Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston is the first installment in the Supernatural Investigations Series. AND IT'S AMAZINGGGG!

I was expecting an adventure and fantasy but what I got was tons of humor, snark, bravery, adventure, and not just a touch of fantasy tons of it mixed with all kinds of supernatural and mythological creatures.

Amari Peters is a 13-year-old black girl, living in a low-income housing neighborhood with her mother. Her brother Quinton disappeared a few months prior, supposedly while working.

Amari is constantly bullied in school for coming from a low-income family. Until one day, when Amari gets a visit from a beggar-like-looking-man who asks her to sign for something, says he "won't erase her memory" but that she should check her brother's wardrobe after midnight.

When she does, she finds a suitcase with strange-looking clothes and sunglasses. Putting the sunglasses on, Amari sees her brother in a hologram. He tells her many things but many questions also come to light. Amari is invited to attend a summer bootcamp where, if she succeeds in for several summers, she would be eligible for a scholarship at an Ivy-League university.

"There's a huge part of me that wants to tell her about Quinton's Wakeful Dream. She deserves to know. But how do you explain being visited by your missing brother in a dream where you took a flying boat to go look at some underwater trains without sounding delusional?"

There she discovers a new world of fantasy and mythical creatures living amongst humans. The bootcamp is part of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, an entity and task-force that manages affairs between humans and non-humans, that is the secret world.

This reminded me of how Harry Potter discovered a whole world of magic just surrounding him. Many aspects of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs reminded me of the Ministry of Magic in the Harry Potter books.
Especially the bureau's Director Van Helsing (yeah those Van Helsings!), who was a lot like Cornelius Fudge. And I'm just going to leave it at that.

There were many parts in Amari and the Night Brothers that reminded me of the Harry Potter books – but the characters and book are significantly different.

There are many interesting and lovable characters in Amari and the Night Brothers including Amari herself, Elsie, Agent Fiona and others. Then there is Lara Van Helsing, a Draco Malfoy-like character (that you can't help but hate) while her brother is something else entirely. And I loved how Amari confronted him about being nice one minute and a meanie the next.

"I try again to think of something I'm really good at. Falling asleep on the sofa after school I doubt the Bureau would have much use for that."

I instantly fell in love with Elsie and not just because she's part dragon. There was lots of character development for Amari and her friends.

There's a ton of humor in almost every chapter and with every character in Amari and the Night Brothers. Here's one after Amari goes to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and meets Agent Magnus.

"Just to be clear…you're having a conversation with the elevator?" I mean, sure I talk to my laptop sometimes when it's not working, but it's never spoken back.

The story is narrated from the first person perspective of Amari herself, a super sarcastic, fun, and brave character.

Amari's sole purpose in joining the Bureau is to uncover what happened to her brother and find him. But…

"I thought for sure that coming here would finally give me some real answers about Quinton, but it's just as big a mystery in the supernatural world as it is back home."

At the Bureau, the students like Amari discover their abilities. But Amari doesn't have an ability or rather she has an illegal ability. She has magic blood. Something deemed by the Bureau as instantly evil. Why? Because of the Night Brothers.

Two brothers who had magic blood like Amari and nearly destroyed the world. One of the brothers is dead but the other lives…

As a black kid, she discriminated against in the known or human world. When she goes to the Bureau, she finds another kind of discrimination, with everybody trying to get her to lose and leave.

Overall I loved Amari, how she's human, who makes mistakes, how she's intelligent, brave, and creative.
It's the first time I notice or realize a main character as a black girl. And it was both interesting and different.

And I laud B.B. Alston for that. That and letting Amari take over the story.

Originally, the author had other plans for Amari but the character pretty much took his writing pen and crafted a world and character of her own.

Overall, I absolutely loved Amari and the Night Brothers and can't wait for other installments to be written and published.

That said, the book doesn't have an open ending. :D

Amari and the Night Brothers was everything I was hoping it would be, and then some! It is an exciting, action-packed, supernatural adventure with a tantalising dose of magic, danger, secrets and twists – not to mention razor-sharp humour - so much so that I was compelled to devour it in one sitting – a perfect reading adventure!
Amari Peters’ adored and brilliant older brother, Quinton, has been missing for six months. She is convinced that he is still alive and is determined to find him and to uncover the secrets he has kept from her. When she receives a delivery from her brother, she discovers a briefcase in his old wardrobe, and a message from him that sees her start the MOST incredible adventure to find him, and take her first steps to awakening her own magical powers, powers that put her in danger, but which may also be the key to saving her new world …
Quinton has left his younger sister a nomination to join a secret organisation, the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. She accepts a place in its summer training camp, where she has to undergo try outs to become a trainee agent, in the hope of being re-united with her brother. She is also filled with a sense of excitement as she has been given the opportunity to escape from the bullying school environment where she felt like an outsider.
The Bureau opens her eyes to a world filled with a myriad of diverse, brilliant supernatural creatures which must be kept secret from the known human world. For starters, her roommate, Elsie Rodriguez, is a were dragon! I loved that so many creatures that cross genres exist in this hidden world within our world from magicians to mermaids to hybrid creatures: they are woven seamlessly into the narrative. There is one thread in particular which I adored, and which kept me on the edge of my seat as I raced to find out how it would unravel– and it was SO worth the wait!
In her quest to find her brother, Amari is determined to become a Junior Agent in the Department of Supernatural Investigations but, when she finds out that her supernatural ability is also an illegal one, she risks becoming an outsider again. Is Amari unwittingly a danger to the Bureau, or will her talent help them overcome the threat which they face from the infamous Night Brothers who are determined to destroy the Bureau?
Oh my goodness! This is such a heart-racing, exciting read that I couldn’t put it down. I loved discovering the origins of the Night Brothers and the danger they posed to the Bureau. The twists and revelations kept me on the edge of my seat; I was kept on tenterhooks as I was trying to work out who to trust and who had an ulterior motive: absolutely enthralling! The ending was unexpected but also PERFECT!
Amari is an incredibly courageous young girl with an admirable inner strength and determination. She’s a real fighter: she stands up for herself as she goes on a journey of self-discovery, taking risks along the way as she comes to believe in her own ability and her intentions to use her powers for good, despite temptation and uncertainty.
I absolutely LOVED this magical and exhilarating story set in a vividly drawn, fascinating world; after that ending, I can’t wait to go on another adventure with Amari.

This was so magical! I loved every second of it and Amari and Ellie are awesome. I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for them next.

If you are looking for a whimsical, magical and adventurous middle grade then look no further. Amari and the Night Brothers has everything you could wish for:

lovable characters that face their struggles head-on
a whimsical world to explore
an intriguing mystery/adventure
Amari has had it with how they treat her in school. Ever since her brother disappeared she has been devoting all her energy and time to look for him. So no wonder that she finally retaliates against her bullies.

Amari never felt she fit in in this posh school, she can only afford because she received a scholarship and the other students made it clear that they think she doesn’t belong either.

But the day improves when she receives a very mysterious and weird package from her missing brother. And here the magic starts. What makes this book so enjoyable and immersive is the writing style. You truly are with Amari and experience everything alongside her. B. B. Alston paints the magic in the air with his words. I could really see everything. The glittering trains, the illusions, the creatures!

This book is full of possibilities and adventure. I loved getting to know the Bureau of Supernatural affairs with Amari and all the little tidbits of what each department does. So imaginative! It created this lovely whimsical feeling that is what so many love about middle-grade books.

Some of my favourite scenes were when Amari talked with Jayden who she knew through Quinton’s tutoring program. Their interactions really touched me.

Amari has struggled so much already and it has made her really compassionate, she knows what it feels like to be disliked for something you can’t change and she is determined to not let anyone else feel that way. Which immediately gets her a new friend, Ellie.

Another absolutely lovable character. Both Amari and Ellie are courageous in their own way and they work very well together. The support is amazing to see and I’m quite curious to see what they are up to next.

A lot of people are against Amari even being in the Bureau but she also has people helping her and rooting for her. I really loved seeing that.

Amari and the Night Brothers is a fantastic read. Adventurous, with lovable, courageous characters, fast-paced with wonderful and detailed worldbuilding that has the potential to house so many more adventures and mysteries!

I can only recommend it!

Balancing secret organisations, wondrous magical creatures, and the compelling tale of a young black girl rising up and overcoming prejudices is no small task. Fortunately for children all over the world, middle-grade debut author B. B. Alston has done just that in magnificent fashion.

Oh. My. God. I have not read a book this fast or been this absorbed in a story since...
...
...

I'm not fully sure honestly. I'm thinking maybe two years ago when I read The Girl Who Drank the Moon? but in all honesty, what a book! Honestly, what made the book brilliant is that it is an amalgamation of all my favourite things in a book. It is middle-grade which is a genre that I have not read in quite a while, but I enjoyed it so much that I might have forgotten exactly what age range this book is for. Regardless, age is but a number and this book is anything but simply words on a page.

