In Nic Blake and the Remarkables, Angie Thomas turns her attention from a YA to a middle-grade audience. As in her previous books, Thomas includes commentary on racism and violence in society as well as some incorporation of Black history and blends that with a fast-paced storyline. Once I started, I had to find out what happens to 12-year old Nic and her two friends as they scramble to save her father, Calvin, who has been accused of (presumably falsely) and arrested for stealing the mysterious Msaidizi, which is a grievous crime in the magical world of the Remarkables. Based on the ending, this is clearly the first book in what will be a series.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

Oh my gosh! This was such a cool book. I don’t think I’ve ever read something quite like this. Often fantasy books don’t include African American history, but this book is based off of that history well with some Gifts thrown in.
First off, the world building of this was insane. I love how Thomas mixed in the Civil Rights Movement, the Underground Railroad, the start of the slavery in the New World into this new universe. It was interesting to see how these Gifts had been playing into our world since the beginning, and can I just say it’s such a cool idea! So many fantasy books focus on European myths, so this one is long overdue.
I loved Nic as well. She is such a tough little heroine. She was learning about herself and how to be a hero. I love how she didn't have everything figured out. She was flying blind in a lot of ways but still doing the right thing. And of course she had her faithful partners as well.
I loved JP and Alex. They were such different characters but still amazing in their own ways. And I loved Nic and Alex’s relationship because they had to talk. They understandably had some barriers to work through, and I love how Thomas didn’t shy away from making them work through it. And JP was such a sweetheart! His ray of positivity is so cute.
The plot of this was amazing! I didn't know what was going to happen next. And I love how everything you think you know kinda gets flipped on its head. In some ways, it pulls off of the middle grade hero cliches and then twists them into something original.
I would totally recommend this book! It is perfect for any middle grade reader.
Content Warnings:
Mention of the Devil and his daughter
Mention of slavery, Civil Rights Movement, and some of the atrocities Black people faced and still face - doesn’t go into graphic detail though
Highlights:
Strong female character
Sibling love
African American representation
Amazing worldbuilding
Traditional values
African American history told in a interesting and storybuilding way

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

This is an unexpected new genre from Angie Thomas, but I’m hooked. She weaves history and fantasy together fabulously. This new series will undoubtedly be a hit.

It can be challenging (for the reader and author) when an author switches genres. Angie Thomas is a master of realistic fiction. However, Ms. Thomas seamlessly entered the world of fantasy and gave us the Remarkable Nic Blake.

Nichole Blake has just turned twelve and cannot wait to learn how to use her Gift. She is a Remarkable (not to be confused with a wizard - no wands here). Nic’s dad is a Manifestor (one of the most powerful types of Remarkables) and has been promising to teach her how to use her Gift on her birthday. However, just like the last two years, he says they need to put off training for another year. At least she got a puppy hellhound (not a dragon, which would have been awesome) and she gets to go to her favorite author’s book signing with her best friend JP. Meeting her favorite author is definitely more than she thought it would be. Nic finds out the stories she loves are not quite fiction, her father has been keeping secrets, and something she’s always wished for is actually reality. She’s in danger, but she will do whatever she must to protect those she loves.

The thing I love most about this book is seeing Ms. Thomas’s personality shine through. If you’ve ever seen her “DumbleDope” act with Nic Stone, you will see all of that in this book. Nic, JP, and Alex are similar to our Hogwarts trio but even more relatable. I’m a huge fan of JP.. Nic’s dad has a great shoe collection, which I’m sure would rival Ms. Thomas’s! The dialogue is hilarious, quick witted and sarcastic. All of my favorite things, And I’m wondering if Nic’s friend, Rebecca, from ATL might be a reference to Becky Albertelli. It’s also obvious that Ms. Thomas has done her research into African history and folklore. I appreciate that she is able to intertwine social Justice issues within the story. They’re definitely on a level that middle school kids can understand. Any fans of Amari and Tristan Strong will devour this book! Can’t wait to have more adventures with this crew.

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas is a fun fantasy mid-grade read that I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves books about magic and mayhem! This book is the first one in a series of three about the talented Nic Blake, a Remarkable black girl living in an unremarkable world. Remarkables are African Americans with magical gifts that harken back to their origins in Africa and it's rich folklore. They have a variety of types of Remarkables including witches, vampires, and werewolves. Nic and her family are Manifestors, which is the most powerful form of magic in the Remarkable community. When Nic turns 12. She not only gets an adorable hellhound puppy but she also gets in over her head with a barrage of secrets and twists and turns that she never expected. I really enjoyed this book and how much love showed through all of the characters. Nick is such a curious character and I love seeing how her mind works when she's figuring out the different puzzles that she's faced with. Her relationship with JP is great and it's really nice to see him come into his character throughout the book series. I hope to see more of him in future books. The family dynamics are really interesting and you can tell that each character cares a lot about the whole family as well as the individuals. The story has a lot of heart and navigate is difficult. Family dynamics with ease. The African folklore and fantasy elements are so cool and really bring this book to life. I especially loved the scenes in New Orleans and all of the history that was put into them. Cocoa is adorable and now I want a hellhound! I think this book is a great option for mid-grade readers who love Percy Jackson and the magic story book series. It's a strong first book with tons of heart and great black characters.

