A review by athenacomplex
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

fast-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

3.5

probably not chess accurate but very cute; one of ali hazelwood’s best imo. as always the best friend character is one-dimensional and the main man is strangely buff, but the main character’s dysfunctional family trope was surprisingly not badly written. the abrupt ending was odd, but given the author’s lack of experience with chess, i’m sure it was difficult to write about the championship.