Nic has had to move around a lot with her dad. She understands the moves as she and her father are Remarkables – folk with special magical powers that don’t require wands. Remarkables also include Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies, Giants Merfolk and Rougarous.

Each move has been preceded by an Unremarkable (normal human being) seeing something they shouldn’t have. At least, that’s what her father has always told her.

Nic and her father are special Remarkables called Manifestors, with an extra special talent. But having the ‘Gift’ and being able to use it are two different things. Nic is becoming impatient on learning her true powers. Now turning 12, she reminds Dad of his promise when she turned 11. Just one more year. The only problem being that he’s said that for the past few years. Will she ever be able to learn what she can do?

Dad is also home schooling her, making them even closer. But the older Nic gets, the more she thinks about her mother who abandoned her and her father when she was a baby.

There are other Remarkables in the area, and Nic and Dad hang out with them at a juke joint called Lena’s. This is also where Dad bought Nic her hellhound for her birthday. As a puppy they are mostly harmless and smoky, but fully grown these creatures who look like normal dogs to humans, are fiercely loyal and full of fire.

When something strange happens at Lena’s, Dad whisks Nic home again. Nic thinks he’s being OTT with his safety concerns again, and ignores his instructions to stay home. She has plans with her best friend JP to meet their favourite author at the book store. Little does she know that this meeting will expose family secrets, reveal who she truly is, and explain the real reason they keep moving.

The first in a series, this novel’s completely immersive worldbuilding based on African American history, folklore and family is astonishing.

Think of the captivating worlds of J K Rowling’s Harry Potter, or Gareth Ward’s Brasswitch and Bot – Rise of the Remarkables series – Nic Blake and the Remarkables is just as lush.

There are many humans with special magical powers who live among Unremarkable humans. There are different types with varying skills, and discovering the layers of this world along with main character Nic (Nichole) is a fascinating journey.

This novel has everything – action, adventure, hellhounds, magic, humour, family secrets, ghosts and a whole raft of creatures from Cajun mythology and stories. There are nods to racism both recent and historical, and an ending that leads into the next in the series. With so much to grasp in this novel, reading it again will only enhance understanding of this Remarkable world.

Where will Nic be taken next? 

Author – Angie Thomas

Age – 9+

(2023, Walker Books Aust, Action, Adventure, Friendship, Family, Fantasy, Ghost, Racism, Family Secrets, Betrayal, Haints, Rougarous, Hellhounds, Illusions, Auras, Magic, Cajun, African Americans, Historical Racism, Underground Railway, Series, Humour, Twins)