The story and the characters leap off the page and into the world. Which I suppose makes sense considering the fact that the story is set in this world...just...it's a world+ edition where we all live in the lite version. The supernatural coexisting with our world is hardly new, but the idea of there being a Bureau was not only new but an interesting take that I loved. The idea that it is a place where children train to later become a part of the Bureau was interesting because of the summer camp feel of the entire novel. In giving the story a timeline there was also a heightened sense of urgency. Amari had just the summer to try and find her brother, someone who went missing six months ago and no one seems to know why.

Of course, aside from the setting- the summer camp Bureau was a mix of school and club so I loved that too, one of my favourite things were the characters. There is, of course, Amari who is a beautiful combination of confident yet insecure. She knows what she knows and yet, she is confident that she is not good enough which is so relatable that I forgot that she is only 13 because that is a feeling even I understand. With her worries and her awkwardness, she stumbles out of the page and seems so real I'm still wondering about what adventure she's having now that summer is over. Then there is, of course, all the people that Amari meets in the Bureau, each with their own vices and virtues, each with their own baggage and backgrounds. I loved meeting them all.

Now, with all this said, I've got to talk about the actual plot at some point I'm sure. The adventure that Amari goes on, which granted comes with its own stipulations and time limits, is so...surprising. The truths she uncovers and the quests she has to complete in order to find her brother are fun to read, and on occasion leave you at the edge of your seat. There's this overwhelming feeling that Amari will come out of it fine (maybe bruised a bit but okay otherwise) but her brother's fate is dependent on her performances. But most of all, what I love is how single-mindedly Amari pursues any clue she finds about her brother and how she will let nothing stop her from her (semi self-assigned) mission

The writing style and pacing of the book both match Amari, self-assured yet hesitant. There are hints of what might be happening in the background, but there is always this air of "don't quote me on it" throughout the book. I also loved how descriptive it was. Some of the ways in which the world (both lite and + versions) are described paint such vivid images, if I'm being really honest, it almost felt like the Night Circus. The way it's written it's like The Night Circus meets Harry Potter. With Magic and Mayhem and Mystery (and the occasional fear for life), this book is a treat and one I look forward to the official release of! For a debut novel, this one is a firecracker...much like the main character.

With all this said, let me just say: I am so glad that this is the first book in a series because I can't wait to read what happens next.

From the very first chapters I had this feeling that Amari’s adventures in Supernatural Investigations are going to be huge in the future. These are the books that will be on every reader’s lips, every bookshelf in homes, schools and libraries and will be shared with children for years to come.
Amari and the Night Brothers is the first book in a new series that strongly resembles a cross between Harry Potter and Men in Black. It’s a delightful series with a strong, curious and intelligent female lead and will captivate any young reader’s attention. I cannot wait to get it in school and share with pupils and adults.
Amari’s brother Quentin is missing, and nobody seems to be able to explain anything – until a mysterious message is delivered and Amari finds herself as a trainee in the Bureau of Supernatural Investigations. Surrounded by people who have grown up all their lives knowing this hidden world exists and it’s secrets, Amari has to work hard and defy all barriers to keep her place and her only way of finding out what happened to her brother. Armani is soon marked as the enemy and with a sinister threat hanging over the supernatural world, can she find the courage and strength to do what is needed?
Amari is a fabulous character. A fierce, black female lead who knows what it’s like to be bullied and belittled but who refuses to change herself or give up. Her characteristics and values are a really good example for middle grade ages and she is so easy to fall in love with.
The supernatural world is just fabulous. The bureau and summer school are such magical places to be and I was in awe of all the different creatures that existed. I loved how there were a variety of roles for different abilities and enjoyed the world where everyone’s strengths were played to. As Amari travelled the halls of the bureau, I was as enthralled as she was. I completely fell into the book and was sad when it was time to leave (for now). Lots of little details added to the magic of the setting including elevators with different personalities.
A cleverly created magical world, a strong and fierce female lead, witty and captivating writing all mix together to create a wonderful new world that will be on everyone’s tongues in 2021. I cannot wait for the next instalment but until then – I highly recommend you pre-order a copy of this and get ready to have some fun.

This is a truly magical, adventurous book that I completely loved from start to finish! It is so easy to read and there is just so much to love. The whole magical world is so creative and fun. I couldn’t wait to see and learn more about this life Amari would be joining. The writing style is amazing and the way everything is described in so much detail makes it easy to visualise. There wasn’t a dull moment when reading this book and I found it completely mesmerising and I even caught myself smiling and getting emotional nearly all the way through!

I LOVE Amari! She is the perfect protagonist and sends the perfect message to readers as she always stands up for herself and what she believes in. She’s lovable, smart, funny and a lot stronger than she thinks she is. She wants nothing more to find her brother who always looked out for her. Now he’s gone she feels alone. She’s constantly being bullied at her fancy scholarship school and her mum always being at work, she doesn’t really have anyone to turn to.

Now she’s at summer training camp at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, the place where her brother was last seen. She is quickly pushed into a world of special abilities and magic that she must learn and understand in order to save Quinton. But first, she needs to beat the other trainees to make Junior Agent and earn her keep at the Bureau!



All the characters are so enjoyable and unique. But Elsie quickly became one of my favourite characters. She’s an incredibly smart weredragon who is struggling to shift. Yes, into a dragon! I love how she is such a good friend to Amari. She always finds a way to help her however she can. The gadgets she invents are also so creative, I couldn’t wait to see what she would come up with next! This just shows how much creativity and imagination B.B. Alston has put into this book.

Overall, the whole book is great! I don’t think there is anything I could fault! It’s an extremely fun, fast-paced and very imaginative book that is perfect for children and adults! I never got bored and I was completely shocked at the end, I just didn’t see it coming. This is definitely going to be a great book for 2021!

Rating: 5/5

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I fell in love with Amari from the very first page. Her voice is a distinct one that is full of truth and hope. There isn’t a book that comes along all the time that gives you such a rich world and compelling characters. I found that the most interesting parts of the book were just the realness of it all mixed beautifully with the magic that surrounds Amari.

The Bureau that she finds herself in, the magic and world building is unique because it keeps a grip in reality to make it feel like it is possible. Supernatural anything is always fun to read, especially new takes on them, this novel is more wonderful for it.

I don’t want to give too much away but this is a story that all ages should read. It gives you perspective and the reality of today that I found to make all the trials she experiences mean just a bit more. Her passion to find her brother, to solve the mystery of what happened to him kept me reading.

There is no down that you’ll find yourself a fan of B.B. Alston’s work. This is a debut that is worth every bit of praise that it receives and I do hope to have the pleasure of reading more of his writing.

Alton's debut fully lives up to its hype. It's fresh, smart, and fiercely imaginative, and quite simply one of the best middle grade books I've read in a while.

Utterly mesmerising from start to finish, Amari and the Night Brothers has all the makings of a classic adventure - cinematic writing, superior world-building, wonderful characters, page-turner sensation - and has boldly conjured a fresh, action-packed take on the magical fantasy genre. It’s like an electrifying twist of Harry Potter meets Men in Black. And Amari! Amari is the bright, young heroine we all need in 2021 and many will willingly follow her wherever her adventure takes her next.

Unmissable. Unforgettable.

Amari and the Night Brothers so perfectly weaves some of our best loved fables into a heart stopping adventure as Amari fights to find her brother. The structure of this story is perfectly crafted; leading the reader on Amari's adventure as she learns about the hidden world just beyond her fingertips. She learns how special her brother is, and how special and unique she is. A truly beautiful story about the power Amari holds in her heart, and the strength in being good and kind and brave.

Whenever I read books about kids going to a magic school, I never felt like they were perfect for me. I could get swept up into the world, but I never quite felt like it was real or like I was there. There often were black characters at the school, but oftentimes they were either a sidekick to the main character or they were random characters that got maybe 3 pages worth of dialogue in the entire series. This year, I tried to make an effort to read books featuring more black main characters, to see if I felt a difference in connection with a character of color in magical/fantasy settings. This is one of those books where the difference was so vivid, I wanted to cry.


I could relate to Amari in so many ways. Although she knew her brother hadn’t gotten into any illegal activities when he went missing, law enforcement wasn’t willing to do much. I haven’t had any family members that I know of go missing this way, but I have heard of it happening in our community so often that I am sure many readers can relate to this. The part that I can relate to most were all the charity case comments that Amari faced daily. Even though she had proved that she was worthy of getting into the school, she was constantly bullied and ridiculed by students as if she didn’t deserve to be there as much as the students who paid. When she left her boarding school for the magical summer camp, she was still treated as if she wasn’t good enough since she wasn’t a member of one of the “old” families in the school. Technically her brother had invited her so her family had been involved in the society, but she was still too “new” for the old families to accept her. I know how it feels to be treated as if you are only in a situation as a charity case and not because of the actual merits of your work, and it really sucks. Amari is a character that lets teens know that they are not alone if they have felt this way before and that it is okay to feel angry when placed in these situations.

