Amari And The Great Game

“The Night Brothers—Vladimir and Moreau—are still who the supernatural world thinks of first whenever magicians are mentioned, and for good reason. Not only did those two start the Ancient War, but Moreau survived to commit horrible crimes for seven hundred years—until last summer, when he was betrayed by his magician protégé, Dylan Van Helsing. Someone I thought was my friend. Dylan managed to steal a powerful spell book for Moreau, only to turn on his mentor and keep it for himself. He offered to make me his new partner instead, but I refused. Our magic clashed and I won. Barely.”

This passage introduces crucial background information about the history of magicians in the Supernatural Investigations series, as well as an overview of the plot of Amari and the Night Brothers. This foreshadows Vladimir and Moreau’s indirect influence in the rest of the story and sets up Amari and Dylan’s rivalry, which culminates in their confrontation during the Great Game.

“Bear drops into the seat beside me, making sure to lean as far away from me as possible. As much as the supernatural world has started to accept magicians over the past year, there are still folks who will always hate me for being a magician like the Night Brothers. No matter what I do.”

Bear’s attitude toward Amari introduces the theme of The Fight for Social Justice. Amari, despite her own qualities, struggles to be accepted in the supernatural world due to the Night Brothers’ legacy. This parallels other prejudices and oppressive dynamics that occur in the real world, and that are symbolized by Amari’s magic in B. B. Alston’s novel.

“Elsie’s a weredragon—only she’s never been able to fully shift. The closest she’s come is blowing fire a few times. Between her books and her dragon expert adoptive mom, all she knows is that shifting for the first time requires a great act of courage. As the last of her kind, I know it’s something that really bothers her.”

This passage introduces important background information about Elsie’s identity. This sets up the young girl’s character arc and foreshadows her climactic act of courage when she saves Amari from Dylan’s fire at the end of the book.

“So I place the cookie in my mouth and think. After a few seconds I shrug and ask, Is there anything important I should know?

Gasps sound around the table and I look down at my fortune.

Beware of unseen dangers.”

This quote sets up one of the most significant plot twists in the novel, which occurs when Bane’s invisible wraiths attack the Supernatural Congress. Throughout the story, Amari references the fortune cookie’s cryptic warning to enhance the mystery surrounding her investigation. This foreshadowing thus creates tension and suspense that heighten the reader’s emotional engagement.

“I’m an UnWanted. No wonder Bane likes the word—it describes everyone he’s come to hate. The witches were right—he’s using the time freeze to justify a grudge he’s carried for centuries.

But it’s not fair! Nearly everyone who fought in the Ancient War has been dead for ages—that war was like seven hundred years ago! Aside from a few folks with really long lives, like the four Mrs. Walterses, it’s the UnWanteds’ descendants being punished now, and they didn’t choose to be UnWanteds any more than I chose to be a magician. Yet we’re considered illegal simply for existing.”

In B. B. Alston’s fictional world, “UnWanted” is a pejorative term used to describe an oppressed group by depicting them as inherently dangerous. This pervasive, officially sanctioned form of social prejudice parallels the racism Amari faces as a Black girl in the human world, highlighting The Fight for Social Justice. In both the human and supernatural worlds, marginalized groups can be framed as threatening to the social order in order to justify their social or political oppression.

“There are only ever two born magicians in an age—you and Dylan now, and the Night Brothers before you.”

Amari and Dylan’s dynamic is framed as a rare, divinely ordered duality. Additionally, it parallels Vladimir and Moreau’s relationship, so the young magicians’ challenges are set to play out like the conclusion of an age-old, legendary conflict. This imbues Amari and Dylan’s character arcs with an almost mythical dimension, which in turn enhances the narrative stakes and builds suspense.

“‘The first thing to know about my department,’ says Harlowe, ‘is that we never let the truth get in the way of a good story.’”

Harlowe’s statement foreshadows her character arc throughout the novel. As the Director of the Department of Half Truths and Full Cover-Ups, Harlowe is characterized by secrecy and manipulation. Significantly, she makes her deceitful intentions clear, which adds to the mystery surrounding her character and thus builds up to the novel’s final plot twist.

