
The Blood Trials
The Blood Gift Duology, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Buy Now for £16.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Jeanette Illidge
-
By:
-
N. E. Davenport
About this listen
Blending fantasy and science fiction, N.E. Davenport’s fast-paced, action-packed debut kicks off a duology on loyalty and rebellion, in which a young Black woman must survive deadly trials in a racist and misogynistic society to become an elite warrior.
Perfect for fans of RED RISING and AURORA RISING
It’s all about blood.
Blood spilled long ago between the Republic of Mareen and the armies of the Blood Emperor, ending all blood magic.
Now there is peace in the Republic – but there is also a strict class system, misogyny, and racism. Her world is not perfect, but Ikenna survived in it. Until now.
With the murder of her grandfather, Ikenna spirals out of control. Though she is an initiate for the Republic’s deadly elite military force, Ikenna has a secret only her grandfather knew: she possesses the blood magic of the Republic’s enemies.
Ikenna throws herself into the gladiatorial war games at the heart of her martial world: trials that will lead her closer to his killers. Under the spotlight, she subjects herself to abuse from a society that does not value her, that cherishes lineage over talent – all while hiding gifts that, if revealed, would lead to execution or worse. Ikenna is willing to risk it all to find out who killed her grandfather…
So she can end them.
Magic, technology, and rebellion meet in this stunning debut – part one of a duology that sees a young Black woman rise through misogyny and racism to become an elite warrior.
©2022 Nia Davenport (P)2022 HarperCollins PublishersCritic reviews
"If you want to be on the edge of your seat, find another book, because this one hands you a blade, shoves you right into the action, and demands you start running if you want to keep up. It is action, mystery, and heartfelt character–all balanced perfectly on the tip of a knife."
– Scott Reintgen, Indie Bestselling author of the Nyxia series
"The Blood Trials is one of my top reads of the year–a riveting story with richly-drawn characters caught in a tangle of political intrigue, systemic racism, and nonstop peril. Don't miss this one!"
– New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr
“With a high-octane sci-fi setting, a twisty murder mystery, and a badass heroine, THE BLOOD TRIALS is a damn good time.”
– Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf
"An action packed adventure paired with luscious world building makes The Blood Trials an enthralling, unputdownable read. Davenport is a force to be reckoned with."
– Bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead, Kalynn Bayron
"The Blood Trials is a fresh, intense gut punch of a book that has everything I love most in sci-fi and fantasy. I rooted for Ikenna, the trials gripped me, and the political mystery at the heart of it all kept me constantly on my toes."
- Susan Dennard, New York Times Bestselling author of the Witchlands series
fun
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
FYI, some of text is very graphically violent, so I wouldn’t recommend if that’s something that bothers you (it did me at some points!)
Thanks for reading :)
A rollercoaster
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I recommend!
Really engaging
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
If you have time to kill, sure
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Good Points:
- Ikenna Amari’s character is a heroine worth rooting for.
- It has strong world-building, action-packed sequences.
- The book tackled themes of systemic prejudice and oppression with impressive intensity.
- The last 3/5 chapters really made me more invested in this book!
Bad Points:
- Felt too long and slightly repetitive around chapters 11-27.
- Plots were dropped for a bit to introduce new ones that I don't care about.
- The Trails tended to blur, I enjoyed more scenes of Ikeena sneaking around the base for answers then those trail;. I feel like books similar like hunger games, battle royale and The Serpent and the Wings of Night & Forth Wing, Just deliver more exciting elements to trials.
- Darius Reed’s arc. His character felt one-dimensional and overused, so his character didn’t appeal to me personally, so I found myself eager for his scenes to finish quickly.
Despite these critiques, While the Middle section of the book didn’t completely draw me in. I became more invested as the story progressed especially those last 5 chapters. It is the main reason for such a high rating because it eventually delivered an answer to a plot twisting arc. I can see its appeal to readers who enjoy familiar tropes and themes. It may not have been a perfect fit for me, but I can appreciate its strengths and its potential to connect deeply with the right audience.
A Promising Story but just . . .
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
vulgar and violent
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.