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Immortal Game
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26In #1 New York Times bestseller Allison Saft’s enthralling new romantic fantasy, a chess grandmaster will go to any length to save the person she loves the most.
Six years ago, Shea Fury’s sister was whisked away by the High King of the Otherworld, the ruler of the treacherous land of fae. Although Shea has spent the years since dreaming of rescuing her sister from captivity, the Iron Veil that separates the human world from that of the fae has made it only a wish. That is, until an invitation to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime chess tournament in the Otherworld arrives on Shea’s doorstep. The winner of the tournament may ask the High King to grant one wish, and Shea is finally within reach of hers.
But entering the tournament and winning it are two different matters. Dark magic lurks around every corner in the Otherworld, and Shea’s cutthroat opponents are willing to bend the rules to make their own wishes come true. To make it to the end—and to find her sister—she is forced to strike an alliance with her longtime rival, the sharply beautiful fae princess, Ciara of Bri Leith. One wrong move, though, and Shea could lose more than just the competition: She’d lose her sister, her dignity, and maybe even her life.
In Immortal Game, Allison Saft has written a high-stakes sapphic love story brimming with competitive tension set against a lush, Irish folklore-inspired fantasy world.
Six years ago, Shea Fury’s sister was whisked away by the High King of the Otherworld, the ruler of the treacherous land of fae. Although Shea has spent the years since dreaming of rescuing her sister from captivity, the Iron Veil that separates the human world from that of the fae has made it only a wish. That is, until an invitation to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime chess tournament in the Otherworld arrives on Shea’s doorstep. The winner of the tournament may ask the High King to grant one wish, and Shea is finally within reach of hers.
But entering the tournament and winning it are two different matters. Dark magic lurks around every corner in the Otherworld, and Shea’s cutthroat opponents are willing to bend the rules to make their own wishes come true. To make it to the end—and to find her sister—she is forced to strike an alliance with her longtime rival, the sharply beautiful fae princess, Ciara of Bri Leith. One wrong move, though, and Shea could lose more than just the competition: She’d lose her sister, her dignity, and maybe even her life.
In Immortal Game, Allison Saft has written a high-stakes sapphic love story brimming with competitive tension set against a lush, Irish folklore-inspired fantasy world.
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 4, 2026
40 people are currently reading
15199 people want to read
About the author
Allison Saft
6 books4,129 followersAllison Saft is the New York Times and indie bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic and Down Comes the Night. After receiving her MA in English Literature from Tulane University, she moved from the Gulf Coast to the West Coast, where she spends her time rolling on eight wheels and practicing aerial silks. She lives with her partner and an Italian greyhound named Marzipan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
March 1, 2026
Allison Saft looked at current Fae stories and decided that they needed more lesbians playing chess in them, and I can only agree with that. Because after I found the beginning to be a bit rough, this turned out to be a great read for me. I didn't love how this book started out with dropping a lot of information onto the reader, not introducing anything properly. But it also made sense, because the protagonist, Shea Fury, doesn't need an introduction to anything. She has lived her whole life in a world that is separated from a Fae otherworld by a veil, and she already knows more about the Fae than she would like to anyway. As a chess grandmaster she plays regularly against the Fae who are weirdly obsessed with the game and mortal art in general. Humans on the other hand rarely cross the veil, although it's not uncommon that they are stolen away when the Fae take an interest in them. The same happened to Shea's sister Aideen, and Shea has been working her entire life to get the chance to face the Fae King who took her again. Her wish gets granted when she is invited to a famous chess tournament in the otherworld where she also meets the Fae Princess Ciara who happens to be an old chess rival of Shea's. It really does sound weird when I write it out like that, but something about this unusual mix of chess in the modern world and Fae fantasy really worked for me. Even though I can't confidently say that I understand the game. I don't play chess and all I know about it comes from the time when The Queen’s Gambit was popular and from that one class I took in university about European medieval chess literature (don't ask). Maybe chess nerds will get even more out of this book, but I didn't mind that I couldn't follow the games move by move. I was actually surprised that the author managed to make the games so intriguing anyway. The descriptions were less about every single move made and more about the overall feel of the game. How it's developing, who has the upper hand, who becomes more and more nervous during it. Sometimes there were very beautiful explanations even, describing how chess is a bridge between two souls, how it feels to get to know the opponent through their moves and reactions. Shea and Ciara's relationship really worked because of that too. They have a history and played many times before and while they always were rivals, their connection also felt intimate. Every character had good reasons to participate in the tournament whose winner will get whatever they wish for, and that led to such dramatic moments whenever two people I was rooting for faced each other in the tournament. I was living for that. The chess tournament ended up being way more exciting than I ever thought possible. Yes, they were mostly playing chess, but in the background there always was a bit of faerie magic or an unbreakable oath that made everything way more interesting. There were also other competitive activities between games and a lot of time to properly meet the characters. Overall, I ended up liking this a lot and I'm glad that it turned around early on. I haven't read everything by her yet, but Allison Saft remains a very solid author to me and I will happily continue to look forward to her books.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Wednesday Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Wednesday Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
October 15, 2025what a cover!
