Nine months may have passed since the events of "Blood Debts" (book #1), but this incredible story is just getting started. "Blood Justice" unapologetically and unflinchingly unleashes generations of grief and pain, tip-toeing the morally gray line as justice, in its many shapes and forms steeped in blood, weariness, and pride, begins its mortal and godly reign.

In "Blood Justice," there's another daunting and deadly mystery to uncover on top of everything else coming at Cris, Clem, and their family from seemingly all sides. With very little to go off from, they have a lot on their plates to deal with before it's too late and their family loses the throne again.

Cris is fed up with all the injustices and lack of accountability against her, her family, and black folks for centuries, so feels the only solution is to take matters into her own hands. Anger continues to burn within her even after collecting a blood debt. She still feels her family is owed justice from other people who have wronged them and have gotten away with it.

Clem's anxieties are wearing him thin as he desperately searches for answers to his troubles virtually on his own. Clem is a gentle soul and I wish I could give him the biggest hug, so he'd always know how loved he genuinely is. The end of his storyline stomped my feelings to bits (I tried really hard not to cry).

Valentina takes control of her life and sets her sights on taking back the crown/throne she feels is rightfully hers…by any means necessary.

The contrast between Cris and Valentina's character development was interesting because of how they dealt with their anger and responded to their perceived injustices.

Valentina calmly schemes and forms alliances while slowly reconciling with her past that had negatively impacted her the most. She's finally getting a small taste of the love and attention she should have had growing up that only her paternal grandmother ever gave her. It may affect her but doesn't deter her from her goals nor pierce the new walls she's built around herself.

Meanwhile, Cris stews in rage that she doesn't know how to properly deal with/make sense of, a storm that escalates in dark and otherworldly moments that had me very concerned as the story progresses.

You usually see the opposite pathways happening with two such characters, so it was fascinating how the author flipped what we expect of the good, bad, and gray on its head. This made the story even more riveting.

I also loved that gods have active agency in this story. One in particular who had been a haunting presence behind the scenes throughout the story I was so intrigued and horrified of because I had never seen this type of character characterized in such a way that the author has done. I liked how distinct this character was and how much influence they'll have on the story going further. So well-written!

As for the ending…there are no words that can properly convey just how frightfully epic and chaotic it was. The climactic scene and falling resolution are great examples of how to leave readers an emotional wreckage yet wanting more. I appreciated the bit of comic relief with a certain grandmother after the grisly mayhem that just took place. And the final line of the story - *chef's kiss* - was a perfect and impactful ending.

"Blood Justice" is a beast of a sequel that doesn't hold back. The anger, hatred, and grief was palpable. The unchecked greed and lust for power were bone-chilling and sinister. Several characters speaking their truths filled in missing pieces of the story so far and provided more details about how events led to the current situation. I'm glad I held onto the family tree I made while reading book one because it was very much needed here (at least for me) despite only a couple of new characters being introduced.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story because this series isn't for the faint of heart. "Blood Debts" was a difficult read for me yet it left me in awe of what the author was able to accomplish. "Blood Justice" was also a challenging read but its voice took on a much different tone and was exquisitely complex in terms of the writing and execution of the plot.

Terry J. Benton-Walker's writing is strong. He has created such a deeply compelling, dark, and magical YA contemporary urban fantasy. I look forward to returning to New Orleans in book three!

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

Phew!!! Y'all this one was a ride that I would do all over again!!! The author put his foot all up and through this sequel and I truly hope there's another book to come!!! We need it!!
If you liked Blood Debts, you're going to love this installment in the series. We pick up a few months after culminating events of book 1 and really get to dive into the consequences of actions and the fallout that happens of both sides. What I loved most about this book is that everything is not clear-cut. Everyone is a bit morally grey and can find justifications for their actions if they either dig deep enough into the past, or not to far beyond the reasons for their own present-day actions. The magic, pain, anger, vengeance, and even love is amped up in this installment and we watch these teens navigate the loss, anger, and, grief, that was haphazardly tossed unto them, without any regard to the long-term effects on their mental. and emotional health. This one is a banger and everyone needs to read it!!!

Amazing!! I was hooked from the first few pages and it kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I loved the first book in the series and was seriously hyped for book 2 and a chance to revisit these characters and to see the fallout from the events at the end of book 1 and it did not disappoint. I have to say the standout for me in this one was Cris. She was a such a badass and I felt every emotion with her, the anger, frustration, fear, confusion. The social commentary was also amazing. There were several lines that hit me right in the gut. I NEED the next book like now!! So I will definitely be impatiently waiting.

Cris and Clem made many sacrifices to restore what their family rightfully deserves, but the battle for the throne was only the beginning of darker and more violent times that will put not only the family but the entire magical world in danger.

I really enjoyed the previous volume and couldn't wait to jump into this one, but it felt like the author was trying to see what other violent thing he could cram into the story. I get that it's a reflection of the world and it does make some excellent points about how people of color are treated, I just would have enjoyed any lightness whatsoever in the story to show that there's hope. Instead, it's like a race to one-up the previous chapter with violence and how awful people are.

