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A review by amandadevoursbooks
Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
I recieved an E-ARC thanks to Net Galley and Tor Teen.
It's New Orleans. This New Orleans is filled with backbiting politics between members of the generational council and between the Generational council and the White Mages. There's bad blood going back to before the Civil War and chattel slavery.
The book wrestles with generational trauma, homophobia, racism, and cultural appropriation. It also poses questions around the nature of revenge and justice.
30 years ago, Kris and Clem's grandmother and grandfather were murdered because a white mob thought they murdered the mayor's daughter. Now, a year after their dad's mysterious death, their mom is so ill she might die. Kris and Clem have to untangle the three mysteries, reunite their families, and come to terms with their collective grief all with a dash of revenge.
I loved the characters, I loved the messiness of the adults, and I adored the representation of generational magic by a Black author. The mysteries were fun, and the book moved quickly.
At times, characters were introduced and not really brought a long or written out. This left me wanting for more time with them and a better understanding of the role they play.
The end felt a little fast, and I wanted to see more from the whole group in collecting the blood debt. It's almost like three were too many characters to bring along.
For a YA novel, there's sex on page and frank discussion of sex and sexual assault. This was done intentionally and thoughtful by the author to make the book sex positive.
It is well set for a sequel, and I'll be thrilled to see it when it does.
It's New Orleans. This New Orleans is filled with backbiting politics between members of the generational council and between the Generational council and the White Mages. There's bad blood going back to before the Civil War and chattel slavery.
The book wrestles with generational trauma, homophobia, racism, and cultural appropriation. It also poses questions around the nature of revenge and justice.
30 years ago, Kris and Clem's grandmother and grandfather were murdered because a white mob thought they murdered the mayor's daughter. Now, a year after their dad's mysterious death, their mom is so ill she might die. Kris and Clem have to untangle the three mysteries, reunite their families, and come to terms with their collective grief all with a dash of revenge.
I loved the characters, I loved the messiness of the adults, and I adored the representation of generational magic by a Black author. The mysteries were fun, and the book moved quickly.
At times, characters were introduced and not really brought a long or written out. This left me wanting for more time with them and a better understanding of the role they play.
The end felt a little fast, and I wanted to see more from the whole group in collecting the blood debt. It's almost like three were too many characters to bring along.
For a YA novel, there's sex on page and frank discussion of sex and sexual assault. This was done intentionally and thoughtful by the author to make the book sex positive.
It is well set for a sequel, and I'll be thrilled to see it when it does.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Murder, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent and Gun violence