January 23, 2026
what if our chess rivalry was secretly a way for us to connect with each other while rediscovering a love for the game that had been tainted by a quest for revenge against a powerful fae king ? what then?
“Tell me I am delusional, or give me what I want”
more fae being little freaks who make deadly bargains and chase revenge for thousands of years please!!
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing me an advance review copy. full review to come
Bookstagram | Blog
“Tell me I am delusional, or give me what I want”
more fae being little freaks who make deadly bargains and chase revenge for thousands of years please!!
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing me an advance review copy. full review to come
Bookstagram | Blog
remind-me-once-out
October 14, 2025*GRABBY HANDS*
March 11, 2026
meh.
i love allison saft and will read anything she writes, but that does come at the cost of knowing that her books are generally very slow moving and at times boring. this book fell under both categories, and while still being rich in description, characterization, and plot development, i didn't find myself excited to pick it up or reaching for it often. this could be my fault; i haven't been in a fantasy mood, nevertheless for YA fantasy, and the Fae stuff is just a tad overdone at this point (but i know, what else are you supposed to write about?).
the chess stuff was fun and a unique twist, andand i did like how saft built up everything with midir--that with his eye and all. i thoroughly enjoyed saft's angle on many of the fantasy elements. the romance was a bit lackluster and bland and didn't resonate with me in any special way. it was the weakest aspect of the novel.
still, it was a good book with many twists and turns, predictable fantasy-esque betrayals and motifs, that i would recommend to anybody wanting a lush read.
thank you wednesday books for the arc
i love allison saft and will read anything she writes, but that does come at the cost of knowing that her books are generally very slow moving and at times boring. this book fell under both categories, and while still being rich in description, characterization, and plot development, i didn't find myself excited to pick it up or reaching for it often. this could be my fault; i haven't been in a fantasy mood, nevertheless for YA fantasy, and the Fae stuff is just a tad overdone at this point (but i know, what else are you supposed to write about?).
the chess stuff was fun and a unique twist, andand i did like how saft built up everything with midir--that with his eye and all. i thoroughly enjoyed saft's angle on many of the fantasy elements. the romance was a bit lackluster and bland and didn't resonate with me in any special way. it was the weakest aspect of the novel.
still, it was a good book with many twists and turns, predictable fantasy-esque betrayals and motifs, that i would recommend to anybody wanting a lush read.
thank you wednesday books for the arc
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
rtc after i play a few games of chess iykwim ;)
♟️ || ᴘʀᴇʀᴇᴀᴅ:
₊⊹⁀➴ a fantasy book about chess and faeries?! count me in!!!
♟️ || ᴘʀᴇʀᴇᴀᴅ:
₊⊹⁀➴ a fantasy book about chess and faeries?! count me in!!!
Want to read
February 17, 2026
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
The Cruel Prince meets The Queen’s Gambit!!!!
The Cruel Prince meets The Queen’s Gambit!!!!
March 3, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ Rounded Up
Chess? Faes? Love? Loss?
What an incredible mixture of such unexpected pieces. I didn’t think I could be so into reading about chess. The author did an absolute incredible job of keeping the book interesting.
I thought it was a great little addition to add flashback chapters, this really pulls the story together because of the backstory given. A chess tournament? With a possibility of getting one wish with no restrictions? What a surprise.
It took me a second to get into it, mainly because I was lost for probably the first 20% of the book. Once everything clicked I was long for the ride. Seriously, I kept trying to guess what on earth was going to happen next, and I was wrong every time. It was impressive the twists and turns that came every round.
