OCTOBER 2022 - AudioFile
Narrator Imani Parks establishes a determined voice for 13-year-old Amari in this adventure-filled sequel. After witnessing a time freeze that disrupts the political system, she must figure out who is responsible and make it right. She and Dylan, her fellow magician turned rival, must battle to see who will lead the League of Magicians in a magical competition, The Great Game. If Amari loses, Dylan will be crowned and will lead the league into a war that could cause considerable devastation to all, including magicians. Parks creates a unique voice for each character, bringing the story to life. Listeners and fantasy fans alike will cheer Amari on as she faces her most difficult challenge yet. M.D. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
A superb, marvelously satisfying sequel.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Fans of the first book will jump at the opportunity to immerse themselves once again in the delights and surprises of this magical world, filled with equal parts wonder and suspense." — School Library Journal
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “This series debut is sure to be a hit with late elementary students and middle graders who are fans of “Harry Potter,” “Percy Jackson,” and the Men in Black movies….An excellent middle grade fantasy that will attract an immediate fan base and leave kids eager for more.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “The author weaves magical whimsy with honest, realistically portrayed circumstances, allowing Amari’s literal #BlackGirlMagic to shine even when she doesn’t believe in herself. This timely, energetic, first-person narrative moves quickly with clear descriptions, a thrilling buildup, and strong messages about profiling. An impressive debut series opener.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “In this thrilling debut, Alston thrusts his intrepid heroine into a setting packed with magic, mythical creatures, and danger. Amari, a Black girl with limited means, confronts privilege and prejudice even while delving into a world of wonder, humor, and adventure, making this a sure-to-please winner.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “Fast-paced adventure and cutthroat pre-adolescent contempt make for a delightfully challenging journey here, particularly considering the ways that Alston frames Amari’s racial and economic experiences as a Black girl as the root of her strong-willed nature and spirit of integrity. It’s a good thing this book is the first of a series, because readers will be sorely disappointed when it ends.” — ALA Booklist (starred review)
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “A breath of fresh air in the normal-kid-finds-out-they’re-magic genre, with Amari’s snappy, no-nonsense narration, a mix of new, bizarre supernatural creatures and classic vampires and witches, and rich world building that reads as both familiar and fantastic…. Readers will no doubt cross their fingers for more of Amari’s adventures.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “The story introduces a world of enchantment, danger, excitement, and humor. While many parallels can be drawn between the protagonist and a certain boy wizard, readers will root for Amari’s own unique determination and wit.” — Horn Book Magazine
“An enchanting fantasy adventure filled with heart and soul. Amari is magical!” — Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE HATE U GIVE
“As a former black girl misfit who wanted nothing more in the world than to be magical, this book is a song to my soul. Amari is the heroine we all need.” — Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DEAR MARTIN
“Sharp, funny and brightly imaginative a big adventure filled with magic and heart.” — Jessica Townsend, New York Times bestselling author of the Nevermoor series
"Clever, imaginative, and filled with heart. I loved every magical page." — J.C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author of THE STORM RUNNER
“Amari and the Night Brothers gives an electrifying jolt to middle-grade fantasy, that takes the ingredients we know and lovestrong-willed, relatable protagonist, a worthy quest, and a thrilling magical portaland makes them fresh and new. From the first pages, Amari is at once self-possessed and an underdog, battling racism, bias and poverty, all later mirrored in her efforts to find her brother inside the fantastical labyrinth of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Funny, fast-paced, and ultimately moving, B.B. Alston's debut is a rousing success and kicks off a series that will truly stand out from the rest!” — Soman Chainani, author of the bestselling The School for Good and Evil series
"The surprises and story never slow down for a minute in this magical, astonishing world, with a heroine who’s like Buffy meets Meg Murry multiplied by Shuri to the power of awesome. I want to live in Amari’s world and watch her save it (or have her come here and save ours!)!" — Tui Sutherland, bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series
Horn Book Magazine
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “The story introduces a world of enchantment, danger, excitement, and humor. While many parallels can be drawn between the protagonist and a certain boy wizard, readers will root for Amari’s own unique determination and wit.
Nic Stone
As a former black girl misfit who wanted nothing more in the world than to be magical, this book is a song to my soul. Amari is the heroine we all need.
Jessica Townsend
Sharp, funny and brightly imaginative a big adventure filled with magic and heart.
J.C. Cervantes
"Clever, imaginative, and filled with heart. I loved every magical page."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “A breath of fresh air in the normal-kid-finds-out-they’re-magic genre, with Amari’s snappy, no-nonsense narration, a mix of new, bizarre supernatural creatures and classic vampires and witches, and rich world building that reads as both familiar and fantastic…. Readers will no doubt cross their fingers for more of Amari’s adventures.
