📖 Title: Bones at the Crossroads-Blood at the Road #2

✍🏾 Author: LaDarrion Williams-I read Blood at the Root and gave it 4⭐

📅Publication date: 7-29-25 | Read 7-25-25

📃 Format: eBook 544 pgs.

Genre:
*YA
*AA Interests
*Fantasy/Sci Fi
*LGBTQIA+

Tropes:
*found family
*magic/conjurers/witches
*college-HBCU
*AA history/folklore
*mental health

👆🏾POV: 1st person single

⚠️TW: homophobia, biphobia, racism, murder, foster care

🌎 Setting: Caiman University, LA

Summary: Malik is at Caiman having the black college experience while learning to control his magic. His mother is hijacking magic and killing people in an attempt to get to Malik at CU.

👨🏾 Hero: Malik Baron-17

🎭 Other Characters:

*Dominique Matherson- a student @ CU/befriends Malik
* Taye-12, Malik's foster brother
*Mama Aya-Malik's grandmother-transitioned
*John Henry-Mama Aya's twin brother
*Miriam + Ephriam-Mama Aya and John Henry's parents
*Aunt Brigitte + Uncle Sam/Baron Samedi (Loa of the Dead)
*Lorraine Baron-Malik's mother
*Chancellor Taron Bonclair
*Dr. Davidson-a clinical psychiatrist at CU
*Madame Empress Bonclair-Taron's mother
*Professor Tituba Atwell-Malik's mentor
*Savon+ Elijah-19, twin brothers/Malik's friends
*D Low/ D'Angelo-Malik's roommate/BFF
*Alexis Williams-Malik's BFF in foster care as children

🤔 My Thoughts: I loved the nostalgia of HBCU life with a fantasy swing. I understood being "other." I didn't pledge or go to an HBCU, but enjoyed the found family, history, folklore, and peek at fraternity/sorority life. The Homecoming stuff with Malik's friends was epic and I just loved Savon.

Rating: 5/5 ✨
Spice level 2/5 🌶️

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Children's| Labyrinth Road, and LaDarrion Williams for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

As much as I loved BATR, I love this one even more!!! The world building; beautiful, the writing; chefs kiss. There was no second book slump found at all. LaDarrion is quickly becoming an auto read author for me. If he writes it, add to TBR immediately.

Blood at the Root was an instant 5-star read for me, and Bones at the Crossroads took EVERYTHING I loved and turned it all the way up. I absolutely ate this book up—finished it in no time and was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Year 2 at Caiman University? Say less. Just go ahead and enroll me, because this magikal HBCU has me in a full-blown book hangover.

Malik’s growth in this sequel is so powerful as he continues to navigate grief, legacy, and his place in the magical world tied to his ancestry. But what really stood out to me in this book was getting to learn more about two new intriguing characters, Dominique and Tituba. Tituba was first introduced near the end of BATR and boyyy--did they get the spotlight they deserved. Their backstories added depth, heart, and a whole new layer of complexity to the story. I loved how their journeys intertwined with Malik’s and added richness to the found family dynamic that makes this series so special.

And listen—I was quietly holding out hope we might see Mama Aya again… but I’ll let you read to find out if that wish comes true 👀.

The worldbuilding has leveled up since BATR. It’s more immersive, more emotional, and even more magical. Ladarrion Williams’ writing is sharp, vivid, and soulful. He blends ancestral magic, HBCU culture, queer identity, and family legacy into a story that feels fresh, urgent, and full of heart.

In this book, you can expect:
✨ A magikal HBCU setting
🕯️ Ancestral magic rooted in Black history
💔 Grief, healing, and identity
👊🏾 Found family bonds
🧬 Deep family secrets and legacy
🌈 LGBTQ+ representation woven into the story

Bones at the Crossroads is everything I hoped it would be and more. Malik’s journey continues to inspire, and I’m fully invested in whatever comes next. If you haven’t started this series yet, grab Blood at the Root and get ready—you’re in for something powerful. See y'all at the crossroads (cue Bone Thugs & Harmony).