I’m a huge fan of Angie Thomas, and I love that her first middle-grade novel is something completely different from her YA fare. I’ll admit I often find middle-grade fantasy sort of cheesy - it’s a fine line to walk. You want it to be approachable for a younger audience (so no super-dense mythology), but you also don’t want it to be…well, goofy. I think Angie walks that line pretty well. There’s a bit of an info-dump quality in the earlier chapters as she’s setting up the world and what Remarkables are and how their powers work. Luckily that quality doesn’t last, and we learn information organically as the story unfolds.

Nic Blake is a Remarkable (which, she’ll be quick to tell you, is NOT the same thing as a wizard!). She’s been raised by a single father, and he homeschools her because they move around a lot. When the story begins, it’s Nic’s 12th birthday, and although she gets the hellhound puppy she’s been hoping for (not as good as a dragon, but ok), what she really wants is to learn how to use her Gift. Her father is a Manifestor, which is the most powerful kind of Remarkable (there are others like fairies, visionaries, vampires, shapeshifters, etc.). But to her disappointment, he tells her they need to wait another year to start her formal training – the same thing he’s told her the last two birthdays. Nic is bummed, but at least she gets to go to a book signing with her best friend JP. The two of them are obsessed with a Harry Potter-esque series about a trio of friends fighting an evil wizard. But it turns out, not only are those books not quite fictional, Nic herself is in terrible danger, and her father has been hiding an awful secret about their family.

I really enjoyed this, although I confess I wish it weren’t a series-starter. It does feel a little Harry Potter-ish at times, given that we have a trio (Nic and JP pick up a third member of their crew along the way), and a prophecy, and an evil villain who’s totes vanquished. Honestly it reminded me more of Henry Clark’s What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World. It’s a fantasy, but it also has a sense of humor. Angie Thomas’s voice is one of the things I have always loved most about her writing and it is in fine form here. Nic feels very much like a typical 12-year-old, snarky, a little self-centered, and pretty good at delivering zingers. Her best friend JP is an old man trapped in the body of a 12-year-old, and I have a special place in my heart for old-at-heart tweens, so he was actually my favorite character. Plus there’s Cocoa the hellhound puppy - who survives the whole ordeal completely unscathed!

The world-building here is really great - as I mentioned at the beginning, there’s a bit of info-dumping early on. Nic and her father visit a juke joint where fellow Remarkables in exile hang out, and we hear a LOT about all the different sorts of Remarkables and the Glow and the history, and it’s a lot of information in a very short span. But again, it calms down after that. And a lot of the history here is based on African history and mythology, so it’s clear Angie has done her research. And while it’s fantasy and it’s fun, it’s not without substance – there are some great talking points raised, particularly when the 3rd member of the trio enters the mix.

Again, I do wish this were a standalone rather than a series starter (it ends with a fairly boilerplate fantasy cliffhanger), but I’m interested to see what happens to Nic and co from here.

Angie Thomas makes her debut as a middle grade author with the story of Nic Blake. Nic is turning twelve and wishes for a family on her birthday. Little does she know this will turn her world upside down. Her long lost mother comes for her, and her father is arrested for stealing a magical tool. Now Nic must try to prove her father's innocence by finding it with the help of her best friend and her new found twin brother. I enjoyed the incorporation of the African folklore and how it was related to the Remarkables in the story. However, I did not like how the Remarkables turned their backs on unremarkable of African descent who could obviously use their help. Hopefully this will be addressed in future books in the series. Ultimately I was disappointed in the book because the plot was too convenient. Everything Nic needed to succeed in her quest easily came to her. Her best friend was amazing a very rare seer. When she was captured, the dog guarding her turned out to be her puppy's mother. Need to travel around quickly? Here is a magical train that can take you anywhere. The hero in this tale really didn't need to work that hard to succeed.

Angie Thomas joins the middle grade fantasy genre with a bang in this fast-paced, funny adventure. Nic Blake has grown up knowing she’s a Remarkable, someone with inherit magic-like abilities. But her dad has yet to teach her how to use them. On her 12th birthday, things start to get complicated when Nic discovers what she’s always been told may not be accurate. As Nic searches for answers, she meets many memorable characters and creatures, woven together with folktales and history.

The characters are what drew me in to this book. Nic is written like a 12 year old, in the best way. She is funny and strong-willed. Her annoyance, but overall love for her dad was so palpable from the easy teasing banter they had. JP, Nic’s best friend, was so lovable and unapologetically himself, a nerdy pastors kid and fierce friend.

Thomas was also able to discuss a lot of important social topics throughout the book without it feeling too heavy for a middle grade. The way that history affected the Remarkable world and vice versa was very powerful, yet subtle. I think as the series continues, the author will add even more layers to that by continuing to open up the minds of readers, and challenge their ideals while empowering them too.

It would be a spoiler to talk about something else I really appreciated since it happened at the end. But I will say, I like how a trope was explored and expanded in the last part of this book. It makes me so so excited for the series to continue.

If you loved Percy Jackson, Amari and the Night Brothers, or Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, please run to your favorite book website and preorder this! I am eagerly waiting for the sequel. Nic Blake will stick with me for a long, long time.

(Thank you to the publisher for a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.’)

Moving and magical, Angie Thomas's middle grade debut perfectly blends African mythology and history of the American South. An impactful and fast-paced read for fans of Rick Riordan and B.B. Alston.

Of course, this is a completely different book than Thomas’ previous ones and is intended for a younger audience, so it definitely hits differently. I didn’t find it as powerful as the YA novels, but I did love the way Black history and folklore were woven into the story. Nic Blake is a twelve year old living with her Dad in Jackson, MS. She and her Dad have magical powers, but Nic has no idea about the family and homeland that she’s missing out on. Now, she’s on the run from powerful forces trying to clear her Dad’s name.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy for review.

This book is an Angie Thomas book so be ready for the topics of racism, slavery, police brutality, and Black pain. However, it is written for the Middle Grade audience.

Nic Blake is a twelve year old that has been moving around with her dad. But they have now settled in Jackson, Mississippi. She finally has a friend, JP, and they both love the same fantasy book series. But she has a secret. She is a Remarkable. She is ready to learn to use her magic but her dad has been keeping secrets. What she thought she knew about her life is not the whole story. Through a turn of events she now on the run trying to prove her fathers innocence.

Middle grade (and adult) fans of fantasy will enjoy this book. It also have Thomas's humor infused throughout. It is a face paced adventure that is sure to keep the reader hooked.

Angie Thomas’ new middle grade fantasy book is amazing. This gem centers around such a dynamic, well-developed character creating a fast-pace plot that will enchant readers. I love how she blends fantasy with history and ties in folktale characters. This is a must read for anyone who works with middle grade readers.

Angie Thomas' skill at building a world, effortlessly, with interesting, rich characters translates well as she makes her middle grades fantasy debut. I instantly fell in love with Nic and her friends, pulled into the story within the first few pages. Despite the level of detail, the book never felt like it was info dumping a new world, nor did I feel overwhelmed. It was natural. The plot will draw in all the fantasy lovers, while readers will debate many of LORE's decisions. I love a strong but real heroine, and Nic shines. Highly recommend for all elementary school and middle school libraries. The only problem will be waiting for book 2!

This was so much fun to read.

Nic lives with her dad in Jackson. They move around a lot and her mom isn't around. When Nic turns twelve, she expects her dad to teach her how to use her gift. He keeps putting it off. He does get her a hellhound puppy. Her neighbor JP is her best friend. She's never really had one because of all the moves. JP is an unremarkable and remarkables aren't allowed to tell others about their world. There are different types of remarkables. Nic and her dad are manifestors. Things start to get weird for her after her favorite author does a book signing. Nic learns more about her life and she has to search a magical item that has been missing for ten years. Everything seems to depend on Nic and what she will become.

I'm going to keep this vague so I don't give away any secrets. I loved Nic and her dad's relationship and JP was adorable. I'm excited that this will be a series and I can't wait to see what happens in book two.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my earc.

Angie Thomas has done it again. Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is a fun, middle-grade fantasy adventure. But fans of Angie Thomas need to remember that this is a middle-grade novel. It is not YA and does not try to be. Minor spoilers ahead.
Nic Blake is celebrating her birthday and knows she is special, she just doesn’t know how special she actually is. What follows consists of hellhounds, best friends and newfound family, the underground railroad, magic, and a few other extraordinary locations encountered along the way.
I am not a huge fan of fantasy novels but I found Nic Blake easy to read without being bogged down with the vivid details of world-building. Nic Blake has humor, adventure, a few scary moments, history, and fantasy elements (duh, of course, it has fantasy elements). One location of the novel takes place in Jackson, MS (Angie Thomas is from here) and it is a treat to notice several details that locals will appreciate. Don’t worry, the other locations are just as detailed and thought out. Most readers will like the three main characters (I’m looking forward to what the future holds for JP), and the secondary characters and other various encounters are vivid enough for readers to appreciate. Again, one needs to remember that this is a middle-grade novel, so don’t expect the realistic situations you are used to reading about with this author. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Angie Thomas has said this would be a series, so a cliffhanger ending is to be expected. This is in addition to an ending that will leave most satisfied and ready for more adventures. Angie Thomas is a gifted writer and Nic Blake is another worthy addition to her catalog of novels.

I loved this one!

Nic Blake has lived with her dad her whole life. She also has been homeschooled and knows her dad can produce magic and she can too once she is able to learn about it. When she sneaks out to go to a book signing for her favorite author she finds out the stories are true and are about her mom and dad and their best friend (the author). She later finds out her dad kidnapped her and has been on the run her whole life due. He dad is arrested by LORE and Nic, her best friend and her brother she didn't know she had have to find the tool that the LORE also think he stole.

What a fantastic adventure! I loved Nic Blake’s voice and laughed several times with her sarcasm and wit. This story is a new, much needed take on fantasy, combining African-American history and mythology in an epic world that is set alongside our own. I found myself holding my breath as Nic learns new truths about herself, her friend, and her family, all as she turns just twelve years old. Thomas has done an exquisite job worldbuilding and weaving her lore into historical events. I was a little hesitant about reading this (as middle grades is rarely my favorite age group to read for), but the fast pacing, the high stakes, and the incredibly real issues of wanting to feel a sense of belonging and living up to parental expectations let me hooked on every word. MG students who love reading action and fantasy adventures about kids with a lot of personality will adore this book.

Also, I now desperately want a hellhound.

I have to be honest - I expected to love this book, so it's not a big surprise that I love this book. I'm not the biggest fantasy fan, but this book kept me hooked from the get go. I loved all the magical and magi-real elements of this story. The hometown starring role. History, prejudice, power, family, magic and humor. I loved it and will definitely be upselling it when it comes out.

From the beginning to end, I enjoyed this so much. I don’t read a lot of middle grade, but this novel showed me how immersive this category can be when represented correctly.

- Characterization: was wholesome. The entire time I was reading, I just imagined this little girl with a high pitched voice who was a force to be reckoned with haha. I loved Nic's thoughtful thinking skills and rooted for her the entire book, because she was so fun to follow on her adventure.

- World building: I like how we slowly get adjusted to the world building without scrutiny crashing down on us. Some of it is still being spoon fed but I was alright with that because I could use some of that in adult fantasies haha 🤣I think it’s so cool that the setting is in a fantastical “Mississippi” with the town based in an inactive volcano. I would’ve loved to have read this when I was 10 or 12 yrs old. I loveeeeee the connection of today’s history in this story with the implement of the magic system. No pun intended, but it really makes the story magical and knowing that children around the world will be reading this, with Black history unembellished but simple enough for them to understand, makes me all the more THANKFUL for writers like Angie Thomas.

⁃ Plot: the subtle and small inclusion of how slavery/systemic racism also effects this fantasy world is so great to me! It isn’t in an overwhelming dose or too in your face since the book is marked towards a young age group, yet it’s still prevalent to raise the issue which I am here for!

- Style: I don't care what age group it is for, I always love Angie Thomas's voice. I do have to say that I was quite surprised that she pulled off a good twelve year old's voice. I love how the voice is so sweet. The narrative is strong with a sense of childish flavor.

Some random comments I had while reading:
- giggles from the first page already
- I am officially calling myself an Aziza now (iykyk 😁😆)
- Angie Thomas’ characters always have me wrapped around their fingers because WHY AM I FEELING THINGS FOR FICTIONAL CHARACTERS?!

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins children for allowing me to read this before it hit the shelves. I loved it!

I had the privilege of meeting Angie Thomas at my local library and hearing her speak about her debut novel, The Hate U Give. Hearing any great author share their thoughts in person can be life changing but having this experience was deeply life altering for me as a reader, a parent, a teacher, and as a human.

When I learned Angie Thomas was writing a book for the middle grades- I knew it was going to be phenomenal. I love that she is giving students something she rarely had in school- remarkable books with remarkable characters who look like her.

Magic is all around us but if you are an unremarkable like me, you probably haven’t noticed. We’ve been missing out! Nic is turning twelve and is super excited about her dad finally teaching her how to use her powers as a manifestor but with the turn of some crazy events- she ends up learning a lot more than she expected.

On her journey, Nic unearths the deepest of secrets and begins to learn about the Remarkable’s history which is intertwined with black history and folklore. Angie takes us on a magical adventure immersed with fantastic characters, mythological creatures, and tons of twists and turns.

Young readers are absolutely going to fall in love with Nic and her friends. I was especially partial to JP! They are going to be left on the edge of theirs seats and wanting more- good thing this is a series!

I would definitely recommend this book and encourage parents and caregivers to give it a read also. This book will offer great opportunities for literary discussions in addition to bigger life talks.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.