Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi - by Angie Thomas Hardcover

About the Book

"All of Nic's dreams have come true. After years of living in hiding as a Remarkable in the Unremarkable world, she now has everything she'd ever wanted: certified hero status, a big family and a real home in the hidden city of Uhuru, and a chance to develop her Gift at a school for young Manifestors like her. So life is perfect, right? Not quite. Her-favorite-author-turned-vengeful-outcast wants to destroy her. Then there's the terrifying secret prophecy that still threatens Nic's future, and the dangerous new power she seems to have--one she cannot control. And that's all before she encounters a cult of mysterious Manifestors who threaten to reveal the truth about her power and prophecy unless Nic delivers to them a legendary artifact, the Book of Anansi. There's just one small complication: no one knows if it still exists, or where it could be hidden"--

Book Synopsis

The highly anticipated sequel to the instant #1 New York Times bestseller Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy--a boldly original and suspenseful fantasy adventure by one of the most popular and imaginative voices of this generation, Angie Thomas.

All of Nic's dreams have come true. After years of living in hiding as a Remarkable in the Unremarkable world, she now has everything she'd ever wanted: certified hero status, a big family and a real home in the hidden city of Uhuru, and a chance to develop her Gift at a school for young Manifestors like her.

So life is perfect, right?

Not quite. Her-favorite-author-turned-vengeful-outcast wants to destroy her. Then there's the terrifying secret prophecy that still threatens Nic's future, and the dangerous new power she seems to have--one she cannot control. And that's all before she encounters a cult of mysterious Manifestors who threaten to reveal the truth about her power and prophecy unless Nic delivers to them a legendary artifact, the Book of Anansi. There's just one small complication: No one knows if it still exists, or where it could be hidden.

Nic now has only her twin brother, Alex, and her best friend, JP, to rely on as she makes a desperate attempt to uncover one of the Remarkable world's oldest mysteries--and hold on to the home and family she has been searching for her entire life.

Review Quotes

"The Manifestor mythology combines African and African American folklore and Biblical stories, and the book explores Black Americans' historical and present-day traumas alongside a fast-paced adventure and inventive worldbuilding. Readers will eagerly await the unearthing of more secrets in the next installment." - Kirkus Reviews
Praise for CONCRETE ROSE: "A heartfelt exploration of Black manhood and the power of possibility." - People
Praise for ON THE COME UP: "On the Come Up offers a complicated, imperfect heroine who lives and breathes her truth on every page." - Entertainment Weekly
Praise for The Hate U Give: "A portrait of culture and community and young womanhood that feels as fresh and necessary as Starr's indelible voice." - Entertainment Weekly
"Thomas brings her considerable talents to this first volume of an anticipated trilogy--her characters are well-developed, the world's framework is creative and satisfying, and powerful undercurrents of struggles against injustice add a memorable additional layer lacking in other similar series." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"This book is no-holds-barred, fly by the seat of your pants (and other methods) trip to the corner of Thrill Street and Wonder Avenue. Nic Blake is amazing!" - Kwame Mbalia, author of the Tristan Strong series
"Understanding how and why authority develops expansive systematic rule, be it for safety or power, is a theme explored throughout the novel. Nic is carefully developed as an unwavering, brave, young Black girl who has strong self-awareness and empathetic instincts that lead her to advocate for the marginalized. A thoughtful reflection and commentary on both historical and modern struggles of minorities in the real world." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"This second book is as energetic as the first. In a fast-paced and intriguing narrative, Thomas infuses elements of tried-and-true mystical tales with a West African bent, with an exciting conclusion that will leave readers clamoring for more." - Horn Book Magazine
"Grappling with questions of freedom and restraint, the greater good, and cycles of pain, Nic's moral core and care for others result in her facing complex dilemmas that render her relatable and appealing. Nic ends the story changed in ways that will leave readers excited to see what comes next. A beautifully executed sequel that surpasses the first book." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"The ending leaves [Nic] reeling from stunning revelations and game-changing twists but resolutely poised to chase after those elusive baddies. Readers will be on tenterhooks to follow her in the wake of this rich and rousing middle volume." - Booklist (starred review)
Praise for NIC BLAKE AND THE REMARKABLES: "Thomas brings her trademark voice to an action-packed series kickoff rooted in a mixture of African diasporic myth, biblical references, and U.S. history. Imbuing characters both brave and sweetly vulnerable with unflappable senses of humor amid harrowing circumstances, Thomas creates an elaborate supernatural mythology that boldly confronts fantasy tropes and questions of forgiveness." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"In a set of gleefully ingenious riffs on African and African American folklore, from "The People Could Fly" to Wakanda, Thomas pitches 12-year-old Nic into a whirl of stunning discoveries about her background as she struggles to understand her own magical gifts.... Sober references...give further historical and emotional depth to this rousing quest tale's already richly articulated cultural context." - Booklist (starred review)
"Thomas has been a force on the young adult scene, and her first middle grade novel proves her range extends across genre and age groups; she weaves complex fantasy stories as deftly as realistic ones. [T]he freshness of the story and characters, along with Thomas's control of a multilayered, nuanced plot, makes everything feel brand new. A book that will delight young readers and adults alike. Nic Blake is entering the Black fantasy scene with all the confidence and energy of its main character, and we're so glad it's here." - School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for The Hate U Give: "An incisive and engrossing perspective of the life of a black teenage girl." - The Atlantic
Praise for ON THE COME UP: "For all the struggle in this book, Thomas rarely misses a step as a writer. Thomas continues to hold up that mirror with grace and confidence. We are lucky to have her, and lucky to know a girl like Bri." - New York Times Book Review
Praise for CONCRETE ROSE: "In Concrete Rose, Thomas casts a loving eye on the lives and realities of Black people, which is a powerful continuation of one of her most moving endeavors as a writer: her challenge to readers to affirm the goodness of all types of characters and to greet them with compassion at every turn, no matter where those turns may lead."? - New York Times Book Review
"Thomas creates a new Afro-future world that feels steeped in history and lived in by generations of real flesh-and-blood families. The gravity of Thomas's world never weighs down the story, which zips along with wit, humor, and sparkling dialogue. 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." - Soman Chainani, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil series
"Packed with humor and bursting with heart and imagination, Nic's story will enchant readers of all ages!" - B.B. Alston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Amari and the Night Brothers
"Exploding with heart, humor, and all things Black Girl Magic, Nic Blake and the Remarkables is a triumph of friendship and Black Southern folklore and history." - Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Marvellers
"All the brilliance you'd expect from Angie Thomas: a page-turning plot, pitch-perfect characters, heart and substance, and real stakes that real kids will care about--plus magic! This is one of those rare books that will instantly become the best friend you didn't know you needed. Nic Blake and the Remarkables is nothing short of a triumph. When's the next installment, please?" - Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series
"Thomas skillfully incorporates folktales from the African Diaspora and infuses her story with the energy and emotional nuance of a pre-teen in this tale of intrigue, loyalty, identity, and courage--the first book in a projected trilogy." - Horn Book
"Magnificent, hilarious and captivating. It can be challenging to satiate the appetites of readers who devour beloved middle grade fantasy series. Those readers will inhale Nic Blake and the Remarkables--and then begin counting down the days to its sequel." - BookPage (starred review)