Blood at the Root

De: LaDarrion Williams

Narrado por: Jalyn Hall, LaDarrion Williams

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A COSMOPOLITAN BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE YEAR

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 the debut of a fresh fantasy series unlike anything you've seen before.

“Brings magical living to an HBCU in an unforgettable young adult adventure.”—People

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.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Brings magical living to an HBCU in an unforgettable young adult adventure”
—People Magazine

“A sweeping debut.”
—The New York Times Book Review

“Drawing on African and Caribbean spiritual traditions and Black history for world building, Williams has crafted a highly entertaining adventure centering a well-rounded character with emotional volatility but also a desire for connection and community.”
—Washington Post

This story offers a fresh take on familiar YA fantasy tropes, like a secret magical school and a long-lost grandmother.” —BuzzFeed

“A story of community and legacy that’s clearly aiming to do something very different in this genre space.” —Paste Magazine

“Unveils a world for Black boys and girls filled with creativity and magic.” —Ebony

★ “Williams joins Tracy Deonn, Namina Forna, B.B. Alston, and Tomi Adeyemi in envisioning a world where Black youth uncover and harness their magical abilities. Here Williams offers a fresh perspective in Malik. Everything about Malik’s world, from his neighbors to his internal dialogue, to his emotions, hopes, and fears, is written for Black boys, filling a much-needed gap in magical YA. And best of all, Williams’s debut is rooted in Black history, telling the truth through fantasy...A novel long overdue." —School Library Journal, starred review

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

"Debut author Williams’ impressive world building blends African and Black American history and cultures with a secret society of influential hoodoo and vodun practitioners...This celebration of Black culture will resonate with readers unused to seeing themselves in traditional fantasies.” —Booklist

"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

"Williams offers a strong foundation of world-building in this series debut, blending creative magical pieces with realistic elements of Black history and culture." —The Bulletin

“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 hear 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

Speechless

I’m so happy that I decided to purchase the audio version rather than the actual book. In which I will still purchase the actual book to add to my book collection. This book was more than I anticipated. The narrator did a great job with reading this book. I’m from Alabama and have been waiting for this book to come out for months and it was worth the wait. In the first 6 chapters the author took me back to my childhood. A lot of the things he described in his neighborhood growing up were some of the exact same things I experienced. Those chapters brought back so many memories good and bad, but it also helped me heal some of those memories. Im not a big book reader, so I’ve never understood when people would say that they’ve cried while reading a book. Well the child in me cried tears of happiness and healing while reading this book. I know some people may read my review and say this woman got some issues or something crying over this book. But if you grew up in Alabama you would understand. A lot of those town mentioned in the book were apart of my childhood memories. I cannot wait for the next series to come out! Well done Author!👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

they way the story was told

It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, a new perspective on black boys with magic, I loved every bit of it.

That it includes old school and new school content .

That there no book two. I'm patiently waiting for the next book. This was a page turner

I’ve Listened to This Twice Already

I randomly came across this book on the Tok. Certainly a good listen. I felt like I was in the book watching the scenes take place. Kudos