a few instances where awkward transitions interrupted my reading flow. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC.

This ARC came right on time…after seeing this book all over TikTok I just knew I needed to read it. I mean it’s about a whole magical HBCU …it was a no brainer!

The beginning of the book was very foundational and kind of slow for me, but the information was appreciated as well as needed to see the overall picture. The black culture that was throughout the book was amazing from ancestor veneration to voudon practices it was so exciting to read. The magical scenes were so good and exciting it will draw you in. The author gave each character their own personality that stood out and wasn’t drowned out by the plot of the story. My favorite character was Mama Aya omg the personality and lessons she was giving out were everything!

This story follows Malik who is put in a situation where learns he’s not a normal young man…in which he comes to the magical HBCU where the story really starts to evolve. Where ancestors, magic, and culture meet to tell a story that stretches from generation to generation. As stated previously the author is very detailed about characters, plot and world building. This is definitely a YA fantasy that teenagers and adults can truly appreciate. I’m so looking forward to book number 2!

One of the best stories I have read this year hands down. There is SO much to love and I loved the magic system.

This is a cool YA fantasy debut about a teenager with extraordinary hidden powers and while fleeing, he stumbles upon this magical university and discovers his long lost family. So we have a mix of contemporary/urban fantasy and academia with a focus on young black and queer characters. I liked it!

This book drew me in immediately and I felt immersed in the worldbuilding. I love how the author interjected historical facts into a fantastical world in thought-provoking ways. I finished this novel eager for book two and look forward to more from LaDarrion Williams!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

I'm a sucker for books like this, so I was instantly wanting to read this. I also don't see many fantasy books for YA with a Black male protagonist, so I also picked it up to diversify my reading. Overall, I really liked the story of Malik discovering who he is after spending so long trying to find his place in the world and answers to all of his questions about his mom. I loved the blending of different diaspora cultures in it and how it takes historical elements and uses them in world building.

I did struggle with some of the slang and pop culture references, it would happen suddenly and kind of take me out of the book...but it also makes sense since it's an urban fantasy. I also felt like the twists became too twisty at the end and I was super confused about everything going on...and I mean, so was the MC.

Thank you to Labyrinth Road and Turn The Pages Tours for the review copy, my opinions are my own.

This is a stunning debut filled with memorable characters, interesting magic systems, and fascinating twists and turns as the main character discovers truths about himself, and the world he's thrust into.

Read if you enjoy:
Magic
African magic
History
Academia settings
Young Adult
Coming of Age
Family and community

If you liked Legendborn, Neverwraith, or Blood Debts then this book is a perfect blending of the three. Highly recommend. 4.5 out of 5.

If a poc is on the cover AND there’s magic involved? Then yeah, I’m DEFINITELY gonna read it!! And I can gladly say that I am OBSESSED!

I was sucked in immediately and I felt like I was there (that’s how you know it’s a good book). I thought this was wonderfully written. Definitely detailed oriented which is nice for me because of how my mind works. Following Malik’s story, past and present, was amazing. I feel like it was truly a coming of age story. This book had so many twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting at all. I loved that there was a magical HBCU. Speaking of magic: the amount of magical goodness that occurred made me school girl giddy!!

So uhhh is there gonna be a sequel? Because I GOT QUESTIONS

I’m completely blown away! I remember a few years ago when the idea started as a tweet and now i get to see it developed into a whole book and actually be able to read it! It was filled with action and twist and turns at every corner. The plot really draws you in and keeps you captivated in the story. No matter how hard I tried I could not put this book down. I can’t wait for the next book and what LaDarrion has in store for us!!

4.5 stars rounded up

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I know that the idea was what if harry potter went to an HBCU in the south - and I think that's exactly what this book achieves. I loved it. I think there were pacing issues here and there but overall I really enjoyed it and I'll definitely be reading the next one!

"Way down yonder, in the middle of the field, angels working at the chariot wheel. Not so particular. About working at the wheel. But i just wanna see who the chariot feel."


