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trid_for_kicks's review
3.0
This was a surprisingly good book. Much of the plot was kind of predictable (it's one of those feel-good, "underdog of a competition", teen stories), but it was still engaging. Both the main character and his father were pretty interesting, and even though I know nothing about chess, I was able to follow along. I loved that it was about the relationship between a father and son, and how important that is. Good story.
l_brina's review
3.0
That last chess game was kinda crazy. Especially when what'shisface was hinting back to the time where David's father tried to ki*l himself
jennchandler's review
4.0
Very enjoyable. I particularly liked that the book examined the importance of finding a balance between success and/or a career and family.
booklover_mia's review
4.0
this book was surprisingly good , at first it was going to be 3 stars but it turned out to be 4 stars because of the ending . i wish they actually talked more about chess and stuff like that but i also liked how they touched suicide attempts and panic attacks. anyway
daniel x liu <3
daniel x liu <3
lazygal's review
3.0
Chess as the backdrop to a father/son reconciliation and Lessons Learned - nothing that special about the plot, but using chess was an interesting choice. If you remember the story of Bobby Fisher and his breakdown, the stress he felt as a grandmaster, this will make even more sense. With more students studying chess, a story like this is pretty timely as a reminder that any competition (even one as geeky as chess) can be overamped by both children and parents.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
chrissymcbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
Starting with a confession. I was in the chess club, for one year -- in sixth grade. Okay, so I joined because I knew fully well that I would be the only girl in the room, and sixth grade is right about the time to start seeing a room full of boys as a tremendous asset. I did know how to play chess, on a very basic level, but I didn't know enough to ever win. Plus, the boys in chess club didn't turn out to be the type of boys who appealed to my sixth grade self anyways, so I ended up quitting chess club.
When I had the opportunity to review GRANDMASTER by David Klass, I wasn't sure how much I could really relate to a novel about really serious chess players. I mean, a Grandmaster, from what Google taught me, is a hardcore chess player of the ultimate caliber -- and it's a title that is set for life. So, I imagined that this little gem would be full of semi-tutorial descriptions on obscure chess moves that may not necessarily catch my fancy.
Luckily, I was wrong, and GRANDMASTER ended up being not only a coming-of-age story for a young, awkward teenage boy, but also a story of realization for his frail father, who turned out to be a closet Grandmaster who was hiding his skills from his family for mysterious reasons. So, when freshman Daniel Pratzer is given the opportunity to finally be somebody at school, through entering an intense parent-child chess tournament, he begs his father to reconsider his abandonment of the game. Will terrifying secrets from his past prevent Mr. Pratzer from facing his ultimate competition with his son?
I think for those who enjoy fairly quick reads with wholesome storylines, excellent character development, and a quieter focus on the characters themselves than on thrilling plot twists, GRANDMASTER may be a pretty good choice for your next read! I'm glad I had the opportunity to preview this novel for review purposes and thank the publisher for this consideration. :)
When I had the opportunity to review GRANDMASTER by David Klass, I wasn't sure how much I could really relate to a novel about really serious chess players. I mean, a Grandmaster, from what Google taught me, is a hardcore chess player of the ultimate caliber -- and it's a title that is set for life. So, I imagined that this little gem would be full of semi-tutorial descriptions on obscure chess moves that may not necessarily catch my fancy.
Luckily, I was wrong, and GRANDMASTER ended up being not only a coming-of-age story for a young, awkward teenage boy, but also a story of realization for his frail father, who turned out to be a closet Grandmaster who was hiding his skills from his family for mysterious reasons. So, when freshman Daniel Pratzer is given the opportunity to finally be somebody at school, through entering an intense parent-child chess tournament, he begs his father to reconsider his abandonment of the game. Will terrifying secrets from his past prevent Mr. Pratzer from facing his ultimate competition with his son?
I think for those who enjoy fairly quick reads with wholesome storylines, excellent character development, and a quieter focus on the characters themselves than on thrilling plot twists, GRANDMASTER may be a pretty good choice for your next read! I'm glad I had the opportunity to preview this novel for review purposes and thank the publisher for this consideration. :)
tlsuggs416's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hannahsophialin's review
4.0
Being one of the little gems hidden in the teen shelves at the library, Grandmaster is apparently one of the few books about chess that's fiction and not a how to book or a book about the best moves to smack your opponents down in chess.
