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A review by asreadbykat
Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker
5.0
True Rating: 5/5 Stars
Content/Trigger Warnings: Mentions of magically aided sexual assualt/attempted rape, graphic depictions of violence, racism, homophobia and internalized homophobia, discussions of intergenerational trauma and violence, consensual sexual situation (nongraphic).
My Thoughts
I've been excited to read this since the moment I heard about it months ago. I picked up a copy the minute my Tokyo bookstore had it, and the only reason I didn't read it then and there is because I wanted to save it for autumn. I'm glad I did, because the traditional symbolism behind autumn fits in very well with this well-written, heartbreaking book about a family trying to find justice for themselves, their community, and the loved ones they've lost.
The writing is fantastic. There were some sentences or paragraphs I HAD to underline just because they were that beautiful. Not to mention the author's style is extremely accessible and readable. I was drawn in from the very first sentence and couldn't put the book down. The only reason it took me three days to read it is because I had to work. Without those responsibilities, I'd have devoured this book in one day.
One thing I find I, as a very white reader, am coming to appreciate in books by authors of color is when they allow themselves to let their rage out. For too long literature has tried to tip-toe around certain issues, especially with the authors of that literature are white themselves. This book is filled with the anger and sadness that the Black community has felt for countless years. Besides being a fantastic piece of YA fantasy fiction, this work is also the baring of a soul.
The characters are also all so well-written. They are strong, smart, and so beautifully flawed. Clement has to deal not only with being a gay Black boy, but also with clinical anxiety in a family plagued by trauma. He wants to do so much, but the anxiety holds him back, something that anyone familiar with it can understand. Cristina, or Cris, is accepting of her brother and family, but still judgmental and ends up hurting others at times because of it. The rest of their family are equally flawed. Even the antagonists are nuanced; they have done reprehensible things, but the book takes the time to show a different side to them, which really helps to make the resolution of the final act much more complicated.
I've honestly fallen in love with this book, and I can't wait until the sequel comes out so I can see what happens next.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Mentions of magically aided sexual assualt/attempted rape, graphic depictions of violence, racism, homophobia and internalized homophobia, discussions of intergenerational trauma and violence, consensual sexual situation (nongraphic).
My Thoughts
I've been excited to read this since the moment I heard about it months ago. I picked up a copy the minute my Tokyo bookstore had it, and the only reason I didn't read it then and there is because I wanted to save it for autumn. I'm glad I did, because the traditional symbolism behind autumn fits in very well with this well-written, heartbreaking book about a family trying to find justice for themselves, their community, and the loved ones they've lost.
The writing is fantastic. There were some sentences or paragraphs I HAD to underline just because they were that beautiful. Not to mention the author's style is extremely accessible and readable. I was drawn in from the very first sentence and couldn't put the book down. The only reason it took me three days to read it is because I had to work. Without those responsibilities, I'd have devoured this book in one day.
One thing I find I, as a very white reader, am coming to appreciate in books by authors of color is when they allow themselves to let their rage out. For too long literature has tried to tip-toe around certain issues, especially with the authors of that literature are white themselves. This book is filled with the anger and sadness that the Black community has felt for countless years. Besides being a fantastic piece of YA fantasy fiction, this work is also the baring of a soul.
The characters are also all so well-written. They are strong, smart, and so beautifully flawed. Clement has to deal not only with being a gay Black boy, but also with clinical anxiety in a family plagued by trauma. He wants to do so much, but the anxiety holds him back, something that anyone familiar with it can understand. Cristina, or Cris, is accepting of her brother and family, but still judgmental and ends up hurting others at times because of it. The rest of their family are equally flawed. Even the antagonists are nuanced; they have done reprehensible things, but the book takes the time to show a different side to them, which really helps to make the resolution of the final act much more complicated.
I've honestly fallen in love with this book, and I can't wait until the sequel comes out so I can see what happens next.