B.B Alston has taken the age old classic of main character is the chosen one, gets thrown into a magical world, and has to train to become part of that world and they have made it unique! New and absolutely phenomenal!

So Amari Peters is trying to find her missing brother Quinton, when suddenly she finds herself nominated to train at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, where her own brother worked and went missing because of this place.

Amari is determined to find her brother but to do that she needs to find a place in this strange world of the supernatural that lives among the human world. Soon, she is competing amongst others to earn places to train and eventually work in this Bureau.

I found the challenges amongst trainees to be so fun but also a great way to learn things about this world. How to use gadgets like flying shoes, or learn about different departments in the Bureau like the Department of Half Truths and Cover-Ups. Along with meeting different characters in this world like Elise, Amari's newfound friend who's also a weredragon or Magicians or Bigfoot.

The story is where its at though, this book will keep kids and adults alike on their toes throughout the entire novel. I love novels where you keep guessing and wondering but somehow manages to throw you off to give such jaw dropping plot twists that will make you yell at the book a lot... But it also keeps you reading and wanting more, even when you finish the book and realise its the end which is devastating but it will keep you anxiously waiting for the sequel needing to know what will happen next!

Amari and the Night Brothers is really something special and I cannot wait for it to be released because this is THE book. The book thats going to take the world by storm. The next big thing and I can see all the kids loving this and I will be recommending this at the Library because every child deserves to read a book as brilliant as this! To know that this is becoming a movie too is so great because it will work so well on the screen!

Absolutely loved reading this book and I cannot wait for the sequel!! I will be hand-selling this have no doubt about that. This feels much more relevant an adventure into fantasy than big titles in this genre still doing the rounds with today's youngsters - mostly foisted upon them by their parents or teachers albeit.

Amari spring boards into the supernatural from the reality of today's politics/culture/society/education system. I love her attitude and the bond with her brother, her relationship with her mother and her new found friends at the Bureau. This is a voyage of discovery, a massive journey into self-belief and good vs evil. What a way to start 2021 it will be!!

My thoughts






Narrative and Plot







Before I say anything about the book, December has been quite a busy month for me and I don’t even celebrate Christmas. This is the first review I am posting this month. That’s because it is part of my commitment to the Ultimate Blog Tour. I kept pushing reading Amari thinking I had enough time until the last two days. I was afraid, I won’t finish it in time but as soon as I started the book, I flew through it.

Amari and the Night Brothers has everything that an adventurous , well-paced and heartfelt middle grade fantasy requires. Of course this is not the first time a book features into a secret society like Hogwarts or Narnia. But to pull it off in such a gripping manner is definitely a feat. Amari and the Night Brothers is an unputdownable tale from start to finish.





Characters and Conflicts









In the midst of all that fantasy and fanfare, there is this simple girl of color who comes from the poorer side of the town. She has to work harder than her peers to prove herself and to achieve the things she deserve. It is on this point that Amari and her conflicts speak to you as a reader. Basically, the idea itself is quite relatable to most.

This basic conflict is integrated beautifully in a world full of mysteries and wonders. It is easy to root for Amari. Not because she is flawless, but because she feels real. She has moments of weakness and self doubt. No one is rooting for her to be the chosen one. She decides to choose herself. She chose to be good and peaceful despite the ugliness she experienced. That’s the kind of holdiay cheer I was looking for and the story gave me exactly that.

Not to mention the ensemble of casts and crew that aide and abet Amari’s adventures.







Conclusion





Amari and the Night Brothers is your perfect holiday read or holiday gift for that little niece or nephew who needs something to cheer them up. I am sure there’s more to Amari’s story and I will definitely follow this series. It is a story of self-belief and hope which you can remind yourself as an adult in case you forgot. As for a child, Amari is the energy that makes you want to explore your full potential and be whoever you want to be.

Release date: 21st January 2021
Genre: Middle grade fantasy
Pages: 416 (UK kindle edition)

Another @TheWriteReads blog tour, this time its for the wonderful Amari and the Night Brothers. This middlegrade novel follows the story of Amari whos grown up in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in a single parent family, she is also singled out at school for being the only black student. When Amaris brother Quinton goes missing Amari receives a mysterious briefcase with instructions to attend an interview at the elusive Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, Amaris world is turned upside down when she finds out that theres supernatural beings living amongst regular humans.

Amari is thrust into the world of supernatural affairs which is disguised as a summer leadership camp. She must pick a speciality and go through 3 trials in order to determine her eligibility for that role within the organisation. Her main goal is to get far enough to get enough information to try and find her missing brother.

