| Title | : | Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0063225131 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780063225138 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 304 |
| Publication | : | Expected publication April 4, 2023 |
It’s not easy being a Remarkable in the Unremarkable world. Some things are cool—like getting a pet hellhound for your twelfth birthday. Others, not so much—like not being trusted to learn magic because you might use it to take revenge on an annoying neighbor.
All Nic Blake wants is to be a powerful Manifestor like her dad. But before she has a chance to convince him to teach her the gift, a series of shocking revelations and terrifying events launch Nic and two friends on a hunt for a powerful magic tool she’s never heard of...to save her father from imprisonment for a crime she refuses to believe he committed.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy Reviews
-
ANGIE THOMAS DEBUT MIDDLE GRADE OMG!!! WHY DIDNT I KNOW THIS WAS A THING!!!!!?
-
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!
-
Plot:
The plot of Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy follows the story of Nic Blake, a young boy who discovers that he has magical powers and is destined to become a powerful wizard. Nic is a relatable and endearing protagonist who finds himself at the center of a prophecy that could save the world from evil forces.
The story is well-paced and keeps readers engaged throughout the book. The author does an excellent job of building tension and creating a sense of urgency that propels the story forward. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
Characters:
The characters in Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy are well-developed and interesting. Nic is a likable and relatable protagonist who readers will root for. His journey of self-discovery and growth is inspiring and heartwarming.
The supporting cast of characters is also well-written and adds depth to the story. Each character has their unique personality and backstory, which makes them more than just one-dimensional side characters.
Writing Style:
Ryan E. Palmer's writing style in Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is engaging and immersive. The author has a knack for world-building and creates a magical world that is both familiar and unique. The descriptions are vivid, and the action scenes are well-written and easy to visualize.
The dialogue is also well-done and helps to bring the characters to life. The author has a talent for writing believable and relatable dialogue that adds depth to the story.
Conclusion:
Overall, Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is an exciting and engaging young adult fantasy novel that will appeal to readers of all ages. The plot is well-crafted, and the characters are relatable and likable. The writing style is immersive, and the world-building is impressive. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy adventure. -
trigger warning
It is finally time: Nic Blake is twelve years old, and her father promised he'd be teaching her to use her gift then. The day starts promising with a hellhound puppy who'll join the family.
I was stoked to see that Angie Thomas had written a middlegrade book. I tried reading THUG but the depiction of PTSD was so good that it set off mine and I had to put it down, and ignored the other books in the series for the same reason.
We have a straightforward first-person-narrator middlegrade adventure with a ton of fantasy elements, which is something I always look out for. Well, I don't care about the narrator choice that much, but fantasy?! Hell yes.
The main chunk of characters is black, only towards the end we meet white people and those are clearly the bad guys, without it feeling forced. Well, there was no need to force it.
As a white person who is not that informed about US history, I learned details I didn't know about, which is always welcome.
The characters are three-dimensional, the world building is great, the pacing well done.
Yes, we have a prophecy and a chosen one, but it does not pan out like you'd expect it to.
I am glad that this is the first in a series - supposedly a trilogy but I read too much fantasy to believe what is said at the beginning of a series, so often they aim for trilogy and realise they need more space - as it means there will be more.
And I am interested to see how it goes, as Nic will change schools and her whole life will take a different turn after the events in this one. Will we get a school of magic setting, or will she go out on adventures? We'll see.
Recommendations for young and older readers.
The arc was provided by the publisher. -
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 -
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I instantly fell in love with Nic Blake and the world of the Remarkables from page 1. I hope this series continues for a long, long time! Angie Thomas' writing is pure artistry and so many children are going to be thrilled to recognise themselves in the lovingly crafted characters of Nic, JP & Alex. I cannot wait to read more! -
4.5 stars fir this excellent series start that combines folklore and fantasy because who doesn't love a hero quest with a side of folklore? Just a heads up, pair this with Virginia Hamilton's The People Could Fly for a deeper read. Highly recommend.
I read an advanced reader's copy courtesy of the publisher -
When I saw that the fabulous Angie Thomas was publishing a middle grade fantasy novel and it was available on NetGalley, I couldn’t request it fast enough! When I got approved, I literally jumped for joy. I just knew it was going to be amazing, and I wasn’t disappointed. The way that Angie Thomas wove a story full of history, mythology, and current events was magical (no pun intended). This will be perfect for fans of the Tristan Strong series and Amari & the Night Brothers. I will absolutely be adding this to my school library’s collection as soon as it is available! 4.5⭐️
-
Super Fun and full of charm and black girl magic! Can't wait to read more Middle Grade from Angie Thomas.
