B. B. Alston

This sequel did not disappoint! Amari is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite MG fantasy series. Just like the first book, this one hooks you in right from the start and keeps you wanting to turn the pages until you get to the end. I can't wait for book 3! With the way things ended, I need my hands on that book NOW! Definitely another fav book of 2022!


Content Warnings: Bullying, racism (magical racism between the magicians/"unwanteds" and the rest of the supernatural world), classism, emotional abuse & manipulation, abuse of power by an authority figure, medical abuse, and war.… (more)

Lovely cover but the pacing felt off with this one. The brunt of the story is Amari faces magician prejudice worries about brother miscommunication with Elsie rinse and repeat until the end.

I was glad to learn more about Maria and VanQuish, but Jayden (Amari's friend from her neighborhood) seemed underused as well as the new character Tristian (who was very one-note). I hope to see more of Jayden in the other books.

Also, I'm not entirely against... Lara redemption. It's good for kids to know you can always make a change for the better, but I don't see how Amari is friends with her horrid former bully. I'm all for being cordial and forgiveness is good, but no way would we be besties. it's just not realistic.

I would've believed Lara's change more if I saw the seedlings in this book before fully developing and her apologizing in book 3. Felt slightly rushed but kids may think differently

Overall, very slow-moving (and at times repetitive), but I’m happy to see another Amari book. The last 25% was much more engaging than the first 75%, and the ending promises to ramp things up in the next book.

Amari and the Night Brothers Review… (more)