Angie Thomas
An enchanting fantasy adventure filled with heart and soul. Amari is magical!
ALA Booklist (starred review)
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “Fast-paced adventure and cutthroat pre-adolescent contempt make for a delightfully challenging journey here, particularly considering the ways that Alston frames Amari’s racial and economic experiences as a Black girl as the root of her strong-willed nature and spirit of integrity. It’s a good thing this book is the first of a series, because readers will be sorely disappointed when it ends.
Tui Sutherland
"The surprises and story never slow down for a minute in this magical, astonishing world, with a heroine who’s like Buffy meets Meg Murry multiplied by Shuri to the power of awesome. I want to live in Amari’s world and watch her save it (or have her come here and save ours!)!"
Soman Chainani
Amari and the Night Brothers gives an electrifying jolt to middle-grade fantasy, that takes the ingredients we know and lovestrong-willed, relatable protagonist, a worthy quest, and a thrilling magical portaland makes them fresh and new. From the first pages, Amari is at once self-possessed and an underdog, battling racism, bias and poverty, all later mirrored in her efforts to find her brother inside the fantastical labyrinth of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Funny, fast-paced, and ultimately moving, B.B. Alston's debut is a rousing success and kicks off a series that will truly stand out from the rest!
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “A breath of fresh air in the normal-kid-finds-out-they’re-magic genre, with Amari’s snappy, no-nonsense narration, a mix of new, bizarre supernatural creatures and classic vampires and witches, and rich world building that reads as both familiar and fantastic…. Readers will no doubt cross their fingers for more of Amari’s adventures.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS: “A breath of fresh air in the normal-kid-finds-out-they’re-magic genre, with Amari’s snappy, no-nonsense narration, a mix of new, bizarre supernatural creatures and classic vampires and witches, and rich world building that reads as both familiar and fantastic…. Readers will no doubt cross their fingers for more of Amari’s adventures.
School Library Journal
08/01/2022
Gr 3–7—Following the mighty battle at the end of the series opener, Amari has become famous in the supernatural world with people both fearful and in awe of her talents as a magician. When a new Prime Minister speaks out against Magicians, Amari finds herself more controversial than ever among her peers. Then the mysterious League of Magicians asks her to be their new leader. She declines at first, until a dangerous competitor steps forward to take the job, and she reluctantly agrees to participate in the Great Game, a competition to decide who will become the Night Brothers' successor and determine the future of Magicians. VERDICT Fans of the first book will jump at the opportunity to immerse themselves once again in the delights and surprises of this magical world, filled with equal parts wonder and suspense.
OCTOBER 2022 - AudioFile
Narrator Imani Parks establishes a determined voice for 13-year-old Amari in this adventure-filled sequel. After witnessing a time freeze that disrupts the political system, she must figure out who is responsible and make it right. She and Dylan, her fellow magician turned rival, must battle to see who will lead the League of Magicians in a magical competition, The Great Game. If Amari loses, Dylan will be crowned and will lead the league into a war that could cause considerable devastation to all, including magicians. Parks creates a unique voice for each character, bringing the story to life. Listeners and fantasy fans alike will cheer Amari on as she faces her most difficult challenge yet. M.D. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2022-06-22
A 13-year-old magician must face her fears and learn to control her magic in hopes of preventing a supernatural war in this follow-up to 2021’s Amari and the Night Brothers.
Amari Peters returns in the trilogy’s thrilling, action-packed middle volume with another mystery to solve. Nearly one year after Amari proved that magicians can be good, the state of Georgia experiences a momentary time freeze, leaving the Supernatural World Congress trapped in time. A powerful magician must be behind this dastardly event. Amari turns to the secret League of Magicians, hoping to get help and disprove popular opinion about magicians. Instead she is offered the Crown of Count Vladimir, a rare treasure that confers powers she doesn’t feel ready to accept. Her refusal triggers the Great Game, a deadly competition between born magicians to determine who will inherit these forces. As newly minted Junior Agent Amari is thrust back into the beguiling supernatural world, she must find the mastermind behind the time freeze. She also enters the Great Game in order to save her brother from the curse he’s under. Luckily Amari has Elsie, her weredragon best friend, and other allies who help her save the world again. Readers who fell in love with Amari will not be disappointed by this refreshing, energetic, first-person narrative that deftly weaves the playfulness of magic with real-world issues of misinformation and discrimination. Amari is Black; Elsie is cued Latinx.
A superb, marvelously satisfying sequel. (Fantasy. 8-12)