-
Review closer to release date.
-
I was provided a free copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I’m a huge fan of Angie Thomas, and I love that her first middle-grade novel is something completely different from her YA fare. I’ll admit I often find middle-grade fantasy sort of cheesy - it’s a fine line to walk. You want it to be approachable for a younger audience (so no super-dense mythology), but you also don’t want it to be…well, goofy. I think Angie walks that line pretty well. There’s a bit of an info-dump quality in the earlier chapters as she’s setting up the world and what Remarkables are and how their powers work. Luckily that quality doesn’t last, and we learn information organically as the story unfolds.
Nic Blake is a Remarkable (which, she’ll be quick to tell you, is NOT the same thing as a wizard!). She’s been raised by a single father, and he homeschools her because they move around a lot. When the story begins, it’s Nic’s 12th birthday, and although she gets the hellhound puppy she’s been hoping for (not as good as a dragon, but ok), what she really wants is to learn how to use her Gift. Her father is a Manifestor, which is the most powerful kind of Remarkable (there are others like fairies, visionaries, vampires, shapeshifters, etc.). But to her disappointment, he tells her they need to wait another year to start her formal training – the same thing he’s told her the last two birthdays. Nic is bummed, but at least she gets to go to a book signing with her best friend JP. The two of them are obsessed with a Harry Potter-esque series about a trio of friends fighting an evil wizard. But it turns out, not only are those books not quite fictional, Nic herself is in terrible danger, and her father has been hiding an awful secret about their family.
I really enjoyed this, although I confess I wish it weren’t a series-starter. It does feel a little Harry Potter-ish at times, given that we have a trio , and a prophecy, and an evil villain who’s totes vanquished. Honestly it reminded me more of Henry Clark’s What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World. It’s a fantasy, but it also has a sense of humor. Angie Thomas’s voice is one of the things I have always loved most about her writing and it is in fine form here. Nic feels very much like a typical 12-year-old, snarky, a little self-centered, and pretty good at delivering zingers. Her best friend JP is an old man trapped in the body of a 12-year-old, and I have a special place in my heart for old-at-heart tweens, so he was actually my favorite character. Plus there’s Cocoa the hellhound puppy - who survives the whole ordeal completely unscathed!
The world-building here is really great - as I mentioned at the beginning, there’s a bit of info-dumping early on. Nic and her father visit a juke joint where fellow Remarkables in exile hang out, and we hear a LOT about all the different sorts of Remarkables and the Glow and the history, and it’s a lot of information in a very short span. But again, it calms down after that. And a lot of the history here is based on African history and mythology, so it’s clear Angie has done her research. And while it’s fantasy and it’s fun, it’s not without substance – there are some great talking points raised, particularly when the 3rd member of the trio enters the mix.
Again, I do wish this were a standalone rather than a series starter (it ends with a fairly boilerplate fantasy cliffhanger ), but I’m interested to see what happens to Nic and co from here. -
Give it.
-
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Nic Blake, who lives with her father in Jackson, Mississippi, is excited to turn 12. It means that her father, who homeschools her, will finally teach her to use the Gift, and perhaps let her have a hellhound puppy. Her best friend, JP, doesn't know that she and her father are Manifestors, a particular kind of Remarkables, but the two bond over a fictional story about a boy involved in magic. When the new book in the series comes out, Nic attends a book signing and finds out that the author, TJ Retro, is an old friend of her father's, and the books are based on their childhood! This opens up a lot of secrets, however; Nic thought that her mother had abandoned her, but it turns out that it was her father who took her away from Uhuru, where most Remarkables live and her grandmother is president of LORE, and has been hiding with her as an exile. Not only that, but her father is also accused of stealing the Msaidizi, which can change forms but is crucial to the safety of Uhuru. Nic also has a twin brother! She realizes that the only way to save her father is to embark on a journey to find the Msaidizi, which can change forms, making them difficult to find. She aslso has a twin brother, Alex! She realized that the only way to save her father is by meeting with a variety of Remarkables (who are drawn from African folklore), completing a heroic quest, and exploring a prophecy and a secret about herself that needs to be further examined in another book in this series!
