09/01/2022

Ikenna was raised to be an elite soldier, but it's not easy being a girl, or Black, in the highly stratified society of Mareen. Even worse, Ikenna is pantheon-gifted with a particularly dreaded skill—the ability to control the minds and bodies of others. Ikenna's grandfather, a high-ranking military commander who's her only family, has trained her to be in control of her gift to keep it secret. Once she declares Praetorian, she'll take her place by his side. All their plans are churned to dust when he dies in an apparent tech malfunction. But was it really an accident, and will Ikenna be able to navigate the grueling trials meant to weed out the unworthy from the ranks of the Praetorian hopefuls? With a lot going on and a sprawling cast, Jeanette Illidge's otherwise serviceable narration can feel flat in places, with Mareen-accented voices blurring together. VERDICT Davenport's debut weaves together elements of classic military/academy sci-fi from the likes of Elizabeth Moon and David Weber and infuses it with fantasy, romance, and biting social commentary, providing plenty of cross-genre appeal and proving itself a worthwhile addition to libraries expanding their science fiction audio collections.—Chrystopher Lytal

This debut sci-fi/fantasy blend gives narrator Jeanette Illidge a strong young woman to portray. Ikenna is engaged in a life-or-death trial to qualify for the elite Praetorian Guard. Illidge captures Ikenna’s determination to survive, especially as she finds out the truth about her grandfather’s death. Illidge also conveys Ikenna’s bravado and healthy distrust of authority in a culture that is elitist and unfriendly to women, especially those of mixed race. When Ikenna is feeling betrayed, Illidge allows a touch of vulnerability to show through. When Ikenna is guarding the secret of her forbidden blood magic, Illidge injects the right dose of trepidation in her tone. The fight scenes are well paced, and the story never lags. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

11/22/2021

Davenport debuts with an ambitious epic that blurs genre lines, setting futuristic technology against a historical fantasy backdrop. In the predominantly white Republic of Mareen, 19-year-old Ikenna Amari’s brown skin, courtesy of her Khanaian heritage, makes her a target of racism and bigotry. When she learns that her late grandfather, one of Mareen’s most accomplished military leaders, was likely assassinated, a mourning Ikenna vows to uncover the truth. To that end, she applies to the Praetorian Guard, Mareen’s deadliest, most elite soldiers. But to join their ranks she must complete life or death trials that kill most applicants—and certain powerful people would be all too happy to see Ikenna among those who don’t survive. Her only advantage is her blood-gift, a remnant of now outlawed magic that grants her swift healing and strange powers, but which must remain secret. As Ikenna battles both physical threats and Mareen’s systematic racism and sexism, she’s forced to reconsider where her loyalties lie, especially as war with the feared Blood-Emperor of Accacia looms. Glimpses of broader worldbuilding hint at the story’s scope and set things up for the next installment, but may leave readers frustrated by the lack of answers. Still, this invigorating debut marks Davenport as a writer to watch. Agent: Caitie Flum, Caiti Liza Dawson Assoc. (Apr.)

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

"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

"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

“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

“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

“The Blood Trials is an electrifying debut that deftly incorporates the best elements of science fiction and fantasy. A must-read!”
— Alexis Henderson, author of The Year of the Witching

"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

"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, Bestselling author of the Nyxia series

“Each bloody scene has depth and leads to more answers that compel you to keep reading, which was one of my favorite aspects of Davenport’s writing.” — Lightspeed Magazine

"The Blood Trials is an ambitious debut by N.E. Davenport had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and constantly guessing. This story beautifully tackles some difficult themes that resonated with me deeply and imagined the main character that I fell in love with." — Bookish Brews

“The Blood Trials is an electrifying debut that deftly incorporates the best elements of science fiction and fantasy. A must-read!”

With a high-octane sci-fi setting, a twisty murder mystery, and a badass heroine, THE BLOOD TRIALS is a damn good time.

"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!"

Each bloody scene has depth and leads to more answers that compel you to keep reading, which was one of my favorite aspects of Davenport’s writing.

"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." 

"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."

"The Blood Trials is an ambitious debut by N.E. Davenport had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and constantly guessing. This story beautifully tackles some difficult themes that resonated with me deeply and imagined the main character that I fell in love with."

"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."

03/01/2022

DEBUT The Republic of Mareen was victorious, barely, over the Blood Emperor and his armies years ago. As Mareen eschews the power of the gods for the advance of technology, the powerful War Houses still favor elitist ideals over anything else, as half-Khanaian Ikenna Amare has witnessed her entire life, due to her dark skin and gender. When she discovers her grandfather, the Legatus, did not die of natural circumstances, and that only the Tribunal could have killed him, she promises vengeance. She joins the Praetorian Trials, a deadly training ritual which only a scarce few survive, but Ikenna's blood runs with power—a dark power that would jeopardize her search for the truth, and even her life—if it was discovered. With few friends, fewer allies, and all the odds against her, Ikenna knows her life may be forfeit, but she will take her enemies with her. Some readers will have trouble with the harsh racism and misogyny in the story, but it supports the themes of classism and discrimination faced by its bold but flawed protagonist. VERDICT 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.—Kristi Chadwick

This debut sci-fi/fantasy blend gives narrator Jeanette Illidge a strong young woman to portray. Ikenna is engaged in a life-or-death trial to qualify for the elite Praetorian Guard. Illidge captures Ikenna’s determination to survive, especially as she finds out the truth about her grandfather’s death. Illidge also conveys Ikenna’s bravado and healthy distrust of authority in a culture that is elitist and unfriendly to women, especially those of mixed race. When Ikenna is feeling betrayed, Illidge allows a touch of vulnerability to show through. When Ikenna is guarding the secret of her forbidden blood magic, Illidge injects the right dose of trepidation in her tone. The fight scenes are well paced, and the story never lags. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine