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The Clockwork Queen
Chess prodigy Sophie Peshka inherited her love of the game from her grandmaster father. But now that he has been imprisoned in the dungeons of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg by powerful Empress Catherine the Great, Sophie must use all her strategic skill and cunning to help him escape.
Part of Sophie's plan involves an incredible chess-playing automaton called the Clockwork Queen, but will the Queen be able to outwit the Empress in a game where the stakes are a matter of life and death?
Part of Sophie's plan involves an incredible chess-playing automaton called the Clockwork Queen, but will the Queen be able to outwit the Empress in a game where the stakes are a matter of life and death?
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
1 person is currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Peter Bunzl
13 books332 followersPeter Bunzl grew up in South London in a rambling Victorian house with three cats, two dogs, one little sister, an antique dealer dad, and an artist mum. As a child he found inspiration visiting TV and film sets, where his mum worked as a costume designer.
After art college and film school, Peter worked as an animator on commercials, pop videos, and two BAFTA-winning children’s TV shows, and wrote and directed several successful short films.
Peter’s debut novel Cogheart was a Waterstones Book of the Month. It was shortlisted for the Waterstones Book Prize and the Branford Boase Award. Moonlocket was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Readers Award. Cogheart, Skycircus and Shadowsea were nominated for the Carnegie Medal.
Peter lives in North London with his partner, a fox who visits their garden, and a clutter of house spiders.
After art college and film school, Peter worked as an animator on commercials, pop videos, and two BAFTA-winning children’s TV shows, and wrote and directed several successful short films.
Peter’s debut novel Cogheart was a Waterstones Book of the Month. It was shortlisted for the Waterstones Book Prize and the Branford Boase Award. Moonlocket was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Readers Award. Cogheart, Skycircus and Shadowsea were nominated for the Carnegie Medal.
Peter lives in North London with his partner, a fox who visits their garden, and a clutter of house spiders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 21, 2022
In a Nutshell: A really interesting story about how a young girl saves her father from the Russian prison with the help of chess and a ‘clockwork queen’.
Story:
I simply couldn’t keep the book aside. Of course, its being a quick read helped tremendously – it’s hardly 115 pages long.
The book has so much going for it. The details of chess are outstanding, and understandable even to those who don’t know the game. The bond between father and daughter is beautiful. The Clockwork Queen is amazing and will blow away the minds of children who don’t know anything about automata. (I would have been mind-blown too, had I not recently read another fictional novel on the same topic.) The descriptions of the environment of those days is vivid. The B&W illustrations are charming and work appropriately for the story.
The author’s note at the end reveals the factual basis for this fictional story. I found this very informative and it serves as a wonderful add-on to the book.
As with every Barrington Stoke book, the story is of a higher level but the writing is on a simpler scale of understanding to suit a lower reading age. The official target age range for this book is 8-12 years.
I loved this book from start to end and I hope every little reader too will cherish the experience as much as I did.
4.5 stars.
Trigger Warning: parental death.
My thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Clockwork Queen”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
Sophie Peshka loves chess and has learnt the game in detail from her grandmaster father, Ivan. But now, Ivan is imprisoned in the dungeons of Queen Catherine for a very silly reason. With her mother dead, Sophie is left to survive using her chess skills. When an old friend re-enters her life with a chess-playing automaton named ‘The Clockwork Queen’, Sophie’s life changes and she sees a glimmer of hope to rescue her father. Will Sophie succeed?
The story is told in the first person narrative pov of Sophie, who goes from ages 10 to 12 during the narrative.
I simply couldn’t keep the book aside. Of course, its being a quick read helped tremendously – it’s hardly 115 pages long.
The book has so much going for it. The details of chess are outstanding, and understandable even to those who don’t know the game. The bond between father and daughter is beautiful. The Clockwork Queen is amazing and will blow away the minds of children who don’t know anything about automata. (I would have been mind-blown too, had I not recently read another fictional novel on the same topic.) The descriptions of the environment of those days is vivid. The B&W illustrations are charming and work appropriately for the story.
The author’s note at the end reveals the factual basis for this fictional story. I found this very informative and it serves as a wonderful add-on to the book.
As with every Barrington Stoke book, the story is of a higher level but the writing is on a simpler scale of understanding to suit a lower reading age. The official target age range for this book is 8-12 years.
I loved this book from start to end and I hope every little reader too will cherish the experience as much as I did.
4.5 stars.
Trigger Warning: parental death.
My thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Clockwork Queen”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
August 10, 2023
Chess prodigy Sophie Peshka inherited her love of the game from her grandmaster father. But now that he has been imprisoned in the dungeons of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg by powerful Empress Catherine the Great, Sophie must use all her strategic skill and cunning to help him escape.
