NIC BLAKE AND THE REMARKABLES

Following the 2023 series opener, Nic grapples with keeping her prophecy secret.

Uhuru, a sanctuary city for Remarkables (supernatural people like Nic, who’s a Manifestor), combines Afro-futuristic technology with magic to create a seeming utopia. But Tyran Porter, Nic’s nemesis (and formerly her favorite author), has started a conspiracy theorist–tinged podcast to agitate against the government, the League of Remarkable Efforts, which is headed by Nic’s grandmother. Settling in is hard for Nic—she’s navigating complicated family dynamics and the dangerous Badili power that marks her as the Manowari, the prophesized destroyer of the Remarkable world. The discovery of her secret leads to Nic’s being blackmailed into a fetch quest to reassemble the three boxes that form the Book of Anansi, bringing her into contact with disaffected portions of Remarkable society and beings from West African folklore. After a twist that dramatically raises the stakes, she even takes part in a casino heist—all while 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. The book, which features a Black cast, contains nuanced social commentary that’s informed by the history of American slavery, and Uhuru (and its educational system) put fresh spins on beloved genre staples. Nic ends the story changed in ways that will leave readers excited to see what comes next. Final art not seen.

A beautifully executed sequel that surpasses the first book.