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A review by linara4522
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I whisper-screamed at 2 am for two days straight, and for that reason alone, I'm giving this 4.5 🌟
This book isn't perfect. Far from it, even. However, the internal turmoil within the main character and the depths given to each interpersonal relationship she has is impressive. I found myself empathic in more ways than one, and not just toward the main character but also her family and friend (yes, singular).
This book could've been better if Mallory had better judgement. Don't get me wrong, even though her choices are justified by her past and I get the way she thinks, I myself think like her at times (well, more than 'at times'), her decisions come across as immature and unthought. Despite her being in her head a lot, not much comes out of it. The answers to her problems are so evident, and yet she never seems to be able to find them. She just seems daft at times, that's all.
But all in all, this book made me giggle, shriek, and even gasp. I'm a chess fan and always have been so ofc I might be biased when I say that this book was <i> ENTERTAINING</i>! Yes, folks, you heard me correctly. This book was SO MUCH FUN. I mean, I can't even remember the last time I had this much fun with a book.
You should read it. :)
This book isn't perfect. Far from it, even. However, the internal turmoil within the main character and the depths given to each interpersonal relationship she has is impressive. I found myself empathic in more ways than one, and not just toward the main character but also her family and friend (yes, singular).
This book could've been better if Mallory had better judgement. Don't get me wrong, even though her choices are justified by her past and I get the way she thinks, I myself think like her at times (well, more than 'at times'), her decisions come across as immature and unthought. Despite her being in her head a lot, not much comes out of it. The answers to her problems are so evident, and yet she never seems to be able to find them. She just seems daft at times, that's all.
But all in all, this book made me giggle, shriek, and even gasp. I'm a chess fan and always have been so ofc I might be biased when I say that this book was <i> ENTERTAINING</i>! Yes, folks, you heard me correctly. This book was SO MUCH FUN. I mean, I can't even remember the last time I had this much fun with a book.
You should read it. :)