Part of Sophie’s plan involves an incredible chess-playing automaton called the Clockwork Queen, but will the Queen be able to outwit the Empress in a game where the stakes are a matter of life and death?
This was a quick and fun read that introduced me to a little Russian history. I enjoyed the concept of the story and the fact that it was loosely based on an actual mechanical ‘Turk’ that was created to play chess. It was filled with a lot of heart and just the right amount of suspense and tension to keep you reading on.
Part of Sophie’s plan involves an incredible chess-playing automaton called the Clockwork Queen, but will the Queen be able to outwit the Empress in a game where the stakes are a matter of life and death?
This was a quick and fun read that introduced me to a little Russian history. I enjoyed the concept of the story and the fact that it was loosely based on an actual mechanical ‘Turk’ that was created to play chess. It was filled with a lot of heart and just the right amount of suspense and tension to keep you reading on.
April 24, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Publishing for the opportunity to read this arc.
Sophie's father is the best chess player who ever lived. He is invited to teach the young Prince how to play in St. Petersburg. After a time he is imprisoned for not being able to succeed in teaching the Prince. This follows young Sophie's journey in searching for her Father using her own skills at playing chess.
What a delightful book! It was such an easy read, beautifully written and so imaginative. Any young child will love this little masterpiece!
Sophie's father is the best chess player who ever lived. He is invited to teach the young Prince how to play in St. Petersburg. After a time he is imprisoned for not being able to succeed in teaching the Prince. This follows young Sophie's journey in searching for her Father using her own skills at playing chess.
What a delightful book! It was such an easy read, beautifully written and so imaginative. Any young child will love this little masterpiece!
June 6, 2022
Can a book about chess be enjoyable? The answer is yes!
I wasn't sure how I would feel about a book centered on a game that I have zero knowledge of, but The Clockwork Queen turned out to be so much more! Then again, Barrington Stoke has never disappointed me. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed learning about chess from this wonderful novella.
The book was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The plot was compelling, the characters were delightful and I loved the illustrations. Overall, it's a delightful and moving read that I would definitely recommend!
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
I wasn't sure how I would feel about a book centered on a game that I have zero knowledge of, but The Clockwork Queen turned out to be so much more! Then again, Barrington Stoke has never disappointed me. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed learning about chess from this wonderful novella.
The book was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The plot was compelling, the characters were delightful and I loved the illustrations. Overall, it's a delightful and moving read that I would definitely recommend!
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
July 9, 2022
I adored Peter Bunzl’s Cogheart series, so when I saw this book on Netgalley I knew I had to grab it. And I am very pleased to say I received it.
The Clockwork Queen is a short book for the younger side of middle grade, though I still had a good time with it. The story has taken its’ inspiration from The Mechanical Turk, which was a chess playing machine constructed in the 18th century. I do have a massive weak for stories about automatons, so obviously I adored this.
We follow Sophie, daughter of the best player in Russia. And although this is written for a young audience, her life isn’t easy. When her father gets imprisoned for failing to teach the prince how to play chess, Sophie has to go an rescue him. For this she needs her amazing chess skills, her cunning and wit, and of course the Clockwork Queen.
The book itself is about 120 pages and only took me, a fairly slow reader, an hour to get through. But it still felt like a complete story, with a good pacing, an interesting plot and well-written characters. That in itself is quite an accomplishment.
And that’s all I really have to say on this lovely read, which will be enjoyed by not just its target audience. Would most certainly recommend.
The Clockwork Queen is a short book for the younger side of middle grade, though I still had a good time with it. The story has taken its’ inspiration from The Mechanical Turk, which was a chess playing machine constructed in the 18th century. I do have a massive weak for stories about automatons, so obviously I adored this.
We follow Sophie, daughter of the best player in Russia. And although this is written for a young audience, her life isn’t easy. When her father gets imprisoned for failing to teach the prince how to play chess, Sophie has to go an rescue him. For this she needs her amazing chess skills, her cunning and wit, and of course the Clockwork Queen.
The book itself is about 120 pages and only took me, a fairly slow reader, an hour to get through. But it still felt like a complete story, with a good pacing, an interesting plot and well-written characters. That in itself is quite an accomplishment.
And that’s all I really have to say on this lovely read, which will be enjoyed by not just its target audience. Would most certainly recommend.
April 29, 2023
This is a simple story: young Olga Peshka’s father, a chess grandmaster, has been imprisoned by Catherine the Great for being unable to train her son to play chess. Olga wants to rescue him, and thanks to a clever device, the Clockwork Queen, she might just get her chance. It’s a story of perseverance, deception, and a little luck.
The story is accompanied by illustrations that give the reader a sense of Olga’s desperation to get her father back, and the harsh circumstances of her life fending for herself.
The Clockwork Queen is an intriguing construction, and is based on an actual eighteenth century Austrian construction. In this story, the Clockwork Queen appears enigmatic and a little frightening to Olga, but is actually just a device that enables the girl to match her wits against Catherine the Great, a famously shrewd ruler, and to get into a position to liberate her unjustly imprisoned father.
The story is written for children, and deals with some heavy stuff. The plight of Olga alone in Moscow playing chess to feed herself after Olga loses both parents is relayed simply but one can easily feel the horror and pathos of the that situation, as well as the events that led to her this: her father’s unjust imprisonment, the family’s resulting poverty and her mother’s illness. And later, when Olga is successful in her mission, It’s impossible not to feel the joy of Olga and her father when they are reunited. It’s a heartwarming story.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Barrington Stoke for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The story is accompanied by illustrations that give the reader a sense of Olga’s desperation to get her father back, and the harsh circumstances of her life fending for herself.
The Clockwork Queen is an intriguing construction, and is based on an actual eighteenth century Austrian construction. In this story, the Clockwork Queen appears enigmatic and a little frightening to Olga, but is actually just a device that enables the girl to match her wits against Catherine the Great, a famously shrewd ruler, and to get into a position to liberate her unjustly imprisoned father.
The story is written for children, and deals with some heavy stuff. The plight of Olga alone in Moscow playing chess to feed herself after Olga loses both parents is relayed simply but one can easily feel the horror and pathos of the that situation, as well as the events that led to her this: her father’s unjust imprisonment, the family’s resulting poverty and her mother’s illness. And later, when Olga is successful in her mission, It’s impossible not to feel the joy of Olga and her father when they are reunited. It’s a heartwarming story.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Barrington Stoke for this ARC in exchange for my review.
May 14, 2022
Many thanks to Netgalley and Barrington Stoke for this ARC, which is out on 2nd June.
An absolutely fantastic read, which I know will be loved by the children it’s written for. The courage and ingenuity of Sophie makes her an inspiring young role model as she overcomes the challenges in her life and attempts to save her father. I had heard of the Mechanical Turk and was fascinated to read more about it in the historical note and how it had inspired this story.
I absolutely loved the historical Russian setting and the inclusion of Catherine the Great. Whilst not shying away from some ambitious vocabulary, everything was very decodable. I’m always so impressed by Barrington Stoke and the authors and how they can take this ambitious content and setting and make it accessible for older, struggling readers.
A great read that I will definitely be recommending to my Year 5s. I must read more Peter Bunzl soon!
An absolutely fantastic read, which I know will be loved by the children it’s written for. The courage and ingenuity of Sophie makes her an inspiring young role model as she overcomes the challenges in her life and attempts to save her father. I had heard of the Mechanical Turk and was fascinated to read more about it in the historical note and how it had inspired this story.
I absolutely loved the historical Russian setting and the inclusion of Catherine the Great. Whilst not shying away from some ambitious vocabulary, everything was very decodable. I’m always so impressed by Barrington Stoke and the authors and how they can take this ambitious content and setting and make it accessible for older, struggling readers.
A great read that I will definitely be recommending to my Year 5s. I must read more Peter Bunzl soon!
May 3, 2022
“An enjoyable, exciting little read for middle-grade and up.”
Thank you Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Publishing for the opportunity to read this arc.
Set in eighteenth-century Russia, The Clockwork Queen is an exciting little read about chess and overcoming the odds.
Due to its length, this book is accessible to able younger readers as well as those in KS3. At just under 128 pages, the novella is fast paced. The story progresses quickly and there are plenty of tense and gripping moments as well as some sadness. Our heroine Sophie has a lot to deal with in her young life almost from the outset which provides motivational moments for readers of all ages. Once again, Peter Bunzl has created a strong, female character as the lead in the story. I have loved his writing since discovering Cogheart and this little marvel is just as well written, imaginative and a real page turner. It is also beautifully illustrated by Lia Visirin. Will be recommending to children in my year 4 class.
Thank you Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Publishing for the opportunity to read this arc.
Set in eighteenth-century Russia, The Clockwork Queen is an exciting little read about chess and overcoming the odds.
Due to its length, this book is accessible to able younger readers as well as those in KS3. At just under 128 pages, the novella is fast paced. The story progresses quickly and there are plenty of tense and gripping moments as well as some sadness. Our heroine Sophie has a lot to deal with in her young life almost from the outset which provides motivational moments for readers of all ages. Once again, Peter Bunzl has created a strong, female character as the lead in the story. I have loved his writing since discovering Cogheart and this little marvel is just as well written, imaginative and a real page turner. It is also beautifully illustrated by Lia Visirin. Will be recommending to children in my year 4 class.
July 11, 2022
What a beautiful middle grade book!
I absolutely loved it! read it in one sitting and was so immersed in the story from the very first chapter.
