The Manifestor Prophecy is a tantalizing first installment in what is sure to be a blockbuster series, and a remarkable achievement for a master author in a thrilling new arena. 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. 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.

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.

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. One of the things that stood out for me is how Thomas, like always, inserted important social commentary into her story. Packed with humor and bursting with heart and imagination, Nic's story will enchant readers of all ages!

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. This experience has been fantastic primarily for the children, the school and also for me (professionally). As a white, UK-based reader, I liked both the fantasy plot and the weaving into it of important topics. Nic Blake and the Remarkables is the first children’s fantasy book from renowned YA author Angie Thomas. What follows is a road-movie done magic-style, with shades of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, with magical creatures and cultural references that readers may or may not know (George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery) as well as talk of underground railroads and slavery, interlaced into important Black locations and history (New Orleans, Uhuru).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! 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. Angie Thomas has certainly hit the ground running with a brilliantly relatable set of protagonists that many young readers will get a lot out of, in this book, and I hope in the sequels to follow! Is it possible that after all that Nic learns in a horrifying incident will inspire her to work to prove her father’s innocence?