I have been hearing so much about this book that I purchased part 1 and was gifted part two by NetGalley. Let me just say that I was not disappointed. I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this book. Great read!!

An excellent follow up to blood debts. I loved the continuing interrogation of Clem and Cris deciding how they want their magic to help them while also dealing with how their choices were impacted by the decisions of people in the past. i really can't wait to read more by Benton-Walker both in this series (hopefully) as well as other stories he writes.

Magical New Orleans
•Witches
•YA
4.5 ⭐️
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If judging a book by its cover was a person. It's me! This cover is beautiful 😍.
Blood Justice is the sequel to Terry J. Benton-Walker debut book Blood Debts.
Holy gosh, the representation of this book, oh my, oh my! It's delicious 😋. It deconstructs African Americans generation curses, anger, grief, suppression, and pain and gives US readers a different outcome. And I am here for it!
This book ends with a semi cliffhanger.
Enough, I highly recommend this book.
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♡ Audiobook Review ♡
♤ Release April.23 ♤
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Thank you, Netgalley, for the eArc for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the early copy to review!

3.5 stars rounded up.

I really struggled with what to rate this book. In general, I enjoyed it. However, I did have some issues with that really influenced my overall rating of it.

Things I didn't love:

1. I'm still really struggling to understand what the magic system rules are. I feel as though we're not getting enough about the magic, the history, the how of the magic system. And maybe that's intentional, but I think right now it just leaves me with way more questions than we should have about a magic system at the end of the second book.

2. I feel like this book could have been roughly 100 pages shorter. I started and stopped this book three times. I tried to read it physically (thank you to the publisher for the physical arc), tried to read it on my kindle, and then finally was able to get into it by listening to the audiobook arc. It feels as though the first 65-70% of the book is a hurry up and wait kind of experience. Don't me wrong, when shit starts happening, it is HAPPENING. But it feels like less time could have been spent on the often times repetitive revenge parts and maybe more time could've been spent on building up the magic system.

3. In general, I keep finding myself wanting more and better for our main characters, which keeps me interested in the book. But, the main characters have never met a good decision and that feels a bit redundant.


Final thing I'll say is that I gave this book an extra star because of the potential that I see in it. I think this has the potential to be a really good series.

The sequel to Blood Debts, Blood Justice is filled with more drama, more secrets and more twists! I ENJOYED this book so much. The world building is this book as well as the magic is intricate and very done. Each character has their own story yet all are interconnected in such an amazing way. Terry Benton Walker touches on themes like racism, homophobia, grief and generational trauma. This book is great for Black, Queer readers. I recommend it highly! One of my favorite reads so far of the year!

I want to thank the author Terry J. Benton-Walker and the publisher Tor teen for allowing me receive this sequel as an early Arc.

I was so looking forward to the sequel to Blood Debts but this just fell so flat to me. As someone who grow up in Louisiana, especially around the New Orleans area I just didn’t feel it did it any justice. Even funerals of unliked people have a bigger celebration than the one described here.

I just can’t with Cris. I understand your rage but at the same time I don’t get it. Cris’ character is so hate driven and the continuous remarks about opposers and racist remarks just did me in. Then on top of that she seems to pine over every white guy she comes in contact with. I just couldn’t do it. I’m sorry but I had to dnf. I really wish I hadn’t and maybe I will pick it up again at later time but for now I have to put it down.

The constant revenge vibes just didn’t do it for me either. I liked how she took Oz’s magic however killing two and removing his magic should’ve been enough.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review.*

My only complaint about this book is the beginning is a little slow and I couldn't get interested and thought about DNFing. However, if you stick around, you will not be disappointed. It picks up quickly and you'll want to see what happens.

This has dark, teen drama vibes which are one of my guilty pleasures as an adult. There's a lot of magic, murder, and mayhem going on. If you like politics, there's some political unrest as well. There's so much representation; I feel like this series has been written so that everyone can find something or someone to relate to and connect with.

🩸Mental health rep
🩸Twin rep
🩸Unhoused rep
🩸Inmate rep
🩸LGBTQIA+ rep
🩸Matriarchy
🩸POC rep
🩸Racial injustice
🩸Rage and Revenge

There are some "bad" characters in the book that you see more of and I could kind of understand them and where they were coming from at times, but I still think they were wildly out of control. There were also some "good" characters that entered their villain era and I was living for it. I love a good rage/revenge theme.

There are a lot of povs in this book. Sometimes with so many povs, the book and the story start to have issues with the pacing and how it flows, but I think the author did well and picked the perfect parts of the story to add in the other povs.

