Publishers Weekly
02/20/2023
Davenport blends science fiction and fantasy tropes in her ambitious, action-packed conclusion to the Blood Gift duology. After having gone rogue with a small cadre of Praetorian Guards in 2021’s Blood Trials, Ikenna Amari and her companions now find themselves caught between powerful forces. Hunted by the Mareen Republic, which they once swore to serve, they’re determined to bring down the corrupt Tribunal and overhaul the broken, racist system that has exploited their people for too long. Meanwhile, the terrifying Blood Emperor of Accacia sets his sights on conquering Mareen and the rest of the Minor Continent, intent on ruling the world. With potential allies rapidly capitulating to the Blood Emperor, Ikenna’s only hope is to join forces with his second-in-command, a warlord seeking to betray and overthrow his master. Along the way, Ikenna must master her magical blood gift, setting her against the banished, malevolent gods. Ikenna is truly a force to reckon with, but her increased power is counterbalanced by lovely human touches, like her fiery romantic chemistry with squad member Darius Reed and her emotional interactions with both friends and foes. Though at times the story becomes so complex as to be unwieldy, Davenport sticks the landing. Fans will be pleased. Agent: Caitie Flum, Liza Dawson Assoc. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
"Davenport sticks the landing...[blending] science fiction and fantasy tropes in her ambitious, action-packed conclusion to the Blood Gift duology." — Publishers Weekly
"An adrenaline-racing and action-heavy sequel, The Blood Gift is an exciting sequel with plenty of villains, gods, magic, and violence while also balancing themes of loyalty, love, belonging." — The Fantasy Reviews
“The plotting is an intricate mix of action, intrigue, and betrayal, with a fast pace and a high body count… Thankfully, this is book one of a proposed duology, because revenge is a dish best served cold.” — Booklist on The Blood Trials
“Davenport debuts with an ambitious epic that blurs genre lines, setting futuristic technology against a historical fantasy backdrop...this invigorating debut marks Davenport as a writer to watch.” — Publishers Weekly on The Blood Trials
“Davenport’s ambitious debut is gritty and bloody, and balances emotional arcs with fast action. Fans of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising and Evan Winter’s The Rage of Dragons will find similarities in Ikenna’s journey.” — Library Journal on The Blood Trials
“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!” — Melissa Marr, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Lovely
“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
Library Journal
03/01/2023
Ikenna Amari is on the run with her Praetorian squad, hunted by those who want to collect the enormous bounty on her head. Betrayed by the Mareen's Tribunal Council, who are responsible for her grandfather's death and the exposure of her blood gift, Ikenna struggles to find allies. With the Blood Emperor's Warlord in pursuit, Ikenna must find a way to master the power granted her by the Goddess of Blood Rites, for even with her own troubles, she knows that the Blood Emperor's plan to invade Mareen must be stopped. Already under the pressure of promises made to the goddess and her friends, the need for revenge, and her own doubts, Ikenna knows that to take on a near god and stop a war may mean destroying what she wishes to save. Davenport's characters are deeply realized, with feelings and flaws abounding. Her interesting blend of gods, power, and technology, along with classist regimes, support a novel of choices for change. VERDICT "The Blood Gift" duology concludes with a dramatic, action-filled story (a sequel to The Blood Trials).—Kristi Chadwick
