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

This was our Middle School Book Club pick at the Library. I am not ashamed to say that I loved this book! And, honestly, this book opened my eyes to how good Middle Grade can be!

The plot of this book was exciting. I enjoyed the story of Amari finding a whole magical world mixed right in with her world. And discovering that her brother was also a part of this world, so the answers to his disappearance might be closer than she ever thought. It was so much fun, and I think the world-building was fantastic.

Some noteable characters: Amari- our main character, who has always been bullied for being a little different, and this hasn't changed since she's been in the magical world. Amari likes to fight for the underdog, and standing up to mean people.

Elsie- Amari's roommate and best friend who is a weredragon. She is an outsider that's used to being bullied, so she and Amari have that in common. They become fast friends. Also, Elsie is wicked smart, and helps Amari with the task of finding her brother.

Dylan- A student from a very powerful family, that takes a liking to Amari. He becomes a great friend because he shares a secret that Amari understands.

Overall, this was a fun story, with a great plot. There isnt any romance, but there's action, diversity, and a lot of fun! I recommend this book especially if you like fantasy and middle grade novels!

Content Warnings

asourceoffiction's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

This is a great premise, though it's a shame that it's mining such a well-used trope. Human protagonist thrown into supernatural/magical world where they discover they're all special and powerful. They enrol in the magical school where some people are mean but they make great friends, and they must uncover a big secret to save something or someone. Oh, and being the first in the series they also inadvertently welcome more danger before they can save the world (presumably) in a later book. This is the premise of so many fantasy series at the moment, particularly in children's or YA fiction, and it's hard to see past if you've read it a lot, at least at first.

But. Throwing that aside, the world-building here is really fun and Amari is a decent protagonist. The way the supernatural world is hidden from the real one (with bureaucracy, red tape and permits, mostly) is a nice touch, and there's genuine humour throughout (often thanks to the hotel's lifts/elevators). It did carve out some originality in the plot which certainly made the derivative elements easier to tackle as I got further in.

By the end, there had been enough twists and unique moments that I was pretty hooked. I love the characters and the story progression. It's pretty dark for a children's series (my 10 year old has decided to wait another year to read it!), and I'll definitely be seeking out book two before too long.

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ran_sophia's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I had a great time with the story. It was just amazing. It's written and crafted with great skill. The twists were brilliantly written and placed. Reading this book was an amazing and wonderful experience.

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joanna_banana's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I started reading this together with my 11 year old daughter. We were enjoying it and then got COVID so I picked it up today and finished it while she got her hair done. It’s a very quick read with lots of twists and turns. I thought it would end with a cliffhanger there were so few pages left to resolve everything. You will see! Some parts were predicable but a lot kept me guessing. I enjoyed The relationships — siblings, friends, mother-daughter. Little to no romance. Placed a hold on the next one in the series the moment I finished!

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mandaraffe's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

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

Content Warnings

readingwithtemperance's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring 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

5.0

This book gave me the same feelings I had reading my childhood favorites growing up. I was so swept up and captivated by Amari and the world she was thrust into. The magic, the adventure, the FRIENDSHIP. Ugh it fueled my heart so good.

The world itself was so incredible. I loved getting insight on all of the different departments. And I'm so excited to see more in book two! Personally I would want to work in the department of good fortune and bad omens.

The love Amari feels for her big brother had me over come with emotion so many times. Especially when

she was speaking to him in his coma. "Hey Chicken Little" TEARS EVERY WHERE.

And every time she doubted herself he was lifting her right back up internally. The bond they share is so beautiful. Quinton truly is a beacon.

Amari is so so brave and constantly proving others wrong. People doubt her because of where she comes from, for being black, and for being a magician. Whether it's the mundane or supernatural world people are always forming opinions about her before she even opens her mouth or acts. Her existence is a "threat" no matter where she is.

She's always being told she doesn't belong or doesn't deserve her spot. First in private school and then again at summer camp. Amari is bullied so fiercely by her peers. And the adults the grand majority of the time are just complicent in that and it was utterly disgusting to watch.

Ffs she was

demoted simply because Van Helsing had a personal vendetta against her. It ended up working in her favor but that was SUCH a low blow and entirely unfair. SHE EARNED THAT FUCKING BADGE. That's okay though because the call was coming from inside the house wasn't it?

At the end of the day she's Amari Amazing and there's nothing they can do about it.

Especially now that they need HER help. Funny how that works.

Elsie is such an incredible friend. I love how much she and Amari balance eachother while simultaneously getting eachother out of their comfort zones. She is definitely my 2nd favorite character (Amari is number 1 obviously). I hope we get to see more science magic and maybe a transformation in book 2.

Now onto some major spoiler territory because this guy REALLY pissed me off and I just need to get it out. You have been warned. Do not pass go if you haven't read this book, okay? Okay.

WHAT THE FUCK DYLAN ARE YOU SERIOUS!? I LOVED AND TRUSTED YOU. AMARI LOVED AND TRUSTED YOU. AND YOU JUST HAD TO BE AN EVIL COCKROACH!? FUCK ALL THE WAY OFF. I had suspicios for like 5 seconds with your dark magic bullshit, but I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt because kids are curious. Jokes on me you're actually just a 12 year old henchman to the bad guy.

Anyways

Read this book. Read THIS book. READ THIS BOOK. REEEEEEAD THIS BOOOOOK.

If you don't I'm coming for your knee caps (jk, unless?)

Content Warnings

jennifervenia's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

“Folk har tendens til at frygte det, de ikke forstår. Og frygt bliver alt for let til had.”

I really enjoyed reading Amari and the night brothers. The story is full of secrets, magic and mystery.
The book has some very good and unexpected plottwists I did not see coming. The story kept me wanting to read more and find out what would happend next. The flow of the story is well written and smooth.
It will always be strange to me when a book mentions people have to pay to attend school.
The only reason Amari and the night brothers gets four stars is because of how commanding the adults in the book behaves a lot if the time, it was often - the adult give a order without any explanation and the child would immediately do what they adult commanded. It was very much right in front of me all the time.
I look forward to read the rest of the series.

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thekissballad's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I really enjoyed this and can't wait to continue the series.

I enjoyed the worldbuilding and how the supernatural world is hidden. I liked that a large variety of creatures, myths, etc were used instead of just a select few.

And while I enjoyed the mystery surrounding Quinton and the Night Brothers, that's also where I had some issues.

The first being how often it was repeated that Amari was there to find out what happened to her brother. It's evident through her actions that the constant repetition verbally got on my nerves.

The second being that the Night Brothers didn't have as much of a role as I expected considering they're in the title. I'd explain further, but SPOILERS.

The ending was actually a bit surprising for me. There were many routes that could have been taken, and I honestly thought it would be a different one. It's refreshing to be surprised.

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