Benton continues to explore the themes of injustice, oppression, race, culture and appropriation in this contemporary coming of age story while also touching on subjects like incarceration and the unhoused in a way that enhances the story without it feeling spoon fed to the reader. Next I would be remiss if I didn’t discuss how I enjoyed Blood Debts but Blood Justice really elevated the stakes for me in a way I haven’t read since Catching Fire years ago. We continue on Cristina and Clem’s respective journeys as they try to deal with the consequences of their actions in Blood Debts while also deciding who they want be and just how far each of them will go to get what they want. I’m usually not a massive fan of multiple POV’s (after two characters I just start to lose interest) but the way Benton does is really special and it’s so integral to the story unfolding the way it does. Each character has a rich inner world that adds to the complexity of the story and allows Benton to broach sensitive topics in a nuanced way.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it. The cover art is super pretty and I hope they keep that as well

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
The sequel to Blood Debts, Blood Justice is an explosion of magic, race, and politics in the absolute best way.
I didn’t know what to expect out of this, but it was just so much better than I could have possibly expected. I absolutely flew through this book, and had so many moments where I was at the edge of my seat.
I don’t really want to say much more, mainly because the rest of my thoughts are spoiler filled, but what I do know is that I absolutely need the next one now.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Teen for an eARC of this book.

Terry J Benton Walker has done it again! We are once again immersed in murder and magic in New Orleans with Clement and Cristina and the whole crew from Blood Debts. Mr. Walker's writing keeps you on the edge of your seat with all the twists and turns that are taken. And that ending!! Will leave you begging for book 3!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an advanced copy of Blood Justice for review. All opinions are my own.

Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton-Walker is the sequel to Blood Debts and has a dark alluring cover while being a mind arresting, surprising read. Benton-Walker takes the reader back to New Orleans into the world of the Cristina and Clement Trudeau as they continue to fight against their enemies, who want to take their birthright back within the magical community by controlling magic and its practitioners. While some background information on these rich characters is provided in this book, I suggest that readers that have not read Blood Debts, the first book in the series, to begin here for background knowledge of the characters and events.

Benton-Walker craftily uses his storytelling to question Blackness and difficult topics such as mental health and unhoused individuals along with queerness. While addressing these difficulties, the author shows the reader that there are many different lengths that one can be willing to go to obtain justice for themselves and those that are closest to them. This dark sequel has vivid details that makes it seem as if you are witnessing the story in real-time. Benton-Walker has masterfully crafted a tale that advocates for taking a stand for justice. Blood Justice prompts the reader to think about the cost of the pursuit of justice and what it means to know its cost in the present time and future.

I would recommend Blood Justice to teens and young adult who are willing to think beyond the magical world that Benton-Walker has created to see that advocating for change and social justice can be in many forms. Benton-Walker has a voice that demands to be heard and wields the pen as his megaphone. I look forward to more stories from this masterful author in the future that hopefully provide as many plot twists as Blood Justice.

So amazing. Thanks @netgalley for the ARC! This book is beautifully and masterfully written. I felt so much for the young protagonists and their family and friends. I can't imagine going through what Clem and Cris have to endure. The expansion of the characters and world building are done well in this series. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 3. There has to be so much more to Cris and Clems story! If you like magic, legacy and meddling gods you will love this.

I loved this sequel!

A lot of the time, I find sequels that may not engross me as much as the first novel in the series. However, I think I fell in love with Blood Justice just as much as I did with the first one. This book held my attention until the very end and I loved the maturity and complexities of Cristina and Clement. I definitely would recommend this sequel to anyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This reads as a book 2, and the opening is extremely exposition heavy. Not appropriate for our libraries as we focus on standalones, but that said, I love the themes and would love to see more! Stopped after chapter 1 (5%).

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars! I wanted so badly to love this book as much as I loved the first book, but sadly it was missing something for me.

That being said, I did almost give the book four stars for that ending! I still desperately need the next book after how it finished. Terry J. Benton-Walker sure knows how to write an ending and a cliffhanger.

For me where this book fell flat was it felt like it had middle book syndrome. A lot was going on with no real results. It felt like the characters were taking a thousand steps but weren’t actually getting anywhere. There was so much build up that the middle of the book really dragged for me.

I liked the mystery and plot of the first book a lot more. Where in this one I didn’t really care to find out who the murderer was because it seemed obvious which cast of characters it could be, so it was just a matter of who it was. Where the first book I was kept guessing and so wanted to know what was going on and who was behind everything.

