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“Blood Debts is driven by a richly crafted slow burn mystery steeped in magic and secrets held so tightly their imprint can never be removed completely. Twins Christina and Clement can testify to that. The grand children of the disgraced queen of the Gen Magic Council, Chris and Clem are each struggling with their own demons. After their father’s untimely death, Chris is withdrawn, terrified of her own power. Clem is processing his own grief while trying to embrace a new love. Blood Debts shifts between different perspectives (both of the twins and others) to build a narrative that explores experiences of generational trauma, queer identity, and kinship, interwoven with magic systems that draw on history while making it new. ”
— Jenni • Mysterious Galaxy Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Blood Debts is a YA fantasy that will drag you into its world, and not let you go. I couldn't stop reading, invested in the fates of the Trudeau twins. It was a wild ride, but the book has depth, exploring issues of privilege, race, power, and the acceptance of LGBTQ people. An amazing book! (Especially recommended on audio. It's incredible!)”
— Melissa • Watermark Books
This program features multicast narration.
GODS MEDDLE AND MAGIC WILL BETRAY YOU, BUT THIS TIME JUSTICE WILL REIGN.
Terry J. 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.
Most Anticipated from Buzzfeed, BookPage, Nerd Daily, and more. Featured on NPR Weekend Edition Sunday.
“A conjuring of magnificence.” —Nic Stone • “A force.” —Roseanne A. Brown • “An extravaganza.” —Chloe Gong • “Powerful.” —Ayana Gray • “Sings with hope and rage.” —TJ Klune • “An unforgettable thrill ride.” —J. Elle • “Steeped in magic.” —Alexis Henderson • “Crackles with mystery and ferocity.” —Mark Oshiro
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.
★ “Riveting and relevant.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.
TERRY J. BENTON-WALKER grew up in rural Georgia and now lives in Atlanta with his son, where he writes fantasy and horror for adults, young adults, and children. He has an industrial engineering degree from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Georgia State. When he’s not writing, he can be found gaming, eating ice cream, or both. Blood Debts is his first novel. Benton-Walker is also the author of Blood Justice for teens, Alex Wise vs. the End of the World for middle-grade readers, and editor and contributor of The White Guy Dies First anthology.
Reviews
“Riveting and relevant.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred review
“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.” —Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
"Riveting. Unflinching. Powerful. Truly, a masterful debut." —Ayana Gray, New York Times bestselling author of Beasts of Prey
"Blood Debts is a force and Terry J. Benton-Walker is truly an author to watch." —Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times bestselling author of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin
"Benton-Walker has crafted a narrative that moves as swiftly and, at times, as devastatingly as a forest fire. Blood Debts sings with hope and barely disguised rage. Fantastic from start to finish." —TJ Klune, New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea
"Blood Debts is a beguiling family saga, steeped in magic that’s every bit as dark as it is moving." —Alexis Henderson, author of The Year of the Witching and House of Hunger
"A stunningly complicated, delicious family drama that readers are going to devour. Clem and Cristina are beautifully nuanced, real characters, and the world they’re in crackles with mystery and ferocity. The real magic is this book—don’t let it slip through your fingers." —Mark Oshiro, author of Anger is a Gift
"The intricately woven threads of magic, intergenerational trauma, and well-placed social commentary make it impossible to ignore or deny one very simple truth: even those perceived as the-least-of-these are deserving of true justice." —Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin
"Sharp and searing, Blood Debts is an unforgettable thrill ride bristling with intrigue, magic, and justice. Impossible to put down." —J. Elle, New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Ebony