Ciara was so charming yet cocky? It worked so well for her. Shea grew so much and gained so much confidence, I’m so proud of her. I must admit, Daniil was a surprise favorite for me, he became such a solid character. Of course so many things could’ve been resolved from the jump with a little communication, but what’s the fun in that?
This was such an original concept, I’ve never read anything like this. If a book can surprise me with its story, it’s a winner to me.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Chess? Faes? Love? Loss?
What an incredible mixture of such unexpected pieces. I didn’t think I could be so into reading about chess. The author did an absolute incredible job of keeping the book interesting.
I thought it was a great little addition to add flashback chapters, this really pulls the story together because of the backstory given. A chess tournament? With a possibility of getting one wish with no restrictions? What a surprise.
It took me a second to get into it, mainly because I was lost for probably the first 20% of the book. Once everything clicked I was long for the ride. Seriously, I kept trying to guess what on earth was going to happen next, and I was wrong every time. It was impressive the twists and turns that came every round.
Ciara was so charming yet cocky? It worked so well for her. Shea grew so much and gained so much confidence, I’m so proud of her. I must admit, Daniil was a surprise favorite for me, he became such a solid character. Of course so many things could’ve been resolved from the jump with a little communication, but what’s the fun in that?
This was such an original concept, I’ve never read anything like this. If a book can surprise me with its story, it’s a winner to me.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I went in expecting part tournament, part murder mystery. Why else would the blurb say “players start to drop dead at their boards”? Turns out it’s just the King killing players caught cheating, and everyone just shrugs and moves on. It felt like a cheap hook to grab my attention, and it did the rest of the story a real disservice.
As for the rest:
The female lead was incredibly hard to root for. Her entire personality is built around rescuing a sister who chose to leave for the fae realm six years ago.
The romance felt disappointingly flat. I didn’t care about the couple at all.
The only character that I actually liked was Daniil.
The tournament was the highlight for the first half of the book, but after the 5th time reading about it play-by-play it becomes pretty grating.
The ending wraps up nicely, but also by that point I didn’t care what happened to any of them.
A Far Wilder Magic was also a let down for me, so I think I just don’t vibe with this author’s writing and characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
As for the rest:
The female lead was incredibly hard to root for. Her entire personality is built around rescuing a sister who chose to leave for the fae realm six years ago.
The romance felt disappointingly flat. I didn’t care about the couple at all.
The only character that I actually liked was Daniil.
The tournament was the highlight for the first half of the book, but after the 5th time reading about it play-by-play it becomes pretty grating.
The ending wraps up nicely, but also by that point I didn’t care what happened to any of them.
A Far Wilder Magic was also a let down for me, so I think I just don’t vibe with this author’s writing and characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Want to read
March 6, 2026i am a simple gal. i see a new allison saft book announced, i add it to my tbr.
this sounds really good!
update 10/14/2025 - COVER REVEAL!!!!!! SHES GORG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
update 3/6/2026 - advanced copy sent to my email????? i didn't even have to request it i'm so happy thank you publishers for this GIFT I am soooooooo excited
this sounds really good!
update 10/14/2025 - COVER REVEAL!!!!!! SHES GORG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
update 3/6/2026 - advanced copy sent to my email????? i didn't even have to request it i'm so happy thank you publishers for this GIFT I am soooooooo excited
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I need Saft to write an adult fantasy with a darker, grittier atmosphere. I think she would excel at it and most of my problems with her books would go away.
I like the competition aspect, I don't care much for chess but the book made me weirdly invested. The characters are a little flat and the romance even more so. The ending was a little too perfect, too fairytale perhaps is the right way to put it. Both the writing and overall vibe of the story was very good, but it lacked something which is why I made that remark at the beginning.
If you like holly black you would give it a try.
Thank you Netgalley and SMP/Wednesday books for the ARC.
I like the competition aspect, I don't care much for chess but the book made me weirdly invested. The characters are a little flat and the romance even more so. The ending was a little too perfect, too fairytale perhaps is the right way to put it. Both the writing and overall vibe of the story was very good, but it lacked something which is why I made that remark at the beginning.
If you like holly black you would give it a try.
Thank you Netgalley and SMP/Wednesday books for the ARC.
