Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas
What's It About?
Nic Blake discovers a secret about her father that leads her on a dangerous quest to find the one magical artifact that can save him.Angie Thomas has created a story that mixes fantasy, adventure and Black history and mythology in Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy (Balzer + Bray). We are introduced to the main character, Nic Blake, as she discovers a secret about her father that leads her on a dangerous quest to find the one magical artifact that can save him.
Angie Thomas has made her middle-grade debut with this novel, which is expected to be a trilogy. She is well known for the heart-gripping and realistic The Hate U Give, which became a major motion picture. She has also written Concrete Rose, a prequel to The Hate U Give, and another novel, On the Come Up, which focuses on the power of dance. Angie Thomas writes compelling tales, and this middle grade is an example of how she carefully combines fantasy, action, mythology and the reality of family dynamics.
Magical Quest to Unearth Secrets
The book begins with Nic Blake, who has just turned 12 and resides in Jackson, Mississippi, as she grapples with feelings of disappointment. Her father is a powerful Manifestor, and Nic knows that she has the Gift to join him and be a part of this group that possesses magical powers.
Nic’s frustration stems from the fact that her dad has promised he will teach her these powers year after year on her next birthday. But her father finds himself hesitant to finally teach her. So, he tells Nic once again that now is not the time for her to learn.
As the book progresses, Nic has the chance to meet her favorite author, TJ Retro, who writes fantasy novels. Nic is shocked to find out that her father knows Retro and to learn that Retro’s writing inspiration comes from the war that he and Nic’s father fought against an evil villain when they were kids.
As Nic grapples with her father’s secret coming to life, her father finds himself in a precarious situation. He is suddenly at risk of being imprisoned for a crime that Nic doesn’t believe he committed. And he needs Nic’s help to find a magical artifact to help him get out of this danger.
Nic must embark on the most dangerous quest of her life. She will be forced to learn about her own magic, discover a long-lost twin brother along the way, and dive into the world of the Remarkables.
Relatable and Fun for All Ages
The book deftly handles the theme of family and closely kept secrets. As Nic embarks on her quest with her brother, readers are shown that sometimes secrets can cause loved ones to bravely move forward and find a way to save the day.
Not only does the novel have great banter between characters and plenty of adventure, but it also features a lot of fun-to-read magic that shows readers a range of different powers. Angie Thomas has built a world that is easy to dive into, with a loveable and brave main character.
Readers’ attention will be caught by the expertly crafted and immersive fantasy world, but also by the moments when the characters are in the real world. Thomas is an expert at contrasting both, to the point where it is easy to believe that the world of the Remarkables is hiding around us somewhere. Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is a middle-grade novel that is fun for all ages, and I encourage readers to request a copy for their own library.
About Angie Thomas:
Angie Thomas was born, raised, and still resides in Jackson, Mississippi as indicated by her accent. She is a former teen rapper whose greatest accomplishment was an article about her in Right-On Magazine with a picture included. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Belhaven University and an unofficial degree in Hip Hop. She can also still rap if needed. She is an inaugural winner of the Walter Dean Myers Grant 2015, awarded by We Need Diverse Books. Her debut novel, The Hate U Give, was acquired by Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins in a 13-house auction. Film rights have been optioned by Fox 2000 with George Tillman attached to direct and Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg set to star.
