Blood at the Root

By: LaDarrion Williams

Narrated by: Jalyn Hall, LaDarrion Williams

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.

“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.

Critic reviews

“Brings magical living to an HBCU in an unforgettable young adult adventure”
—People Magazine

“A sweeping debut.”
—The New York Times Book Review

“Drawing on African and Caribbean spiritual traditions and Black history for world building, Williams has crafted a highly entertaining adventure centering a well-rounded character with emotional volatility but also a desire for connection and community.”
—Washington Post

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

“A story of community and legacy that’s clearly aiming to do something very different in this genre space.” —Paste Magazine

“Unveils a world for Black boys and girls filled with creativity and magic.” —Ebony

★ “Williams joins Tracy Deonn, Namina Forna, B.B. Alston, and Tomi Adeyemi in envisioning a world where Black youth uncover and harness their magical abilities. Here Williams offers a fresh perspective in Malik. Everything about Malik’s world, from his neighbors to his internal dialogue, to his emotions, hopes, and fears, is written for Black boys, filling a much-needed gap in magical YA. And best of all, Williams’s debut is rooted in Black history, telling the truth through fantasy...A novel long overdue." —School Library Journal, starred review

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

"Debut author Williams’ impressive world building blends African and Black American history and cultures with a secret society of influential hoodoo and vodun practitioners...This celebration of Black culture will resonate with readers unused to seeing themselves in traditional fantasies.” —Booklist

"The extensive worldbuilding incorporates West African, Caribbean, and Black American history and cultures to explain a magical reality hidden from view and relevant to the Black diaspora and Malik’s family history....A well-thought-out magical world that provocatively centers Black experiences.” —Kirkus Reviews

"Williams offers a strong foundation of world-building in this series debut, blending creative magical pieces with realistic elements of Black history and culture." —The Bulletin

“A refreshing, thrilling, magical, and all-around good read! Cheering for you, LaDarrion!”
— James Bland (Creator of Daytime Emmy Award-winning drama series “Giants”)

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.

SOOO GOOOOD!!!!

I have NEVER read a book like this. After reading all the Harry Potters and 2 Riordan series’ (Cane Chronicles and Percy Jackson)….. This!!!
And the voice actor is superb. I could see him. Feel him.

Amazing.
I hope there’s a part 2.

The only negative would be the Kréyol accents and pronunciations. But you wouldn’t notice it if you don’t speak Haitian Kréyol or Louisiana’s Creole.

5 stars!!!

Outstanding Performance by Narrator

Gratitude for this amazing work of art with heroes that look and sound like me. Thank you to the author, and thank you to the narrator for understanding the assignment and putting your whole heart into it.

This isn't just entertaining, in "low-key / high-key" inspiring.

Absolutely amazing

Love the imagination and descriptive world building. the command of words to paint a picture and tell a story is perfect. hope to see where this series go.

So goooood!

I loved the story and the voice of the performer. it was exciting and it had a fresh outlook on ancestral practices