Themes Amari and the Great Game B.B. Alston

Friendship and Loyalty in Amari and the Great Game

Thematic Claim: Secrets Strain but Cannot Break True Bonds

In Amari and the Great Game, friendship and loyalty are tested by forced secrets and past betrayals, yet they prove essential to overcoming the Great Game and freeing Merlin. Amari learns that trust must be earned through action, not words, and that the strongest friendships endure even when silence and suspicion threaten to tear them apart.

Tracing the Theme Across the Plot

1. The Secret Vow Drives a Wedge Between Amari and Elsie

When Amari is magically sworn to secrecy about the Great Game, she cannot tell her best friend Elsie Rodriguez what is happening. In Chapter 16, Amari tries to write “Great Game” but the pen will not move, and Elsie misinterprets her silence as a renewed pattern of hiding. The fight that follows is painful: Elsie accuses Amari of repeating last year’s mistakes, and Amari, desperate to protect Elsie from danger, pushes her away. This distance nearly costs them their partnership. Only when Elsie produces the “one favor” bet note does Amari manage to demonstrate the magical barrier, restoring trust.

2. An Uneasy Alliance with Lara Van Helsing

Lara Van Helsing was Amari’s bully in the first book, but in this story their forced partnership forces them to confront old wounds. In Chapter 16, Lara admits she orchestrated the threatening mural last summer but never intended the harm. Amari, remembering Maria’s request to give Lara a chance, agrees to be partners. The deal is fragile: Lara needs to prove herself as a Junior Agent, and Amari needs help training for the Great Game. Trust grows slowly through shared risk, such as when Amari and Elsie defend Lara from Bear’s harassment in Chapter 9, and when Lara risks her father’s wrath to sneak the transporter in Chapter 25. Their loyalty is tested when Amari asks outright if Lara is setting her up; Lara replies, “I’d do anything for Maria,” affirming her sincerity.

3. Elsie’s Dragon Sacrifice

The climax of the theme arrives in Chapters 35 and 36. During the final challenge, Dylan steals Amari’s magic and the Crown of Vladimir. Elsie, who has been sidelined for most of the Game, unexpectedly transforms into a dragon to shield Amari from Dylan’s attack. Her words, “I just knew I didn’t want you to get hurt,” echo the selfless loyalty that has been building all along. Afterward, Amari, Elsie, and Jayden reunite in Amari’s home. Jayden’s quiet presence—finding Elsie on the roof, hugging Amari—demonstrates that loyalty does not require grand actions; showing up is enough. Amari, though she has lost her magic, declares she will keep fighting because her friends still believe in her.

Character Connections

  • Amari Peters: The protagonist, torn between protecting her friends and being honest. Her arc shows that loyalty means trusting others with the truth, even when it feels dangerous.
  • Elsie Rodriguez: The best friend who refuses to let secrets destroy their bond. Her research on Harlowe and her willingness to use the “favor” note prove her devotion, culminating in the dragon transformation.
  • Lara Van Helsing: Starting as a bully, she becomes a tentative ally. Her loyalty to her sister Maria motivates her to help Amari, and her willingness to be vulnerable (“all the people I thought were my friends have totally ghosted me”) allows Amari to see her humanity.
  • Jayden: A steady source of support. He never wavers, and his laugh and tears in the final chapter underscore the emotional glue of the friend group.

Symbols of Loyalty

  • The Fortune Cookie Warning: Given by Elsie in Chapter 1, it says “Beware of unseen dangers.” This cookie, a gift from a friend, alerts Amari to threats she cannot see—including the hidden betrayals that test loyalty.
  • The Victor’s Rings: These magical rings force Amari to keep secrets. They are physical barriers to loyalty, representing the way external pressures can isolate even the closest friends.
  • The “Favor” Note: The bet slip Elsie uses to demand the truth becomes a symbol of a friendship strong enough to enforce honesty. It shows that loyalty sometimes requires holding each other accountable.
  • The Crown of Vladimir: Pursued by Dylan, its seizure nearly ends Amari’s magic. But the crown also represents the danger of power without loyalty—Dylan’s betrayal is fueled by his own ambition.

Complexity and Contradiction

The book does not present friendship as simple harmony. Secrets are sometimes necessary: Amari cannot tell Elsie about the Great Game without breaking her vow, and Elsie resents the secrecy. Yet the text argues that loyalty means trying to bridge that gap—Amari finds a way to show she is bound by magic, and Elsie accepts that limitation without abandoning her. Lara’s redemption is incomplete: she never fully apologizes for past cruelty, but Amari learns to trust based on present actions rather than past grudges. The theme acknowledges that betrayal (Dylan, Bear) exists, but that real loyalty is not blind—it is a choice made despite fear.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. How does Amari’s secret about the Great Game affect her friendship with Elsie?
    It causes a fight because Elsie feels excluded and recalls last year’s lies. Amari cannot explain, so she pushes Elsie away to protect her. The conflict is only resolved when Elsie uses the favor note and Amari demonstrates the magical vow, restoring trust.

  2. Why does Amari decide to partner with Lara despite past bullying?
    Amari sees that Lara is isolated and needs help earning her Junior Agent badge. More importantly, Maria asked Amari to give Lara a chance. Amari promises to be the best partner she can, setting conditions for trust.

  3. What role does Elsie’s dragon transformation play in the theme of loyalty?
    Elsie’s transformation is the ultimate act of selfless loyalty: she throws herself between Amari and Dylan’s attack. It proves that her commitment to Amari is stronger than fear or self-preservation.

  4. How does Jayden demonstrate loyalty without using magic?
    Jayden remains a constant emotional support. He finds Elsie after the fire, offers a hug when Amari returns, and wipes away tears. His simple statement “They told us Harlowe had you” shows his worry and relief.

  5. Does Lara fully earn Amari’s trust by the end of the story?
    She earns conditional trust through actions like securing the transporter and refusing to betray Amari even when questioned. However, the story ends with Amari not knowing Lara’s fate, leaving the relationship open to further development.