Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Racism/bigotry, Sexism, Misogyny, Graphic violence, Blood, Death, Grief, War, Murder, Torture, Death of loved one, Vomiting / emesis, Alcohol use
The Blood Trials
by N.E. Davenport
Book 1 in The Blood Gift Duology
Black FMC, Praetorian Trials, blood magic, and an author who refuses to soften the racism and misogyny her protagonist actually faces. Visceral, fast, and rage-fueled in the best way.
goodreads 4.07/5 9,370 ratings
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length448 pages
Series statusOngoing series
Spice3/5 · Passionate / intense
PacingFast
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Enemies to lovers
- Male/female pairing (M/F)
- Medium burn
- Medium
- Passionate / intense
- Adrenaline rush
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- Warrior/fighter
- Love/hate tension
- Tension / anticipation
- Cathartic release
- Protective love interest
- Rivals to lovers
- Emotional / vulnerable intimacy
- Expanded empathy
- Morally gray
- Intellectual connection
- Tension
- Book hangover incoming
- Power imbalance
- Anticipation
- Addictive read
- Longing glances
- Eye contact intensity
Fantasy promise
- Romantasy
- Academy / campus
- High fantasy
- Humans only
- Competition romance
- Competition / games
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- Space/sci-fi
- Games/trials romance
- War front / rebellion
- Forbidden love
- Training partners to lovers
Reading experience
- First person
- Fast
- Dark
- Intense
- Heavy
- High
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- General badass
- Black MC
- Fast-paced
- BIPOC MC
- Thrilling
- Raw
- MC 20-30
- Gritty
- Edgy
- Vengeful / revenge-driven
- Angsty
- Emotional
- Snarky/sarcastic
- Tense
- Punchy
- Epic
- Dramatic
- Deadly trials
- Tournament arc
- Revenge arc
- Battle of wills
- Page turner
- Morally complex
- No one is safe
- Cliffhanger warning
- Addictive pacing
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Similar in ways that matter
Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
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Similar because
Power imbalance · Snarky/sarcastic · Competition romance
Different because
Spice is higher (4/5 vs 3/5). A longer read (592 vs 448 pages).
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Similar because
Protective love interest · Gritty · Raw
Different because
A shorter read (344 vs 448 pages).
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Similar because
Intellectual connection · Rivals to lovers · Training partners to lovers
Different because
Spice is lower (1/5 vs 3/5). Medium pacing rather than Fast.
Book details
- Length
- 448 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book