The Black joy that suffuses the first half of the book is immaculate. Malik’s first experience of the magical HBCU, as he walks the campus and sees people that look like him living their best lives between dancing and basketball and art and magic, when he realizes that it’s a place he belongs… it’s pure magic. Of course it’s not all joy, Malik’s missing-presumed-dead mom, the family (practically magical royalty) that he never knew, a conspiracy where magical kids are kidnapped and killed, pressure to catch up magically after a lifetime without instruction. There were several one liners that I immediately had to share with friends and just exclaim over. This is the kind of book that I’m glad Black kids today have, so they don’t have to feel like the heroes can’t look like them.

Where the book starts to lose me was when it moves much more towards magic. Malik is suddenly practically an expert in combat magic, understanding languages he didn’t speak, doing complex and interesting magic without a thought. I would have liked a little bit more about how magic works rather than a few flashy demonstrations.

I've waited for this book for quite awhile, and it was well worth the wait. It's a celebration of Black culture with a fresh take on some common tropes that appear in Young Adult fantasy. What I appreciated the most about the book was the authenticity of the main character's voice. While the pacing did feel uneven at times and sometimes things read a little awkward, this was an exciting read and I'm sure book 2 will be just as fun.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Blood at the Root ended up on my radar upon seeing a tweet from the author, LaDarrion Williams about wanting to write a book starring a Black that didn’t center on trauma. Williams very much succeeds, evoking familiar tropes, like a teen discovering his magical lineage and powers with a generous infusion of Black boy joy.
I loved the magical university setting, which made it stand out from a lot of other magic-school books, which largely are more skewed toward high school or some other secondary school equivalent. And I liked that the campus life really mattered, and it wasn’t just a vehicle to bring Malik in contact with a greater outside force, upon which the learning takes a backseat. The magic is rooted in Hoodoo and other African traditions, and while there don’t seem to be many hard rules, I appreciated the cultural context.
Malik himself is also quite a likable protagonist. He has experienced some trauma and loss, but I liked that the story was more about him connecting with his family heritage and legacy in an affirming way and finding his place within the magical world.
The plot is engaging with a lot of twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. There are some reveals that are a tad predictable, but I still really enjoyed how it all came together.
This is an impressive debut novel, and I look forward to reading more from LaDarrion Williams in the future! If you are interested in a magic-school book with a Black boy lead, I’d recommend checking out this book!

BATR is an absolute masterpiece! Malik’s story is a dynamic and beautiful coming of age that had me hooked from the beginning. Everyone needs to read this book. I truly cannot wait for what is to come from this blackgical universe! THANK YOU LADARRION WILLIAMS

Omg where do I start 😩 ! First of all the cover is beautiful 😍 which captured my attention from the beginning and honestly I been wanting to arc read this book ! This is such an amazing book ! I believe everyone needs to read it and please we need this on the big screen! It was so good I had to pre order the book because I need it in my collect !!!!! I wish I could give infinity Stars because it exceeded all my expectations!

**I received an electronic ARC through the publisher via NetGalley.**

LaDarrion Williams presents Blood at the Root, a YA fantasy centering Blackness and the magic found within it. Readers follow Malik, a Black teen who has grown up in the foster care system surrounded by rumors that he was responsible for his mother's death. When Malik makes the decision to steal a car and rescue his foster-sibling Taye from an abusive home, he doesn't realize that the decision to use the magic he has always feared sends out a beacon for the grandmother who has always looked for him. Malik rapidly finds himself enrolled at a magical university that is made by and for Black magical students. Malik finds himself at the center of a tribal divide with his mother's death and loyalties in question.

Let me first say that I am not a reviewer that shares an identity with the cultures covered in this novel. Please center reviews that come from Black reviewers.

LaDarrion Williams pulls no punches with this debut. Williams made the choice to write this book from Malik's perspective, which means that both the prose and much of the dialogue is in AAVE. The entirety of this novel is a love letter to Black culture. As someone who grew up in and around Black culture and attended university in Baltimore, I was able to appreciate and understand Williams' choices in writing as well as the various cultural references made, though I'm sure I missed some. For some readers, this choice from Williams will be a call home. For others, it may be a barrier to the story. For those who know AAVE, but are unaccustomed to seeing and reading it rather than hearing it, it still may pose difficulties. I very much wish that I experienced this book in a blended read with the audiobook as the impact of the spoken word performance doubtless would have added that much more to my experience.

Williams created such an accessible cast of characters in not only Malik, but those who surround him. No one is perfect. Everyone makes bad choices. But every single character is doing their best with their circumstances. Even if you don't agree with Malik, you can root for him and want more and better for him. I am also grateful to Williams to featuring queer Black men and nonbinary characters in Malik's inner circle. And for portraying them with nothing but love. This representation is often skipped and it was so welcome here.

