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Immortal Game
In #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.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Allison Saft
13 books4,376 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 452 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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
HUGEEE thanks to NetGalley & St.Martin’s Press for a chance to review this arc!! You made a girl so happy 🥹
🎶 Untouchable, burning brighter than the sun
And when you're close, I feel like coming undone 🎶
Shea’s older sister Aideen was whisked away by the High King of the Otherworld and Shea spent the next 6 years blaming herself for not being able to save her sister.
Shea worked hard to become the best chest player ; hopelessly wishing to be invited to the Otherworld so she could have a chance to win against the High King and wish for her sister back.
« Her success was not owed to any kind of ruthless ambition. It was because she was fighting for someone she loved. Her bravery was not because she wasn’t afraid of anything, but because fear seemed an inconsequential thing entirely. When it came to the people she loved, there was nothing she would not do. »
Allison Saft has the kind of writing that is so addictive & romantic. The sisters background with the mentally unwell mother and what she was putting them through hit me right in the chest, as someone who went through similar things. The sisters bond was strong and relatable. This author always succeeds to hit me right in the chest ; when she writes difficult backgrounds for her characters. She always gets the emotional punch just right.
« We got dealt a bad hand. You were the only thing that made it bearable. I wouldn’t change that for anything. » (this made me cry. I sent it to my younger brothers).
We follow Shea through the difficulties of the Otherworld as she soon learns that everyone has a valid reason for wanting to win. I loved the found friendships, but what I loved most was the romance. I have chills just thinking about it. The sapphic romance was the best one I’ve read in a long time and I was so enamoured by all of it.
« She wouldn’t have survived her mother’s house for much longer. When she used to count the years that lay between her and freedom, sometimes they threatened to crush her. »
The ending was just perfect. I didn’t see some of it coming and I cried at some point because it was just so deeply touching.
« Here was someone who came from nothing and fought her way to the top. Someone who changed her circumstances through sheer force of will. Someone who seemingly wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything. »
I cannot wait to see what Allison Saft writes next! I’m so enchanted I got this arc.
🎶 Untouchable, burning brighter than the sun
And when you're close, I feel like coming undone 🎶
Shea’s older sister Aideen was whisked away by the High King of the Otherworld and Shea spent the next 6 years blaming herself for not being able to save her sister.
Shea worked hard to become the best chest player ; hopelessly wishing to be invited to the Otherworld so she could have a chance to win against the High King and wish for her sister back.
« Her success was not owed to any kind of ruthless ambition. It was because she was fighting for someone she loved. Her bravery was not because she wasn’t afraid of anything, but because fear seemed an inconsequential thing entirely. When it came to the people she loved, there was nothing she would not do. »
Allison Saft has the kind of writing that is so addictive & romantic. The sisters background with the mentally unwell mother and what she was putting them through hit me right in the chest, as someone who went through similar things. The sisters bond was strong and relatable. This author always succeeds to hit me right in the chest ; when she writes difficult backgrounds for her characters. She always gets the emotional punch just right.
« We got dealt a bad hand. You were the only thing that made it bearable. I wouldn’t change that for anything. » (this made me cry. I sent it to my younger brothers).
We follow Shea through the difficulties of the Otherworld as she soon learns that everyone has a valid reason for wanting to win. I loved the found friendships, but what I loved most was the romance. I have chills just thinking about it. The sapphic romance was the best one I’ve read in a long time and I was so enamoured by all of it.
« She wouldn’t have survived her mother’s house for much longer. When she used to count the years that lay between her and freedom, sometimes they threatened to crush her. »
The ending was just perfect. I didn’t see some of it coming and I cried at some point because it was just so deeply touching.
« Here was someone who came from nothing and fought her way to the top. Someone who changed her circumstances through sheer force of will. Someone who seemingly wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything. »
I cannot wait to see what Allison Saft writes next! I’m so enchanted I got this arc.
Currently Reading
August 9, 2026What if The Queen’s Gambit, except sapphic, fae, Irish folklore and life or death stakes? (... so nothing like the queens gambit except the chess bit)
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
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A deadly chess tournament held by the Fae King? With a sapphic subplot? Sign me up.
