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Nic Blake and the Remarkables #1
The Manifestor Prophecy
Internationally bestselling superstar author Angie Thomas makes her middle grade debut with the launch of an inventive, hilarious, and suspenseful new contemporary fantasy trilogy inspired by African American history and folklore.
It’s not easy being a Remarkable in the Unremarkable world. Some things are cool—like getting a pet hellhound for your twelfth birthday. Others, not so much—like not being trusted to learn magic because you might use it to take revenge on an annoying neighbor.
All Nic Blake wants is to be a powerful Manifestor like her dad. But before she has a chance to convince him to teach her the gift, a series of shocking revelations and terrifying events launch Nic and two friends on a hunt for a powerful magic tool she’s never heard of...to save her father from imprisonment for a crime she refuses to believe he committed.
It’s not easy being a Remarkable in the Unremarkable world. Some things are cool—like getting a pet hellhound for your twelfth birthday. Others, not so much—like not being trusted to learn magic because you might use it to take revenge on an annoying neighbor.
All Nic Blake wants is to be a powerful Manifestor like her dad. But before she has a chance to convince him to teach her the gift, a series of shocking revelations and terrifying events launch Nic and two friends on a hunt for a powerful magic tool she’s never heard of...to save her father from imprisonment for a crime she refuses to believe he committed.
354 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2023
About the author
Angie Thomas
20 books22.6k followersAngie Thomas was born, raised, and still resides in Jackson, Mississippi as indicated by her accent. She is a former teen rapper whose greatest accomplishment was an article about her in Right-On Magazine with a picture included. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Belhaven University and an unofficial degree in Hip Hop. She can also still rap if needed. She is an inaugural winner of the Walter Dean Meyers Grant 2015, awarded by We Need Diverse Books. Her debut novel, The Hate U Give, was acquired by Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins in a 13-house auction and will be published in spring 2017. Film rights have been optioned by Fox 2000 with George Tillman attached to direct and Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg set to star.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 538 reviews
May 2, 2023
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.
March 10, 2023
ohhh my god, I'm OBSESSED with this. like the layers!! This is so much in conversation with Harry Potter/JKR and the way that stories/authors can betray their readers and it's just like *chef's kiss*. But crucially the base story is fun and compelling too. And I just LOVE Nic as a protagonist. I want a Nic Blake theme park!
March 26, 2023
I've been avoiding writing this review, because it isn't as positive as I'd have loved it to be.
Overall, I didn't think much of this book :(
Angie Thomas has never let me down before. Her writing usually draws me in so well. Her characters and prose feel so real it's as if you're there, and her stories are absolutely gripping. I can't tell you how excited I was to read her first fantasy novel. It looked so fun. I was squealing when I saw I received an ARC.
This book certainly delivered on the representation side of things. It felt 100% African American, from the Black characters to the mythology and history. Although as a white Australian, I'm not the best judge of this, to me at least it felt like this was a great aspect of the book. It fills a gap in the market.
I've seen that most people absolutely love this book, so I hope that most young readers really enjoy it as well. Maybe it just didn't work for me - and that's a good thing, because I want kids to be able to love this! I usually try to review books objectively, especially if I'm not the target audience. I wouldn't read a horror novel and give it a low rating because it was 'too scary', and similarly I don't judge MG/YA for feeling 'immature'. Still, I have to be honest about how I felt.
So, what went wrong for me? I know I can't expect middle-grade to have the depth of YA or adult, but there was something really lacking in this book. And just because MG readers are younger doesn't mean their books don't have to be fully fleshed-out.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables felt... forgettable. Not just because it didn't feel particularly new or unique, but each night when I dove back in to read a few chapters, it took me a long time to catch up on what was happening. It was hard to follow, and I think younger readers could struggle with this as well (more so, since they aren't as experienced with reading/storytelling).
I could clearly see the Percy Jackson and H*rry P*tter inspiration in this book, but it didn't reach the depths that made those books so successful. The characters were one-dimensional (I loved them, but they didn't impress me), the worldbuilding wasn't particularly unique or well-rounded, and the prose felt off (telling instead of showing, unnecessary dialogue tags, etc). Again, just because a book is for kids, doesn't mean it should lack important storytelling elements.
There were a lot of great foundations in this book, and I think it just needed a bit of work to really bring out the aspects that would make it great. I suppose overall I struggled to see the point in this story (other than it being to fill the lack of representation for Black kids in this genre). Why did I need to know Nic's story, out of everyone in this world? Her parents' story intrigued me a lot more, honestly.
