Release Date: 20 January 2021
“People tend to fear what they don’t understand and fear can far too easily become hatred…”
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.
“The next step, then, is not to project our own prejudices onto the mystery, but rather to allow the mystery to reveal itself to us in its own time…”
This is a fantastic middle grade adventure story that I highly recommend. Pitched as Harry Potter or Nevermoor meets Men In Black, this book was a lot of fun, clever and included very important messaging to dispel stereotypes, judgement and endorse acceptance and hope. The underlying messages throughout the book are what I truly admire in addition to the intriguing plot and unique balance of fantasy and contemporary world building. A clever story about a young black girl from the projects whom, despite constant ridicule due to her lower socio-economic background, retains strength and determination to find her missing brother. Amari has been subject to oppression and prejudice her entire life being from the projects and attending an elite school on a scholarship however she does not let these challenges define her. Amari is quick to jump to any opportunity that will help her find her brother and lead to bigger and better things – even if the journey spins her off into another supernatural world where the challenges she faces are very similar to what she has already endured back home: dealing with judgement, ridicule and prejudice simply because she is different from others.
“People assume stuff about you based on things you can’t change about yourself…”
Amari is a great character. Truly likeable, someone I could imagine being friends with and to an extent, I was able to relate to her in how she overcomes prejudice and stereotypes. I admired her strength and determination in not just finding her brother but to overcome obstacles that others through in front of her – she was not about to let others put her down. There were times Amari doubted herself and her lack confidence was a little frustrating but it drew a parallel to real life and demonstrated that no matter how strong and focused we are in life, we are human and have weak moments too. Amari demonstrated what it can be like for those who have had to be strong for too long. The supporting characters we meet along the way are also very interesting and a lot fun. Each character had a clear purpose for being in the story and part of the world (or bureau) we read. What I also liked about the characters was how unreliable they were. I had no idea who Amari should trust even when they presented themselves as an ally! I was left guessing right to the very end and I even remember thinking at one stage ‘well played, BB Alston… well played…’
The world had a fine balance between contemporary America and the truly imaginative Supernatural world. The Bureau is one place I’d like to explore from afar! I particularly liked the elevators (leaving that right there to avoid spoilers).
Right to the end, I developed theories as I went along with this book and thought I was able to predict the plot or even the characters only to be blindsided. Amari and the Night Brothers really sent me on a beloved and exciting adventure and I highly recommend this to young and older readers who are looking for an action packed adventure. I truly believe this book, whilst entertaining, has very important messaging the world needs to hear. Whilst the book ties up neatly at the end, there is enough open to move into a sequel which I am very excited for. I believe this book is a great way to start the new year and is a book our world needs. This book evoked my own sense of wonder and made me realise that regardless of who we are – how different we may be – we need to accept ourselves and love ourselves for who we are.
Amari and the Night Brothers: The Movie!!!
Coming out on top of a bidding war, Universal Pictures has optioned the rights to “Amari and the Night Brothers” Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman of Mandeville Films (Beauty and the Beast, Wonder) will produce the adaptation alongside star Marsai Martin and Josh Martin via Genius Productions. Don Cheadle will also produce the film – watch this space!!
Special thanks to Hardie Grant Egmont for a copy of this book.
-Annie
Read3rz Re-Vu 