The friendships she makes along the way with Elsie her weredragon roommate and Dylan Van Hesling were heartwarming to read about. Elsie is such a kind and understanding friend and she always had Amaris back. Amari's relationship with her brother Quinton was so lovely, a real highlight in the book for me! There are a few trigger warnings for bullying and micro aggressions but nothing too major. Amari as a character is so easy to root for, you immediatley are on her side as shes constantly picked on and has a general hard time of it. I loved how she handled the trials with honesty and integrity- this alone will send such a positive message to younger readers. The trials in general were really fun and fast paced to read, i couldnt put this book down. I dont read too much middle grade but this book really reminded me how wholesome reading it is. Another thing i really enjoyed (amongst the other million things) was how well thought out and imaginative the Bureau was, all the departments were so clever and the social media and tech elements were really well done.

I wont say too much about the twist as i want to keep this review as spoiler free as possible but i did not see it coming and was so shocked! Brilliant writing and misdirection Mr Alston!

This book is very reminiscent of the Nevermoor series and also Keepers of the Lost Cities which i loved both of but its also great in its own right. 13 year old Amari is the exact character i would have loved to have read at that age, shes fearless, brave and never gives up. This book is a beautiful story of family, friends and finding where you belong. A massive thank you as always to Dave (@TheWriteReads, netgalley, the publishers Egmont and to the lovely author B.B. Alston who has been so engaging and lovely to his readers on Twitter, the book is a triumph and i am so glad everyone has been enjoying it as much as i did. It truly deserves the hype. The world building was really wonderful, cant wait to see where the next book takes us!

Amari and the Night Brothers is an amazing middle grade fantasy novel filled with complex characters, adventure, and a whole lot of magic. It succeeded in grabbing my attention right off the bat. The story does not shy away from being absolutely bonkers from the get-go, and it had me laughing as early as the second chapter. While I did think the pacing in the middle was a bit slow, the action-packed ending definitely made up for it. There are also a surprising amount of twists that make it a hard book to put down.

My favorite part of this novel would have to be the complexity of the characters. Each person is so beautifully flawed that you can’t help but identify with not only Amari, but everyone around her as well. B.B. Alston has a real talent for writing characters and I’d be curious to see what a YA/Adult novel from him would look like.

As some of you might know, there is a planned film adaptation for this book, and I already know that it’s going to be amazing. I am so so excited for the impact these stories will have on the new generation. I hope you are too.

Amari and the Night Brothers is a book I won't be forgetting anytime soon. B.B. Alston introduces us to an amazing new world filled with supernatural beings and talented children training to be all that they can be. This book is amazing and so much more than an adventure and has all of the elements I love in a middle grade series.

I'm a big fan of books that take place in a school setting and I have to say this magic school summer camp set in a government facility had a really nice twist. Our main character Amari is really worried about her brother, Quinton, who has gone missing. When she receives a suitcase left for her from hum she never expects to find what she does. She finds out there is a whole supernatural world she has no idea exists and has a chance to explore this and maybe find her brother.

Okay, I got a little sidetracked there, but I needed to add those bits of information. In this government facility agents are working as they always do while the students are being trained. I loved the descriptions of this building and all the little special details. I really wish all elevators were like they are in here. Taking them would become an adventure all on its own. So many elements in this setting had me laughing out loud and wishing I could go to camp as well.

Then there's Amari. People look at her differently because of where she's from and what she looks like and that isn't always easy. Amari has days where she doesn't know if she can do what's possible to become an agent and fit in, but I love that she doesn't give up. She's determined to help her brother and become the best she can be in this strange new world with the talents and abilities she just learned she has. Amari is strong, caring, loving, creative and a fighter. Nothing will stop her from reaching her goal. Even the kids that aren't that nice.

Besides Amari finding her place in this new world we learn about different supernatural creatures, learn about the trials Amari and fellow trainees must past and like all middle grade books the lessons intertwined with this story. Amari and the Night Brothers is filled with themes of family, friendship, fighting for what you believe in, believing in yourself, good vs evil, loyalty and so much more. I've read quite a few fantasy books in a school setting, but Amari is definitely unique and one I won't be forgetting anytime soon.

What I also loved is that besides the adventures our main character goes on and the friendships she develops (I love Elsie and hope we see a lot more of her) there are also a lot of twists I wasn't expecting. I could go on and on about this amazing book, but I think you just need to pick it up in January and experience it for yourself!

I read this book as part of the ultimate blog tour hosted by TheWriteReads. Special thanks to Netgalley and Egmont Books for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 5 fantastical stars!

I had to give myself a few days to calm down after reading this book because I enjoyed it so much that all I could think to say after finishing it was: omg omg omg, everyone needs to read this I don't care who you are 😂 Not the best review but that's definitely how I felt! I knew I was going to enjoy Amari's story but I didn't expect to fall so completely into this world full of wonderfully wild imaginings that I'd never want to leave! From the worldbuilding, the complex characters, and the intriguing plot (and a great twist!), this was an amazing start to what I have no doubt will be a fantastic new middle-grade fantasy series!

Sorry if this review is a bit of a ramble but it's hard to not gush about it! The story follows Amari as she is introduced to this supernatural world and has to pass a series of tests to join the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. At the same time, her personal mission is to learn about what happened to her brother Quinton, who was one of the most famous bureau agents, and who went missing months ago. I'm definitely a fan of the MG fantasies that have the 'training and trials' theme and this one was so much fun and jam packed full of action and intrigue! I changed my mind about what I thought I knew was happening throughout the read and in the end I was still managed to be shocked by that delightfully cunning twist! Thought I loved pretty much all of it, I did feel that the climax/ending was a bit rushed and a little *too easy* considering how terrifying the villain was built up to be; however, it didn't lessen my enjoyment of this story at all.

Learning about the supernatural world and about magic alongside Amari felt so natural and I thought that the world building was incredibly well done. It’s set partially in the real world but mostly in a supernatural world that exists in parallel to our own, and Alston manages to breathe such life into the place that it wasn’t all that hard to imagine. In fact, I could so easily picture the scenes playing out before me it was almost as if I was there myself! The Bureau of Supernatural Affairs building gave me strong Men in Black vibes, and the supernatural world gave me some Nevermoor vibes, although it is equally as magical and wonderful on its own without comparison. I loved how the elevators in the bureau had their own names and personalities! I was also really curious about the different departments in the bureau and I’m glad that we get to see more of certain parts by the end, although the Department of Creature Control was absolutely AMAZING and obviously my favorite!

While the world building was top notch, it was the characters that helped me to connect with the story the most as Alston created complex yet relatable characters who were easy to love, but also easy to hate. Amari was a wonderful heroine and I loved her so much! She’s smart, feisty, and courageous, but the problem is she doesn’t believe in herself. She has grown up in her brothers’ shadow and in her eyes, no one could be better than him--definitely not her! She also faced a lot of hatred and prejudice for who she is, where she comes from and her abilities in both the real and supernatural worlds that contributed to her feelings of ‘otherness’, and oh my heart, it broke for her so many times! That said, the growth that Amari experiences throughout the course of the story as she learns to not fear standing up for herself, and learning to believe in herself, was absolutely empowering! I thought Alston did a really great job in handling these sensitive but important topics for a younger audience. I was so ready to take up arms for Amari though LOL I think I'm still ready to fight 😂

Aside from Amari, I also loved many of the side characters. Elsie, Amari's weredragon roommate and best friend, was such a fantastic supporting character! Their friendship was everything I love about MG stories because it was so wholesome and heartwarming. Although they were complete opposites in many ways, they encouraged each other to be their best selves and were definitely here for it! I was also a huge fan of Agents Fiona and Magnus and I can't wait to see more of them in the upcoming books.

Honestly, I could just keep rambling on about all the things I loved about this book because I truly enjoyed it that much. I'm so glad that this was put on my radar thanks to this blog tour and I'm so looking forward to January when the world can experience the amazing black girl magic that is Amari's story. If this book doesn't get the recognition and hype it 1000% deserves, I'm coming for somebody! 😂 (Kidding, or am I?) Bottom line: READ THIS BOOK, you won't regret it!

At first, there seems to be a lot of parallels to other magical worlds – especially one in which a young child who knows nothing about magic is thrown into a magical world (one that operates alongside the non-magical one) and has to interact with other children who have known about magic their whole lives. But honestly, this story is so fresh and different that you’ll forget about the similarities as you’re drawn into Amari’s world.

And while this magical world is full of incredible inventions and fantastical beasts, one thing that it does have in common with the non-magical world is racism and prejudices, where people are judged (and feared) based on the colour of their skin and their magical abilities.

We follow our protagonist, Amari, into this newly-discovered world where we learn all about magic and the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and meet some wonderful (and wonderfully evil) creatures. Alston has laid the foundations for a beautiful, magical universe and it will be a pleasure to learn more about this universe in future books.

One of my favourite things about this book is the main character, Amari. She is truly one of the most likeable characters I have come across. Amari is smart and determined and written with a wonderful sense of realism.

What Amari goes through during the course of this book, both in terms of learning about magic, meeting new friends (and enemies), finding her brother and dealing with racism, makes her an easy protagonist to root for. Following Amari’s journey of growth and discovery is a treat and I’m looking forward to more books in this series.

Overall, the book is well-written and action packed. I think it’s a great choice for Middle Graders (and honestly, any age group) who enjoy adventure, magic and fantasy stories. The lessons contained in the story about racism and prejudice are very timely and, while done with a light and subtle hand, are still meaningful and impactful.

*** Thank you to The Write Reads blog tour organiser, for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alson is my new standard for magical-realm fiction. B.B. Alston has taken the middle-grade and up fan-base by storm. A storm named Amari!

Join Amari as she enters a magical land of supernatural beings while searching for her missing brother. It turns out he was an agent working for the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. He & his partner (a Van Helsing) vanish while pursuing the Night Brothers, dastardly magicians bent on evil-doing.

Amari appeals to every misfit that ever tried to fit in with a crowd. She struggles with acceptance because of her skin color, economic status, and general awkwardness. The author deals with all these issues without letting them become the focus of the story. Adventure is the key to this book.

If you or someone you purchase books for is looking for the next Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or Tristan Strong, Amari Peters is your new hero. I found her refreshingly real and so easy to cheer for. Whether she’s losing her temper and suffering the consequences or showing her vulnerability, she will steal your heart. I can’t wait to read more Amari stories from this author.

The book has been optioned for a Universal Studios movie. Details are sparse at the moment, but I am hearing exciting whispers about the cast.

What an amazing book, I strongly strongly recommend that so many people should give this story a try.
Especially if you loved Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor, I think you will enjoy B B Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers even more!

A fantastic start to a new middle grade fantasy series. We follow our main character Amari, who is full of courage, loyalty and of course a little sass. Her character is so well formed, even from this first instalment. You can see her motivations and her love for her family so vividly. It made her a truly great POV to read from.

I enjoyed the slight twist on the chosen one trope used here, where Amari's brother is the one to nominate her and introduce her to this magical world.
As many people, I really enjoy the "under dog triumphs" plot line. B B Alson writes a really engaging and intriguing under dog story here.
Filled with so many magical and wonderous world building aspects and memorable characters. Also adding in a little mystery as Amari tries to discover what happens to her brother, while fighting tooth and nail for the spot she deserves as Junior agent.

I'm so invested to see what unfolds in the next book and to see what else we'll learn about the world Amari has found herself thrust in.
This book would be suitable for so many different age ranges. From middle grade to adult, in my opinion.
It touches on so many important topics and to see more representation in middle grade fantasy especially is so great to see.

Where do I even start!!! I absolutely loved this book. I binge read it over one weekend. I could have easily read it one sitting but had to spread my reading over two days due to other commitments. I was hooked from the start and let me tell you every time I put this book down all I wanted to do was pick it right up. In fact, I couldn’t put it down long enough and it went with me almost to every part of the house, as every spare moment I tried to sneak a page in in here and there.

I loved everything about this book, from the mix of the real world and the magical world that definitely reminded me of some of my favourite movies and books Men in Black and Harry potter to name a couple. The mix of the two worlds was done so well and a big hit for me.

Another favourite of mine were the characters. They were brilliantly done, you never quite know who to trust. I found all the character brilliantly done, but I did have my favourite. Obviously that favourite character was Amari. I instantly found her likeable, and liked her honesty and how she was so strong and resilient when she is told she isn’t capable of doing things.

Seriously I loved this book so much and I just can’t get it all down into words, but just in case you missed my point I LOVED this book!!!!

I can’t wait to read the next book, so please Mr Alston can we have it as fast as possible as I can’t wait!!! Also hope we don’t have to wait too long for the movie either.

This is definitely the next action packed middle grade fantasy series to keep your eyes out for!!! So, don’t forget to buy your copy in January!!!

Thank you to @The_WriteReads, Egmont Books, and Netgalley, for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you were a reader as a kid, do you remember that feeling of picking up a book featuring a character around your age going on magical adventures and instantly falling in love? I remember that feeling and I still chase it as an adult. And, I’m happy to report, Amari and the Night Brothers gave me that exact feeling as soon as I started reading!

In this book, we’re following a young Black girl named Amari Peters. Amari is a girl that has a lot on her mind as the story opens. She’s just gotten into a fight that ends in her scholarship to a fancy school being revoked, she’s dealing with bullying from the rich kids who thought she never belonged there in the first place, and, worst of all, her big brother, Quinton, has been missing for the last six months. People keep saying that Quinton probably got mixed up in the usual things that catch young Black men in the projects, but Amari knows that the brother she adored would never get caught up in stuff like that. And Amari gets her proof when a mysterious package arrives from her missing brother. Soon, she is thrust into a world where all the supernatural creatures we think don’t exist are real and she’s been invited to join the same organization her brother worked for. Amari sees this as her chance to finally get some answers and to find her brother.

