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roseleebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a YA contemporary fantasy that explores themes of trauma, family, racism, power, and justice, all through the lense of characters who are still working out their place in the world.
This is a story that follows teenage twins Clem and Chris, whose family has a history of power and loss related to their inherited magic and former leadership on the Generational magic council. Their search for answers about the death of their father leads to a much bigger mystery than they were prepared for.
The book reads like a detective story and there are a lot of elements built around the magic system and politics related to the council. It is fast paced but the way each new piece of information is revealed makes sense and helps to move the story along without feeling contrived. I thought the characters actions were logical for them as teenagers who are trying to solve a mystery while also navigating their lives as 16-year-olds.
I really enjoyed the writing, it feels like it would translate well to television or film because of the focus on events and plot. There is resolution at the end, but definitely some setup for the next book.
This is a story that follows teenage twins Clem and Chris, whose family has a history of power and loss related to their inherited magic and former leadership on the Generational magic council. Their search for answers about the death of their father leads to a much bigger mystery than they were prepared for.
The book reads like a detective story and there are a lot of elements built around the magic system and politics related to the council. It is fast paced but the way each new piece of information is revealed makes sense and helps to move the story along without feeling contrived. I thought the characters actions were logical for them as teenagers who are trying to solve a mystery while also navigating their lives as 16-year-olds.
I really enjoyed the writing, it feels like it would translate well to television or film because of the focus on events and plot. There is resolution at the end, but definitely some setup for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Bullying, Racism, and Sexual content
kstacy91's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a fun, wild, beautiful ride this book was! This falls on the older side of young adult, but is a must read for anyone who enjoyed “Cinderella is Dead” and “One of Us is Lying.” All of the characters are unique and intertwine beautifully. The author navigates difficult topics fluidly, such as racism, prejudice, homophobia, and generational trauma with grace. The audiobook is phenomenal. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Homophobia, and Racism
rmperezpadilla's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Alcohol, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, and Drug use
Minor: Bullying, Sexual violence, and Terminal illness
sahramahtab's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Reading the first few pages had me contemplating to set the book aside and finish it another time. But, boy, am I glad that I gave Blood Debts another chance. It promised justice and more than just delivered in a breathtaking way. I’m glad the story’s not over yet and am excited for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Death of parent, Violence, Sexual assault, Murder, and Car accident
Minor: Rape, Slavery, and Violence
librarybookscene's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Abandonment, Mental illness, Homophobia, Grief, and Bullying
Moderate: Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, and Bullying
melody_travers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Hate crime, Grief, Gore, Body horror, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
lsol8tion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I'm a huge fan of fantasy books about generational magic systems (as long as they're) written well. And lemme tell you, Blood Debts is AMAZINGLY WRITTEN! An entire magic system being based on the Sun and the Moon as the sources of power is isn't a new concept, but Terry J. Benton-Walker's uniaue interpretation invloving the Gen and White mages is soooo unique. New Orleans being the setting of the story and its magic history ties it all together.
Clement, Cristina, and the rest of the Dupart-Trudeau family have been thorugh so much, and they're put the WRINGER in this book like omg?? I teared up whenYves gpt shot defending Clement. Clement deserves to find his true love and he JUST started finding that in Yves & it's so tragic that he had to resort to necromancy & attempt to bring Yves back to life.
I love the themes of history repeating itself in the parallels between Marie & Lenora and Cristina & Valentina is the main example, but Jean-Louise & Auguste and Clement & Yves both share a tragic love storyline that I hope can get a happy ending in book 2.
I NEED ZACH AND HIS BITCHASS DADDY TO GET WHAT'S COMING TO THEM ISTG
TBH the only reason I knocked off 0.25⭐ is because that cliffhanger was CRIMINAL! I'm definitely tuning into book 2 :)
Clement, Cristina, and the rest of the Dupart-Trudeau family have been thorugh so much, and they're put the WRINGER in this book like omg?? I teared up when
I love the themes of history repeating itself in the parallels between Marie & Lenora and Cristina & Valentina is the main example, but Jean-Louise & Auguste and Clement & Yves both share a tragic love storyline that I hope can get a happy ending in book 2.
I NEED ZACH AND HIS BITCHASS DADDY TO GET WHAT'S COMING TO THEM ISTG
TBH the only reason I knocked off 0.25⭐ is because that cliffhanger was CRIMINAL! I'm definitely tuning into book 2 :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Slavery, and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Homophobia
enbyfinley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The book starts slow, I am gonna be honest that’s why so sorta drug as I read it, but once it picked up I was strapped in.
I know there will be a second because there were not only questions unanswered but there is gonna be some mess and I love it.
I know there will be a second because there were not only questions unanswered but there is gonna be some mess and I love it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Murder, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Racism, and Mental illness
Minor: Vomit and Toxic friendship
legalplanner's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Run, don't walk to pick this up if you have not.
I was thoroughly impressed by Benton-Walker's ability to weave a magical realism story in with a murder mystery cold case. The two protagonists are twins, who should be next in line to rule the magical community they are a part of. These 16 year olds felt real to me, especially living in a big city like New Orleans, this didn't feel unrealistic in their sleuthing around like some mysteries feel like.
I loved the dynamics between the characters in that they were messy. They had real issues amongst family and even though they were "close" they weren't perfect and had to work to be family. Even the twins who should have been their biggest allies to each other instead were often failing to see each other in their truest light.
Benton-Walker's writing was beautiful. I felt the heaviness that needed to be present in the tough topics of race relations, political oppression, and many other tough topics. More than that the multiple points of view were excellently well done. They didn't feel forced but didn't make me feel like it messed up the book either. I was invested as soon as I got through the first 30 pages.
I cannot wait for the next book and the series and will be patiently waiting, as much as I can, to read the next installment.
I was thoroughly impressed by Benton-Walker's ability to weave a magical realism story in with a murder mystery cold case. The two protagonists are twins, who should be next in line to rule the magical community they are a part of. These 16 year olds felt real to me, especially living in a big city like New Orleans, this didn't feel unrealistic in their sleuthing around like some mysteries feel like.
I loved the dynamics between the characters in that they were messy. They had real issues amongst family and even though they were "close" they weren't perfect and had to work to be family. Even the twins who should have been their biggest allies to each other instead were often failing to see each other in their truest light.
Benton-Walker's writing was beautiful. I felt the heaviness that needed to be present in the tough topics of race relations, political oppression, and many other tough topics. More than that the multiple points of view were excellently well done. They didn't feel forced but didn't make me feel like it messed up the book either. I was invested as soon as I got through the first 30 pages.
I cannot wait for the next book and the series and will be patiently waiting, as much as I can, to read the next installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Toxic friendship, Death, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gaslighting, Gun violence, Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, Bullying, and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent and Panic attacks/disorders
kendal_reads's review against another edition
I thought the characters were going to be older & that were was a more strain relationship between them. Also the writing just wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Sexual content