This book has a good and clean ending, but it also leaves you with a sneaky cliffhanger. Can't wait to see where book 3 takes us.

Baby what a book!!! This was so good. I am going to try and find the words because I am fresh off the high of this ending and my mind is blown!!! I thought Blood Debts was good but this was an amazing follow up. You don’t miss a beat especially if you haven’t read Blood Debts recently like me who read middle of last year. It catches you up to all the tea and then you embark on a whole new journey with the Trudeau Twins again.
The way this story was told was so fun, emotional and really engaging from beginning to end. I literally felt like I was with Cristina and Clem on this new adventure. I also never felt so much kinship to a character. She is me and I am her. This book was such a good experience for me I am not even upset that it ended on a cliffhanger. Okay maybe I am a little bit but I am willing to let it slide for now….😭😩

All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC of Blood Justice

I'm really loving this series! I absolutely love the multiple POV narrators, especially as some narrators are against each other, but still think *their* perspective is correct. Benton-Walker does a good job of pacing and creating vivid characters, but this book especially has so much ANGER, from Cris especially. If you are looking for a book that does not turn the other cheek, this is definitely the book for you. There is even more hurting in this book, as the characters have to deal with the fallout from book 1, but it does not read like a 2nd installment slump at all, but it does have many heavy subjects and issues. I will absolutely continue reading this series.
There were a few moments where I felt the book skipped and jumped ahead, and then retroactively addressed what was skipped (particularly around the Emma character, who I hope is significant in the next book), but I think they were intended to keep the pace of the book moving (and it does MOVE), and I think was more of a "me preference" as a reader.

Blood Justice is the follow up to Blood Debts by Terry J Benton-Walker..Blood Debts was ome of my favorite reads of 2023 and Blood Justice was just as amazing. It had me up until after midnight gripping Kindle as each twist hit.

Thanks to Terry J. Benton-Walker and Tor Publishing Group for sending me an ARC to one of my most awaited sequels! Blood Debts was a wild ride, so I was extremely delighted to read this.

“Systems created by corrupt leaders cannot be reformed. But they can’t be ignored either because they won’t allow us to exist in peace and harmony without their interference. It’s stifling… and suffocating… and… hopeless. And I’ve had it.”

We’re back in New Orleans! Blood Justice is officially out on April 23rd, and it’s as insane as the first one. Set nine months after the tragedy on the Montaigne Majestic that killed Lenora and Felix Savant, Valentina is left to deal with her grandparents’ demise while Cris and Clement are faced with new enemies that could threaten their future on the Gen Council. This book is madness come to life, with betrayal and lies slowly resurfacing from the past, spun within the elements of a profoundly unique magic system more emphasized than before. This New Adult Fantasy book that follows the story of Blood Debts intimately discusses white supremacy, racism, and is a brutal and honest take on how prejudice continues to oppress POC and queer communities. The storytelling is both hilariously dark and uncanny, with lots of unpredictable twists.

I would 100% recommend this! The pacing of this book will make you feel a bit dragged as this was unexpectedly a long read, but Terry’s writing has significantly improved, and is so much easier to follow. If you’re looking for badass and queer Black characters who can’t be bothered to fuck with a moral compass, then Blood Justice is for you!

Blood Justice emerges as a remarkable sequel that surpasses its predecessor. The plot unfolds with gripping twists and turns, weaving a narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Character development shines brightly, with protagonists and supporting cast alike evolving in nuanced ways, adding depth and richness to the story. With its seamless blend of suspense, and captivating world-building, Blood Justice is a must-read for fans of the series.

in this sequel to blood debts, we follow cris and clem as they encounter enemies at every turn and valentina as she’s determined to take back her sovereignty.

i adored blood debts when i read it last year, so i was highly anticipating this book! i liked how many points of view we got, and i think it was balanced well with the twins still being at the forefront and the other points of view being woven in. i loved seeing clem and cris’s character growth and i can’t wait to see where the next book takes them!

This was my most anticipated sequel of 2024 and it did not disappoint!! The emotion jumps off the page and made me cheer for even the villains (except Zachary Kingston, f that guy still) I love Valentinas character, she reminds me of the boujee girl from the Proud Family (showing my age here lol)

All of the things I adored about the first book are here in the sequel plus Terry's writing has matured and the plot has thickened!!

A must read for fans of the genre!

Amazing follow through from the first book. All of the connections and threads from the first book and carried over. There's vengeance and a focus on justice as well the consequences of using magic depending how it's used. Great pacing and great character building as well. If you read the first book then you should for sure read this one!

I received the book as an ARC from Netgalley.