I'm really disappointed and sad. This isn't an awful book or anything, but considering Angie Thomas's books are usually instant favourites for me, I'm quite shocked that this had a much lower quality.
Overall, I didn't think much of this book :(
Angie Thomas has never let me down before. Her writing usually draws me in so well. Her characters and prose feel so real it's as if you're there, and her stories are absolutely gripping. I can't tell you how excited I was to read her first fantasy novel. It looked so fun. I was squealing when I saw I received an ARC.
This book certainly delivered on the representation side of things. It felt 100% African American, from the Black characters to the mythology and history. Although as a white Australian, I'm not the best judge of this, to me at least it felt like this was a great aspect of the book. It fills a gap in the market.
I've seen that most people absolutely love this book, so I hope that most young readers really enjoy it as well. Maybe it just didn't work for me - and that's a good thing, because I want kids to be able to love this! I usually try to review books objectively, especially if I'm not the target audience. I wouldn't read a horror novel and give it a low rating because it was 'too scary', and similarly I don't judge MG/YA for feeling 'immature'. Still, I have to be honest about how I felt.
So, what went wrong for me? I know I can't expect middle-grade to have the depth of YA or adult, but there was something really lacking in this book. And just because MG readers are younger doesn't mean their books don't have to be fully fleshed-out.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables felt... forgettable. Not just because it didn't feel particularly new or unique, but each night when I dove back in to read a few chapters, it took me a long time to catch up on what was happening. It was hard to follow, and I think younger readers could struggle with this as well (more so, since they aren't as experienced with reading/storytelling).
I could clearly see the Percy Jackson and H*rry P*tter inspiration in this book, but it didn't reach the depths that made those books so successful. The characters were one-dimensional (I loved them, but they didn't impress me), the worldbuilding wasn't particularly unique or well-rounded, and the prose felt off (telling instead of showing, unnecessary dialogue tags, etc). Again, just because a book is for kids, doesn't mean it should lack important storytelling elements.
There were a lot of great foundations in this book, and I think it just needed a bit of work to really bring out the aspects that would make it great. I suppose overall I struggled to see the point in this story (other than it being to fill the lack of representation for Black kids in this genre). Why did I need to know Nic's story, out of everyone in this world? Her parents' story intrigued me a lot more, honestly.
I'm really disappointed and sad. This isn't an awful book or anything, but considering Angie Thomas's books are usually instant favourites for me, I'm quite shocked that this had a much lower quality.
February 1, 2024
"My dad's gonna teach me how to use the Gift so I can finally beat the real Manifestor. First I've gotta catch a hellhound."
I'm absolutely stunned this book wasn't mentioned anywhere in the 2024 ALA Youth Media Awards.
This action-packed adventure story weaves contemporary fantasy with African lore and the history of slavery in America. Thomas teaches young readers important life lessons without being didactic, and she includes her signature story element: characters who love bizarre snack combinations. Orange juice mixed with grape juice, anyone?
Lots of fun twists in this book! Would recommend to fans of Amari and the Night Brothers.
I'm absolutely stunned this book wasn't mentioned anywhere in the 2024 ALA Youth Media Awards.
This action-packed adventure story weaves contemporary fantasy with African lore and the history of slavery in America. Thomas teaches young readers important life lessons without being didactic, and she includes her signature story element: characters who love bizarre snack combinations. Orange juice mixed with grape juice, anyone?
Lots of fun twists in this book! Would recommend to fans of Amari and the Night Brothers.
September 6, 2023
Such a fun read and I love the elements that Angie Thomas had interweaved. Some African lore, the Black history and its backgrounds and specially how it shapes the person that the characters had become.
RTC.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables is one of those books that hooked me from the very start, and I was excited about it because it was written by Angie Thomas and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I would say her first middle-grade fantasy debut is a success on its own and I love how she puts her own flair towards it.
—
Nic Blake and The Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is the first book to a start of a new middle-grade fantasy series. A world where magic is filled in a way that takes the lores from African culture but set in America. Nic, a 12 year old who was suddenly tested when an incident happened and her father accused of something he didn’t do. A story of adventure, filled with love, lore and exploration of self.
—
I feel that for her fantasy debut, it wasn’t all too bad. There are some parts of the book where I felt the transition were a bit off and it was a tad chaotic at some parts but overall, it wasn’t a bad read and here are the some highlights why I liked the story.
—
✨Representation✨
I liked how the representation of this book is just 👏🏻✨👏🏻 Props to Angie Thomas for never forgetting about the BLM movement and its written in the story really well. I love how all the characters and the story is derived from African lore and it makes the story has a different twist of its own.
✨Plot✨
For a short read, the plot has been thought out well. I love that the adventures were written in a manner that made the story has its own colour and personality.
Also, I do recommend listening to the audiobook whilst reading as well. The audiobook was so well-done (like all Angie Thomas’s books) and it gives the story more depth.
Overall, this is def a great start to a new series and I can’t wait to read the sequel! Its fun, its a great read for a palate cleanser and it gives hope and representation especially for people of colour ✨🤍
Personal Ratings : 3.75🌟
Thank you so much to Times Reads for this copy!
RTC.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables is one of those books that hooked me from the very start, and I was excited about it because it was written by Angie Thomas and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I would say her first middle-grade fantasy debut is a success on its own and I love how she puts her own flair towards it.
—
Nic Blake and The Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is the first book to a start of a new middle-grade fantasy series. A world where magic is filled in a way that takes the lores from African culture but set in America. Nic, a 12 year old who was suddenly tested when an incident happened and her father accused of something he didn’t do. A story of adventure, filled with love, lore and exploration of self.
—
I feel that for her fantasy debut, it wasn’t all too bad. There are some parts of the book where I felt the transition were a bit off and it was a tad chaotic at some parts but overall, it wasn’t a bad read and here are the some highlights why I liked the story.
—
✨Representation✨
I liked how the representation of this book is just 👏🏻✨👏🏻 Props to Angie Thomas for never forgetting about the BLM movement and its written in the story really well. I love how all the characters and the story is derived from African lore and it makes the story has a different twist of its own.
✨Plot✨
For a short read, the plot has been thought out well. I love that the adventures were written in a manner that made the story has its own colour and personality.
Also, I do recommend listening to the audiobook whilst reading as well. The audiobook was so well-done (like all Angie Thomas’s books) and it gives the story more depth.
Overall, this is def a great start to a new series and I can’t wait to read the sequel! Its fun, its a great read for a palate cleanser and it gives hope and representation especially for people of colour ✨🤍
Personal Ratings : 3.75🌟
Thank you so much to Times Reads for this copy!
March 15, 2023
I'm a bit torn between a 3 and a 4 on this book, it is a fun quick read (read it in a weekend), and has a lot of the super unique voice Angie Thomas is known for. However, the first part of the novel it was a bit slow, and there are some other things I detail below. I think if readers hold out until chapter 3 they will get more sucked into the plot, which takes us across the southern US. While, I think this book was worth reading, I felt like it teetered on a middle of the road book for me here's why:
Pro: Super interesting plot, with different kinds of magic, cool gadgets, an unexpected ending. Very original and I think the author set up the ending well so that things made sense. I also really appreciate that the author goes against the stereotype of completely absent parents. There is a lot of African American history woven into this book which I loved, and I feel like Angie Thomas adds a lot of magic and life into telling stories that kids will have seen/heard in their history classes. Additionally there were a lot of big twists towards the end that made the last quarter of the book very fast paced. I think fans of Amari & the Night Brothers would like this book.
Cons: The history is a bit much. At times the book strays off the path of the fantasy novel, and feels a little like a PBS or history channel special. While I think it is nice for kids to learn about history, parts of the book felt like they were written specifically for teaching kids history as opposed to the fantasy scenes. These parts took me out of the reading experience. Top downsides of the book for me were that there was a lot of irrelevant backstory, kids who are overly self aware (making them not seem realistic like they were in The Hate You Give), and a lot of telling over showing. For example in the first part of the book (don't worry no spoilers), the main character says JP is her best friend. Throughout the story they call each other best friends a lot, but there are rarely moments shared between the characters that make them seem like true best friends.
In summary, I think this book had a super interesting plot and I love the interwoven magic. That being said the characters felt a bit static, and all the telling over showing made it hard to get completely absorbed in this book. Additionally overly self aware kids, made the characters less than believable. Example: in one part of the book the main character keeps saying how jealous she is. None of my kids have ever been aware of their jealously :-)
Pro: Super interesting plot, with different kinds of magic, cool gadgets, an unexpected ending. Very original and I think the author set up the ending well so that things made sense. I also really appreciate that the author goes against the stereotype of completely absent parents. There is a lot of African American history woven into this book which I loved, and I feel like Angie Thomas adds a lot of magic and life into telling stories that kids will have seen/heard in their history classes. Additionally there were a lot of big twists towards the end that made the last quarter of the book very fast paced. I think fans of Amari & the Night Brothers would like this book.
