Scan barcode
samcarag64's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
solaireastora's review against another edition
5.0
A decent adventure mystery novel that revolves around a mystical chess set - the ‘Montglane Service’ buried in Charlemagne’s time and unearthed during the French Revolution. There are actually two stories that take place in the book - one follows Mireille de Remy, a French nun caught up the chaos of the French Revolution. The other follows Caterine Velis, an American computer expert who is sent to work in Algiers in the 1970s.
The book blends into the historical fiction category as the author skillfully incorporates many famous people into the story. As the characters figure out the power of the Montglane Service they also discover that they are part of ‘the game’ - a life and death struggle between black and white - where they are represented by actual chess pieces. An enjoyable read, and the more you know about French history and chess the more you will get out of this book.
The book blends into the historical fiction category as the author skillfully incorporates many famous people into the story. As the characters figure out the power of the Montglane Service they also discover that they are part of ‘the game’ - a life and death struggle between black and white - where they are represented by actual chess pieces. An enjoyable read, and the more you know about French history and chess the more you will get out of this book.
klayperson's review against another edition
5.0
If you’re into chess, history and plausible enough apocrypha/mysticism, then this will be a fun read. It won’t make you exceptionally erudite in French history or teach you in depth about Knight’s Tours, but will likely pique interest in both - enough to read onward and outward. To me, this is what should have been optioned, over say, The Da Vinci Code - similar ish conceptually but more enjoyable.
belindaroussel's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
stephsec's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked how this book jumped and the story kept spiraling. I wish I knew more about chess, I probably could've read it faster if I did. I walked into the library and found the second book about C. Velis, Solarin and others. I had to pick it up and cannot wait to begin reading it.
mckayk's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
deniseaz2021's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.5
Bored me to tears. I stuck with it in hopes there was a payoff. Was not worth my time.
lastpaige111's review against another edition
5.0
I’m so excited that I will get to “meet” Katherine Neville via a Zoom meeting. The US Chess Federation has a women’s chess players’ book club. Without it, I never would have read this novel. I’m so grateful: it’s both brilliant and a terrifically fun romp.