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Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

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Blood at the Root

LaDarrion Williams, Jalyn Hall, Listening Library

Random House Children's Books · Print & ebook · May 6, 2025

Reading lane: Africa for Teens

A Fantasy pick for readers exploring Blood at the Root.

At a Glance

Why This Clicks

Why It Clicks

A category-search companion with teen fantasy signals and an easy, immersive pull.

Come here for

  • a fantasy-leaning page with teen-forward roots
  • a nearby pick if you came for Blood at the Root

Expect

  • historical-fantasy framing
  • fairy-tale texture with regional specificity

Book Details

Authors
LaDarrion Williams, Jalyn Hall, Listening Library
Publisher
Random House Children's Books
Published
May 6, 2025
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Africa for Teens · African American YA
Reading lane
Africa for Teens

Affinity

Publisher Categories

  • Contemporary YA Fantasy

  • Wizards & Witches for Teens

  • African American YA

About This Book

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 unfor...

Read full description

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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