4.5 stars rounded up

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I know that the idea was what if harry potter went to an HBCU in the south - and I think that's exactly what this book achieves. I loved it. I think there were pacing issues here and there but overall I really enjoyed it and I'll definitely be reading the next one!

"Way down yonder, in the middle of the field, angels working at the chariot wheel. Not so particular. About working at the wheel. But i just wanna see who the chariot feel."


This book was everything!!! Action packed from start to finish! The story is so engaging and full of interesting characters. I was rooting for Malik from the first time we met him till the very end! Malik is a teenager who has experienced so much pain and rightfully distrusts the people around him. I loved that this book did not shy away from his anger, but instead allowed the reader to experience its rawness and the impact that painful experiences may have on other areas of life.

"I finally let my inner child find solace in my spirit. I give him the safety he needed and damn well deserved." I honestly can't wait for book 2 and have already ordered a physical copy of this one for my shelves.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the arc of this wonderful book!

The premise is perfect and made me go "Finally!" Admittedly, I'm an older reader and outside the teen demographic, but as someone who devoured (and still does) all things magical academia, I was much looking forward to BLOOD AT THE ROOT. However, once I got to reading, I quickly realized how far from the intended audience I truly am. I had trouble connecting with the pop culture references, and even as a Black American reader, I found some of the vernacular overwhelming. I also sensed this is a story that might work (even) better in a visual medium, as it’s action-packed and dialogue heavy, and relies heavily on “place.” A definite recommendation for the target audience, but perhaps a pass for older readers of urban fantasy, dark academia, or witchy BIPOC books.

I discovered "Blood at the Root" while scrolling through bookstagram and was immediately in awe by the beautifully blue cover art, then completely fascinated by the story's premise.

"Blood at the Root" was a highly enjoyable YA contemporary fantasy. The author's childhood dream and vision for this novel shine brightly throughout this one-of-a-kind story.

Malik (17) is a remarkable main character. He's smart, genuine, caring, and unshakable with a strong and distinct voice. After all he's been through over the last ten years that forced him to grow up fast, Malik deserved a chance to live freely, happily, and successfully. I'm so glad he and his brother by choice, Taye (12), got to finally experience some of that in book one.

Taye is so precious and emits so much light. I hope that, despite what he's endured, he never loses that goodness that makes him so special and lovable. I also liked Mama Aya, Malik's maternal grandmother, who is warm, regal, and kind. She's a force to be reckoned with and can still kick ass in her very old age. The other characters you get to know also make "Blood at the Root" a fulfilling read.

I loved that part of the setting was a hidden HBCU school "for the young, Black, and magical" called Caiman University, whose powerful motto I love is "our roots are deep, numerous, and vivacious." The world-building was richly detailed and descriptive in a way that firmly grounds and draws the reader in.

"Blood at the Root" is a captivating and multifaceted story interwoven with intricate conflicts and compelling mysteries. I liked how the story explores the deep roots that connect us all and the connections between community, family, racial, and social issues.

It's a fairly long read with much to know about the past and how it connects to Malik, his mother, the missing children, Caiman University, and black history in general. It's also a heavy read at times as, for example, Malik's trauma that he's still dealing with and trying to make sense of, especially when he's finally starting to get answers about what happened ten years ago and why.

Malik is an excellent student from what I've gathered. That coupled with the immense power he already possessed and his long lineage of strong conjurers, there wasn't any doubt he'd excel at Caiman. But I would have liked to have seen more of Malik's progress with his magic because his progress felt rushed to fit within this first book instead of a smooth, gradual transition of his progression.

"Blood at the Root" was a really good story and a strong debut. I was very invested in this compelling, thought-provoking, hard-hitting series opener and would highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to reading book two!

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

Wow!!! This lived up to all the hype!! It was fast, emotional, thought provoking, and so BLACK. If I didn’t love our magic before? I certainly do now. This is perfect for anyone who has the Legendborn series, I am such a Malik fan and I want nothing but good things for him. This book set the series? Trilogy? Duology? so well!!! It was heart pounding and heart breaking. My favorite part was all the Black historical and cultural references that covered the diaspora.

I really loved this story, it feels like something original while still feeling in line with academic fantasy. The author was right in his foreword, I've never seen a book like this. I think this fits well into the "This powerful teenager must be contained!" trope. Malik's viewpoints of family, shame, and the world around him were very honest and enjoyable. It doesn't necessarily feel like an "unreliable narrator", but more so like a realistic peek into the mind of a college-aged young adult. I enjoyed William's idea of what a modern magical college might look like and I would love to explore it further. I also really enjoyed the way multiple African and Black cultures are woven into this story; this world shows the diversity within the diaspora instead of making it seem like everyone within the diaspora is the same.

I do feel like the writing style took some getting used to. I want to be very clear that I'm not speaking about the use of modern or regional dialects or AAVE. The writing tends to feel a bit clunky in some places. The transitions between locations, events, and chapters feel abrupt. However, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story itself.

