I really enjoyed this book, and I loved the author’s purpose in writing it. It had a captivating story, kind of like Harry Potter, but with its own unique twist. Malik, the main character, has been orphaned for almost a decade and has magical powers he’s never been able to control—until he finds long-lost family and heads to a magical HBCU, Caiman University. There, he begins unraveling the mystery of his mother’s disappearance and prepares to fight a dark magical force that’s rising again.

What I especially loved was how the book ties into ancestry and how it gives you power. It dives deep into Haitian Kreyol, the Haitian Revolution—the only successful Black slave revolt in the world—and it pays great respect to voodoo and hoodoo.

I had both the audiobook and the physical copy, and I actually preferred listening to the book because I loved hearing the Haitian Kreyol and accent. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the background sound effects. It was a bit predictable at times, but still really engaging.

I highly recommend this book to anyone into fantasy. The magic will keep you hooked, the action keeps you on edge, and the hidden secrets and past trauma will keep you invested. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. It’s also a great pick for reluctant readers!