Strengths: Nic's desire to be included into Remarkable culture is strong, and the description of the different types of Remarkables and how they function in the Unremarkable world is great fun. Having a magical creature of one's own is an added bonus, and the hellhoud puppy, while stinky, will speak to readers who want their own familiar. The family secrets are both devastating and somewhat of a relief; Nic is both angry but glad to get to know her brother, which whom she has quite a bond. JP is a fun character, with his preacher father and religious background, which he uses to great effect in many of the battles in which the trio are embroiled. There is definitely another book on the horizon; the family connections need to be explored and smoothed out, and Nic needs to spend some time settling into Uhuru, although I'm glad that JP will be allowed to visit.
Weaknesses: This does embrace a lot of middle grade fantasy tropes: getting magical powers at puberty, heroic quests, and friends from outside of the magical realm that get drawn into the adventure. While I have read dozens of similar books, my students have not, so this probably won't matter to them.
What I really think: Since 2014, we have seen an uptick in the number of culturally related fantasy novels, which is great. Readers who enjoyed Perry's Cameron Battle, Brown's Serwa Boateng, Mbalia's Tristan Strong and Last Gate of the Emperor, will enjoy this one the most, but the African folklore and inclusion of Black history will also appeal to readers who like more academy based tales with cultural connections like Clayton's The Marvellers, Elle's A Taste Of Magic, Dumas' Wildseed Witch, and Okogwu's Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun.
Also, there's a book by an author who normally doesn't do fantasy that has a girl flying on a creature on the cover. A lot of oranges and yellows, and it's going to take me a moment to remember it. Argh! -
I've been avoiding writing this review, because it isn't as positive as I'd have loved it to be.
Overall, I didn't think much of this book :(
Angie Thomas has never let me down before. Her writing usually draws me in so well. Her characters and prose feel so real it's as if you're there, and her stories are absolutely gripping. I can't tell you how excited I was to read her first fantasy novel. It looked so fun. I was squealing when I saw I received an ARC.
This book certainly delivered on the representation side of things. It felt 100% African American, from the Black characters to the mythology and history. Although as a white Australian, I'm not the best judge of this, to me at least it felt like this was a great aspect of the book. It fills a gap in the market.
I've seen that most people absolutely love this book, so I hope that most young readers really enjoy it as well. Maybe it just didn't work for me - and that's a good thing, because I want kids to be able to love this! I usually try to review books objectively, especially if I'm not the target audience. I wouldn't read a horror novel and give it a low rating because it was 'too scary', and similarly I don't judge MG/YA for feeling 'immature'. Still, I have to be honest about how I felt.
So, what went wrong for me? I know I can't expect middle-grade to have the depth of YA or adult, but there was something really lacking in this book. And just because MG readers are younger doesn't mean their books don't have to be fully fleshed-out.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables felt... forgettable. Not just because it didn't feel particularly new or unique, but each night when I dove back in to read a few chapters, it took me a long time to catch up on what was happening. It was hard to follow, and I think younger readers could struggle with this as well (more so, since they aren't as experienced with reading/storytelling).
I could clearly see the Percy Jackson and H*rry P*tter inspiration in this book, but it didn't reach the depths that made those books so successful. The characters were one-dimensional (I loved them, but they didn't impress me), the worldbuilding wasn't particularly unique or well-rounded, and the prose felt off (telling instead of showing, unnecessary dialogue tags, etc). Again, just because a book is for kids, doesn't mean it should lack important storytelling elements.
There were a lot of great foundations in this book, and I think it just needed a bit of work to really bring out the aspects that would make it great. I suppose overall I struggled to see the point in this story (other than it being to fill the lack of representation for Black kids in this genre). Why did I need to know Nic's story, out of everyone in this world? Her parents' story intrigued me a lot more, honestly.
I'm really disappointed and sad. This isn't an awful book or anything, but considering Angie Thomas's books usually really impress me, I'm quite shocked that this had a much lower quality. -
It can be challenging (for the reader and author) when an author switches genres. Angie Thomas is a master of realistic fiction. However, Ms. Thomas seamlessly entered the world of fantasy and gave us the Remarkable Nic Blake.
Nichole Blake has just turned twelve and cannot wait to learn how to use her Gift. She is a Remarkable (not to be confused with a wizard - no wands here). Nic’s dad is a Manifestor (one of the most powerful types of Remarkables) and has been promising to teach her how to use her Gift on her birthday. However, just like the last two years, he says they need to put off training for another year. At least she got a puppy hellhound (not a dragon, which would have been awesome) and she gets to go to her favorite author’s book signing with her best friend JP. Meeting her favorite author is definitely more than she thought it would be. Nic finds out the stories she loves are not quite fiction, her father has been keeping secrets, and something she’s always wished for is actually reality. She’s in danger, but she will do whatever she must to protect those she loves.