I also feel like certain parts of the book are a little rushed in general and would have served the connection to the story better by being more fleshed out. While the plot remains the main focus, drawing the reader into the little moments between plot points to enjoy the characters and connections without obviously serving the plot in few places would create more intimacy. Everything feels very plot driven and I think that creates a disconnect from the world that is happening around the plot.

I will be posting reviews to StoryGraph, Fable, and TikTok within the next week and will update this review with links accordingly.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6489163017

DNFd. Quickly. Thank you NetGalley, but between the (bad) pop culture references and language, this book was not for me.

Blood At The Root literally had me held against my will for days, the post book hangover was real. The best thing about this book was the culture, representation, and the way the author didn’t lose his voice in the process. As a Social Worker, I was especially interested in seeing how Malik, a young black male who ended up in the system, would respond to his adversities. And I think the author did that part of the story justice. Malik was strong willed, protective, but also cautious with the way he moved. Without giving anything away, I was blown away with the complexity of the story, the vivid and intricate details, and the plot twists and suspense - it all came together beautifully. I can wholeheartedly say this was one of my favorite reads this year. I am packing up and headed to Caiman University, I just want to experience the richness of the campus and see the student life. I cannot wait for my hardcover to come in the mail!

This book is what I imagine you'd get when you mix Hogwarts with your fave HBCU! It follows thw story of Malik who's mother is killed when he was 7, leaving him to navigate the world, and his magical powers, alone. Until he discovers family he didn't know existed and is enrolled in Caiman University, a magical HBCU. He then begins to learn and understand his magic and uncover secrets as to what happened to his mother.

This story was phenomenal and gut wrenching. Empowering and anger inducing, all at once. Not to mention the shock at the end. Absolutely worth the read! And hopefully, there's a second book coming in the future!

"Blood at the Root" had me hooked from the start with its premise: Malik, a young man newly freed from the foster care system, has been suppressing his magical abilities for most of his life. Now, as he strives for a better future for himself and his foster brother, he's forced to confront the powers he's long hidden. His journey takes a turn when he discovers a family legacy intertwined with a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) dedicated to the magical arts.

This book is a celebration of the black experience, writing black history into the fabric of young adult fantasy in a way that's both unique and necessary. It's a book that deserves mainstream success.

LaDarrion Williams' debut is a heartfelt ode to black joy and magic, echoing the cultural richness of life at an HBCU. The book delves into a mystery involving disappearing children and an ancient evil, providing just enough misdirection to keep me guessing until the very end.

However, the magic system and school setting left me wanting more. The magic, seemingly without rules, ranged from the mundane to the extraordinary, with everyone from first-years to faculty wielding significant power.

The story's plot is great, filled with unexpected twists and rich character development. Malik's quest to rescue his brother and uncover his family's secrets is both heartwarming and harrowing. The characters, especially Uncle Samedi, are so fun, bringing depth and humor. The book strikes a fine balance with its queer representation and keeps you on your toes as characters blur the lines between hero and villain.

In summary, "Blood at the Root" is a book that resonates with me deeply. It's a story I'll be recommending to anyone who appreciates YA fantasy and urban fiction, and it's a book that I'll be adding to my personal collection with pride. It's a testament to the power of representation and the magic of storytelling.
Thank you LaDarrion Williams and NetGalley for letting me read this. I'm absolutely buying a physical copy for my shelf.

4 stars

This is a fast paced fantasy, most of which ends up taking place at a magical sort of college. While Malik is a strong character and voice, it often didn’t feel quite like a college, reading a bit younger with all the pop culture references (including a HP one). I liked the parts with his little brother the best. It feels fresh and I’m really excited to see where this series goes.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form my honest options.

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this book! This was one of my most anticipated books of the season.

This book had me in an absolute chokehold... the book hangover is real and I need more immediately. It had a fair amount of millennial slang and "real-world" references but it wasn't too bad and I was able to look past it because the plot was genuinely so good.

Blood at the Root answers the question "What would happen if a young wizard went to a magical HBCU?" LaDarrion William's debut is heartfelt, surprising, and so unique. If you love the following things, I think you should add Blood at the Root to your TBR:
- Magical Schools
- Found Family
- Complicated Family History
- Dialogue Driven Story
- Modern Pop Culture References
- Non Stop Plot Twists

I am so grateful to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book! If I were to read it again, I may check out the audiobook because the story is so dialogue heavy!

I had really high hopes coming into this book, and unfortunately it fell short. I liked the plot of the book, but wasn’t a fan of the writing and execution of it. There were alot of stereotypes within the first few pages that continued throughout making it harder for me to enjoy and the language was very hard for me to get past. The world building wasn’t the best and I think there could’ve been more that was fleshed out to make it better. Overall, the book unfortunately wasn’t for me but that doesn’t mean someone else won’t enjoy it.

