Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Publication Date: November 7th 2023 by G.P. Putnam & Sons for Young Readers &
Penguin Audio
Pages: 368
Audio Book Length: 9hrs 31min
Narrator: Karissa Vacker
Source: Publisher
Rating: 3-3.5 Stars
My
Thoughts:
I have loved most of Ali Hazelwood’s stories, so even though
I don’t read much YA anymore I was excited to pick this one up. It ended up being
a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed parts, but some not so much, mostly because of
Mallory. She was such a frustrating character. The way she treated her friends and
Nolan rubbed me the wrong way. Also, I think Mallory’s approach to sex (in the
beginning) was supposed to come off as sex positive, but I don’t count <Highlight for spoiler>frequent
random hookups on apps like Tinder a positive for anyone<End of spoiler> much
less the YA crowd this is being marketed to. Lots of pop culture references,
and things in the story that felt they were there to check a box.
Things that worked for me: Nolan! He was so amazing to
Mallory and her family. He didn’t get riled up even we he had just cause. Loved
Mallory’s friends: Easton, Defne and Oz. Loved how Oz served up some much-needed
brutal honesty to Mallory! I enjoyed all the bits about chess. I don’t know much
about the game or competitions, but it was fun and it stirred my curiosity for sure.
I alternated between an audio and e-copy of Check & Mate.
Karissa Vacker is one of my favorite narrators and I think she made the story
more enjoyable. She does such a wonderful job with both male and female voices.
She breathed life into these characters for me! I listened at my usual 1.5x
normal speed.
I’m one of the few who didn’t love Check & Mate, so I’d
check out other reviews, like Kiersten’s
on We Live and Breathe Books or Carole's Random Life.
Book Description:
In this clever and swoonworthy YA debut from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, life's moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.
Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory's focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious "Kingkiller" Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.
Nolan's loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What's even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory's victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can't help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist....
As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren't only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent...and infuriating...)
I am sorry this one did not work for you. I know that characters will either make or break a story, so I understand the reason you were not a fan of this instalment.
ReplyDeleteSo true! I did like parts.
DeleteIt is hard sometimes to write reviews when you love or hate or just don't care about a book. It's important to be honest though because that's how we figure things out and decide what kinds of books work for us. For example, I don't read horror. There's nothing wrong with horror and lots of people read great books in the genre but they wouldn't appeal to me.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Very true, Anne. I like certain parts of the story, but Mallory being the heroine made a big impact on my enjoyment.
DeleteMallory's approach to sex would bug me, too...especially in a YA novel. My favorite Hazelwood novel will probably always be The Love Hypothesis.
ReplyDeleteYes! Not something I'd encourage as healthy sexual behavior for an adult and definitely not something I'd put out there for the 14yr old + crowd.
DeleteI am not shocked to hear about there being sexual stuff in an Ali Hazelwood book, it's what she does. I used to read a LOT of YA, and sex was a part of some books to different degrees. I haven't read the book, so I can't weigh in on how it was done, but it's been a topic in almost every review I have read.
ReplyDeleteI'm not shocked about sex in a YA book. I've read plenty with it included and have no problem with it. My issue is in the spoiler.
DeleteI know little about chess so that part does sound interesting. Too bad the heroine got on your nerves a bit and yeah, that method of getting her sex would be sketchy for me, too. Glad the overall story tone and the hero were a plus.
ReplyDeleteSorry, this is Sophia Rose. :)
DeleteMallory and the way she went about hookups wasn't my favorite part, but the chess part was fun and exciting! :)
DeleteIs she in HS? Cos yeah then I so not count that as positive either. First of all random creeps she can meet! Second random creeps who are much older and lies and just everything
ReplyDeleteShe's just graduated, but had been doing it in HS. Plus, this is marketed as young adult: 14yrs old+! Totally agreed!
DeleteGreat review. I've heard mixed thoughts about this book. I still plan to read it.
ReplyDeleteMost have enjoyed it more than I did! I hope you do too and I look forward to your thoughts. :)
Delete