Y’all, I loved this book! This was an absolute delight to read! I immediately fell into the story from page one and found incredibly easy to immerse myself in the world. It was just so much wonderful! Like a quick, delectable snack that just makes your whole day brighter!

Let’s talk about the characters, first and foremost. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see more and more middle grade books with young Black kids front and center. Little Amari made me want to hug her and fight literally everyone that kept being mean to her. Seriously, I was ready to throw some hands at some completely fictional characters 😤 B.B. Alston does an incredible job of creating a character that is instantly relatable, who you want to root for from the get-go, and who’s future you find yourself so thoroughly invested in so quickly. Amari is such a beautiful character who goes through some incredible growth throughout the book. And I adored quite a few of the side characters, as well, especially Elsie! I was worried about these characters like they were legitimately my own children, lol. I love when I can connect to characters so completely!

I also really enjoyed the world of Amari and the Night Brothers. It was a lot of fun learning about the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and I loved all the different departments. I would definitely want to work for the Department of Creature Control. It’s easy to forget about the world around you when you’re discovering the depth and breadth of the supernatural world along with Amari. And, as a person that absolutely loves a competition aspect to a book, I was super pumped to read about Amari’s trials to try and keep her spot in the super secretive Bureau. Like, yes, girl, show them how amazing you are! Honestly, the pages flew by and I was a little sad when the story was over. Thank goodness this is just the first book in a series!

Final thoughts: Do you like your middle grade fantasy to have secrets, magic, danger, and strong Black girl coming into her own? Then you are gonna love Amari and the Night Brothers! It is a perfect blend of captivating characters, an incredibly fun world, and a dash of mystery to keep you flying through the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed myself the entire time I was reading this and I cannot wait for the next book!

4.5

Book source ~ Tour

13-year-old Amari Peters has an older genius brother, Quinton, who goes missing. Police aren’t trying too hard to find him, and six months later Amari discovers a ticking briefcase in his closet. When Amari opens it, everything she thought about the world changes and now she has a chance to find her brother her own damn self. Go bring him home, Amari!

I’m not usually a fan of saying, “If you like X book then you will like this one.” But I’m going to say it now. If you like Harry Potter then you will like Amari and the Night Brothers. They are very similar and yet very different, but they both involve magic and a whole other world than the mundane. There’s also a scary villain and his followers (not quite as scary, but definitely thorns in the sides of the good guys), but I’ll let you read about him and them.

I love Amari. She’s smart, independent, and plucky as hell. She’s been living in her brother’s shadow, but really it’s all in her head because she’s pretty clever on her own right. However, when you have talented older siblings it’s hard to see your own strengths. And she has plenty of those. She’s also in for a surprise when she joins the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Ok, she’s in for MANY surprises when she goes there, but one in particular is an albatross around her neck. She needs to study hard and pass the three tryouts because she will never have a better opportunity to find her brother. Making friends and enemies, Amari navigates the treacherous waters of the BSA with will, skill, and sometimes just by the seat of her pants. But will any of this help her find her beloved brother? You’ll have to read to find out and I highly recommend that you do! Amari and the Night Brothers will sweep you into a magical world that’s not always as fun or cool as you might think. Fast-moving with characters you’ll love or love to hate this is one Middle-Grade Fantasy intertwined with a Mystery you won’t want to miss!

This book is Magical! I have struggled writing this review as I know I am just going to gush. I can completely see why this book already has a movie deal. I just flew through it. It’s one of those books that pulls you into a fantastically detailed magical world that its so full of wonder and mystery. I loved the combination of the magical school trope with the men in black secret government agency. It made the reveal of the background supernatural world feel fresh and interesting. I can see everyone that reads this choosing there own favourite department that they would want to be a part of. Everything we learn is also integral to the plot. It is such a beautifully constructed plot that leads us through the mystery of Quinton’s disappearance perfectly, revealing bits of information, foreshadowing and twists all come at the most impactful moments to keep you turning the pages. There is nothing in the world building just thrown in for fun we get to explore all the elements, and I can’t wait to discover even more as the series continues. There were also some amazing plot twists that totally caught me off guard!

Amari is a kick ass main character, so strong and confident but also is allowed to have moments where she needs to ask for help, where she is allowed to be unsure of her self but also showing her working through that self doubt. The supporting cast was great. Even the villains were complex and interesting. Also finally a character named Fiona! I might be bias but I really did love Agent Fiona’s character. In fact I really loved all the characters, there was so much going on with all of them and I am looking forward learning more and more as the books go on.

This book also really highlights how much representation matters and it does an amazing job of it. What is particularly poignant is how Amari is treated at her school in the real world vs the supernatural and how she has had to build defences for that. How her brother is perceived by the police investigating his disappearance all because of the colour of his skin and the area in which he grew up. It made me pause and think, as someone who will never experience those prejudices, they are woven into to story so expertly and we need more of these voices breaking through.

