This was fast paced, messy and I loved it! The political intrigue, secrets and betrayal at every turn was really good.

The protagonist however, was a little irritating. She was way too impulsive and irresponsible. It caused her to not think straight and make rash decisions. But I did really like the story overall. It got me out of slump and the pacing was fine. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Really enjoyed this book, I definitely see the comparison to Red Rising, but I enjoyed it more. I can't wait to see where the series go and looked forward to following the author's journey.

I was not expecting to love The Blood Trials by N. E. Davenport as much as I did, but holy hell did I. It was my favorite book read in March. In The Blood Trials, Ms. Davenport creates an exciting story that also teaches the dangers of inherent racism. I love Ikenna and her loyalty, as well as her determination to succeed; I especially appreciate her unwillingness to condone the racism that permeates her society. Simply put, I loved the story, the twists, the messaging, and the characters. The Blood Trials is a do not miss!

In author N.E. Davenport’s excellent debut novel, Kenna opens her story with a bar fight—in which she’s ready to take on a better trained, better armed, much larger opponent (and she’s ready to kick his ass). She’s got a lot on her mind. Her friends are having their final ceremonies to mark their entrance into the Praetorian Trials, the final series of tests before they’ll be Praetorians, the elite warriors of the Republic of Mareen. Kenna’s not entering the trials, not after the death of her grandfather, the former Legatus of the military, a war hero, and a Black man in a prejudiced nation. But when Kenna’s told that her grandfather might have been murdered, she throws herself into the trials, determined to find out who was behind his death. She’s no longer interested in remaking the Republic of Mareen the way her grandfather would have wanted. She’s out for blood.
But Kenna can’t just survive, she has to keep her own gift, a blood magic common among Mareen’s greatest enemies, a secret, or she’ll be executed. But when that gift starts to have a mind of its own, she doesn’t know if she can trust her own body or magic—and with all the lies she’s been told, she certainly doesn’t know if she can trust anyone who claims to be an ally. Throughout the novel, Kenna makes a lot of hasty conclusions that turn out to be based on bad information, but her brashness is key to her survival. The Blood Trials is the first of a duology that has a background of government intrigue behind a series of survival challenges and desperate battles. For an action-packed, violent military series, with a side of romance and a huge helping of “burn it all down,” this is a great choice.

The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport is a fast-paced, adventurous, and tense read. I was a bit concerned for the first half of the book since it read more as a YA rather than Adult SFF. The protagonist reads more on the immature side for being an adult, and it made her a bit unlikeable at first and hard to connect to. However, you get to see more vulnerability and character growth in the second half of the book.

This story is action packed, gritty, and often times incredibly graphic. Racism and misogyny runs rampant through this fictional world, and the parallels drawn between reality and fiction were uncanny. These topics were also approached with tact and purpose, which was very powerful in my opinion.

The only hesitation I have of giving this book fa stronger review is the writing style. There was so much telling and info-dumping, and definitely little description and showing. I would have loved to get to know these characters and this world by "seeing them/it" rather than having having bulk paragraphs tell me how people feel and how things work in this world.

3.4/5 stars rounded up

This book was amazing! One of the best I’ve read in a long time. I had no clue I would enjoy this so much but the characters pulled me right in. If you’re a fan in YA Fantasy I would definitely recommend.

SUCH a fantastic sci-fantasy from a debut author!! The gritty world building and character arcs were amazing and dark and so phenomenal. A gruesome, un-put-downable tale of vengeance and heart and grief. Ikenna is fierce and full of rage and her struggles against the misogyny and racism in her world had me flipping pages so fast to find out what happened. Highly recommend this action packed sci-fi!


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for review

This was a great fast paced adventure. I enjoyed the mix of fantasy with SciFi tech! I did want a bit tighter weaving between the multiple plots. Ikenna was a bit reckless but overall liked where her character is heading. The ending was great so I’m looking forward to the sequel. Recommend for those looking to crossover from YA to Adult SFF.

A wonderful debut novel. If you like fast paced gritty YA you should definitely pick this up. I cant wait until the second book is out!

The novel started out great. However, there are many disturbing scenes that made for uncomfortable reading. The world-building was also confusing. Thus, this novel was very gruesome and not for me.

TW: Graphic violence, gore, death, sex, language

Blood Trials is the first book of a duology. It’s challenging to write a solid foundation while presenting a story that stands out on its own. It needs to wrap up the loose ends while teasing a tantalizing plot that will compel the reader to grab book 2.

Blood Trials succeeds on all counts.

Ikenna Amari has been reeling since the death of her grandfather. When she learns he may have been murdered, she makes the dangerous decision to investigate his death. Ikenna joins the Praetorian Trials, a training program for Mareeners that ends with either acceptance into the elite military faction or death. Even though her grandfather had held a high government position, he and Ikenna were looked down upon because of their Khananian heritage. While she can withstand the insults about her skin color, she would be executed if anyone knew that she also carried the magical blood gift. Will Ikenna survive the grueling trials and solve her grandfather’s murder? Was her grandfather killed for personal reasons, political reasons, or both? And the best mystery of all - who can be trusted?

It should be obvious from the title that this is not a pretty book. The violence is amped up to 11 and included one of the most gruesome deaths I’ve ever read. The gore and violence aren’t gratuitous, though. Most of the book takes place in a war academy, so the applicants would need to be prepared for deadly situations. It takes place in a universe where bigotry, misogyny, and classism are rampant without being used as a stereotypical prop. The academy is male-dominated, and where anyone descended from the war houses feel entitled to abuse anyone different who doesn’t belong in their view. Conflict and paranoia are pervasive.

Blood Trials kept me up at night, because I could not put the book down. As loose ends were tied up, my thoughts of “where did that come from” quickly turned into “why didn’t I see that coming”. The answers were all there, carefully woven to build the fulfilling story without bashing me over the head with obvious hints. It all made sense, because as the resolution clicked together, each character was reasonably motivated and consistent. A complex storyline turned out to be even more complicated than expected. I mean that as a compliment.

I can’t wait for book two!

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Voyager for a review copy of the book.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I began this book, but wow, did it surprise me! I really enjoyed how mature the characters and themes are and just how awesome the main character is. She is fierce, ferocious, and doesn't stand for any nonsense. I enjoyed the twists and turns throughout the story that just kept me guessing. It's definitely adult fantasy though, so don't go in expecting young adult themes or language. Overall, this book was a really pleasant surprise and I will definitely be looking forward to the next book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is definitely sporting one of the prettiest covers of the year. It’s a brand new adult debut. It’s book 1 in the Blood Gift duology and it blends both scifi and fantasy. It follows a young black woman who enters a deadly set of trials to solve the murder of someone she loves. It's a really great introduction and I fell head over heels with the characters and tension between them. I'm really looking forward to book 2!
Full review to come on YouTube.

I had a good time with, what I would categorize, this New Adult SFF book. I'm certainly intrigued for the second one!

Ikenna was a great character. I loved how impulsive she was, but her confidence as well. I was rooting for her the whole time. The Blood Magic concept was super cool, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of it in the next book. The trials themselves were interesting as well (I wish there were more of them!) Finally, this book does a good job of exploring race, colorism, sexisim, misogyny, and prejudice in this fantasy world. Racists and bigots exist and are absolutely horrible to Ikenna.

Now, there were things I wasn't crazy about. It was a bit too long, which made some of Ikenna's searching for the person who killed her grandfather a bit repetitive. There was a character who was SO awful to Ikenna; he turned a new leaf, but it happened too quickly to be believable. There were some moments the writing was telling rather than showing, particularly in the action sequences.

This book is like the science fiction child of Survivor and a life-or-death military version of a fraternity rush, complete with hazing and pledging. It's the book version of an action film with gripping fights, gritty decisions, and cinematic locales (see: ice mountain and magical cannibal forest). The Blood Trials managed at least two near impossible feats: getting me invested in a military fantasy and a hotheaded protagonist. I was engaged throughout and fully stressed in the final 15% because the stakes were so high. Ikenna is a compelling main character, driven by justifiable anger and a laser focus on vengeance. Even when she's bringing the fight to everyone, her strategic mind and clear determination are always whirring away in the background. Despite all this intensity, the book still has small scale, touching moments and strong relationships that make trekking through all the horrors worth it.

The story follows Ikenna after the death of her grandfather, the leader of the Republic of Mareen. She is pulled from her grief into the Praetorian trials, no longer fueled by military ambition but by a need to track down those involved with her grandfather's assassination. Ikenna goes up against racism and sexism on top of the grueling, life-or-death trials, all while hunting powerful killers and hiding a secret that could destroy her life. Born with a blood gift held by the Republic's enemies, her extra power has to always be controlled and out of sight. The more Ikenna uncovers in her investigations and the more attempts on her life that she must dodge, her world crumbles bit by bit.

I enjoyed this debut so much. It's thoughtful even while it's fast-paced. I am committed to the story and eager to see what comes next. Not only is there a lot more about Ikenna's gift to understand, but the task before her is enormous, and I want to see what she does next. Thanks a million to Harper Voyager for my copy to read and review!

“The truth thunders through my whole being, and my anger explodes fully uninhibited. It’s like an inferno, a molten blast that roils through me. It’s swift, torrential, and all-consuming.”
The Blood Trials is N.E. Davenport’s first foray into novel writing, and with the grace and worldbuilding of a seasoned writer, the world of Iludu is developed through a mix of technology, hidden magic, and the realities of a racist government. Ikenna Amari is suffering in the aftermath of suddenly losing her grandfather — with him being the only parent she’s ever known as well as knows of her blood magic. When an old friend divulges that many of the people working with her grandfather may have conspired to murder him, Ikenna decides to infiltrate the government’s elite Praetorian special forces to find out just how many people she needs to kill as retribution. However, Ikenna is only the second-ever black person to earn a spot in the Praetorian trials. As she trains to become a soldier fighting for a Republic that would sanction anything to see her family name wiped from existence, she wonders if her Pantheon-blessed magic and intensive training are enough for her to uphold her grandfather’s legacy.

This book is the first story in a duology, and despite The Blood Trials having an entirely unique military history and magical system, I always felt eased into the new aspects of Davenport’s world rather than overwhelmed. Ikenna’s story begins with a need for punishment and morphs into an engaging mystery. She must face the harsh realities of navigating such a xenophobic country while not only looking like the enemy but being secretly empowered by the same magic that the nation of Mareen swore to eradicate. Central to this story is a young woman grieving without answers, with the main character left to face the racism surrounding her alone.

My favorite aspect of Davenport’s writing is how descriptive and realistic she gets — whether it’s detailing a woman’s blood turning into a dagger or the socially violent confrontations Ikenna is forced into just because of her skin color. This is an intensely timely piece that utilizes the science fiction setting perfectly for such a well-crafted and deserved retribution and character growth. The Blood Trials is the perfect combination of fantasy worldbuilding and character crafting, perfect for any reader who loves a methodically written mystery solved by a main character that you’ll always be rooting for!

PRR Writer and Editor, Kayla Chandler

First I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books and Harper Voyager for allowing me to receive an arc of the Blood Trials in exchange for an honest review.

The Blood Trials is delivers on the promise of a fast, action packed science fiction fantasy with a Black Female character undergoing trials steeped in racism and misogyny. N.E. Davenport makes it nearly impossible for you not to be invested in the storyline and the characters. Whether you are praying on the downfall of certain characters or rooting for the main character, you will be enthralled like the rest of us.

