Amari and the Night Brothers

One of the first things Amari learns about herself in the supernatural world is that she is a magician and an illusionist. While some characters point out that illusions are tools of deceit, illusions come to represent Amari’s self-expression and her journey to choose good and change people’s minds about magic.

Magic is taboo in the supernatural world. It is synonymous to power, and most people consider an excess of magic to be corruptive (96). Illusions, in particular, have a negative connotation: They are something cast to cover something else up. Part of Amari’s struggle as a born magician is to prove that possession of magic does not automatically equate to evil like the Night Brothers. This reflects her experiences with racism and classism in the regular world; no matter where she goes, Amari is treated with hostility and prejudice, and others assume malice in her character. As Amari gains confidence in herself, she embraces magic and commits to proving that magicians can be good. This analogizes Amari’s determination to not allow stereotypes to define her; she fights back to show that a person’s background does not define them.

At first, Amari internalizes the negative perspective other characters have on magicians; she is afraid to use her magic until Dylan advises her that it can sense her doubt (247).