All in all this book is a fresh take on the thrown into a brand new magical world, that all fantasy fans love. It has a solid and well constructed plot with pliantly of action, loveable characters, excellent villains and enough room for the stories to spiral out into a completely magical universe, not just from B.B Alston himself but form the fans that find a new place to fit in. Its truly magical.

There is a tradition in my household that in mid January when Christmas is a distant memory but the weather is still dark and cold, work is back in full swing and the January blues are kicking in, that we buy small gifts to lift those blues. This book is released that week, do yourself a favour and pre-order, escape into this beautifully magical world that all ages can explore. It is worth it. I see this being a big highlight of next year for most people. I loved every moment and can see myself re-reading it very shortly.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston is a rip-roaring read, full of magic and adventure. Further, it champions the triumph of the underdog.

Amari is a black girl from the poorer side of the town. She has always been treated as an outcast in the posh Jefferson Academy where she studies on a scholarship. However, the disappearance of her older brother, Quinton, whom Amari loved so much plunges her world into sadness. Then, Amari discovers a ticking briefcase in Quinton's closet which starts her journey into the hidden supernatural world.

To find out, why Quinton went missing, she will have to first make her way into the secretive Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Will she survive the try-outs for her entry into this world?

In both worlds, Amari is treated as an outcast. In the normal world, she has to endure the prejudice against her skin color while in the supernatural world, she has to fight the prejudice against her "illegal" ability. In both cases, she was born with the characteristics and abilities on which the others so easily put a label. And in both cases, she must fight against these prejudices and work harder to prove herself. Alston poignantly portrays Amari's anguish and anger at this injustice.

The book has a stellar beginning and is engaging throughout. It is fast-paced. A lot happens in this book, yet the author provides enough details of the supernatural world to immerse me. Sure, I was left wanting more. But the later books should fill in the gaps.

The book features an academy/Bureau which trains the kids with supernatural abilities to reach their full potential. Thus, comparisons with similar novels are bound to crop up. The book does have similarities with such novels, but it is also unique in many ways.

Alston's imagination runs wild. Listing out all the wonderfully weird things he has crafted will result in spoilers. So, I advise you to grab the book and start reading.

Moreover, I loved the vivid conjuring of the different illusions by Amari. There is a scene in the book in which Amari travels with a teacher on none other than a magic carpet to know her future. It is beautifully written and is easily the best scene in the book.

Alston is a gifted writer. Some of the chapters drop small cliffhanger-bombs, so, I had no choice but to continue reading. Overall, I had a good time enjoying the novel.

However, I do have quibbles with the book. I was not convinced by the events at the very last (cue: in a log cabin at the forest.) More explanation would mean spoilers. I did not anticipate the identity of the bad guy, but I also could not digest the fact that that person could wreak havoc to such an extent.

Nevertheless, Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston is an excellent middle-grade novel. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me an eARC via Netgalley.

The book starts off quite seriously but soon turns completely magical and fantastical. It's a bit reminiscent of Men In Black but with supernaturals like fairies and witches instead of aliens. I really loved the magical world which was full of so many different mythical beings, countless magical talents and all the amazing technology like Sky Sprints, shoes that let you walk up walls and even on air! Imagine a world where every magical being you've ever heard of is real.

The writing is really good, every time I read I felt fully immersed in Amari's world. There was one twist I suspected but really didn't want to believe and some others that I didn't see coming at all. A lot happened very quickly at the end and I was starting to think there might need to be a sequel, but it actually didn't feel rushed after all. Nevertheless, I definitely think we need more Amari! I'm hoping for a long series.

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS ABOUT?
Amari is a thirteen-year-old girl from Atlanta's inner-city, attending a private school on scholarship, and is in trouble when we meet her. She's been antagonized (probably bullied, honestly) by some rich girls from her school and struck back. She's now facing discipline—up to and including loss of her scholarship. The principal ties this behavior to her brother's recent disappearance/presumed death, she's been "acting out" since then.

While reeling from this, Amari receives a delivery from her brother—cutting the details, it's an invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. The invitation opens her eyes (literally) to the hidden magickal world around her. She can join the Bureau via a summer program (as her brother, Quinton, did) and if she passes some tests, she can become a junior member. She sees this as her best/only chance to find out what happened to Quinton—and hopefully, find him alive.

But also, it's magick. How could she not want to be part of it?

One of the first steps involves finding her secret talent—where she learns that she has rare and illegal abilities. Determined to stay in the Bureau to find Quinton—and to show that just because she's born with abilities that remind everyone of the worst people in the supernatural world's history, it doesn't mean she'll be as evil.

