Amari and the Great Game, book 2 in the Supernatural Investigations series by B.B. Alston was just as thrilling as the first book, with even more cliffhangers and surprises. Amari, a powerful but inexperienced born magician, is back at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs as a full-fledged Junior Agent. She assumes this summer is going to a walk in the park after saving the world last summer, but when a time freeze hits Georgia (and somehow doesn’t affect Amari), everything is turned upside down. There is a new Acting Prime Minister who sees Amari as a problem, not the hero and celebrity she became to so many in the magical world. Amari has to navigate anti-magician prejudice and negative press, as well as bullies, friendship challenges, and the dangerous Great Game that pits her against another potential leader of the League of Magicians. New characters come to Amari’s aid, and the diverse characters we met in the previous book are further developed.

I love how Alston uses the supernatural world he has created to deftly address issues of race, class, and politics. This series would be an excellent read aloud to spur conversations about current events, but at the same time, kids will enjoy the series purely for the story. I recommend Amari to kids who are looking for books in the vein Harry Potter, and I always tell them I like Amari MORE than Harry Potter. Book 2 was another great read, and I can’t wait to get Amari and the Great Game into the hands of even more middle grade fantasy fans.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC to review.

Amari and the Night Brothers was my favorite middle grade read last year. It was also my middle school book club’s favorite read, and so you can imagine that I was THRILLED to get an early copy of Amari and the Great Game.
This book exceeded my expectations. It is magical (yes the talking elevators with the big fun personalities are back), it has heart (for days), and Amari is the brave hero we all want as our best friend and on our side. This book finds Amari back at school, barely, with people out to get her on all sides. Her brother’s condition is not any better, and she isn’t all that sure who she can trust. Thank goodness Elsie, her very trustworthy and talented best friend is back. It is full of magic, adventure, and heart. I love the layers that the story has. It is so much more than a story about a girl who learns magic and fights evil monsters and villains. It is about a kind, fearless female character who portrays a girl that we want our students and kids to look up to. Amari’s experiences as a young, female black girl are portrayed with such insight in both her real world and the magical world. The author has written a book that is fantasy, but also reminds readers about the injustices and discrimination that can be found in our world in such an age appropriate way that I think more books need to do. It is this that separates this book from others. It is this that makes it truly magical.

I give this book the highest of ratings and cannot wait for the next book to come out.

Having read aloud the first book 3 times to different groups of students, this was a book I couldn’t wait to devour. It did not disappoint! It’s filled with action-packed chapters, each ending with enough of a cliffhanger to lure you into “just one more chapter” until you’ve read the entire book (who needs to eat or take breaks when the fate of Amari is on the line?!) I love that the author ties in so many powerful messages about acceptance and friendship, some passages so meaningful that I can already imagine the thought-provoking conversations my students will have. The only downside? The long wait until I get to find out what comes next.

Amari and the Great Game by B. B. Alston is the sequel to Amari and the Night Brothers. I was excited to continue Amari's story as I loved the first one. I don't want to talk about the plot too much as it might spoil the first book, so I will just say the second is as good as the first. It is full of action, adventure, magic, fantastical creatures, heart and so much more. I will definitely be buying this for my library.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

I'm quite disappointed by this book to be completely honest. It felt like it didn't quite know what it wanted to be. There was two competing narratives, one of the government takeover/deportation of "unwanteds," and the other of the great game. Neither of which was done well. I hate to say this but it felt like a cheap Goblet of Fire, with worse challenges. There were no breaks of levity in this book, and I noticed about half way through that were was really no affective dialogue. Amari as our narrator just exposition dumps nearly the entire story. There is only good and evil characters, no nuance or morally grey characters. I think what makes a story like Percy Jackson so good is not only that the characters are great and fleshed out; but the plot is snappy and each chapter carries you forward. This sequel did not accomplish this well at all in my opinion. I know it was probably tough to follow up such a great novel, but this felt like a rough draft instead of a final cut.

All books should be middle grade books. They’re just so fun. This one felt way too short.

I don’t really have a lot to say about this because I feel like it’s just that nice middle ground where I’m content but not obsessed. 13 year old me would’ve definitely been obsessed but it’d be a bit weird for me to be obsessed as an adult. Overall very good and fun and wholesome and great.

It was hard to believe that the sequel to Amari & The Night Brothers could be as captivating as the original, but it lives up to every expectation. The action starts in the very first chapter, drawing you in as Amari continues to explore her magic and get to know the supernatural world. I strongly enjoyed watching the ways that Amari learned to lean on her friendships, as well as how those friendships deepened even as life was about to change dramatically. I am so excited to promote this series in our library for a fast-paced, enchanting fantasy featuring an amazing Black female magician as the lead.

Love love LOVE!! I’m ready for book 3 already, and I just really enjoy watching these characters grow and become the best versions of themselves. This book series needs to be placed in the hands of so many kids as they navigate the world today.

I loved this book. I was concerned it would not live up to the excitement of the first one, but it exceeded my expectations! It was fantastic to see Amari and her friends grow as characters. This book raised the stakes so much and it was really fun to learn more about the lore of this world. I can't wait for book three! I'm definitely recommending this series to middle grade fantasy lovers.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Loved how it explored the Van Helsing relationship and enjoyed Lara's character development. Also enjoyed seeing how Elsie has grown. Highly recommended for readers who love fantasy with a touch of mystery. One of my middle schooler's favorite authors!

Alston’s sequel is a tour de force, a whirlwind from beginning to end that left me saying “book three, please!”

While the Great Game is an important aspect to the story, I felt it took a back seat to Amari’s character growth, which was a wonderful layer to unpack throughout.

While the reveals at the end didn’t pack as much of a dramatic punch as I anticipated, Alston leverages the subtlety to leave readers begging for the next story, which is a success in my book.

This series has quickly become one of my favorites. And I can’t wait to see what Amari and her companions do next.

I loved how the story of Amari progressed from the first book Amari and the Night Brothers and kept going! The story kept me wanting more and I could not put it down. I can't wait to share this with my students next school year as they loved the first book. Looking forward to the next book.

What worked:
You should definitely read the first book before reading this one, to understand Amari’s complicated life as a powerful magician. She’s a born magician which is a very rare and feared position to be in. Magicians were at the center of a war centuries ago, and they’ve been considered UnWanteds ever since, despite Amari’s efforts to save the world in the previous book. She’s forced into a personal battle between fair and foul magick, as she learns evilness is constantly looking to take control. Amari is one of the most powerful magicians ever, but she still needs to learn how to use her abilities. Her former partner Dylan succumbed to the power in the previous book, and he’s the main suspect behind all of the current problems in this book.
Outright war between magicians and other supernaturals is on the brink of exploding, as the Magician’s Guild comes to the forefront. The previous book implied they might provide support for Amari, but that’s not the way things turn out. The intriguing thing about this series is how the author is able to create different levels of mystery and suspicion in characters and situations. The Guild has its own agenda, and Amari sets events in motion when she refuses to lead them by accepting the Crown. The end result is the Great Game is activated to decide the future of all magiciankind. Amari’s convinced a magician did not cause the time freeze, but who else has a reason and the power to do it? Dylan is the obvious answer, but is that too obvious for readers to accept?
As in the previous book, Amari gives herself a quest amid outrage from the supernatural community. It was finding her brother last time, and this time she’s determined to discover who’s responsible for stopping time across most of Georgia and the supernatural’s Congress Room. Elsie, Amari’s best friend and weredragon, is once again by Amari’s side, though this story doesn’t include as many of her creative inventions. The big surprise is Amari’s new partner is Lara, the girl who bullied and tormented her in the first book. Amari grapples to trust her, and Lara promises she won’t turn on Amari. However, the doubt in their relationship is planted and complicates their interactions for most of the book.
What didn’t work as well:
The resolution isn’t happily ever after, but it sets the stage for a dramatic and eventful third book. I didn’t have any problems with the book overall.
The Final Verdict:
It’s hard work to stay good. The book boils down to a battle between good and evil, although it’s not always easy to tell one from the other. The secret motives of various characters will keep readers engaged and thinking. I highly recommend you give this book, and the series, a shot!

A great second book to this incredibly fun and interesting YA series. I can't wait for the third volume, the build up to it in this book was EXCELLENT.

One brave moment sets everyone up to succeed, even your worst enemy. And in that moment you have to decide what side your on and what your willing to sacrifice to get what you want.

Amari is back in book 2 of the Supernatural Investigation series. Now a Junior Agent, Amari thinks her second year will be a breeze compared to the last one. However, Quinton is still cursed, the council has been frozen, Elsie is going to move away, and now Dylan has escaped his prison! Could things get any worse? Yes! Amari must battle Dylan in the mysterious Great Game to save her brother and stop Dylan from taking over and taking her magic. More excitement, mystery, and surprises await in this second adventure. The first one blew me away, and I gave it my elusive rating of a 5. Although this one is terrific, it is a little slower in some parts, and not as innovative as the first one. Still an amazing read though!

Awesome continuation from Amari and the Night Brothers! The story kept me engaged and wanting more until the end amd beyond. I can't wait to share this with my students this fall, and I really can't wait for book 3!

I was THRILLED that it was just as good, date I say better than, the first book! Much more action and mysteries for Amari & her friends to have to solve while trying to stay true to her authentic self and save the people she loves. I know this copy isn’t even out for public purchase but I’m already waiting on pins & needles for book 3 after the cliffhanger ending! B.B. Alston kills me with these endings! I look forward to purchasing the book when it comes out to share with my elementary students.

What a ride! Huge cliffhanger, but still a very satisfying ending. Reminds me a little of Harry Potter, with a little Fablehaven and Men in Black thrown in—but much more fun!

Amari is back, and this time she's being blamed for an event that has frozen time for the politicians of the supernatural world. With the help of Elsie and an unexpected ally, Amari decides to investigate the time freeze, while also preparing for a life-or-death game against Dylan. Just like the first book in the series, this one is action-packed and compelling. The cliffhanger ending will leave you begging B.B. Alston to immediately release book 3.