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Blood Debts #1
Blood Debts
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2023)Thirty years ago, a young woman was murdered, a family was lynched, and New Orleans saw the greatest magical massacre in its history. In the days that followed, a throne was stolen from a queen.
On the anniversary of these brutal events, Clement and Cristina Trudeau—the sixteen-year-old twin heirs to the powerful, magical, dethroned family—are mourning their father and caring for their sick mother. Until, by chance, they discover their mother isn’t sick—she’s cursed. Cursed by someone on the very magic council their family used to rule. Someone who will come for them next.
Cristina, once a talented and dedicated practitioner of Generational magic, has given up magic for good. An ancient spell is what killed their father and she was the one who cast it. For Clement, magic is his lifeline. A distraction from his anger and pain. Even better than the random guys he hooks up with.
Cristina and Clement used to be each other’s most trusted confidant and friend, now they barely speak. But if they have any hope of discovering who is coming after their family, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other and their family's magic, all while solving the decades-old murder that sparked the still-rising tensions between the city’s magical and non-magical communities. And if they don't succeed, New Orleans may see another massacre. Or worse.
Terry J. Benton-Walker's contemporary fantasy debut, Blood Debts, with powerful magical families, intergenerational curses, and deadly drama in New Orleans.
On the anniversary of these brutal events, Clement and Cristina Trudeau—the sixteen-year-old twin heirs to the powerful, magical, dethroned family—are mourning their father and caring for their sick mother. Until, by chance, they discover their mother isn’t sick—she’s cursed. Cursed by someone on the very magic council their family used to rule. Someone who will come for them next.
Cristina, once a talented and dedicated practitioner of Generational magic, has given up magic for good. An ancient spell is what killed their father and she was the one who cast it. For Clement, magic is his lifeline. A distraction from his anger and pain. Even better than the random guys he hooks up with.
Cristina and Clement used to be each other’s most trusted confidant and friend, now they barely speak. But if they have any hope of discovering who is coming after their family, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other and their family's magic, all while solving the decades-old murder that sparked the still-rising tensions between the city’s magical and non-magical communities. And if they don't succeed, New Orleans may see another massacre. Or worse.
Terry J. Benton-Walker's contemporary fantasy debut, Blood Debts, with powerful magical families, intergenerational curses, and deadly drama in New Orleans.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,202 reviews
December 3, 2022
this is totally a “its me, not you” kind of rating.
i thought this was a historical fantasy story - i was excited to read about old NOLA and the magic that has always gone along with it. but this actually takes place during todays modern age and is an urban fantasy, which is not the genre for me. had i known that ahead of time, i probably wouldnt have picked this up.
but i did try to give it a shot. and i unfortunately didnt quite connect with the setting/atmosphere as much as i would have like. i also didnt really care for any of the characters. but i do like that there is some good anxiety/mental health representation.
overall, i just think im not the right audience for this story and my reading experience reflects that. but i know that many other readers will be able to connect with and appreciate this more than me!
thank you macmillan-tor/forge for the ARC.
↠ 2.5 stars
i thought this was a historical fantasy story - i was excited to read about old NOLA and the magic that has always gone along with it. but this actually takes place during todays modern age and is an urban fantasy, which is not the genre for me. had i known that ahead of time, i probably wouldnt have picked this up.
but i did try to give it a shot. and i unfortunately didnt quite connect with the setting/atmosphere as much as i would have like. i also didnt really care for any of the characters. but i do like that there is some good anxiety/mental health representation.
overall, i just think im not the right audience for this story and my reading experience reflects that. but i know that many other readers will be able to connect with and appreciate this more than me!
thank you macmillan-tor/forge for the ARC.
↠ 2.5 stars
March 21, 2022
Fully charged with magic and mystery. Blood Debts is an extravaganza from start to finish, weaving age-old family history alongside the tender feelings of new love. Terry J. Benton-Walker will have you breathless by the end.
November 16, 2023
Goodreads Choice Awards Opening Round - Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction
Magic. Black rep. New Orleans. These are things I generally enjoy. These are not really the things I got. Every POV, and there are way too many of them, is extremely petty, from the teens to the boomers. The twist didn't even phase me.
Magic. Black rep. New Orleans. These are things I generally enjoy. These are not really the things I got. Every POV, and there are way too many of them, is extremely petty, from the teens to the boomers. The twist didn't even phase me.
May 22, 2023
the writing was way too immature and basic for me to enjoy this. very disappointing since the synopsis sounded interesting but the prose ruined it.
thank you to negalley & tor for the arc!
thank you to negalley & tor for the arc!
January 30, 2023
Someone should really turn this into a television series because it would be excellent for that. Blood Debts is the start of a new YA fantasy series set in a magical version of New Orleans. It is a high-drama narrative filled with magic, intergenerational curses, political machinations, and deadly threats.
While there are several perspective characters, the main focus is on Black twins Clement and Christina Trudeau who are grieving the death of their father, dealing with hexes, and trying to manage their own love lives and exploring sexuality. Clem has been unlucky in love, but now there's a new boy he's crushing on and things seem promising. Christina is dating a white boy, but sometimes he seems too interested in her magic.
There is a lot of drama, many twists and turns that I won't spoil, but this is a very strong debut and a promising start to a series. I could easily see this being adapted by Netflix or the CW and it could be a hit. There were a could minor things that didn't totally make sense, and I think it might have been stronger with fewer perspectives, but overall I really liked this and wouldn't be surprised if a lot of other people do as well. Note that it is on the more mature side of YA due to things like violence and sexuality. The audio narration is done with a full cast and is excellent. I received an audio review copy of this via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
While there are several perspective characters, the main focus is on Black twins Clement and Christina Trudeau who are grieving the death of their father, dealing with hexes, and trying to manage their own love lives and exploring sexuality. Clem has been unlucky in love, but now there's a new boy he's crushing on and things seem promising. Christina is dating a white boy, but sometimes he seems too interested in her magic.
There is a lot of drama, many twists and turns that I won't spoil, but this is a very strong debut and a promising start to a series. I could easily see this being adapted by Netflix or the CW and it could be a hit. There were a could minor things that didn't totally make sense, and I think it might have been stronger with fewer perspectives, but overall I really liked this and wouldn't be surprised if a lot of other people do as well. Note that it is on the more mature side of YA due to things like violence and sexuality. The audio narration is done with a full cast and is excellent. I received an audio review copy of this via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
November 15, 2023
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Rating: 3.5 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The gorgeous illustration at the centre of this design nicely portrays the protagonists and hints at the interesting magic system. Even more striking is the large, gothic font used for the book title and to highlight the genre of the story.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The fascinating world is packed with a rich magic system and history. This information is gradually given across the story making the world-building easy to follow and take in. I also enjoyed the multiple points of view (POVs) as they allow for a slightly broader scope, but some add little to the story.
“Jealousy makes people say cruel things sometimes”
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
With the intriguing author's note at the start, I was disappointed by the little exploration of the themes raised in this story. Complex themes such as racism, loss, and anxiety are told and not shown, leaving the story focused on the family and personal drama that unfolds. Still, this drama kept the storyline entertaining, along with some good twists and an enjoyable mystery.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟
I was drawn to Clement's character because of his open personality and love of books. His character is also given some depth through his struggles with abandonment and anxiety; however, little is done to help him heal from these. In comparison, I struggled to connect with Cristine's character due to her closed-off personality and the growing resentment in her narrative.
“Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.”
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
Driving the family drama and mystery aspects are numerous characters that pop in and out of the story. Sadly, most of these were unmemorable, and I disliked that several characters quickly resort to violence. Frankly, Valentina's character is the only one who stood out to me because we are given her point of view, and she is given some complexity through the toxic family dynamics she experiences.
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
The contrast between Cristine and Clement is also reflected in their relationships - Cristine's crashes and burns while Clement's is too intense too quickly. Although there are some cute moments, I struggled to connect with both relationships as a lot is told and not shown.
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narrators Bahni Turpin, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Torian Brackett, and Zeno Robinson brilliantly bring this story to life with skilfully vocal changes that capture the emotions and personalities of the characters. I especially loved that the gender of the narrator is matched with the viewpoint character. I also enjoyed the jazz music occasionally played during transitions and thought this was a great touch.
Overall, 'Blood Debts' is an entertaining debut, but I wanted more from the numerous themes raised. Still, I enjoyed the mystery aspect and would love to see how the characters and world are further developed in the next book. For another character-driven Young Adult story that explores race and identity, I would recommend The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The gorgeous illustration at the centre of this design nicely portrays the protagonists and hints at the interesting magic system. Even more striking is the large, gothic font used for the book title and to highlight the genre of the story.
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The fascinating world is packed with a rich magic system and history. This information is gradually given across the story making the world-building easy to follow and take in. I also enjoyed the multiple points of view (POVs) as they allow for a slightly broader scope, but some add little to the story.
“Jealousy makes people say cruel things sometimes”
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
With the intriguing author's note at the start, I was disappointed by the little exploration of the themes raised in this story. Complex themes such as racism, loss, and anxiety are told and not shown, leaving the story focused on the family and personal drama that unfolds. Still, this drama kept the storyline entertaining, along with some good twists and an enjoyable mystery.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟
I was drawn to Clement's character because of his open personality and love of books. His character is also given some depth through his struggles with abandonment and anxiety; however, little is done to help him heal from these. In comparison, I struggled to connect with Cristine's character due to her closed-off personality and the growing resentment in her narrative.
“Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.”
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
Driving the family drama and mystery aspects are numerous characters that pop in and out of the story. Sadly, most of these were unmemorable, and I disliked that several characters quickly resort to violence. Frankly, Valentina's character is the only one who stood out to me because we are given her point of view, and she is given some complexity through the toxic family dynamics she experiences.
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
The contrast between Cristine and Clement is also reflected in their relationships - Cristine's crashes and burns while Clement's is too intense too quickly. Although there are some cute moments, I struggled to connect with both relationships as a lot is told and not shown.
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narrators Bahni Turpin, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Torian Brackett, and Zeno Robinson brilliantly bring this story to life with skilfully vocal changes that capture the emotions and personalities of the characters. I especially loved that the gender of the narrator is matched with the viewpoint character. I also enjoyed the jazz music occasionally played during transitions and thought this was a great touch.
Overall, 'Blood Debts' is an entertaining debut, but I wanted more from the numerous themes raised. Still, I enjoyed the mystery aspect and would love to see how the characters and world are further developed in the next book. For another character-driven Young Adult story that explores race and identity, I would recommend The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed.
January 18, 2023
HOT DAMN.
This book was amazing and you need to read it RIGHT. NOW.
Magical witch drama set in New Orleans. This was so fast paced and mostly a mystery from a crime 30 years prior and the way everything comes together and the journey of the two main characters and the ending WOWWWWW. Absolutely love and can’t wait for book two.
This author is OFFICIALLY an auto buy author for me forever I love his writing style and story telling
This book was amazing and you need to read it RIGHT. NOW.
Magical witch drama set in New Orleans. This was so fast paced and mostly a mystery from a crime 30 years prior and the way everything comes together and the journey of the two main characters and the ending WOWWWWW. Absolutely love and can’t wait for book two.
This author is OFFICIALLY an auto buy author for me forever I love his writing style and story telling
March 30, 2024
Quick thoughts: Wow. Absolutely fucking brilliant.
"For every child of color who was denied the justice they deserved. You always matter."
With a dedication like this, I just knew that this book was going to rip me apart, and it absolutely did.
This is a story that follows the Dupart family, a Black magical family in NOLA that has been torn apart thanks to racism, betrayal, and deceit. 30 years later, twins Clement and Cristina are determined to uncover the truth behind their grandmother’s death while hoping to bring their family back together.
I can’t even begin to describe all of the emotions that I went through while reading this book.
I absolutely loved Clem and Cris even when they were making the dumbest of decisions. I couldn’t help but root for these Black babies to keep them protected at all costs.
I LOVED the magic system and the magical communities. We see magic of the Black ancestors that of course the white folks are trying to get their hands on and even the underpinnings that take place within the Black magical community itself.
The Dupart family is MESSY, but I was here for it. I think I secretly just wanted to drink some bourbon alongside Ursula while she was cussing folks out. Honestly, this family is just top notch.
There were so wild twists in this book that made me set the book down and just go “WTF just happened”. I was hooked. I don’t want to give anything away, but this one is definitely a roller coaster ride.
Thank you TorTeen for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
"For every child of color who was denied the justice they deserved. You always matter."
With a dedication like this, I just knew that this book was going to rip me apart, and it absolutely did.
This is a story that follows the Dupart family, a Black magical family in NOLA that has been torn apart thanks to racism, betrayal, and deceit. 30 years later, twins Clement and Cristina are determined to uncover the truth behind their grandmother’s death while hoping to bring their family back together.
I can’t even begin to describe all of the emotions that I went through while reading this book.
I absolutely loved Clem and Cris even when they were making the dumbest of decisions. I couldn’t help but root for these Black babies to keep them protected at all costs.
I LOVED the magic system and the magical communities. We see magic of the Black ancestors that of course the white folks are trying to get their hands on and even the underpinnings that take place within the Black magical community itself.
The Dupart family is MESSY, but I was here for it. I think I secretly just wanted to drink some bourbon alongside Ursula while she was cussing folks out. Honestly, this family is just top notch.
There were so wild twists in this book that made me set the book down and just go “WTF just happened”. I was hooked. I don’t want to give anything away, but this one is definitely a roller coaster ride.
Thank you TorTeen for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
April 1, 2023
TW//
I feel bad for not liking this book. It’s clear that Terry J. Benton-Walker put a lot of time, effort, and love into creating this book. However, I found that Blood Debts just did not work for me.
My biggest issue with this book was how it was both too slow and too fast at the same time. There were tons of intricate plotlines that wove together in complex ways. It made it so that a lot of action was happening and you had to keep track of every little detail. This should’ve made the story really fast paced and to some extent it did, but then the writing style came in and slowed everything down. The writing was dull and it constantly dragged. I kept yawning from how slow and boring the book was. I really needed the fastness and the slowness to come together in a way that would make the pacing enjoyable for me, but it didn’t do that at all.
I hated all of the characters in Blood Debts except for Aurora but her time in the book is so tiny that it couldn’t save the story for me. Most of the chapters are from Cris and Clem’s perspectives. I found both of them to be unlikeable. They constantly fought over petty things and their arguments made me angry. I wish they would’ve just stopped trying to win every fight so that they could work through their issues and become close again. I had an issue with Clem’s romance, too. He talks a lot about not wanting to have sex because he wants to meet the right person, but then he decides to have sex with someone he’s been dating for less than a week. It didn’t make sense at all. There were also some POV chapters from some extremely terrible side characters. It was hard to read those chapters. I hated all of the other characters besides Aurora as well. I kept hoping that some of them would redeem themselves and become more likeable, but unfortunately none of them did.
There were way too many loose ends in this book for my liking. If this had been marketed as a series, I would’ve been okay with it, but as of writing this review, Blood Debts currently appears to be a standalone. I wanted resolutions to Zac, Yves, Auguste, Valentina, and Jacquelyn’s story arcs. The story left with unsatisfying conclusions for these characters and it even went so far as to leave the book on a cliffhanger. I hope this book gets a sequel so that fans of Blood Debts won’t be left without satisfying conclusions to all the different plotlines.
There was a lot that I hated in this book, but there was one positive thing I liked: the treatment of mental health problems. There are characters in this book who use anti-anxiety meds and who go to therapy. While the mentions of therapy and anxiety med usage only take up a small portion of this book, I’m glad that Terry J. Benton-Walker attempted to normalize these topics, especially since the primary audience for his book is teens.
I hope that this book will find an audience that loves it and can appreciate the work that Terry J. Benton-Walker put into writing the story, but I am not part of that audience and I did not enjoy my time reading Blood Debts.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eArc of this book.
I feel bad for not liking this book. It’s clear that Terry J. Benton-Walker put a lot of time, effort, and love into creating this book. However, I found that Blood Debts just did not work for me.
My biggest issue with this book was how it was both too slow and too fast at the same time. There were tons of intricate plotlines that wove together in complex ways. It made it so that a lot of action was happening and you had to keep track of every little detail. This should’ve made the story really fast paced and to some extent it did, but then the writing style came in and slowed everything down. The writing was dull and it constantly dragged. I kept yawning from how slow and boring the book was. I really needed the fastness and the slowness to come together in a way that would make the pacing enjoyable for me, but it didn’t do that at all.
I hated all of the characters in Blood Debts except for Aurora but her time in the book is so tiny that it couldn’t save the story for me. Most of the chapters are from Cris and Clem’s perspectives. I found both of them to be unlikeable. They constantly fought over petty things and their arguments made me angry. I wish they would’ve just stopped trying to win every fight so that they could work through their issues and become close again. I had an issue with Clem’s romance, too. He talks a lot about not wanting to have sex because he wants to meet the right person, but then he decides to have sex with someone he’s been dating for less than a week. It didn’t make sense at all. There were also some POV chapters from some extremely terrible side characters. It was hard to read those chapters. I hated all of the other characters besides Aurora as well. I kept hoping that some of them would redeem themselves and become more likeable, but unfortunately none of them did.
There were way too many loose ends in this book for my liking. If this had been marketed as a series, I would’ve been okay with it, but as of writing this review, Blood Debts currently appears to be a standalone. I wanted resolutions to Zac, Yves, Auguste, Valentina, and Jacquelyn’s story arcs. The story left with unsatisfying conclusions for these characters and it even went so far as to leave the book on a cliffhanger. I hope this book gets a sequel so that fans of Blood Debts won’t be left without satisfying conclusions to all the different plotlines.
There was a lot that I hated in this book, but there was one positive thing I liked: the treatment of mental health problems. There are characters in this book who use anti-anxiety meds and who go to therapy. While the mentions of therapy and anxiety med usage only take up a small portion of this book, I’m glad that Terry J. Benton-Walker attempted to normalize these topics, especially since the primary audience for his book is teens.
I hope that this book will find an audience that loves it and can appreciate the work that Terry J. Benton-Walker put into writing the story, but I am not part of that audience and I did not enjoy my time reading Blood Debts.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eArc of this book.
January 12, 2023
There aren't enough stars in the sky to give Blood Debts, but I guess I'll have to settle for 5. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this AudioARC.
Chris and Clem are pure magic....Generational or Gen magic that is. In a world where the African American community has access to their Gods and power via the moon, Chris has sworn off the use of magic after she fears a spell she conjured led to her father's death. Clem is wading through the waters of depression and anxiety while trying to help his mother, who fell ill after their father's death. When the twins discover a hex doll is the cause of their mother's ailments will they find who is gunning for their family before it's too late, or will they all find themselves at the wrong end of a blood debt?
I have been ITCHING to find the right words to do this book justice. For a debut there is nothing else the author could have done to make this novel better. It is perfection on page: a FANTASTIC new magic system, characters with depth and purpose, a who dunnit mystery, pacing of THE GODS, and the narration is bliss. I felt for these characters, I wanted to lift them up when they needed it, be a force behind them when they were throwing punches, and just be friends with them on a personal level. These are obviously teens, they make mistakes and you find yourself verbally saying "oh, no! Don't!" However you root for them even in those moments. The magic system is unlike anything I've read before, and it's just that....magic. The history of their Pantheon is rooted deep in African American stories and it's great to see a group of Gods with true teeth. The violence was done tastefully and perpetuated the story rather than just going for gore factor. I could go on forever about Blood Debts, but I hope you get to experience this for yourself; I really don't think you'll regret one second. Final thought: there better be a book 2!!!!!
5 beaming stars as bright as the sun for Blood Debts. Recommend for readers who enjoyed Shadow and Bone, Ninth house, and the Devouring Gray. Age recommended for 15+ as there is a little sexual content and some violence.
Chris and Clem are pure magic....Generational or Gen magic that is. In a world where the African American community has access to their Gods and power via the moon, Chris has sworn off the use of magic after she fears a spell she conjured led to her father's death. Clem is wading through the waters of depression and anxiety while trying to help his mother, who fell ill after their father's death. When the twins discover a hex doll is the cause of their mother's ailments will they find who is gunning for their family before it's too late, or will they all find themselves at the wrong end of a blood debt?
I have been ITCHING to find the right words to do this book justice. For a debut there is nothing else the author could have done to make this novel better. It is perfection on page: a FANTASTIC new magic system, characters with depth and purpose, a who dunnit mystery, pacing of THE GODS, and the narration is bliss. I felt for these characters, I wanted to lift them up when they needed it, be a force behind them when they were throwing punches, and just be friends with them on a personal level. These are obviously teens, they make mistakes and you find yourself verbally saying "oh, no! Don't!" However you root for them even in those moments. The magic system is unlike anything I've read before, and it's just that....magic. The history of their Pantheon is rooted deep in African American stories and it's great to see a group of Gods with true teeth. The violence was done tastefully and perpetuated the story rather than just going for gore factor. I could go on forever about Blood Debts, but I hope you get to experience this for yourself; I really don't think you'll regret one second. Final thought: there better be a book 2!!!!!
5 beaming stars as bright as the sun for Blood Debts. Recommend for readers who enjoyed Shadow and Bone, Ninth house, and the Devouring Gray. Age recommended for 15+ as there is a little sexual content and some violence.
November 16, 2023
I love the idea, concept, and setting, but couldn't fully immerse myself into the story. A lot was going on, but it wasn't as fleshed out as I would like, especially with the side characters.
Overall, decent read. If you're a fan of YA novels and NOLA settings with voodoo and hexes, give this novel a try.
***I would like to thank NetGalley, Terry J. Benton (the author), and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Overall, decent read. If you're a fan of YA novels and NOLA settings with voodoo and hexes, give this novel a try.
***I would like to thank NetGalley, Terry J. Benton (the author), and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
April 4, 2023
Happy release day!
Thanks to Tor Teen and Goodreads for my giveaway copy to review in advance of this book's April 4th release date. Blood Debts is a diverse urban fantasy treat that gets the upper end of three stars from me.
I see polarizing reviews on this so far, and I think I can see why. There are plenty of good ideas, or what could be good ideas, but the execution is hampered by stop-and-go pacing, editing decisions or lack thereof, and some other unfortunate narrative device choices. I think a quarter of it could have been cut and I'd understand the same amount of the plot (which, should be noted, is not all of it).
There are multiple POVs, several of which the relevance and necessity of inclusion never became clear; not to mention, they switch up narrative tenses. This further added to the clunky, incoherent feel. Add to that the fact that I didn't find myself particularly endeared to either of the twins or the random villain POVs inserted. Heads up, too, that the cover has been misleading to many - the vibe was historical fantasy, when in fact this does take place in contemporary times, with pages full of transcribed text messages and all.
