How to Read the Supernatural Investigations Series
If you are looking to enter the secret, magical world created by B.B. Alston, there is only one path to take. The Supernatural Investigations series (frequently referred to as the Amari or Amari Peters series) is a highly serialized middle-grade urban fantasy. The plot follows a strict timeline where every book builds directly upon the characters, lore, mysteries, and stakes established in the previous installments. Reading them out of order is not recommended, as you would miss the evolution of Amari's training, the deepening mystery of her brother's disappearance, and the complex magical politics that threaten both the supernatural and mortal realms.
Fortunately, keeping track of the reading order is incredibly straightforward because the chronological timeline aligns perfectly with the publication order. There are no prequel novellas, spin-off anthologies, or companion books that disrupt the narrative flow. To get the full experience of Amari's journey, you should read the books in the order they were released.
B.B. Alston's Books in Publication Order
Here is the complete list of B.B. Alston’s books in their recommended reading order, along with a detailed look at the plot and stakes for each novel:
1. Amari and the Night Brothers (2021)
The adventure begins with Alston's breakout debut, which introduces us to thirteen-year-old Amari Peters. Living in the Atlanta projects, Amari is struggling with the sudden, unexplained disappearance of her older brother, Quinton. The police have written him off, but Amari refuses to believe he is gone. Her persistence pays off when she discovers a ticking briefcase left behind by Quinton, containing a nomination for a summer tryout at the secretive Bureau of Supernatural Affairs.
Upon entering this hidden world, where mythical creatures, extraterrestrials, and wizards exist alongside humans, Amari undergoes the Bureau's initiation process. During the ceremony, she is revealed to possess an "illegal" and rare magical talent as a magician—a category of magic feared and outlawed by the Bureau. As she competes against elite students who have trained for this their entire lives, Amari must navigate rampant prejudice, master her volatile powers, and find the truth behind Quinton’s disappearance while an ancient evil magician, Moreau, threatens to destroy the Bureau entirely.
2. Amari and the Great Game (2022)
Following the harrowing events of her first year, Amari is now a newly minted Junior Agent. However, her life is far from peaceful. Her brother Quinton remains trapped under a curse that threatens his life, and a strict anti-magician agenda is sweeping through the Bureau, leaving Amari isolated and distrusted by her peers. The political instability reaches a boiling point when a mysterious time freeze traps the entire Supernatural World Congress.
With the leadership of the supernatural world out of commission, the secretive League of Magicians approaches Amari, offering her the Crown of Vladimir—the seat of ultimate power among magicians. When Amari refuses, she accidentally triggers the "Great Game," a high-stakes, deadly magical competition designed to decide who will lead all magicians. Amari is forced to participate to protect her brother, save her friends, and stop a full-scale magical civil war from erupting in the mortal world.
3. Amari and the Despicable Wonders (2024)
The third installment finds Amari and her close-knit group of allies dealing with the devastating aftermath of the war against Dylan Van Helsing and the League of Magicians. The balance between the supernatural and human worlds is more fragile than ever, and a dangerous new threat looms over both societies. Amari learns that the key to stopping this rising darkness lies in locating the "Wonders"—powerful, ancient magical artifacts that have been hidden away for centuries.
Hunting down these Wonders leads Amari into uncharted territory, forcing her to confront the dark history of the Bureau and the magical community. Wielding these ancient artifacts comes with a heavy price, and Amari is forced to make heartbreaking choices about what she is willing to sacrifice. The stakes are elevated as Alston delivers a fast-paced, emotionally resonant adventure about the heavy burden of leadership and the true cost of power.
4. Amari and the Metalwork Menace (2026)
In the fourth book of the series, Amari is now an eighth grader who is completely exhausted by the constant danger and emotional toll of her magical duties. Faced with mounting pressure, she seriously considers retiring from the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs altogether. However, retiring is not simple; doing so requires her memories of the supernatural world to be permanently wiped, forcing her to choose between safety and her magical identity.
Before she can make her final choice, a terrifying new threat strikes close to home. A mysterious curse begins spreading, slowly turning living beings—including someone close to Amari—into mechanical statues. With time running out, Amari must return to action. Breaking the Bureau's strict rules, she is forced to form an uneasy alliance with her long-time enemy, Dylan, to find a cure and stop the metalwork curse before it consumes everyone she holds dear.
What to Know Before You Start: Inside the Bureau's Lore
To fully appreciate B.B. Alston's storytelling, it helps to understand the intricate world-building of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs (BSA). The Bureau functions as a global secret government that hides the existence of magic from the mortal public. It is organized into several highly specialized divisions, including:
- The Department of Supernatural Investigations: The elite division where Amari trains, responsible for active field operations, investigating supernatural crimes, and capturing rogue magical threats.
- The Department of Half Truths and Full Cover Ups: A crucial department tasked with keeping magic secret from humans by creating elaborate cover stories and distributing memory-wiping potions for public magical sightings.
- The Department of Magical Science: Focuses on analyzing magical phenomena, developing new technology, and creating magical gadgets.
- The Department of Good Fortunes and Bad Omens: Handles prophecy, luck, and predicting supernatural threats.
- The Department of Creature Control: Oversees the welfare, tracking, and management of mythical beasts, from weredragons to giants.
One of the central themes of the series is the Bureau's institutional bias against magicians. In Alston's world, magicians wield internal magic (which is deemed dangerous and illegal), whereas regular agents utilize external magic via tools and technology. This prejudice serves as a powerful metaphor for systemic inequality and bias in the real world, adding depth to the fantastical narrative.
Key Characters in the Amari Universe
Alston's characters are complex and undergo significant growth across the four books. Here are the core players you will encounter:
- Amari Peters: The resilient protagonist. Despite being from an underprivileged background and facing constant discrimination within the Bureau due to her status as a magician, she is determined, fiercely loyal, and guided by a strong moral compass.
- Quinton Peters: Amari's older brother and her biggest inspiration. A legendary former agent of the Bureau, his disappearance is the catalyst for the entire series, and his safety remains Amari's primary motivation.
- Elsie Rodriguez: Amari's roommate at the Bureau. Elsie is a brilliant weredragon who is incredibly loyal, warm, and serves as Amari's scientific and research support.
- Dylan Van Helsing: A classmate of Amari's with a famous lineage. His relationship with Amari shifts dramatically throughout the series, moving from classmate to rival, threat, and eventual reluctant ally.
Practical Reading Advice and Standalone Viability
For the best experience, readers should start at the very beginning with Amari and the Night Brothers. Because the books feature continuous character development and ongoing plotlines, attempting to read the sequels without the context of the first book will lead to confusion. The series is perfect for fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Men in Black, offering a modern, inclusive spin on the magic school trope.
Additionally, fans of the series will be pleased to know that a film adaptation of Amari and the Night Brothers is currently in development with Universal Pictures. The movie project is set to star Marsai Martin in the lead role, promising to bring Alston's vibrant, magical vision to life on the big screen.