Blood debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker

This is an awful dark descent into the mire of the magical world where the grasp for power and authority have created fractures in families and between friends and in the magical realms of the mostly black (but some white) community members in New Orleans. Focusing mostly on twins, Cristina and Clem, who tell the story of their own personal struggles with magic, with grief and relationships, and with the history of their magical family’s decline from its once lofty position in the magical arena. Sadly, the drama is awash with lots of awful behaviour and choices, and secrets abound, and magic is dark and disturbing. 

This is a book I would not recommend to anyone. I was horrified as an adult by the magical darkness, there was nothing uplifting about the magic (Harry Potter is a nursery rhyme in comparison) - even the practice of necromancy was exploited as a plot twist. Sexual connection between the young gay main character and his new love interest was described with far too intimate detail; there was violence, a suggestion of voodoo and disturbing tension throughout the book. Friendship was fraught for most characters, and almost no magical characters could maintain a healthy relationship. Although the political and family drama created literary and plot tension, the pursuit of justice seemed inherently to lead to more violence in a horrific magical demonstration that as readers we are expected to feel satisfied with. I was not impressed. This is not a book I can recommend - I would not put it on any shelf where a teenager could accidentally become a consumer.

Themes: Fantasy, Black magic, LGBTIQ, Murder, Power, Politics, Family drama, Horror.

Carolyn Hull