Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy

Nic Blake and the Remarkables #1

by Angie Thomas

“Nothing short of a triumph.” Rick Riordan

“Exploding with heart, humour, and all things Black Girl Magic.” Dhonielle Clayton

From the superstar author of The Hate U Give comes a thrilling fantasy for readers aged 9+.

It’s not easy being Remarkable in a world where standing out is dangerous...

Nic Blake is a Manifestor. All she wants is to learn the Gift, so she can be as powerful as her dad ... until she discovers a shocking secret. Now she must find a powerful magical weapon, or risk losing him for ever.

Book 1 of Nic Blake and the Remarkables

Praise for Angie

No. 1 New York Times Bestselling author

Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Award

Winner of Children's Book of the Year at The British Book Awards

Winner of the Amnesty CILIP Honour for the Carnegie Medal

"No one else writes like Angie. Phenomenal.” The Guardian

"Thomas has given a voice to her generation." Stylist

"Unflinching yet accessible." Dazed

"Witty, generous and real." Entertainment Weekly

"Stunning, brilliant, gut-wrenching." John Green

"Paints a deeply emotional and intricate picture of race and class." Variety

“Undeniably wondrous.” Woman’s Way

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Fiction, Adventure, Magic, Childrens

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2023

About the author

Angie Thomas was born, raised, and still resides in Jackson, Mississippi as indicated by her accent. She is a former teen rapper whose greatest accomplishment was an article about her in Right-On Magazine with a picture included. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Belhaven University and an unofficial degree in Hip Hop. She can also still rap if needed. She is an inaugural winner of the Walter Dean Meyers Grant 2015, awarded by We Need Diverse Books. Her debut novel, The Hate U Give, was acquired by Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins in a 13-house auction and will be published in spring 2017. Film rights have been optioned by Fox 2000 with George Tillman attached to direct and Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg set to star.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was extremely nervous to read this one. EXTREMELY NERVOUS. It takes a lot for an author to step outside of what they typically write and explore something new. This is Angie's first attempt at both middle grade and fantasy. While it's the not the best middle grade fantasy that I've read, it's also not the worst. I went back and forth on what to rate this one. I'm still falling somewhere between a 3 and 3.5, so I decided to set my GR rating at 3 stars.

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Propheyc follows Nic who lives alone with her father and is a part of an "undercover" magical community. On her birthday, Nic is granted a hellhound as a gift and is supposed to attend a fun book signing until a series of events lead Nic's father to keeping her home. Pushing back against his orders, Nic learns about the true complexity of this magical world that she is a part of.

What Worked: Thomas is a strong writer! I think I've always felt that way about her writing capabilities and it continues to show in this book. The story was fast paced and engaging and Thomas does an excellent job capturing the voice of Nic. There were some really great fantastical elements woven into the narrative that made me even more curious about the world building and it was great to see a predominately Black cast at it's center. Between the magical elements and the magical creatures, it's easy to see that middle grade readers will find this one enjoyable. This also has some interesting explorations of familial relationships/dynamics that I found interesting. Overall, it's clear that Angie enjoyed writing this book.

What Didn't Work: This is a difficult section for me to write because I am critiquing this through the lens of an adult. These "evaluations" probably won't hold much weight to a younger audience, but I also think that it's a part of my due diligence to point them out. While I find Thomas' writing to beautiful and fluid, she spent a lot of time telling instead of showing us the development of both the characters and the world. Whenever I read a fantasy, I want things to be shown to me not told especially when it comes to intricate world building. When authors spend too much time telling, it creates a lack of trust between them and the reader. It feels as though the author doesn't trust the readers to build the necessary connections to understand the intent or purpose of the story. She also spent a great portion of the book creating parallels between this fantastical world and Black history as well as the Black experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for kids receiving the opportunity to learn more about experiences that aren't their own; however, in this case, the "tid-bits" of information weren't woven in seamlessly. They were often abrupt and seemed to lack connection to the story as a whole. I enjoyed learning more about Black history/historical events, but I wish that she would have used the information in a way that built a stronger connection between it and this fantastical world. And lastly, the portrayal of the Nic's father and his role in the destruction of the nuclear Black family didn't always sit right with me. He makes some horrible decisions with the best of intentions, but I didn't like it at all.

Overall, I think that middle grade readers are going to enjoy this one and I'm interested in seeing how Thomas' writing is going to change and evolve as she continues to write the series. Even with my critiques, I do see myself continuing on with the rest of the books as they release.

[Renata · Rating 5 out of 5]

ohhh my god, I'm OBSESSED with this. like the layers!! This is so much in conversation with Harry Potter/JKR and the way that stories/authors can betray their readers and it's just like *chef's kiss*. But crucially the base story is fun and compelling too. And I just LOVE Nic as a protagonist. I want a Nic Blake theme park!

[Hannah Greendale (Hello, Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My dad's gonna teach me how to use the Gift so I can finally beat the real Manifestor. First I've gotta catch a hellhound."

I'm absolutely stunned this book wasn't mentioned anywhere in the 2024 ALA Youth Media Awards.

This action-packed adventure story weaves contemporary fantasy with African lore and the history of slavery in America. Thomas teaches young readers important life lessons without being didactic, and she includes her signature story element: characters who love bizarre snack combinations. Orange juice mixed with grape juice, anyone?

Lots of fun twists in this book! Would recommend to fans of Amari and the Night Brothers.

[Afi (WhatAfiReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read and I love the elements that Angie Thomas had interweaved. Some African lore, the Black history and its backgrounds and specially how it shapes the person that the characters had become.

RTC.

Nic Blake and the Remarkables is one of those books that hooked me from the very start, and I was excited about it because it was written by Angie Thomas and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I would say her first middle-grade fantasy debut is a success on its own and I love how she puts her own flair towards it.

—
Nic Blake and The Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is the first book to a start of a new middle-grade fantasy series. A world where magic is filled in a way that takes the lores from African culture but set in America. Nic, a 12 year old who was suddenly tested when an incident happened and her father accused of something he didn’t do. A story of adventure, filled with love, lore and exploration of self.

—
I feel that for her fantasy debut, it wasn’t all too bad. There are some parts of the book where I felt the transition were a bit off and it was a tad chaotic at some parts but overall, it wasn’t a bad read and here are the some highlights why I liked the story.
—
✨Representation✨
I liked how the representation of this book is just 👏🏻✨👏🏻 Props to Angie Thomas for never forgetting about the BLM movement and its written in the story really well. I love how all the characters and the story is derived from African lore and it makes the story has a different twist of its own.

✨Plot✨
For a short read, the plot has been thought out well. I love that the adventures were written in a manner that made the story has its own colour and personality.

Also, I do recommend listening to the audiobook whilst reading as well. The audiobook was so well-done (like all Angie Thomas’s books) and it gives the story more depth.

Overall, this is def a great start to a new series and I can’t wait to read the sequel! Its fun, its a great read for a palate cleanser and it gives hope and representation especially for people of colour ✨🤍

Personal Ratings : 3.75🌟

Thank you so much to Times Reads for this copy!

[Destenie Nock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit torn between a 3 and a 4 on this book, it is a fun quick read (read it in a weekend), and has a lot of the super unique voice Angie Thomas is known for. However, the first part of the novel it was a bit slow, and there are some other things I detail below. I think if readers hold out until chapter 3 they will get more sucked into the plot, which takes us across the southern US. While, I think this book was worth reading, I felt like it teetered on a middle of the road book for me here's why:

Pro: Super interesting plot, with different kinds of magic, cool gadgets, an unexpected ending. Very original and I think the author set up the ending well so that things made sense. I also really appreciate that the author goes against the stereotype of completely absent parents. There is a lot of African American history woven into this book which I loved, and I feel like Angie Thomas adds a lot of magic and life into telling stories that kids will have seen/heard in their history classes. Additionally there were a lot of big twists towards the end that made the last quarter of the book very fast paced. I think fans of Amari & the Night Brothers would like this book.

Cons: The history is a bit much. At times the book strays off the path of the fantasy novel, and feels a little like a PBS or history channel special. While I think it is nice for kids to learn about history, parts of the book felt like they were written specifically for teaching kids history as opposed to the fantasy scenes. These parts took me out of the reading experience. Top downsides of the book for me were that there was a lot of irrelevant backstory, kids who are overly self aware (making them not seem realistic like they were in The Hate You Give), and a lot of telling over showing. For example in the first part of the book (don't worry no spoilers), the main character says JP is her best friend. Throughout the story they call each other best friends a lot, but there are rarely moments shared between the characters that make them seem like true best friends.

In summary, I think this book had a super interesting plot and I love the interwoven magic. That being said the characters felt a bit static, and all the telling over showing made it hard to get completely absorbed in this book. Additionally overly self aware kids, made the characters less than believable. Example: in one part of the book the main character keeps saying how jealous she is. None of my kids have ever been aware of their jealously :-)

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is one of the the best middle grade novels to have come out of 2023 thus far. The characters and friendships are charming and the story itself is brimming with action, adventure, magic and fun, as well as being deeply moving and delivering some fantastic historical insight into the Underground Railroad and civil rights movement in the US.

It’s a story that feels familiar (we’ve got the chosen one, missing parents, kids saving the day etc.) whilst feeling wholly unique and exciting in its own right. It’s the perfect story for fans of HP, Percy Jackson and Amari and the Night Brothers looking for their next thrilling and magical adventure. I had so much fun with this book and I’ve found myself once again utterly in awe of Angie Thomas’s talent. I can’t wait to recommend this to readers young and old as I eagerly await book two.

TW: discussion of racism

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Olen kovasti tykännyt Angie Thomasin realistisista nuortenkirjoista kuten Viha jonka kylvät. Niinpä tartuin innolla myös kirjailijan uunituoreeseen teokseen "Nic Blake ja ihmeelliset - Ilmentäjien ennustus" (Otava, 2024), jossa kohderyhmä oli vaihtunut varhaisnuoriin ja genre fantasiaan.

Nic Blake on kaksitoistavuotias tyttö, joka ystävineen joutuu etsimään myyttistä msaidiziksi kutsuttua taikaesinettä ja kohtaa matkallaan monenlaisia hirviöitä ja toinen toistaan suurempia vaaroja. Keskeiseen rooliin nousevat myös Nicin mutkikkaat perhesuhteet.

Vaikka afroamerikkalaisesta kulttuuriperimästä ponnistavat elementit ja rougaroun kaltaiset vähemmän tunnetut myyttiset olennot olivat ihan mukavaa vaihtelua perinteiseen fantasiaan, niin kokonaisuutena kirja ei kuitenkaan ollut erityisen omaperäinen - tai sitten minä olen vaan liian vanha ja lukenut liian monta genreen kuuluvaa kirjaa.

Thomasin aikaisemmissa teoksissa on ollut vahva yhteiskunnallinen ote, eikä Nic Blaken fantasiamaailmakaan ole irrallaan rasismia pullollaan olevasta arkitodellisuudesta. Esimerkiksi George Floydin tapaukseen viitataan ainakin kertaalleen.

Jos kaipailet samankaltaista luettavaa, niin kokeilepa huviksesi B.B. Alstonin Amaria ja yön veljiä tai jonkinmoisen genreklassikon asemaan noussutta Rick Riordanin Salamavarasta.

[Jessica - How Jessica Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m disappointed I didn’t love this. It was an ok middle grade fantasy adventure — with some interesting Black culture / myths incorporated — but it felt fairly disposable all the same.

I’m used to being immersed in Thomas’s works - I think I’ve given 5 stars to everything else she’s written. Not sure if it’s the age change from YA to MG, or the magic, but this just didn’t grab me. The characters were fairly 1 dimensional, and it left me wanting more.

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always happy to find middle grade fantasy to read, especially with black characters. So I grabbed this one off Libby from my library. I was not disappointed.

This book starts out with the readers not having a clue what’s going on. You just know a young girl named Nic lives with her father who has abilities that allow him to capture monsters. And he’s training her to follow in his footsteps. He has promised for years that when she turns twelve, he’ll teach her to start using her gift, but before that he’s been homeschooling her in their heritage and traditions, the lore and legends non-magic people think are fictional, but are actually real, even if only the remarkables (people like Nic and her father and their small circle of acquaintances) can see them and know they are authentic. They move a lot and it’s presented as an adventure for Nic and her dad, and she doesn’t pick up any darker context to it.

Nic gets the surprise of her life when she sees a vision of the future that makes no sense to her, and her father freaks out about it and makes her stay home from a signing for her favorite author. That’s when things pick up and never slow down again.

I enjoyed this book so much. I was hugely appreciative of the great worldbuilding. I love how it draws on African American (and African folklore/mythology and heritage) in a way that is very affirming to kids from that heritage who don’t get this ability to see themselves and their background in the stories they read. I found the variety of creatures and their presentation in the story wonderfully creative. For example, what more people refer to as a werewolf are called Rougarou which is a very regional term for werewolves common in the swampy areas of Louisiana. This book has some creatures from African mythology that I studied, such as the Aziza (a fairy type creature), Grootslang (giant elephant/snake), and the Boo Hag (which comes from Gullah traditions–descendents of enslaved people who live on the coast of South Carolina), who steals the lifeforce and breath of sleeping people, along with their skin.

The concept of magic in this story is also distinct. Magic is ancestral, passed down in families. In fact, magic came from Africa with enslaved peoples. While some Remarkables, which are regular humans with no magical heritage, can employ wands to exploit magic, it is a more corrupted form, prone to backfiring.

Angie Thomas examines the realities of life and history for African Americans through the lens of being a Remarkable, born into the magic world. The issues of systemic racism and its effects (from the capture and enslavement of Africans to police brutality and killings to overpolicing and stereotyping black people as criminals) are shown in the lived experiences of the characters. For example, when Nic goes into a store in a small town with her two companions, they are subjected to unfriendly, judgmental scrutiny by the storekeeper, who assumes they cannot pay for the groceries they are going to buy. I was surprised at how white supremacy is conveyed in a way that is far from being on the nose, but instead in a creative and very fitting way for this story.

If there were any negatives, I feel like some of the adult characters were underdeveloped. I would have liked the chance to know and understand them more, since they prove to be very important in this story. Otherwise, the relationships between the characters are such a cozy and fulfilling part of the book. I loved Nic’s relationship with her dad, her friend TJ, and other relationships that develop as the book goes along. I just wish that a pivotal character who is introduced later on had more page time and development as it’s so important to the story.

The culmination of the third act is almost shocking, although I should not have been surprised at all. It examines black trauma in a very impactful way. One character’s actions are unforgivable, harmful and heinous, especially as they are focused on an innocent child. That really threw me. This book is not graphic in any way, but some of the content packs an emotional wallop, especially if black trauma is a trigger for some readers. The story ends in a satisfying way, while the groundwork for an ongoing great threat is laid.

I enjoyed this a lot. I didn’t have any real expectations, but they were more than met with this novel. The audiobook was great and I appreciated the narrator so much. They were really good at doing different voices, younger, older, male and female, but also conveying their supernatural characteristics. I recommend checking out the audiobook if you choose to read it.

Recommended to readers who enjoy middle grade fantasy. If you are looking for a female, black lead that falls into the niche of books like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, but does something fun and different and brings in African diaspora heritage, legend and lore, check this one out!

Overall rating: 4.25/5.0 stars

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai adoré ! Un roman de Fantasy pour les plus jeunes avec une héroïne afro-américaine charismatique et très agréable à suivre. J'ai aimé que l'univers magique soit lié au destin des anciens esclaves. Il y a plein de bonnes idées !

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced, middle-grade adventure. I loved the details of the magical world and the commentary on race. Angie Thomas' writing always achieves the difficult thing of feeling relevant and authentic, whatever the genre or age group. She never writes down for younger readers or shies away from exploring difficult issues.

I'm looking forward to the next installments in this new series.

Also, I want a hellhound now.

[Jelena Milašinović · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is Angie Thomas' (The Hate U Give, On The Come Up) middle-grade debut. It's the first book in a new contemporary fantasy series that draws inspiration from African American history and folklore.

The Manifestor Prophecy follows Nic Blake, the story's main character and narrator, a Remarkable in an Unremarkable world. Nic's greatest wish is to be a powerful Manifestor, like her father. However, before she gets the chance to convince her dad to teach her about the Gift, a series of terrifying events and shocking revelations launch Nic and her friends on a quest to find a powerful magical item.

The Manifestor Prophecy is a remarkable (pun intended), superbly written book with a wonderfully nuanced, diverse, and developed cast of characters. The book celebrates African American culture, history, and heritage while exploring complex themes and interpersonal relationships in an approachable manner. The book's brisk pace never hinders the exploration of complex themes (injustice, racism, representation, interpersonal relationships) Thomas chose to cover or character development.

"Accurate representation matters when it comes to real folks."

The astonishing cast of characters portrayed in The Manifestor Prophecy is one of the book's highlights that show Thomas' writing skills. Each character is nuanced and multi-dimensional. Even the characters who are (supposed to be) antagonists are well-developed, and their (back)story is layered enough to make the reader think about them and the choices that led them to that path. Character development will encourage questions from middle-grade readers and will be a topic of discussion.

Representation is another important aspect; Nic, Alex, and JP are wonderful, charming, and relatable characters, and it's such a joy to see POC characters that middle-graders (and other readers) can see themselves in and relate to. I am sure these characters, but especially Nic, will become fan favourites.

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is a magnificent read. It's one of those important, but approachable books I could endlessly reread, analyze and write essays about. In addition, it is an enjoyable read for readers of all ages. I wholeheartedly recommend reading it and getting a copy for any person in your life.

[Dayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an audiobook from the library, but I also have an ARC from the publisher (full disclosure), which didn't affect my review in any way.

I didn't know what to expect when I started this new MGLit title by the incredible author that is Angie Thomas, but I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed it!!

Our MC is a young black girl who finds out some hard truths about why her and her father are always moving around. What happens after is a whirlwind of adventure and great dialogue, along with a very cute demon puppy.

One of the things that stood out for me is how Thomas, like always, inserted important social commentary into her story. The comparison of her magical fictional world and our very flawed non-magical world will hopefully be a great way for younger readers (and the older ones who pick this up) to truly see the disparity with which certain people in society are treated in comparison to others.

If you want a fun adventure full of magic and self-discovery, but also with some important topics being touched on, then I think you might really enjoy this one. I'm excited to see where Thomas takes this story!

Happy reading!

[Aoife · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nic Blake is 12 years old which means it's finally time for her dad to show her how to use The Gift, the type of magic that people like her (Remarkables) wield to make life a little better than if you were an Unremarkable (normal humans like her best friend JP). But things take a turn when Nic meets her godfather, and finds out some things her father has been hiding from her - mainly her mother, and her twin brother Alex - and suddenly she has to find something really special to save her dad.

This was a very fun and magic-filled adventure that anyone who loves anything magical or urban fantasy will appreciate. I love the sense of representation in this book as pretty much all characters are people of colour, as well as the history behind the type of magic Remarkables/Manifestors can do and how a lot of it tied into African-American history, and also just worldwide Black history as well. While I was not the target audience of this book as a white, thirty-something woman, I just know that any child that sees themselves represented in the pages of this story is going to absolutely love it, and this makes me very happy.

There are a lot of nods of the well-known 'Chosen One' trope in this book (mainly the big one with the Golden Trio) and I liked how it flipped it on its head a bit as we are following the trio's children and see what it's like living with a heavy legacy and expectation upon one's head as well.

One of the best things I liked about this book as well is that I could tell Angie Thomas had a lot of fun writing this book, you could really feel it in the pages and with every new magical mishap that happens to our group of friends. This is a very fun start to what I think will be an exciting series, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.

[aforestofbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, this was actually pretty good. I loved the lore behind the Gift and the Remarkables, and its connection with the enslavement of Black people in the US and the Underground Railway. Such a cool way to mix history in with some fantasy elements. I definitely got Percy Jackson vibes from this book, which made it super enjoyable to read. It was fast-paced and jumped around from setting to setting (again, so similar to PJO), and the world-building was done really well. I'm curious to see what happens next, especially now that we've seen a bit of Uhuru. It sounds like a dream world, but I like how this book doesn't shy from the darker and ugly parts of Remarkable history either.

The main characters were fun and loveable. I loved the dynamic between the three by the end of the book. And I loved the family aspects especially. It was just very sweet and wholesome at times.

Definitely a book series I would recommend for middle grade readers. It's nice to diverge from reading the same popular middle-grade books, yet have the familiarity of the story style, but with a diverse cast of characters and a back story and world that is so unique.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SUCH a fun middle grade read! Seeing how much I enjoyed it as an adult, I know I would have been obsessed as a kid. Such a magically diverse and adventurous romp.

Interspersed throughout were discussions of race and racism and what it means in the regular, or “unremarkable” world versus those in the magical/“remarkable” world who don’t experience the same prejudice. This is so important, especially for young readers, I can see this being a great lesson in empathy and fighting for Black kids as well as other marginalized people.

I think the heavy topics for young readers was well balanced with the levity of the adventures the trio embark on. I loved the parts based on history (like the Underground Railroad) mixed in with the mythical, especially learning more about African lore.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy to report that this was …. Fantastic!
I mean, I kind of knew it would be but it actually exceeded my expectations.
12 year old Nic, who has always known she comes from a remarkable (magic) family, finds out that the plot of her favorite fantasy series is actually true and involves her family and … well her destiny.
That’s a simplified version of this very well plotted and entertaining fantasy adventure.
Angie Thomas’s warmth and humor really shine in this book, which presents a super fun fantasy world that feels like a mash up of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and Black Panther.
Kids are going to LOVE this and I can’t wait to introduce it to them.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is magnificent! Angie Thomas did such a great job building this world and creating a magic system that is familiar and fresh! I love how she weaves in Black history and social justice issues. The three young people at the center of the story are so charming and precious. The story is adventurous, funny, and sometimes stressful - the kids find themselves in many nail-biting situations on their quest.

Thanks to LibroFM, the publisher and Angie Thomas for the gifted copy!

[Linnea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reippaasti etenevä uusi fantasiasarja. Valittu-troopin pyörittelyä, afroamerikkalaisten (synkkää) historiaa yhdistettynä fantasiaelementteihin, ystävyyttä ja vaarallisiin tilanteisiin joutuvia lapsia. Sinänsä ei ehkä genressään mitään "uutta ja ihmeellistä", mutta viihdyin hyvin ja sehän riittää.

Suosikkini oli ehdottomasti Nic Blaken paras kaveri TJ, mahtava tyyppi.

[FräuleinHallo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die Übersetzung ist.. Gewöhnungsbedürftig. Jeglicher Charakter in jeder Altersstufe redet mit massig Anglizismen, was dazu führt das der Vater zur Tochter sagt, sie solle ihn mal nicht so haten. Vielleicht probiere ich es nochmal auf Englisch.

[Nicole | bridge four books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Cherith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I love the magical world building and how she uses it to talk about real world issues like racism and justice. It has some elements of Black Panther plus Harry Potter plus African mythology, plus middle school characters who we care about. And I love JP!!

Just so good. I can't wait for more and I can't wait to share it with my kids (I think it's still a little too scary for young elementary). When that time comes, I wanna buy it.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torn between a 3 and a 4. But since it's middle grade and I think tweens would enjoy it, going with a 4.

[Dramapuppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the rare book where the exposition is better than the story. During the beginning where they’re setting everything up and the ending where they’re setting up a sequel? Couldn’t put it down! The world building and characters are amazing. But the middle where the actual plot happens? Very generic MacGuffin fetch quest. Still, I’m excited to see where it goes next.

[Tangi Trussell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley.

This book grasped me from the beginning. The world building was good. I LOVED that Jackson, MS was a big location *biased*. Bigger issues were discussed but I think they were handled in a way that MG readers can comprehend. The three main characters were diverse & offered something different to the story. I love reading about books within a book. Definitely buying a physical copy, buying for my nieces, & recommending to others!!!! <3

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am abandoning this at the halfway point. I was very excited to see that Thomas was writing middle grade, and a fantasy, which I love, but I couldn't get through it. I'm frankly a little surprised that the professional reviews have been as glowing as they have. There's so much world-building here, which I don't mind, but Thomas breaks the cardinal rule over and over: she tells instead of shows. I was glad to see her incorporating elements of African American history into the story, but at least at the halfway point, none of it seems to have much resonance. Thomas did a keynote at a virtual conference in which she talked about having written this story a long time ago and abandoned it because it wasn't working, then dug it out and rewrote it. I still don't think it works, but if this ends up being a series, hopefully a freshly conceived story will work better for the sequel. Review from e-galley.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 in @angiethomas first MG fantasy series!
🪄
Nic (Nichole) Blake just turned twelve. She’s officially ready to learn about being a Manifestor like her dad, but when a series of shocking events and revelations happen, Nic must take off with her two friends to find a magical tool. It’s this tool that will prove her father’s innocence. Being a Remarkable in a world full of Unremarkables is something Nic only thought she knew about, but this journey has her coming into her own.
🪄
Angie Thomas is a must-read author for me so when I saw she had a MG fantasy series coming out, I was pumped. Fans of Tristan Strong, the Marvellers and Amari will love this book just as much. Thomas’s trademark humor is there, as well as so much African American history! This novel could be paired with nonfiction texts about slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. Also the cover!! Just stunning. I love that the MC is named Nic, probably after her bestie Nic Stone. Book 1 releases April 4!

CW: racism, Black pain, violence, death, police brutality, slavery, lynching

[Rosemary Laurel Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. Super engaging. Loved the main character and her best friend. Interesting story, with a bit of an unexpected twist near the end that I'm excited to see what they do with next! Felt well written to me. I could see my 12 year old loving it, while at the same time my 42 year old self felt it was right at my level too.

[MissSusie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous!! Wonderful meshing of real events and fantasy, just so good!!

Joniece Abbott-Pratt's narration was also amazing she brought all the emotions and everyone had a voice.

Not saying anything else you need to read this one yourself!

4 1/2 stars

[Katie Proctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing middle grade fantasy!!! I loved it so much and can’t wait to read more about Nic and Alex and JP!