Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston

20 reviews

chamaeleontis's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense 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

This review has been postponed due to the Harper Collins strike.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Deportation, Gore, Racism, Chronic illness, Fire/Fire injury, War, Abandonment, Classism, Medical content, Confinement, Gaslighting, Blood, and Bullying

liz_liz's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Spoiler

Brain-Dump of My Thoughts. I cannot believe that the plot line doesn't get resolved in this book, Amari lost her magic, and all the discrimination Amari was put through by Harlowe and everyone else. I'm only slightly frustrated by the cliffhanger because I can't pick up the next book in the series instantly. The reveals at the end weren't quite satisfying, but I did not see them coming (Merlin using the time-stop stone, especially Dylan winning the crown and a war inevitably starting). I was waiting on what Harlowe's supernatural ability was, and I expected it to be much more dangerous

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Xenophobia

Moderate: Deportation and Toxic friendship

Minor: Hate crime, War, and Gaslighting

dandelionsteph's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Confinement

The fantasy-prejudice Amari faces due to being a magician is a significant part of the book.

rorikae's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-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

4.75

'Amari and the Great Game' is a wonderful follow-up to 'Amari and the Night Brothers' that expands upon the story and the characters that we are first introduced to in the first book. The supernatural world is thrown into further disarray and it is up to Amari and her friends to help right it. This is one of the wonderful middle books that doesn't feel like one as Alston uncovers some mysteries and plot points that were set up in book one while also preparing us for further mysteries and important moments in the future. It's hard to say more without spoilers but I will say that this series is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I'm having a really hard time waiting for book 3. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Gaslighting

karcitis's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Gaslighting, Chronic illness, Confinement, Violence, Terminal illness, and Deportation

theirgracegrace's review against another edition

challenging inspiring tense medium-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

4.25

An explosive second book that promises an even more powerful third! With the Supernatural Congress frozen in an act of apparent terrorism, Amari blamed and suspected of the attack, and the threat of the League of Magicians going to war if Amari doesn't win the Great Game, the Good Magician has her plate full. An amazing sequel where I can never predict what happens next and where I can find something to admire about every character (yes, even

Spoiler

Dylan and his struggle with choosing evil when he enjoys being good

). Excited for the finale!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Death, Xenophobia, War, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Deportation, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Racism, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Stalking, Terminal illness, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Medical content, Child abuse, Confinement, and Torture

Minor: Genocide and Gun violence

The book does (through allegory) talk at length about white supremacy, white terrorism and related bigotry, including an event that is revealed to

Spoiler

directly parallel the January 6th coup attempt in the U.S.

readandfindout's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

4.75

Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Worldbuilding: 5 stars

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Deportation

fromjuliereads's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious medium-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

4.5

I really enjoyed this book but I have to be honest that the first book was much better... there was a lot going on in this book and it could almost have been split into at least two stories... BUT the twists and the ending were fantastic! And of course I feel fiercely protective of these kids! I love that friendship is so important and integral in this series. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Confinement, War, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Violence

purplepenning's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Deportation, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Xenophobia

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, and Torture

kari_f's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense

• 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

Reading a series you love that is still in process is always a hard thing, because it’s so exciting to get the next installment, but then you have to wait another year or two to find out what happens next.

After finishing Amari and The Night Brothers (yesterday), I dove right into book 2 and could *not* put it down (to the point where I finished it in less than a day)! I’m already excited about rereading both of these before book 3 comes out someday, and Amari has been officially added to my list of favorite juvenile/middle grade series.

Some of my favorite aspects:

🔥 Character growth from so many people, and coming to terms with evolving friendships.

🔥 Exploration of other departments in the bureau.

🔥 Lessons involving supporting each other’s successes, how easily society is swayed by the media, and the importance of second chances.

🔥 An ending that was unique and already has me ready for the next installment!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this advanced e-copy! I’m definitely going to be purchasing a physical copy later on down the road.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying and Racism