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Blood at the Root

by Ladarrion Williams

A hidden magical university and a search for family roots

Bestseller Critically Recognized
Regular price $15.03 USD
Regular price $25.05 USD Sale price $15.03 USD
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Print BookAvailable Hardcover $19.36 USD$32.27 USD
Print BookCurrently viewing Paperback $15.03 USD$25.05 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Bestseller

    Instant New York Times bestseller

  • Editorial selection

    A Cosmopolitan Best Young Adult Book of the Year

    Named a Best Young Adult Book of the Year by Cosmopolitan.

  • Critical praise

    Praised by People for its HBCU-set magical adventure

    People praises the book for bringing magical living to an HBCU in an unforgettable young adult adventure.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A hidden magical university and a search for family roots

Malik’s attempt to build a safer life for himself and his foster brother leads him to Caiman University, a magical school connected to his missing mother and newly discovered family. There, questions about his powers and heritage intersect with feuding covens, magical politics, and a threat linked to the Haitian Revolution. The HBCU setting places Black magical community and family history at the center of this contemporary fantasy, while Malik’s ties to both his old and new family give the mystery personal stakes. This is the opening volume of a fantasy trilogy.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Young adult fantasy readers interested in contemporary magical-school settings.
  • Readers drawn to stories about family ties, heritage, and community.
  • Readers interested in Black characters and an HBCU setting within fantasy.

Themes

Family and belongingHeritage and identityBlack communityMagical politicsHistory and buried mysteries

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

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.

Look for all the books in this unforgettable fantasy trilogy:
BLOOD AT THE ROOT
BONES AT THE CROSSROADS
ASHES AT THE ALTAR
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Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.