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YOUR MOVE
Deeply intense, and painful emotions viciously tore into the constant thoughts of Cynthia’s mind. She soon learned at seven years old what it was like to not only lose her grandfather, but her best friend. However; her sadness was soon forgotten as she began playing a paranormal game of chess. Cynthia’s grandfather taught her how to play over the last year, playing throughout many cherished evenings. But as the game progresses she finds that not all games are necessarily fun, and Cynthia quickly learns many times our actions have consequences. Even if unfounded, she finds that as she eagerly plays a game of chess in a dark, dusty attic, that many of our action’s consequences prove quite dire. Her eagerness dissipates into a mist of fear, compounding into unforseen scenarios. And like being slowly pushed over a cliff against her will, with only jagged rocks below to comfort her fall, Cynthia’s attempts to resist appear futile.
133 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2023
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 9, 2024
I borrowed this book thanks to my Kindle Unlimited subscription and read it on both my tablet and phone using the Kindle app.
This is a supernatural thriller that chess lovers will adore. Cynthia used to play chess with her grandfather, a man who had even won famous championships, but after his death, she stopped playing.
Later, she discovers the chessboard she used to play with him in the attic and realizes the pieces move on their own. But that’s not the only surprise—her classmates start disappearing whenever her ghostly opponent captures one of her pieces. Are the pieces her friends? Her family? Cynthia cannot lose this game and will do anything to defeat the ghost controlling the board.
I really enjoyed this quick and engaging novella. I had already read the sequel, so I was familiar with the characters beforehand, which made this story even more enjoyable. I completely recommend it, even if you’re not typically into paranormal thrillers!
This is a supernatural thriller that chess lovers will adore. Cynthia used to play chess with her grandfather, a man who had even won famous championships, but after his death, she stopped playing.
Later, she discovers the chessboard she used to play with him in the attic and realizes the pieces move on their own. But that’s not the only surprise—her classmates start disappearing whenever her ghostly opponent captures one of her pieces. Are the pieces her friends? Her family? Cynthia cannot lose this game and will do anything to defeat the ghost controlling the board.
I really enjoyed this quick and engaging novella. I had already read the sequel, so I was familiar with the characters beforehand, which made this story even more enjoyable. I completely recommend it, even if you’re not typically into paranormal thrillers!
August 3, 2024
I don’t usually read of the supernatural genre, but this time, I—an excessively slow reader—have finished this book in less than three days, something that hadn’t happened to me since my childhood (not counting in some university textbooks, but those weren’t pleasant at all, while this one was!)
And this might be due to the unique voice of this novel, which made me forget how scary the story actually was, and let me see it for what it really was: a charming and heartwarming mystery tale about coping with the loss of someone beloved, through the eyes of a child.
And, this time, a real child, not a grownup’s dim idea of how a child should be. And this is because the diction itself calls to mind a real child—a straightforward, original, spirited little girl—who keeps getting away from the point, every detail reminding her of a slice of her own little (many times inside) world. It’s cozy and entertaining to read how she remarks little things around her, from a clock hanging from the wall to her own goosebumps, the way little things suddenly get important for a child (and for an adult as well, when stress wakes up the sleeping child inside) in the face of grave and dire occurrences.
These are much more than well-chosen similes and precisely crafted tiny pictures. These little observations about ordinary things—school, family, human weaknesses as well as the seamy side of democracy—make this story so relatable, even that she tells her thoughts about everyday life through a supernatural plot.
This is why side characters are so well depicted: the mom who's "mindlessly going through her day to day routines" (she's near to death now, over twenty-five—as a child sees her); the grandpa who—as a message from an era that's now lost forever—used to iron all his clothes precisely, and "to sip his coffee before replacing it perfectly centered on his coaster with a standard lighthouse image".
And while it was the plot, the unfolding mystery that kept me awake, and didn’t let me put down the book (giving me some really cathartic moments, like when she realizes where the book is from, or when anger helps her overcome her fear), the majority of my highlights came from these well formulated similes and pictures, many of which I know I will remember for a long time.
And this might be due to the unique voice of this novel, which made me forget how scary the story actually was, and let me see it for what it really was: a charming and heartwarming mystery tale about coping with the loss of someone beloved, through the eyes of a child.
And, this time, a real child, not a grownup’s dim idea of how a child should be. And this is because the diction itself calls to mind a real child—a straightforward, original, spirited little girl—who keeps getting away from the point, every detail reminding her of a slice of her own little (many times inside) world. It’s cozy and entertaining to read how she remarks little things around her, from a clock hanging from the wall to her own goosebumps, the way little things suddenly get important for a child (and for an adult as well, when stress wakes up the sleeping child inside) in the face of grave and dire occurrences.
