A complex and intriguing fantasy that is sure to be popular with teens.'- School Library Journal 'Benton-Walker creates a fantastical thriller and deftly weaves in historical and current-day social issues, including racism, cultural appropriation, sex work, mental health, and homophobia. 'Steeped in spiritual lore that takes cues from the rich cultural history of the Black diaspora, Walker paints an evocative picture of an enchanted New Orleans as earthly as it is divine.' - Publishers Weekly, Starred Review 'Riveting and relevant.' - Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review ★ 'Riveting and relevant.' - Kirkus Reviews, starred review And if they don't succeed, New Orleans may see another massacre. 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. Even better than the random guys he hooks up with.Ĭristina and Clement used to be each other's most trusted confidant and friend, now they barely speak. An ancient spell is what killed their father and she was the one who cast it. Someone who will come for them next.Ĭristina, once a talented and dedicated practitioner of Generational magic, has given up magic for good. Cursed by someone on the very magic council their family used to rule. Until, by chance, they discover their mother isn't sick-she's cursed.

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. In the days that followed, a throne was stolen from a queen. Thirty years ago, a young woman was murdered, a family was lynched, and New Orleans saw the greatest magical massacre in its history. ELLE - 'Steeped in magic.' -ALEXIS HENDERSON - 'Crackles with mystery and ferocity.' -MARK OSHIRO BROWN - 'An extravaganza.' -CHLOE GONG - 'Powerful.' -AYANA GRAY - 'Sings with hope and rage.' -TJ KLUNE - 'An unforgettable thrill ride.' -J. 'A conjuring of magnificence.' -NIC STONE - 'A force.' -ROSEANNE A. One of Buzzfeed's Amazing Upcoming YA Books with Queer Characters. Most Anticipated from Buzzfeed, BookPage, Nerd Daily, Forever Young Adult, and more. Benton-Walker's contemporary fantasy debut, Blood Debts, is 'an extravaganza from start to finish' (Chloe Gong) with powerful magical families, intergenerational curses, and deadly drama in New Orleans. GODS MEDDLE AND MAGIC WILL BETRAY YOU, BUT THIS TIME JUSTICE WILL REIGN.

Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker