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Blood at the Root  By  cover art

Blood at the Root

By: LaDarrion Williams
Narrated by: Jalyn Hall, LaDarrion Williams
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Publisher's summary

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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

A buzzy debut about the adventures of a runaway teen who finds himself at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical, Blood at the Root is a story of community and legacy that’s clearly aiming to do something very different in this genre space.”—Paste Magazine

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

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

Editorial Review

A new magical legend unfolds
I’ve been anticipating playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker, and author LaDarrion Williams’s first novel for months. This fantasy series opener takes us on a journey following teenager Malik, who is searching for his true identity while reconciling with his past, which includes a magical lineage. In Blood at the Root, Black characters take center stage in a genre that has room to grow in terms of representation and inclusion, which is very exciting to me. I can’t wait to discover the magical HBCU his mother attended, meet all of the characters he encounters, and get lost in what is sure to be one of my favorite listens of the summer. —Kelley S., Audible Editor

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What listeners say about Blood at the Root

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Harry Who??? Is all I gotta say. No shade. no tea.

Loved the influence of historical reference, the embrace of black culture in so many facets, and the subtle challenge to do your own research. Digging into the complicated relationships sons have with their moms, wow. I hate to wait 5 years for the sequel. so I hope you're already writing.

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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

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Black excellence

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

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Must read!

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

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Excellent Storytelling

I loved this book. The characters are believable and the plot line is well rounded without being too predictable. I found myself wanting to know more about the universe while wishing it was real. I appreciated all the cultural and historical references that spanned centuries and topics. Can’t wait for the next installment and merchandise! Kudos to the author! Well done

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Need Book 2 like YESTERDAY.

I loved this story. All my life I’ve wanted to see myself in magical characters. This was beautifully written. I was two pages in and I was already feeling some kind of way. Keep going, LaDarrion.

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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.

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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.

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Love it

I loved this book. it took me home to Louisiana and honestly gave meaning to all the superstition and incorrect thoughts of voodoo and hoodoo. I realy hope this becomes a series of books and doesn't end here.

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Excellent!

Emotional, intriguing and irresistible magical world.
A beautiful story that I hope is an epic saga!

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