The Blood Trials

N. E. Davenport’s debut novel is a fast-paced blend of fantasy and science fiction that follows Ikenna, a young Black woman striving to survive deadly trials and uncover the truth behind her grandfather’s murder in a society rife with racism and misogyny. Trained in secret in martial skills and harnessing her blood gift, she faces a brutal initiation into the Praetorian Guard while concealing her powers, risking everything to reveal secrets and seek justice. As magic and technology intertwine, her journey explores the themes of loyalty, identity, and rebellion in a richly constructed world.