LaDarrion Williams has a new book coming soon for fans of his magical HBCU. Playwright and author of a fantastic bestseller Blood at the root will publish its sequel, Bones at the Crossroadsin the summer of 2025 — and PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the cover.Blood at the root follows Malik, a runaway teenager who also has magical abilities. When Malik arrives at Caiman University, a historically black university for students with magical powers, his world is changed forever.Bones at the Crossroads catches up with Malik during his first year on Caiman, as he bonds with his newfound family, his magical lineage, and the new danger that threatens his world.
Cover of ‘Bones at the Crossroads’ by LaDarrion Williams.
Labyrinth road
For Williams, Bones at the Crossroads is the continuation of a vital story. The Alabama native was inspired to write Blood at the root after a viral post on social media, where he asked, “What if Harry Potter went to an HBCU in the South?”
The PEOPLE Puzzler has arrived! How fast can you solve it? Play now!”Blood at the root was a book of my heart and something I wanted to write since I was a teenager. I am extremely honored to be the vehicle to tell the story of this young black boy and the many adventures he will face,” says Williams.
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“In this epic sequel, readers will dive deeper into the magical fall semester at Caiman University,” adds the author.
“There’s more betrayal, more family secrets and new characters that will challenge Malik to make some tough decisions. Plus, it’s a homecoming, bringing its own drama and excitement. Unapologetic and raw in its depiction of the growing pains Malik experiences, in this installment readers will see Mailk finally take ownership of his own story.”
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Cover of ‘Blood at the Root’ by LaDarrion Williams.
Labyrinth road
Williams, who co-founded the Black Creators Collective, previously spoke with PEOPLE about Blood at the rootand shared that the novel was originally intended to be a TV series. “I thought it would be really cool to follow this young kid not only through the regular college experience, but to an HBCU where the magic is,” he said. “A lot of people on social media have asked where our magical schools are, and I said, ‘It’s here’.”
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Williams also says he wants his work to elevate stories that need to be heard. “I hope publishers are more open to featuring young black boys as main characters,” says Williams. “Not every story is the same. There are different experiences that we need to show. Young boys should be able to see themselves in the aisles of bookstores. They need to see that they can be vulnerable and still be the hero of their stories. That’s the message I’d like to convey.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Bones at the Crossroads will be published on July 29, 2025 via Labyrinth Road Books and is available for pre-order now, wherever books are sold.
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Source: HIS Education