Want to read
September 1, 2025Are you kidding me I need this
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
the chess elements on this book was good that even me, a non-chess player nor enjoyer still can appreciate how much allison saft did her research and understands chess. however! there's so many things that just don't work. the romance was bland and so lacking chemistry that it can be used to induced sleep. there's nothing believable about their attraction. the ending was too fairytale-esque happy ending like fuckkkk being merciful and all that bullshit KILL THAT DISRUPTIVE KILLER! also the characters... mind u everyone is somehow still more likeable or at least fascinating than the fmc (except her mom ig). i usually can like stubborn, reckless characters, but shea crosses the line from that to stupidity to an archaic level. ciara may not find joy in seeing shea's suffering, but i do! serves you right you hot-headed, idiotic, selfish, self-centered girl. saying this book is pike the cruel prince meets the queen's gambit is a disservice tbh jude duarte and beth harmon would grind shea into insignificant dust in 5 seconds
Want to read
May 28, 2025allison saft feeding us sapphic excellence again in 2026. we have never been so back.
Want to read
November 28, 2025WHAT IS THIS BEAUTY THAT I SEE BEFORE ME
anticipated-releases
October 15, 2025if you ever wonder how much I adore Allison Saft, I am learning how to play chess for this book.
Want to read
November 20, 2025this is suuuch a unique concept
November 30, 2025
like 3.5 (added 0.5 for all the chess references) this was actually so fun 😭 maybe i would feel more indifferent about hadn’t it been for the chess but you can see allison saft KNOWS chess lore and it was so satisfying coming across these mentions here and there from a niche topic i obsess over and know a lot about
March 12, 2026
4 ⭐️
Huge thank you to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book.
What a fun, cozy standalone romantasy this was! It was sooo refreshing to read something new and novel. I really did not expect to like a fantasy book about a chess tournament but this such a nice change of pace.
I know absolutely nothing about chess but the author made it so I wasn’t confused or lost at any part. I imagine that anyone who enjoys playing chess would really have a great time reading this, relating to all of the history and theory the author talks about.
Definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy or a different and refreshing standalone.
Huge thank you to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book.
What a fun, cozy standalone romantasy this was! It was sooo refreshing to read something new and novel. I really did not expect to like a fantasy book about a chess tournament but this such a nice change of pace.
I know absolutely nothing about chess but the author made it so I wasn’t confused or lost at any part. I imagine that anyone who enjoys playing chess would really have a great time reading this, relating to all of the history and theory the author talks about.
Definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy or a different and refreshing standalone.
February 28, 2026
Never in my life did I think fae stories needed more chess but this was so great actually!! I saw the Cruel Prince comparisons and knew I needed to read this as soon as humanly possible and I’m sooooo glad to report it delivered. The start was a little rough and I was a little skeptical about the chess part (also because I am extremely bad at the game) but it pulled me in and wouldn’t let me go. The character development tugged at my heart and I loved watching the relationships grow. Shae and Ciara you have my heart foreverrrrrr. I loved this and I’m excited to see its release this August as I will definitely pick up a physical copy. More lesbian chess playing nerds please!!
Massive thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the copy in exchange for an honest review!
Massive thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the copy in exchange for an honest review!
November 1, 2025
4.5 stars
I love you sapphic faerie chess book!!
I love you sapphic faerie chess book!!
February 23, 2026
4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for this advanced copy! You can pick up Immortal Game on August 4, 2026.
I've loved every book I've picked up by Allison Saft, and Immortal Game is no exception. She took two fantastic concepts (chess and fae) and wove them together into a cutthroat competition where only one can come out on top. And that one is NOT supposed to be 19-year-old human Shea Fury, a chess Grand Master who is hell-bent on winning the competition and freeing her sister from the King of the Otherworld, Midir.
So much of Shea's character is tied up in Midir and chess. He played against her when she was a child, and though it was a draw, Shea bears the scars from that game. For six years, she's annihilated her chess competitors for this one chance to face Midir again and right the mistakes she made in her previous game.
But standing in Shea's way are a number of exceptional chess players, including the flighty fae princess, Ciara. Can Shea overlook her gorgeous rival and keep her eyes focused on the prize?
By the end of the book, I was all in on Ciara and Shea's rivals-to-lovers relationship. We see them bond over the tournament, becoming more vulnerable and peeling back more layers as the stakes get higher. But I do wish we'd gotten more flashback scenes or visceral moments to help us understand how this rivalry made Shea feel leading up to the big competition. So much is told to us by Shea at the beginning, even though we do see flashbacks for other pivotal moments. Namely, moments involving Shea and her older sister, Aideen.
The relationship between these sisters is the true driving force of this story. We understand Shea's anger and fear at her sister's leaving, as well as the horrible circumstances Aideen found herself in, and how those influenced her choices. The ending had me emotional, and I do truly feel like both sisters healed each other in the only way they could.
The action and chess scenes were great, and I appreciated the relationships Shea cultivated with her other competitors in addition to Ciara. Sometimes it was hard to like or relate to Shea when she was in the throes of her anger and fear, but by the end, we empathize with her and see a future where she doesn't carry so much weight on her shoulders.
All in all, if you love the sapphic Queen's Gambit x Cruel Prince vibes this book gives off, I think it's perfect for you!
I've loved every book I've picked up by Allison Saft, and Immortal Game is no exception. She took two fantastic concepts (chess and fae) and wove them together into a cutthroat competition where only one can come out on top. And that one is NOT supposed to be 19-year-old human Shea Fury, a chess Grand Master who is hell-bent on winning the competition and freeing her sister from the King of the Otherworld, Midir.
So much of Shea's character is tied up in Midir and chess. He played against her when she was a child, and though it was a draw, Shea bears the scars from that game. For six years, she's annihilated her chess competitors for this one chance to face Midir again and right the mistakes she made in her previous game.
But standing in Shea's way are a number of exceptional chess players, including the flighty fae princess, Ciara. Can Shea overlook her gorgeous rival and keep her eyes focused on the prize?
By the end of the book, I was all in on Ciara and Shea's rivals-to-lovers relationship. We see them bond over the tournament, becoming more vulnerable and peeling back more layers as the stakes get higher. But I do wish we'd gotten more flashback scenes or visceral moments to help us understand how this rivalry made Shea feel leading up to the big competition. So much is told to us by Shea at the beginning, even though we do see flashbacks for other pivotal moments. Namely, moments involving Shea and her older sister, Aideen.
The relationship between these sisters is the true driving force of this story. We understand Shea's anger and fear at her sister's leaving, as well as the horrible circumstances Aideen found herself in, and how those influenced her choices. The ending had me emotional, and I do truly feel like both sisters healed each other in the only way they could.
The action and chess scenes were great, and I appreciated the relationships Shea cultivated with her other competitors in addition to Ciara. Sometimes it was hard to like or relate to Shea when she was in the throes of her anger and fear, but by the end, we empathize with her and see a future where she doesn't carry so much weight on her shoulders.
All in all, if you love the sapphic Queen's Gambit x Cruel Prince vibes this book gives off, I think it's perfect for you!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
" you're not alone. Let's not belong together."
This book was a high fantasy based on an actual Irish myth so the author didn't have to do a ton of world building but it was also still super easy to read without being lost if you didn't know the actual myth. Then the characters are intricate without being overwhelming and the Otherworld description sounded so pretty. It also incorporates a lot of chess info into the story without being overbearing. The love story is so ,so cute and I'm still very pleasantly surprised it was sapphic. The writing was exceptional, as well as the storytelling in general. A great tale of finding where you belong, even if you've been dealt a bad hand.
" Fae or mortal, family always knew where to stick the knife."
This book was a high fantasy based on an actual Irish myth so the author didn't have to do a ton of world building but it was also still super easy to read without being lost if you didn't know the actual myth. Then the characters are intricate without being overwhelming and the Otherworld description sounded so pretty. It also incorporates a lot of chess info into the story without being overbearing. The love story is so ,so cute and I'm still very pleasantly surprised it was sapphic. The writing was exceptional, as well as the storytelling in general. A great tale of finding where you belong, even if you've been dealt a bad hand.
" Fae or mortal, family always knew where to stick the knife."
March 17, 2026
Thanks to Wednesday and NetGalley for the ARC!
This is a fantasy book with a core piece of common-ground chess. I thought the idea that a game that has been around for so long was the grounding piece between the mortals and fey in this story. This is about Shea, who, at 13, had her sister stolen to the fey lands after a disastrous game of chess with the king of the fey. She’s was trying to gain her sisters freedom, but before she lost, her sister saved her by simply agreeing to leave with the king. Shea blames herself for her sisters absence and devotes her life to learning chess. Because, every 100 years or so, the king holds a chess tournament, and the winner gets any wish they want granted. When Shea gets the invitation to the fey chess tournament, she knows this her chance to rescue her sister. The problem with this plan is that other players are out to sabotage Shea, and she’s forced to make friends with some fellow champions (much to their chagrin too)
This was a unique take on a fantasy, and I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. I loved the development of the characters and the commonality of the chess game between this fantastical world and our “normal” one.
