May/June Melanin Reads: Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

Join us for a monthly celebration of diverse literature with Melanin Reads Book Club! We are excited to dive into Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams for the month of June. This will be our last book club while we break over the summer months of July and August.

Each month, we'll explore a new book written by authors of color and engage in thought-provoking discussions. Our community is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the literary world. Whether you're an avid reader or just starting your literary journey, we welcome you to join our community and broaden your horizons with us.

Melanin Reads Book Club is an extension of The Connect 757 and meets monthly to support black and brown authors. Members are welcome to read traditional hardcover or stream the audio version.

Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams is available on Amazon.

We welcome you to also join our private Facebook group, "Melanin Reads Book Club" HERE.

Register for the May Melanin Reads Book Club.

More about the book below!

A teenager on the run from his past finds the family he never knew existed and the community he never knew he needed at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical. Enroll in this fresh fantasy debut with the emotional power of Legendborn and the redefined ancestral magic of Lovecraft Country.

"A genre-shattering amalgamation of culture, heritage, and magic....utterly refreshing"
—J. Elle, New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Ebony

Ten years ago, Malik's life changed forever the night his mother mysteriously vanished and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Since then, he has kept his abilities hidden, looking out for himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. Now, at 17, Malik is finally ready to start a new life for both of them, far from the trauma of his past. However, a daring act to rescue Taye reveals an unexpected connection with his long-lost grandmother: a legendary conjurer with ties to a hidden magical university that Malik’s mother attended.

At Caiman University, Malik’s eyes are opened to a future he never could have envisioned for himself— one that includes the reappearance of his first love, Alexis. His search for answers about his heritage, his powers, and what really happened to his mother exposes the cracks in their magical community as it faces a reawakened evil dating back to the Haitian Revolution. Together with Alexis, Malik discovers a lot beneath the surface at Caiman: feuding covens and magical politics, forbidden knowledge and buried mysteries.

In a wholly unique saga of family, history and community, Malik must embrace his legacy to save what's left of his old family as well as his new one. Exploring the roots and secrets that connect us in an unforgettable contemporary setting, this heart-pounding fantasy series opener is a rich tapestry of atmosphere, intrigue, and emotion.