The Blood Trials wastes no time, with it being a duology, of thrusting you into the world of Mareen. The way that the Praetorian system was introduced and its purpose as it relates to the blood king was executed well. I was able to easily digest the politics within this setting and was able to vividly imagine the landscape. Truth be told, I would often think of the Blood King like Kronos and Khani as a mixture of Wakanda and Zamunda. Although these are references, the picture Davenport paints stands out all on its own. Her description of the jungle and the mountain land heightened the stakes of survival.

Speaking of the stakes at hand and the chances of survival. Make no mistake, this is NOT a your average young adult book. There will be death, there will be racism, there will be sexism, there will be sex. Chances are high for a character you like to die. No one or nothing is spared. One of the most fascinating things I read on was the spin of reproduction in this world. N,E, Davenport references the option for a Repro shot that prevents women from having periods and references Verne being the one to visit a facility to determine the race of his child prior to obtaining a surrogate.

I cannot wait for the conclusion of this duology and for Ikenna to truly transform and obtain the vengeance she seeks!

Loved this book! So far it is in my top 5 books of 2022. Ikenna is an amazing main character who doesn't take any mess from anyone. I mostly enjoyed the character development in the book; the plot was also very engaging and for the most part this book was unputdownable. Of course, we also love Black girl rep in the SFF genre. Will definitely be picking up the next book in the duology!

The first book in a duology by N.E. Davenport). It's also her debut book. I don't think this book is a YA fantasy, it's an adult fantasy. Please do check the trigger warning before reading this book. It's pretty heavy on the graphic description of violence, gore, and sexism. The main character is very likable. I definitely enjoy myself while reading this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for the e-ARC

Pick up this book, sit down, buckle up, and hold on. This book’s pitched as an action-packed story, and it delivers. N. E. Davenport shows us who Ikenna Amari is through her actions from the start, and manages to balance intense action scenes with detailed descriptions, ensuring you know what’s going on and have enough information to follow the story. The action builds throughout the book, and this is easily one of the most violent books I’ve ever read. The brutality of this world, the blatant racism, and bloodthirst from people willing to go to war to expand their borders provide constant reminders that it’s hard to know who to trust. Almost everyone had an agenda, and Kenna has to try to anticipate every target on her back while she fights to survive.

The rich world-building nsures Mareen leaves its mark on you. Davenport puts in the work to establish the political and geographic landscape. Davenport also takes some interesting risks that makes The Blood Trials stand out from other works. The nature of the trials requires constant venue changes, which means readers are introduced to new locations throughout, but the rich descriptions ensure readers are anchored in each setting and have some idea what to expect.

I actually appreciated the way that Davenport provided so much information while developing the settings and the characters, and yet managed to tuck in the tiny details that added up to reveal the truths in the end without making them obvious. I felt genuinely surprised by some revelations, and yet, they felt earned. I could look back and see the details I hadn’t added while trying to work out the truth myself.

It’s easy to talk about the violence, the constant danger, the rich characters, and the strong world-building, but that doesn’t do this book justice. This is easily one of the best books I’ve read in recent years. In Kenna, we have a female protagonist who’s anything but predictable or conventional. Kenna is strong and relentless. She never takes the easy way out of anything. She lives life on her terms, but she also grows. She had to overlook some offenses to gain the power she needs to take down the people who murdered her grandfather. She also has a lot of heart, and I want to avoid spoilers, so I’ll just say that some choices she’s faced with nearly break her while she wrestles with the high cost of learning the truth.

Davenport provides clear resolution to this story, and at the same time, sets things up beautifully for book 2. Kenna’s story doesn’t pull physical or emotional punches, and it held me in its grip from early on right through the last page. I hope more people discover this one, because it’s fantastic.

It should be noted there is room to ask whether this is YA or adult fiction. The story follows teenagers, but notes in other reviews state it’s adult fiction because of the level of violence. However, I doubt the violence would deter a lot of YA readers, and this book will appeal to teens and adults who like action-packed stories.