“Stares and whispers follow me through the halls. Being a magician makes you stand out, and on top of that, it seems half the supernatural world believes I might be behind the time freeze. […]

And as we continue, some kids do greet us. […] It’s not most kids, and maybe it never will be, but at least some are willing to give me a chance. All I can do is keep showing them who I am, and if they’d rather believe something different, then that’s on them.”

This passage demonstrates that for Amari, The Fight for Social Justice requires perseverance and courage even in everyday situations. It depicts Amari’s emotional response to being set apart as a magician, which works as an allegory for other types of real-life social outcasts and marginalized individuals. The quote also reveals the nuanced ways in which others engage with her, from prejudice to acceptance and inclusion, which also mimics real-world interactions.

“‘Helping is what a trusty sidekick is for. We’ll figure this thing out, and have fun doing it.’

‘Els, you’re nobody’s sidekick. I wouldn’t even be here without your help. You’re a better friend than I could’ve ever hoped for.’”

This exchange between Amari and Elsie almost breaks the fourth wall. Elsie’s role in the narrative is indeed as the protagonist’s sidekick, but Amari points out that she cannot be reduced to a one-dimensional archetype. The two characters offer a more nuanced view of typical narrative roles by pointing out how significant their friendship is in both of their character arcs.

“I resist the urge to shrink away. That’s what I would’ve done last summer, when I didn’t feel like I belonged. But now I know that’s not true—I’ve got a moonstone badge, I made Junior Agent, and now I’m an Elite.”

This passage reveals Amari’s character growth between the first book in the series, Amari and the Night Brothers, and the second one, Amari and the Great Game. Amari has gained confidence and is now proud of her achievements, which does not detract from her current struggles in the story. Amari’s character therefore depicts emotional growth as a complex and ongoing process rather than a simple straight line.

“It’s probably too complicated to fully explain in one lesson, but essentially fair magick is selfless where foul magick is selfish. Fair magicians seek to use magic to benefit the world around us. Foul magicians use it for their own gain, at the expense of others.”

Maria’s lesson on the different types of magic introduces Amari’s crucial moral dilemma. By imbuing magic with morality, the narrative emphasizes the symbolism of magic as a conduit for Amari’s emotional growth. This contributes to the theme of Finding Identity and Belonging Through Adversity because magic is used to depict Amari’s dilemma between wanting to find her own identity and wanting to help others.

“I’m only thirteen. The League can’t expect me to lead adults into a war against people I care about here at the Bureau. That’s just crazy.

I feel so relieved—it’s like someone’s taken a fifty-pound weight off my shoulders. Maybe Maria is right, I saved the supernatural world once. I shouldn’t have to keep doing it.”

Although the narrative takes place in a fantastical, adventure-driven world, it creates a strong emotional impact. The characters, despite their supernatural abilities, remain deeply human because they experience relatable emotions such as self-doubt, fear, and moral dilemmas. In this passage, the pressure that Amari experiences is compounded by her youth, and therefore makes her feelings of inadequacy more relatable.

“His face has gone deathly pale, with dark circles beneath eyes I no longer recognize. Gone are the blue eyes I smiled into so many times last summer. They’ve been replaced by a deep red that makes him look unnatural.

Like a monster.”

Dylan’s appearance, when Amari describes him for the first time in the novel, reflects his inner changes since the first book in the Supernatural Investigations series. Now that he has fully become an antagonist, he has taken on an archetypal villainous appearance, with red eyes and pale skin that make him look like “a monster.”

“So I did what I had to. I stole her magic—seems she’d been able to survive because she was a master of shadows. That power is mine now. In the Sightless Depths I learned what it truly means to fully devote myself to foul magick. I realized I’d only been playing at it before. I became more monstrous than anything around me—until I became the thing to be feared. Whatever bits of me that cared for you are gone now, Amari. I smothered them.”

Building on the previous quote, this passage further demonstrates Dylan’s character shift. He reveals that he has abandoned any sense of morality and selflessness. This highlights the symbolic duality between Amari and Dylan, between fair magic and foul magic, and therefore between good and evil.

“‘You know,’ Harlowe begins, straightening her skirt suit. ‘I honestly thought you were different. That you were like me—an outsider seeking to prove herself.’”

