Blood Justice is the hotly anticipated sequel to Terry J. Benton-Walker’s Most Anticipated debut Blood Debts.
Cristina and Clement Trudeau have conjured the impossible: justice.
They took back their family’s stolen throne to lead New Orleans’ magical community into the brighter future they all deserve.
But when Cris and Clem restored their family power, Valentina Savant lost everything. Her beloved grandparents are gone and her sovereignty has been revoked—she will never be Queen. Unless, of course, someone dethrones the Trudeaus again. And lucky for her, she’s not the only one trying to take them down.
Cris and Clem have enemies coming at them from all directions: Hateful anti-magic protesters sabotage their reign at every turn. A ruthless detective with a personal vendetta against magical crime is hot on their tail just as Cris has discovered her thirst for revenge. And a brutal god, hunting from the shadows, is summoned by the very power Clem needs to protect the boy he loves.
Cris’s hunger for vengeance and Clem’s desire for love could prove to be their family’s downfall, all while new murders, shocking disappearances, and impossible alliances are changing the game forever.
Welcome back to New Orleans, where gods walk among us and justice isn’t served, it’s taken.
BIO
Terry J. Benton-Walker grew up in rural Georgia and now lives in Atlanta with his husband and 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. The White Guy Dies First is his first anthology. Benton-Walker is also the author of Blood Debts and Blood Justice for teens and Alex Wise vs. the End of the World for middle-grade readers.
REVIEWS
“Riveting and relevant.” -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"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
“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. A complex and intriguing fantasy that is sure to be popular with teens.” -- School Library Journal
"Blood Debts takes on issues of racism, intergenerational trauma, assault, and homophobia through the fantastical lens of magical families in conflict, but it also finds joy in the power of reclaiming lost knowledge and rebuilding community." -- NPR
"Blood Debts is flooded with Southern culture and a magical system inspired by Afro and Afro-Latinx rituals and practices." -- Shelf Awareness
“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 ofA Song of Wraiths and Ruin
[H] Tor Teen / April 23, 2024
1.48" H x 8.55" L x 5.74" W (1.13 lbs) 480 pages
For ages 13 to 18