Blood at the Root
Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams, published by Random House on May 6, 2025, is a captivating addition to the young adult fantasy genre. This 448-page novel follows a teenager named Malik, who is on the run from his past while discovering a hidden family and community at an HBCU. As he navigates his newfound powers and the complexities of his heritage, Malik embarks on a journey that intertwines personal growth with the exploration of magical legacies.
Readers will find that Blood at the Root delves into themes of family, history, and community, as Malik confronts the challenges of his abilities and the mysteries surrounding his mother’s disappearance. The narrative unfolds at Caiman University, where Malik encounters feuding covens and the resurgence of an ancient evil linked to the Haitian Revolution. This edition features custom-designed edges with spellbinding art, enhancing the immersive experience of this unique fantasy series opener.
Official synopsis Publisher
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.
The first edition paperback of Blood at the Root features custom designed edges with spellbinding art.
“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.
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