Thanks to Random House Children's, Labyrinth Road, and NetGalley for the ARC.

All 17-year-old Malik Baron wants to accomplish during Caiman University's homecoming season is to be a typical college student. Perhaps at a magical HBCU for young Black Conjurers, as normal as he can get. He's prepared to pick a major, go out to parties, spend time with his new pals, and approach girls. Rather, he is still learning the truth about his lineage and his abilities while reeling from a summer filled with treachery, heartache, and discovery.

We're back to Caiman University with Malik Baron and his friends as he tries to navigate heartbreak and healing i have to say this book was in my opnion better then the first and believe me that is a feat because Blood At The Root was amazing I love that the author address not only the struggles of being a young black boy but also tackles themes of homophobia and classism i loved that we get to see more of Savion and D Lows reltionship and see them maneuver the hate from people and there closed off vows on who gets to love who. I loved the aauthor paying homage to our anscestors and also the queer activist who praved the way for change for the LGBTQIA community. Theres so much action in this book it was like being in the middle of a movie. All of the chacthers are so gray its is to see them as real people to connect them on such a level that you can't help but be invested in whats going on. i'm going be on pens and needles till the next installment .

As always, this Alabama girl loves a book set in the south when it’s written by an author from the south. It feels like we’re in on a secret together.

Just like the first book, an incredible premise! A secret magical college for the black community. This book is inclusive and I can tell the author really thought about how the MMCs experiences from the first book would impact him in this book. The friendships/chosen family is beautiful. The positive encouragement for black men to talk about the hard things and go to therapy is soul giving (as a therapist I can confirm that BIPOC men are the least likely to get therapy).

Overall, if you read the first one and want to continue with the second one, I think you’ll enjoy this one even more.

I did dislike how some of the words are written, but thats a personal thing.

Thanks you to NetGalley, Random House, and the incomparable LaDarrion Williams for this ARC copy in return for my review. I was waiting for this follow up to the first book and it did not disappoint. I was captivated from the beginning and was ready to dive back into Malik's story. The characters are absolutely incredible. Malik and every character had so much growth. I love how LaDarrion writes. This was such a strong second book in the series and THAT ENDING!!

📖 Bookish Thoughts
I really enjoyed Bones at the Crossroads. The magic system detailed, and I loved how it was tied to ancestral history and power. The HBCU setting was so well done and added a very modern vibe. The worldbuilding was immersive and helped lock you in.

Malik’s growth really stood out. He’s navigating grief, family expectations, betrayal, and trying to figure out who he is while everything around him keeps shifting. The story shows how heavy that can feel but still leaves room for hope and connection. And at the end of the day, Malik is still a teen trying to survive school, from the dorm drama to the weight of legacy expectations.

This is exactly the kind of fantasy I want more of. I am looking forward to listening to the audiobook when it releases!

✨ What to Expect
• HBCU magic school
• Ancestral magic
• Family legacy
• Grief
• Found family

📖 Final Score: 4.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: July 29, 2025
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

𝙴𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
🌟🌟🌟.5
Bones at the Crossroads: While I loved and enjoyed the vibe of book 1, this book kinda felt like filler to me and was used to build up a bigger fight scene that might happen in book three, if it's a book three.
I still enjoyed the HBCU | HP vibes from this book. Malik's character development was good, because he worked my nerves a little in this book. But it was just okay to me. Lol, I will continue with this series.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Random House Children's for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I’m even more into this world than I was after Book 1.

It took me a minute to remember where we left off, but once I got back into it, this one really pulled everything together… and then took it up a notch. The pacing, the stakes, the character growth… it all hit harder.

Let’s talk Malik. He tested my patience several times (the miscommunication era he’s living in?? Painful 😅), but he finally got it together. He stopped sulking, stopped being the victim, got some control and started stepping into his power, and I’m glad we got to see that shift. Now I’m seriously counting down to Book 3.