This is a fantasy book with a core piece of common-ground chess. I thought the idea that a game that has been around for so long was the grounding piece between the mortals and fey in this story. This is about Shea, who, at 13, had her sister stolen to the fey lands after a disastrous game of chess with the king of the fey. She’s was trying to gain her sisters freedom, but before she lost, her sister saved her by simply agreeing to leave with the king. Shea blames herself for her sisters absence and devotes her life to learning chess. Because, every 100 years or so, the king holds a chess tournament, and the winner gets any wish they want granted. When Shea gets the invitation to the fey chess tournament, she knows this her chance to rescue her sister. The problem with this plan is that other players are out to sabotage Shea, and she’s forced to make friends with some fellow champions (much to their chagrin too)
This was a unique take on a fantasy, and I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. I loved the development of the characters and the commonality of the chess game between this fantastical world and our “normal” one.
February 9, 2026
4.5⭐️
This was an amazing read and I am so glad I got a chance to read it early (will be preordering a book trophy for this one 🏆).
Such a beautiful rivals-to-lovers, fantastical, magical sapphic romance. It has beautiful imagery, easy to understand lore and world building, and likeable characters that make you think and reflect.
I can’t say too much since this isn’t even close to being released, but WOW, don’t sleep on this one.
This was an amazing read and I am so glad I got a chance to read it early (will be preordering a book trophy for this one 🏆).
Such a beautiful rivals-to-lovers, fantastical, magical sapphic romance. It has beautiful imagery, easy to understand lore and world building, and likeable characters that make you think and reflect.
I can’t say too much since this isn’t even close to being released, but WOW, don’t sleep on this one.
Want to read
November 15, 2025OH MY GOD!!! ALLISON WHAT IS THIS????!!!!😍😍😍
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I really wanted to like this and potential is great but ultimately just didn't land with me.
Want to read
October 24, 2025chess gays & fae!
January 17, 2026
Screaming at the perfection of the ending.
I won't lie, I wasn't entirely feeling this book at the start - the heroine annoyed me with her arrogance and bratty behavior and I couldn't stand how she let her mother walk all over her (Shea had all the power here, why did she continue to enable her mother's lifestyle when the woman treated her like shit?) and I didn't really care about the other characters. Daniil was an elitist asshole and while Ciara was charming enough, I didn't feel enough for her.
But my god, the CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. And even better - the way some dynamics remained the same even if the characters grew to understand each other and work together (Daniil remains a jerk of the highest proportion and yet it becomes kinda endearing wtf).
The thing I admire the most is how the love interest and side characters are given such amazingly crafted character arcs, they have their own hero's journey, like Ciara and Daniil could genuinely be the protagonist of their own books because they have such rich backstories. They aren't just here to prop up Shea's narrative, they've got their own hopes and dreams, baggage and trauma, and I was just as invested in the outcome for their sake.
The villain...I struggle to call Midir a villain, he's more an antagonist because he's not a monster, his goal is just the opposite of Ciara's and in any other book, he'd be the romantic lead. Really enjoyably written and I kinda want more backstory on this guy because he's so interesting (this is BIZARRE for me, I normally never care about immortal dudes, but his devotion to Aideen has me feeling things). There's another antagonist in the shadows as well and again, brilliantly complex with understandable motives that you sympathize with even while the whole time you're like 'omg, stop it, that's messed up'.
I find the 'heroine risks everything to save her sibling' storylines so boring and overdone, but this one works so well for me??? Because Shea blames herself for what happened to her sister and even though it's clearly not her fault, you can understand a child being traumatized by that experience and having their life defined by it. Often the sibling ends up being nothing more than a goal, a prize to be won, but even though Aideen is hardly present in this book, I loved the nuance that the author gave to her character, in particular .
Shea & Ciara's relationship...I love that we still get the joy of watching their romance's tentative beginnings even though they've got years of history, it makes it so much richer how they know so much about each other and yet nothing at all and it's in this book that we see them gain new context for the other's behavior and appreciate more about the struggles they've endured.
I also LOVE that as much as they come to care for each other, . Truly a record screech moment, the stakes kept building and I was so tense trying to work out what kind of happy resolution was possible, if at all!
The ending is nothing short of a masterpiece, just in awe of how the author made all the loose ends tie up so well and feel so earned. God, I'm reeling in the aftermath of finishing this, what a bloody brilliant and thrilling journey. #INCREDIBLE #IMMACULATE #ICONIC
I won't lie, I wasn't entirely feeling this book at the start - the heroine annoyed me with her arrogance and bratty behavior and I couldn't stand how she let her mother walk all over her (Shea had all the power here, why did she continue to enable her mother's lifestyle when the woman treated her like shit?) and I didn't really care about the other characters. Daniil was an elitist asshole and while Ciara was charming enough, I didn't feel enough for her.
But my god, the CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. And even better - the way some dynamics remained the same even if the characters grew to understand each other and work together (Daniil remains a jerk of the highest proportion and yet it becomes kinda endearing wtf).
The thing I admire the most is how the love interest and side characters are given such amazingly crafted character arcs, they have their own hero's journey, like Ciara and Daniil could genuinely be the protagonist of their own books because they have such rich backstories. They aren't just here to prop up Shea's narrative, they've got their own hopes and dreams, baggage and trauma, and I was just as invested in the outcome for their sake.
The villain...I struggle to call Midir a villain, he's more an antagonist because he's not a monster, his goal is just the opposite of Ciara's and in any other book, he'd be the romantic lead. Really enjoyably written and I kinda want more backstory on this guy because he's so interesting (this is BIZARRE for me, I normally never care about immortal dudes, but his devotion to Aideen has me feeling things). There's another antagonist in the shadows as well and again, brilliantly complex with understandable motives that you sympathize with even while the whole time you're like 'omg, stop it, that's messed up'.
I find the 'heroine risks everything to save her sibling' storylines so boring and overdone, but this one works so well for me??? Because Shea blames herself for what happened to her sister and even though it's clearly not her fault, you can understand a child being traumatized by that experience and having their life defined by it. Often the sibling ends up being nothing more than a goal, a prize to be won, but even though Aideen is hardly present in this book, I loved the nuance that the author gave to her character, in particular .
Shea & Ciara's relationship...I love that we still get the joy of watching their romance's tentative beginnings even though they've got years of history, it makes it so much richer how they know so much about each other and yet nothing at all and it's in this book that we see them gain new context for the other's behavior and appreciate more about the struggles they've endured.
I also LOVE that as much as they come to care for each other, . Truly a record screech moment, the stakes kept building and I was so tense trying to work out what kind of happy resolution was possible, if at all!
The ending is nothing short of a masterpiece, just in awe of how the author made all the loose ends tie up so well and feel so earned. God, I'm reeling in the aftermath of finishing this, what a bloody brilliant and thrilling journey. #INCREDIBLE #IMMACULATE #ICONIC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Inmortal Game is a YA romantasy about Shea, a human chess prodigy whose life changed forever when her sister was taken by the Fae King. Since then, she’s poured everything into becoming perfect at chess. So when she’s invited to compete in the Otherworld’s century-held tournament — where the winner is granted a wish by the Fae King — she knows this is her shot at fixing the past.
Except players start dying.
And suddenly she’s forced into an alliance with her longtime rival, Ciara; a fae princess who might be far more dangerous to her heart than the tournament itself.
I was so excited for this one. A deadly chess tournament + fae politics + rivals-to-lovers tension? Say less. Even though I barely know how to play chess anymore, this completely pulled me in.
At first, I struggled to connect with Shea because of her serious, almost rigid demeanor. But slowly, I warmed up to her. I loved how strong-willed she was, and how she gradually let her guard down and began caring about more than just winning. Watching her grow from being completely consumed by chess to genuinely caring about the world and the people around her was beautiful. I especially admired how she worked through the trauma that had frozen her for so long and found her love for chess again after losing that spark. Seeing her become happier by the end was deeply satisfying. That arc felt very real; It reminded me of how easy it is to lose the love for something when it becomes all about achievement instead of passion. That’s a lesson my my younger competitive self would have truly appreciated. Her relationship with her mother, though not heavily present, also felt very relatable.
And Ciara… wow. From the moment she appeared, she had my full attention. The more I got to know her, the more she surprised me — and she quickly became my favorite character. She didn’t fit the typical cold, untouchable fae mold. Yes, she was mischievous, but she wasn’t an ice queen. She felt incredibly human — which makes sense given her fascination with the mortal world — and she was genuinely endearing. She wasn’t flawless (which I adored), and that made her feel tangible and real.