Williams' magic system relies on ancestral magic and root magic from various countries and languages of origin, but I was so pleased with the decision to feature Baron Samedi as a character and not solely his role as Loa. He has long been a favorite of mine, and Williams' depiction was a fun and refreshing take on the myth.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Blood at the Root, and I hope that this book finds its way not solely to the Black boy who needs it (though absolutely to him), but to the readers who don't share an identity with Malik and can gain empathy and open hearts from seeing this Black boy shine.

This was a stunning read! i was drawn to the cover and plot but am pleased to report that this book hit all the right marks! Malik is a strong and needed hero and I am so excited for the rest of the world to meet him in this magically infused YA debut!

This is a book that I am so glad has been written. I thought that the characters were so well fleshed out and the concerns that they posed to everyday life just really added to my empathy for those who have a different lived experience from me. I thought that the magic school was interesting and I liked it being a college setting instead of what we normally see. I found myself slightly overwhelmed by all the different aspects of the magic but I thought the way that it related back to black culture was very interesting. I think that my only real dislike about this book was the pacing I know that this is setting up a series but I felt like it took forever to get to the main point of the story and then once we got to the main conflict those scenes felt rushed. I do think that this author has a great story to tell and I will be picking up the rest of the story because I am interested to see where our characters go from here.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC! I’ve been looking forward to reading this story for a while and it did not disappoint. This is perfect for fans of any fantasy, especially Legendborn!

Ten year ago, Malik’s life changed, his mother died or disappeared, and several people died in a fire in his house he was the lone survivor so people thought he must have had something to do with the deaths. Thinking he had no family he was sent to foster homes, some good some not so good, and out of all that time he only makes two real friends, Alexis who got adopted and they lost touch, and Taye whom he thinks of as his little brother. When Malik turns 17 he leaves the foster system and vows to rescue Taye from an abusive foster dad, but in doing so he let his powers shine and hurts the man, but also in using his powers his grandmother was finally able to find him and send him to magic school to teach him how to use his powers properly. But there are more surprises there than he thought.
This book is full of action, and suspense. It is written exactly how Malik would speak if standing in front of you. There is also some lore mixed in the story, which I really like. It is nice to read a book that shows that level of commitment not only to his own heritage, but the community and Haitian history as well.

I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and LaDarrion Williams for providing me with an eARC of Blood at the Root.

Although it's not something I would typically read (aka, not in the LGBTQIAP+ section of NetGalley), this book took me on an incredible journey filled with raw emotions and intense experiences. It's a story about magic, trauma, discovery, and the search for a place to belong, all from the perspective of the main character, Malik Baron.

What I loved most about the book was its remarkable world-building. The magical elements were seamlessly blended into the narrative, making it even more intriguing and complex. The settings were vividly depicted, and I felt as though I was transported into this vibrant and immersive world.

Malik's journey from a traumatized youth to a determined student navigating the complexities of magic and friendship was captivating and inspiring. The prose was evocative and powerful, and it kept me fully engaged until the very end.

In conclusion, Blood at the Root is a gritty and compelling debut novel, perfect for those who enjoy dark stories filled with magic, resilience, and a gripping narrative. Do keep in mind that there are some graphic descriptions of violence, though.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Children's for this advanced readers copy. I loved this book. Definitely comparable to Legendborn or The Marvellers or Amari and the Night Brothers with the secret magic school and the main character finding out they have a previously unknown power. Now they are thrust into this new world and must learn and adapt to their new power and their new environment, all the while finding out about their past. The big difference in this book would be the language. This book would be geared more toward young adults and older, than children just for the explicit language at times throughout the book. Can't wait to read the second book as this author created such a wonderful host of characters and exciting new world.

This was one of those books where I was more into the premise than the book itself. I think part of that might be how the author captures a youth voice, though, and maybe it will resonate more why my students.

I’m back and forth on adding this book to my classroom library. If I taught high school, then it would absolutely be there. With the profanity and violence, I would probably recommend the book to individual students if it seemed right rather than leave the book out on the shelf. I agree with other reviews that this is not a “trauma free” book by many definitions.

I think readers who enjoyed Legendborn by Tracy Deonn might also enjoy reading this book and drawing comparisons. Along with the connection of Root magic itself, the college setting similarity makes it an even more interesting side-by-side. While Bree is one of few Black students at Chapel Hill, Malik is at an HBCU surrounded by Black Excellence.

There were many interesting characters and shades of grey. I did struggle with fully understanding the rules of the magic and who had what. Some of it seemed a little overly dramatic (though, again, that might be less distracting for a teen audience).

Overall, I’d give this book 3 stars.