All that said, it's still an incredibly engaging story that makes you care about the characters and what's happening to them so I'm definitely going to follow the story. I'm just hoping that there's some much-needed lightness coming.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Tor Teen for the early read!

Thank you to Netgalley for a digital ARC of this book.


I initially approached Blood Justice, the second installment in the Blood Debts series, expecting it to conclude as a duology. However, to my pleasant surprise, as I neared the 90% mark, I discovered that the story was far from reaching its conclusion.

The action seamlessly continues from where book one left off, and the author skillfully incorporates subtle reminders into the first few chapters. These gentle prompts are particularly useful for readers who may have taken a break since reading the first book or, like myself, struggle with memory retention.

Continuing the narrative style of the first book, Blood Justice maintains its engaging multiple perspectives, a feature I greatly appreciate. Each character is intricately developed, ensuring clarity of their roles and contributions to the story. There are no mere placeholders; every character serves a purpose, with ample page time devoted to the main protagonists. This dynamic keeps me fully engrossed and prevents any hint of boredom from creeping in. By the time I reached a quarter of the way into the book, I found myself unable to set it down. I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for book three!

I must admit, Blood Justice delivered. Again, this is all subjective and my sole opinion.

Blood Justice is book 2 (!) of the Blood Debts series by Terry J. Benton-Walker. I do not think it fell prey to the second book syndrome that many books in series fall under. Instead, it was a good development of characters and plot. By one third of the way in, I knew that this story of the two main character siblings was not going to be concluded in this book (completely unfair *sarcasm*). The author expanded on the two other minor characters and their POV versus Blood Debts (book 1), and it added additional flavor and build up the background to help connect the pieces.

As an adult, I need to remember that this is a YA fiction, and therefore the teenager characters are the story drivers. It reminds me of the CW's Riverdale: teenagers being rash, impulsive, emotional, which drives them to take action without much foresight. So if that is something that truly is a reader's ick, then move on to the next read.

Anyways... Blood Justice picks up several months after Blood Debts end. The FMC has a taste for revenge that seems like it has no end. The MMC is trying to fix the problems he created. Together they are trying to solve the bigger mystery of who killed a prominent figure in their community. There's of course magic, love, backstabbing friends, and kidnappings. It's impossible to not enjoy this story.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Teen for allowing me to read this advanced copy. 4 out of 5 stars. Can't wait for the next book in the series!

The best follow up to a debut book there is. There are secrets that are constantly being revealed and you can’t guess the next moment that is going to happen.

An exciting sequel to blood debts! The character’s pov and different voices feel more developed. It added a dynamic feeling to the ongoing political drama. It’s an exciting YA fantasy series to delve into :)

Blood Justice picks up several months after the ending of Blood Debts and all the simmering emotions and rage that has been building in those months comes to life in this book and I loved it. Cris is back in touch with her magic and getting justice on those who wronged her in book one. I loved seeing her wield all this magic, she is so powerful! Then there Clem who’s trying to fix his spell from book one (won’t spoil it but iykyk) and is having trouble with our new villain the Moon King. I like the story of the Moon King and think he’ll make a great villain and can’t wait to see what he does in the next book, especially after that ending. But we still have our original villain, Valentina Savant, who also makes a great villain to Cris and with all her plotting in this book, I’m interested to see where she and Cris end up. Then on top of all this magic, there’s another mystery to be solved, this time it’s a murder that Cris and Clem will do anything to solve.

Overall, this is a great ya fantasy and I highly recommend the series!

Read if you like…
•magic
•multiple pov
•mystery
•gods and demons

Terrifying story on alien first contact and full of body horror. This thing is nightmare fuel!

I think you’ll love the mystery and the complex characters. Ophelia and Ethan really leap off the page. The images are stark and compelling and the tension is palpable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I got this as an ARC from Netgalley. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! I loved this way better than the first book. I can’t believe what Cris has became in this book. I felt bad for Cris and Clem when their mom was thrown in jail but I don’t want to spoil the book so that is all I will be saying.

DRC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Terry J. Benton-Walker is a master storyteller who imbues every tale and character of his with such passion, emotion and meaning.

I adored this novel and I cannot wait to read what is next!

