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WORK TITLE: OUT OF BODY
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WEBSITE: https://www.nedavenport.com
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COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
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PERSONAL
Married; children.
EDUCATION:University of Southern California, B.A. (biological sciences and theatre arts); holds M.A. (secondary education).
ADDRESS
CAREER
Educator and writer. Teacher of high-school English and biology, and head of science department; leader of writing workshops; FiyahCon organizer.
AVOCATIONS:Skiing.
WRITINGS
Reviewer for Booklist.
SIDELIGHTS
[open new]With a penchant for fantastic adventure and a devotion to inspiring teens, Nia Davenport—also known as N.E. Davenport—is a high-school teacher and author of speculative fiction. About her beginnings she told Locus magazine, “From the earliest age that I can remember, I’ve enjoyed both reading and telling stories.” She devoured books as a youth, with paranormal fantasy becoming her favored genre. Attending the University of Southern California, she studied biology as well as theater. During her college years she discovered, and reveled in, L.A. Banks’s “Vampire Huntress Legend” series, the first she had found featuring a Black female protagonist. Davenport told Amy Tenbrink of Sirens, “L.A. Banks’s stories are what prompted me to start dreaming about writing my own stories professionally. Her stories didn’t just give me a Black heroine. They gave me my culture, my unique experiences as a young Black woman, and a reflection of my family and relationships and friendships in a book.” Writing remained a side interest as Davenport worked in public health until realizing, through side work as a tutor, that she had a passion for teaching. She eventually gained work teaching English as well as biology to high-school sophomores.
Speaking with Tenbrink, Davenport reflected on the benefits of her profession as a teacher. In addition to having summers off, Davenport related: “I love what I do, and when I’m at work it doesn’t feel like actual work. … I’m constantly around young adult voices, having meaningful conversations with them about real-world issues. So, it allows me to see the world from a teenager’s perspective, and I employ that cool advantage in my writing.” About her personal reading tastes, Davenport stated, “I love books with female protagonists who refuse to be pushed around and who are fighters. … I like immersive stories with epic world-building that are rooted in mythology. I like myth and magic and paranormal creatures and worlds with powerful, ruthless beings who are lethal and brutal. I also like a pretty steamy romantic subplot.” Her favorite authors include speculative-fiction masters Octavia E. Butler and N.K. Jemisin. Davenport accounted for her impulse to write in the Locus interview, admitting: “These fantastical journeys, magnetic characters, and vivid worlds live in my head all of the time, and I just have to do something with them.”
Davenport made her debut with The Blood Trials, the opening book of the “Blood Gift” duology. Nineteen-year-old Ikenna Amare lives in elitist Mareen, where her half-Khanaian heritage and darker skin have led to unjust disfavor. Upon learning that her grandfather, despite being a military hero, must have been assassinated by the ruling Tribunal, Ikenna dares enlist with the elite Praetorian Guard, which could allow her to uncover the truth—if she survives the lethal trials enlistees face. Her one advantage is the blood magic she quietly harbors, the discovery of which would spell her doom.
About the significance of the prominent prejudice in her debut novel, Davenport explained to Locus magazine: “Anti-blackness, unfortunately, exists across the world. Growing up and then living my adult life as a Black woman, I’ve encountered similar challenges to Ikenna. I’ve faced both macroaggressions and microaggressions that question my humanity, right to freedom, and right to exist. … Ikenna’s experiences in Mareen, her home nation, parallel the societal challenges and prejudices that many Black individuals have historically faced and continue to face today.” In Library Journal, Kristi Chadwick observed that the “harsh racism and misogyny” faced by Ikenna can be challenging to read but aptly support “the themes of classism and discrimination.” Chadwick concluded that Davenport’s “ambitious debut is gritty and bloody, and balances emotional arcs with fast action.” A Publishers Weekly reviewer declared that “this invigorating debut matks Davenport as a writer to watch.”
The duology culminates in The Blood Gift, in which Ikenna and rogue allies aim to upend the Tribunal and revolutionize the system. A Publishers Weekly reviewer affirmed that Davenport “sticks the landing” with the duology’s conclusion, which is “sure to please” fans. Hailing the “exciting” battles and Ikenna’s “rich inner dialogue,” Ashley Rayner posited in Booklist that “teens who can handle sex and violence will enjoy the conclusion to Ikenna’s story.”
Davenport aims squarely at young-adult audiences with her sci-fi thriller Out of Body. Seventeen-year-old Megan Allen is delighted by the friendship-at-first-sight forged with LC upon their meeting at an Atlanta coffee shop. But Megan is baffled beyond belief when, following a party, she wakes up in an acquaintance’s backyard in someone else’s body. Trying to inhabit this person, Jade, enough to figure out what has happened, Megan soon learns that LC had an ulterior motive in becoming friends. In seeking to undo the body-switching, Megan learns about LC’s own plight and hopes to help them both get the resolution they desperately need.
A Kirkus Reviews writer observed that in Out of Body “relevant teen themes of race, selfhood, and relationships” play out against “the backdrop of an imaginatively developed landscape.” A Publishers Weekly reviewer likewise commended the “powerful social commentary surrounding agency and living as a Black teen” and appreciated how Davenport uses “rapid pacing to keep the pages turning toward an open-ended yet gratifying conclusion.” The Kirkus Reviews writer summed the novel up as “complex, entertaining, and thought provoking.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, March 15, 2023, Ashley Rayner, review of The Blood Gift, p. 40.
Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2023, review of Out of Body.
Library Journal, March, 2022, review of The Blood Trials, p. 124.
Publishers Weekly, November 22, 2021, review of The Blood Trials, p. 84; February 20, 2023, review of The Blood Gift, p. 172; November 13, 2023, review of Out of Body, p. 89.
ONLINE
Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb, https://deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/ (May 21, 2023), author Q&A.
Everand, https://blog.everand.com/ (April 7, 2022), Sarah Sung, “5 Questions with N.E. Davenport.”
Locus, https://locusmag.com/ (November 28, 2022), “Spotlight on N.E. Davenport.”
Nia “N.E.” Davenport website, https://www.nedavenport.com (June 2, 2024).
Sirens, https://www.sirensconference.org/ (July 2, 2019), Amy Tenbrink, author interview.
Nia "N.E." Davenport is the Science Fiction/Fantasy author of The Blood Trials and its sequel (Harper Voyager). She attended the University of Southern California and studied Biological Sciences and Theatre Arts. She also has an M.A. in Secondary Education. She teaches English and Biology to amazing students. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys vacationing with her family, skiing, and being a huge foodie. She’s an advocate for diverse perspectives and protagonists in literature. You can find her on Twitter @nia_davenport, or on Instagram @nia.davenport, where she talks about binge-worthy TV, killer movies, and great books. She lives in Texas with her husband and kids.
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50 Word Bio:
Nia "N.E." Davenport is the Science Fiction/Fantasy author of The Praetorian Trials and its sequel (Harper Voyager). She has a B.A. in Biology and an M.A. in Secondary Education. She’s an advocate for diverse perspectives and protagonists in literature. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys traveling, skiing, and being a huge foodie.
100 Word Bio:
Nia "N.E." Davenport is the Science Fiction/Fantasy author of the forthcoming The Praetorian Trials and its sequel (Harper Voyager). She attended the University of Southern California and studied Biological Sciences and Theatre. She has an M.A. in Secondary Education, and she teaches English and Biology. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys vacationing with her family, skiing, and being a huge foodie. She’s an advocate for diverse perspectives and protagonists in literature. You can find her online at www.nedavenport.com, on Twitter @nia_davenport, or on Instagram @nia.davenport, where she talks about binge-worthy TV and great books. She lives in Texas with her husband and kids.
Bios
Social Media
Twitter: @nia_davenport - https://twitter.com/Nia_Davenport
Instagram: @nia.davenport - https://www.instagram.com/nia.davenport/
Contact
Literary Agent Caitie Flum of Liza Dawson Associates
https://www.lizadawsonassociates.com/sub-rights/
General Inquires: HERE
writer, reader, dreamer of brave, wondrous, and fantastic things.
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N. E. Davenport is the science fiction/fantasy author of The Blood Trials and its sequel, The Blood Gift. She attended the University of Southern California and studied biological sciences and theatre arts. She also has an M.A. in secondary education. She teaches English and biology to amazing students. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys vacationing with her family, skiing, and being a huge foodie. She’s an advocate for diverse perspectives and protagonists in literature. You can find her on Twitter or on Instagram, where she talks about bingeworthy TV, killer movies, and great books. She lives in Texas with her husband and kids.