I never would have thought chess and fae could work so well together, but it does. I know absolutely nothing about chess, but somehow I found myself invested in every move like I actually understood what was happening, lol.
I loved the romance between Shea and Ciara. The rivals-to-lovers dynamic, the tension, the chemistry... I was completely sold. I need more of them.
I also loved the atmosphere of this book. The fae world and the Irish folklore was an incredible setting. This was such an unique fantasy and I would happily read more of it.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
I never would have thought chess and fae could work so well together, but it does. I know absolutely nothing about chess, but somehow I found myself invested in every move like I actually understood what was happening, lol.
I loved the romance between Shea and Ciara. The rivals-to-lovers dynamic, the tension, the chemistry... I was completely sold. I need more of them.
I also loved the atmosphere of this book. The fae world and the Irish folklore was an incredible setting. This was such an unique fantasy and I would happily read more of it.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
remind-me-once-out
October 14, 2025*GRABBY HANDS*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
˗ˏˋ ♟️ 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 ♟️ ˎˊ˗
ᯓ *ੈ✩‧₊˚♕ ɪᴍᴍᴏʀᴛᴀʟ ɢᴀᴍᴇ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴀᴜɢᴜsᴛ 4, 2026!
⤿ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 4.25 sᴛᴀʀs!! ★★★★☆
⤿ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜɪs ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ: ғᴀᴇʀɪᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅs, sᴀᴘᴘʜɪᴄ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʀɪᴠᴀʟs ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs!!
ᯓ♕ ᴘʀᴇᴍɪsᴇ:
⤿ Shea Fury is a grandmaster of chess and only has one more challenge left to conquer. She needs to win a chess tournament in the faerie’s realm against the High King of the Otherworld. Shea is trying to save her sister who was stolen from her by the High King. Along the way, Shea uncovers secrets and a darker past, forming an alliance with the charming Ciara of Bri Lift and tries to keep control over both the chess board and her life.
ᯓ♕ ᴀʟʟ ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
⤿ This is my third book by Allison Saft and it is definitely my favorite. The premise and characters are interesting, as well as the various twists and turns of plot.
I cannot say that world-building is unique, but it remains captivating all the same. Who does not love a story about trickster faeries and their bargains, their forbidden lands and their secrets? As soon as I began the book, it was so comforting to have a book that I knew would let me escape within its pages.
The pacing was nice and easy to read, it flowed consistently throughout the whole of the story. The plot was intriguing, I liked the idea of a high stakes chess tournament where the winner receives (almost) anything they wish for. However, Shea’s initial motivation to save her sister felt childlike and forced. I think that if Shea had been motivated through other means, it could have been a much more compelling story.
Additionally, this book touches on burnout - something common in many people. I appreciate the depiction of it, it is so realistic and like my own experiences. This really helped me sympathize with the main character, the feeling of falling out of love with the one thing that you have poured your entire soul into.
On a different note, I think that I would definitely be willing to watch more chess games if the stakes were very high and there was magic involved. I need to go play some (rather poor) games of chess very soon!
ᯓ ♕ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs:
⤷ Shea Fury. Arguably the best chess player in the world, the only challenge left is to beat the Faerie King at his own game.
⤷ Ciara of Bri Lift. An infuriatingly talented (and charming) faerie chess player, determined to win by any means possible.
Two chess masters (not in love) competing for the same thing and with only one winner, what could possibly go wrong?
ᯓ ♕ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
I quite liked this book, I found myself envelopped within the story like it was a warm hug. The characters were relatable and it certainly delivered everything promised to me. The cover is beautiful and I do require a copy for my bookshelf when it releases in August!
ᯓ ♕ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ:
⤿ 4.25 stars ★★★★☆
ᯓ ♕ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴇᴅ:
⤿ The Cruel Prince (Holly Black)
⤿ Wings of Starlight (Allison Saft)
Thank you very much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Wednesday Books for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!!
▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰
♟️ || ᴘʀᴇʀᴇᴀᴅ:
₊⊹⁀➴ a fantasy book about chess and faeries?! count me in!!!