The world that this story creates is simply magical. The contrast between Amari’s neighborhood where people are struggling and the camp full of affluent teens from a hidden section of the world is stark and intriguing. I wanted to find out more about the battle between the magicians and the other supernatural beings of this universe, and I hope to find out more about it in future books. I look at this book as more of being a brief intro to the world, as so much drama was going on that we didn’t get the chance to explore it properly. We should be able to learn more about the entire world in future novels, and I personally can’t wait to read more about Amari.

This book flows so smoothly from one chapter to the next that I wanted to finish the entire book in one night. I couldn’t because I had to go to work early the next morning. Instead, I read the book on the train on the way to work, and finished it before I went to sleep that night. It was that good that I just could not put it down, and I don’t think you’ll be able to put it down either.

I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a new YA or upper middle-grade fantasy novel to read, especially if they are looking for a fantasy novel featuring a black main character with a very relatable story.


I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.

OMG, this book is so fun! As soon as I read that there was a training school Amari was going to and that she’d need to compete to get closer to the people who know where her brother was, I WAS ALL IN! And it definitely didn’t disappoint.

My favorite part was definitely Amari and her relationships with the people at the bureau. I loved her friendship with Elsie. They had fun together, they researched together, and they supported each other. And when Elsie became what she was supposed to become (no spoilers), oh my goodness, I was like a proud mother! lol


I also really enjoyed Amari’s relationship with both Agent Magnus and Agent Fiona. They had her back from the very beginning and it was so fun to not only see how they supported her, but how they interacted together. I would read a prequel about how they became agents and how they became a couple.

Oh and don’t get me started on the way Moreau and the Island of Dr. Moreau is used in this book. I LOVE THAT. I love when old literature is used in new ways.

Amari’s whole characterization is also really well-done. I liked that she’s shown as having struggles in both the “real” world and the supernatural one, but despite those issues, she’s still emotional and strong and ready to do what she can to get her brother back. She never shuts down or pulls her emotions back. She’s allowed to be a kid, but that doesn’t mean she’s not a fighter.

There was really only one moment that I wish went differently and that’s the finale scene where Amari shows off her powers to the school. I hate that Amari feels like in order to be accepted into this world she has to prove she’s good enough or not as dangerous as they think she is. I don’t want kids to feel like they have to prove themselves capable or extraordinary before they can be accepted or loved (I definitely thought that when I was a kid).

Amari should be accepted without needing to put on an extravagant show and making everyone’s jaws hit the floor. She should be accepted without having to prove she’s not like other magicians or some extraordinary exception. I hope in the next books magicians are brought more into the fold of the bureau or at least accepted a hell of a lot more than they are.

Either way, when the next book comes out, I will definitely be checking it out. I had so much fun in this world and can’t wait to go back again.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston is out on January 19, 2021.

Amari and the Night Brothers wasn’t supposed to be the ARC that I was to receive from NetGalley. Thank God for small favors though! This book was an absolute delight from the front cover to the back cover. Look at the cover! It is so beautiful!!

Amari and the Night Brothers is set at Amari’s home in the Rosewood apartments and The Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. I cannot remember if there is a specific city but it could be Detroit, Chicago, New York. Maybe even London or Sydney.

Her brother, Quinton, has been missing without a clue to his location. Quinton has the Midas touch. Everything he does is amazing. It’s hard to live in the shadow of a perfect person, especially for 13 year-old Amari. She is an incredible person but she gets overlooked all of the time, except when she is in trouble with one authority figure or another.

Amari discovers that her brother worked for the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. She attends the summer tryouts at the Bureau. It’s mostly so she can find more clues about Quinton. Amari does not expect to be so well-known. Her brother is kind of a big deal in the supernatural world. She also doesn’t expect to have any magical powers.

It sounds cliche but the magic was within her the whole time. She definitely brings a new definition to #blackgirlmagic. You know, we all need to hear that we are magical and powerful, especially a teenager who doesn’t believe in herself. Everyone around her is so quick to judge what she can do before she has a chance to prove them wrong. They don’t even have a good reason to not believe in Amari. Her magic isn’t based on wealth or social status.

Amari already has most of those things that people need to succeed. She is smart, kind and resourceful. She just needs a couple of friends and a bit of confidence to help her fight the Night Brothers.

The Night Brothers are an interesting pair. Moreau is an evil magician, sort of like Voldemort but with a nose. Vladimir is basically Dracula, except that he needs to be resurrected to some extent. So Moreau is making plans to escape from prison and get Vladimir back to living the non-living life that he was before. So Amari has her work cut out for her. She has to overcome all of her insecurities and doubt. If Amari can overcome her fears, she still needs find the strength to fight powerful magicians and hopefully find her brother.

If you liked Percy Jackson, then you will probably love this book. Also, if you are interested in books with underdogs, teenagers and at least one good magician, then you should definitely read Amari and the Night Brothers. I would give this book 5 stars if I did that sort of thing.

However, if you are an evil magician, this book will probably make you cry the tears of a sad, creepy clown.

Oh, how I loved Amari and the Night Brothers! This rollicking supernatural adventure book rivals Harry Potter for excellent world-building, and it has an infinitely more likeable main character. Amari is spunky, intelligent, and wholly original.

When the book opens, Amari is trying to succeed in a school where she’s not wanted while learning to cope with the fact that everyone thinks her missing brother is dead. She refuses to believe it, and when she gets invited to try out for a spot at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she finds herself entering a world she didn’t even know existed in an effort to find him.

And what a world! Were-dragons, illusionists, and even escalators with personalities make appearances. There is never a dull moment, and I loved seeing what new surprise would pop up next. This is a world that I’d love to see more of (luckily, this is a series, so I’ll get to).

The characters were phenomenal. Among the many awesome people, my favorites were Magnus, whose prickly demeanor hides a heart of gold, and Amari herself. She’s the kind of main character that I love to see my children reading about. She is moral, smart, and resourceful. And she persists, no matter what.

The plot is fantastic, with the mystery of Amari’s brother framing a coming-of-age story. There’s adventure galore, but the book also deals with themes that are a little more real-world, like feelings of not fitting in, and the ugly things people see (such as racism). It’s done in a way that is not too much for the intended age group, while also not dumbing things down.

Amari and the Night Brothers is a fantastic fantasy, one that older elementary kids and middle-graders will love. I loved it too. It’s an adventure of the best kind, one that will capture the imagination of anyone who reads it. I was immediately sucked in and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

Starting with the writing style, the author was able to craft such a cool and whimsical supernatural world along side our own and it was fun being in it, with that the writing was the perfect amount of descriptive and immersive and I was lost in the story from the moment I began reading it.

The plot of the story was fantastic, it was a whimsical story with a great underlying message.

Tbh, I do not know where to begin describing it because I loved this book a lot and all I wanna say in this review is awesome and amazing over and over again (time to open the thesaurus tab).

This was a pretty paced book that balanced character growth along with a great plot really well, I was hooked in from page one and once we entered into the secret world of the supernatural I was totally immersed in the whimsy and fun this books had to offer.

It has so many supernatural creatures including a wereDRAGON-that’s right a WEREDRAGON-and I loved getting to know them, it was even more fun to explore the various different departments in the Supernatural Bureau and I think my favorite was the Department of Good Fortunes and Bad Omens because it was the most “magical” department of them all and damn I want my future and past read that way….so cool.

The tryout element was fantastic and even though I knew on a certain level what would happen, the journey there was so damn awesome and I loved the anticipation and excitement feeling that this book created leading up to and during each of the tryouts.

I also really enjoyed reading the history about the magicians and finding out who and what the Night Brothers were, this added with the quest to find Amari’s brother added a lot of extra layers to the story.

The book also relayed a beautiful message of friendship, believing in oneself and taught to accept ourselves as we our because we are amazing and I think it is a wonderful message to impart to the kids who will be reading it soon.

The ending though….WOW….I need the next book, NOW, please.

Amari Peters was such a great character, I loved her willpower and her fierceness plus she was such a lively character to follow around who had a heart of gold and also really intelligent and observant, I adored following her around and seeing her grow throughout the book

Elise, the weredragon, she was such a loyal and great friend, she was always by Amari’s side supporting her o matter what and I loved the friendship these two outcast girls developed over the course of the book and I loved the wonderful inventions that she created, they were all awesome.

Dylan Van Helsing, I really liked his character as well he was kinda mature for his age and kind of an enigma in the start but I really did like him quite a lot.

Overall, this was a great book with a fast paced plot, great characters and an amazing message, it hooked me in from the first page and kept me turning pages till the very ending and I cannot wait to read the enxt book in this middle grade series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading Middle Grades with the above mentioned characteristics and is looking for a fast read.