Nia Davenport: In the collective conscience, literature defines who matters and who is human enough to have stories told about them…
Posted on July 2, 2019 at 9:00 am | Comments Offon Nia Davenport: In the collective conscience, literature defines who matters and who is human enough to have stories told about them…
Tagged: interviews, Sirens Studio
Sirens Studio takes place October 22–23, 2019, just prior to the official start of the conference, and gives attendees the opportunity to enrich their learning in the form of small-group workshop intensives. We’re thrilled to interview a few members of our tremendous faculty on their work, reading, inspirations, and workshop topic! Today, we’re chatting with Nia Davenport, who will lead the reading workshop “The Danger of the Single Narrative” this fall. To learn more and register, please visit our Sirens Studio page.
Accompanying our interview is a selection of book covers Nia references in her interview below: Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows, Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes, Roshani Chokshi’s The Gilded Wolves, Ilona Andrews’s Kate Daniels books (first in series is Angel’s Blood), Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter books (first in series is Magic Bites), and L.A. Banks’s Vampire Huntress Legend books (first in series is Minion).
AMY TENBRINK: Let’s start at the very beginning! You have a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, a master’s degree in public health and another in teaching, you’ve worked in public health, you currently teach both science and English to kids (and lead the Science Department), and you write fiction. How do you manage to do it all?
Nia Davenport
NIA: Haha. That is an excellent question. If I was asked this question four years ago, I would’ve said a lot of sleepless nights, cramming tasks into every spare second of my day, and forgetting to feed myself a lot of the time. I’ve learned that my former way of doing things isn’t healthy or sustainable. Now, I’ve found a better rhythm. Teaching provides me the privilege of having summers off. So, I draft new writing projects during the summer when I can give them full-time attention without running myself into the ground. I use the fall and winter, when I’m back at work, to work with my agent to revise those summer projects. For me, book edits are much less time consuming than writing initial drafts. With edits, the foundation is already laid.
Teaching is also a job that comes relatively easy for me because I have amazing students. I love what I do, and when I’m at work it doesn’t feel like actual work. Since I write a lot of Young Adult stories, it also helps me write better. I’m constantly around young adult voices, having meaningful conversations with them about real-world issues. So, it allows me to see the world from a teenager’s perspective, and I employ that cool advantage in my writing.
AMY: What ultimately drew you to teaching? What do you love about being in a classroom and working with students?
NIA: I was a tutor before I decided to teach. The fact that working with students as a tutor never felt like a drag and it was a job that I never dreaded going to, is what drew me to teach. I realized I have a passion for learning and working with kids. Kids are amazing. Teaching them is also a constant learning process for me. I think I learn as much from them as they do from me.
The thing I love most about being in the classroom and working with students is being able to engage them in conversations about real-world issues. So often, adults dismiss teens as not having anything intelligent or competent to say. This couldn’t be further from the truth. A lot of them see things with more clarity and intelligence than us adults.
As a teacher, it’s never my mission to just deliver instructional content to my students. I care more about if they leave my classroom having more confidence in who they are as a person and having a greater love of critical analyses, reading, and investigating new things than I do them knowing the difference between a complex sentence and a compound-complex sentence or how DNA is replicated.
AMY: What kinds of fantasy books do you use in your classrooms? How do you incorporate them into your curricula? How do your students respond to these books—and which ones have they loved?
Six of Crows
NIA: I teach Sophomores who are pretty mature, so I use fantasy books skewed toward older YA or adult books which fit nicely in a crossover space. I pick books with thrilling plots, a good amount of gore, intrigue, betrayal, deception, fights—you know, all the things that in my experience easily hook a good number of reluctant teen readers into loving a book. In fact, I use exclusively fantasy books in my curriculum because by the time my students get to me as sophomores, they’ve had years and years of English classes with virtually no fantasy books and they are bored to death with realistic fiction. Not that there aren’t some really amazing realistic fiction stories that have been recently published. But a lot of educators elect canon stories that lack diversity and that fail to reflect the identities and experiences of the students reading them—which fosters an aversion to books in my opinion. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir are both books that I incorporate into my curriculum every year.
An Ember in the Ashes
I use Six of Crows to teach literary elements such as symbolism, theme, tone, mood, etc. More powerfully, I use it to facilitate discussions about dealing with grief, trauma and PTSD. I also use Six of Crows to discuss themes of identity, belonging, tolerance and acceptance. It’s a book that is intentionally diverse, and it does diversity pretty well. Before we start reading the book, we talk about how literature functions as a compact between readers and society. In the collective conscience, literature defines who matters and who is human enough to have stories told about them and who can be discarded or isn’t a part of humanity enough to have stories told about them. This then segues into a discussion of why diverse storytelling matters and why kids, teens, and adults need stories that reflect their individual identities and experiences.
The Gilded Wolves
My students really enjoy our fantasy reads and many of them tell me that the books have prompted them to enjoy reading when they did not before, specifically because they’ve seen themselves within the pages of the book and that is a powerful experience.
I keep talking about Six of Crows, but it is always an automatic hit with my students. It offers a plethora of diverse protagonists that make it easy for most of my students to see themselves reflected in some way in one of them. The same is true for The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi which I used in my classroom for the first time this past year.
AMY: What do you look for in your personal reading? What kinds of stories, worldbuilding, characters, or craft really speak to you?
NIA: In my personal reading, I love books with female protagonists who refuse to be pushed around and who are fighters. Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels books, Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter books, and L.A. Banks’ Vampire Huntress Legend books are my all-time top three treasured reads in no particular order. If you’re familiar with any of these, that should give you a pretty good idea of my reading tastes. I like immersive stories with epic world-building that are rooted in mythology. I like myth and magic and paranormal creatures and worlds with powerful, ruthless beings who are lethal and brutal. I also like a pretty steamy romantic subplot.
Magic Bites Angel's Blood
AMY: This fall, you’re presenting a workshop intensive for readers titled “The Danger of the Single Narrative” as part of the Sirens Studio. Would you please give us a preview of what Studio attendees can expect to discuss and learn?
NIA: Sure! I intend to lead a discussion on the harm that’s caused when only one type of representation of an identity is depicted over and over again in books. When stories feature Black characters, are there certain tropes, conflicts, or settings we automatically expect? Furthermore, do we judge the merit of those stories by the amount of pain or trauma inflicted on Black protagonists? “The Danger of the Single Narrative” will discuss several popular SFF books written by Black authors which feature Black protagonists. We will explore the struggles, settings, and identities put forth by these works and examine why stories that do not explicitly deal with Black pain are just as valid and necessary as stories which do.
AMY: Sirens is about discussing and deconstructing both gender and fantasy literature. Would you please tell us about a woman or nonbinary person—a family member, a friend, a reader, an author, an editor, a character, anyone—who has changed your life?
Minion
NIA: L.A. Banks is that person for sure. Her Vampire Huntress Legend books were the first time I ever picked up a paranormal series and saw myself, a Black woman, featured in the genre I adore. I was in college, and I bought all of her books and devoured them in one summer. I’ve always had a knack for writing, and I’ve always been an avid reader, but L.A. Banks’ stories are what prompted me to start dreaming about writing my own stories professionally. Her stories didn’t just give me a Black heroine. They gave me my culture, my unique experiences as a young Black woman, and a reflection of my family and relationships and friendships in a book.
Nia Davenport has always harbored a love of both science and crafting stories. After college, Nia studied and worked in the public health sector before discovering a passion for teaching. As an English and Biology teacher, Nia strives to make a difference in the lives of young people, minimize disparities in education for youths of color, and help students realize their dreams and unlimited potential. As a Black writer, her goals are much the same. Nia is also a freelance reviewer for Booklist.
5 questions with N.E. Davenport
In Author Conversations by Sarah SungApril 7, 2022
5 questions with N.E. Davenport
We love any opportunity to get to know our favorite authors better. So a lightning round of questions sounds like a good place to start. Here, we ask five quick questions (with one wildcard) about books, genres, reading preferences, writing style, and their secret to success.
We’re grateful that science fiction and fantasy author Nia “N.E.” Davenport was willing to take a moment to answer a few questions for us. Her latest book, The Blood Trials, is a thrilling read complete with action, danger, and revenge. Protagonist Ikenna Amari is a young Black woman determined to survive and avenge her grandfather’s murder.
Davenport is a huge fan of the science fiction and fantasy genre and has a few insider recommendations for us below.