The crew… whew. SAVON. I have so many feelings. You’re lucky you’re loyal because the number of times I wanted to throw my Kindle? Alarming. But that’s what makes them a real one.

And the reveals?

Malik’s mom – enjoyed her storyline and still hated her at the same time 🥴.

Chancellor Taron – slow start but came through in the end. He actually grew a pair!!

Taron’s mom – respectfully, no thank you forever.

All in all, I really enjoyed this one. The magic system, the world-building, the Black fantasy excellence—it’s everything I want in this genre. If you’re into fantasy and looking for something fresh, I highly recommend picking this series up.

I absolutely devoured and loved Blood at the Root, and could not wait to dive into Bones at the Crossroads. Malik has been through it and seriously cannot catch a break! This was just as great as the first, but my only complaint was that it did feel a bit repetitive at times.

I was so excited to get my hands on one of my most highly anticipated books of the year, the second book in the Blood at the Root series. Let me tell you book 2 did not disappoint! I will say one of my main criticisms of book 2 was that Malik seemed a little immature for his age and made some sexists comments, but I really saw his character development in Bones at the Crossroads. I love the magic system in this world and I hope book 3 delves even deeper into the world building.

Bones at the Crossroads is a hauntingly beautiful story that speaks to the soul of what it means to come of age as a Black boy carrying more than his share of the world.

Malik is not just a character, he is a mirror. A college kid navigating lecture halls and library stacks while simultaneously feeling the responsibility pf parenting his younger brother while absorbing the emotional weight of his own parents’ choices. He is stretched between the desire to live freely and the obligation to hold everything, and everyone, together. He is what too many young Black boys are asked to be: strong before they are ready, responsible before they are healed.

When Malik is thrust into a magical world shaped by secrets his mother never meant for him to inherit, it’s not a simple escape. The fantasy here isn’t just thrilling— it’s layered, raw, and deeply connected to the reality he’s trying to survive. Williams doesn’t use magic as a way out, but as a way in. A way into grief, into legacy, into what it means to love someone who’s broken you and still want to protect the memory of who they were before the breaking.

At its core, this story is about holding contradictions: loving a mother whose choices hurt you, grieving relationships, friendships, family, seeking freedom while bound by duty. Malik’s journey through loss and power, betrayal and love, feels both ancient and immediate. There is myth in his blood, but also a very real boy who just wants to breathe.

What makes this book even more necessary is its honest portrayal of therapy. It’s rare to see therapy written into stories with such care; a step toward healing. Malik’s sessions aren’t neat or easy, but they are powerful. They speak to the quiet need in so many young people—especially Black youth—to be told it’s okay to unravel. That you’re allowed to fall apart, to speak the truth out loud, and still be worthy of softness and care.

And within this story is also the unapologetic inclusion of queerness. Queer Black characters are given space to be whole. To exist without defending their existence. To love, to mourn, to fight, to belong. Their presence doesn’t feel added—it feels rooted. Williams writes them in with the same care he gives to every part of this story: honestly, lovingly, and without apology.

Bones at the Crossroads is a story of legacy, but it is also a story of choice. Of what we do with the wounds we inherit. Of how we learn to become more than what the world has asked us to be. Malik’s story is a reminder that even when we are handed broken things—broken families, broken histories, broken dreams—we can still create something powerful from the pieces.

This book will stay with you. In your bones. In the questions it asks. In the ache it names. And in the way it offers magic—not as a fantasy, but as a path to healing.

Bones at the Crossroads continues the story of Malik a young black teenager who finds out he has magic abilities and is thrown into a magical HBCU. In this sequel we get to see Malik grow more as a person. His story touches more on his mental health, trauma, friendships and relationships. Even though it shows Malik’s growth we are still reminded that he is only a 17 year old boy. This sequel does give more insight into the current story line and answers a few questions that were unanswered in the last book. There’s more magic, new friends introduced into the story, and more chaos. Lots of dark magic mentions, spells, and death. I love the inclusiveness of this story and how the author has tried to include Black people of all genders and sexualities in this story. The story does end on a cliffhanger so we will have to wait to see how Malik’s story ends.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Ladarrion Williams for providing this ARC in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own!

Bones at the Crossroads is a masterwork of Southern gothic fantasy that pulses with ancestral power, grief, and hope. Ladarrion Williams has crafted a story that feels both mythic and deeply personal, weaving together hoodoo, history, and heart with astonishing grace.

The characters are unforgettable, especially the protagonist, whose journey through pain, legacy, and self-discovery is both harrowing and empowering. The writing is lyrical without ever losing its edge. Every line feels intentional, like a spell spoken aloud.

What sets this book apart is its fearless celebration of Black spirituality and resilience. Williams doesn’t shy away from the weight of generational trauma, but he balances it with moments of softness, joy, and fierce love. The result is a story that honors the past while carving out space for a new kind of hero.

Honestly, I requested this book before I had a chance to read book Blood at the Root (BatR). I heard about the hype and controversy around this series, so I decided to give it a try for my own perspective.

I have a VERY detailed rant of BatR on my Fable, so I won’t do that detailed of a review for this one. After hating BatR, I decided to give BatC a shot because some of the ARC reviews say that it’s better than BatR. I do think it’s the absolute tiniest bit better, but I found myself being very bored with this story. My main criticism is that it completely erases the levity of book one, and it’s entirely too long for it not have told us much. This book felt very much like a filler, and I believe the series could’ve easily been a duopoly for the lack of depth that happened in this story.

The writing style does have less pop culture references, and I appreciate the in text translations and context that were the opposite of BatR. The World Building is still severely lacking for me, and there were so many gaps in development and issues with continuity from BatR which was only a month away. The characters also seemed to regress for the sake of “development.”

In conclusion, do not read this series. The writing is dense, repetitive, and nonsensical, and many sentences will leave you sitting there scratching your head in confusion.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Baaayyyybayyyyy. This book had me in a CHOKEHOLD.
LaDarrion Williams really said “you gon’ feel every word” and I did. Bones at the Crossroads gave everything it needed to give and then some.

First of all, I love me some Malik. He’s messy, emotional, powerful, soft—but never weak. The way he’s trying to figure himself out, protect his people, and still be a young Black man navigating college and magic?? Whew. That’s a lot, and it’s so real. I saw pieces of myself in his struggle and his growth.

And let’s talk about Caiman University. A magical HBCU?? That setting alone makes me wanna enroll TODAY. The vibes, the spells, the secret societies, the HOME-COMING?! Chile, I felt like I was there.

The family drama had me clutching my pearls. The new characters? Delicious. The twists?? I was flipping pages like I was getting paid for it. And the ending? Nah, LaDarrion... why would you do us like that? I need book three YESSSTERRRDAAAYY

Also can we give flowers for the way this book touches on Black mental health, queer identity, grief, and healing? It’s so layered and heartfelt, but still fun and magical.

Anyway, if you love books that make you feel seen, books that mix Black culture with fantasy in a way that’s rich and intentional, books that leave you SHOOK and spiritually fed—read this.

This series is for US. And I’m gonna keep screaming about it until the whole world listens. Period.

Loved this book just as much as the first! The black boy magic is 🤌🏼 And that ending? I know book 2 isn’t officially out yet, but I need book 3 immediately!

This was a great sequel. I am so invested in this story now I never want it to end. I enjoy the nuance of the characters, and the very real issues they deal with inside of all the not real issues of the supernatural. I would recommend it to a lot of different readers.

DNF at 36%. More of a “mood” issue, but I really struggled to get into this. As much as I liked the first book and continue to enjoy the way this develops on concepts established in the first book, I’m just not feeling the pacing in particular.