Amari and Kyana’s Taste of Magic: Amari Peters and Kyana Turner and their Experiences in their Magical Realms
We have an extra special guest post today coming from Amari Peters and Kyana Turner. These two young girls are both magic (literally and figuratively), and their stories are ones that will captivate any reader! So first, let’s introduce them and their stories, and then keep reading to find Amari and Kyana in conversation with one another about magic and their experiences.
Meet Amari Peters:
Hardcover $18.99
Amari and the Great Game (Signed Book)
Amari and the Great Game (Signed Book)
By B. B. Alston
Hardcover $18.99
We were introduced to Amari Peters in the first installation of her story, Amari and the Night Brothers, when she first discovered the supernatural world and found out that she was a magician. Now, she’s in her second year at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, and we’re lucky enough to get to follow along in Amari and the Great Game when she gets caught in between the Bureau and the League of Magicians, leaving her navigating the Great Game which will determine the future of magiciankind and even potentially, the fate of her brother Quinton.
We were introduced to Amari Peters in the first installation of her story, Amari and the Night Brothers, when she first discovered the supernatural world and found out that she was a magician. Now, she’s in her second year at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, and we’re lucky enough to get to follow along in Amari and the Great Game when she gets caught in between the Bureau and the League of Magicians, leaving her navigating the Great Game which will determine the future of magiciankind and even potentially, the fate of her brother Quinton.
Meet Kyana Turner:
Hardcover $16.99
A Taste of Magic
A Taste of Magic
By J. Elle
In Stock Online
Hardcover $16.99
Kyana Turner is the main character of A Taste of Magic, which follows Kyana as she discovers she’s a witch and joins a magic school only to find out that her inner-city magic school is losing its funding. She enters a baking contest to try to save the school, and anyone with a sweet tooth is sure to find their mouths watering at her creations!
Kyana Turner is the main character of A Taste of Magic, which follows Kyana as she discovers she’s a witch and joins a magic school only to find out that her inner-city magic school is losing its funding. She enters a baking contest to try to save the school, and anyone with a sweet tooth is sure to find their mouths watering at her creations!
And now that everyone knows who y’all are, the floor is all yours!
Amari: I feel like your discovery of your family’s magic was like my discovery of the magical world and Quinton’s part in it. How did you feel when you discovered that you come from a family of witches?
Kyana: Honestly? I didn’t believe it at first. I mean it’s really kind of weird to think of me, my family as a part of a special line of witches. Just saying that out loud makes my insides go all squirmy. So I had to just decide to believe it. Believe that I could actually be…extraordinary. And once I did, gosh, it felt really cool! Like, wow. The more I think about it, I actually wish I could have spent more time with my witchy ancestors, learning from them firsthand. But, I’m going to learn everything I can about being a witch! And make my family, but most importantly myself, super proud.
I’m curious, though. You’ve been doing this longer than I have. Do you have any advice for girls like me who are just stepping into their magic and are changing the world?
Amari: Believe in yourself! It’s something I struggled with big time. Let’s just say I wasn’t exactly the most popular girl at my old private school. Being a scholarship kid from the other side of town meant that I never felt I really measured up against the other students.
And then I get to the Bureau for summer camp, and I’m the only magician! It was like I was forever destined to be the outcast, especially dealing with an even bigger bully than I’d had back in school. But I didn’t let that stop me from achieving my goals. I had to learn that who I am is already good enough, and that I can do anything I put my mind to!
Kyana: Yeah you can! I mean, just look at how your experience with magic is different than mine! What’s it like having your magic also be the thing that makes you different and makes others hostile towards you?
Amari: It’s hard because I never asked to have magic. I didn’t even know it was a real thing until I arrived at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. The two most famous magicians, the Night Brothers, were the worst criminals the supernatural world has ever known. So as soon as people found out about me being a magician, suddenly there were all these opinions about what kind of person I am. It’s not fair. But it’s also something a lot of people deal with you, know? Like people make judgements based on things you can’t change about yourself. But you can’t worry about that. All you can do is be the best person you can be, and let your actions show people who you really are.