As for the romance, I’ll admit it didn’t fully hook me at first. The banter and rivalry were fun to watch, but it took time for their connection to deepen. It wasn’t until about halfway through that I truly felt immersed in their relationship. Once they’re forced to work together, though? The emotional layers start peeling back. It wasn’t rushed — something I initially worried about — and the tension simmered deliciously until they finally gave themselves a real chance at love. It wasn’t easy for them to get there, and that’s exactly what made it so satisfying. That despite the betrayals and challenges, they still chose each other in the end.
The side characters were also compelling; especially Daniil. At first, he was so arrogant I couldn’t stand him. But somehow Allison completely flipped my perception of him. He didn’t fundamentally change who he was, yet I found myself liking him more and more. He became a genuine support for Shea and often opened her eyes to hard truths. That kind of character work is always impressive.
I was nervous about the chess aspect being too technical, but it was explained clearly and accessibly, so I never felt lost. And I really appreciated that the sister-rescue plot didn’t overshadow the tournament or the romance; something I’ve seen happen too often in similar stories. The flashbacks were minimal and well-placed, so the narrative didn’t feel constantly split between past and present (which isn’t usually my favorite structure). It all came together seamlessly.
Overall, this is a high-stakes fantasy filled with deadly games, fae intrigue, emotional growth, and a romance that aches in the best way. Even if YA isn’t usually your thing, this one might genuinely surprise you; especially if you love slow-burn tension and character-driven stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC.
Except players start dying.
And suddenly she’s forced into an alliance with her longtime rival, Ciara; a fae princess who might be far more dangerous to her heart than the tournament itself.
I was so excited for this one. A deadly chess tournament + fae politics + rivals-to-lovers tension? Say less. Even though I barely know how to play chess anymore, this completely pulled me in.
At first, I struggled to connect with Shea because of her serious, almost rigid demeanor. But slowly, I warmed up to her. I loved how strong-willed she was, and how she gradually let her guard down and began caring about more than just winning. Watching her grow from being completely consumed by chess to genuinely caring about the world and the people around her was beautiful. I especially admired how she worked through the trauma that had frozen her for so long and found her love for chess again after losing that spark. Seeing her become happier by the end was deeply satisfying. That arc felt very real; It reminded me of how easy it is to lose the love for something when it becomes all about achievement instead of passion. That’s a lesson my my younger competitive self would have truly appreciated. Her relationship with her mother, though not heavily present, also felt very relatable.
And Ciara… wow. From the moment she appeared, she had my full attention. The more I got to know her, the more she surprised me — and she quickly became my favorite character. She didn’t fit the typical cold, untouchable fae mold. Yes, she was mischievous, but she wasn’t an ice queen. She felt incredibly human — which makes sense given her fascination with the mortal world — and she was genuinely endearing. She wasn’t flawless (which I adored), and that made her feel tangible and real.
As for the romance, I’ll admit it didn’t fully hook me at first. The banter and rivalry were fun to watch, but it took time for their connection to deepen. It wasn’t until about halfway through that I truly felt immersed in their relationship. Once they’re forced to work together, though? The emotional layers start peeling back. It wasn’t rushed — something I initially worried about — and the tension simmered deliciously until they finally gave themselves a real chance at love. It wasn’t easy for them to get there, and that’s exactly what made it so satisfying. That despite the betrayals and challenges, they still chose each other in the end.
The side characters were also compelling; especially Daniil. At first, he was so arrogant I couldn’t stand him. But somehow Allison completely flipped my perception of him. He didn’t fundamentally change who he was, yet I found myself liking him more and more. He became a genuine support for Shea and often opened her eyes to hard truths. That kind of character work is always impressive.
I was nervous about the chess aspect being too technical, but it was explained clearly and accessibly, so I never felt lost. And I really appreciated that the sister-rescue plot didn’t overshadow the tournament or the romance; something I’ve seen happen too often in similar stories. The flashbacks were minimal and well-placed, so the narrative didn’t feel constantly split between past and present (which isn’t usually my favorite structure). It all came together seamlessly.
Overall, this is a high-stakes fantasy filled with deadly games, fae intrigue, emotional growth, and a romance that aches in the best way. Even if YA isn’t usually your thing, this one might genuinely surprise you; especially if you love slow-burn tension and character-driven stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC.
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