Amari and the Night Brothers

Amari Peters, a 13-year-old girl from the housing projects, searches for her missing brother Quinton while navigating middle school and social challenges. Her life changes when she receives an invitation to try out for a secret organization her brother worked for - the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. At the Bureau's summer training program, Amari discovers she has supernatural abilities and learns about a hidden world of magic existing alongside everyday reality. She must compete against other trainees while uncovering clues about her brother's disappearance and confronting opposition from those who doubt her abilities. The supernatural elements blend with themes of family bonds, self-discovery, and perseverance against prejudice. Through Amari's journey from outsider to potential agent, the story examines how courage and determination can overcome society's preconceptions about who belongs and who can succeed.

Readers compare the book to Percy Jackson and Men in Black, with most highlighting its representation of Black characters in fantasy. Common praise focuses on the main character Amari's determination and relatable struggles with self-doubt. Liked: - Fast-paced plot with engaging mystery elements - Strong sibling relationship dynamics - Creative supernatural world-building - Themes of belonging and overcoming prejudice Disliked: - Some found early chapters slow - Several readers note formulaic plot elements - A few mention predictable twists - Some wanted more development of side characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (32,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (5,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.8/5 (900+ ratings) "The magic system feels fresh and original" - Goodreads reviewer "Like Harry Potter meets Spy Kids" - Amazon review "Could use more depth in the secondary characters" - School Library Journal reader review

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🌟 Author B.B. Alston wrote Amari and the Night Brothers while working as a legal assistant, often drafting chapters during his lunch breaks. 🌟 The book was inspired by Alston's desire to create a story featuring a Black girl as the protagonist, something he rarely saw in fantasy literature growing up. 🌟 Will Smith's production company, Westbrook Studios, acquired the film rights before the book was even published. 🌟 The supernatural academy in the story, the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, was partially influenced by the author's love of Men in Black and Harry Potter. 🌟 The book sparked a bidding war between 15 publishing houses before being acquired by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins.