Amari and the Great Game: Chapters 9–16

by B.B. Alston
In this second book of the Supernatural Investigations series, thirteen-year-old Amari Peters of Atlanta's Whitman Preparatory Academy must compete for the Crown in order to save her brother, stop a war, and prevent the future of magic from being controlled by evil forces.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–8, Chapters 9–16, Chapters 17–26, Chapters 27–36

Here is a link to our lists for Amari and The Night Brothers.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. flush
    turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
    Maria flushes, her blue eyes focusing on something over my shoulder.
  2. friction
    a state of conflict between persons
    “Let’s just say that particular point caused some friction between the departments,” says Magnus, shifting uncomfortably. “We all agree this time freeze shouldn’t be possible. But whereas Magical Science reckons that not even a magician could keep a spell like that going for this long, the agents think the more impossible it seems, the more it proves it had to be a magician.”
  3. fatigues
    military uniform worn by personnel when doing menial labor
    When Elsie and I get off the elevator at the youth dorms, Bertha, our hall monitor, is waiting for us in her usual military fatigues.
  4. sappy
    very sentimental or emotional
    “Els, you’re nobody’s sidekick. I wouldn’t even be here without your help. You’re a better friend than I could’ve ever hoped for.”
    Elsie goes pink, and she pulls me into one of her dragon-strength hugs. “Don’t you go getting sappy on me.”
  5. bluff
    deceive someone about your strength or intentions
    “You’re bluffing.”
    I stare right back at him, making it clear I’m not afraid.
  6. lapel
    a fold of fabric below the collar of a coat or jacket
    His eyes move first to my moonstone badge, then to the paper star pin on the opposite lapel of my Junior Agent jacket.
  7. mortified
    made to feel uncomfortable because of shame or wounded pride
    “I was just thinking that you seemed pretty dazzled by Tristan Davies.”
    “What, no!” Elsie says, looking mortified.
  8. famished
    extremely hungry
    Farther down the walkway are even more fun clubs, like the Thrill Seekers, who travel on the weekends to the supernatural world’s most dangerous places, and do things like sneak through booby-trapped tombs deep inside the pyramids or go hiking in the Famished Forest with its carnivorous trees.
  9. plush
    characterized by extravagance and softness
    Everything looks incredibly fancy, from the plush rug we’re standing on to the waitstaff in full tuxedos and a table decked out with silky table linens and topped with gleaming silver plates and utensils.
  10. smug
    marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
    Tristan stares down at his star like he can’t believe his eyes. There’s none of the smugness from before. He looks angry.
  11. defiantly
    in a rebellious manner
    I lift my chin defiantly.
  12. ideal
    conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection
    “The situation is certainly less than ideal. I just hope Bane is taking this as seriously as he should. Investigations are hard work.”
  13. trifle
    act frivolously
    “Stay far away from this case, Peters. Bane isn’t to be trifled with. If you get caught doing something you shouldn’t, I won’t be able to protect you.”
  14. ambitious
    having a strong desire for success or achievement
    Let me guess, the girl who got famous for saving the world now has her ambitious eyes on the time freeze, am I right?
  15. curator
    the custodian of a collection, as a museum or library
    It isn’t until an older girl—a Junior Curator from the Department of the Unexplained—comes up to me that I understand why my pin is getting so many confused looks.
  16. skeptical
    marked by or given to doubt
    Elsie looks skeptical. “This seems like a really bad idea.”
  17. scoff
    laugh at with contempt and derision
    “Faster?” the elevator scoffs. “I’m going as fast as I can! Ain’t what I used to be, you know. That’s the problem with this new generation. No patience. Everything’s a rush. What’s the hurry? You’re already gonna be late.”
  18. exasperated
    greatly annoyed; out of patience
    “Skies above." Fiona shakes her head, exasperated.
  19. reprimand
    censure severely or angrily
    Agent Fiona frowns but doesn’t reprimand him.
  20. immersion
    complete attention; intense mental effort
    I can’t help remembering how she told the other trainees not to sit beside me in Supernatural Immersion class last summer.
  21. falter
    be or become weak, unsteady, or uncertain
    Agent Addison’s smile falters. “Yes, that was...unexpected.”
  22. deem
    judge or regard in a particular way
    This Information Has Been Deemed Confidential by the Department of Half Truths 
and Full Cover-Ups
  23. restraint
    discipline in personal and social activities
    “Being able to show restraint is a good thing. It’s the hardest part of being a fair magician.”
  24. resolve
    the trait of being firm in purpose or belief
    “Think of this flame as you. You’re burning with the will to be a good magician. But look around at the darkness surrounding the flame. It’s always there, tempting, waiting for your resolve to falter. 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.”
  25. blare
    make a loud noise
    Maria nods and again that stupid intercom blares overhead: “Maria Van Helsing, please report to the Operations Bay.”
  26. mull
    reflect deeply on a subject
    She appears to mull it over, but I can tell her mind’s made up.
  27. shabby
    showing signs of wear and tear
    An old lady cloaked in shabby robes hunches beside it, staring at us.
  28. dispel
    force to go away
    She lifts a hand and waves it in front of us. “Dispel.”
  29. flair
    distinctive and stylish elegance
    “A flair for the dramatic, I see. An artistic soul. Then perhaps you’ll appreciate a performance of my own.”
  30. flourish
    a showy gesture
    She curtsies with a flourish, then gestures to figures lining the balconies above us, wearing bright red cloaks.
  31. accent
    a detail or feature that adds visual emphasis or contrast
    Intricate designs are carved into the surface, and shimmering gold accents sparkle in the torchlight.
  32. assent
    agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
    “How many times have you yourself lectured us about the rules?” someone calls from above. Murmurs of assent echo through the room.
  33. impartial
    showing lack of favoritism
    “You don’t get to choose who wears the Crown!” yells someone from the balcony.
    “I am as impartial as I ever was,” answers Cozmo.
  34. exploit
    use or manipulate to one's advantage
    We mean to be good, decent people and not exploit the power we’ve been given.
  35. wield
    handle effectively
    We must have a leader who wants the Crown and is capable of wielding the full might of the League.
  36. stricken
    affected by something overwhelming
    Maria has gone still, her face stricken.
  37. humble
    marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
    If you offer it to me, I will humbly accept the Crown of Vladimir.
  38. prod
    urge on; cause to act
    “What would you do to stop him?” Cozmo prods.
  39. imbue
    give qualities or abilities to; endow
    “The rings you wear are Game Rings. Each is imbued with special magic—you have only to squeeze it tightly and you will be taken to a dueling ground where a Victor’s Ring can be won.”
  40. oust
    remove from a position or office
    If we can end the time freeze and oust Bane as Prime Minister, she’d be willing to call a League vote to cancel the Great Game.
Created on Sun Feb 26 12:55:29 EST 2023 (updated Wed Mar 08 14:54:41 EST 2023)

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