Cons: The history is a bit much. At times the book strays off the path of the fantasy novel, and feels a little like a PBS or history channel special. While I think it is nice for kids to learn about history, parts of the book felt like they were written specifically for teaching kids history as opposed to the fantasy scenes. These parts took me out of the reading experience. Top downsides of the book for me were that there was a lot of irrelevant backstory, kids who are overly self aware (making them not seem realistic like they were in The Hate You Give), and a lot of telling over showing. For example in the first part of the book (don't worry no spoilers), the main character says JP is her best friend. Throughout the story they call each other best friends a lot, but there are rarely moments shared between the characters that make them seem like true best friends.
In summary, I think this book had a super interesting plot and I love the interwoven magic. That being said the characters felt a bit static, and all the telling over showing made it hard to get completely absorbed in this book. Additionally overly self aware kids, made the characters less than believable. Example: in one part of the book the main character keeps saying how jealous she is. None of my kids have ever been aware of their jealously :-)
November 22, 2023
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is one of the the best middle grade novels to have come out of 2023 thus far. The characters and friendships are charming and the story itself is brimming with action, adventure, magic and fun, as well as being deeply moving and delivering some fantastic historical insight into the Underground Railroad and civil rights movement in the US.
It’s a story that feels familiar (we’ve got the chosen one, missing parents, kids saving the day etc.) whilst feeling wholly unique and exciting in its own right. It’s the perfect story for fans of HP, Percy Jackson and Amari and the Night Brothers looking for their next thrilling and magical adventure. I had so much fun with this book and I’ve found myself once again utterly in awe of Angie Thomas’s talent. I can’t wait to recommend this to readers young and old as I eagerly await book two.
TW: discussion of racism
It’s a story that feels familiar (we’ve got the chosen one, missing parents, kids saving the day etc.) whilst feeling wholly unique and exciting in its own right. It’s the perfect story for fans of HP, Percy Jackson and Amari and the Night Brothers looking for their next thrilling and magical adventure. I had so much fun with this book and I’ve found myself once again utterly in awe of Angie Thomas’s talent. I can’t wait to recommend this to readers young and old as I eagerly await book two.
TW: discussion of racism
Want to read
September 13, 2022ANGIE THOMAS DEBUT MIDDLE GRADE OMG!!! WHY DIDNT I KNOW THIS WAS A THING!!!!!?
February 21, 2024
Olen kovasti tykännyt Angie Thomasin realistisista nuortenkirjoista kuten Viha jonka kylvät. Niinpä tartuin innolla myös kirjailijan uunituoreeseen teokseen "Nic Blake ja ihmeelliset - Ilmentäjien ennustus" (Otava, 2024), jossa kohderyhmä oli vaihtunut varhaisnuoriin ja genre fantasiaan.
Nic Blake on kaksitoistavuotias tyttö, joka ystävineen joutuu etsimään myyttistä msaidiziksi kutsuttua taikaesinettä ja kohtaa matkallaan monenlaisia hirviöitä ja toinen toistaan suurempia vaaroja. Keskeiseen rooliin nousevat myös Nicin mutkikkaat perhesuhteet.
Vaikka afroamerikkalaisesta kulttuuriperimästä ponnistavat elementit ja rougaroun kaltaiset vähemmän tunnetut myyttiset olennot olivat ihan mukavaa vaihtelua perinteiseen fantasiaan, niin kokonaisuutena kirja ei kuitenkaan ollut erityisen omaperäinen - tai sitten minä olen vaan liian vanha ja lukenut liian monta genreen kuuluvaa kirjaa.
Thomasin aikaisemmissa teoksissa on ollut vahva yhteiskunnallinen ote, eikä Nic Blaken fantasiamaailmakaan ole irrallaan rasismia pullollaan olevasta arkitodellisuudesta. Esimerkiksi George Floydin tapaukseen viitataan ainakin kertaalleen.
Jos kaipailet samankaltaista luettavaa, niin kokeilepa huviksesi B.B. Alstonin Amaria ja yön veljiä tai jonkinmoisen genreklassikon asemaan noussutta Rick Riordanin Salamavarasta.
