Ashes at the Altar

At a hidden magical HBCU, a teen boy must confront evil spirits, family secrets, and tested loyalties. In this haunting finale to the New York Times bestselling Blood at the Root trilogy, bloodlines, betrayal, and legacy collide in a battle that may cost everything.

Malik Baron has learned a lot since he first arrived at Caiman University: history is power, family is more than just blood, you can’t escape your past, and magic always comes with a price.

But nothing he’s been taught could have prepared him for what this semester will bring. Even after risking it all to trap the evil spirit Marinette that has been possessing his mother, her power continues to grow. With both her and the Bokors still at large, the cracks in the magical community have reached a breaking point. Just as Malik begins to get to know his father’s family, the Bonclairs’ power is challenged, forcing him to decide where his loyalties lie. And it’s not just the future of Caiman at stake, but the very magic that runs through his veins.

In the propulsive and emotional conclusion to this powerful trilogy, the future—and the family Malik has fought so hard to build and protect—are in greater danger than ever. But with the power of his ancestors and the strength of his loved ones behind him, can he fight for what the world has always said is impossible for a Black boy like him—a happy ending?