Harlowe’s statement about Amari shows that Harlowe can be interpreted as a corrupted version of the young protagonist, or what Amari could have become if she had given in to the resentment caused by her ostracization. Instead, Amari has learned to rely on her work ethic and support system, which sets her on a more constructive, moral path.

“[Bane] sounds so much like Dylan, his voice full of nothing but rage.”

Along with the previous quote, Amari’s comparison between Dylan and Bane reveals the similarities between two characters: Both have let their bitterness and prejudice turn them into the most negative versions of themselves. The contrast between Amari and Dylan highlights the importance of making moral choices in Finding Identity and Belonging Through Adversity.

“Where you’ve been…

[…]

Where you’ll be…

[…]

What you most want to see…

[…]

What you most need to see…”

The book of looking-glasses that Amari retrieves from the Library of Alexandria shows her four narratively significant moments. They are either flashbacks that have informed Amari’s character arc so far, or foreshadowed moments that offer cryptic insight into future plot points. This creates intrigue and suspense, and builds toward some of the book’s major plot twists.

“But maybe you need to be on your own to figure out where you really fit in. I ain’t gonna lie, when Ms. P dropped me off I was extra nervous. But it also kinda forced me to find my own way too, ya know? Like maybe I would’ve hid out next to you if we’d come here together. ’Cause that would’ve felt comfortable.”

Jayden’s advice to Amari highlights one of the young protagonist’s main emotional struggles throughout the novel. Indeed, when confronted with an illusion of her idealized life during one of the magical challenges, Amari realizes that her worst fear is to be abandoned by her loved ones. Jayden helps her reframe her fear as a challenge to overcome in order to grow, which ties into the theme of Finding Identity and Belonging Through Adversity.

“Quinton said something about how facing your fears is half the battle, and when bullies realize they can’t scare you anymore, you take away their power.”

Building on the previous quote, Jayden’s words to Amari help renew the young girl’s confidence and motivation. Whereas she struggles to fight back against Dylan, Harlowe, and Bane because of her fear, she is now learning to use her negative emotions in a constructive way. This is further evidenced by Amari’s eventual mastery of her weather magic.

“‘That’s all I want,’ I say, tears skipping down my cheeks. ‘I don’t want to be alone.’”

This quote reveals one of Amari’s biggest fears, namely to be abandoned by her loved ones. Although this fear may not be described as a character flaw, it occasionally hinders Amari’s growth in the story by preventing her from taking action or building confidence on her own. For example, she is afraid of losing Elsie’s friendship when the latter goes to London, and she shoulders the responsibility of finding a cure for Quinton.

“I notice Julia skipping through the food court with her own Nobody’s UnWanted pin on her Junior Undertaker cloak. Since the livestream, lots of kids have created their own versions and are pinning them to their uniforms outside class. Unfortunately, just as many I Support Bane badges are popping up too. Nearly everyone in the food court has chosen a side.”

This passage illustrates the symbolism of badges with regard to The Fight for Social Justice. Throughout the story, characters are depicted using pins and badges to visibly state their social allegiances and political opinions. This reflects some aspects of real-life activism and reveals the nuanced ways in which individuals react to injustice toward a marginalized group.

“My anger at all that’s gone wrong and my fear of not being able to fix things shoves everything else away. A different Amari is forming inside me, the worst version of myself.

This is what the spell book warned me about. What Maria explained in her very first lesson—the darkness waiting for my resolve to falter. This must be what it means to lose yourself to foul magick. For emotions to take over and run wild. To not care what happens as a result.

I feel unstoppable. I feel limitless. And I want to bend the whole world to my will.”

While she is facing Dylan in an ultimate magical duel, Amari almost lets herself give in to her most selfish impulses. The narrative echoes Maria’s warnings about fair and foul magic, which symbolize the ongoing moral dilemma that all individuals face. Amari eventually chooses the side of selflessness—and therefore moral good—when Elsie prompts her to, which reveals the significance of their friendship in shaping Amari’s character.

“Who says you need magic to be special, Chicken Little?”

Quinton’s words underline the importance of Amari’s personality and achievements over her magic, an attribute that she was born with. The narrative therefore suggests that magic is merely a tool and a narrative symbol, but cannot replace one’s moral strength or the character one has worked to build.