I think it’s so cool that you got to go to a magic school to explore your gifts and meet other witches! I can only imagine what that would be like! Did you have a favorite moment from your first year?
Kyana: Oh goodness, so many! Did I tell you about the time I came to class and Ms. Mo’s hair had turned into spider legs?! Bendy, furry legs just dangling from her scalp, shimmying around her shoulders. She was shouting so loud we could hear her outside! She’d tried an expired bottle of hair corrector, and well, the batch was bad apparently. It sounds creepy and a little gross. But I was barreled over laughing so hard I couldn’t muster up being grossed out. And then there was the time Ash accidentally set an Available free in the salon. That was hilarious and terrifying. But that’s a story for another day, ha ha!
Amari: Hah! You’ll definitely have to tell me that story sometime. Now, I’m changing the subject a little because every dish you baked for the competition made my mouth water! I’m curious, do you have a favorite recipe to bake?
Kyana: Yes!! So technically I couldn’t bake my favorite dish for the competition because it’s a cobbler which wasn’t on the list of approved options. But my absolute favorite thing to bake is definitely my Memaw’s peach cobbler. The crust is the best part and it’s so simple to make. The secret ingredient is nutmeg! Ssssh!!! Mmmmmmm! Omg, I’m going to make one today, I think. Eee!!!
Now it’s my turn to change the subject! On a more serious note, you have the opportunity to change the future of magiciankind, but you’ve had to break so many of the Bureau’s rules and keep secrets from the people who care about you the most to do that. How do you balance your friendships with trying to make a difference in the world?
Amari: Honestly, juggling being a magician and a Junior Agent can be tough because they’re kinda like ancient enemies. And you’re right, it does get tricky because sometimes I have to keep Bureau of Supernatural Affairs business separate from League of Magicians business. So, I just do my best to honor the folks on both sides by being upfront about keeping the two separate. I think as long as you’re honest with people they’ll understand.
You’re no stranger to that balancing act, though! Between trying to keep a secret from your bestie (I know that’s not easy) to trying to save your school from losing its funding, you had a hard first year. If anyone can give good advice to future witches, I feel like it would be you! So, what do you hope the next group of witches will learn from your experiences?
Kyana: Oh, I really like this question. I would tell them to not be so hard on themselves. This year I realized that no one is perfect, and I can only do my best. And my best is actually good enough! It’s easy to feel like it’s not. But it really is. Honestly, trying at all is the hardest part. Trying something and giving it my best effort is what I’m really proud of these days. Some things I’ll try and do really well at. And other things I’ll try, and I won’t do well at. And that’s okay! Oh, also remember HAVE FUN!!! You’re a WITCH!!! Like what is cooler than that?!
But what about you? With two years at the Bureau, what do you hope future Junior Agents and Agents will learn from your story and your experiences?
Amari: I hope that my story shows others how important it is to be kind. And to give others a chance, even if they look different, or think differently than you do. It’s not fun being the outcast, so if you’ve got a chance to reach out to somebody in that situation, it can make all the difference. Elsie, my super-smart weredragon bestie was that person for me. I hope you find great people in your adventures, Kyana!
Kyana: Thank you! I love to read, and I was wondering if you had any books that you think I should read?
Amari: Oh my gosh, I love to read, too! Recently I’ve been reading this series called Skyborn by Jessica Khoury, where everyone is born with wings, and it’s really fun. I’ve also been reading the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, and I totally ship Sokeefe if anyone’s asking. Definitely check out the Rick Riordan Presents books. They’re based on all these different cultures and mythologies, and they’re amazing!
I spend the time between our summers at the Bureau reading! Do you have any recommendations for what I should be reading this year?
Kyana:
Uhm YES! How much time do you have, ha ha! I could go on and on. But three books that I couldn’t stop reading this summer are:
- The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
- Witchlings by Claribel Ortega (I’m Moth House, which are you??)
- I was really lucky to get a sneak peek of a book coming out later this year called The Glass Witch by Lindsay Puckett. It was soooooo wonderful!