Blood at the Root has a great hook right at the beginning: newly emancipated from the foster care system, Malik has been trying to hide his magical abilities from the world--and maybe himself--since he was seven. But if he wants a better life for himself and his foster brother, he might need to harness those powers just to make it out of town. On the run and out of luck, Malik realizes he in fact does still have family and a family legacy at a HBCU for magical arts.

This book centers the black experience and black history in a way that I'm not sure I've ever read in YA fantasy. I'm so glad this book was written, and I think it is deserving of mainstream success. The pacing did drag towards the middle and end; I feel like the main character's romance really detracted from the story rather than add. These criticisms do not take away from the fact that I think it is a highly enjoyable read that I will definitely be recommending to YA fantasy readers and fans of urban fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Title: Blood at the Root-Book #1 of a trilogy

*Release date: 5/7/24 read: 5/7/24

*Author: LaDarrion Williams-debut author

*Format: e-ARC, 432 pgs. PDF

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children/Labyrinth Road💙 ! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

*Setting: Helena, AL

*Genre: YA, AA Fic, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

*Tropes: magic, BIPOC, family drama, found family, college


*Synopsis: Malik is trying to find his place in the world. Orphaned and put in foster care at 7 yrs old, his magic has been reckless and unpredictable. His foster brother Taye runs away with him to find a new life. They meet Mama Aya who offers them a place to stay filled with family and love. Mama Aya wants Malik to attend Caiman University-a HBCU for magical people. His mother Lorraine went there and he wants answers about what happened to her when his magic manifested ten years ago. Did he kill her? Is she still alive and in trouble?

*Characters

* Malik Baron-17 never felt like he belonged, can't control his magic, wants to connect with his family.
* Taye-12, Malik's foster brother he takes care of
*Alexis-Malik's childhood friend, also has magic
*Mama Aya-Malik's grandmother
*Lorraine-Malik's mother

*Review : I loved the cover and it pulled me in from the start. Malik is a great protagonist that I wanted to see him happy. His fierce loyalty and protection over Taye is so endearing. He is rough around the edges, but being at Caiman shows him he's not alone.

*Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story
Happy Book Birthday to Blood at the Root!!!
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

This was a very interesting story. I've read a few Black Magic stories before and they're all so fun and exciting so this one was no exception. One of the plot twists (with Donja) I was able to see from a MILE away but I was completely stunned by Alexis, Chancellor Taron, and his mom (and I'm going to leave it at that because I don't want to spoil too much). I was very sucked in by the plot (though it felt a little slow in the middle when he's going through the motions of school) and stayed intrigued until the end. I wish it wasn't a duology? trilogy? and was instead a standalone (there should be more standalone fantasy novels) but I'm excited to see where this goes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.
If you are looking for a book with a black main character who discovers he was powers and he is what he always saw on tv and never felt represented. Our MMC goes through a lot growing up. This book was definitely a much needed book, this author definitely needed to write this book in order for kids growing up can look up to main characters who look like them, go through their sales struggles and use the same slang. People deserve representation and this book was just that. I’m not always the best fan of YA fantasy because I feel sometimes it can be a bit cringe or just too young for me but, overall I enjoyed this book and I would recommend to anyone who wants to try something new and fresh with elements we have seen before.


#BloodattheRoot #NetGalley

Great books are made in both their big and small moments. With Blood at The Root, debut author LaDarrion Williams manages to capture that sweet spot of balance. This novel is a love story to black boy joy and black girl magic while also doing justice to the cultural experience that is life on the campus of a Historically Black College or University. As I read about Malik's time at Caiman University I was transported back to my own experiences walking the grounds of my alma mater Alcorn State University. Seeing this young man learn to thrive in an environment where he is no longer alone, finding his tribe and learning what it means to have each others back was a cathartic experience. Like Malik i understand what its like to feel lost in a world that you should have been born and raised in. That feeling of otherness makes Malik's journey that much more heartbreakingly good. I eagerly look forward to Mr. Williams' next release, hopefully its a trip back to the campus of Caiman University. I can't end this review without also touching on the other half of this novel, a mystery of disappearing children, the adults who don't want to explain things to those most impacted and an ancient evil thought long destroyed. This book provides just the right amount of misdirection, allowing readers to become truly surprised by the twist ending. I was very lucky to receive an eARC of this novel and will also be purchasing a completed version to be added to my personal collection.

This book is lovely. The characters and the voices are all authentic. So lovely to be swept up in a world where, yes, as an elder millennial I maybe didn’t understand all the slang, but I still was able to read and connect with the characters. Readers of all ages will love this story. This is a modern Harry Potter story where the magic is based on cultural history, and it is just perfect. I loved the integration of history, culture, beliefs, etc. This book is just genuinely well done. Thank you so much for writing such a beautiful story that also is just so easy to get lost in. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Thank you so much to Random House Children’s Labyrinth Road, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.