1. What are your all-time favorite books?
I’ve been devouring amazing stories since I was a kid, so I have a ton. All of them are in the science fiction/fantasy category because those have always been the stories I’ve gravitated to and enjoyed most. N.K. Jemisin’s The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, L.A. Banks’ Vampire Huntress Legend series, R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy War trilogy, Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely series, Tracy Deon’s Legendborn, and Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels books are among my all-time favorites.
2. What’s your favorite genre to read?
Hands down, the answer is 1000% science fiction/fantasy. I enjoy all of the subcategories under that umbrella, too: urban fantasy, contemporary fantasy, epic fantasy, space opera, science fantasy, paranormal romance, etc. I read it all and have treasured characters and worlds across the wealth of stories told within the SFF genre.
3. Which do you prefer: ebook or audiobook?
Honestly, both. I’ve gotten into the habit of buying a book in ebook, audiobook, and hardcopy formats. I find it’s easier to immerse myself in a story and carve out the time to get through it in between work and family life. If I had my way, whenever I find a good book, I’d stalk into a cave, devour it, and not emerge to the land of the living until it’s read. I never have the time to actually do that a whole lot but owning a book in all three formats helps me achieve something delightfully similar.
4. What’s your writing routine or process?
It often varies depending on what the story needs and what my deadlines call for. But I usually try to carve out dedicated writing time every day and then safeguard it fiercely. Some days, that looks like only a couple of hours that I can steal to tune out the rest of the world and plunge into the joy of creating. Other days, it looks like 6+ hours. It all depends on what’s going on outside of writing. I don’t ascribe to the philosophy: You need to write every day, though. I think each creative has to do what works for them.
5. How much of your writing success is due to hard work, talent, or luck?
I think 85% of it might be due to sheer refusal over the years to not take no for an answer. When I was querying agents and then on submission to editors, I collected a fair share of rejections. But I’m stubborn to a fault. So, I kept writing things and working extremely hard at telling the best story that I could tell. It all resulted in The Blood Trials being bought by my amazing editors, David Pomerico at Harper Voyager US and Vicky Leech at Harper Voyager UK.
Spotlight on N.E. Davenport
November 28, 2022
Nia “N.E.” Davenport is the science fiction/fantasy author of The Blood Gift duology. She’s also a member of the Hugo Award-nominated FIYAHCON team, in which she helped organize the SFF convention’s programming. She attended the University of Southern California and studied Biological Sciences and Theatre. She has an MA in Secondary Education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys vacationing with her family, skiing, and being a huge foodie. You can find her online at , on Twitter , or on Instagram , where she talks about binge-worthy TV, fun movies, and killer books.
Your novel The Blood Trials is a richly imagined science fantasy. Tell us a bit about the book: the world where it takes place, and the characters who inhabit that world.
The Blood Trials takes place in a secondary fantasy world where magic left behind by gods clashes with technological advancements. Rigid caste systems, bigotry, and misogyny are all the result of this clash. The protagonist is a young Black woman, Ikenna Amari, who experiences oppression due to her dark skin and the privilege of an elevated caste due to her grandfather’s war hero status. When she finds out her grandfather was murdered by the ruling council he led, Ikenna enters deadly military trials to achieve the rank and power necessary to seek vengeance for her grandfather. However, Ikenna harbors an outlawed blood magic that the trials threaten to expose, and discovery will come with enemies beyond those that her skin color and gender earn her when she dares to enter the trials. Ikenna isn’t the only character who really shines in The Blood Trials. The story is told from her point of view, but there’s an ensemble cast of morally gray allies and foes that have their own growing pains, struggles, and ambitions.
You’ve talked elsewhere about how you wrote The Blood Trials to examine the worst prejudices that exist in our world. Can you expand on that?
Anti-blackness, unfortunately, exists across the world. Growing up and then living my adult life as a Black woman, I’ve encountered similar challenges to Ikenna. I’ve faced both macroaggressions and microaggressions that question my humanity, right to freedom, and right to exist. Ikenna lives in a society that upholds antiquated beliefs about women and racist ideologies about individuals with darker skin. Not only is Ikenna told she doesn’t have a right to be ambitious, she is also told she doesn’t deserve basic rights. The only reason Ikenna enjoys some degree of privilege and full citizenship is because of her grandfather’s high military rank. Ikenna’s experiences in Mareen, her home nation, parallel the societal challenges and prejudices that many Black individuals have historically faced and continue to face today. The United States has a heinous legacy of slavery, brutality, and bigotry, which Black individuals still feel the effects of.