ᯓ *ੈ✩‧₊˚♕ ɪᴍᴍᴏʀᴛᴀʟ ɢᴀᴍᴇ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴀᴜɢᴜsᴛ 4, 2026!
⤿ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 4.25 sᴛᴀʀs!! ★★★★☆
⤿ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜɪs ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ: ғᴀᴇʀɪᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅs, sᴀᴘᴘʜɪᴄ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʀɪᴠᴀʟs ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs!!
ᯓ♕ ᴘʀᴇᴍɪsᴇ:
⤿ Shea Fury is a grandmaster of chess and only has one more challenge left to conquer. She needs to win a chess tournament in the faerie’s realm against the High King of the Otherworld. Shea is trying to save her sister who was stolen from her by the High King. Along the way, Shea uncovers secrets and a darker past, forming an alliance with the charming Ciara of Bri Lift and tries to keep control over both the chess board and her life.
ᯓ♕ ᴀʟʟ ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
⤿ This is my third book by Allison Saft and it is definitely my favorite. The premise and characters are interesting, as well as the various twists and turns of plot.
I cannot say that world-building is unique, but it remains captivating all the same. Who does not love a story about trickster faeries and their bargains, their forbidden lands and their secrets? As soon as I began the book, it was so comforting to have a book that I knew would let me escape within its pages.
The pacing was nice and easy to read, it flowed consistently throughout the whole of the story. The plot was intriguing, I liked the idea of a high stakes chess tournament where the winner receives (almost) anything they wish for. However, Shea’s initial motivation to save her sister felt childlike and forced. I think that if Shea had been motivated through other means, it could have been a much more compelling story.
Additionally, this book touches on burnout - something common in many people. I appreciate the depiction of it, it is so realistic and like my own experiences. This really helped me sympathize with the main character, the feeling of falling out of love with the one thing that you have poured your entire soul into.
On a different note, I think that I would definitely be willing to watch more chess games if the stakes were very high and there was magic involved. I need to go play some (rather poor) games of chess very soon!
ᯓ ♕ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs:
⤷ Shea Fury. Arguably the best chess player in the world, the only challenge left is to beat the Faerie King at his own game.
⤷ Ciara of Bri Lift. An infuriatingly talented (and charming) faerie chess player, determined to win by any means possible.
Two chess masters (not in love) competing for the same thing and with only one winner, what could possibly go wrong?
ᯓ ♕ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
I quite liked this book, I found myself envelopped within the story like it was a warm hug. The characters were relatable and it certainly delivered everything promised to me. The cover is beautiful and I do require a copy for my bookshelf when it releases in August!
ᯓ ♕ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ:
⤿ 4.25 stars ★★★★☆
ᯓ ♕ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴇᴅ:
⤿ The Cruel Prince (Holly Black)
⤿ Wings of Starlight (Allison Saft)
Thank you very much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Wednesday Books for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!!
▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰
♟️ || ᴘʀᴇʀᴇᴀᴅ:
₊⊹⁀➴ a fantasy book about chess and faeries?! count me in!!!
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
August 6, 2026
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
3.75
Rtc
The Cruel Prince meets The Queen’s Gambit!!!!
3.75
Rtc
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!
August 7, 2026
allison saft proves that you can take a well known sub genre and still create a new exciting story, as she did with ‘immortal game.’
I thought the concept of a chess-obsessed fae was brilliant, as both the fae and grandmasters require intelligence, creativity, and cunningness. I never understood the appeal of chess but this book proved me wrong! it was so interesting to read about how a chess match is played and envisioning it as a real battle painted a very vivid image in my head.
the romance was also so well done! the tension and yearning between the characters had me both biting my fist with anticipation and yelling at my screen for them to kiss already 🤣 it was so well paced and the pay off was worth all the pain of waiting 🤭
allison saft is an auto-buy author for me and she’s proven yet again why that is! I’ll read anything this woman writes 🫶🏼
thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books Publishing, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the concept of a chess-obsessed fae was brilliant, as both the fae and grandmasters require intelligence, creativity, and cunningness. I never understood the appeal of chess but this book proved me wrong! it was so interesting to read about how a chess match is played and envisioning it as a real battle painted a very vivid image in my head.
the romance was also so well done! the tension and yearning between the characters had me both biting my fist with anticipation and yelling at my screen for them to kiss already 🤣 it was so well paced and the pay off was worth all the pain of waiting 🤭
allison saft is an auto-buy author for me and she’s proven yet again why that is! I’ll read anything this woman writes 🫶🏼
thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books Publishing, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Audiobook Review.