The author also employed info-dumping in place of organic plot structuring. Really, we have to read inserted pages of Cristina's journal and investigation notes near the end to sum up the many incoherent things happening? Better writing would render this unnecessary. On the topic of info-dumping, you also open the book and there are no less than five family trees, as well as a diagram of the different kinds of magic in the world - all of this went over my head and the magic differentation was never explained well on-page anyways so I was left scratching my head a lot.
I did enjoy most of the messaging and what the book was trying to do. The story tackles painful past generational trauma, weighs the costs of taking an eye for an eye, and racism both on the street and systemic, and the rapey nature of love spells. The New Orleans mayoral campaign splitting people into pro- and anti-regulation of magic use painted a fascinating picture, employing "magical malpractice" as a placeholder for bigger real-life concepts like abortion or gun control. There is also casual queerness and positive treatment of sex work.
I also particularly enjoyed the Craft parts of the story, as a modern witch myself. Those parts felt the most coherent and grounded, an afterword explaining much of it was adapted from legitimate Voodoo and other Black magic concepts. The use of necromancy gave the story the zing I needed to keep going, as well as opening up the "came back wrong" concept for the next book, as I understand this is to be a whole series.
While I think the book is overzealous at times, it needed to be to open up series potential. It was also earnestly trying to tackle gaping absences in the literary industry & real life, in terms of racial justice, representation, etc. I'd be interested in reading a sequel.
Thanks to Tor Teen and Goodreads for my giveaway copy to review in advance of this book's April 4th release date. Blood Debts is a diverse urban fantasy treat that gets the upper end of three stars from me.
I see polarizing reviews on this so far, and I think I can see why. There are plenty of good ideas, or what could be good ideas, but the execution is hampered by stop-and-go pacing, editing decisions or lack thereof, and some other unfortunate narrative device choices. I think a quarter of it could have been cut and I'd understand the same amount of the plot (which, should be noted, is not all of it).
There are multiple POVs, several of which the relevance and necessity of inclusion never became clear; not to mention, they switch up narrative tenses. This further added to the clunky, incoherent feel. Add to that the fact that I didn't find myself particularly endeared to either of the twins or the random villain POVs inserted. Heads up, too, that the cover has been misleading to many - the vibe was historical fantasy, when in fact this does take place in contemporary times, with pages full of transcribed text messages and all.
The author also employed info-dumping in place of organic plot structuring. Really, we have to read inserted pages of Cristina's journal and investigation notes near the end to sum up the many incoherent things happening? Better writing would render this unnecessary. On the topic of info-dumping, you also open the book and there are no less than five family trees, as well as a diagram of the different kinds of magic in the world - all of this went over my head and the magic differentation was never explained well on-page anyways so I was left scratching my head a lot.
I did enjoy most of the messaging and what the book was trying to do. The story tackles painful past generational trauma, weighs the costs of taking an eye for an eye, and racism both on the street and systemic, and the rapey nature of love spells. The New Orleans mayoral campaign splitting people into pro- and anti-regulation of magic use painted a fascinating picture, employing "magical malpractice" as a placeholder for bigger real-life concepts like abortion or gun control. There is also casual queerness and positive treatment of sex work.
I also particularly enjoyed the Craft parts of the story, as a modern witch myself. Those parts felt the most coherent and grounded, an afterword explaining much of it was adapted from legitimate Voodoo and other Black magic concepts. The use of necromancy gave the story the zing I needed to keep going, as well as opening up the "came back wrong" concept for the next book, as I understand this is to be a whole series.
While I think the book is overzealous at times, it needed to be to open up series potential. It was also earnestly trying to tackle gaping absences in the literary industry & real life, in terms of racial justice, representation, etc. I'd be interested in reading a sequel.
September 26, 2022
Why do we as a society allow prose this bad to get published?
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Read
April 5, 2023🙃🙃🙃🙃
I am genuinely conflicted reviewing this book. I want to sum up my overall thoughts as it just not being the book for me. I was not the intended audience and I think that is fine? Right? My issues with this story were so many but I think that the overall major letdown for me was that I did not find this to be a fantasy novel at all, as the magic system took the backseat to everything else that was going on. And there was A LOT going on. The characters *sometimes* did a little bit of magic here and a little bit of magic there, but the focus of this was the family drama and the relationships between the mains and 8948344434 side characters.
I did not particularly care for either the FMC or the MMC. They seemed to have a lot of self-hate going on there and the story was about them working through that self-hate... but the way that they thought about themselves and others around them was a lot for me. It never let up. And the teenage angst is on the highest level of possible angst, to the point where it felt very theatrical to me. The dialogue in the book also read like those Tiktok skits where folks mock gen zs. I genuinely want to know if people speak like this in real life. I work with this age group and they do not! One character said they'd 'rather lick 600 vaginas' than do whatever... which 16 year old speaks like that and are they okay? Which leads to my biggest issue...
This book is also marketed as young adult but I think it should be rebranded as new adult. There are endless sexual references, almost all of the relationships with side characters are heavily sexualized, and there is an on page sex scene (from beginning to end). I know that there are folks who are 'okay' with 16 year olds having sex and who are okay with reading about 16 year olds having sex. I feel like in the context of literature, it's fine (and I am very cautiously saying this to validate everyone's preference to AN EXTENT because I would rather NOT read about kids smashing but age of consent or whatever right), in a new adult book. Think about ACOTAR. There is ZERO on page sex in the first book, and the series was rebranded BECAUSE of the sex in the second book. Feyre is also 19 or somn. As someone who works with kids, I feel like this kind of content should be handled very carefully and I just don't think this book did that.
I'm really disappointed because this was one of my most anticipated releases and I had to push myself to finish it. There were so many over the top moments that felt unnecessary and I just wish this book got some more rounds of edits. I feel like the drama was A LOT and some of the time spent inserting what felt like pointless dramatic scenes could have been used to better explain and/ or develop the magic system. For a 400+ page book, there was a lot of 'nobody knows how this happens, it just does' and that is not something I am fond of in books that fall into the fantasy genre. Maybe this should have been marketed as paranormal instead?
Look away now if you don't want a soft spoiler:
There was one scene where two of the characters were having a conversation and out of nowhere, someone loses control of their car and crashes into one of them. These kinds of things kept happening over and over and over again. If there were 60 chapters, 55 of them had over the top scenes like this one. Zero time spent on character development or plot development but lots of drama. If you love drama, you'll love this one. I, personally, have a limit lol especially in my fantasy books.
I am genuinely conflicted reviewing this book. I want to sum up my overall thoughts as it just not being the book for me. I was not the intended audience and I think that is fine? Right? My issues with this story were so many but I think that the overall major letdown for me was that I did not find this to be a fantasy novel at all, as the magic system took the backseat to everything else that was going on. And there was A LOT going on. The characters *sometimes* did a little bit of magic here and a little bit of magic there, but the focus of this was the family drama and the relationships between the mains and 8948344434 side characters.
I did not particularly care for either the FMC or the MMC. They seemed to have a lot of self-hate going on there and the story was about them working through that self-hate... but the way that they thought about themselves and others around them was a lot for me. It never let up. And the teenage angst is on the highest level of possible angst, to the point where it felt very theatrical to me. The dialogue in the book also read like those Tiktok skits where folks mock gen zs. I genuinely want to know if people speak like this in real life. I work with this age group and they do not! One character said they'd 'rather lick 600 vaginas' than do whatever... which 16 year old speaks like that and are they okay? Which leads to my biggest issue...
This book is also marketed as young adult but I think it should be rebranded as new adult. There are endless sexual references, almost all of the relationships with side characters are heavily sexualized, and there is an on page sex scene (from beginning to end). I know that there are folks who are 'okay' with 16 year olds having sex and who are okay with reading about 16 year olds having sex. I feel like in the context of literature, it's fine (and I am very cautiously saying this to validate everyone's preference to AN EXTENT because I would rather NOT read about kids smashing but age of consent or whatever right), in a new adult book. Think about ACOTAR. There is ZERO on page sex in the first book, and the series was rebranded BECAUSE of the sex in the second book. Feyre is also 19 or somn. As someone who works with kids, I feel like this kind of content should be handled very carefully and I just don't think this book did that.
I'm really disappointed because this was one of my most anticipated releases and I had to push myself to finish it. There were so many over the top moments that felt unnecessary and I just wish this book got some more rounds of edits. I feel like the drama was A LOT and some of the time spent inserting what felt like pointless dramatic scenes could have been used to better explain and/ or develop the magic system. For a 400+ page book, there was a lot of 'nobody knows how this happens, it just does' and that is not something I am fond of in books that fall into the fantasy genre. Maybe this should have been marketed as paranormal instead?
Look away now if you don't want a soft spoiler:
There was one scene where two of the characters were having a conversation and out of nowhere, someone loses control of their car and crashes into one of them. These kinds of things kept happening over and over and over again. If there were 60 chapters, 55 of them had over the top scenes like this one. Zero time spent on character development or plot development but lots of drama. If you love drama, you'll love this one. I, personally, have a limit lol especially in my fantasy books.
June 2, 2023
Happy release day to this book! If you're looking for a fresh new YA contemporary fantasy with a queer BIPOC protagonist, look no further!
E-ARC generously provided by Tor Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
3.5 stars rounded up. Both gritty and gorgeous in its exploration of magic in a contemporary setting, Blood Debts is a solid contemporary fantasy that is a promising debut from an author I am sure to look out for in the future.
E-ARC generously provided by Tor Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
3.5 stars rounded up. Both gritty and gorgeous in its exploration of magic in a contemporary setting, Blood Debts is a solid contemporary fantasy that is a promising debut from an author I am sure to look out for in the future.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
October 28, 2023- mid series cover change, the sequel no longer matches this cover
- this is so character driven they kinda forgot to add any details of the setting
- this is so character driven they kinda forgot to add any details of the setting
June 9, 2024
Update: just reread this so I can finally get to the sequel and if as just as good as the first time. I forgot how much I miss and love these characters. Now on to Blood Justice!!
"For every child of color who was denied the justice they deserved. You always matter."
This is the dedication that was in the beginning of the ARC I received of this absolutely phenomenal book, and what an important dedication it is.
This story is a love letter to Black kids as well as an intriguing mystery full of Black magic, family drama, revenge and messiness all blended into the fantastical setting of New Orleans.
It's been a long time since a book has had me in this much of a chokehold. From the first page I was instantly gripped and could not put this book down to save my life. I was was immediately swept away by these characters Terry J. Benton created and I was invested in each of their stories.
So much detail went into this book, from family history to past betrayals to current rivalries. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
I went through all the emotions reading this book. I was rooting for these characters, crying over them, hyping them and cursing them out all at the same time. Trust when I say each character in this book is gonna make you feel some type of way.
My favorite thing about this book was how unapologetically Black it was. It was so refreshing to just immerse myself in this story and see myself (specifically my YOUNGER self) in every aspect.
I am 100% in support of anything Terry J. Benton writes from here on out; this debut was a masterpiece. My only gripe is that I needed the sequel YESTERDAY!
I can't wait for more of these characters and to get more answers because the ending had me shook to my core.
I need more, please and thank you.
>> Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own <<
"For every child of color who was denied the justice they deserved. You always matter."
This is the dedication that was in the beginning of the ARC I received of this absolutely phenomenal book, and what an important dedication it is.
This story is a love letter to Black kids as well as an intriguing mystery full of Black magic, family drama, revenge and messiness all blended into the fantastical setting of New Orleans.
It's been a long time since a book has had me in this much of a chokehold. From the first page I was instantly gripped and could not put this book down to save my life. I was was immediately swept away by these characters Terry J. Benton created and I was invested in each of their stories.
So much detail went into this book, from family history to past betrayals to current rivalries. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
I went through all the emotions reading this book. I was rooting for these characters, crying over them, hyping them and cursing them out all at the same time. Trust when I say each character in this book is gonna make you feel some type of way.
My favorite thing about this book was how unapologetically Black it was. It was so refreshing to just immerse myself in this story and see myself (specifically my YOUNGER self) in every aspect.
I am 100% in support of anything Terry J. Benton writes from here on out; this debut was a masterpiece. My only gripe is that I needed the sequel YESTERDAY!
I can't wait for more of these characters and to get more answers because the ending had me shook to my core.
I need more, please and thank you.
>> Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own <<
November 3, 2022
Official review:
Terry J. Benton-Walker is a new tour-de-force in YA fantasy. With an incisive look into what it means to be multi-marginalized and Black in a magical take on the US, Benton-Walker has managed to weave together multiple threads of intergenerational trauma, racial violence and white supremacy, ingrained homophobia, and community suppression—with arcs of self-acceptance, reclaiming one's autonomy, stepping in one's power, and building a community to count on.
So much of BLOOD DEBTS asks the reader to examine the stories they've been told and ask: who benefits from this perspective? How does this further help the agenda of people in power, even if those people seem to be sympathetic to your cause (or, indeed, even share some of them)? And, most importantly, how can you reclaim your history and live your most authentic self in the face of injustice?
This is the definition of marginalized people writing from our perspectives and infusing our work with our experiences and worldviews on every level. Marginalized readers will particularly appreciate the authenticity with which these perspectives are written. Though the twins are the dominant voices—each written with such care—I deeply admire the POV chapters of the other teens, with their sharp voices and individual perspectives, rounding out characters who should be deeply unsympathetic and instead are the main characters of their own stories. The end result is a sense of foreboding—things may be looking up for now, but we know they're about to get much worse.
An absolute triumph.
---
Informal review:
I have been incredibly blessed to read several iterations of BLOOD DEBTS, and this latest one is the best one yet. I couldn't put it down and read it in two sittings.
I cannot stress how important and wonderful this book is. The characters have so much heart and depth. Clem is a love letter to all the nerdy queer Black boys learning to accept themselves. Cris is a rallying call for every Black girl to own her power. And I LOVE the adults. They are so rich and complicated and MESSY. AND THE END?! THE END!! AHHHHHHHH!!!!
Terry is absolutely a new tour-de-force in YA fantasy. I'm honored to be one of the first reviews of this incredible book.
Terry J. Benton-Walker is a new tour-de-force in YA fantasy. With an incisive look into what it means to be multi-marginalized and Black in a magical take on the US, Benton-Walker has managed to weave together multiple threads of intergenerational trauma, racial violence and white supremacy, ingrained homophobia, and community suppression—with arcs of self-acceptance, reclaiming one's autonomy, stepping in one's power, and building a community to count on.
So much of BLOOD DEBTS asks the reader to examine the stories they've been told and ask: who benefits from this perspective? How does this further help the agenda of people in power, even if those people seem to be sympathetic to your cause (or, indeed, even share some of them)? And, most importantly, how can you reclaim your history and live your most authentic self in the face of injustice?
This is the definition of marginalized people writing from our perspectives and infusing our work with our experiences and worldviews on every level. Marginalized readers will particularly appreciate the authenticity with which these perspectives are written. Though the twins are the dominant voices—each written with such care—I deeply admire the POV chapters of the other teens, with their sharp voices and individual perspectives, rounding out characters who should be deeply unsympathetic and instead are the main characters of their own stories. The end result is a sense of foreboding—things may be looking up for now, but we know they're about to get much worse.
An absolute triumph.
---
Informal review:
I have been incredibly blessed to read several iterations of BLOOD DEBTS, and this latest one is the best one yet. I couldn't put it down and read it in two sittings.
I cannot stress how important and wonderful this book is. The characters have so much heart and depth. Clem is a love letter to all the nerdy queer Black boys learning to accept themselves. Cris is a rallying call for every Black girl to own her power. And I LOVE the adults. They are so rich and complicated and MESSY. AND THE END?! THE END!! AHHHHHHHH!!!!
Terry is absolutely a new tour-de-force in YA fantasy. I'm honored to be one of the first reviews of this incredible book.
June 19, 2023
I was a little thrown off by the beginning of this book... The first hundred or so pages had me worried that I wouldn't enjoy the story that was being set up. Thankfully the initial thing that we were working toward wasn't the entirety of the narrative, and while the middle of the book felt a little messy at least there seemed to be something that we were working toward.
Of the two romances in the book, I wasn't invested in either one. Now I am a grown man reading a book intended for children, and so I do think that there are elements at play in the Cristina/Oz situationship that a younger me might not have picked up on. As it stands I thought it was clear from jump that some fuckshit was going to go down and so the enjoyment for me was getting to see the breadcrumbs pay off. As for Clement's romantic life... I'm willing to see how the sequel plays out before I judge him too harshly. Of the two I guess his was the more interesting as I wasn't sure how Zachary was going to come back into the mix, and I never would have guessed that it was going to go down the way it did, even given some of the breadcrumbs.
The thing that really kept me going even when I wasn't sure if I was really going to like how the book was playing out was how important the family was. I've read books where there's a family secret or a person is trying to get to the bottom of what happened to a family member, but here Cristina and Clement and their various relations felt authentic in a way that endeared me to them. I was invested to know why their grandparents suffered the way that they had, and if their grandchildren were going to be able to get vengeance on the people that were behind their suffering.
In some ways I see why this story is going to continue into another book. There's certainly material for it that to happen, but part of me almost wishes this were a self contained story and that if it had been then maybe there could have been time to firm up some of the middle that felt like we were padding time and casting anchors into the future that we could deal with in the present.
Of the two romances in the book, I wasn't invested in either one. Now I am a grown man reading a book intended for children, and so I do think that there are elements at play in the Cristina/Oz situationship that a younger me might not have picked up on. As it stands I thought it was clear from jump that some fuckshit was going to go down and so the enjoyment for me was getting to see the breadcrumbs pay off. As for Clement's romantic life... I'm willing to see how the sequel plays out before I judge him too harshly. Of the two I guess his was the more interesting as I wasn't sure how Zachary was going to come back into the mix, and I never would have guessed that it was going to go down the way it did, even given some of the breadcrumbs.
The thing that really kept me going even when I wasn't sure if I was really going to like how the book was playing out was how important the family was. I've read books where there's a family secret or a person is trying to get to the bottom of what happened to a family member, but here Cristina and Clement and their various relations felt authentic in a way that endeared me to them. I was invested to know why their grandparents suffered the way that they had, and if their grandchildren were going to be able to get vengeance on the people that were behind their suffering.
In some ways I see why this story is going to continue into another book. There's certainly material for it that to happen, but part of me almost wishes this were a self contained story and that if it had been then maybe there could have been time to firm up some of the middle that felt like we were padding time and casting anchors into the future that we could deal with in the present.
April 1, 2023
3/10
Honestly, this cover was the most reason for me wanting to read this book, and Unfortunately, the cover was the only its had!
I hate writing a negative review and if I didn't receive it from NetGalley (Thank you Hodder & Stoughton), wouldn't say anything about it, and probably drop it!
You may see many positive reviews about it so I strongly encourage you to read those, don't read mine.
The idea was good, white mages, black magicians of New Orleans, an old murder case and a family who lost their dears and want to clear their name.
But...
BUT with a huge B, they are not likable, they are terrible, they fight, there is no respect; Sisters, Cousins, Aunts, and Twins seem to hate each other.
The story is not engaging, the characters are too childish, the end was obvious, ok...
I'll stop!
I think all the gaps can full fill if only I could love the characters. Let me tell you something, I am the only child and always, the relationship between siblings fascinates me, always like to see how they have each other back; AND my mother has two other sisters, they live in 3 different countries, in one case, another continent, however, they are close, kind to each other, really really care...
Why am I telling this?! well, now you know why I didn't like this! People may like arguing and name it "oh, she/he never let anyone pry or interference"
But I prefer reading about people who show love and respect for each other and are loyal, I like reading about siblings who put each other first, so I was sorry this wasn't a book for me, I really tried but NO...
Honestly, this cover was the most reason for me wanting to read this book, and Unfortunately, the cover was the only its had!
I hate writing a negative review and if I didn't receive it from NetGalley (Thank you Hodder & Stoughton), wouldn't say anything about it, and probably drop it!
You may see many positive reviews about it so I strongly encourage you to read those, don't read mine.
The idea was good, white mages, black magicians of New Orleans, an old murder case and a family who lost their dears and want to clear their name.
But...
BUT with a huge B, they are not likable, they are terrible, they fight, there is no respect; Sisters, Cousins, Aunts, and Twins seem to hate each other.
The story is not engaging, the characters are too childish, the end was obvious, ok...
I'll stop!
I think all the gaps can full fill if only I could love the characters. Let me tell you something, I am the only child and always, the relationship between siblings fascinates me, always like to see how they have each other back; AND my mother has two other sisters, they live in 3 different countries, in one case, another continent, however, they are close, kind to each other, really really care...
Why am I telling this?! well, now you know why I didn't like this! People may like arguing and name it "oh, she/he never let anyone pry or interference"
But I prefer reading about people who show love and respect for each other and are loyal, I like reading about siblings who put each other first, so I was sorry this wasn't a book for me, I really tried but NO...
July 21, 2023
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an ALC and B2 Weird and Tor Teen for a physical hardcover in exchange for an honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own.
Y’all. This book! This fucking book is incredible 🤩. I read an eARC late last year and completely fell in love. And this afternoon I finished my reread via audio and I can say I loved it just as much the second time around.
Blood Debts is a YA urban fantasy/murder mystery that follows Black twins as they uncover what happened to their grandmother and navigate their own magical powers. The magic in this book is so cool and I hope we only get to see more of it throughout the series.
I love the twins so much. Clem is so sweet and I want to protect him at all costs. Cristina’s fears and anxieties were something incredibly relatable to me. Her whole arc was amazing and I am really digging the vengeance look. The way the series plot has been set up has me so intrigued and I cannot wait to see how everything will play out! This one is definitely a new favorite of mine!
This was incredible!!
Rep: Black cast. Black Gay cis male MC with anxiety and depression, Black cis female MC, Afrolatine side characters, various queer side characters.
Y’all. This book! This fucking book is incredible 🤩. I read an eARC late last year and completely fell in love. And this afternoon I finished my reread via audio and I can say I loved it just as much the second time around.
Blood Debts is a YA urban fantasy/murder mystery that follows Black twins as they uncover what happened to their grandmother and navigate their own magical powers. The magic in this book is so cool and I hope we only get to see more of it throughout the series.
I love the twins so much. Clem is so sweet and I want to protect him at all costs. Cristina’s fears and anxieties were something incredibly relatable to me. Her whole arc was amazing and I am really digging the vengeance look. The way the series plot has been set up has me so intrigued and I cannot wait to see how everything will play out! This one is definitely a new favorite of mine!
This was incredible!!
Rep: Black cast. Black Gay cis male MC with anxiety and depression, Black cis female MC, Afrolatine side characters, various queer side characters.
June 12, 2023
*3.5
Blood Debts is a gripping and magical story set in New Orleans, filled with mystery, political intrigue, and several characters, each with their own motivations. The premise of Blood Debts was exquisite, and while I thought the execution could use some work, overall, I think it's a great story, with great potential for the sequel.
Before we get into the plot of the story, I want to discuss the audiobook! Because this story followed several POVs, each one was narrated by a different person. These narrators all did a great job of embodying each character, in my opinion. I also liked that there were different narrators for the characters. This helped me keep track of whose point of view we were in, since all of their voices were so distinct.
As for the story itself, I thought the characters were all really well-rounded, and I could always understand where their motivations came from. Some of the characters could be unlikeable at times, but I think this was intentional. Since they're teenagers, it makes sense that they're messy and imperfect. It made the story feel much more genuine.
In regard to the plot, I loved the idea of a magical New Orleans. It's the perfect setting for a story like this, so I couldn't wait to read it. And overall, I thought it was done really well. The magic system itself was intricately designed and thoroughly developed.
My main issue with Blood Debts came from all of the plot points. There were so many of them that I had trouble keeping track of what was happening and how each event was connected. I feel the book would have been significantly strengthened had it focused more on fewer main plotlines and worked to thoroughly expand on those. Then, the rest could be explored in the sequel.
Despite this, though, I did still enjoy the premise of Blood Debts, and I'm interested to see where it's going in the sequel, so I'll definitely be continuing on with the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with both a Digital ARC and an Audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Blood Debts is a gripping and magical story set in New Orleans, filled with mystery, political intrigue, and several characters, each with their own motivations. The premise of Blood Debts was exquisite, and while I thought the execution could use some work, overall, I think it's a great story, with great potential for the sequel.
Before we get into the plot of the story, I want to discuss the audiobook! Because this story followed several POVs, each one was narrated by a different person. These narrators all did a great job of embodying each character, in my opinion. I also liked that there were different narrators for the characters. This helped me keep track of whose point of view we were in, since all of their voices were so distinct.
As for the story itself, I thought the characters were all really well-rounded, and I could always understand where their motivations came from. Some of the characters could be unlikeable at times, but I think this was intentional. Since they're teenagers, it makes sense that they're messy and imperfect. It made the story feel much more genuine.
In regard to the plot, I loved the idea of a magical New Orleans. It's the perfect setting for a story like this, so I couldn't wait to read it. And overall, I thought it was done really well. The magic system itself was intricately designed and thoroughly developed.
My main issue with Blood Debts came from all of the plot points. There were so many of them that I had trouble keeping track of what was happening and how each event was connected. I feel the book would have been significantly strengthened had it focused more on fewer main plotlines and worked to thoroughly expand on those. Then, the rest could be explored in the sequel.
Despite this, though, I did still enjoy the premise of Blood Debts, and I'm interested to see where it's going in the sequel, so I'll definitely be continuing on with the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with both a Digital ARC and an Audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 9, 2023
A decent YA fantasy debut, though it still had a lot of rough edges that needed to be smoothed out. Valentina was the best character, despite how little we saw of her.
April 13, 2023
Blood Debts has one of the prettiest covers I've ever seen, and an amazing premise, but sadly it didn't deliver on what it was supposed to.
The writing immediately stuck out, and I'm glad to see it's not just me. In most books I don't notice it, it's fine, etc. But in some books it either blows me away with how good it is, or it keeps taking me out of the story with how bad it is.
It's not quite at that level here, but the writing really didn't work for me. Like others have said, it's very immature and kept getting on my nerves.
This book is almost too modern for me? The way the characters speak doesn't really fit into a fantasy novel, even an urban fantasy one.
I liked the setting though, and I wish we saw more of it. I don't think it was used to its full potential.
I also like the magic system, and the plot, even though the latter was predictable. There were two things that surprised me, but neither was a huge plot point.
As for the characters, I'm not sure how I feel about them. I can't say that I liked or disliked anyone, except Aurora who was my favourite.
Clement and Cristina are the main characters who both have PoVs in first person, but we also got PoVs from other characters in third person.
I think the first person ones were written better than the third person ones. In the third person PoVs, the writing style's faults were even more evident, so that made me think that the author was probably more comfortable writing in first.
The ending wrapped up some loose ends, but not all of them, so there'll probably be a sequel in the future. I can't imagine it just ending like this.
Oh, and I have to mention the ONE steamy scene which I wasn't expecting in a YA novel? It's kind of out of nowhere, I don't mind that it's there, but Clement's character didn't seem like he would just up and do that so fast...but yeah that scene was different from the rest of the book.
Bonus points for all the LGBT rep.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
The writing immediately stuck out, and I'm glad to see it's not just me. In most books I don't notice it, it's fine, etc. But in some books it either blows me away with how good it is, or it keeps taking me out of the story with how bad it is.
It's not quite at that level here, but the writing really didn't work for me. Like others have said, it's very immature and kept getting on my nerves.
This book is almost too modern for me? The way the characters speak doesn't really fit into a fantasy novel, even an urban fantasy one.
I liked the setting though, and I wish we saw more of it. I don't think it was used to its full potential.
I also like the magic system, and the plot, even though the latter was predictable. There were two things that surprised me, but neither was a huge plot point.
As for the characters, I'm not sure how I feel about them. I can't say that I liked or disliked anyone, except Aurora who was my favourite.
Clement and Cristina are the main characters who both have PoVs in first person, but we also got PoVs from other characters in third person.
I think the first person ones were written better than the third person ones. In the third person PoVs, the writing style's faults were even more evident, so that made me think that the author was probably more comfortable writing in first.
The ending wrapped up some loose ends, but not all of them, so there'll probably be a sequel in the future. I can't imagine it just ending like this.
Oh, and I have to mention the ONE steamy scene which I wasn't expecting in a YA novel? It's kind of out of nowhere, I don't mind that it's there, but Clement's character didn't seem like he would just up and do that so fast...but yeah that scene was different from the rest of the book.
Bonus points for all the LGBT rep.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
December 11, 2022
This phenomenal book is special. As I read the first page I instantly was hooked. This book literally is a page turner filled with mystery and magic. This story is located in New Orleans and we're following a family that as the ability to conjure magic by the power of the moon, but the family has been broken for some time and it's up to two siblings to put it back together again. The two main characters are Clement and Cristina and they are twins but completely different. Cristina completely gave up magic because a spell had gone completely wrong and Clement he suffers from anxiety and depression and would love his sister to do magic again. Though they both suffer the loss of their father and possibly their mother as well because she became sick drastically and the doctor said she only has a few weeks/months to live. But soon enough Clement found something under his mothers bed that out everything into motion on their journey to not only bring their family back together again, but also get the justice that they deserve.
April 19, 2023
So good! I felt completely immersed by the story from the first chapter and I love prominent family connections in books so this was perfect. There are multiple POVs and every single character in them felt unique and had an important part to play, not only in their own but also in the overarching plot progression. All of the full circle moments made me so happy, but idk how to actually explain how fun this story was to read. Clement and Christina were such real siblings, and their family was hella real too! I found myself laughing so much with them. Benton-Walker had me feeling every kind of emotion and I’m only upset that now I have to wait for the second book. 😭
Shelved as 'd-n-f'
June 25, 2023arc copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
dnf @ 50%
it's time to give up... i've been reading this for literal months but i just don't have the motivation to continue it. my slump has hit hard and this one just takes too much brain power.
i do love the characters, and the complicated but loyal relationship that the twins have, but it's not enough to captivate me and make me want to pick this up. it's a well-written book but wrong time for me, i feel. it's an "it's not you, it's me" situation!!
i still recommend this for anyone interested :).
~~~
SHE’S GOT AN ARC PEOPLES so hyped for this, magic X platonic sibling bonds X queerness? Love it
dnf @ 50%
it's time to give up... i've been reading this for literal months but i just don't have the motivation to continue it. my slump has hit hard and this one just takes too much brain power.
i do love the characters, and the complicated but loyal relationship that the twins have, but it's not enough to captivate me and make me want to pick this up. it's a well-written book but wrong time for me, i feel. it's an "it's not you, it's me" situation!!
i still recommend this for anyone interested :).
