Amari and the Night Brothers (Amari and the Night Brothers)

Amari Peters is a 13-year-old schoolgirl, dealing with the harsh realities of growing up in Rosewood, a deprived neighbourhood, and coping with the racism and harsh treatment she suffers from as the only black girl in her scholarship school, Jefferson Academy. She is bright and sharp but weighed down by her circumstances and the rumours that surround the disappearance of her much-loved older brother Quinn, whose own shining future is now suspected to be in tatters by those who believe no one from the neighbourhood can follow a straight path.  Real life is relentlessly harsh but, when Amari is expelled for finally snapping and retaliating against school bullies, she receives a curious, unexpected 'Broaden your Horizons' kit, supposedly from her missing brother Quinn…

A hideous green and purple suit, a night time trip on a flying boat, and a nomination into the 'Bureau of Supernatural Affairs', opens up an unseen, unbelievable and astonishing otherworld to Amari. A world where werewolves, trolls, mermaids and much, much more exist , set apart from the known human world by the Bureau who keep both worlds safe, stable and separate.

Amari has a magical, powerful and controversial unseen power that makes her a force to be reckoned with and may lead her to discovering just what has happened to Quinn, who turns out to be a supernatural hero in this whole new reality. 

Amari and the Night Brothers is such an imaginative, lively quest adventure.  Amari is an engaging main character; displaying tenacity and resilience whilst having huge moments of self doubt. Even in these new surroundings, Amari still has to face down those who belittle her and seek to make her an outcast. Within the magical, whimsical, astounding setting, the very relatable and recognisable human emotions make Amari a young girl to empathise with and root for. Her blossoming new friendship with roommate , Elsie ( a yet-to-shapeshift- weredragon), is a delight and forms the heart-warming central part of the story.

Amari and the Night Brothers is a story of dark magic versus fair magic and what we can do collectively and as individuals to choose the right paths to take.  It has peril and tense danger in all the right places; twists and turns, as not all is as it seems; and creativity that sparkles and entices the reader into this hidden, magical landscape.

This is a fabulous fantasy series with a collection of characters who will cast their spells on the reader with their secrets and supernatural skills.

Suggested Reading Age 9+