🤍 High Stakes Chess Competition
♟️ YA Romantasy
🤍 Sapphic
♟️ Rivals to Lovers
🤍 Irish Folklore
This was such a unique read! Fae × Human, deadly chess competitions, sisterly devotion, and a rivals-to-lovers plotline filled with yearning and budding young love.
•
The High King of the Faerie in the Otherworld took Shea Fury's older sister as his wife seven years ago, and she has spent every waking minute since plotting to win her back. Honing her skills as a champion chess player, she is determined to enter the faerie realm and play her Immortal Game by participating in a potentially deadly once in a lifetime chess competition in the faerie realm, where the winner can ask the High King of Faerie to grant any one wish. Shea is set on winning the tournament and smashing the competition to secure her sister's freedom.
•
This story felt very fresh! The concept of an immortal game of chess played between faeries and humans felt completely original, and I love how the author discusses the skills required and the gameplay throughout. Shea is a bit frustrating as the FMC because she is extremely stubborn, but she definitely feels like a character to root for. I also enjoyed her romantic rivalry with Ciara, even if I would have liked to see a little more chemistry and yearning. Shea's devotion to her sister really stood out, and she is fiercely loyal, which I admired.
This story is middle-fantasy, so a good portion of it takes place during a modern-day version of our world. Honestly: I found some of the modern references a little jarring. I wish Shea had been a bit more intentional with her choices; sometimes her stubbornness makes her miss the bigger picture. Some of the conflict felt like it could be avoided with a conversation; however, Shea does experience a lot of character growth throughout the story. While I loved many of the descriptions of the chess gameplay, at times it felt a bit too technical and drawn out—and for me personally, the gameplay was one of the slower and less engaging parts of the story.
Overall, this was a uniquely told story in many ways. I loved the sapphic representation, the faerie × human competition, and I genuinely enjoyed listening to the audiobook.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book. All thoughts and feedback in this review are my own.
🤍 High Stakes Chess Competition
♟️ YA Romantasy
🤍 Sapphic
♟️ Rivals to Lovers
🤍 Irish Folklore
This was such a unique read! Fae × Human, deadly chess competitions, sisterly devotion, and a rivals-to-lovers plotline filled with yearning and budding young love.
•
The High King of the Faerie in the Otherworld took Shea Fury's older sister as his wife seven years ago, and she has spent every waking minute since plotting to win her back. Honing her skills as a champion chess player, she is determined to enter the faerie realm and play her Immortal Game by participating in a potentially deadly once in a lifetime chess competition in the faerie realm, where the winner can ask the High King of Faerie to grant any one wish. Shea is set on winning the tournament and smashing the competition to secure her sister's freedom.
•
This story felt very fresh! The concept of an immortal game of chess played between faeries and humans felt completely original, and I love how the author discusses the skills required and the gameplay throughout. Shea is a bit frustrating as the FMC because she is extremely stubborn, but she definitely feels like a character to root for. I also enjoyed her romantic rivalry with Ciara, even if I would have liked to see a little more chemistry and yearning. Shea's devotion to her sister really stood out, and she is fiercely loyal, which I admired.
This story is middle-fantasy, so a good portion of it takes place during a modern-day version of our world. Honestly: I found some of the modern references a little jarring. I wish Shea had been a bit more intentional with her choices; sometimes her stubbornness makes her miss the bigger picture. Some of the conflict felt like it could be avoided with a conversation; however, Shea does experience a lot of character growth throughout the story. While I loved many of the descriptions of the chess gameplay, at times it felt a bit too technical and drawn out—and for me personally, the gameplay was one of the slower and less engaging parts of the story.
Overall, this was a uniquely told story in many ways. I loved the sapphic representation, the faerie × human competition, and I genuinely enjoyed listening to the audiobook.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book. All thoughts and feedback in this review are my own.