Nic Blake on kaksitoistavuotias tyttö, joka ystävineen joutuu etsimään myyttistä msaidiziksi kutsuttua taikaesinettä ja kohtaa matkallaan monenlaisia hirviöitä ja toinen toistaan suurempia vaaroja. Keskeiseen rooliin nousevat myös Nicin mutkikkaat perhesuhteet.
Vaikka afroamerikkalaisesta kulttuuriperimästä ponnistavat elementit ja rougaroun kaltaiset vähemmän tunnetut myyttiset olennot olivat ihan mukavaa vaihtelua perinteiseen fantasiaan, niin kokonaisuutena kirja ei kuitenkaan ollut erityisen omaperäinen - tai sitten minä olen vaan liian vanha ja lukenut liian monta genreen kuuluvaa kirjaa.
Thomasin aikaisemmissa teoksissa on ollut vahva yhteiskunnallinen ote, eikä Nic Blaken fantasiamaailmakaan ole irrallaan rasismia pullollaan olevasta arkitodellisuudesta. Esimerkiksi George Floydin tapaukseen viitataan ainakin kertaalleen.
Jos kaipailet samankaltaista luettavaa, niin kokeilepa huviksesi B.B. Alstonin Amaria ja yön veljiä tai jonkinmoisen genreklassikon asemaan noussutta Rick Riordanin Salamavarasta.
April 12, 2023
I’m disappointed I didn’t love this. It was an ok middle grade fantasy adventure — with some interesting Black culture / myths incorporated — but it felt fairly disposable all the same.
I’m used to being immersed in Thomas’s works - I think I’ve given 5 stars to everything else she’s written. Not sure if it’s the age change from YA to MG, or the magic, but this just didn’t grab me. The characters were fairly 1 dimensional, and it left me wanting more.
I’m used to being immersed in Thomas’s works - I think I’ve given 5 stars to everything else she’s written. Not sure if it’s the age change from YA to MG, or the magic, but this just didn’t grab me. The characters were fairly 1 dimensional, and it left me wanting more.
May 9, 2023
A fast-paced, middle-grade adventure. I loved the details of the magical world and the commentary on race. Angie Thomas' writing always achieves the difficult thing of feeling relevant and authentic, whatever the genre or age group. She never writes down for younger readers or shies away from exploring difficult issues.
I'm looking forward to the next installments in this new series.
Also, I want a hellhound now.
I'm looking forward to the next installments in this new series.
Also, I want a hellhound now.
April 2, 2023
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is Angie Thomas' (The Hate U Give, On The Come Up) middle-grade debut. It's the first book in a new contemporary fantasy series that draws inspiration from African American history and folklore.
The Manifestor Prophecy follows Nic Blake, the story's main character and narrator, a Remarkable in an Unremarkable world. Nic's greatest wish is to be a powerful Manifestor, like her father. However, before she gets the chance to convince her dad to teach her about the Gift, a series of terrifying events and shocking revelations launch Nic and her friends on a quest to find a powerful magical item.
The Manifestor Prophecy is a remarkable (pun intended), superbly written book with a wonderfully nuanced, diverse, and developed cast of characters. The book celebrates African American culture, history, and heritage while exploring complex themes and interpersonal relationships in an approachable manner. The book's brisk pace never hinders the exploration of complex themes (injustice, racism, representation, interpersonal relationships) Thomas chose to cover or character development.
The astonishing cast of characters portrayed in The Manifestor Prophecy is one of the book's highlights that show Thomas' writing skills. Each character is nuanced and multi-dimensional. Even the characters who are (supposed to be) antagonists are well-developed, and their (back)story is layered enough to make the reader think about them and the choices that led them to that path. Character development will encourage questions from middle-grade readers and will be a topic of discussion.
Representation is another important aspect; Nic, Alex, and JP are wonderful, charming, and relatable characters, and it's such a joy to see POC characters that middle-graders (and other readers) can see themselves in and relate to. I am sure these characters, but especially Nic, will become fan favourites.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is a magnificent read. It's one of those important, but approachable books I could endlessly reread, analyze and write essays about. In addition, it is an enjoyable read for readers of all ages. I wholeheartedly recommend reading it and getting a copy for any person in your life.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is Angie Thomas' (The Hate U Give, On The Come Up) middle-grade debut. It's the first book in a new contemporary fantasy series that draws inspiration from African American history and folklore.
The Manifestor Prophecy follows Nic Blake, the story's main character and narrator, a Remarkable in an Unremarkable world. Nic's greatest wish is to be a powerful Manifestor, like her father. However, before she gets the chance to convince her dad to teach her about the Gift, a series of terrifying events and shocking revelations launch Nic and her friends on a quest to find a powerful magical item.
The Manifestor Prophecy is a remarkable (pun intended), superbly written book with a wonderfully nuanced, diverse, and developed cast of characters. The book celebrates African American culture, history, and heritage while exploring complex themes and interpersonal relationships in an approachable manner. The book's brisk pace never hinders the exploration of complex themes (injustice, racism, representation, interpersonal relationships) Thomas chose to cover or character development.
"Accurate representation matters when it comes to real folks."
The astonishing cast of characters portrayed in The Manifestor Prophecy is one of the book's highlights that show Thomas' writing skills. Each character is nuanced and multi-dimensional. Even the characters who are (supposed to be) antagonists are well-developed, and their (back)story is layered enough to make the reader think about them and the choices that led them to that path. Character development will encourage questions from middle-grade readers and will be a topic of discussion.
Representation is another important aspect; Nic, Alex, and JP are wonderful, charming, and relatable characters, and it's such a joy to see POC characters that middle-graders (and other readers) can see themselves in and relate to. I am sure these characters, but especially Nic, will become fan favourites.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is a magnificent read. It's one of those important, but approachable books I could endlessly reread, analyze and write essays about. In addition, it is an enjoyable read for readers of all ages. I wholeheartedly recommend reading it and getting a copy for any person in your life.
May 5, 2023
I read this book as an audiobook from the library, but I also have an ARC from the publisher (full disclosure), which didn't affect my review in any way.
I didn't know what to expect when I started this new MGLit title by the incredible author that is Angie Thomas, but I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed it!!
Our MC is a young black girl who finds out some hard truths about why her and her father are always moving around. What happens after is a whirlwind of adventure and great dialogue, along with a very cute demon puppy.
One of the things that stood out for me is how Thomas, like always, inserted important social commentary into her story. The comparison of her magical fictional world and our very flawed non-magical world will hopefully be a great way for younger readers (and the older ones who pick this up) to truly see the disparity with which certain people in society are treated in comparison to others.
If you want a fun adventure full of magic and self-discovery, but also with some important topics being touched on, then I think you might really enjoy this one. I'm excited to see where Thomas takes this story!
Happy reading!
I didn't know what to expect when I started this new MGLit title by the incredible author that is Angie Thomas, but I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed it!!
Our MC is a young black girl who finds out some hard truths about why her and her father are always moving around. What happens after is a whirlwind of adventure and great dialogue, along with a very cute demon puppy.
One of the things that stood out for me is how Thomas, like always, inserted important social commentary into her story. The comparison of her magical fictional world and our very flawed non-magical world will hopefully be a great way for younger readers (and the older ones who pick this up) to truly see the disparity with which certain people in society are treated in comparison to others.
If you want a fun adventure full of magic and self-discovery, but also with some important topics being touched on, then I think you might really enjoy this one. I'm excited to see where Thomas takes this story!
Happy reading!
April 9, 2023
I received a copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nic Blake is 12 years old which means it's finally time for her dad to show her how to use The Gift, the type of magic that people like her (Remarkables) wield to make life a little better than if you were an Unremarkable (normal humans like her best friend JP). But things take a turn when Nic meets her godfather, and finds out some things her father has been hiding from her - mainly her mother, and her twin brother Alex - and suddenly she has to find something really special to save her dad.
This was a very fun and magic-filled adventure that anyone who loves anything magical or urban fantasy will appreciate. I love the sense of representation in this book as pretty much all characters are people of colour, as well as the history behind the type of magic Remarkables/Manifestors can do and how a lot of it tied into African-American history, and also just worldwide Black history as well. While I was not the target audience of this book as a white, thirty-something woman, I just know that any child that sees themselves represented in the pages of this story is going to absolutely love it, and this makes me very happy.
There are a lot of nods of the well-known 'Chosen One' trope in this book (mainly the big one with the Golden Trio) and I liked how it flipped it on its head a bit as we are following the trio's children and see what it's like living with a heavy legacy and expectation upon one's head as well.
One of the best things I liked about this book as well is that I could tell Angie Thomas had a lot of fun writing this book, you could really feel it in the pages and with every new magical mishap that happens to our group of friends. This is a very fun start to what I think will be an exciting series, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.
Nic Blake is 12 years old which means it's finally time for her dad to show her how to use The Gift, the type of magic that people like her (Remarkables) wield to make life a little better than if you were an Unremarkable (normal humans like her best friend JP). But things take a turn when Nic meets her godfather, and finds out some things her father has been hiding from her - mainly her mother, and her twin brother Alex - and suddenly she has to find something really special to save her dad.
This was a very fun and magic-filled adventure that anyone who loves anything magical or urban fantasy will appreciate. I love the sense of representation in this book as pretty much all characters are people of colour, as well as the history behind the type of magic Remarkables/Manifestors can do and how a lot of it tied into African-American history, and also just worldwide Black history as well. While I was not the target audience of this book as a white, thirty-something woman, I just know that any child that sees themselves represented in the pages of this story is going to absolutely love it, and this makes me very happy.
There are a lot of nods of the well-known 'Chosen One' trope in this book (mainly the big one with the Golden Trio) and I liked how it flipped it on its head a bit as we are following the trio's children and see what it's like living with a heavy legacy and expectation upon one's head as well.
One of the best things I liked about this book as well is that I could tell Angie Thomas had a lot of fun writing this book, you could really feel it in the pages and with every new magical mishap that happens to our group of friends. This is a very fun start to what I think will be an exciting series, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.
May 27, 2023
Okay, this was actually pretty good. I loved the lore behind the Gift and the Remarkables, and its connection with the enslavement of Black people in the US and the Underground Railway. Such a cool way to mix history in with some fantasy elements. I definitely got Percy Jackson vibes from this book, which made it super enjoyable to read. It was fast-paced and jumped around from setting to setting (again, so similar to PJO), and the world-building was done really well. I'm curious to see what happens next, especially now that we've seen a bit of Uhuru. It sounds like a dream world, but I like how this book doesn't shy from the darker and ugly parts of Remarkable history either.
The main characters were fun and loveable. I loved the dynamic between the three by the end of the book. And I loved the family aspects especially. It was just very sweet and wholesome at times.
Definitely a book series I would recommend for middle grade readers. It's nice to diverge from reading the same popular middle-grade books, yet have the familiarity of the story style, but with a diverse cast of characters and a back story and world that is so unique.
The main characters were fun and loveable. I loved the dynamic between the three by the end of the book. And I loved the family aspects especially. It was just very sweet and wholesome at times.
Definitely a book series I would recommend for middle grade readers. It's nice to diverge from reading the same popular middle-grade books, yet have the familiarity of the story style, but with a diverse cast of characters and a back story and world that is so unique.
July 12, 2023
This was SUCH a fun middle grade read! Seeing how much I enjoyed it as an adult, I know I would have been obsessed as a kid. Such a magically diverse and adventurous romp.
Interspersed throughout were discussions of race and racism and what it means in the regular, or “unremarkable” world versus those in the magical/“remarkable” world who don’t experience the same prejudice. This is so important, especially for young readers, I can see this being a great lesson in empathy and fighting for Black kids as well as other marginalized people.
I think the heavy topics for young readers was well balanced with the levity of the adventures the trio embark on. I loved the parts based on history (like the Underground Railroad) mixed in with the mythical, especially learning more about African lore.
Interspersed throughout were discussions of race and racism and what it means in the regular, or “unremarkable” world versus those in the magical/“remarkable” world who don’t experience the same prejudice. This is so important, especially for young readers, I can see this being a great lesson in empathy and fighting for Black kids as well as other marginalized people.
I think the heavy topics for young readers was well balanced with the levity of the adventures the trio embark on. I loved the parts based on history (like the Underground Railroad) mixed in with the mythical, especially learning more about African lore.
May 6, 2023
Happy to report that this was …. Fantastic!
I mean, I kind of knew it would be but it actually exceeded my expectations.
12 year old Nic, who has always known she comes from a remarkable (magic) family, finds out that the plot of her favorite fantasy series is actually true and involves her family and … well her destiny.
That’s a simplified version of this very well plotted and entertaining fantasy adventure.
Angie Thomas’s warmth and humor really shine in this book, which presents a super fun fantasy world that feels like a mash up of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and Black Panther.
Kids are going to LOVE this and I can’t wait to introduce it to them.
I mean, I kind of knew it would be but it actually exceeded my expectations.
12 year old Nic, who has always known she comes from a remarkable (magic) family, finds out that the plot of her favorite fantasy series is actually true and involves her family and … well her destiny.
That’s a simplified version of this very well plotted and entertaining fantasy adventure.