These are much more than well-chosen similes and precisely crafted tiny pictures. These little observations about ordinary things—school, family, human weaknesses as well as the seamy side of democracy—make this story so relatable, even that she tells her thoughts about everyday life through a supernatural plot.
This is why side characters are so well depicted: the mom who's "mindlessly going through her day to day routines" (she's near to death now, over twenty-five—as a child sees her); the grandpa who—as a message from an era that's now lost forever—used to iron all his clothes precisely, and "to sip his coffee before replacing it perfectly centered on his coaster with a standard lighthouse image".
And while it was the plot, the unfolding mystery that kept me awake, and didn’t let me put down the book (giving me some really cathartic moments, like when she realizes where the book is from, or when anger helps her overcome her fear), the majority of my highlights came from these well formulated similes and pictures, many of which I know I will remember for a long time.
December 18, 2024
Chess to the Death
Fascinating plot, with a child playing chess with the ghost of her recently deceased grandfather. But when friends and teachers from school go missing each time she loses a piece on the board, the real horror begins. This story is a lot of fun to follow along with, although some of the paragraphs were way too long and drawn out for my taste. They might have been better broken up or edited down. Also, the main character tells the story in first person, but as a seven-year-old child, she seems to speak and act like someone much older. I did enjoy the unyielding terror of the entity and how it forced this child to continue playing unless she wanted everyone to die. The finale was fun and unexpected and gives the reader room to interpret what happens next.
Fascinating plot, with a child playing chess with the ghost of her recently deceased grandfather. But when friends and teachers from school go missing each time she loses a piece on the board, the real horror begins. This story is a lot of fun to follow along with, although some of the paragraphs were way too long and drawn out for my taste. They might have been better broken up or edited down. Also, the main character tells the story in first person, but as a seven-year-old child, she seems to speak and act like someone much older. I did enjoy the unyielding terror of the entity and how it forced this child to continue playing unless she wanted everyone to die. The finale was fun and unexpected and gives the reader room to interpret what happens next.
June 14, 2025
From the Heart of a Child
Loss is a difficult situation for everyone - even more so for children. After the loss of her grandfather, Cynthia finds herself lost in grief. Albeit, she simultaneously finds herself caught in a game of chess with a mysterious entity. Has her grandfather returned to play one last game- or is there something more sinister at work? Overall, 'Your Move' is fit for critical analysis - one can note Cynthia as a neurodivergent child through her voice and one could also speculate the story is a metaphor for loss. Whether or not a reader wants to dig deeper into the book's flesh- the read is enjoyable at best!
Loss is a difficult situation for everyone - even more so for children. After the loss of her grandfather, Cynthia finds herself lost in grief. Albeit, she simultaneously finds herself caught in a game of chess with a mysterious entity. Has her grandfather returned to play one last game- or is there something more sinister at work? Overall, 'Your Move' is fit for critical analysis - one can note Cynthia as a neurodivergent child through her voice and one could also speculate the story is a metaphor for loss. Whether or not a reader wants to dig deeper into the book's flesh- the read is enjoyable at best!
December 19, 2025
When Cynthia loses her grandfather, she pulls out his old chessboard they used to play with together. When the pieces begin moving on their own she assumes its him, but what she doesnt know is something more and more sinister is at play and every move counts.
This psychological thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. You never know when and who the next victim will be. The description throughout the book is that descriptive you can see the colors and how the chess pieces glow. You can see the dust and spider webs, you can see the entire scene play and how it plays out.
It gives a fantastic ending to a wonderfully dreadful story.
This psychological thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. You never know when and who the next victim will be. The description throughout the book is that descriptive you can see the colors and how the chess pieces glow. You can see the dust and spider webs, you can see the entire scene play and how it plays out.
It gives a fantastic ending to a wonderfully dreadful story.
December 6, 2024
When Cynthia loses her grandfather, she expects she'll never get to play chess with him again, but when she sets up his chessboard in the attic and pieces start moving, she gets hopeful. At least, until her friends start disappear as she loses pieces...
November 19, 2024
This was an amazing story ghosts and cheat and the stuff that happens with the cheat pieces was oh my it was pretty intense at times as my eyes went wider and wider as I was reading
November 15, 2023
I was amazed at the detail which amplified the suspense. A fun thriller that somehow is comical at the right times without taking away the weight of the simple story. Loved the twists and heart felt story, something I hadn't expected when starting the book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews