Angie Thomas has done it again! This time with a middle grade fantasy novel! Nic Blake is not your average 12 year old. She is a Manifestor and has the Gift, only she doesn’t know how to use it thanks to her dad. She and her dad have moved so many times and all she wants to know is how to be a Manifestor. So when Nic sends her mom a message, her world is turned upside down. Nic and her friends are sent on an adventure to a world they never knew existed. A world full of creatures and Gifts you couldn’t even imagine. This is a perfect novel for fantasy lovers young and old! It is fast paced, imaginative, and fun. I can’t wait to read the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Nic Blake got a hellhound for her twelfth birthday. She really would rather have received a dragon and lessons on using the Gift. As a Remarkable, Nic is pretty sure that she should be learning to use her powers by now, but her dad puts her off, in part citing the fact that they live as exiles in the Unremarkable world. After Nic sneaks out of the house to meet up with her best friend JP and his mom to see their favorite author, Nic begins to learn the secrets of her past and unwittingly sets off a chain of events that lead her on a quest to prove her dad’s innocence of a crime she knows he didn’t commit, before it’s too late.

Angie Thomas’ “Nic Blake and the Remarkables Manifestor Prophecy” is a winner. Though it’s geared toward middle grade readers, the story is so well-crafted that anyone who enjoys adventure stories will surely love it. Nic is a delight. Though headstrong, she is also thoughtful and introspective enough to know that, at twelve, she still has things to learn about life. All of Thomas’ characters are delightful, each with their own hopes and dreams. The world building is efficient, but gives the reader a clear sense of how the Remarkable and Unremarkable worlds work. This is a coming of age story about finding your Power. Thomas expertly weaves African American history and folklore into this first in a trilogy adventure. I am looking forward to what’s next for Nic!

This book is great for students who like adventure or fantasy stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for an advance reader copy in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was such a fun read! I could feel all the drama of being a pre-teen again but in a much more comforting way. While I say comforting, Nic faces some pretty scary scenarios and reasons throughout the book.
There were a couple sections that seemed to drag a bit, but overall this was an imaginative story line with intriguing and well-developed characters. I hope there are more to come!

Creative, delightful, relevant, a wonderful ride. I heard Angie Thomas speak about this book and the need for escape and I knew I had to read it! I can't wait to have this title in our library!

A marvelous move to middle grade for Angie Thomas with powerful use of fantasy to turn traditional African American mythology into a story for today's young readers.

Thomas has created a world where those with magic are "Remarkables." Though not specifically stated, all Remarkables are Black, stemming from the folktale "The People Could Fly." On her 12th birthday, Nic Blake discovers that her favorite author is also her godfather and that his stories stem from his friendship with her parents. She also meets her mother, who she had believed had left her and her father when she was little. She winds up on a quest to find a lost Remarkable artifact in order to save her father from a prison sentence for a crime she is sure he did not commit.

I am a big fan of all of the current re-imaginations of mythology and folklore for today's kids. "The People Could Fly" is a vital part of historic folklore that I don't believe is read as much today as it used to be. While I have read it, it was never one of my favorites. That said, this book made me want to revisit the story and had me looking at it in a completely different way. I love the idea of a world created for those escaping slavery and the community they build. The fact that Nic never knew this part of her life makes for an interesting twist. Like many, I would have to say that my favorite character is JP for his uniqueness and importance while an outsider.

This is a great book that kept me on the edge of my seat and is an important look at parts of African American history. A must purchase for my school.

I don’t know where to begin with this story, but it was phenomenal. I understand the comparisons some people have made to “Harry Potter” and “Percy Jackson;” however, I would say this is closer to “Tristan Strong.” I love the relationship between Nic and her dad, Maxwell. One of the things I love about this story is the relationships. They were well-written and developed.

I adored Nic. She was well-written, and it was fantastic to see her development. She was strong and capable. I loved the humor between her and her best friend, JP, who is ever the optimist. The plot was fun, and I was excited to watch it play out. I’m so excited about where this series goes from here.

Nic always knew she was remarkable, but she still needed to learn how to use her gift, which her dad promised to teach her when she turned 12. Well, things happened before he could, and watching Nic become who she is meant to be was absolutely beautiful.

This story does cover some heavy topics, and I think Thomas navigated them beautifully. As this is the beginning of the trilogy, I’m excited about Nic learning more about herself, her family and what she can do. This is perfect for middle grade. I loved it.

Nichole Blake is turning 12 and is excited to finally, FINALLY, learn how to use her Remarkable Gifts. Living as a Remarkable in an Unremarkable world is kind of difficult, and so far Nic’s dad has been reluctant to tell her anything about what her Gift is and how to use it. Instead of learning about her Gift, however, Nic’s dad gets her a hellhound puppy and promises…once again…that he’ll teach her about her Gifts next year. When Nic sneaks out to a book signing with her best friend and neighbor, JP, she learns that her favorite author in the entire world, TJ Retro, is not only a Remarkable, but was best friends with her dad when they were kids. Better still, the characters in her favorite books were based on her dad and “Uncle Ty,” and those same books detailed the adventures they had as kids! Mind blown. This sets into motion a chain of events that have Nic, JP, and Alex (the twin she didn’t know she had) teaming up to try to find a magical item of great significance that those in power believe was stolen by her dad. As Nic’s dad sits in a L.O.R.E. prison, the three kids race against the clock, outsmarting and battling all kinds of creatures (including the daughter of the Devil himself) in order to prevent L.O.R.E. from wiping her dad's memory clean, thus erasing Nic and their life together completely from his mind.

I cannot stop thinking about this story! I love it when authors decide to switch genres or target audiences. Angie Thomas did both and did not disappoint! Drawing from African American folklore and tying in contemporary social justice issues, Thomas crafted a multi-layered story that subtly mocked the “chosen one” trope and the pitiful wand-using magic of Harry Potter while calling out police brutality and those who stand idly by instead of using their power to prevent injustice from taking place. I truly loved this world that Angie Thomas created, and cannot wait to see what comes next for Nic, JP, and Alex.

Highly recommended for gr. 3-8. Thanks to NetGalley and Balzer & Bray for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Title: Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy
Author: Angie Thomas
Pages: 304
Source: Thank you to NetGalley and Balzer + Bray for an advanced copy in return for an honest review
Genre: Fantasy 
Intended Audience: Middle Grade
Star Rating: 4.0
Trigger Warnings: Child kidnapping
Setting: Jackson, Mississippi; New Orleans, Louisiana; magical place hidden from the rest of us. 
Recommended for: Fantasy readers who like action and plot twists, and stories that are based in our world only different. 
Why I picked it up: I was trying really hard not to request more books, but I saw the cover and I could not resist. (I know, I always say it's the cover, but that is literally the first thing I see when I find a book). I also know that Angie Thomas's other books have gotten rave reviews, even though I haven't read them yet. And hell-hounds. Who doesn't love a hell hound puppy?
What it's all about: Nic Blake is Remarkable. Not special like most of us are (or think we are), but Remarkable in the sense that she has magic powers. And she happens to be the most powerful type of Remarkable: a Manifester. Her and her dad live in the Unremarkable world, moving from place to place whenever someone sees her dad use his Gift. Now, they are living in Jackson, Nic has a best friend who lives next door, and the two of them have created a wiki for a series of books that is the top search result. On her twelfth birthday, Nic is supposed to be allowed to learn how her Gift works, but her father is making her wait another year. Even worse, she is grounded on her birthday and can't go see the author of her favorite series. She sneaks out, but little does she know that meeting her idol will turn her life inside out.  

tl/dr: A magical girl lives in an unmagical world and sets events in motion that change her life, her family, and her future forever. 

My thoughts: I read this in two days. I have other books I am reading, but I didn't pick any of them up while I was reading this. At the beginning I had a hard time getting used to the pacing and the writing (because I am not in middle school), but once I got into the rhythm of it, I couldn't stop. Nic is such a great character! She's smart, she's determined, she's stronger than she knows, but she is also unsure about herself and a bit awkward (what 12 year old isn't?). Her relationship with JP, her best friend, is wonderful because there is no romantic tension, no crushes, and they are both so supportive of each other. Spoilers! (Highlight to read.)Nic's reaction to finding out that her father kidnapped her, that she has a mom and a twin (!), along with a whole family that loves and misses her, is perfectly nuanced. Having to reconcile the two versions of her father is difficult and confusing. The same is true about her feelings towards her twin brother and her mom. End Spoilers!The adventure of the story moves quickly as the trio of Nic, Alex, and JP tackle each task. They aren't always brave, in fact, they are mostly scared but determined. This book gave a more realistic version of how kids would act in this situation. They don't have all the answers, and all they can do is follow the clues left for them and ask for help along the way. The contrast between Nic's world among the Unremarkables and Alex's life living with Remarkables provides a contrast that points out many of the problems with our society, but also shows that even the Remarkable towns are not without their danger and downfalls. Nowhere is perfect. 

Favorite Character: Junior. He isn't what he seems, and he isn't afraid to be who he is. 

Favorite Moment: When Nic and JP meet their favorite author and Nic's father bursts in. 

Memorable Quotes:

"His mom says he's being a boy. I say he's being a butt."

"This situation shouldn't be seen as normal, baby. I don't care how many times it happens, how often it happens. It should not be normal."

"Goodness, girl, be smart, not brave!"

"'This is dangerous!' 'Who cares? We do what we wanna," says Ralphie. "That right there is true freedom."

"Ugh, here I go, tearing up again. I really hate having feelings."



[Also posted reviews to Amazon and B&N]

Excellent MC with a lot of fun, magic and lore in the plot. Some more exposition and lore than standard middle grade novels but nothing too dense that it took me out of the story. I liked the MC and her relationship with her father most of all.

This book contained all the swag I expect from Angie Thomas's writing. I thoroughly enjoyed her first foray into middle grade and fantasy. Thomas was able to weave Black history into the fantastical and teach the reader as much as she entertained. I enjoyed the many twists and turns the story took as our trio of kids quest to save their loved ones while strengthening the bond between them. I am excited for the next in Nic Blake and the Remarkables.

This book was great, fast and very easy to understand. I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it.
10/10

Thank you to #NetGalley, Angie Thomas and the publisher of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Some things in life are cool like getting a pet hedgehog for your birthday, but what is uncool? Losing your magic lessons because you took it out on your neighbor. These are the challenges facing Nic Blake. All she wants to do is be a Manifestor like her dad. When her dad is wrongly imprisoned, Nic and her friends must go on a hunt for a magical power tool to hopefully save her father.

A book with a girl who knows what she wants and sets her mind to it! Nic is a great role model for young girls!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy follows Nic Blake, a Remarkable girl who has spent all twelve years of her life moving from Unremarkable town to Unremarkable town with her Manifestor dad. When her father is arrested shortly after her twelfth birthday, Nic and her friends embark on a hunt for a magical tool that could clear his name.

My favorite thing about Angie Thomas as an author is that she doesn't pull punches and is always willing to talk about the world we live in in an upfront and realistic way in her works. This book is no exception. Sure, we go on a whirlwind adventure with Nic and her friends through a magical world with all manner of creatures and magical abilities, and that is such a fun time (if a little shallowly developed simply because there's so much to see in so few pages). But we also get to learn about slavery, about violent racism, about what it is to be a young Black girl moving through the world. The beauty of this book is that it is honest, even as we are thrown into a fantastical world so different from our own.

I can definitely see Nic Blake filling the space for current middle grade readers that characters like Percy Jackson filled for people my age, and I am beyond excited to see what this trilogy grows into.

