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magali_torres's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This little girl is stronger than me because my anger issues could never. But good for her, I would’ve let the place burn but I am spiteful.
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
4.0
A fun continuation in this series. The story is well written and I love the realistic, strong characters. All their decisions, both with good and bad consequences, feel real and true to the character.
This is one I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys reading at a middle grade level. Looking forward to continuing on with this series.
This is one I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys reading at a middle grade level. Looking forward to continuing on with this series.
birte's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
davidcottington's review against another edition
3.0
I try hard not to judge middle grade books as an adult but this frustrated me!
I think young me would of liked it though!
I think young me would of liked it though!
asreadbykat's review against another edition
4.0
True Rating: 4/5 Stars
Content/Trigger Warnings: Racism, mild violence, pre-teens/teens being threatened by adults, discussions of deportation
My Thoughts
"Being good is a choice, Amari. And it's one you have to keep making, again and again. No matter how hard it gets. However tempting it is to let the darkness win."
I fell in love with Amari and the Night Brothers when I read it last year. It was easily one of my favorite books of the year, and became one of my favorite middle-grade books period. Needless to say, I was excited for the second book and it only took me so long to read this one because it took me a while to find the matching cover for my first one.
I've noticed that one of two things happen when an author writes a series of more than two books. Either the first book will be packed with backstory and worldbuilding, throwing off the pacing, or the second book will be thrown off. With the Amari series, it's the latter.
There's so much going on in this book. We have, of course, our main plot of the conflict between the Supernatural world and magicians and other UNwanteds. But then we also have Amari trying to control her powers, dealing with a close friend's decision, worrying about her brother, and dealing with the fallout of the main conflict while also having to become involved in the Great Game against someone she used to consider a friend.
That is A LOT going on, and this book needed at least 50 more pages to really do it justice. Given the book's title, it really feels like the Great Game itself should have been the main focus, but all those scenes felt very rushed to me. It felt very much like a side plot, and not the main one. I also feel that certain reveals were rushed, and really would have done better to be pushed back into the next book, even if the readers could see it coming.
That being said, Alston still managed to bring the elements of the first book that I loved back to this one. Amari is still an amazing young woman who makes mistakes, but continues to does her best. Who cares so deeply for her family and friends that she will put herself at risk in order to help them, or will let them go if necessary. She's such a wonderful, realistic character and I'm so happy that young Black girls have someone like her in literature. The writing style itself is still just as good, easy to read but not trying to dumb anything down for anyone. Alston still has characters voicing how what's going on in the Supernatural world is similar to what happens in the normal world, rather than just rely purely on metaphors and allegories.
I had just as much fun reading this as I did the first one, and the ending left me desperate for the next installment. If Alston can keep this up and end this series on this high notes, then he will have gained a loyal reader for life.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Racism, mild violence, pre-teens/teens being threatened by adults, discussions of deportation
My Thoughts
"Being good is a choice, Amari. And it's one you have to keep making, again and again. No matter how hard it gets. However tempting it is to let the darkness win."
I fell in love with Amari and the Night Brothers when I read it last year. It was easily one of my favorite books of the year, and became one of my favorite middle-grade books period. Needless to say, I was excited for the second book and it only took me so long to read this one because it took me a while to find the matching cover for my first one.
I've noticed that one of two things happen when an author writes a series of more than two books. Either the first book will be packed with backstory and worldbuilding, throwing off the pacing, or the second book will be thrown off. With the Amari series, it's the latter.
There's so much going on in this book. We have, of course, our main plot of the conflict between the Supernatural world and magicians and other UNwanteds. But then we also have Amari trying to control her powers, dealing with a close friend's decision, worrying about her brother, and dealing with the fallout of the main conflict while also having to become involved in the Great Game against someone she used to consider a friend.
That is A LOT going on, and this book needed at least 50 more pages to really do it justice. Given the book's title, it really feels like the Great Game itself should have been the main focus, but all those scenes felt very rushed to me. It felt very much like a side plot, and not the main one. I also feel that certain reveals were rushed, and really would have done better to be pushed back into the next book, even if the readers could see it coming.
That being said, Alston still managed to bring the elements of the first book that I loved back to this one. Amari is still an amazing young woman who makes mistakes, but continues to does her best. Who cares so deeply for her family and friends that she will put herself at risk in order to help them, or will let them go if necessary. She's such a wonderful, realistic character and I'm so happy that young Black girls have someone like her in literature. The writing style itself is still just as good, easy to read but not trying to dumb anything down for anyone. Alston still has characters voicing how what's going on in the Supernatural world is similar to what happens in the normal world, rather than just rely purely on metaphors and allegories.
I had just as much fun reading this as I did the first one, and the ending left me desperate for the next installment. If Alston can keep this up and end this series on this high notes, then he will have gained a loyal reader for life.
amandall's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Liked this better than the second. Such a cliffhanger.
donnaratcliff's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. Didn’t enjoy this quite as much as the first but was still a good continuation of the series.
thatonebookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
I got the ARC through Edelweiss for an honest review. I loved Amari and the Night Brothers. We got an intro to a new world.
Amari and the Great Game returned us to a world of magic and secrets that made me want to be apart of it all. I fell in love with the stories and characters all over again. A story of friendship, secrets, and betrayal, Amari is preparing to return to Bureau of Supernatural Affairs with more enemies than friends. Now she is fighting against a Head Minister who hates magicians and is taking part in a challenge that will determine the fate of magiciankind.
Amari and the Great Game left me wanting book 3 in my possession!
Amari and the Great Game returned us to a world of magic and secrets that made me want to be apart of it all. I fell in love with the stories and characters all over again. A story of friendship, secrets, and betrayal, Amari is preparing to return to Bureau of Supernatural Affairs with more enemies than friends. Now she is fighting against a Head Minister who hates magicians and is taking part in a challenge that will determine the fate of magiciankind.
Amari and the Great Game left me wanting book 3 in my possession!