AMARI AND THE DESPICABLE WONDERS

Robbed of magical powers, Amari faces her greatest challenge yet as the League of Magicians and rival Bureau of Supernatural Affairs head for a decisive showdown.

As the war escalates, Amari’s older brother, Quinton, and most of the rest of the Bureau are set on shuffling her off to safety. Her friend turned nemesis, Dylan Van Helsing—the League’s powerful new head—is also proving himself able to outmaneuver her at every turn. Alston stacks the deck against the determined 13-year-old and her loyal band of sidekicks in this third series entry. Even though Amari’s loyalty and determination wind up playing important roles, the author must introduce new element anti-magick (a formerly theoretical way to “balance magical equations”) if she’s to have any hope of succeeding. Ancient inventions called Wonders are the only source of anti-magick, and Amari and friends set out to locate them. A subplot involving a faun with mind-control powers and delusions of grandeur feels unfortunately underdeveloped, but as in previous entries, there’s plenty of battle action to keep readers entertained but (for the squeamish among them) little explicit gore. The story winds its way through twists both comical and tragic on the way to a poignant resolution that affirms both the faith that underdog Amari’s elders have in her abilities and her place within the community. Returning series fans will come away happy. As previously established, the cast behind the Black lead is racially diverse. Final art not seen.

A rousing tale.