From the author’s note to the opening pages of the novel, the themes of equity and confronting systemic oppression are clear. This book is told through the lens of a magic system and teenagers. However, I found - as a 30-something who loves fantasy and YA novels - it easy to relate to because of our current environment and the relevant commentary on social justice topics of today.

Following Blood Debts, this book asks you to examine the world being experienced by vulnerable communities in America and asks you to dive into how generations of people are being impacted by systemic oppression.

Through Cris, we explore the perspective of a frustrated person who is perhaps pushed to a level of vigilantism. Her character says: "But what happens when the oppressed stop being nice? What will y'all do when Black women collectively, across the world, all wake up and decide we're no longer taking y’all’s bullshit? What if we choose violence instead of forgiveness? Then what?”

Blood Justice makes you grapple with your thoughts and feelings about how far is too far; what approach you would take to make change; and how you can show up (and stand up) for your friends, family, and community.

While I enjoyed the book, Blood Justice fell a little flat for me. I want to be clear: The writing is sensational. The anger and tension is palpable. Clem’s entire storyline is *chef’s kiss*. Perhaps, I was thinking about another series, but I thought this was a duology. So, as I got closer to the end of the book and I didn't feel plot resolutions coming together or see much growth of certain characters, I began to get a little frustrated. It reminded me of going into a movie and not knowing it would be split into two parts (looking at you Dune and Across the Spider-Verse). However, I truly think the next book will make me look at this book as an even stronger entry in the series and will make me appreciate Blood Justice even more.

Beyond that minor criticism - I really loved my experience reading Blood Justice. The continued worldbuilding of the magical community and additional backstories of the gods was so interesting and well-crafted. Terry J. Benton-Walker has a magical (pun intended, but just let me have this one) way with words.

Thank you to Tor/TorTeen and NetGalley for the eARC. Blood Justice publishes on April 23, 2024, and is available for pre-order now!

I have never in my life been so emotionally gutted by a book. 😭 This book was an intense rollercoaster and I LOVED every second of it! I read Blood Debts immediately before this and immensly enjoyed how it flowed seamlessly into this one. This book was full of magic, vengeance, and, again, a total emotional rollercoaster. I pray to the gods (I hope you're listening Eshu) that there is a book 3! If you haven't read this book, stop whatever you're doing and read it! (And book 1, also!)

This book was a wild ride. I had to reorient myself with Blood Debts to get on board with this sequel but once I did, it picked right back up where it left off. There were a lot of moving puzzle pieces going on throughout this book. This story is full of magic, betrayal, death, gods, revenge, and surprises. If you liked the first book, you’ll most likely enjoy this one too. And the ending definitely set us up for a third book! Thank you Tor for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

2SLGBTQIA+ BIPOC YA Fantasy following twin magicians who might have their throne back but their enemies are gathering and their hunger for revenge and desire for love could be their downfall.

1/5 stars: This is the second entry in Benton-Walker's Blood Debts series which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ BIPOC YA Fantasy and features twin teens who may have taken back their family’s stolen throne but their enemies are coming at them from all directions. With plenty of twists and turns, Benton-Walker has crafted a multiple POV story. Benton-Walker's character work is excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Due to the tough topics tackled, take care and check the CWs. As this is a continuation of the events that occurred in book one, Blood Debts, if you haven't read it first I would strongly suggest picking it up before reading this one. I was really looking forward to this but unfortunately this was a miss for me; leading me to DNF it at 48%.

I received this eARC thanks to Tor Publishing Group, Tor Teen in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

"Murder can be righteous when done in the name of blood justice."

This book is such a great book, one that touches on anger, pain, grief, revenge, family, rivalry, honor, discrimination, strength, and love, all the while incorporating magic which I loved so darn much! There are quite a few characters and povs in this story, which can make it difficult to follow at times, but it did add dimension to the story.

Cristina and her twin brother Clement Trudeau have taken back their family's throne and in the midst of doing so have gained many enemies.. many people have done them wrong. Cristina is tired of the injustice and is determined to make everyone who has caused her pain pay. She is out to seek blood justice. Meanwhile her brother, Clement, is just trying to hang onto the boy who he loves the most- Yves. Yves was fatally shot and killed one night and Clement went through great extents to bring him back, although he has only succeeded halfway. There's a lot of deceit in this story, dealing with grief and the anger that comes with it, vengeance, malicious gods, an upcoming spiritual war, moon magic, dark magic, and severed grandma heads! This book is GOOD.

And the cliffhangers (multiple).. ! I am already on the edge of my seat, anticipating Terry J. Benson-Walker's next book!

Thank you NetGalley and Terry J. Benson-Walker for this incredible ARC!