Barnes & NobleBlood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

A teenager fleeing from his past discovers the family he never knew existed and the community he never realized he needed at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical. Enroll in this fresh fantasy debut unlike anything you've seen before. Ten years ago, Malik's life was forever altered when his mother vanished mysteriously, and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Since then, he's concealed his abilities, protecting himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. Now, at 17, Malik is prepared to forge a new path for both of them, far from the trauma of his past. However, a bold move to rescue Taye unveils an unexpected link to his long-lost grandmother - a legendary conjurer with connections to a hidden magical university his mother attended. At Caiman University, Malik discovers a future he never imagined for himself, including the return of his first love, Alexis. His quest for answers about his heritage, his powers, and his mother's disappearance exposes the fractures in their magical community as it confronts a resurfaced evil from the Haitian Revolution. Alongside Alexis, Malik delves beneath the surface at Caiman, encountering feuding covens, magical politics, forbidden knowledge, and buried mysteries. In a wholly unique tale of family, history, and community, Malik must embrace his legacy to salvage what remains of his old family while navigating the challenges ahead.