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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Love this author—-this book was just not for me.
This was a cute middle grade fantasy - I love Angie Thomas, so I will read anything she puts out. This was a cute, easy to read story with a good storyline and a cute trio of characters. I enjoyed the magic system and thought everything was well explained but also did not shy away from racial issues and ongoing topics in the USA right now. Good read!
I was extremely nervous to read this one. EXTREMELY NERVOUS. It takes a lot for an author to step outside of what they typically write and explore something new. This is Angie's first attempt at both middle grade and fantasy. While it's the not the best middle grade fantasy that I've read, it's also not the worst. I went back and forth on what to rate this one. I'm still falling somewhere between a 3 and 3.5, so I decided to set my GR rating at 3 stars.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Propheyc follows Nic who lives alone with her father and is a part of an "undercover" magical community. On her birthday, Nic is granted a hellhound as a gift and is supposed to attend a fun book signing until a series of events lead Nic's father to keeping her home. Pushing back against his orders, Nic learns about the true complexity of this magical world that she is a part of.
What Worked: Thomas is a strong writer! I think I've always felt that way about her writing capabilities and it continues to show in this book. The story was fast paced and engaging and Thomas does an excellent job capturing the voice of Nic. There were some really great fantastical elements woven into the narrative that made me even more curious about the world building and it was great to see a predominately Black cast at it's center. Between the magical elements and the magical creatures, it's easy to see that middle grade readers will find this one enjoyable. This also has some interesting explorations of familial relationships/dynamics that I found interesting. Overall, it's clear that Angie enjoyed writing this book.
What Didn't Work: This is a difficult section for me to write because I am critiquing this through the lens of an adult. These "evaluations" probably won't hold much weight to a younger audience, but I also think that it's a part of my due diligence to point them out. While I find Thomas' writing to beautiful and fluid, she spent a lot of time telling instead of showing us the development of both the characters and the world. Whenever I read a fantasy, I want things to be shown to me not told especially when it comes to intricate world building. When authors spend too much time telling, it creates a lack of trust between them and the reader. It feels as though the author doesn't trust the readers to build the necessary connections to understand the intent or purpose of the story. She also spent a great portion of the book creating parallels between this fantastical world and Black history as well as the Black experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for kids receiving the opportunity to learn more about experiences that aren't their own; however, in this case, the "tid-bits" of information weren't woven in seamlessly. They were often abrupt and seemed to lack connection to the story as a whole. I enjoyed learning more about Black history/historical events, but I wish that she would have used the information in a way that built a stronger connection between it and this fantastical world. And lastly, the portrayal of the Nic's father and his role in the destruction of the nuclear Black family didn't always sit right with me. He makes some horrible decisions with the best of intentions, but I didn't like it at all.
Overall, I think that middle grade readers are going to enjoy this one and I'm interested in seeing how Thomas' writing is going to change and evolve as she continues to write the series. Even with my critiques, I do see myself continuing on with the rest of the books as they release.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Propheyc follows Nic who lives alone with her father and is a part of an "undercover" magical community. On her birthday, Nic is granted a hellhound as a gift and is supposed to attend a fun book signing until a series of events lead Nic's father to keeping her home. Pushing back against his orders, Nic learns about the true complexity of this magical world that she is a part of.
What Worked: Thomas is a strong writer! I think I've always felt that way about her writing capabilities and it continues to show in this book. The story was fast paced and engaging and Thomas does an excellent job capturing the voice of Nic. There were some really great fantastical elements woven into the narrative that made me even more curious about the world building and it was great to see a predominately Black cast at it's center. Between the magical elements and the magical creatures, it's easy to see that middle grade readers will find this one enjoyable. This also has some interesting explorations of familial relationships/dynamics that I found interesting. Overall, it's clear that Angie enjoyed writing this book.
What Didn't Work: This is a difficult section for me to write because I am critiquing this through the lens of an adult. These "evaluations" probably won't hold much weight to a younger audience, but I also think that it's a part of my due diligence to point them out. While I find Thomas' writing to beautiful and fluid, she spent a lot of time telling instead of showing us the development of both the characters and the world. Whenever I read a fantasy, I want things to be shown to me not told especially when it comes to intricate world building. When authors spend too much time telling, it creates a lack of trust between them and the reader. It feels as though the author doesn't trust the readers to build the necessary connections to understand the intent or purpose of the story. She also spent a great portion of the book creating parallels between this fantastical world and Black history as well as the Black experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for kids receiving the opportunity to learn more about experiences that aren't their own; however, in this case, the "tid-bits" of information weren't woven in seamlessly. They were often abrupt and seemed to lack connection to the story as a whole. I enjoyed learning more about Black history/historical events, but I wish that she would have used the information in a way that built a stronger connection between it and this fantastical world. And lastly, the portrayal of the Nic's father and his role in the destruction of the nuclear Black family didn't always sit right with me. He makes some horrible decisions with the best of intentions, but I didn't like it at all.
Overall, I think that middle grade readers are going to enjoy this one and I'm interested in seeing how Thomas' writing is going to change and evolve as she continues to write the series. Even with my critiques, I do see myself continuing on with the rest of the books as they release.
I didn’t know Angie had something like this in her but I’m into it! Loved the Jackson representation!