This is the first book in the Blood Gift duology. What’s the next book called, and what should we expect from it?
The next book is called The Blood Gift. It will be released April 18, 2023 in the US and April 13, 2023 in the UK. The conclusion to the duology is about the cost of war. The price Ikenna, her allies, and the wider world are asked to pay is steep. Due to this, Ikenna finds herself torn between her loyalties, her desires for revenge, and the divine power threatening to consume her.
The Blood Trials is your debut novel. Can you describe your journey from aspiring writer to published author?
I’ve always been a writer. From the earliest age that I can remember, I’ve enjoyed both reading and telling stories. I first decided to pursue publishing a book in 2013. I read a ton of science fiction/fantasy, but I didn’t come across nearly enough titles with Black protagonists when I searched for them. So, I decided to write my own stories. From there, it became a passion and compulsion that I just can’t let go. These fantastical journeys, magnetic characters, and vivid worlds live in my head all of the time, and I just have to do something with them.
In addition to writing, you’re also a biology and English teacher. How does your experience as a teacher influence your writing, or vice-versa?
As a teacher, you also have to be a lifelong learner. My work as an English teacher often has me analyzing numerous narratives alongside my students. I never cease to find new gems of master craft examples during novel and short story units of study.
Who are some of your literary influences or inspirations?
N.K. Jemisin, Octavia E. Butler, Alice Walker, and Zora Neale Hurston are major literary inspirations. N.K. Jemisin’s The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is such an immersive fantasy that serves up a fierce protagonist alongside an equally powerful secondary cast.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know? Upcoming work or other projects of note?
I’m currently working on a Young Adult speculative thriller, Out of Body, which will be released Fall 2023 from HarperCollins. It’s a twisty story that I often describe as Altered Carbon meets Freaky Friday. I love writing in the adult SF/F space, and the young adult space is equally thrilling.
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Q&A with N.E. Davenport
N.E. Davenport is the author of the new novel The Blood Gift, the second in a duology that began with The Blood Trials. Also an English and biology teacher, she lives in Texas.
Q: This is the second in your duology featuring your character Ikenna--do you think she's changed from one book to the next?
A: Ikenna has definitely changed in some really impactful ways. I think we even see some pretty powerful changes in Ikenna just within book 1, The Blood Trials. Ikenna ends The Blood Trials in a completely different headspace and with increased motivations and goals than what she started the book with.
We see the impacts of those changes at the very beginning of book 2, The Blood Gift, and then Ikenna only continues to grow as a character. Without spoiling anything, Ikenna has a larger destiny than she imagines. She learns of it over the course of The Blood Gift, and she learns what it truly means to possess power and use it.
Q: What inspired the plot of The Blood Gift?
A: I’ve always enjoyed fantasy stories where the protagonist has to navigate a need for vengeance, enemies on multiple fronts, a brewing war, and heavy internal struggles related to identity and destiny all at once. The plot of The Blood Gift follows this course in a way that was a blast to write.
Q: How did you create the world in which the novel is set?
A: I’m largely a panster, so a lot of the worldbuilding came to me as I was drafting the books. Some inspirations for certain elements include Avatar:The Last Airbender, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, X-Men, Star Wars, and Black Panther.
I also threaded in my love of mythology stories about gods interfering in human activities to create the world. The magic system is one that’s been handed to humans by the gods themselves and this exists side-by-side with sweeping technological advancements that humans have achieved.
Q: Did you know how the novel would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?
A: I knew how both books would end from the moment I started writing. Whenever I have an idea for a story, it usually comes to me with the very beginning, major conflict, and ending pretty vivid in my mind.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m working on a YA speculative thriller, Out of Body, and a YA romcom with witches, Love Spells Trouble, that will be published in Winter 2024 and Winter 2025, respectively.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’m also hoping to dive back into writing a fresh adult fantasy soon. I’ve already written a good chunk of the project. I can’t say too much about it but one of my friends who has read it describes Ikenna as a general and this new protagonist, Taryn, as a queen. Hopefully, I can say more about it soon!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
Posted by Deborah Kalb at 8:19 AM
The Blood Trials
N. E. Davenport
Harper Voyager
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063058484, $27.99, HC, 464pp
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Trials-Gift-Duology/dp/0063058480
Synopsis: It's all about blood.--The blood spilled between the Republic of Mareen and the armies of the Blood Emperor long ago. The blood gifts of Mareen's deadliest enemies. The blood that runs through the elite War Houses of Mareen, the rulers of the Tribunal dedicated to keeping the republic alive. The blood of the former Legatus, Verne Amari, murdered.