The thing I love most about this book is seeing Ms. Thomas’s personality shine through. If you’ve ever seen her “DumbleDope” act with Nic Stone, you will see all of that in this book. Nic, JP, and Alex are similar to our Hogwarts trio but even more relatable. I’m a huge fan of JP.. Nic’s dad has a great shoe collection, which I’m sure would rival Ms. Thomas’s! The dialogue is hilarious, quick witted and sarcastic. All of my favorite things, And I’m wondering if Nic’s friend, Rebecca, from ATL might be a reference to Becky Albertelli. It’s also obvious that Ms. Thomas has done her research into African history and folklore. I appreciate that she is able to intertwine social Justice issues within the story. They’re definitely on a level that middle school kids can understand. Any fans of Amari and Tristan Strong will devour this book! Can’t wait to have more adventures with this crew. -
I was able to get an ARC of this book and decided to read it before my kids got their hands on it!
Overall I really enjoyed this book! It’s absolutely a middle grade fantasy series, which I think will be perfect for my 10 year old. However even as an adult the story was interesting enough to hold my attention.
I definitely saw the Harry Potter inspiration, but the story is still unique enough to make it it’s own. I felt like the characters were what made this book with the plot taking a back seat at times. The pace of the book was mostly good with a larger event happening every couple of chapters, however the in between could be a bit slow (especially for the younger crowd).
The ending of the book definitely surprised me and made me want to continue reading the series as it comes out!
As for the downsides, I felt like the descriptions at times were a bit lacking. Especially in the climactic chapters the descriptions felt a little rushed and lacking, so I had a hard time imagining what exactly was occurring. Then suddenly it would be over and things would be moving on. I get that it is middle grade, so the pace was kept fast for a reason, but I would have appreciated more description.
Overall I actually really enjoyed how history was woven into the book and how the Remarkables were given the gift. I thought it was creative and well done. However, some parts were just much or redundant. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the racism in the book. For example, the scene of the kids in the store was too much for me considering the main audience of the book. I do understand and respect why the author put it in, however I know for a lot of young kids who will read this book racism isn’t at the forefront of their mind (mine included), and some things I prefer them to learn about from me as the parent rather than a book.
In the end I���d say I give this book about 3.5-4 ⭐️
It’s a very fun read that I will definitely be handing off to my kids! -
tl;dr
A decidedly nuanced look at the "kids save the world" genre, with tons of fun and lore in a fast-paced adventure.
Thoughts
There's so much I want to gush about in this book, it's actually kind of hard to pick a starting point. Kids have to save the world a lot, it would seem. But what happens when those kids grow up, and the world continues to need saving? Nic Blake is a superfan of a popular book series about magical kids who go to magical school and have to save the world from an evil man. A series of events reveals that the books aren't quite as fictional as she thought, and she's next up when it comes to world-saving heroics. But her adventure isn't quite as rosy as the books, and it turns out even the books left out a couple details. It's the exact sort of thing I've always wanted to see discussed in MG. The kind of absolutely wild danger that characters in these novels go through has got to leave a mark. And in this case, it absolutely does. There's a very nuanced human element to all the characters in this, even the antagonists (especially the antagonists?), which I really appreciated, and I'm surprised how much I felt for everyone involved. Nic is a relatable MC, with her own goals, skills, cleverness, and personal fears, and she makes a believable hero that I really want to cheer for. (Also, her puppy is super cute.) Combine that with an honest look at what it means to be a black person in today's world, and you get an incredibly strong read that had me hooked all the way through.
Also! I KNOW that books in a series often have cliffhanger endings, but that didn't stop me from absolutely yelling when I got to the end of this book. What a setup, what a payoff, and what a cliffhanger. When's the next one coming out? Please, I need it.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own. -
Angie Thomas joins the middle grade fantasy genre with a bang in this fast-paced, funny adventure. Nic Blake has grown up knowing she’s a Remarkable, someone with inherit magic-like abilities. But her dad has yet to teach her how to use them. On her 12th birthday, things start to get complicated when Nic discovers what she’s always been told may not be accurate. As Nic searches for answers, she meets many memorable characters and creatures, woven together with folktales and history.
The characters are what drew me in to this book. Nic is written like a 12 year old, in the best way. She is funny and strong-willed. Her annoyance, but overall love for her dad was so palpable from the easy teasing banter they had. JP, Nic’s best friend, was so lovable and unapologetically himself, a nerdy pastors kid and fierce friend.
Thomas was also able to discuss a lot of important social topics throughout the book without it feeling too heavy for a middle grade. The way that history affected the Remarkable world and vice versa was very powerful, yet subtle. I think as the series continues, the author will add even more layers to that by continuing to open up the minds of readers, and challenge their ideals while empowering them too.
It would be a spoiler to talk about something else I really appreciated since it happened at the end. But I will say, I like how a trope was explored and expanded in the last part of this book. It makes me so so excited for the series to continue.
If you loved Percy Jackson, Amari and the Night Brothers, or Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, please run to your favorite book website and preorder this! I am eagerly waiting for the sequel. Nic Blake will stick with me for a long, long time.
(Thank you to the publisher for a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.’) -
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas is a fun fantasy mid-grade read that I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves books about magic and mayhem! This book is the first one in a series of three about the talented Nic Blake, a Remarkable black girl living in an unremarkable world. Remarkables are African Americans with magical gifts that harken back to their origins in Africa and it's rich folklore. They have a variety of types of Remarkables including witches, vampires, and werewolves. Nic and her family are Manifestors, which is the most powerful form of magic in the Remarkable community. When Nic turns 12. She not only gets an adorable hellhound puppy but she also gets in over her head with a barrage of secrets and twists and turns that she never expected. I really enjoyed this book and how much love showed through all of the characters. Nick is such a curious character and I love seeing how her mind works when she's figuring out the different puzzles that she's faced with. Her relationship with JP is great and it's really nice to see him come into his character throughout the book series. I hope to see more of him in future books. The family dynamics are really interesting and you can tell that each character cares a lot about the whole family as well as the individuals. The story has a lot of heart and navigate is difficult. Family dynamics with ease. The African folklore and fantasy elements are so cool and really bring this book to life. I especially loved the scenes in New Orleans and all of the history that was put into them. Cocoa is adorable and now I want a hellhound! I think this book is a great option for mid-grade readers who love Percy Jackson and the magic story book series. It's a strong first book with tons of heart and great black characters.
-
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy!
Nic Blake has dealt with move after move with her father. They have finally settled in Jackson, Mississippi long enough for her to find a best friend, JP, who she has bonded with over their shared love of a fun fantasy book series. However, Nic is hiding a secret from him: she and her dad are Manifestors, people with remarkable magical powers. On the night of her 12th birthday, Nic finds out that she isn’t the only one who has been keeping secrets—her dad has also held back the truth about Nic’s past, family, and even her real name. Catapulted into a new reality, Nic has to fight to save her family and friends, and the Remarkable world itself.
I thoroughly enjoyed the world building in this fantasy. There is a great cast of characters and a really fun magic system that Nic explores as she learns more about her heritage in the book. For fans of Legendborn, I think this explores similar themes of magic, family, and legacy, but for a younger audience and with a lot more jokes! I appreciated how Thomas weaved in historical elements and grappled with Nic’s understanding and questioning of these people with power—she literally asks why the Remarkables did not help when they could have, which I think is so spot on and true to character. At the end, I was impressed with the twist and the exploration of the emotional aspect of the hero’s journey. Overall, I will definitely be getting this for our library!
I am a huge fan of Angie Thomas’ realistic fiction and I was so excited to read her foray into fantasy. If you have not done so, I highly encourage reading her author’s note about how she started this book—very powerful and shows how this book is true to her! -
I had the privilege of meeting Angie Thomas at my local library and hearing her speak about her debut novel, The Hate U Give. Hearing any great author share their thoughts in person can be life changing but having this experience was deeply life altering for me as a reader, a parent, a teacher, and as a human.
When I learned Angie Thomas was writing a book for the middle grades- I knew it was going to be phenomenal. I love that she is giving students something she rarely had in school- remarkable books with remarkable characters who look like her.
Magic is all around us but if you are an unremarkable like me, you probably haven’t noticed. We’ve been missing out! Nic is turning twelve and is super excited about her dad finally teaching her how to use her powers as a manifestor but with the turn of some crazy events- she ends up learning a lot more than she expected.
On her journey, Nic unearths the deepest of secrets and begins to learn about the Remarkable’s history which is intertwined with black history and folklore. Angie takes us on a magical adventure immersed with fantastic characters, mythological creatures, and tons of twists and turns.
Young readers are absolutely going to fall in love with Nic and her friends. I was especially partial to JP! They are going to be left on the edge of theirs seats and wanting more- good thing this is a series!
I would definitely recommend this book and encourage parents and caregivers to give it a read also. This book will offer great opportunities for literary discussions in addition to bigger life talks.
I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. -
Netgalley provided me a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Angie Thomas writing a middle grade fantasy series was not on my Literary Bingo card for 2023, but here we are.
There are some good things here, for sure. Thomas has a created a magical world full of adventure and humor and brilliant dialogue--both Nic's inner dialogue and the dialogue between characters is on point. I also love how Thomas has woven African American history (particularly the Underground Railroad) throughout the story and tied it to the magical elements.
But...maybe I've just read to many magical kid books? You know the one...tween suddenly discovers his/her magic, must find something super magical and important, grabs two friends and goes off on an adult-free adventure where they may-or-may-not die?
I understand that there are truly no "original" ideas in literature anymore, but this genre just feels saturated. Especially when the twist regarding Nic at the end made it feel a lot like
The Iron Trial and
Amari and the Night Brothers.
Despite that, I still think it's an overall fun little read and a good diverse addition to middle grade fantasy. -
This book was perfection. A middle grade début novel from an absolutely fantastic author, I couldn’t believe it was her first of this genre as it was done so effortlessly well.
Even though I’m not perhaps the normal demographic for this book (an adult who outgrew her middle grade years what feels like a long while ago), I have such a soft spot for these kinds of books and the worlds they create. They welcome you in and offer you a safe place to go when you want to disappear from the world for a bit, and this is exactly what this book did.
Meeting Nic Blake was a delight and I loved her character from the get go, along with every other character in this book! Alex, Nic & JP were such a lovable trio and I loved following them on their adventures. Despite reading this book for the first time, it still gave me strong nostalgia vibes of being back in an adventure book, as with all those of my childhood.
The world the author created was stunning and I loved her bookverse. I can’t wait to get stuck into more and read them with the absolute relish that I read this one. It was so easy and enjoyable to read and I loved every page. There’s nothing (absolutely nothing) that I could critique about this book as it was just a delight from start to finish.
Thank you to the author and publishers on NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review. -
Angie Thomas makes her debut as a middle grade author with the story of Nic Blake. Nic is turning twelve and wishes for a family on her birthday. Little does she know this will turn her world upside down. Her long lost mother comes for her, and her father is arrested for stealing a magical tool. Now Nic must try to prove her father's innocence by finding it with the help of her best friend and her new found twin brother. I enjoyed the incorporation of the African folklore and how it was related to the Remarkables in the story. However, I did not like how the Remarkables turned their backs on unremarkable of African descent who could obviously use their help. Hopefully this will be addressed in future books in the series. Ultimately I was disappointed in the book because the plot was too convenient. Everything Nic needed to succeed in her quest easily came to her. Her best friend was amazing a very rare seer. When she was captured, the dog guarding her turned out to be her puppy's mother. Need to travel around quickly? Here is a magical train that can take you anywhere. The hero in this tale really didn't need to work that hard to succeed.
-
Nic Blake And The Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas
What a wild ride this book was! Nic Blake is a young girl with the potential for magical powers who one day finds herself on the run from the Manifestor government with her best friend and the brother she never knew she had. She needs to find the Msaidizi, a magical item, that will prove her father’s innocence from a very serious crime that he is accused of. While searching, she ends up in a swap, at the house of the Devil’s daughter, in the underground railroad, and many more crazy places in search of the Msaidizi. She also has her adorable Hellhound with her throughout the journey. The story was fun, the characters were enjoyable, and the book even talked about serious issues like civil rights and equality.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Angie Thomas, HarperCollins Publishers, and Blaze + Bray for allowing me to read this advanced copy of Nic Blake And The Remarkables! I definitely recommend this book and really hope there is a sequel soon! -
Nic Blake is a remarkable (magical being) living in an unremarkable (non-magical) world. She's been begging her dad to teach her, her magical gift of manifesting for years, but he keeps putting it off. When things, go awry on her 12th birthday, she ends up going on a magical adventure along with two friends and her pet hell-hound.
Going into this, I honestly had no idea what it was about or what to expect, but as a fan of Angie Thomas, I had high expectations and this book certainly delivered. It's the perfect middle-grade adventure with the perfect balance of magic as well as taking into account real historical and current events. The characters had a lot of heart as well as many layers to them, which you don't always get in middle grade. Its perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson series or Amari and the Night Brothers.
I, as an adult, very much enjoyed this and am excited that I can share it with my kids as well. I can't wait to see where this story goes. Thank you so much to NetGalley for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
