Amari and the Great Game Chapter 17 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Chapter 17 begins with Amari and Lara riding the elevator Whispers to the Department of Supernatural Investigations for their first day of Field Training. They arrive at the Operations Bay, where the giant monitors show the Carcolh (the Doomsday Snail), the second most dangerous of the seven great beasts. Agent Magnus, recently promoted to Deputy Director, explains that because of the worldwide manhunt for Dylan Van Helsing, the Junior Agents will back up European teams trying to repel the Carcolh. However, Magnus reveals that due to the Prime Minister's concerns for Amari's safety, their team—Amari, Lara, and a reluctant Tristan—will instead handle an UnWanted hiding in a local apartment building. Amari questions the morality of deporting UnWanteds, but no one answers. Magnus takes them to the Gadget Room, where Elsie works. Amari avoids Elsie, still trying to protect her from the secrets of the Great Game. After receiving Restitcher gadgets, the team transports to a dingy alley, disguises as pest control, and enters a fancy high-rise. A doorman lets them inside. They enter a secret room and meet Sir Percival, the Knight of Pepsi—a six-inch-tall armored fairy. Sir Percival leads them through a hidden fairy commune made of household items, where they meet flightless fairies (borrowers). The Knight of Coke reports spotting a "foul beast." Magnus uses a Pocket Window to enter the Mechanical Room, and they split up. Tristan and Lara race off alone, leaving Amari to explore on her own. She hears a growl, hides, and finally jumps out with her Stun Stick ready, shouting "Freeze!"
Key Events
- Amari and Lara arrive for first-day Field Training and see the Carcolh (Doomsday Snail) on the monitors.
- Magnus is revealed as the new Deputy Director; he assigns the three Junior Agents—Amari, Lara, and Tristan—to his team.
- The original plan to fight the Carcolh is canceled; their mission changes to deporting an UnWanted from a local apartment building.
- Amari confronts the moral dilemma of enforcing the UnWanted ban, questioning if she could be deported too.
- In the Gadget Room, Amari reunites awkwardly with Elsie, who is hurt by Amari's avoidance.
- The team receives Restitchers—transforming gadgets that change their clothes.
- They meet Sir Percival and discover a hidden community of flightless fairies (borrowers) living in the walls.
- The fairy knights report a "foul beast"; the team splits up to search the Mechanical Room.
- Amari encounters a growling shadow and jumps out to confront it, ending the chapter on a cliffhanger.
Character Development
- Amari grapples with guilt over hiding the truth from Elsie and unease about the UnWanted deportation mission. She shows growing moral awareness and internal conflict between following orders and doing what feels right.
- Elsie appears hurt by Amari's distance but tries to maintain professionalism. Her role in the Gadget Room highlights her technical skills and emotional vulnerability.
- Agent Magnus is promoted to Deputy Director, yet he remains humble and focused on agent work. His engagement to Agent Fiona reveals a softer side, and he acts as a protective mentor.
- Tristan remains competitive and eager to prove himself, dashing off alone to hunt the creature. His desire to outshine Lara and Amari creates tension.
- Lara matches Tristan's competitive energy, but she also shows growth by laughing with Amari rather than mocking her previous inexperience.
- Sir Percival and the fairies introduce a whimsical but organized society, challenging Amari's assumptions about supernatural beings.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Moral Complexity of Law vs. Compassion: The assignment to deport an UnWanted forces Amari to question whether unjust laws should be obeyed. This theme echoes the larger conflict about Dylan Van Helsing's capture and the Prime Minister's policies.
- Appearance vs. Reality: The Carcolh is called a "snail" but is a terrifying dragon; the fairies seem small and silly but have a structured community and helpful role. The "Pest Control" disguise hides the real mission.
- Teamwork vs. Individual Glory: Tristan and Lara's rivalry contrasts with Magnus's expectation that they work together. Amari feels caught in the middle.
- Hidden Worlds: The fairy commune built from human objects underscores that wonder and complexity exist under the surface of everyday life.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter moves the Junior Agents from training into their first real field assignment, raising ethical stakes around the UnWanted ban. It deepens Amari's personal conflict with Elsie and introduces the Gadget Room and Restitchers—important tools for later missions. The cliffhanger ending builds suspense for the confrontation ahead.
Study Questions and Answers
-
Why does Amari question the assignment to deport the UnWanted? Amari realizes the UnWanted ban could be used against her too, since she is a supernatural being. She feels sympathy for the creature and struggles with enforcing a law she disagrees with.
-
How does Amari's interaction with Elsie in the Gadget Room affect the mood? The reunion is tense and painful. Amari avoids eye contact, while Elsie shows visible hurt and anger. The forced cheerfulness creates an awkward atmosphere, highlighting the strain in their friendship.
-
What does the fairy society reveal about the supernatural world? The fairies are organized, hardworking, and helpful, despite their small size and "borrowing" habits. They disprove Amari's initial stereotypes, showing that supernatural beings are diverse and often misunderstood.