Rust in the Root

Written by Justina Ireland

Narrated by Jordan Cobb

The author of the visionary New York Times bestseller Dread Nation returns with another spellbinding historical fantasy set at the crossroads of race and power in America.

It is 1937, and Laura Ann Langston lives in an America divided—between those who work the mystical arts and those who do not. Ever since the Great Rust, a catastrophic event that blighted the arcane force called the Dynamism and threw America into disarray, the country has been rebuilding for a better future. And everyone knows the future is industry and technology—otherwise known as Mechomancy—not the traditional mystical arts.

Laura disagrees. A talented young queer mage from Pennsylvania, Laura hopped a portal to New York City on her seventeenth birthday with hopes of earning her mage’s license and becoming something more than a rootworker.

But four months later, she’s got little to show for it other than an empty pocket and broken dreams. With nowhere else to turn, Laura applies for a job with the Bureau of the Arcane’s Conservation Corps, a branch of the US government dedicated to repairing the Dynamism so that Mechomancy can thrive. There she meets the Skylark, a powerful mage with a mysterious past, who reluctantly takes Laura on as an apprentice.

As they’re sent off on their first mission together into the heart of the country’s oldest and most mysterious Blight, they discover the work of mages not encountered since the darkest period in America’s past, when Black mages were killed for their power—work that could threaten Laura’s and the Skylark’s lives, and everything they’ve worked for.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9780063038257

Justina Ireland

Justina Ireland is the New York Times bestselling author of Dread Nation, Deathless Divide, Rust in the Root, and Ophie’s Ghosts as well as the Star Wars High Republic novels A Test of Courage, Out of the Shadows, and Mission to Disaster. She is also the cocreator of the middle grade horror series Tales from Cabin 23 and the author of the series’ first book, The Boo Hag Flex. She lives with her family in Maryland, where she enjoys dark chocolate and dark humor and is not too proud to admit that she’s still afraid of the dark. You can visit her online at justinaireland.com.

Reviews for Rust in the Root

[Kandi Robinson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a fantastic historical fantasy/scifi read! Omg this is so underrated. This is basically like a 1937 negro Harry Potter mixed with Avengers Infinity War! Love love love…I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Gabrielle Piens · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant ! O ne of the most enjoyable books I've read this year can't wait to see the movie ?!

[sennebec · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A terrific allegory to the experience of Blacks in America. This one taking place in a magical world set in the early third of the 20th century. Filled with scary creatures, magic, friendship and betrayal, as well as growing friendships, this is a fascinating and satisfying read.

[rivkat_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Alternate Depression-era history with mages and magical Blight instead of just the Dust Bowl and Prohibition that covers most magic, especially most Black people’s magic; a young Black mage comes to NYC to seek her fortune. She finds danger and adventure with the Black magicians sent to dangerous areas to solve the government's problems (of which they are one).

[quondame · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well told, this very alternate 1937 era tale of a blighted US in which Dynamism is under prohibition except for licensed practitioners, features Laura who is on the edge of destitution in NYC when she is caught up in the Colored Auxiliary or the Arcane Conservation Corps for a single day's orientation before heading out to Ohio to mitigate the worst blight in the country. It turns out that it's the worst blight for very dark reasons and the Colored Auxiliary is more fodder than cure. A bitter tale, but rich and full of fighting hope for marginally better times and circumstances. The solutions being more out of left field than integral to the original team is a significant if not fatal flaw.

[bell7_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's 1937, and young Laura has moved to New York with a dream of earning her mage's license and becoming a baker, but she's almost out of money and hasn't been able to crack the system yet. Then, she meets the Skylark, who reluctantly takes her on as apprentice and gives Laura the opportunity to join the Colored Auxiliary of a government branch that repairs Blights. There's trouble brewing in Ohio, though, and it seems more dangerous than just any Blight.

This alternate history is really fantastically done. It's rewarding to follow the story of Laura and the person she becomes as she discovers her abilities, as well as learn more about the society in which she lives and its parallels to our own. The story wraps up as a standalone, though I would read more in this universe in a heartbeat.

[krau0098 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I borrowed this on ebook from my library.

Thoughts: This is a unique and well done historical fantasy. I enjoyed it a lot and would love to see more books set in this world.

The story follows Laura, who has traveled to New York with dreams of building her own magical bakery. Unfortunately, she's having a tough time making a go of it and ends up applying for a job with the Bureau of the Arcane's Conservation Corps and is reluctantly taken on as an apprentice there by Skylark. Skylark, Laura, and some other mage/apprentice pairs are quickly sent off to the Ohio Blight, a horrible area that needs to be gotten under control before it destroys the whole nation.

This book builds an amazing world in a short page space. The America after The Great Rust is a nation divided between those who practice Mechomancy and those who practice traditional magic. I loved the complex magic system here and the intricate history in this unique and creative alternate historical fantasy set in the 1930's. This whole world is just very nicely put together and very intriguing to read about.

I enjoyed Laura as a character and really enjoyed her fellow mages as well. Laura grows a lot throughout the story and it was fun to watch her explore her own magical powers. I was completely engaged in the story the whole time, it was easy to read and I really loved it.

I do have a couple of small complaints. The complexity of this world and the complexity of the magic system makes it a lot of absorb very quickly and the information dumping gets a bit heavy. Things were pretty confusing for the first few chapters and it would have been nice to have the world and magic system rolled out a bit more smoothly. I also felt like the story was rushed, there is just so much that happens in this book. However, these complaints are completely outweighed by the general awesomeness of this world, it is truly unique and very well done. I really hope there are more books set in this world; this book felt a rushed intro to this world and magic system and I would love to delve deeper.

My Summary (4.5/5): Overall I really loved this story. The world-building is top-notch and the magical system is complex and fascinating. The characters were easy to engage with and well done and I really enjoyed the adventure and magic. I would love to see more books set in this world in the future and hope that there are some companion books released at some point. I would recommend to those who enjoy alternate historical fantasies; especially those set in American in the 1930's with a lot of intriguing magic.

[jmchshannon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I fell in love with Justina Ireland’s novels after reading her Dread Nation duology, but in my opinion, her latest novel, Rust in the Root, is her best yet. Not only does she give readers insight into the everyday racism Black women face, but she also includes a fantastic argument against capitalism. Ms. Ireland cleverly disguises her anti-capitalist sentiment within her fascinating story of the mystical arts versus industry and technology. Laura Ann Langston is a formidable young woman, powerful in her own right and unwilling to settle for an ordinary, quiet life not using her gifts. She is self-deprecating, unashamed, honest to a fault, and entertaining in that honesty. It is a pleasure to follow along with Laura and her fellow mages as they search for answers.

Ms. Ireland’s verbal jousting is par excellence. At the same time, I appreciate any opportunity to learn more about what it is like to be a Black person in a society ruled by white supremacy and systemic racism. Rust in the Root is an easy and enjoyable way to become more anti-racist. However, even if that is not your thing, Ms. Ireland’s newest novel is beyond clever, highly entertaining, and fascinating in its twist on the 1930s in a world torn between technology and the more earthly, natural approaches to power.

[tornadox-962417 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Laura Ann Langston, a young black woman from Pennsylvania, went to New York to pursue her dream---to earn her magic license and open a bakery. Finding no work and no mentor, she joins the Bureau of the Arcane's Conservation Corps. Her unit is sent to Ohio to investigate the largest blight, an enviro-magical hazard.

Magic AU of 1940s United States. Intriguing fantasy analogs to real-world events, including the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Migration, the CCC, The Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl. Deals with different types of racism - systemic, internal, and individual. Unlike other alternate histories, there are queer people.

Would definitely read another story set in this universe.

Read an ARC provided by NetGalley