~~~
SHE’S GOT AN ARC PEOPLES so hyped for this, magic X platonic sibling bonds X queerness? Love it
October 24, 2022
Physical Copy Received!! Thank you so very much, Tor Teen!! 😊❤️
Thank you again to Tor Teen! This book was good but I found it a little hard to follow towards the end. It started off really fun and exciting but definitely slowed down. The characters were amazing but I especially loved Clement! 😊
Thank you again to Tor Teen! This book was good but I found it a little hard to follow towards the end. It started off really fun and exciting but definitely slowed down. The characters were amazing but I especially loved Clement! 😊
August 2, 2023
3.5 rounded up rtc
This had a bit of a slow start for me in ebook format, but I picked up the audiobook and restarted and the amazing narrators really brought the characters to life, I definitely recommend the audiobook. I ended up reading along with the ebook- this helps me a lot when there's a lot of characters in a book and there are A LOT of characters to follow in this book.
An urban fantasy and murder mystery centered around a magical family living in New Orleans. The plot is thick with a complex history, tense politics, and family secrets. I loved learning about the different magic systems and their history and connection to people and the world- generational, sun, and moon- and the racial dynamics this brings into the world, this was a really interesting take on magic systems layering in conversations about racism and cultural appropriation. The murder mystery kept me interested, while I had some things I guessed correctly, there were so many twists and turns that were unexpected.
This book is dense and rich and at times this works so well- when it weaves in politics of white supremacy, cultural appropriation, generational trauma, homophobia, trust, grief, community care, and a lot more. Sometimes there is also A LOT going on with A LOT of characters that made it a bit hard to follow- there are multiple POVs, multiple subplots, and a lot of people to keep track of. I think the author does a good job of trying to keep you following along by explaining or repeating information, but it can still be a lot to follow and I did lose my bearings here and there.
But overall it's a great story with great worldbuilding and complicated messy characters that you root for.
CW: Racism, Murder, Violence, Sexual assault/coercion, Sexual content (references to and on page scene), Death of parent, Gun violence, Car accident, Bullying
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book to review.
This had a bit of a slow start for me in ebook format, but I picked up the audiobook and restarted and the amazing narrators really brought the characters to life, I definitely recommend the audiobook. I ended up reading along with the ebook- this helps me a lot when there's a lot of characters in a book and there are A LOT of characters to follow in this book.
An urban fantasy and murder mystery centered around a magical family living in New Orleans. The plot is thick with a complex history, tense politics, and family secrets. I loved learning about the different magic systems and their history and connection to people and the world- generational, sun, and moon- and the racial dynamics this brings into the world, this was a really interesting take on magic systems layering in conversations about racism and cultural appropriation. The murder mystery kept me interested, while I had some things I guessed correctly, there were so many twists and turns that were unexpected.
This book is dense and rich and at times this works so well- when it weaves in politics of white supremacy, cultural appropriation, generational trauma, homophobia, trust, grief, community care, and a lot more. Sometimes there is also A LOT going on with A LOT of characters that made it a bit hard to follow- there are multiple POVs, multiple subplots, and a lot of people to keep track of. I think the author does a good job of trying to keep you following along by explaining or repeating information, but it can still be a lot to follow and I did lose my bearings here and there.
But overall it's a great story with great worldbuilding and complicated messy characters that you root for.
CW: Racism, Murder, Violence, Sexual assault/coercion, Sexual content (references to and on page scene), Death of parent, Gun violence, Car accident, Bullying
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book to review.
December 13, 2023
The cover may have misled me, but I ended up in a pretty fabulous place anyway.
This was such a solid debut! It was a lot of fun to read with some great characters at its heart and on the periphery to keep things constantly interesting. There are magical gods, revealing twists and terrible betrayals, and big family love. Clement and Christina are twins, but they approach magic very differently. For Cris, she is a natural with Gen magic but turned her back on it a year ago after a spell she crafted dealt her a heavy loss. On the other hand, Clem tries so hard to get better at it and just can't, so his frustration with his sister is palpable, especially in the beginning.
I guess I should quickly explain why the cover misled me, and it's nothing dramatic. Without looking too closely I had assumed this was a historical fantasy. I came into it expecting 1920's New Orleans and was surprised to find it modern day. I don't read a lot of urban fantasy but books like this just prove to me I need to change that. And for what it's worth, I think the magic system fit best into this setting. It gave the story extra nuance that I appreciated reading. As a whole, the magic system was quite neat, even if I did wish for more of it throughout the entire book. Gen magic, moon and sunlight magic, necromancy--there are so many possibilities for it that makes me want more books in this world.
Audio was a great way to read this. The narrators were absolutely fabulous, especially Joniece Abbott-Pratt. I've not read a single book narrated by her that I'd call a flop, and anything she touches is a must-read for me. I did see a few reviews complaining about the prose, but I honestly didn't notice and am a little shocked that anyone found it "bad." When given the voice of the characters, it is perfectly done. Maybe hearing them is what's missing from the physical version, but I had zero concerns.
The last quarter is what knocked a star off for me. It lost it's footing a bit. I read this pretty much back to back across a few days and I genuinely forgot who certain characters are. Don't even remember them being introduced, actually. Aurora? Don't know her. Xavier? Never met him. And the problem is they were involved in a large part of what Cris was doing in the last half of the book, and I didn't know why or what the connection was.
The ending itself was great though! So much excitement and very satisfying. It does mostly wrap up, but there are definitely some loose threads that need to be tugged further. I know a sequel is coming and I saw the author tweet he was hoping to do his planned five(!) books, but I'll happily take the sequel to this when it comes.
This was such a solid debut! It was a lot of fun to read with some great characters at its heart and on the periphery to keep things constantly interesting. There are magical gods, revealing twists and terrible betrayals, and big family love. Clement and Christina are twins, but they approach magic very differently. For Cris, she is a natural with Gen magic but turned her back on it a year ago after a spell she crafted dealt her a heavy loss. On the other hand, Clem tries so hard to get better at it and just can't, so his frustration with his sister is palpable, especially in the beginning.
I guess I should quickly explain why the cover misled me, and it's nothing dramatic. Without looking too closely I had assumed this was a historical fantasy. I came into it expecting 1920's New Orleans and was surprised to find it modern day. I don't read a lot of urban fantasy but books like this just prove to me I need to change that. And for what it's worth, I think the magic system fit best into this setting. It gave the story extra nuance that I appreciated reading. As a whole, the magic system was quite neat, even if I did wish for more of it throughout the entire book. Gen magic, moon and sunlight magic, necromancy--there are so many possibilities for it that makes me want more books in this world.
Audio was a great way to read this. The narrators were absolutely fabulous, especially Joniece Abbott-Pratt. I've not read a single book narrated by her that I'd call a flop, and anything she touches is a must-read for me. I did see a few reviews complaining about the prose, but I honestly didn't notice and am a little shocked that anyone found it "bad." When given the voice of the characters, it is perfectly done. Maybe hearing them is what's missing from the physical version, but I had zero concerns.
The last quarter is what knocked a star off for me. It lost it's footing a bit. I read this pretty much back to back across a few days and I genuinely forgot who certain characters are. Don't even remember them being introduced, actually. Aurora? Don't know her. Xavier? Never met him. And the problem is they were involved in a large part of what Cris was doing in the last half of the book, and I didn't know why or what the connection was.
The ending itself was great though! So much excitement and very satisfying. It does mostly wrap up, but there are definitely some loose threads that need to be tugged further. I know a sequel is coming and I saw the author tweet he was hoping to do his planned five(!) books, but I'll happily take the sequel to this when it comes.
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