We have been overdue for a black fantasy heroine for middle grade readers that really shines, but the wait is over-- Nic Blake is it. We already know that Angie Stone understands teens and here she proves that talent for younger kids as well. My hope is that Nic Blake will become as much a household name as Percy Jackson. I showed this book to my 10 year old son who is suspicious of all non-graphic novel books. After I read the first two paragraphs out loud to him he exclaimed, "Okay I am reading THAT."

Angie Thomas has made magic again with her middle grade debut! Nic Blake is a fun heroine to root for and this book will be great for fans of Nevermoor and Amari and the Night Brothers. It’s an entertaining story on its surface, but it’s also rooted in Black history and is very much in conversation with other fantasy series that center on Chosen One prophesies. Thank you NetGalley and Balzer + Bray for the free copy in exchange for my honest review!

Nic Blake knows she's a Remarkable, a black child with the Gift, but her father won't teach her how to use hers and they leave in the Unremarkable world (modern day Jackson, Mississippi) with Unremarkables (normal people) and Remarkable exiles. Her life takes an odd turn when she discovers she has a godfather (her favorite author), her father kidnapped her from her mother, Zoe, and her twin brother, Alex, and her real name is Alexis Nicole. Guardians (Remarkable police) show up to arrest her father for stealing a powerful Remarkable weapon, but Nic, though hurt, angry, and confused over what happened, doesn't believe her father took the weapon. With her twin brother and her best friend JP (an Unremarkable) she takes off to find the weapon to save her dad. The characters are unique with their own quirks and worries - Nic is jealous of her brother for having their mother, the Remarkable world and the friendship building with JP, JP is very Christian in his beliefs and has a power of his own they didn't know, and Alex despises their father, believing he stole the magic weapon because he took Nic and he had to deal with their mother's heartbreak as a child himself. They face many tasks together, learning from each other and having to depend on each other to find the truth. The "Chosen One" trope comes into play. An adventurous first book in a series. Give to readers of Wildseed Witch, The Marvellers, and Harry Potter.

I am in love with this book! Thomas killed it with her middle grade debut, balancing the right amount of action and adventure with the importance of family, blood or chosen, and showing readers the injustices Black children in America are facing every day. The magic was interesting and easy to understand and I enjoyed the characters Nic encountered along her journey.

I was immediately invested in the story and it was a fun ride all the way to the end. I hope there's a sequel in the works!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Balzer + Bray and NetGalley for the copy.

This was a fun middle grade fantasy. I enjoyed the story, and lived that the ending was unexpected, but the story never hit me in the feels, which makes me sad. I'm not sure where exactly the disconnect is, because I loved the history that was thrown in. But the characters didn't feel very developed, and the book was exposition heavy. I enjoyed the read, but don't feel like the story will stay with me like I expected it to.

This book is a dream of Angie Thomas's. She wanted to create a book that was for a younger her who LOVED fantasy. This book allows her to world build, and she hopes to bring her readers the same joy that she felt reading fantasy (https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/90215-pw-talks-with-angie-thomas.html), and I am happy to say, that she does just that (and more because she includes history, too)!

Although the world building is great and it is right up the alley for students who love middle grade contemporary fantasy adventures and the pacing is perfect, which keeps the reader reading, it was Nic Blake's voice that truly sold me. It is fantastic! She is sassy and strong and witty! She is someone you root for right away and also trust as a character, which is important in these types of fantasy novels.

I enjoyed the African American and Black history incorporated into the magic in The Remarkables. The lore was well researched and applied in a way that connected with the dark history of the United States (where the novel is based). The magical world also provided a good contrast to the Unremarkable world (aka regular humans).

Nic is also a fun perspective to read from. She’s a middle schooler with a fun sense of humor and a resourceful mind.

I was a little disappointed by the lack of emotional depth in Angie Thomas’ fantasy debut. I’ve read all her other work and each time was left for days just mulling over my thoughts and feelings after finishing. This novel didn’t have much of an impact at all on me. Some might argue it’s because the novel is for a younger audience. To that I would say, it’s just as important for children to understand deeper concepts. Adults shouldn’t be the only ones reading books that have emotional pay off or more depth. Kids don’t lack the ability to understand deeper topics.