Currently Reading
August 2, 2026𐙚⋆°. preread
I’m really hoping that this will get me out of my fantasy slump and also it’s sapphic inspired by Irish folklore and for those who know I can’t say no to an Irish folklore.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I’m really hoping that this will get me out of my fantasy slump and also it’s sapphic inspired by Irish folklore and for those who know I can’t say no to an Irish folklore.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2026
The silly lesbian chess book made me bawl my eyes out. Genuinely didn’t expect to enjoy this this much, because I thought the premise sounded incredibly silly. But god it hit and it hit hard. This was just absolutely gorgeous.
Tropes and such:
- chess
- fae
- disaster lesbians
- made me bawl
- fae abducting loved ones
- also a changeling kind of
- sisters who love each other but kinda suck at communicating
----
Many thanks to Wednesday Books for the ARC!
Tropes and such:
- chess
- fae
- disaster lesbians
- made me bawl
- fae abducting loved ones
- also a changeling kind of
- sisters who love each other but kinda suck at communicating
----
Many thanks to Wednesday Books for the ARC!
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.
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
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 liked this novel a lot, other than one little thing that bothered me. Hah. Seriously though, this was a good novel. I was drawn in quickly and then it never lagged or had any issue maintaining my attention. I liked the characters, and the plot was simple enough to easily follow yet intricate enough to have layers.
This novel read somewhat like a sports book in my opinion, in a way that I intend as complimentary. I do not particularly care about sports or chess. The author thankfully did a great job of showing the action without getting bogged down in the details of the actual chess games, which I would have found boring. A chess lover would certainly appreciate some elements of this novel, but I think that anyone else would be able to enjoy it as well.
If you are looking for romance, its present in this novel but relatively weak; that’s not the main focus. Just FYI.
There was one thing that bothered me and I need to vent about, though it wasn’t awful. Without giving spoilers…… basically there was a rather important topic that was very important to the plot and a short discussion on this topic would have essentially resolved the entire story immediately; I was low-key frustrated for the entire novel that no one ever brought it up despite it being a natural topic to discuss in my opinion. That barely made sense but eh, this is just for me. I don’t enjoy plot-logic!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
This novel read somewhat like a sports book in my opinion, in a way that I intend as complimentary. I do not particularly care about sports or chess. The author thankfully did a great job of showing the action without getting bogged down in the details of the actual chess games, which I would have found boring. A chess lover would certainly appreciate some elements of this novel, but I think that anyone else would be able to enjoy it as well.
If you are looking for romance, its present in this novel but relatively weak; that’s not the main focus. Just FYI.
There was one thing that bothered me and I need to vent about, though it wasn’t awful. Without giving spoilers…… basically there was a rather important topic that was very important to the plot and a short discussion on this topic would have essentially resolved the entire story immediately; I was low-key frustrated for the entire novel that no one ever brought it up despite it being a natural topic to discuss in my opinion. That barely made sense but eh, this is just for me. I don’t enjoy plot-logic!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
July 1, 2026
3.75! i know nothing about chess but i love reading about it
Want to Read
September 1, 2025Are you kidding me I need this
July 12, 2026
There is a lot of chess in this, did I understand most of what the gameplay was … no … but even so the authors writing style is so immersive that the feel of the game itself comes to life. I really enjoyed her writing style and pacing. Absolutely loved the world building and the Irish fae lore, this feels like the Queens gambit and a fairytale had a baby. The romance felt so natural and the ending tied everything up in a beautiful bow.
Thanks to the author and publisher for my arc, the opinions are my own.
I immersion read this and narrator does a phenomenal job , especially with those perfext Irish accents. Highly recommend it.
Thanks to the author and publisher for my arc, the opinions are my own.
I immersion read this and narrator does a phenomenal job , especially with those perfext Irish accents. Highly recommend it.
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
July 16, 2026
3 words: faeries, chess, and lesbians. EVERYONE CHEERED!!!!
need I say more? I don’t but here’s more: rivals to lovers, forced proximity, only one bed, and chess!! Literally so much chess. I’m starting to realize that maybe I have a thing for chess books even though I could not care less about chess irl. The only other chess book I’ve read was check and mate by Ali Hazelwood lol which is very different from this one, but I think the main reason I loved that book was because of all the chess, and I think that holds true for this book as well. All of the “action” scenes in this book are literally just chess matches which sounds boring but I was 10x more locked in than I would have been if it was an actual fighting scene or something. It’s jam packed with chess theory and it’s AWESOME! Idk there’s something so sexy and also magical about chess, at least in this book.
I read this book with the speed of light. I couldn’t put it down and when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it. I think this officially ended my reading slump. Allison Saft has BEEN my goat, but her last couple books were misses for me, so it’s great to see her back in top form. The yearning was PEAK, as I expect with Saft, and the tension between Shea and Ciara was INTENSE even when they weren’t truly rivals anymore. Their characters compliment and clash with each other so intentionally to create max yearning and also max drama (once again, as I expect with Saft). I loved that, above all else, Ciara was a FAERIE. Like yes she fell in love with Shea but she did not lose her capricious, occasionally foolish fae tendencies (as so many fae love interests in faerie books tend to do).
I could not be more thrilled to see Saft finally take on a true faerie book (and not that tinkerbell bullshit lol). She KNOWS the fae and you can TELL. Her faeries are both 1) accurate and 2) unique. They behave as faeries should—they’re capricious and nonsensical and sometimes conniving and vindictive—but they don’t rely on frequently overused faerie tropes. And none of that is to mention the whimsy and magic imbued into the Otherworld in this book. The palace was so deliciously visual for me. I loved how Saft interpreted a version of the human world that exists alongside the fae, instead of the fae being hidden within it. In this world, humans and fae exist alongside each other diplomatically, living in separate planes of existence, but still well aware of each other’s presence, even to the extent of sending people between realms for specifically chess matches lol. Although many fantasy authors have tried a hand at the fae, I don’t think anyone has yet had this exact interpretation of faerie/human relations (I’m considering myself an expert because I think that I’ve genuinely read almost every faerie book out there). God I love urban fantasy with faeries (thank you Holly Black). I don’t care if people think it’s overdone I hope Saft and others keep writing about the fae foreverrrr
My one complaint is that the ending was quite tied up in a bow, which made the climax lose some of its intensity. I was happy to see these characters finally find some peace after all the drama, though.
thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! 🧚🏼♟️🌲✨
need I say more? I don’t but here’s more: rivals to lovers, forced proximity, only one bed, and chess!! Literally so much chess. I’m starting to realize that maybe I have a thing for chess books even though I could not care less about chess irl. The only other chess book I’ve read was check and mate by Ali Hazelwood lol which is very different from this one, but I think the main reason I loved that book was because of all the chess, and I think that holds true for this book as well. All of the “action” scenes in this book are literally just chess matches which sounds boring but I was 10x more locked in than I would have been if it was an actual fighting scene or something. It’s jam packed with chess theory and it’s AWESOME! Idk there’s something so sexy and also magical about chess, at least in this book.
I read this book with the speed of light. I couldn’t put it down and when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it. I think this officially ended my reading slump. Allison Saft has BEEN my goat, but her last couple books were misses for me, so it’s great to see her back in top form. The yearning was PEAK, as I expect with Saft, and the tension between Shea and Ciara was INTENSE even when they weren’t truly rivals anymore. Their characters compliment and clash with each other so intentionally to create max yearning and also max drama (once again, as I expect with Saft). I loved that, above all else, Ciara was a FAERIE. Like yes she fell in love with Shea but she did not lose her capricious, occasionally foolish fae tendencies (as so many fae love interests in faerie books tend to do).
I could not be more thrilled to see Saft finally take on a true faerie book (and not that tinkerbell bullshit lol). She KNOWS the fae and you can TELL. Her faeries are both 1) accurate and 2) unique. They behave as faeries should—they’re capricious and nonsensical and sometimes conniving and vindictive—but they don’t rely on frequently overused faerie tropes. And none of that is to mention the whimsy and magic imbued into the Otherworld in this book. The palace was so deliciously visual for me. I loved how Saft interpreted a version of the human world that exists alongside the fae, instead of the fae being hidden within it. In this world, humans and fae exist alongside each other diplomatically, living in separate planes of existence, but still well aware of each other’s presence, even to the extent of sending people between realms for specifically chess matches lol. Although many fantasy authors have tried a hand at the fae, I don’t think anyone has yet had this exact interpretation of faerie/human relations (I’m considering myself an expert because I think that I’ve genuinely read almost every faerie book out there). God I love urban fantasy with faeries (thank you Holly Black). I don’t care if people think it’s overdone I hope Saft and others keep writing about the fae foreverrrr
My one complaint is that the ending was quite tied up in a bow, which made the climax lose some of its intensity. I was happy to see these characters finally find some peace after all the drama, though.
thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! 🧚🏼♟️🌲✨
anticipated-releases
October 15, 2025if you ever wonder how much I adore Allison Saft, I am learning how to play chess for this book.
August 6, 2026
ARC provided by NetGalley and the Publishers. I'm just super late reviewing. Oops.
I really enjoyed this. Despite my very shaky knowledge of chess I absolutely adore reading books that feature it. I blame my old obsession with the Demonatia series.
The Irish Folklore and the world building in this were delightful. This is my first Saft novel and I really enjoyed how she writes, it's almost poetic and flows really well.
Ciara and Shea are both adorable idiots. And I really grew to like Danya. Shea's sister annoyed me. Like, just talk to your sister!
The less said about the mum the better.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and wouldn't mind some more board game stories in this style.
I really enjoyed this. Despite my very shaky knowledge of chess I absolutely adore reading books that feature it. I blame my old obsession with the Demonatia series.
The Irish Folklore and the world building in this were delightful. This is my first Saft novel and I really enjoyed how she writes, it's almost poetic and flows really well.
Ciara and Shea are both adorable idiots. And I really grew to like Danya. Shea's sister annoyed me. Like, just talk to your sister!
The less said about the mum the better.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and wouldn't mind some more board game stories in this style.
Want to Read
November 20, 2025this is suuuch a unique concept
June 29, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Immense thanks to Wednesday books who (despite me missing out at Yallfest) told me to email them, and then sent me an amazing manuscript of the book!! I will forever cherish the experience and my copy!
Allisons Saft’s new novel was a really good IDEA. I loved the chess x fae x FxF romance imbedded with Irish culture. And, while I was so hype about all of these concepts merging, but I think the execution was a bit lackluster for me.
I’m sure many people will enjoy this much more than I did, but I feel like for me the middle dragged a bit. I got a tiny bit detached to Shea and Ciara and the chess matches until about 75% of the way through when I feel like things really picked back up. Also I eventually grew frustrated with Shea’s DEEP NEED to go after her sister, considering her sister’s actual feelings on the matter.
I think what really kept me going was the developing romance between Shea and Ciara, which despite not being the best one I’ve ever read, was intriguing enough to keep me coming back. I needed to know how their story wrapped up.
Overall I liked the book, but I’m not obsessed with it in the way I thought I’d be—the way I wanted to be. But I will always be a fan of the vibes of this book! The concept is super irresistible!
Immense thanks to Wednesday books who (despite me missing out at Yallfest) told me to email them, and then sent me an amazing manuscript of the book!! I will forever cherish the experience and my copy!
Allisons Saft’s new novel was a really good IDEA. I loved the chess x fae x FxF romance imbedded with Irish culture. And, while I was so hype about all of these concepts merging, but I think the execution was a bit lackluster for me.
I’m sure many people will enjoy this much more than I did, but I feel like for me the middle dragged a bit. I got a tiny bit detached to Shea and Ciara and the chess matches until about 75% of the way through when I feel like things really picked back up. Also I eventually grew frustrated with Shea’s DEEP NEED to go after her sister, considering her sister’s actual feelings on the matter.
I think what really kept me going was the developing romance between Shea and Ciara, which despite not being the best one I’ve ever read, was intriguing enough to keep me coming back. I needed to know how their story wrapped up.
Overall I liked the book, but I’m not obsessed with it in the way I thought I’d be—the way I wanted to be. But I will always be a fan of the vibes of this book! The concept is super irresistible!
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