Reviews with content warning for Racism - Amari and the Night Brothers

I started and restarted this book three times, and it just didn't capture me! The premise and writing seemed really fun; just not the right book for me right now.

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karcitis's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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bookdragon217's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

"People assume stuff about you based on things you can't change about yourself. So I just do my best to prove them wrong, to be the person they're not expecting."

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston was everything and so much more. Amari will forever be one of my all time favorite heroines. She was strong-willed, resilient and unstoppable. I was ready to fight everyone for her because the amount of racism and microagressions she had to overcome was infuriating. She was basically being bullied for being a poor, Black girl but still she stayed in the fight and was determined to prove everyone wrong. She was the epitome of #BlackGirlMagic.

I loved the world building and magic system despite hating Amari's assignment. I think it subjected her to even more unwanted abuse and persecution. I appreciated the people who stayed in her corner the entire time and gave her the support she needed to come into her own potential. The writing was solid and kept me captivated the entire time. I wanted to stay up all night to read and the ending has me itching to pick up the new installment immediately.

The main points were timely and relevant:
🔮 Black students face daily microaggressions in schools with majority white students.
🔮 People make many assumptions about others, especially Black students even about things they can't change or control.
🔮 Black people are forced to practice restraint because the cover sequences can cost them their life.
🔮 Positive role models are needed in poor communities to foster better outcomes in youth.
🔮 Black women and girls are forced to carry so much.
🔮 Sibling love is powerful.
🔮 The education system upholds racism and fails BIPOC students.
🔮 Black students are overly surveilled and punished at higher rates.
🔮 Adults fail students when they don't speak out against oppressive systems that abuse marginalized students.

If you are looking for a story full of magic with a curious, brave female youth as a lead, then look no further. You will fall in love with Amari the moment you meet her. Her tenacity and fortitude will win you over. Felix @tarot_and_libros was not lying when he was screaming about the wonders of this book

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theirgracegrace's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Amari and the Night Brothers is just as magical as Amari Peters herself. A supernatural mystery involving a missing brother, an evil magician, and summer camp tryouts. And at the centre of it all, Amari Peters, a young Black girl from a rough neighbourhood that's about to shake the world. A fantastic middle-grade fantasy with explosive action and amazing worldbuilding that leaves me hungry for a sequel.

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alliemikennareads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow. I loved this. It’s so magical and wonderful. I love Amari and the story world here. It absolutely swept me in very early on with exceptional pacing and a great thread pulling me through. By page 100 I was looking up the sequel situation because I was certain I’d want to read it asap immediately. Alas I must wait a month, but I know it will be worth it.

Themes of microaggressions and racism are woven throughout in a really accessible way for the age group this is meant for as well.

Overall, this is a stellar middle grade book and I can’t wait for more from this series.

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