Blood at the Root

By: LaDarrion Williams

Narrated by: Jalyn Hall, LaDarrion Williams

Length: 14 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

A teenager on the run from his past finds the family he never knew existed and the community he never knew he needed at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical. Enroll in this fresh fantasy debut unlike anything you've seen before.

Ten years ago, Malik's life changed forever the night his mother mysteriously vanished and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Since then, he has kept his abilities hidden, looking out for himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. Now, at 17, Malik is finally ready to start a new life for both of them, far from the trauma of his past. However, a daring act to rescue Taye reveals an unexpected connection with his long-lost grandmother: a legendary conjurer with ties to a hidden magical university that Malik’s mother attended.

At Caiman University, Malik’s eyes are opened to a future he never could have envisioned for himself—one that includes the reappearance of his first love, Alexis. His search for answers about his heritage, his powers, and what really happened to his mother exposes the cracks in their magical community as it faces a reawakened evil dating back to the Haitian Revolution. Together with Alexis, Malik discovers a lot beneath the surface at Caiman: feuding covens and magical politics, forbidden knowledge and buried mysteries.

In a wholly unique saga of family, history and community, Malik must embrace his legacy to save what's left of his old family as well as his new one. Exploring the roots and secrets that connect us in an unforgettable contemporary setting, this heart-pounding fantasy series opener is a rich tapestry of atmosphere, intrigue, and emotion.

©2024 LaDarrion Williams (P)2024 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“Exuberant contemporary fantasy series opener....a serpentine, high-intensity celebration of Black culture, history, and power."—Publishers Weekly

"The extensive worldbuilding incorporates West African, Caribbean, and Black American history and cultures to explain a magical reality hidden from view and relevant to the Black diaspora and Malik’s family history....A well-thought-out magical world that provocatively centers Black experiences.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A refreshing, thrilling, magical, and all-around good read! Cheering for you, LaDarrion!”—James Bland (Creator of Daytime Emmy Award-winning drama series “Giants”)

The whole concept

stolen innocence and they way u put in the things black boys don’t here a lot is really healing to hear and to experience the the things I’ve thought and daydream reading as kid is great. Please continue I haven’t stop talking about this book since I started it

Black excellence

This story was like a breath of fresh air. I’ve read nothing like it. Even the love story was beautiful.

Must read!

One of the best books I’ve read in years, a fresh perspective and new characters for the fantasy genre.

Good Shit Fam

I love fantasy books, it's the only genre I listen to. I'm happy to have a book with a black MC based in the real-ish world. The author and narrator did a beautiful job. Being named Ashton, I felt extra special with the books dedication.

CAN WE TAAAAALK FOR A MINUTE

Come get these flowers ova HEAAAA NAH.
YESSSSS! This is what I’ve been needing! The performance was AMAZING and so comforting… the writing, so relatable … I felt it in my soul and actually felt like I was in the story observing EVERYTHING. Feeling EVERYTHING. Talking to my audiobook, laughing with my audiobook, feeling the pains and joys of the characters.

This was definitely worth the wait. I just…. I needed this and it came at the right time.

Thank you so much for the adventure. Can’t wait to read more.

The plot

I loved this book the plot twists where mind blowing and the story was well written and everything was well placed the little trail of hints that’s left that we readers could over look please I want a sequel I can not wait to see what happens next

I Want A Sequel

I thoroughly enjoyed this. High praise to one of my new favorite authors. The narration was excellent. . I can easily imagine the book becoming a movie.

Amazing story!

First off I preordered a physical copy of this book for my son. YA right up his alley…. Lots of cussing. So nope not for him. But what little I read before had me getting the audiobook so I could read while at work and see this world that Williams wrote and omg what a ride! This book is so real and painted this magnificent picture in my mind. I look forward to seeing how this characters grow and 10/10 would read anything Williams writes in the future!

Wow

I can't describe how much I love this!!! In the word of Keith Kee “ Fo Sho ya right on.. 10”!!

The Magical HBCU with Potential

I've eagerly awaited this book, especially since a Magical HBCU is something many of us have been looking forward to. Overall, I enjoyed it, and all of my criticisms come from wanting more from the series. Williams spent so much time building the magical world, but he’s inconsistent in the magical rules.

Fans of the genre know that magic is supposed to have balance and limitations; however, the author often uses magic as a get-out-of-jail-free card for the plot. It's unrealistic to see the main character, Malik, who we’re told is a magical novice, consistently outsmart characters and institutions that have stood for centuries. You can’t say “magic has a price” and only have that payoff at the climax. Magic should constantly reinforce its rules. Do the colors of different magics have meaning? Do students have to buy magical ingredients? Is it all hands, incantations, what’s the stance on wands? All of these aspects are important to world-building. Willams may benefit from creating a book that explains how the he thinks the magic in this world works, not just what they can do, but how they tie into each other.

Also, while I appreciate the attempt to paint a vivid picture, some of the cultural references feel forced and unnatural. The use of slang is clunky and lacks fluency. I'm not saying his references aren’t good, but there's room to work on writing dialogue.

Despite these criticisms, the story is great, and the stakes feel high. I understand Malik, and he’s both flawed and a character worth rooting for; he’s relatable and endearing. The latter half of the book brings everything together in a satisfying way.

In conclusion, while this book has its flaws, it is a promising start to what could be an exceptional series. I hope the author learns from this book and grows because the series has a lot of potential. With some adjustments, the author could create a truly immersive and captivating world that readers will eagerly return to, offering us a modern take on black magic that so many of us readers have been praying for.