Blood at the Root
Ratings6
Average rating4.6
15
Ratings6
Average rating4.6
*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.
Reviews with the most likes.
When Malik lost his mother at a young age, it was violent and traumatizing. And with the rush of emotion at seeing his mother torn from him, his magic exploded into life. Igniting everything around him. Placed into the foster system, he not only had to cope with the loss of his mother but also abusive foster parents and a power he had no idea how to control.
The trauma Malik endured is deeply seeded into his character. Flashbacks of the night his mother disappeared constantly plague him, and his trust does not come easily. He immediately goes on the defensive with all adults. Even when they are trying to comfort him, it is heartbreaking to see people try to make a connection, yet readers will also understand why Malik isn’t ready for them yet. He is easily overwhelmed by affection, and when he suddenly has a family he never knew existed it is way too much for him to handle.
However, Malik’s foster brother is one of the most important people in his life. As soon as he is able, Malik tears his brother away from his abusers. In the process, Taye enters a life filled with magic and family alongside Malik. While Taye remains a secondary character, he is never far from Malik’s mind.
Blood at the Root aligns with the younger generation's grasp of the world. There is also a fair bit of generational slang young adults would connect with and understand. The romance is pretty reflective of the genre involving a long-lost childhood crush. This would be best enjoyed by young adults.
Originally posted at www.behindthepages.org.
