B.B.  Alston

A 12-year-old girl from the housing projects discovers her brother was more than he seemed … And so is she. A gripping, fun, heartfelt new fantasy for an upper middle-grade audience. Quinton Peters was the golden boy of the Rosewood City low-income housing projects, receiving full scholarship offers to two different Ivy League schools. When he mysteriously goes missing, his little sister, 12-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 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, dwarfs, aliens 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 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 for Amari, with signs like Department of Hidden Places this way, or is it? If all that wasn’t enough, every Bureau trainee has a talent that is enhanced to supernatural levels to help them do their jobs – but Amari’s talent, when it’s revealed, is illegal. 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.

Amari and the Night Brothers

Had heard of this book because people were comparing it to Harry Potter, which really made me want to read it since I love Harry Potter. However, because of that, I couldn’t help but compare the two as I read this, so my biggest critique may not be the book’s fault. Something that I wish was different was Amari felt way too isolated at the bureau. Everyone hated her except for her 2 friends, but her 2 friends were almost never around. Elsie, her roommate, was awesome, but the camp is kinda like college where your roommate has a different major from you so you only see them back in your dorm. And Dylan had to pretend to not be friends with Amari for fear of retaliation from his family and only started hanging out with her in the open after they got paired up as partners. One of the best things in Harry Potter is the friendship between him, Ron and Hermione, and since they’re in the same year and house they have all their classes together and they’re in the same dorm. We’re constantly getting to see their interactions, and it’s delightful and fun. Ron and Hermione are Harry’s confidants and comfort through hard times. And Amari just didn’t have enough of that in this to make the bureau as warm and inviting and fun as Hogwarts, especially with what eventually happens with Dylan.😞 I hope to see more of Elsie in the next one and hope that Jayden is as cool to be around as he seemed in the tiny snippets we got of him. And Quinton better wake up! 😄 (The elevators and the outfits appearing in the closet did give it some of that Hogwarts-esque charm though.)

I absolutely loved the flying carpet scene. It was so vivid and beautiful. If they ever make a movie of this, I hope it’s as beautiful as it’s described and doesn’t look like lifeless cg/greenscreen. Also, really loved the All-Souls festival. 

Marina McLain 

Had heard of this book because people were comparing it to Harry Potter, which really made me want to read it since I love Harry Potter. However, because of that, I couldn’t help but compare the two as I read this, so my biggest critique may not be the book’s fault. Something that I wish was different was Amari felt way too isolated at the bureau. Everyone hated her except for her 2 friends, but her 2 friends were almost never around. Elsie, her roommate, was awesome, but the camp is kinda like college where your roommate has a different major from you so you only see them back in your dorm. And Dylan had to pretend to not be friends with Amari for fear of retaliation from his family and only started hanging out with her in the open after they got paired up as partners. One of the best things in Harry Potter is the friendship between him, Ron and Hermione, and since they’re in the same year and house they have all their classes together and they’re in the same dorm. We’re constantly getting to see their interactions, and it’s delightful and fun. Ron and Hermione are Harry’s confidants and comfort through hard times. And Amari just didn’t have enough of that in this to make the bureau as warm and inviting and fun as Hogwarts, especially with what eventually happens with Dylan.😞 I hope to see more of Elsie in the next one and hope that Jayden is as cool to be around as he seemed in the tiny snippets we got of him. And Quinton better wake up! 😄 (The elevators and the outfits appearing in the closet did give it some of that Hogwarts-esque charm though.)

I absolutely loved the flying carpet scene. It was so vivid and beautiful. If they ever make a movie of this, I hope it’s as beautiful as it’s described and doesn’t look like lifeless cg/greenscreen. Also, really loved the All-Souls festival. 

B. B. Alston

New York Times bestseller! 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. Plus don't miss the thrilling sequel, Amari and the Great Game!

This book is truly wonderful! It had a bit of a "Harry Potter if instead of Hogwarts they went to school in the Ministry of Magic" vibe, but the author has definitely created a unique and fascinating magical world. Amari is a very likable main character, and it's hard not to get super angry at the prejudice and pure hate she receives from the stuck-up kids (and adults!) she's surrounded by. The plot twist towards the end honestly made me a little sad, but I can't wait to see how the story develops in the following books!

Niza Contreras

Rebecca Hurd

This book had me sold from the very beginning!! Great characters, amazing storytelling, and detailed world building. Will forever love a black girl embracing her power and awesomeness!! Amari just wants to find her missing brother and in doing so she is thrown into a world of supernatural beings and abilities. Loved every second of this magical journey!!

This gave me harry potter/Divergent feels. I enjoyed this one, it wasnt a new favourote.

I think this would make a great TV series  had a fun time reading this.

Samantha King

This gave me harry potter/Divergent feels. I enjoyed this one, it wasnt a new favourote.

I think this would make a great TV series  had a fun time reading this.

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.

Rebecca

Very cute Men in Black at Hogwarts vibes. It’s definitely a kids book so the writing is quick and easy to read and you kinda see the twists coming from a mile away, but it manages to address some grown up topics in a way that makes it digestible for a younger audience. Can’t wait to see where the next story goes.

Abi Baker

literally the definition of black girl magic ✨

Series statement from publisher's website.

Shay Lynn Crace

5 out of 5 Stars

I've heard so many great things about this book that I decided to pick it up and read it. I'm not that into Middle-grade books but this one made me want to pick up more.

Ashley Wendt

4.5. I loved Amari and the Night Brothers! It was so magical! It had amazing world building, fleshed out, real characters. It was such an engaging storyline! I loved it all and cannot wait to see where this series will go!

Dee B. 

(4.5 stars)

My favourite elements of this book: the elevators (how cool were they???), Amari and her brother's connection (no matter what anyone else believed she was convinced that her brother was still alive and only she could help him), the world (I'm so glad this is a series so we get to see more of the powers and possibly solve more cases), how familiar everything felt (it didn't take any mental Olympics to keep up but it didn't bore me either).

This book is adorable and the comps that it's been given are wholly accurate. Fully Camp Men-In-Black and no one can tell me any different.

Lia Yuliana

A book that is set to be the next renown middle grade magical adventure ! 

Full review to come :)

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Update 13/5/21

Amari and the Night Brothers is a whimsical debut middle grade fantasy by B. B. Alston. In this story we follow Amari, a young girl that is searching for the whereabouts of her brother after he is reported missing. One day Amari is contacted by the Bureau, a secret multi national agency that is tasked to protect the magical world, about a briefcase that is left by her brother. There she discovers that she is no ordinary girl but something more. Amari is then thrown into the magical world where magical creatures exist and where people have extraordinary abilities. She enrolls into a magical school where she has to compete for her spot in the Bureau to become an agent just like her brother.

The world that Alston has created is imaginative, wondrous, and amazing. I kid you not I was smiling the whole time I was listening to the audiobook. There are so many things about the world that made me fall in love with the story. While reading I'm sure readers will find something about the world that will catch their attention. A story that is perfect for readers of all ages, it is fun and witty. Shinning light on themes and topics such as race, identity, self discovery, and coming of age. The way Alston packaged the heavier topics and incorporating them into the story is well done. There are many takeaways a reader can find within the story. I certainly found a new appreciation for middle grade books for its wholesome messages and inspiring protagonists. I love Amari with all my heart. She is the perfect protagonist and checks all the boxes. Amari is ambitious, driven, courageous, smart, and strong. The relationship she has with her family makes me soft and melts my feelings. I highly recommend for everyone to read this book, it will be a joyful experience. Trust me!

"Sharp, funny and brightly imaginative - a big adventure filled with magic and heart" Jessica Townsend, New York Times bestselling author of the Nevermoor series

Amari And The Night Brothers

Amie ONeill

I absolutely adored this book. 
The plot had hooked the whole way through. The characters were all fully fleshed out and were mostly all loveable in their own ways. The writing was wonderful. 
The plot twists had me GASPING. I don’t think I can fault this book on anything.

Helen Borham

A magical and creative story. This book had so many things going for it! It was imaginative, full of diversity and full of misdirection. 

I really enjoyed the world building in this story and the bureau of supernatural affairs was so well described. I also enjoyed the magic system in the book. Roll on book 2

Francis Buggey

wow wow wow this book was amazing i need the sequel asap

Kathryn

“There is resilience in your blood too, the willpower to endure seemingly insurmountable obstacles.”

This is one of the most amazing MG books I’ve ever read. You’ve got magic, you’ve got fantastic storytelling, amazing and much needed representation and the most adorably charismatic group of characters.

It’s a true joy to be able to read a book like this one, a diverse urban fantasy that can impact readers in the most magical way. Is it August yet?

5/5⭐️

Camila Eduarda Vilela Lobianco

This is the book that I have to read to my child. This ending is perfect, the idea, the execution is just, man, you need to read this. Stop what you're doing and believe me as I was your reader best friend. Take this as the sign that you NEED to read this book right now because is pure AWESOMENESS. Oh my God, I can't, I'll stan this forever ♥️

Kim Tyo-Dickerson

Digital Review Copy provided by Edelweiss and Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins publishers.

Ana V. 

Amari and the Night Brothers is a spectacular adventure/academia for fans of series like Nevermoor, Tapestry, and Percy Jackson. 

Amari is a fabulous character full of life and courage. Her brother disappeared and she's being bullied at her school but that doesn't defeat her.

All seems to be falling apart and the world looks unfair until a package arrives and Amari begins the quest to find her brother and solve the mystery of his disappearance. 

There are many highlights in this story, being the interesting characters, the details, and variety of sceneries, the intensity and fun of her trials, and seeing her character grow. These are a few of my favorite highlights. We feel that we're living these adventures with her. Also an ode to friendship and teamwork. 

Very easy to read and to get into the story. I enjoyed it very much as an adult and educator. Also a great approach to bullying and prejudice. It comes to making the right choices in the end.

Can't have enough of the cover art.

Emma Miller

I really liked this book. Amazing world building and a fun premise. The only reason I stopped reading was the introduction of the WereDragon which felt incongruous with the world to me. Very silly but couldn’t get into it past that.

Marisa S. Pan 

This book was super cute and I loved almost all of it. The characters were amazing and super fun do follow and the story was super interesting. 

I also really loved the world and I hope too explore it more and more and even going into more detail about the world and the creatures.

Now the reason I can't give this a 5🌟 was because it ended to quickly and the last big fight was over just like that... Other than that was Dylan's character. He was my fav and his ending even tho I think it was very good it was kinda disappointing but this of course can change in the latters books since I think is character is crucial to Amari's journey somehow. 

Ian Brakspear

This is a truly fantastical middle grade! I really enjoyed being immersed into Amari’s world and her adventure’s. She discovers the Supernatural world underneath her nose but with also starts unraveling a mystery that only she can solve! This Fantasy is super unique and with a long list of whacky departments. I never saw the ending coming and was just left turning the pages and them running out. 

This Book has a wonderful array of characters, Descriptions and a book that shows it’s okay to leave your mid to run wild with imagination. The Main Character Amari is full of courage and throughout the book you see her grow and develop her only powers that she will need to the ending showdown, She has to overcome so many obstacles that we have all faced in our lives but she does this all with a smile and her unique personality! 

Elise; Amaris best friend is such a great Side Character and friend to Amari and its amazing to see their friendship blossom through the course of the book and I’m glad she has someone in the supernatural world to look after her! 

B.B.Alston has created such a vivid world that is the basis of the story. I really enjoyed how he made it all sit in so well with the real world and was just absolutely incredible. Such an amazing Book that I adore.

Rose Stanley

Bookopolothon: Book the Fifth
Prompt: Poll

A tad predictable, and the pacing is a little rushed (I'd have liked some more time given over to describing the world) BUT I'm 100% here for a black, female-led alternative to Harry Potter.

Taylor

Thirteen-year-old Amari, a poor Black girl from the projects, gets an invitation from her missing brother to join the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and join in the fight against an evil magician

Candyce Kirk

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!

Amari and the Night Brothers

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