‘Nic Blake and the Remarkables’ is the first middle grade book from Anglie Thomas, author of the brilliant YA novel, ‘The Hate U Give’, and I was a little sceptical about how the author would manage the age-group and genre shift, but I was pleasantly surprised.
When Nic Blake turns twelve, she’s hoping her Dad will finally teach her how to use her magical Manifestor gifts. But instead she gets a pet hellhound called Cocoa, discovers a terrible secret, and her Dad is accused of an awful crime. Nic must go on the run with her best non-magical friend, JP, to find a secret weapon that could prove his innocence.
‘Nic Blake and the Remarkables’ is a rollercoaster fantasy ride, about a parallel world that integrates the history of the American civil rights movement. (The ‘Underground Railroad’ becomes a literal magical underground railroad).
It’s a thrilling read with a shocking twist at the end and I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next for Nic and her friends.
My Year 6 book club also thoroughly enjoyed this book – one of the pupils has apparently read it three times already!
Thanks to Walker Books and the Reading Agency for the book club copies.
Swimming in Books 