I LOVED this! Ate this right on up. A fantasy with a magical HBCU, yea this kept me thoroughly entertained. This book took you from the past to the present. It follows a traumatic situation that happened to Malik when he was a little boy that results in him being an orphan. When he gets older, he decides to start a new life with a brother he meet in a group home. This journey leads him to meet his biological family, getting admitted into this magical HBCU , and uncovering the truth to what really happened on the traumatic night that changed his life. This book was so unapologetically black. It was black boy joy, vulnerability, and coming of age. I just know the author gotta be working on the next installment and I hope for a speedy delivery on the next part because I need more!!! I need to know what happened to grandma Aya’s sibling, what was his mama’s reason for her decisions, who is Malik’s daddy, and I’d love to get to know more of Taye’s story. Thank you NetGalley and the author for this ARC!

Urban fantasy in YA is some of my FAVORITE. With a fun magical system, captivating characters, and a pulse-pounding storyline of family secrets and hidden magical schools all catering to Black magical individuals, Blood at the Root was a breath of fresh air.

Malik is a foster kid with magical abilities he’s had since he was a child. When he learns of blood family looking to take him in, a whole world opens up for him. Grappling with the idea that he had this whole family that never cared to take him in when he truly needed it and finally having some real family to call his own, Malik is thrust into a world of possibilities, both with family and his magic.

At Caiman University, a Black magical college, Malik thinks he can finally find answers about what happened to his mother. Reuniting with old friends and making new ones along the way, we see Malik step into his own with magic. I thought this was so fantastically written. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

"Blood at the Root" by LaDarrion Williams initially excited me with its intriguing premise of a magical HBCU setting and a focus on Malik, a young Black protagonist. The early description of Caiman University, promising magic reflective of the diaspora's diversity, had me hooked. However, the initial thrill was short-lived as the book failed to follow through into how the magic operates, leaving many scenes confusing due to a lack of detail.

The book relies heavily on dialogue to advance the plot, which while effective, made me miss the vivid descriptions that usually draw me into a fantasy world. It felt like reading a screenplay where visual details are assumed, but unfortunately, they were lacking here. Additionally, the dialogue's attempt to capture an authentic Black voice felt forced and somewhat unnatural to me. I can’t claim to be an expert on AAVE, but the way in which the characters spoke made them feel inauthentic and difficult to connect with. I have read other books by black authors that centered black characters that have done this in a more authentic way. I’ve seen other reviews that mention the ‘Tyler Perry’ of it all and for me that perfectly sums it up.

Though marketing pitched this as a celebration of magical Black boy joy, the story predominantly featured trauma. Not just for our main character Malik, past and present- but other characters as well. While addressing serious issues is vital, I had hoped for a more uplifting read based on how this book was marketed.

Overall, while "Blood at the Root" offers some highlights with its unique setting and storyline, it requires a rewrite to fully realize its potential. If you're considering this book based on the marketing, manage your expectations and see what you think for yourself.

The cover ✅
The synopsis ✅
The habitual 'be' and AAVE ✅

A good debut novel!

There were moments where the pacing felt a bit slow and the plot could have been more tightly focused.

I would have liked to see more depth in the exploration of the magical university and the different covens within it.

#BATR is a promising start to what I'm sure will be a captivating series. I look forward to seeing where Malik's journey takes him next and how he continues to uncover the secrets of his past.

If you're looking for a fresh and diverse fantasy read, I highly recommend giving this book a try.


I pre-ordered it, audio too. So I'm anxious to see how the VA bring the protagonist to life.

3.75

I was looking forward to this after seeing it on TikTok. I enjoyed the characters and thought the setting of the book was well done. The magic system didn’t always make sense to me and didn’t feel like there were any left and right boundaries on it. This can lead to some issues, but I am excited to see where the story goes in the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a DNF for me ONLY because I am learning that my tastes are changing and I’m not much for urban fantasy.

The writing seems solid, the plot caught my interest - I just don’t love the “I’m a normal kid except magical powers!” Thing anymore, and I think that’s okay.

I do think book will be amazing for a lot of people - I’m just becoming much pickier about my urban fantasy and this one didn’t scratch the itch for me. But I’m going to add it to my “try again later” list!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the advance electronic copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Malik has magic--he has known this for a while, but he has never really learned how to use it. When he is forced to grab his brother and flee, he suddenly finds a world that he never knew existed, including a grandmother who is famous in the magical world, a college of magic, and evidence that his mother may still be alive. As he is welcomed into this new world, he and his brother find new family and friends, but will Malik be able to figure out who the good guys are in time to keep them safe?

A very cool book! I am definitely not the intended audience, and I didn't understand all of the language, but I'm curious to see where the story will go next. Also, the acknowledgements indicate that it may be intended for the screen--will be watching for it!