Rating - 7/10
Firstly, I have to give a MASSIVE thanks to my twitter family via @writereads for including me on this epic book tour for this extra special book. How awesome is it to see a black character front & center in a fantasy magical book?! I was here for it soon as I heard about this read. ALSO this book is being made into a motion picture alongside superstar Marsai Martin. What a queen. Also, I do love a bit of magical fantasy every now and then so I had to get stuck into this beautiful read.
The Plot:
Quinton Peters was the golden boy of the Rosewood low-income housing projects, receiving full scholarship offers to two different Ivy League schools. When he mysteriously goes missing, his little sister, 13-year-old Amari Peters, can’t understand why it’s not a bigger deal. Why isn’t his story all over the news? And why do the police automatically assume he was into something illegal?
Then Amari discovers a ticking briefcase in her brother’s old closet. A briefcase meant for her eyes only. There was far more to Quinton, it seems, than she ever knew. He’s left her a nomination for a summer tryout at the secretive Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Amari is certain the answer to finding out what happened to him lies somewhere inside, if only she can get her head around the idea of mermaids, dwarves, yetis and magicians all being real things, something she has to instantly confront when she is given a weredragon as a roommate.
Amari must compete against some of the nation’s wealthiest kids—who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives and are able to easily answer questions like which two Great Beasts reside in the Atlantic Ocean and how old is Merlin? Just getting around the Bureau is a lesson alone for Amari with signs like ‘Department of Hidden Places this way, or is it?’ If that all wasn’t enough, every Bureau trainee has a talent enhanced to supernatural levels to help them do their jobs – but Amari is given an illegal ability. As if she needed something else to make her stand out.
With an evil magician threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is an enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton.
My Review:
Okay so firstly, please know that I'm 3/4 into this book so I haven't fully finished it, BUT that being said, I seriously think it's such a special and sweet book. The plot is super gripping and just so easy to read! What a rollercoaster of a story, right from the beginning we're taken on this epic and wild journey and I could not stop turning the page with this book.
Amari is such a sweet and just kick ass character. I wanna be her friend so bad haha I loved her to bits! I love how resilient she is and super clever too.
This is a fabulous book for little black girls and it's filled with that special #blackgirlmagic in the entire book. I definitely wish that I had a book like this when I was younger. I love how diverse the fantasy world is becoming too.
I will say that if you liked Harry Potter, then you will definitely enjoy this book! I cannot wait to see the movie too. Stay tuned for my full review once I've finished this read. I'll also include my perfect song pick once I am done with this book.
Definitely one to add to your list for your little ones and perfect for middle school age as well. A perfect, wild, fun, thrilling book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
A little about B.B. Alston:
B.B Alston lives in Lexington, SC. Amari and the Night Brothers is his debut middle grade novel. When not writing, he can be found eating too many sweets and exploring country roads to see where they lead.
Genre: Fantasy | Middle Grade
Publication Date: January 19, 2021
Pages: 416 Pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray