Chapter summaries Amari and the Great Game B.B. Alston

Chapter 7: A Viral Campaign Changes Everything

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens with Amari waking to Mama’s knock. Mama teases her about Jayden being her boyfriend. Jayden arrives early with his Junior Agent Starter Kit, needing help applying True Sight eyedrops. He reveals his mom left a note saying she’d be away all week, so he has no ride to summer camp. Mama offers to drive Jayden, but Amari lies that she is starting late for top-secret reasons, hiding that she was uninvited.

Amari confides in Jayden, who worries about attending alone. She promises to find her way to the Bureau. They apply the eyedrops—Jayden flinches—and test them on a city bus, spotting a zombie with its head twisted backward. After Mama takes Jayden to camp, Amari stays home, feeling left out.

At 11 a.m., camp begins without her. Elsie texts that she is working on something. At 2 p.m., Elsie says she will arrive at 3 p.m. She teleports into Amari’s living room wearing a lab coat and silver badge. Elsie explains that she and Lara Van Helsing did a livestream demanding Amari and Maria be reinstated, using the hashtags #VanQuish and #TheGoodMagician. The campaign went viral, supported by celebrities like Madame Duboise and the Shrieking Sirens. As a result, the Bureau emails Amari to report to camp immediately. Amari packs, texts Mama, and leaves with Elsie.

Key Events

  • Mama teases Amari about Jayden, and Jayden arrives needing help with True Sight eyedrops because his mom is away.
  • Amari lies to Mama about starting camp late to hide her expulsion; Jayden covers for her.
  • Amari and Jayden test the eyedrops on a city bus, revealing a twisted-neck zombie.
  • Mama drives Jayden to the Bureau; Amari stays home alone, feeling left out.
  • Elsie teleports to Amari’s apartment and reveals the viral campaign that got Amari reinstated.
  • Amari receives an official email from the Bureau to report to summer camp.

Character Development

  • Amari: She struggles with guilt over lying to Mama and hiding her expulsion. Her promise to Jayden shows her loyalty. Her initial discomfort with Lara’s help evolves into acceptance, as she learns to embrace the support of others.
  • Jayden: Nervous about the supernatural world, he relies on Amari’s guidance. His willingness to cover for her demonstrates their bond, and he shows vulnerability by admitting he might back out without her.
  • Elsie: Displays proactive friendship by orchestrating the campaign without telling Amari first, showing initiative and care.
  • Mama: Perceptive and caring, she sees through Amari’s excuse but doesn’t press, trusting her daughter.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

  • Friendship and Loyalty: Jayden helps Amari conceal her secret; Elsie fights for her reinstatement. Both actions highlight the importance of allies.
  • Public Opinion and Influence: The hashtag campaign demonstrates how social media can overturn institutional decisions. The support of celebrities like Madame Duboise shows the power of reputation.
  • Prejudice and Redemption: The Bureau’s exclusion of magicians based on suspicion is challenged by Amari’s reinstatement, hinting at a potential shift in attitudes.
  • Trust: Amari must learn to trust that her supporters are genuine, even when they come from unexpected sources like Lara.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter resolves Amari’s immediate problem of being barred from camp and sets up her return to the Bureau. It introduces a major plot device: the viral campaign that sways official policy. The chapter also deepens Amari’s relationships with Jayden and Elsie, and shows her growth in accepting help. The involvement of Lara Van Helsing, a former antagonist, adds complexity to the theme of redemption.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Amari lie to Mama about starting camp late?

Amari lies because she was uninvited to summer camp after the time freeze incident, and she doesn’t want Mama to worry or learn the truth about the danger she faces as a magician.

2. How do Elsie and Lara get Amari reinstated?

They host a livestream on Lara’s Eurg page arguing that Amari and Maria were unjustly excluded without proof. The campaign goes viral, supported by millions of followers and celebrities, pressuring the Bureau to reverse its decision.

3. What mixed feelings does Amari have about Lara’s help?

Amari feels conflicted because Lara was her enemy the previous summer and made her life miserable. She finds it strange to accept help from someone she distrusts, but ultimately decides to give her supporters a chance.

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