Amari Peters is a 13-year-old girl that has never quite fit in with other kids due to her background. When her older brother Quinton goes missing, Amari feels like she has lost her only friend. A few months after his disappearance, Amari finds a briefcase meant for her eyes only. The briefcase contains a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, and instructions for her interview. If Amari manages to pass all tests, she will be promoted to a Junior Agent and have the chance to find out what happened to her brother, who apparently was a celebrity at the Bureau. Will she manage?

The book is excellent for both kids and adults. Amari is a strong character and could be a great example for other kids. She's incredibly resilient and loyal to her friends and family. The friendships Amari builds are based on trust and understanding for each other. Elsie is Amari's roommate and becomes a loyal friend. More importantly, she's a weredragon! Dylan van Helsing is a legacy kid and an unexpected friend, who shares a secret with Amari.

The story is set in our world, but filled with other creatures. Regular people don't know of their existence, even though the creatures live among them. The Bureau of Supernatural Affairs deals with, well, supernatural affairs. The Bureau contains several departments, for example the Department of Supernatural Investigations, the Department of Creature control and many, many more.

Of course, a contemporary fantasy isn't that unique. However, the way the fantasy world works in Amari and the Night Brothers is. For example, the yetis are incredibly rich because they own a popular ice-cooling company. I don't know how anyone can think of something like that but I love those tiny details.

The book is plot-driven and quick-paced. I flew through it! It was hard to put down because of all the twists that occurred. I'll be honest, people can see the twists miles away (even though I didn't expect quite a few!), but despite seeing the twists coming, I enjoyed them!

Amari and the Night Brothers is an excellent read for both middle grade and young adult readers. I highly recommend it. The story is filled with action and feels incredibly real as you get sucked into the story. I personally can't wait for the sequel. The release of Amari and the Night Brothers is a great way to start off 2021!

4.5 stars

Thank you, The Write Reads, for organizing and inviting me to be part of this blog tour! Thank you to the publisher (Egmont Books) and Net Galley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Hangover (n): (1) a term used to describe the feeling of not knowing what to do with your life because you just finished an amazing book that you can’t stop thinking about; (2) the feeling I have after finishing Amari and the Night Brothers.

Amari is thirteen. She lives in a bad part of town, and bullies are something she deals with regularly. To make matters worse, her brother has been missing for months, and far too many people suggest that he was involved with something illegal. After a particularly bad last day of school, Amari finds a briefcase that her brother left her that introduces her to the supernatural world and a very exclusive and competitive summer camp. Amari is determined to use this opportunity to become a junior agent and to find out what happened to her brother, even if it turns out that she has an illegal supernatural ability and that the supernatural world is in danger. What follows is an amazing adventure, led by an amazing main character, that you can’t help but root for and fall in love with.

The best part about Amari and the Night Brothers is Amari. She is such a memorable character, and she is so easy to fall in love with. She’s determined, tenacious, and brave, but she’s also nervous and scared about everything that’s going on around her. I loved that she was able to find the courage to face the obstacles in her way of achieving her goals and that she had human moments where she faltered and second-guessed herself. Amari is by far one of the best characters I’ve been introduced to in 2020, and I hope that this book falls into the hands of young people everywhere because she is the hero that the world needs.

I loved the challenges aspect of this book. I think that it’s a fairly common trope for there to be a series of challenges to complete to complete a quest, but I love it. I thought the puzzles were clever, and I loved seeing the different parts of the supernatural world. I also liked that the challenges tested the competitors on multiple things at once and that they had a lot of layers. Generally speaking, I loved all of the twists and turns in this book. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and how everything would tie together. Most of the twists and turns kept me on my toes, and I did not see a lot of them coming.

On a broader note, I loved the world-building in this book. The supernatural world co-exists with the normal world, and I had so much fun learning about it. I loved the different creatures, the different departments, and the different abilities that everyone has.

Overall, Amari and the Night Brothers is fantastic. I think everyone should read this book and buy a copy for someone else so they can fall in love with it too. It’s been a while since I’ve had a book hangover, and I think this book hangover will last a long time because this book is that good.

Amari and the Night Brothers surprised me in a way in which I was not prepared for. I did not know what to expect when I started reading this book and it is safe to say I was throughly surprised by how much I enjoyed this.

This book is enthralling and is simply a delight packed full of detail and fun. It is a middle grade book that I would definitely market towards the more mature end of the genre whilst also being a lot of fun to read as an adult. The supernatural world and its ins and outs as well as the mystery surrounding Amari’s brother Quinton ensure that the book moves at a quick pace, whilst avoiding any slow moments that are often commonplace in this genre. There is never a dull moment throughout this book and I loved the feeling of escapism that every page gave me.

For me, the highlight of the book is Amari herself. The entire book is told from her perspective and her character is captivating. There are moments throughout the book where she is forced to stand up for herself and make some incredibly tough decisions. Her heart and mind are always in the right place and she is incredibly selfless, yet Amari never loses sight of her main mission, which is finding her missing brother despite the fact that she has been thrown into a brand new world and given incredible magical abilities.

The other characters in this book are excellent and well-rounded and I particularly adored Elsie who is Amari’s best friend. Elsie is understanding, smart and I liked her character from her first appearance. She is easy to understand and very simple in terms of her personality. In comparison, Dylan is quite possibly the most complex character in the book. There are multiple times throughout the book where I felt as though he was hiding a part of his personality. Similarly, Lara and her father were excellently crafted characters at the other end of the moral spectrum, as both were awful human beings and committed horrible acts in the story.

The narrative of this book is non-stop action as we follow Amari and her progress in the junior agent tryouts and her mission to locate her missing brother. the author does an excellent job of never allowing the reader to lose sight of the mystery that runs throughout this book and where it might lead. There are multiple hints throughout the books that give you an idea of the bigger picture without revealing too much at once.

This is B.B. Alston’s debut novel which are often difficult to complete successfully. However there are no obvious issues that I found. I throughly enjoyed the concept of the story, the writing and the characters that the author has created, and I believe It is an excellent debut novel!

Overall, this is an exhilarating and fun book that had me captivated throughout. It has so many fantasy elements that I’m sure will entice any young reader out there, whilst also grabbing an adults attention too. I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series and I’ll certainly be continuing to keep an eye on this series.

Amari and the Night Brothers is a richly woven tale of familial love, bravery and self acceptance. This wonderful story has the power to wrap you in it's world, keeping you reading for much longer than you meant to. 

Amari is a driven character that has lived much of her life in her brothers shadow so she really has no idea just how exceptional she is. We get to watch her grow, learn and be brave. I think the wonderful thing about Amari is that although she faces all of these hurdles she still finds the wonder and excitement in the world. She forms deep connections with those willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, she doesn't let the hatred she faces stop her from making hard choices and getting to the bottom of the mystery. Her friendships were the absolute highlight. 

Full of monsters and magic B.B. Alston brings this alternate world to life, the city is vibrant, the academy is full of wonder and delight. I loved being in Amari's world with her. I was blown away by the depth of the world and the academy. The history was wonderful and written into the story in such an organic way that it never felt like a slog. 

There are lots of twists and turns and while I think an experienced reader will pick most from a mile away, it didn't take away from the enjoyment. Sometimes the dialogue was a little clunky, but again I still enjoyed the read.

I have to comment on this cover. It is possibly my favourite cover of 2020, even though technically it isn't released until 2021. On a side note it has been picked up and the movie is getting ready to be made. The actress Marsai Martin is such an awesome pick to play Amari. 

I can't do this book justice, it is an absolute treat and I hope you enjoy it with your kids.

In the beginning, I definitely had some troubles to get into this book. The start seemed very cliche, the writing style just a little too clunky and there was just too much tell and too little show. This changed the further I dove into the book and after I finally entered the Bureau with Amari I was well and totally hooked.

The world building was truly amazing. There was so much to discover, so much to experience, that I think, I would never be able to sleep in Amari’s shoes because there was so much to explore. There were many little details that somehow seemed like inside jokes, that made the book even more fun. It was so fun to see it laid out before me and I was happy to experience it all at Amari’s side.

Amari was an interesting character. She was relatable to me in most ways, but not all of them, mostly because I’m not that much of a confrontational person. Amari had many problems and it was great to be able to follow her on her path and see her succeed no matter what obstacles were in her way. I loved seeing her making friends and push herself and grow.

There is a lot of bullying and harassment in this book and it made me angry at Amari’s behalf. In the end, all I wanted for her were a couple of friends that genuinely liked her and people she could trust. Still I seemed to see treachery and lies behind every corner and I felt I would never be able to relax in her situation, not for one minute.

Of course there were also some things I was not totally okay with or that bothered me but nothing too grand that I would say it broke the book. Some things just seemed unnecessary to me but other readers might not feel like that.

In the end, I felt a massive book hangover. I had so many feelings about the ending and I desperately wanted to discuss it with somebody. This, in my opinion, makes a book great. You want to talk to other people who have read it about it and share opinions with. Amari and the Night Brothers is a great book.