This book was everything!!! Action packed from start to finish! The story is so engaging and full of interesting characters. I was rooting for Malik from the first time we met him till the very end! Malik is a teenager who has experienced so much pain and rightfully distrusts the people around him. I loved that this book did not shy away from his anger, but instead allowed the reader to experience its rawness and the impact that painful experiences may have on other areas of life.

"I finally let my inner child find solace in my spirit. I give him the safety he needed and damn well deserved." I honestly can't wait for book 2 and have already ordered a physical copy of this one for my shelves.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the arc of this wonderful book!

The premise is perfect and made me go "Finally!" Admittedly, I'm an older reader and outside the teen demographic, but as someone who devoured (and still does) all things magical academia, I was much looking forward to BLOOD AT THE ROOT. However, once I got to reading, I quickly realized how far from the intended audience I truly am. I had trouble connecting with the pop culture references, and even as a Black American reader, I found some of the vernacular overwhelming. I also sensed this is a story that might work (even) better in a visual medium, as it’s action-packed and dialogue heavy, and relies heavily on “place.” A definite recommendation for the target audience, but perhaps a pass for older readers of urban fantasy, dark academia, or witchy BIPOC books.

I discovered "Blood at the Root" while scrolling through bookstagram and was immediately in awe by the beautifully blue cover art, then completely fascinated by the story's premise.

"Blood at the Root" was a highly enjoyable YA contemporary fantasy. The author's childhood dream and vision for this novel shine brightly throughout this one-of-a-kind story.

Malik (17) is a remarkable main character. He's smart, genuine, caring, and unshakable with a strong and distinct voice. After all he's been through over the last ten years that forced him to grow up fast, Malik deserved a chance to live freely, happily, and successfully. I'm so glad he and his brother by choice, Taye (12), got to finally experience some of that in book one.

Taye is so precious and emits so much light. I hope that, despite what he's endured, he never loses that goodness that makes him so special and lovable. I also liked Mama Aya, Malik's maternal grandmother, who is warm, regal, and kind. She's a force to be reckoned with and can still kick ass in her very old age. The other characters you get to know also make "Blood at the Root" a fulfilling read.

I loved that part of the setting was a hidden HBCU school "for the young, Black, and magical" called Caiman University, whose powerful motto I love is "our roots are deep, numerous, and vivacious." The world-building was richly detailed and descriptive in a way that firmly grounds and draws the reader in.

"Blood at the Root" is a captivating and multifaceted story interwoven with intricate conflicts and compelling mysteries. I liked how the story explores the deep roots that connect us all and the connections between community, family, racial, and social issues.

It's a fairly long read with much to know about the past and how it connects to Malik, his mother, the missing children, Caiman University, and black history in general. It's also a heavy read at times as, for example, Malik's trauma that he's still dealing with and trying to make sense of, especially when he's finally starting to get answers about what happened ten years ago and why.

Malik is an excellent student from what I've gathered. That coupled with the immense power he already possessed and his long lineage of strong conjurers, there wasn't any doubt he'd excel at Caiman. But I would have liked to have seen more of Malik's progress with his magic because his progress felt rushed to fit within this first book instead of a smooth, gradual transition of his progression.

"Blood at the Root" was a really good story and a strong debut. I was very invested in this compelling, thought-provoking, hard-hitting series opener and would highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to reading book two!

Thanks again Labyrinth Road and NetGalley for the e-arc to read in exchange for an honest review!

Wow!!! This lived up to all the hype!! It was fast, emotional, thought provoking, and so BLACK. If I didn’t love our magic before? I certainly do now. This is perfect for anyone who has the Legendborn series, I am such a Malik fan and I want nothing but good things for him. This book set the series? Trilogy? Duology? so well!!! It was heart pounding and heart breaking. My favorite part was all the Black historical and cultural references that covered the diaspora.

I really loved this story, it feels like something original while still feeling in line with academic fantasy. The author was right in his foreword, I've never seen a book like this. I think this fits well into the "This powerful teenager must be contained!" trope. Malik's viewpoints of family, shame, and the world around him were very honest and enjoyable. It doesn't necessarily feel like an "unreliable narrator", but more so like a realistic peek into the mind of a college-aged young adult. I enjoyed William's idea of what a modern magical college might look like and I would love to explore it further. I also really enjoyed the way multiple African and Black cultures are woven into this story; this world shows the diversity within the diaspora instead of making it seem like everyone within the diaspora is the same.

I do feel like the writing style took some getting used to. I want to be very clear that I'm not speaking about the use of modern or regional dialects or AAVE. The writing tends to feel a bit clunky in some places. The transitions between locations, events, and chapters feel abrupt. However, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story itself.

I also feel like certain parts of the book are a little rushed in general and would have served the connection to the story better by being more fleshed out. While the plot remains the main focus, drawing the reader into the little moments between plot points to enjoy the characters and connections without obviously serving the plot in few places would create more intimacy. Everything feels very plot driven and I think that creates a disconnect from the world that is happening around the plot.

I will be posting reviews to StoryGraph, Fable, and TikTok within the next week and will update this review with links accordingly.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6489163017

DNFd. Quickly. Thank you NetGalley, but between the (bad) pop culture references and language, this book was not for me.

Blood At The Root literally had me held against my will for days, the post book hangover was real. The best thing about this book was the culture, representation, and the way the author didn’t lose his voice in the process. As a Social Worker, I was especially interested in seeing how Malik, a young black male who ended up in the system, would respond to his adversities. And I think the author did that part of the story justice. Malik was strong willed, protective, but also cautious with the way he moved. Without giving anything away, I was blown away with the complexity of the story, the vivid and intricate details, and the plot twists and suspense - it all came together beautifully. I can wholeheartedly say this was one of my favorite reads this year. I am packing up and headed to Caiman University, I just want to experience the richness of the campus and see the student life. I cannot wait for my hardcover to come in the mail!

This book is what I imagine you'd get when you mix Hogwarts with your fave HBCU! It follows thw story of Malik who's mother is killed when he was 7, leaving him to navigate the world, and his magical powers, alone. Until he discovers family he didn't know existed and is enrolled in Caiman University, a magical HBCU. He then begins to learn and understand his magic and uncover secrets as to what happened to his mother.

This story was phenomenal and gut wrenching. Empowering and anger inducing, all at once. Not to mention the shock at the end. Absolutely worth the read! And hopefully, there's a second book coming in the future!

"Blood at the Root" had me hooked from the start with its premise: Malik, a young man newly freed from the foster care system, has been suppressing his magical abilities for most of his life. Now, as he strives for a better future for himself and his foster brother, he's forced to confront the powers he's long hidden. His journey takes a turn when he discovers a family legacy intertwined with a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) dedicated to the magical arts.

This book is a celebration of the black experience, writing black history into the fabric of young adult fantasy in a way that's both unique and necessary. It's a book that deserves mainstream success.

LaDarrion Williams' debut is a heartfelt ode to black joy and magic, echoing the cultural richness of life at an HBCU. The book delves into a mystery involving disappearing children and an ancient evil, providing just enough misdirection to keep me guessing until the very end.

However, the magic system and school setting left me wanting more. The magic, seemingly without rules, ranged from the mundane to the extraordinary, with everyone from first-years to faculty wielding significant power.

The story's plot is great, filled with unexpected twists and rich character development. Malik's quest to rescue his brother and uncover his family's secrets is both heartwarming and harrowing. The characters, especially Uncle Samedi, are so fun, bringing depth and humor. The book strikes a fine balance with its queer representation and keeps you on your toes as characters blur the lines between hero and villain.

In summary, "Blood at the Root" is a book that resonates with me deeply. It's a story I'll be recommending to anyone who appreciates YA fantasy and urban fiction, and it's a book that I'll be adding to my personal collection with pride. It's a testament to the power of representation and the magic of storytelling.
Thank you LaDarrion Williams and NetGalley for letting me read this. I'm absolutely buying a physical copy for my shelf.