Christina was in this a lot more than Clem was! I will say I really enjoyed her character a lot more than in the first book. Which I still liked her in the first book don’t get me wrong. Her journey of wanting to get justice was so compelling. The speeches she gave or thought about how she was done turning the other cheek, and how it wasn’t fair that people of color had to keep forgiving others when they were the ones who were done dirty, was so impactful. You could feel the anger and the frustration, and rightfully so. I thought that aspect of the book was written so well, just as it was in the first book. Her journey throughout the book of learning that violence may not always be the answer too was interesting to watch unfold.

Clem is still my favorite character though, and he seemed to be on the back burner for most of this book. Which made me sad. I am sure he will have a bigger part in the next book, but maybe not all things considered. The lack of Jean-Louise in this book also made me sad. I get with the circumstances that he wouldn’t be in it as much, but I thought it was wasted potential. He could have done a lot more. My guess is he will be in the next book more, so I am excited for that.

I didn’t really care for Valentina’s point of view, so it was hard getting through reading them. I do feel for her that her grandma was killed, especially because of how close they were, so I can’t even begin to imagine that kind of pain. That being said, her grandma was not a good person, and neither is she. It is hard to root for her in any capacity or want to read about what is going on with her because I dislike her. I enjoy characters that are morally grey or even just straight up villains, but I love Clem and Chris too much to want to root for her.

Some of the scenes at the end of the book were truly horrific. I was squeamish and deeply uncomfortable reading some of the lines. Benton-Walker did a fantastic job writing those scenes. I would love to see him write a proper horror novel, even if I would be terrified, because he did such a good job writing it.

The ending was such a wild ride that it got me so excited for the next book. It felt so much like the first book and I was loving it. Which is why I am disappointed the rest of the book felt too slow paced for me.

I will definitely continue on with this series! Don’t let the 3 star review scare you off from these books. The main characters and their family dynamic is truly so special, and the themes talked about in them are so important. I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

I really enjoyed this book so much! I flew through this book and I was so upset when it was over. The plot was fast paced but not much which is what I really enjoy. I am obsessed with the characters and can not wait to read more by this author. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

There's so much going on there are murders, errant gods and mysteries/magic galore. Cristiana is still trying to find her way but with her mother charged with murder her brother Clement still trying to find a way to bring back his beloved they both are facing challenges while also facing enemies and gods seeking to have them in their service.

Cris was UNGINGED!! On a straight warpath. Valentina too. Oh this was better than the first which is saying a lot because book one wax phenomenal.

So much pain. So much grief. So much suffering. The Blood Debts series gets a dark sequel, filled with anger and injustice.

After the events of this first book, twins Clem and Cris have to face the mind numbing aftermath. Clem is riddled with guilt and grief, while Cris is fueled by anger and revenge. Betrayal taints the old magical city of New Orleans.

I’ll admit, I was put off with the characters in the first book, the dialogue didn’t seem to work for me. This book is different, and the plot takes center stage. It’s dark, complicated, and almost drowns you in emotion. If you enjoyed the first book, you’ll love it’s sequel.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Teen for this ARC.

Very inventive! Gave me "The Originals" vibes with all the magical factions in NOLA. Wish there had been a bit more fleshing out of setting, given the colorful history and culture of New Orleans.

This second book in the magical Blood Debts series had just as much (if not more!) mystery, deadly drama and amazing queer characters as the first one. The story was even darker and the characters even more morally grey, and there were even more subplots and ethical dilemmas that made it a whirlwind of revenge, mayhem and pain.

The Blood Debts series is a rich contemporary YA fantasy with powerful magical families, a unique world building full of Southern mystic and deadly drama in New Orleans. In this second installment, we get to follow the twins Cristina (Cris) and Clem as they deal with the consequences from the family blood justice collecting in the first book. Clem is struggling with guilt and how to bring all of his boyfriend’s soul back from the dead, while Cris is just angry and wants revenge. Overall, there is a lot of rage and anger in this book; at the systems and the injustice, racial oppression and dehumanization of black people, at old betrayals and evil pacts, as well as pain and hurt from being abandoned or abused.

There is so much going on in this book, so many layers and so many heavy subjects that it was a literal whirlwind reading it. While I’m utterly impressed by Terry J. Benton-Walker for the creativity and the amazing story, it also made it a little slow to read with all the different subplots and all characters, compared to the first book. I still loved the diverse characters and how they were all so fleshed out, morally grey and relatable, but I struggled a little bit with rooting for them this time. Especially Cris who did a lot of bad and seriously questionable things in this book. At times I wasn’t sure I wanted her to succeed in getting the throne.

