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flowerreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great middle grade. Secret supernatural bureau? Magician outcasts? Social issues? Friendship? Betrayal? It’s all great. I highly recommend even if you don’t read middle grades! Can’t wait to read book 2!
magali_torres's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
this was so cute! These 12 year olds are very impressive, do your thing Amari!!
treehugger513's review against another edition
5.0
4.5- This book was WONDERFUL! It was like Harry Potter meets Men In Black. Fun and fast paced. It had important themes and wonderful characters. The world was rich and exciting. I LOVE this!
ladynigelia's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
I struggled with this- the reader paused at odd spots in phrases and the pacing was off for me. It's obviously commenting on racism, sexism, and classism. Which can be comforting to know you're not alone in the struggle but I'm not sure why it's gotten so much praise.
heidi_checkedout's review against another edition
5.0
Middle grade fantasy- 5 stars for the genre. I'm sure other reviews say the same thing... If you are itching for Harry Potter vibes, this is it. Great representation - Amari is one strong, brave Black girl and such a delight to follow. Great world building (elevators with personalities?!), unexpected twists. Highly recommend for middle graders!
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Magical (summer) school plus a mystery in a creative spin on the "normal world with secret magic" structure. Very fun, hoping kids like it in book club.
mothercrow's review against another edition
3.0
Reasons for a 3: upside- Amari’s mindset and voice was lovely. It was wonderful having her voice as the lead, the main plot and the premise was right up my alley. ( I loved the last couple pages of the book -to keep it spoiler free that’s all I will say)
Downside- the writing was just a little sped up and not rich enough for my liking. I think the book is definitely for younger readers, but I wanted to love it too.. and could have, had it been written for a slightly older crowd. So I was a bit frustrated with some parts of the book for feeling empty or too obvious. However .. I will say.. I’ll be recommending this for my 8 year old. And I bet she will love it. 3 for me though.
Downside- the writing was just a little sped up and not rich enough for my liking. I think the book is definitely for younger readers, but I wanted to love it too.. and could have, had it been written for a slightly older crowd. So I was a bit frustrated with some parts of the book for feeling empty or too obvious. However .. I will say.. I’ll be recommending this for my 8 year old. And I bet she will love it. 3 for me though.
jaylene's review against another edition
5.0
BRAVA! Now that is how you write an ending, favorite book of 2021!
asreadbykat's review against another edition
5.0
In the last year, I've been buying the first book in any new series that involves either a magic boarding school or camp or society and the children invited to them. After Harry Potter dominating that particular area for so long, I'm excited to see others trying to bring it back and explore the niche.
Amari is a FANTASTIC addition to it. I bought this on a recommendation, and so far it's easily the best book I've read of 2023 so far.
Amari is a determined, clever, and caring girl, with some very understandable flaws. I loved reading her journey from looking down on herself due to the perceptions of others and constantly comparing herself to her brother, to her understanding that she's more than that and has so much worth.
My favorite part of this is that the writer doesn't only rely on allegory to discuss the problems Amari has faced because of being a young Black girl growing up in a "bad" neighborhood. Yes, her powers are illegal in the supernatural world and causes the same problems her Blackness does in the "normal" world. But Alston takes great care to show us those "normal" world problems and draw the very obvious comparisons between the two prejudices. While allegory can be put to good use in literature, I'm happy to see someone actually being open and honest about racism and classism WITHOUT hiding it behind the allegory.
I fell in love with Amari and this world, and I'm extremely excited to read the next book in the series.
Amari is a FANTASTIC addition to it. I bought this on a recommendation, and so far it's easily the best book I've read of 2023 so far.
Amari is a determined, clever, and caring girl, with some very understandable flaws. I loved reading her journey from looking down on herself due to the perceptions of others and constantly comparing herself to her brother, to her understanding that she's more than that and has so much worth.
My favorite part of this is that the writer doesn't only rely on allegory to discuss the problems Amari has faced because of being a young Black girl growing up in a "bad" neighborhood. Yes, her powers are illegal in the supernatural world and causes the same problems her Blackness does in the "normal" world. But Alston takes great care to show us those "normal" world problems and draw the very obvious comparisons between the two prejudices. While allegory can be put to good use in literature, I'm happy to see someone actually being open and honest about racism and classism WITHOUT hiding it behind the allegory.
I fell in love with Amari and this world, and I'm extremely excited to read the next book in the series.
ava_xoxo4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75