Angie Thomas’s warmth and humor really shine in this book, which presents a super fun fantasy world that feels like a mash up of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and Black Panther.
Kids are going to LOVE this and I can’t wait to introduce it to them.
April 13, 2023
This is magnificent! Angie Thomas did such a great job building this world and creating a magic system that is familiar and fresh! I love how she weaves in Black history and social justice issues. The three young people at the center of the story are so charming and precious. The story is adventurous, funny, and sometimes stressful - the kids find themselves in many nail-biting situations on their quest.
Thanks to LibroFM, the publisher and Angie Thomas for the gifted copy!
Thanks to LibroFM, the publisher and Angie Thomas for the gifted copy!
April 1, 2024
Reippaasti etenevä uusi fantasiasarja. Valittu-troopin pyörittelyä, afroamerikkalaisten (synkkää) historiaa yhdistettynä fantasiaelementteihin, ystävyyttä ja vaarallisiin tilanteisiin joutuvia lapsia. Sinänsä ei ehkä genressään mitään "uutta ja ihmeellistä", mutta viihdyin hyvin ja sehän riittää.
Suosikkini oli ehdottomasti Nic Blaken paras kaveri TJ, mahtava tyyppi.
Suosikkini oli ehdottomasti Nic Blaken paras kaveri TJ, mahtava tyyppi.
November 14, 2023
Loved it. I love the magical world building and how she uses it to talk about real world issues like racism and justice. It has some elements of Black Panther plus Harry Potter plus African mythology, plus middle school characters who we care about. And I love JP!!
Just so good. I can't wait for more and I can't wait to share it with my kids (I think it's still a little too scary for young elementary). When that time comes, I wanna buy it.
Just so good. I can't wait for more and I can't wait to share it with my kids (I think it's still a little too scary for young elementary). When that time comes, I wanna buy it.
November 20, 2023
Torn between a 3 and a 4. But since it's middle grade and I think tweens would enjoy it, going with a 4.
March 31, 2023
I received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley.
This book grasped me from the beginning. The world building was good. I LOVED that Jackson, MS was a big location *biased*. Bigger issues were discussed but I think they were handled in a way that MG readers can comprehend. The three main characters were diverse & offered something different to the story. I love reading about books within a book. Definitely buying a physical copy, buying for my nieces, & recommending to others!!!! <3
This book grasped me from the beginning. The world building was good. I LOVED that Jackson, MS was a big location *biased*. Bigger issues were discussed but I think they were handled in a way that MG readers can comprehend. The three main characters were diverse & offered something different to the story. I love reading about books within a book. Definitely buying a physical copy, buying for my nieces, & recommending to others!!!! <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2023
I am abandoning this at the halfway point. I was very excited to see that Thomas was writing middle grade, and a fantasy, which I love, but I couldn't get through it. I'm frankly a little surprised that the professional reviews have been as glowing as they have. There's so much world-building here, which I don't mind, but Thomas breaks the cardinal rule over and over: she tells instead of shows. I was glad to see her incorporating elements of African American history into the story, but at least at the halfway point, none of it seems to have much resonance. Thomas did a keynote at a virtual conference in which she talked about having written this story a long time ago and abandoned it because it wasn't working, then dug it out and rewrote it. I still don't think it works, but if this ends up being a series, hopefully a freshly conceived story will work better for the sequel. Review from e-galley.
April 12, 2023
LOVED this book. Super engaging. Loved the main character and her best friend. Interesting story, with a bit of an unexpected twist near the end that I'm excited to see what they do with next! Felt well written to me. I could see my 12 year old loving it, while at the same time my 42 year old self felt it was right at my level too.
May 1, 2023
Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous!! Wonderful meshing of real events and fantasy, just so good!!
Joniece Abbott-Pratt's narration was also amazing she brought all the emotions and everyone had a voice.
Not saying anything else you need to read this one yourself!
4 1/2 stars
Joniece Abbott-Pratt's narration was also amazing she brought all the emotions and everyone had a voice.
Not saying anything else you need to read this one yourself!
4 1/2 stars
April 15, 2023
Amazing middle grade fantasy!!! I loved it so much and can’t wait to read more about Nic and Alex and JP!
June 18, 2023
There was a lot to love about Nic Blake and the Remarkables. I can't wait to for book two!
July 18, 2023
Content warnings: violence, racism
October 6, 2023
A fun, fast-paced fantasy read with a strong African American lead
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