But all in all, this was a very well executed second installment in a series I can’t wait to continue. This series has such a unique mix of urban fantasy, mystery, heavy topics of oppression of black and queer people, mental illness and trauma, love, friendship, healing and forgiveness that I look forward to exploring even more in the next installment. The jaw dropping cliffhanger certainly indicates that the story will not get less addictive or complicated in the next book…

Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via NetGalley, but I am leaving my honest review. Many thanks to Tor/Forge and Terry J. Benton-Walker for the opportunity!

So so so grateful to Tor for the digital ARC of my most anticipated sequel of the year.

Y'all, this did NOT disappoint. Everything I loved about Blood Debts came back for more, with bigger stakes and bigger emotions and bigger danger. As much as I adore the protagonists, the character I truly can't stop thinking about is the antagonist. Without giving away spoilers, I'm blown away by how complex she is. Benton-Walker masterfully crafted her, and every piece of her made sense, from her origins to her anger to her motivations. THIS is what all writers should aspire to with their antagonists. If your villain isn't this fleshed out and nuanced, I don't want them.

Genuinely truly just in awe of this series and can't wait for more from someone who is clearly a master writer of our time.

Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton-Walker
Publication Date: April 23, 2024
Genre: YA Contemporary Fantasy

I was fascinated by the book. It is engaging, fierce and honest. The story is multi-layered with heavy subjects such as racial oppression in the black and queer community. It touches on the struggles of mental illness as well as emotional trauma. Terry’s writing is authentic, moving and expressive.

The sequel to Blood Debts resumes nine months after the Trudeau family is dealing with the consequences of collecting on a family blood debt. Twins Cristina and Clement find themselves navigating their own rage and grief through different avenues. Gen Magic is once again being jeopardized by the magical council, the racist Redeemers, villainous Valentina Savant and evil forces.

What I Liked
⚖️ The main characters continue to evolve in mature and complex ways.
⚖️ There are multiple twists and the ending is jaw dropping!
⚖️ It will be relatable to many readers.
⚖️ The magical system is creative and unique.

What Could Have Been Improved:
⚖️ A few of the characters made a brief appearance but could have been more involved such as Justin and Karmine.
⚖️ It took awhile for Cristina to fully realize the consequences of her actions. I wish she recognized her unethical practices sooner.

Final Thoughts
I definitely recommend this book but young readers should be aware it deals with some difficult situations and violence.
Self empowerment is vital for change and healing. To be heard and seen, seeking justice has many forms that speaks differently to every person. We must be aware of how our poor choices of words/actions could have dire consequences while we also try to maintain our integrity.

Thank you to Tor/TorTeen and NetGalley for the eARC in return for an honest review.

This sequel to Blood Debts finds twins Cris and Clem Trudeau and Cris's frenemy Valentina Savant dealing with the aftermath of the change in the gen magic community. Cris still feels rage seething inside and is determined to demand justice from the people who tried to destroy her family; Valentina vows vengeance for her family's fall from grace; and Clem struggles to take care of his boyfriend. And on top of that, the Redeemers are trying to shut down gen magic, including through a new push to register magic users.

There's a lot going on in this book, with all these threads slowly coming together, but I found it a little more difficult to get through the web of subplots at times. The main characters actually feel a little flatter in this book than in the first, chiefly because each of them is so focused on their own path. It takes quite a while for Cris and Clem at least to face some of the ethical dilemmas of what they do, and certainly the reader can attribute this to the trauma they have faced as well as Clem's anxiety, but consequences are slow to come.

The author specifically notes at the beginning of the book that he hopes to encourage Black queen people to stand proud and stand for justice, and some of the justice handed out here has a certain visceral appeal -- but it's still difficult to read. And this definitely sets up a third book, which I did not expect. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you, Tor Teen and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

Blood Justice is a excellent sequel that is dark and full of emotion. The book takes place 9 months after Clem and Christina got blood justice for their family. Clem is struggling to find a way to bring his lover soul back from the dead while staying afloat in school. Christina is anger about the injustice of Black witches and wants to do something -anything - to get justice. The story is great at showing how they're living with the consequences that spawned from its ending.

Okay, now that I've put my brain together, the best word I can think of for the sequel to BLOOD DEBTS is unflinching. There is so much rage here, the healing and the hurting kind. Anger at people, anger at systems, anger at respectability politics and dehumanizing of Black people and the ineffectual actions one can take to fight against it all.

Cris and Clem have seen dark things that take them to darker places. Valentina's scheming and buried sensitive underbelly are richly drawn. And through it all, the many narrative threads of the rot at the core of not only New Orleans but the international magical community are woven together so seamlessly the only words I could say when I finished was, "Holy shit."

This is a book that will haunt you for ages, in all the best way.