It is also a book that I have completely mixed feelings about – a book that I completely relate to as a chess player (I AM a girl, thank you very much), Grandmaster deals with the darker side of chess at the higher level competition in a thriller-like fashion. As the book goes from start to end and the tournament gets closer to the final round, you can literally tell from Klass' writing that the tension among the competitors are growing along with the excitement at the possibility of seeing two rival grandmasters from several decades facing off each other in the final round.
Grandmaster did have a few imperfections, much as Klass' writing was engrossing and highly interesting – there were quite a few clichés and stereotypes, and the majority of the characters were so annoying, I had some tendency to not finish the book simply because of the characters.
Everyone makes this particular tournament a whoppingly huge deal and we have players from all walks of life, particularly the extremely snobby ones from the rich and wealthy. Of all the rounds Klass talks about, almost all of the players faced someone snobby – every once in a blue moon there would be a player who was at the very least friendly.
Most of the characters are extremely competitive and have a temper of sorts – Dr. Chisolm and Mr. Kinney throw insults at Grandmaster Pratzer, and Brad and Eric (the stereotypes of playboy and lazy bum superstar) make fun of Daniel. Mr. Kinney in particularly is the most competitive of all and probably the next Christian Grey with the way he orders people around – don't get me started on that.
And each time the characters lose, all of them (aside from Daniel) are literally on the verge of losing control. From stomping out, turning angrily red, huffing and puffing – Klass might even be sending a subtle message about having good sportsmanship.
As the tournament and the book draws to a close, the book does get better – the characters finally get their act together and make some changes (though they don't change so much that it becomes unrealistic). The ending is a happily ever after, a nice comparison to the high stakes and pressures of a chess tournament that Klass reveals throughout.
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts
It is also a book that I have completely mixed feelings about – a book that I completely relate to as a chess player (I AM a girl, thank you very much), Grandmaster deals with the darker side of chess at the higher level competition in a thriller-like fashion. As the book goes from start to end and the tournament gets closer to the final round, you can literally tell from Klass' writing that the tension among the competitors are growing along with the excitement at the possibility of seeing two rival grandmasters from several decades facing off each other in the final round.
Grandmaster did have a few imperfections, much as Klass' writing was engrossing and highly interesting – there were quite a few clichés and stereotypes, and the majority of the characters were so annoying, I had some tendency to not finish the book simply because of the characters.
Everyone makes this particular tournament a whoppingly huge deal and we have players from all walks of life, particularly the extremely snobby ones from the rich and wealthy. Of all the rounds Klass talks about, almost all of the players faced someone snobby – every once in a blue moon there would be a player who was at the very least friendly.
Most of the characters are extremely competitive and have a temper of sorts – Dr. Chisolm and Mr. Kinney throw insults at Grandmaster Pratzer, and Brad and Eric (the stereotypes of playboy and lazy bum superstar) make fun of Daniel. Mr. Kinney in particularly is the most competitive of all and probably the next Christian Grey with the way he orders people around – don't get me started on that.
And each time the characters lose, all of them (aside from Daniel) are literally on the verge of losing control. From stomping out, turning angrily red, huffing and puffing – Klass might even be sending a subtle message about having good sportsmanship.
As the tournament and the book draws to a close, the book does get better – the characters finally get their act together and make some changes (though they don't change so much that it becomes unrealistic). The ending is a happily ever after, a nice comparison to the high stakes and pressures of a chess tournament that Klass reveals throughout.
If you're up against a strong player get him off the book and make him think for himself.
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts
foreveryoungadult's review
Graded By: Mandy W.
Cover Story: Surprise Big Face
BFF Charm: Stuart Smalley
Swoonworthy Scale: 1
Talky Talk: A Little Bit Dramatic
Bonus Factors: Chess, Tournament, Fathers and Sons
Relationship Status: Clubs Week Pal
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Surprise Big Face
BFF Charm: Stuart Smalley
Swoonworthy Scale: 1
Talky Talk: A Little Bit Dramatic
Bonus Factors: Chess, Tournament, Fathers and Sons
Relationship Status: Clubs Week Pal
Read the full book report here.
maidmarianlib's review
4.0
Great alternative sports title and has some great father and son connections as well.