It's hard to make friends—hard not to be ostracized by everyone—because of her abilities, and she faces outright prejudice. But she does make an ally or two among the other supernatural youths, and a few among the adults overseeing the program*. Not only does Amari work to pass her tests to remain in the Bureau, she and her allies look into Quinton's disappearance.

* I really don't have the time to get into it, but I really liked the adults in this book (with the exception of two that you're clearly not supposed to like)

THE CLINCHER
There are many reasons to read this, many reasons you'll enjoy it. More than I have time to enumerate, more than you want to spend time reading. So I'll just give you one word that should convince you: weredragon.

Were...@#$%&!...dragon.

I love this idea. I don't know why we don't have a half-dozen series about them in UF. Elsie, the weredragon in question, would be a character I love no matter her special ability/species/whatever. She's a fun, vibrant, supportive, smart character, and combining those qualities with the idea of a human shifting into a dragon? You've got a fan in me.

THE INEVITABLE COMPARISONS
It's impossible to read this book and not think of a certain other MG series that rhymes with Larry Cotter. I think Amari and the Night Brothers comes off pretty well in such a comparison—I'm not saying it's superior (or inferior), but it holds its own.

But honestly? I think this is closer to a Percy Jackson kind of thing (just without the mythological basis), and Alston's style and voice are closer to Riordan's.

I'd also throw in a comparison to Will Hill's Department 19 books, but few of my readers will recognize it—and it's for an older audience and is more bloody. But it's one of those things that keeps coming to mind as I read Amari's adventure.

I'm not suggesting that Alston's just giving us an "inner city" version of Percy Jackson, etc. There are just things about Amari and the Night Brothers that remind me of the others, (the way that the Iron Druid Chronicles reminds readers of The Dresden Files, for example). The novel's themes and particulars of the fantasy worlds will vary, but the overall feel and style of the novel will invite comparison to Barry Totter, Percy, and similar works.

THE REAL WORLD
In the background of all the fantastic things going on in Amari's life—all the unbelievable things she's being introduced to, the incredible people and creatures she's encountering—there's the real world, and not an easy part of it. She lives in the inner city of Georgia with her mother working horrible shifts at a local hospital struggling to make ends meet. Her father has abandoned the family.

The police assume her brother's disappearance has something to do with him being a criminal—he's not missing, he's off doing something he doesn't want his mother to know about. Because that's what young men in this neighborhood do. As infuriating as that prejudice expressed is, there's someone in the neighborhood who is falling into that lifestyle. Quinton had been tutoring him, but now he has no one helping him—but Amari tries once she realizes what's going on with Jayden. This is a storyline that we follow throughout the book, and it might be the most important and rewarding one.

Both in Amari's school and even at the Bureau, she has to deal with privilege—people who were born into the right families, people who aren't like her. Because of things she has no control over, no input into, simply accident of birth, there are those who don't want her in the Bureau, don't want her pursuing her goals—but she doesn't back down. Never fear, the book doesn't preach, it doesn't moralize. It simply shows the challenges Amari has to deal with—and the challenges so many others don't—and lets the reader draw their own conclusions.

GRIT AND SMARTS
Amari is practically the embodiment of Angela Duckworth's concept of grit. I made a few notes like that while reading, making Amari the kind of protagonist you can really get behind.

Duckworth's website defines grit as:

Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals...
Grit isn’t talent. Grit isn’t luck. Grit isn’t how intensely, for the moment, you want something.
Instead, grit is about having what some researchers call an”ultimate concern”–a goal you care about so much that it organizes and gives meaning to almost everything you do. And grit is holding steadfast to that goal. Even when you fall down. Even when you screw up. Even when progress toward that goal is halting or slow.
Talent and luck matter to success. But talent and luck are no guarantee of grit. And in the very long run, I think grit may matter as least as much, if not more.


Replace the word "talent" above with "magick" and you've got Amari.

The book is also a celebration of thinking. Quinton, Elsie (the weredragon), and Amari are smart. They're bookish. They're problem solvers. Sure Amari has magical abilities, but before she uses magic, she thinks through a situation and addresses it with her mind. Amari and Elsie study, they plan. There's one point where Amari remembers the book and page number where she learned a fact that proved vital to one challenge. Her remembering that page number just made me happy.

Elsie's a tinkerer, even before she gets her magical enhancement, she's inventing things, making things. Amari talks about how many things are in the library that she wants to read about, learn about that have nothing to do with her goals. Give me characters like this any day.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS?
This was just so much fun. Even when things are looking dire for poor Amari (or anyone else), there is an ineffable sense of awe and hope to the book. That just magnified all the good from above (and helped me brush off the couple of minor reservations I had).

