Review by Horn Book Review
This second book in a projected trilogy (The Manifestor Prophecy, rev. 5/23) is as energetic as the first. Recently relocated from Jackson, Mississippi, Nic Blake once again must adjust to a new town with new kids...but this town just happens to be Uhuru, an advanced world full of supernatural humans like her, known as the Remarkables. Because she and her father had "lived secretly as exiles in the Unremarkable world for ten years," Nic must adjust to living with her mom, twin brother Alex, and supportive if slightly aloof grandparents. As if that weren't enough, Nic must wrestle with the signs that have singled her out as the Manowari, the prophesied destroyer of the Remarkable world. Her newfound power further cements her fate, and her family is divided on how to keep her safe and her identity protected. When her secret is discovered, Nic is blackmailed into helping a shadowy organization find the Book of Anansi, an artifact no one is sure exists. As Nic, Alex, and best friend JP attempt to discover the lore behind the tale, they learn that Uhuru is a far cry from the utopia about which they have been told (particularly by Nic's grandmother, the president of Uhuru). 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. Eboni NjokuNovember/December 2025 p.79 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
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.(Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
