Just finished reading this book. It's kind of a mix between Men in Black, Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. So if you're a fan of any of those series, highly recommend! (Plus it's not written by an asshole terf!) It was an easy read and well written (I read it in my second language) and it kept my interest the entire time.
Amari is the younger sister to Quinton Peters who up until recently she thought just disappeared but it turns out he was the top agent for a secret society that protects the supernatural world and his disappearance was connected to his work at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. She enters into this world of magical abilities and supernatural creatures and has to navigate not only the trials/tests to become an agent (in order to investigate her brother's disappearance) but also that her own supernatural ability is considered "illegal".
Sometimes, family is you, your ex-bully, your mentor's daughter, your disney princess boyfriend, the ghost haunting your your disney princess boyfriend, were-dragon best friend, and your arch nemesis who's recovering from a lobotomy.
“You’re not going to change the world unless you hang out with people who want to change the world too. Fast money and selling stuff that hurts other people ain’t good. Be better than that.”
– Quinton Peters, Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston
New Amari headcanon: While Quinton was gone Amari started listening to his favorite bands as a way to cope. When he finally comes back she knows more about them than he does.
Who wants to hear my opinion on Metalwork Menace??
[cricket sfx]
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR BOOK FOUR UNDER CUT!!
(this is all from a first read through. I may miss details and edit/add on things to this post once I reread it.)
So!!
In my opinion the most tame of the books, but hollyyy shit. This was probably my least favorite book of the series, but that's not to say it wasn't spectacular.
Delsie was definitely my least favorite thing about this. I think the book could've worked the same with them just becoming really good friends. The dreamcatcher project in general was already quite controversial (in book, not IRL), but I feel really strongly against the trope of characters being in love when it's a super dire situation (holy ace over here).
I think the whole dreamcatcher project on its own is an insane project. Im honestly in favor of it. It was either Dylan sits in Blackstone or the Sightless Depths and sulks, or he gets to help people that he couldn't before. But with the dreamcatcher project, he isn't even really the same Dylan. While it's fundamentally wrong to erase who a person is, I feel this project has the exception. After all, the Menace was also erasing who people were.
Watching Elsie and Amari grow further apart hurt me so badly. It hit me hard. That's all I really can think of to say for that one.
On the flip side, oh, how I love you Charlotte. Normally, I'd be super against these types of characters being friends with Amari eventually, however, she's got a reason to be upset with her. And as soon as they both learned the truth, they were immediately understanding and it absolutely warmed my heart.
Also, can we talk about how absolutely overpowered she is??? She can steal other's supernatural abilities, which, like in the case of Lara, can render them much weaker. That on its own would be one thing, but to immediately know how to use it perfectly??? I don't remember if it mentioned it, but if that's not at least silver badge worthy, idk what is.
Back to bullies turned friends. Tristan. Hooooo boy. I hated that he was Amari's ally now. I'm all for mending bridges, but also no I'm not. That boy made her summer absolutely hell. I don't care for those kinds of things.
Now my biggest concern. Magnus. I had already talked about it on the Supernatural Investigations discord server, but I had a theory in the last book. Since he died from Antimagic, wouldn't that make all trades of him and his magic disappear? He wouldn't be able to come back as a ghost if that was the case. I hope I'm wrong, id love to see him again.
Speaking of which, I'm so, so glad that the Magnus event was effective how I hoped. I was worried that Amari would just immediately move past it, but oh I'm so glad I was wrong.
Also please let Barnabus be okay. Ilu Barnabus.
Hannah and Lucas, ironically, was not something I was expecting to show up in the fourth book.
And the ending?? I had a hunch something like that would happen, but oh does it make so many possibilities for book 5.
Amari: "Quinton, I think the bougie man is under my bed"
Quinton: "Don't you mean a boogeyperson?"
Dylan, from under the bed: "The thread count on these sheets is PATHETIC"
Amari Night AU scene:Moreau”Hmm.I’ll need to make more flying hybrids,bats or maybe vultures…” little Amari conjures a chicken,Moreau crying tears of joy”Amarissa! You made an illusion! You cast your first spell!🥹”
Been uhhh absolutely obsessed with this scene since i read it this morning. Ive reread it alone about a million times, and didnt really have the tools or time to make a full drawing so just have this sketch that wouldnt leave my mind. they need to hug so bad <3 i love them <3
