Blood at the Root: Act II: Chapters 13-25

by LaDarrion Williams
In this novel, 17-year-old Malik gets the opportunity to go to a magical university after 10 years hiding his powers, but he finds himself digging up dangerous secrets about his community and his late mother.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Act I, Act II: Chapters 7-12, Act II: Chapters 13-25, Act III: Chapters 26-34, Act III: Chapters 35-Epilogue
15 words 15 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. ominous
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
    An ominous feeling trickles down my arm in the form of goose bumps when he says this last bit.
  2. pristine
    completely free from dirt or contamination
    I look down and see the fresh, pristine white coffins.
  3. raucous
    unpleasantly loud and harsh
    A raucous laugh escapes his exposed chest bone.
  4. mosey
    walk leisurely
    He tips his hat to her with gratitude and moseys off, cracking jokes to himself.
  5. vicinity
    a surrounding or nearby region
    One soft glance to Alexis and I’m out of their vicinity in seconds.
  6. emanate
    proceed or issue forth, as from a source
    My fingers press on the glass, and I can feel a protective spell emanating from it.
  7. elixir
    a substance believed to cure all ills
    It’s an elixir. The real natural fruit sustains life and has all the nutrients we need.
  8. petty
    preoccupied with unimportant matters in a spiteful way
    “You two turned an innocent game into something petty and dangerous.”
  9. elite
    a group or class of persons enjoying superior status
    This place is buzzing with the magic of the elite.
  10. semblance
    the outward or apparent appearance or form of something
    “You will not use such language in my home. I’m sure your grand-mère has taught you some semblance of being a good houseguest.”
  11. rivet
    direct one's attention on something
    His gaze is riveted on one of the girls in his crew; she does a hand signal.
  12. tact
    consideration in dealing with others
    “But you all lack tact. That young woman—Alexis Williams—you so bravely stood up for today does not know how to approach any measure with humility.”
  13. cold shoulder
    a refusal to recognize someone you know
    I wave at him, but he kinda gives me the cold shoulder with a half smile and a nod.
  14. convulse
    move or stir about violently
    The light from the full moon shifts through the whistling trees, and the slaves’ bodies twist and convulse beyond belief.
  15. ruminate
    reflect deeply on a subject
    We both ruminate in the growing silence.
Created on Tue Sep 02 08:56:38 EDT 2025 (updated Wed Oct 22 18:06:40 EDT 2025)

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