IMMORTAL GAME

Mortal and fae chess champions play for high stakes in a tale that’s infused with Irish folklore.

A chess sensation since the age of 8, Shea Fury, who’s now 19, has long coveted an invitation to the chess tournament of Midir of Bri Leith, the High King of the Irish Otherworld, held at his imposing castle in lush Tír nAill once every century (in mortal time). A victory would satisfy Shea’s competitive drive and allow her to free her older sister Aideen, who’s been married to Midir ever since Shea challenged the king to a chess match six years earlier. Shea’s rivals include brilliant Russian Daniil Tsoi; Princess Ciara, Midir’s younger sister; and Lily, a mortal who maneuvered her way in despite lacking the title of grandmaster. Midir will grant a wish to the player who defeats him (something that’s never happened). When Shea and Ciara are paired for partner chess in the second round, Shea experiences a spark of attraction to the freckled, copper-haired princess, a feeling that may be mutual. Lush descriptions of faerie landscapes, sumptuous garments, and moss-covered stone bolster a magical atmosphere that’s balanced by chess terminology, strategies, and plays. The sheer size of the cast of human and fae characters (who present white) leaves some storylines feeling thinly developed, but Shea and Ciara are a well-matched and satisfying pair.

Calculated chess logic entwined with a heady dose of fae intrigue, magic, and romance.