Short and Sweet Review
Blood Justice takes place nine months after the events of Blood Debts. Now that Clem and Cris have gotten justice for their family they realize that things aren’t going to be easier only more difficult because people are still coming for them. Clem is trying to figure out how to restore Yves back to his former self with very little luck, and Cris is out there trying to get blood justice and go after everyone who hurt her family. When the mayor ends up murdered and their mom gets the blame for it Cris and Clem get to work on trying to prove her innocence while also learning they have a lot of enemies in the city of New Orleans.
When I read Blood Debts I didn’t like it so I thought I was a bit crazy for requesting the sequel but this book exceeded my expectations. One of my biggest problems with the first book was the amount of different character POVs but I think in this book because I knew who the characters were it wasn’t too much of a problem. Clem and Cris are on different paths in this book, Clem is still trying to figure out how to fix Yves, and Cris has a lot of anger and she’s using it to get revenge. The thing that brings the siblings together is when they have to prove that their mom is innocent and find out who is actually causing all of the trouble. We also see Valentina who is still dealing with her grandparents death and she’s trying to figure out how to become the queen. There’s some new Gods in this book and one of them is not one to be messed with but he’s drawn to Clem and Cris. There’s a lot going on in this book but in a good way. I liked seeing Cris express her anger but also in the end she has a realization that she’s gone too far and someone who loves her pulls her back. Clem makes some sacrifices in this book. Out of the two siblings I think that Clem is the one who thinks more about how his actions will effect others, while Cris currently sees red. There was a lot of character development for both characters and I’m glad there was more to them in this book that I connected with. I will add that I enjoyed the mystery aspect in this book, we had murder, missing people, murdered peoples bodies being moved, it was great.
Overall, I loved this book. Blood Justice made me rethink how I feel about this series this was a redeeming book and now I can’t wait until the third book is released. The way this book ended just leaves you ready to see what will happen next and I’m excited to see what will happen to our characters and how they’re going to deal with the war that’s coming their way. I would definitely recommend Blood Justice, so go get it when it’s released!

Thank you so much for this arc!
What an awesome sequel. I will say the pacing is a touch off but it’s not the worst considering the writing is lovely.
The setting, the witches, the mystique. It’s all so lovely and the intimate discussion of prejudice and oppressed people of color was a different story for me to read about. I would love to continue exploring more stories about racially diverse and queer community’s. There was so much emotion in this book that I caught myself crying a few times!
Definitely understand that this kinda ends in a cliffhanger?
I’m hoping for a book 3!!!

Excellent..keeps you in the edge of your seat with layered characters and a cool magical system. Relevant issues of systemic racism and the impacts to the communities and individuals impacted

The sequel to 2023's Blood Debts did not disappoint. This series - a YA urban fantasy adventure in New Orleans - is severely underhyped. Come for the family banter, stay for questions about the line between justice and vengeance.

This series is at its best when Clem and Cris get to cook together and I am so glad we got more of that. Their love for each other made the final turn especially heartbreaking and set up the stakes for book three beautifully. (There is going to be a book three....right? Right??)

This book is exactly what you want from a sequel! Dare I say, it is even better?!

In Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton-Walker, you still get to follow Cris and Clem on their journey very closely, but I loved the added secondary view points that pop up throughout the story as well.

Now with the throne of the magical community of New Orleans in Cris and Clem's grasp, this second book explores a world in which that hold on the throne is very tenuous. Will Valentina win that throne back? Or will one of the other enemies seize control of everything? With gut-wrenching moments on every page, and beautiful prose, this book is a worthy sequel to Blood Debts. Everything you love about that first novel is found and expanded on in this one!

I loved every moment of this book and strongly encourage everybody to pick up a copy when this releases on April 23!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #TorTeen for a free copy in exchange for an honest, spoiler-free review!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Blood Justice picks up where its predecessor left off, delivering more of the seamless mix of drama, action, and social commentary that made the first work so well. With the first book already highlighting social issues that impact Black and queer teens, I especially liked the focus this time around on the injustices of the prison system.
The Dupart siblings are once again central to the narrative, although there are some other characters thar are also thoughtfully incorporated. Cris’ arc is one of anger and seeking justice following what happened in the last book. Clem, meanwhile, is on a much more tender journey, as he is reckoning with having lost the boy he’s in love with, Yves. and tries to bring him back to life, resulting in some complications. Between the two of them, it’s a solid balance of softness and darkness, high-action and more interpersonal.
Another prominent POV character is the antagonist, Valentina, and she’s a well-rounded, compelling villain, with a lot of nuance. While I don’t necessarily root for her, I understand where she’s coming from, having lost everything, and find her scheming interesting to watch. She also makes an intriguing foil for Cris in particular, as in some ways, they are very similar.
This installment was also fairly well-paced and engaging. I enjoyed the balance of character building and high action, meaning that there wasn’t much space wasted on anything that didn’t advance the narrative in some way.
Also, as the author has disclosed on socials, this is far from the end of the series, although who knows if his vision for the full scope of it will see the light of day. I do hope this publisher (or any suitable publisher) will continue to given Terry J. Benton-Walker the opportunity to continue growing this series and world.
This was a solid sequel, and I’m excited to see where the story goes next, if it happens. If you’re interested in a contemporary/urban fantasy starring Black and queer characters, I’d recommend checking out this series!

Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group, for an early copy of Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton-Walker. Omg, I love the second book; I am so happy I read this book. The Magic, Teenagers Drama, and The Different Gods. I love it set in New Orleans and learning about Magic and how it relates to real-world problems. I love this high fantasy book with magic.

“Blood Justice” is a knockout sequel and a brilliant work of fantasy. Walker has delivered a riveting, heartbreaking, beautiful and electrifying work. A master in complete control of their craft. His work with character is remarkable. So many characters and everyone feels distinct, honest, real. His world building is thrilling and dynamic. His prose is a beautiful dance that takes your hand and leads you on page by page. Read it!