Angie Thomas is a magic-maker. My school library shelves don't lie: I cannot keep her books on my shelf. So I was thrilled to receive an early copy of Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy. Reading this was like jumping in a pool on a hot day- refreshing and everything I needed- I did not come up for air until it was over. It was fantastic, a 10/10. The magic for me is in the details. Angie Thomas has created a whole world, and it is woven with history, culture and fresh, new creatures and magic. The story references black history, culture and current media in a way that will make so many kids feel seen. Nic Blake is a character kids will root for, relate to and learn from. It is a FUN read- so many twists and turns and characters who make appearances that I hope we will see again. This book is a strong addition to any middle school fantasy collection, and I am so glad that there are more to come.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fun, imaginative, and magical. Loved it. Looking for the next book in the series!
Another fabulous, diverse, middle grade fantasy offering? Yes, please!
A great world, a great story, great characters. Kids will eat this up.
In addition, I loved...a character that shares my name that isn't a bitch (all Nicole's in 90's media are bitches).
How it slightly delves into how being the chosen one could mess you up for years to come (would love more of this).
The play on a Harry/Ron/Hermione dynamic amongst the adults.
A great world, a great story, great characters. Kids will eat this up.
In addition, I loved...a character that shares my name that isn't a bitch (all Nicole's in 90's media are bitches).
How it slightly delves into how being the chosen one could mess you up for years to come (would love more of this).
The play on a Harry/Ron/Hermione dynamic amongst the adults.
When I saw that Angie Thomas, of The Hate U Give fame, was publishing a middle grade fantasy, I knew immediately that I wanted to read it. Fortunately for me, the Netgalley Gods agreed, and sent me an early copy!
In this series opener, Thomas is building a world similar to ours, but interlaced with a new, unique brand of magic. Remarkables, all of whom are ancestors of formerly enslaved Black Americans, are those with special gifts of varying qualities. While most Remarkables live in hidden Remarkable cities, Nic and her father live in the Unremarkable world, hiding in plain sight. Except that Nic isn’t able to use her gift yet, and even though her father promised to teach her on her 12th birthday, he’s now pushing it off once again.
But when Nic and her (unremarkable) best friend JP go to a book signing for the newest in the series of their favorite fantasy adventure author, things quickly get rolling when the author turns out to know Nic’s father. So well, in fact, that the three characters in his series are actually based on himself and Nic’s two parents and a prophecy that Nic’s dad has kept very secret from Nic.
I loved the characters in this story, especially JP and (eventually) the third part of their trio, Alex. As displayed in her first several novels, Thomas excels at dialogue, and that continues to be the case here. You fall in love with the characters through what they say to each other. I also loved the layering we see in the fictional book series mirroring the older generation, which is then again reflected in Nic’s generation with her, JP, and Alex. Thomas also plays with a lot of familiar fantasy tropes while incorporating a lot of her own very unique magical system, one steeped African American traditions, history, and folklore.
I feel like middle grade fantasies tend to follow one of two formats, either a magical school or a cross-country quest. This definitely falls into the latter category, and I think I tend to prefer the former, but that’s just personal preference. I did think the beginning could have used a little more work. Or perhaps, less work? Nic spends a lot of time explaining her family history, the magical world they inhabit, how it all works, and I think fantasy stories (and all stories really) are more gripping when we are dropped into the action and the backstory is revealed along the way, rather than just laid out up front.
I’m very intrigued to see where this projected trilogy will go! The ending left us with quite the cliffhanger!
In this series opener, Thomas is building a world similar to ours, but interlaced with a new, unique brand of magic. Remarkables, all of whom are ancestors of formerly enslaved Black Americans, are those with special gifts of varying qualities. While most Remarkables live in hidden Remarkable cities, Nic and her father live in the Unremarkable world, hiding in plain sight. Except that Nic isn’t able to use her gift yet, and even though her father promised to teach her on her 12th birthday, he’s now pushing it off once again.
But when Nic and her (unremarkable) best friend JP go to a book signing for the newest in the series of their favorite fantasy adventure author, things quickly get rolling when the author turns out to know Nic’s father. So well, in fact, that the three characters in his series are actually based on himself and Nic’s two parents and a prophecy that Nic’s dad has kept very secret from Nic.
I loved the characters in this story, especially JP and (eventually) the third part of their trio, Alex. As displayed in her first several novels, Thomas excels at dialogue, and that continues to be the case here. You fall in love with the characters through what they say to each other. I also loved the layering we see in the fictional book series mirroring the older generation, which is then again reflected in Nic’s generation with her, JP, and Alex. Thomas also plays with a lot of familiar fantasy tropes while incorporating a lot of her own very unique magical system, one steeped African American traditions, history, and folklore.
I feel like middle grade fantasies tend to follow one of two formats, either a magical school or a cross-country quest. This definitely falls into the latter category, and I think I tend to prefer the former, but that’s just personal preference. I did think the beginning could have used a little more work. Or perhaps, less work? Nic spends a lot of time explaining her family history, the magical world they inhabit, how it all works, and I think fantasy stories (and all stories really) are more gripping when we are dropped into the action and the backstory is revealed along the way, rather than just laid out up front.
I’m very intrigued to see where this projected trilogy will go! The ending left us with quite the cliffhanger!
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved this book! Nic Blake and the Remarkables is an action packet ya novel. It tells a story and out Nic, a remarkable (has magic), living amongst unremarkables (non magic) until a turn of events turns her world upside down.. This is a great middle school novel. I love how there were tidbits about black historical figures throughout the book. If you enjoyed Amari and the Nightbrothers I think you’ll love this one. If you haven’t then I suggest you check out both because they’re pretty awesome.