Blood Justice

By: Terry J. Benton-Walker

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Terry J. Benton-Walker, Torian Brackett, Zeno Robinson

This program features multicast narration and an author's note and acknowledgments read by the author.

"Robinson and Abbott-Pratt alternate the first-person chapters with skill, pulling out every emotion in the story's closely held secrets, romance, and magic"—AudioFile on Blood Debts

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 Her beloved grandparents are gone and her sovereignty has been revoked—she will never be Queen.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.

Most Anticipated from Publishers Weekly, Bookpage, TheGrio, and more!

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

©2024 Terry J. Benton-Walker (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“A supernatural force of satisfying fury.”—Kirkus Reviews

A testament to the power of storytelling!

Terry J. Benton-Walker's recent release, Blood Justice, has exceeded all expectations and left me in awe. This brilliantly executed masterpiece has elevated the series to new heights, captivating readers with its haunting rollercoaster of a plot, filled with unexpected twists and turns at every corner. What sets Benton-Walker apart is his remarkable ability to infuse each character with a sense of depth and individuality that is both unique and captivating to witness.

One aspect of Benton-Walker's storytelling that truly stands out is the way he humanizes the less fortunate. Instead of using the term "homeless," he delicately refers to them as "unhoused," shedding light on their plight and giving them a voice that is often overlooked or misrepresented. By doing so, Benton-Walker not only challenges societal norms but also encourages readers to view these individuals with empathy and compassion.

Furthermore, Benton-Walker's inclusion and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community is both empowering and inspiring. Providing representation for young gay men and women of color is a significant step towards dismantling the preconceived narratives that have been imposed upon them for far too long. By offering a platform for these voices to be heard, Benton-Walker is championing diversity and inclusivity in literature, creating a space where everyone can feel seen and understood.

In a world where mainstream narratives are often dictated by those who may not share our experiences, thoughts, or beliefs, Benton-Walker's work shines as a beacon of authenticity and representation. Through his masterful storytelling and unwavering commitment to inclusivity, he has crafted a narrative that resonates deeply with a diverse range of readers. Blood Justice is not just a novel; it is a testament to the power of storytelling to challenge societal norms, advocate for the marginalized, and ignite conversations that foster understanding and acceptance.

Not disappointed.

This book is a researchers dream in fiction. I love black feminist thought and intersectionality. And Chris and the women in this book as well as the men are speaking loud with their voice. I love the anger, sadness, joy and all the things. Bravo!!!!!!

Keeps You Wanting More!

This author has done a fantastic job of combining the world of magic, Louisiana culture and real world issues into a inviting story. I’ve enjoyed these books so much especially with me being from Louisiana and a lover of magic themed storylines. The plot continues to unfold in interesting ways and leaves you wondering how will the overall story end?!

The overall story

The story was amazing overall, Valentina’s voice actor just sounds a little older than a high school student. I can’t wait for book 3

Wow! I’m Speechless.

Although it started off a little slow, which I was thankful because I forgot some of the most important details from the first book. “Blood Justice” developed the characters more. I cannot wait for Book 3.

Fantastic Book

Absolutely loved this book! The characters and world feel so real and the magic is truly amazing. Cannot wait for the next book in the series!

I LOVE CRIS!!!!

One of the things that I enjoy about this series is how unapologetically angry the author allows Cris to be especially in Blood Justice against the people and systems that have harmed and continue to harm herself, her family, and her community. She is allowed to push back against those entity's and get results sometimes to her detriment but untimely she uses violence's In the name of defending/protecting her community and I think this book really gets to the root of what its means to fight oppression and systems of oppression and asks the question of is violence in the name of defending justified. In the real world especially right now we see acts of violence happening around us all the time but we are hesitant to discuss if violence in the name of protecting and defending is necessary when diplomacy fails and you have minority groups facing extreme harm and this book really gets to the heart of those questions. All in all I loved this book, I love these characters and I want this series to be a five book series as the author intends it to be.

Cousin Day Trudeau

This was a brilliant sequel which keeps you hooked to every word uttered! Nothing was wasted and everything has a connecting piece you haven’t processed! The narrators are all incredible and capture these characters and their rainbow of emotions expertly and leaves you longing for more! I can’t wait for the third installment! I call to all the Gen gods and forces of the moon! I conjure the continuation of this incredible story. I need to see my cousins again!

Thanks Terry for another incredible story!

I think the portion after the reveal in the cabin is probably where the story pivots for the best.

There was just some thing there and it was just too much of it. It was overwhelmingly so. It was like a need to justify blackness or oppression, it felt less like an escape into land of wonder and more like we’re living in our current times. And when I listen to stories I want them to transport me to somewhere else and not make me feel like I have to fight for justice for being black. And I understand that stories need those elements to be depicted but there was just an oversaturation of whatever this false pretense was that just kind of disrupted the flow of the story.

Also, Clem and Cristina were written in such a way that made them completely not likable. I think it was a copout to say that Cris was a pawn for the moon king when she herself exuded this self centered, self righteous attitude this whole story. And Clem was just insufferable like being so overwhelmed by everything and putting so much weight onto his own shoulders and then complaining about it and then acting like he’s doing some good but realistically his only focus is his own selfish reasoning. And don’t give me a started on his judgmental ways of his sister, and he’s no saint this entire story. I hate how they claim to have this like twin bond, but they can’t communicate to each other for shit.

The story took a real uptick after we got past all the BS and got to the cabin and found out what was going on. It does make me excited to see what happens in the next book because there was a lot of room left for another part. All I know I did enjoy the book but I do hope for the next book that the author feels validated in his own blackness and his queerness to not have to over saturate with tropes. And let’s get to the story because the first book was great. You introduced us to it. Let’s move forward and past all the other stuff.

Nail biting

How long I gotta wait for part 3?! Definite cliffhanger! Cris was really about to go dark mode though!