Is this one to give to the MG reader in your life? Yes. Is this one to read yourself if you like the occasional (or not-so-occasional) MG novel? Absolutely. I'm already planning on getting the sequels, and expect just about everyone who reads this novel will too.
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My thanks to The Write Reads for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including the novel from Egmont Publishing via Netgalley) they provided.

BOOK BITE- Plucky teen will need a deception detector to navigate the supernatural world.
Amazing

Magical

Astonishing

Resourceful

Inspirational

#BOOKHAIKU

Amari has heart

and pluck as she seeks Quinton

in a magic world

Full Review at
https://goodnighttoread.wordpress.com/2020/12/09/amari-and-the-night-brothers/

Thank you to the amazing @Write_Reads @WriteReadsTours @egmontbooksuk #UltimateBlogTour for including Good Night To Read on ‘Amari and the Night Brothers’ Blog Tour. Big shout out and massive thanks to #NetGalley for making an ARC available. I am so honoured to have been chosen to read this book in advance of its release.

When a book is blurbed by a favourite author you go in with high expectations and I was not disappointed.

The Men in Black vibes are strong with this one but with the added familial drama the stakes are personally high and that makes for a gripping read.

For me this was like reading a total mash up of Skulduggery Pleasant, Nevermoor, Artemis Fowl, Harry Potter with a dash of lots of other things. It is at once familiar and original.

In this hidden world, magic and technology collide. For everyone who was confused about why the wizarding world didn’t embrace muggle technology this one is for you, and I have a feeling we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to both of these elements.

The cast of characters is strong, although you are never quite sure who to trust. The Night brothers of the title are not the only challenge our heroine has to face.

New roommate and best friend Elsie is the trainee Q to Amari’s trainee Bond. And there are plenty of punerific names for the side characters. Love a good pun so found myself highly amused on a number of occasions.

Amari Peters herself is one determined girl and her pre supernatural world experience sets her up well for what she faces at the Bureau. There were more than a few moments where she describes her experience, without naming it as such, as akin to facing racism and I felt my throat hitch. And how she chooses to prove everyone wrong about her is just Amari-Amazing. I really enjoyed Marsai Martin’s performance in Little and I think she’ll make an awesome Amari and depicting this moment needs that quiet surety she has. This has the potential to be a huge movie franchise with big budget special effects, a thrilling plot and moments of tenderness.

The ending opens up a greater crossover between her two worlds and I can’t wait for book two. In the meantime I’m trying to find a signed mega fancy first edition because this is one I’ll be re-reading and adding to my list of MG (and all time) favourites. It’s also got me itching to get back to editing my first NaNoWriMo novel - though I’ve promised some friends I’ll finish a more recent one first. It’s got to be a good book when it has me itching to pick up my writing pen again.

Publisher’s Description:

Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black in this exhilarating debut middle grade fantasy, the first in a trilogy filled with #blackgirlmagic. Perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, the Percy Jackson series, and Nevermoor.

Amari Peters has never stopped believing her missing brother, Quinton, is alive. Not even when the police told her otherwise, or when she got in trouble for standing up to bullies who said he was gone for good.

So when she finds a ticking briefcase in his closet, containing a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain the secretive organization holds the key to locating Quinton—if only she can wrap her head around the idea of magicians, fairies, aliens, and other supernatural creatures all being real.

Now she must compete for a spot against kids who’ve known about magic their whole lives. No matter how hard she tries, Amari can’t seem to escape their intense doubt and scrutiny—especially once her supernaturally enhanced talent is deemed “illegal.” With an evil magician threatening the supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she’s an enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t stick it out and pass the tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton.

My Take:

Right book, right time! A coming-of-age, magic-school, mystery that is just as inspiring and inventive as any YA book I’ve read. I had the pleasure to read and review Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the World and like the blurb above calls out, I can see some excellent parallels between the two. Two young African-American protagonists lost in life who stumble upon other worlds, one based on American Myth and the other all sorts of supernatural creature. Each book features strong diversity and both are worth my highest recommendation.

To get a little more focused on Amari… The book opens with Amari’s golden child of a brother having gone missing… Amari is adrift until she receives a nomination sent from Quinten for a spot at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. After finding her way to the school, she experiences a change in perspective that will rock her world. Is her brother dead? Is he alive? Will the politics of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs hinder Amari from tracking down her brother?

I don’t want to give up too much of the plot, but I will tell you that Amari is a character I immediately got behind. Her frustrations and initial fears are written with transparency and love… I just couldn’t get enough of her voice and her drive to find the truth. I can’t wait to tell my students about this book!

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to The Write Reads and the author for an advanced copy for review.