For his granddaughter, Ikenna, the only thing steady in her life was the man who had saved Mareen. The man who had trained her in secret, not just in martial skills, but in harnessing the blood gift that coursed through her. Who trained her to keep that a secret.
But now there are too many secrets, and with her grandfather assassinated, Ikenna knows two things: that only someone on the Tribunal could have ordered his death, and that only a Praetorian Guard could have carried out that order.
Bent on revenge as much as discovering the truth, Ikenna pledges herself to the Praetorian Trials --a brutal initiation that only a quarter of the aspirants survive. She subjects herself to the racism directed against her half-Khanaian heritage and the misogyny of a society that cherishes progeny over prodigy, all while hiding a power that (if found out) would subject her to execution--or worse. Ikenna is willing to risk it all because she needs to find out who murdered her grandfather --and then she needs to kill them.
While Mareen has been at peace for a long time, Ikenna joining the Praetorians is about to change all that.
Critique: The first of a two volume saga, "The Blood Trials" by N. E. Davenport blends magic with technology and action/adventure with mystery/suspense. The result is a riveting read that will have dedicated fantasy and science fiction fans looking eagerly toward volume two of this original and deftly crafted series. While highly recommended for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Blood Trials" is also readily available in January 2023 in a paperback edition (9780063058491, $17.99) and currently in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99). Librarians should note that there is also a complete and unabridged audio book edition (Blackstone Audio, 9798200855964, $43.99, CD).
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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"The Blood Trials." Wisconsin Bookwatch, June 2022, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A710803527/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4249432a. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
The Blood Trials
N.E. Davenport. HarperVoyager, $27.99 (464p) ISBN 978-0-06-305848-4
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 temnant of now outlawed magic that grants her swift healing and sttange 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 frusrrated by the lack of answets. Still, this invigorating debut matks Davenport as a writer to watch. Agent: Cat tie Flum, Liza Dawson Assoc. (Apr.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 PWxyz, LLC
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"The Blood Trials." Publishers Weekly, vol. 268, no. 47, 22 Nov. 2021, p. 84. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A684623977/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=293831ca. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
Davenport, N.E.The Blood Trials. Harper Voyager. (The Blood Gift Duology, Bk. 1). Apr. 2022.464p. ISBN 9780063058484. $27.99. FANTASY
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 halfKhanaian Ikenna Amare has witnessed her entire life, due to her dark skin and gender. When she discovers her grandfather, the Legatus, did not the 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
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"The Blood Trials." Library Journal, vol. 147, no. 3, Mar. 2022, p. 124. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A696081792/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=52995312. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
The Blood Gift
N.E. Davenport. Harper Voyager, $32 (448p) ISBN 978-0-06-305853-8
Davenport blends science fiction and fantasy tropes in her ambitious, actionpacked conclusion to the Blood Gift duology. After having gone rogue with a small cadre of Praetorian Guards in 2021's Blood Trials, Ikenna Amari and her companions now find themselves caught between powerful forces. Hunted by the Mareen Republic, which they once swore to serve, they're determined to bring down the corrupt Tribunal and overhaul the broken, racist system that has exploited their people for too long. Meanwhile, the terrifying Blood Emperor of Accacia sets his sights on conquering Mareen and the rest of the Minor Continent, intent on ruling the world. With potential allies rapidly capitulating to the Blood Emperor, Ikenna's only hope is to join forces with his second-in-command, a warlord seeking to betray and overthrow his master. Along the way, Ikenna must master her magical blood gift, setting her against the banished, malevolent gods. Ikenna is truly a force to reckon with, but her increased power is counterbalanced by lovely human touches, like her fiery romantic chemistry with squad member Darius Reed and her emotional interactions with both friends and foes. Though at times the story becomes so complex as to be unwieldy, Davenport sticks the landing. The result is sure to please Davenport's fans. Agent: Caitie Flum, Liza Dawson Assoc. (Apr.)
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"The Blood Gift." Publishers Weekly, vol. 270, no. 8, 20 Feb. 2023, p. 172. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A739490522/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=87db9445. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
The Blood Gift. By N. E. Davenport. Apr. 2023.448P. Harper Voyager, $32 (9780063058538); e-book (9780063058552).
At the beginning of the second part of Davenport's action-packed duology (after The Blood Trials, 2022), Ikenna and her team of rogue warriors have their backs against the wall, desperately seeking allies and supplies to wage war against an emperor with godlike strength. Thankfully Ikenna is learning to embrace her forbidden power, the ability to manipulate her blood into weapons and shields. Unfortunately, this skill will require calling on gods Ikenna doesn't believe in. As she and her squad face insurmountable odds and shifting alliances, the body count continues to grow. Will Ikenna be able to win against her enemies? Will she be able to open up to her boyfriend and the squad that supports her? The battles are exciting, but Ikenna's strength comes from her rich inner dialogue. Her struggles to communicate make her relatable despite her frightening skills, and readers will keep turning the pages to see what she says next. Fans of Pierce Brown's Red Rising series as well as War Girls, by Tochi Onyebuchi (2019), will enjoy reading the conclusion to Ikenna's story.--Ashley Rayner
YA: Teens who can handle sex and violence will enjoy the conclusion to Ikenna's story. AR.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 American Library Association
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Rayner, Ashley. "The Blood Gift." Booklist, vol. 119, no. 14, 15 Mar. 2023, p. 40. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A742922059/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=130a30cd. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
Davenport, Nia OUT OF BODY Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins (Teen None) $19.99 2, 6 ISBN: 9780063255715
An out-of-body story that tackles societal ills with a science fiction bent.
Seventeen-year-old Megan Allen is celebrating her "three-month friendiversary" with LC. The two Black girls clicked instantly when they happened to meet in a suburban Atlanta coffee shop, and they've been inseparable ever since. Megan hasn't had a friend like LC since she was a kid, so she's thrilled. That all changes when, the morning after the party they went to, she wakes up alone, lying on the ground in the backyard of a boy she knows--in someone else's body. As Megan adapts to her new, much taller frame, she races against time to find LC. But first, she has to figure out whose body she's inhabiting now and assume her identity until she can get her own life (and body) back. Davenport's genre-bending adventure zips along, with Megan adjusting to and fighting against her new reality. The examination of relevant teen themes of race, selfhood, and relationships plays out against the backdrop of an imaginatively developed landscape; Megan must believe in herself more than ever before if she's going to save herself. In her YA debut, adult science fiction author Davenport deftly handles the body-switching plotline, keeping readers aware of who's who while delivering all too believable scares in a story that's a great choice for fans of Jordan Peele and Tiffany D. Jackson.
Complex, entertaining, and thought provoking. (Science fiction/thriller. 14-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Davenport, Nia: OUT OF BODY." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Dec. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A774415224/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=14cfeed1. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.
Out of Body
Nia Davenport. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $19.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-0632-5571-5
Seventeen-year-old pianist Megan Allen, who lives in an Atlanta suburb, idolizes her charismatic new best friend LC--until she wakes up in a different body and realizes that LC has stolen hers. Forced to live as a stranger named Jade, she scrambles to find a way to make LC switch them back, only to learn that there may be a sinister conspiracy at play. Now, Megan must integrate herself into Jade's life and track down LC to uncover her motivations, tasks that prove more complicated than expected. Worse Still, LC's enemies relentlessly pursue Megan, and she's losing all sense of who she used to be. Jade's backstory as well as some character interactions feel underdeveloped. In comparison, LC's complex characterization and Megan's gradual empathy for her plight are rewarding and thoughtfully rendered. Davenport (the Blood Gift Duology, for adults) utlizes powerful social commentary surrounding agency and living as a Black teen in contemporary society coupled with Megan's burgeoning self-confidence and rapid pacing to keep the pages turning toward an open-ended yet gratifying conclusion. Megan, LC, and Jade are Black. Ages 14--up. Agent: Chelsea Eberly, Greenhouse Literary. (Feb.)
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"Out of Body." Publishers Weekly, vol. 270, no. 46, 13 Nov. 2023, p. 89. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A775515012/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=8344f1d5. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.