We are in Russia during the time that Catherine the Great is empress and has overthrown her husband.. The story is about chess, family and about a... device that is based on a true story without wanting to reveal more! I had no idea about the Mechanical Turk going into this story and that made it even more stunning of a novel!
Loved the prose and illustrations, an excellent book for little ones and adults alike! For fans of the Queen's Gambit and more!
Thank you Netgalley and Barrington Stoke for this e-copy! I would love for my kid to read it too when she is older and teach her chess if she so desires :)
I absolutely loved it! read it in one sitting and was so immersed in the story from the very first chapter.
We are in Russia during the time that Catherine the Great is empress and has overthrown her husband.. The story is about chess, family and about a... device that is based on a true story without wanting to reveal more! I had no idea about the Mechanical Turk going into this story and that made it even more stunning of a novel!
Loved the prose and illustrations, an excellent book for little ones and adults alike! For fans of the Queen's Gambit and more!
Thank you Netgalley and Barrington Stoke for this e-copy! I would love for my kid to read it too when she is older and teach her chess if she so desires :)
May 13, 2022
Sophie has been raised to live and breathe chess, but thinks she will never be able to defeat her father. Then her world is turned upside-down when her father is ordered to go to St Petersburg to teach the son of Empress Catherine the game of chess. Things spiral down -- until Sophie meets 'the Mechanical Turk', which is a machine that keeps winning chess matches. What is its secret? Will Sophie be able to reunite with her father? As this short novel progresses, it becomes a page-turner with tons of action/adventure -- and chess -- in a Russian imperial setting.
This is another brilliant Barrington Stoke book that is accessible, inspired by real historical events and with a totally engaging plot. My students will love it! Great for Year 5-8.
This is another brilliant Barrington Stoke book that is accessible, inspired by real historical events and with a totally engaging plot. My students will love it! Great for Year 5-8.
May 29, 2022
I recently heard about an automaton called The Mechanical Turk – an 18th century chess ‘machine’ that impressed its audiences by beating great chess players. Baffling its audiences for over eighty years, before being lost in a fire, it was finally discovered that it was in fact an elaborate hoax; someone could fit inside the chess table and would operate the Turk’s hands. It’s a fascinating idea for a story, and one that is delivered through the safe hands of Peter Bunzl (author of the Cogheart series) in this new Barrington Stoke title.
In this tale, we follow Sophie Peshka, a brilliantly clever child who has inherited the love of chess from her father. We see her learn the rules of the game as she accompanies her father to play chess in the park. The two are close and their tender relationship is one of respect and patience. He is everything to Sophie. When he is imprisoned in the dungeons of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg by powerful Empress Catherine the Great, Sophie must use all her strategic skill and cunning to help him escape.
Her father, his situation and the Russian empress are all equally fascinating, yet it is Sophie who is the focus of the tale. It is she who must travel with the incredible chess automaton, The Clockwork Queen, to the Winter Palace. It is only she who can win back her father’s life.
Told simply, but with no lack of plot or characterisation, this is a great title for 8-12 year olds who are looking for a interesting read. It’s from Barrington Stoke, so it’s dyslexia-friendly, and is a quick no-nonsense read for any reader looking to get to the heart of a great story.
In this tale, we follow Sophie Peshka, a brilliantly clever child who has inherited the love of chess from her father. We see her learn the rules of the game as she accompanies her father to play chess in the park. The two are close and their tender relationship is one of respect and patience. He is everything to Sophie. When he is imprisoned in the dungeons of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg by powerful Empress Catherine the Great, Sophie must use all her strategic skill and cunning to help him escape.
Her father, his situation and the Russian empress are all equally fascinating, yet it is Sophie who is the focus of the tale. It is she who must travel with the incredible chess automaton, The Clockwork Queen, to the Winter Palace. It is only she who can win back her father’s life.
Told simply, but with no lack of plot or characterisation, this is a great title for 8-12 year olds who are looking for a interesting read. It’s from Barrington Stoke, so it’s dyslexia-friendly, and is a quick no-nonsense read for any reader looking to get to the heart of a great story.
June 15, 2022
First of all, thank you to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for this ARC! This review was written voluntarily by me.
In the first place, I am attracted to read this story because of its family themed summary. The book is around 100 pages, which makes it easier for children to read because this is children's fiction, but for me, the book is suitable for any age. Because this story has some chess-related terms, I thought some of the plots in this story might be easier for chess enthusiasts to understand, but it does not really affect the main flow of the story. The language used is appropriate for its targeted audience, and, as a non native English speaker, I would say that this book is also suitable for beginners to read more stories in English that is easier to understand before moving to the next level. I am surprised when knowing that the story is inspired by a real-life mechanical machine operated by a human (the Mechanical Turk) which is new knowledge for me and making this story more interesting.
In the first place, I am attracted to read this story because of its family themed summary. The book is around 100 pages, which makes it easier for children to read because this is children's fiction, but for me, the book is suitable for any age. Because this story has some chess-related terms, I thought some of the plots in this story might be easier for chess enthusiasts to understand, but it does not really affect the main flow of the story. The language used is appropriate for its targeted audience, and, as a non native English speaker, I would say that this book is also suitable for beginners to read more stories in English that is easier to understand before moving to the next level. I am surprised when knowing that the story is inspired by a real-life mechanical machine operated by a human (the Mechanical Turk) which is new knowledge for me and making this story more interesting.
December 30, 2022
This is such a brilliant historical story! Sophie is the daughter of the famous chess player Ivan Peshka who has written a book on the subject. Sophie loves to spend time with her father playing chess with him and others at a park, but one day her father must leave, having been given an important job at the Winter Palace, to teach the young Prince Paul how to play chess. As the weeks and months go by Sophie and her mother hear from Ivan less and less until one day their letters to him return unopened with a note that says that Ivan has been locked in the palace dungeons. Sophie needs to rescue her father but doesn’t know how, could a strange new player known as the Clockwork Queen help her?
This is such a brilliant story and I love what happens! Sophie’s father is a famous chess master and goes to the Winter Palace to help teach Empress Catherine’s son Paul. When Ivan says goodbye to his wife and daughter, he leave Sophie a gift of his chess board and pieces and his book, so she can practice and become good enough to beat her father. While Ivan is away, at first Sophie and her mum get letters from him telling of what he’s doing and how difficult it is to train the young prince. He sends money too, but after a while it becomes clear that he’s fallen out of favour of the Empress and is imprisoned in the dungeons. Sophie is a character I liked and I enjoyed what happens to her despite some difficulties she faces when her father stops sending money.
The story is quite sad at first, with things happening to Sophie and her mum, but later Sophie’s skills at chess help her to keep making money and I love what happens when an old friend of Sophie’s, Olga, gets in touch with her. The story is so good and I enjoyed how Sophie eventually ends up meeting The Clockwork Queen a fascinating clockwork chess player made from wood and all sorts of cogs, looking like a queen who seems to be able to beat everyone at the game. The story has a big reveal about the clockwork queen in the middle, which I have to admit I did see coming as I already knew about a real life similar mechanical chess player in the past and what really happened with that. But to those that don’t know it’s a great reveal and it’s still a brilliant story which I couldn’t predict what would happen once The Clockwork Queen and Sophie along with her friends head to the Winter Palace for the queen to play against the Empress.
The story has a lovely build up to the ending with a great final few pages. I thought it was quite a short and bit of an abrupt ending, I would have liked to see one more chapter maybe set a few weeks later but overall it’s a lovely and satisfying story for anyone reading. The book has illustrations throughout on some of the pages, these are all in black, white and grey and I love how they look, showing the expressions of the characters well, in particular how Sophie looks with her father at the beginning and how the Clockwork Queen looks later on. The book is dyslexia and reluctant reader friendly which means it’s printed on thicker than normal paper which has a yellower colour, the font used is a special one and the text is bigger with separated paragraphs. The whole book is not a lot over 100 pages long too making it a great shorter read which is great for those who find it daunting to read longer books.
I have really enjoyed this book. There are some brief author’s notes at the end explaining the real life machine in history that the story is inspired by, as well as a brief mention of how accurate some of the story is about Empress Catherine. Overall it’s such a great novel and one I already want to re-read! A brilliant tale about family, friendship and with a great twist on the Clockwork Queen.
-Thanks to Barrington Stoke for a free copy.
This is such a brilliant story and I love what happens! Sophie’s father is a famous chess master and goes to the Winter Palace to help teach Empress Catherine’s son Paul. When Ivan says goodbye to his wife and daughter, he leave Sophie a gift of his chess board and pieces and his book, so she can practice and become good enough to beat her father. While Ivan is away, at first Sophie and her mum get letters from him telling of what he’s doing and how difficult it is to train the young prince. He sends money too, but after a while it becomes clear that he’s fallen out of favour of the Empress and is imprisoned in the dungeons. Sophie is a character I liked and I enjoyed what happens to her despite some difficulties she faces when her father stops sending money.
The story is quite sad at first, with things happening to Sophie and her mum, but later Sophie’s skills at chess help her to keep making money and I love what happens when an old friend of Sophie’s, Olga, gets in touch with her. The story is so good and I enjoyed how Sophie eventually ends up meeting The Clockwork Queen a fascinating clockwork chess player made from wood and all sorts of cogs, looking like a queen who seems to be able to beat everyone at the game. The story has a big reveal about the clockwork queen in the middle, which I have to admit I did see coming as I already knew about a real life similar mechanical chess player in the past and what really happened with that. But to those that don’t know it’s a great reveal and it’s still a brilliant story which I couldn’t predict what would happen once The Clockwork Queen and Sophie along with her friends head to the Winter Palace for the queen to play against the Empress.
The story has a lovely build up to the ending with a great final few pages. I thought it was quite a short and bit of an abrupt ending, I would have liked to see one more chapter maybe set a few weeks later but overall it’s a lovely and satisfying story for anyone reading. The book has illustrations throughout on some of the pages, these are all in black, white and grey and I love how they look, showing the expressions of the characters well, in particular how Sophie looks with her father at the beginning and how the Clockwork Queen looks later on. The book is dyslexia and reluctant reader friendly which means it’s printed on thicker than normal paper which has a yellower colour, the font used is a special one and the text is bigger with separated paragraphs. The whole book is not a lot over 100 pages long too making it a great shorter read which is great for those who find it daunting to read longer books.
I have really enjoyed this book. There are some brief author’s notes at the end explaining the real life machine in history that the story is inspired by, as well as a brief mention of how accurate some of the story is about Empress Catherine. Overall it’s such a great novel and one I already want to re-read! A brilliant tale about family, friendship and with a great twist on the Clockwork Queen.
-Thanks to Barrington Stoke for a free copy.
August 2, 2022
Young Sophie Peshka is a gifted chess player, an art she has learned from her grandmaster father. She is undefeated on the streets of Moscow and is able to hustle her way to a few roubles. Everything goes wrong when her father is summoned to the Winter Palace in St Petersburg to teach the son of the powerful Empress Catherine the Great how to play the game.
Imprisoned for failing to impress and cut off from his family, he has no means of escape. His only hope is Sophie who must use all of her skills and strategic thinking to devise a cunning escape. Her plan involves a chess playing marvel - The Clockwork Queen - and she must play the game of her life if she is to find her way to the palace and free her father…
The often quiet and reserved game of chess becomes drama and tension-filled in this gripping historical narrative as an enjoyable pastime, power and a chess-playing automaton collide in this captivating read where the stakes are high and the game really is a matter of life or death. Taking inspiration from the ‘Mechanical Turk’ - an elaborate chess playing automaton whose secret baffled people for years - Peter Bunzl whisks readers back to 18th century Russia and tells an enthralling story that will keep the excitement and engagement levels high. As an added treat, extra information behind Bunzl’s inspiration for the story is included at the end.
A mechanical chess playing Queen, a father in trouble, a courageous daughter, chess masters, a power hungry Queen and a dangerous rescue plan make for an absolute page-turner filled with peril, courage, clever thinking, great risks and an incredible piece of machinery. Intrigue and mystery hang firmly in the air and pacy and exciting story-telling ensure a genuine page-turner that has you wondering who will be saying ‘Checkmate’.
The Clockwork Queen is a superb piece of historical fiction writing and I whisper this quietly, I think this is one of the best yet from Barrington Stoke. True to their ethos, this is top quality story-telling from one of the UK’s best children’s authors made accessible to a wide audience of readers; a reading level of eight plus and dyslexic friendly font and colours ensure lots of children can access this read - and I strongly suggest they pick up a copy.
Sophie is a fabulous character. Despite the challenges that life has presented her with - an imprisoned father, the death of her mother and finding herself on the brink of becoming homeless - she still finds hope and strength when it is needed most. She is courageous when all seems lost and with the help of some old friends and The Clockwork Queen her bravery and determination has her triumphing in the end.
With huge thanks to the publisher for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.
Recommended for 8+.
Imprisoned for failing to impress and cut off from his family, he has no means of escape. His only hope is Sophie who must use all of her skills and strategic thinking to devise a cunning escape. Her plan involves a chess playing marvel - The Clockwork Queen - and she must play the game of her life if she is to find her way to the palace and free her father…
The often quiet and reserved game of chess becomes drama and tension-filled in this gripping historical narrative as an enjoyable pastime, power and a chess-playing automaton collide in this captivating read where the stakes are high and the game really is a matter of life or death. Taking inspiration from the ‘Mechanical Turk’ - an elaborate chess playing automaton whose secret baffled people for years - Peter Bunzl whisks readers back to 18th century Russia and tells an enthralling story that will keep the excitement and engagement levels high. As an added treat, extra information behind Bunzl’s inspiration for the story is included at the end.
A mechanical chess playing Queen, a father in trouble, a courageous daughter, chess masters, a power hungry Queen and a dangerous rescue plan make for an absolute page-turner filled with peril, courage, clever thinking, great risks and an incredible piece of machinery. Intrigue and mystery hang firmly in the air and pacy and exciting story-telling ensure a genuine page-turner that has you wondering who will be saying ‘Checkmate’.
The Clockwork Queen is a superb piece of historical fiction writing and I whisper this quietly, I think this is one of the best yet from Barrington Stoke. True to their ethos, this is top quality story-telling from one of the UK’s best children’s authors made accessible to a wide audience of readers; a reading level of eight plus and dyslexic friendly font and colours ensure lots of children can access this read - and I strongly suggest they pick up a copy.
Sophie is a fabulous character. Despite the challenges that life has presented her with - an imprisoned father, the death of her mother and finding herself on the brink of becoming homeless - she still finds hope and strength when it is needed most. She is courageous when all seems lost and with the help of some old friends and The Clockwork Queen her bravery and determination has her triumphing in the end.
With huge thanks to the publisher for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.
Recommended for 8+.
June 7, 2022
I wrote this review for my blog and Instagram: Miloureadsbooks
As some of you might know, I am currently writing my thesis on how to support English as a Second Language students at international schools. One of the best ways is obviously to provide books that they enjoy reading. One of such stories is a category called hi-lo books (high interest/low reading level). Instead of needing to read babyish books, they can read about interesting topics that are written for their age.
A perfect example is The Clockwork Queen. Set in Russia, it is about a girl, Sophie whose dad is exceptional at chess. He is even requested to teach the son of Empress Catherine. Before he left for Moscow, Sophie learned everything about chess from her dad. At first, everything seems fine, but soon her dad stops writing and Sophie and her mom receive a letter that he is taken prisoner. When her mother passes away, Sophie is wants to free her father more than ever. When two old friends show up with the Clockwork Queen, a wooden doll who can beat almost anybody at chess, the opportunity finally presents itself to start a rescue mission.
I thought it was exceptionally clever how Peter Bunzl wove such an imaginary tale full of details with such short sentences and easy vocabulary. Being a sucker for stories set abroad and historical fiction, this was right up my alley. Plus, I was truly intrigued throughout the story. First about who the Clockwork Queen might be, then how it might work and later how they would save the father from the grasp of the Empress. Sophie made a great hero, and it definitely broke some stereotypes by making her a great chess player. Personally, I wouldn’t mind if the happy ending had an extra scene to it, however, I think that shows that I didn’t want the book to end.
Besides being fantastic for English as an Additional Language learners, these books are also beneficial for children with dyslexia, pupils who need a confidence boost or students who want to read something relaxing. As you can see, I really enjoyed this story and it twists too.
As some of you might know, I am currently writing my thesis on how to support English as a Second Language students at international schools. One of the best ways is obviously to provide books that they enjoy reading. One of such stories is a category called hi-lo books (high interest/low reading level). Instead of needing to read babyish books, they can read about interesting topics that are written for their age.
A perfect example is The Clockwork Queen. Set in Russia, it is about a girl, Sophie whose dad is exceptional at chess. He is even requested to teach the son of Empress Catherine. Before he left for Moscow, Sophie learned everything about chess from her dad. At first, everything seems fine, but soon her dad stops writing and Sophie and her mom receive a letter that he is taken prisoner. When her mother passes away, Sophie is wants to free her father more than ever. When two old friends show up with the Clockwork Queen, a wooden doll who can beat almost anybody at chess, the opportunity finally presents itself to start a rescue mission.
I thought it was exceptionally clever how Peter Bunzl wove such an imaginary tale full of details with such short sentences and easy vocabulary. Being a sucker for stories set abroad and historical fiction, this was right up my alley. Plus, I was truly intrigued throughout the story. First about who the Clockwork Queen might be, then how it might work and later how they would save the father from the grasp of the Empress. Sophie made a great hero, and it definitely broke some stereotypes by making her a great chess player. Personally, I wouldn’t mind if the happy ending had an extra scene to it, however, I think that shows that I didn’t want the book to end.
Besides being fantastic for English as an Additional Language learners, these books are also beneficial for children with dyslexia, pupils who need a confidence boost or students who want to read something relaxing. As you can see, I really enjoyed this story and it twists too.
June 9, 2022
My thanks to Barrington Stoke for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Clockwork Queen’ by Peter Bunzl in exchange for an honest review.
This is an illustrated story set in Imperial Russia during the reign of Catherine the Great and is intended for young readers aged 8-12. The illustrations by Lia Visirin are sweet and perfectly complement this charming story.
The tale is narrated by chess prodigy Sophie Peshka, who has inherited a love of the game from her grandmaster father. Then he is summoned to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to instruct Prince Paul, the young son of the Empress. Sophie receives no word from her father and eventually learns that he has been imprisoned in the palace dungeons.
Sophie has to use all her strategic skill and cunning to help him escape. She is assisted by Mr. Kon, an inventor friend of her father, and Olga, his daughter. Kon has invented an amazing automaton, the Clockwork Queen.
Peter Bunzl includes an Author’s Note that provides historical background on his story including the inspiration provided by the chess playing machine known as the Mechanical Turk that was invented in the 18th Century.
This was a short, lovely read that I imagine will delight young readers and also serve as an introduction to the pleasures of historical fiction in which the author utilises their imagination to weave together historical figures, events and settings alongside their own original characters to transport their readers through time and space to a bygone age.
This is an illustrated story set in Imperial Russia during the reign of Catherine the Great and is intended for young readers aged 8-12. The illustrations by Lia Visirin are sweet and perfectly complement this charming story.
The tale is narrated by chess prodigy Sophie Peshka, who has inherited a love of the game from her grandmaster father. Then he is summoned to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to instruct Prince Paul, the young son of the Empress. Sophie receives no word from her father and eventually learns that he has been imprisoned in the palace dungeons.
Sophie has to use all her strategic skill and cunning to help him escape. She is assisted by Mr. Kon, an inventor friend of her father, and Olga, his daughter. Kon has invented an amazing automaton, the Clockwork Queen.
Peter Bunzl includes an Author’s Note that provides historical background on his story including the inspiration provided by the chess playing machine known as the Mechanical Turk that was invented in the 18th Century.
This was a short, lovely read that I imagine will delight young readers and also serve as an introduction to the pleasures of historical fiction in which the author utilises their imagination to weave together historical figures, events and settings alongside their own original characters to transport their readers through time and space to a bygone age.
July 11, 2022
Donated to me by Barrington Stoke. I would very much recommend it to primary school and beyond. It is a good adventure story with a female character lead and a very bad Empress of Russia!
Sophie is 10 when her father is called by the Empress Catherine the Great to teach her son how to play chess. She goes to the station with her mother to see him off. They see many friends who call to them but there is no time for a game. Her father, Ivan Peshka, is a master chess player. He has taught her from the age of 5, but she hasn't beaten him yet. Her leaves her his chess set and a copy of his book, Masters of Chess.
Sophie practises daily with their friends in the park, she reads her book nightly. Her fathers letters from St Petersburg stop and so does the money. The last package that comes is from the office of the Empress saying he has been jailed for failing to teach her son. Slowly the income from his book stops as well, Sophie plays for money, her mother sews and they sell everything but teh chess set and book. Then Sophie's mum becomes ill and dies. Her fathers friends help her for a while. Eventually she thinks she has no choice but to sell the chess set.
Then along comes a girl, Olga Kon and her father and his invention, The Clockwork Queen. The Clockwork Queen plays chess. Sophie loses to it but also begins an adventure that takes her all the way to the Winter Palace in St Petersburg.
We have lots of children that love Barrington Stoke because they are short, not just for dyslexics. This is a great adventure story and I'm sure they'll love it.
Sophie is 10 when her father is called by the Empress Catherine the Great to teach her son how to play chess. She goes to the station with her mother to see him off. They see many friends who call to them but there is no time for a game. Her father, Ivan Peshka, is a master chess player. He has taught her from the age of 5, but she hasn't beaten him yet. Her leaves her his chess set and a copy of his book, Masters of Chess.
Sophie practises daily with their friends in the park, she reads her book nightly. Her fathers letters from St Petersburg stop and so does the money. The last package that comes is from the office of the Empress saying he has been jailed for failing to teach her son. Slowly the income from his book stops as well, Sophie plays for money, her mother sews and they sell everything but teh chess set and book. Then Sophie's mum becomes ill and dies. Her fathers friends help her for a while. Eventually she thinks she has no choice but to sell the chess set.
Then along comes a girl, Olga Kon and her father and his invention, The Clockwork Queen. The Clockwork Queen plays chess. Sophie loses to it but also begins an adventure that takes her all the way to the Winter Palace in St Petersburg.
We have lots of children that love Barrington Stoke because they are short, not just for dyslexics. This is a great adventure story and I'm sure they'll love it.
June 12, 2022
This was a very distinctive read, that like the best Barrington Stoke books will be welcomed by people beyond their specialised audience of readers with dyslexia and other things that cause them to have aversions to books. Here, Sophie is getting more than down on her luck – her funds have completely run out and she's barely got anything left, now that her mother has died – and she only died from the horror of Sophie's father being imprisoned for a dubious charge. For the man is a chess grand master, and when the Russian Empress Catherine the Great demanded he teach her royal son, and said brat wanted nothing to do with the game, he was jailed as a failure. Out of nowhere Sophie is offered one game to win, and a must-win game at that, as it would allow her to go to Saint Petersburg and hopefully plea for her father's release. But she has no idea who she will be up against...
As the footnote proves, this is partly based on real history, but nothing reads faintly old and dusty about this tale. Sophie is perfectly easy to care for, and she's not a perfect chess wunderkind of unlikeable ability – just a girl looking up to her father and intent on doing right. The bizarre situation she finds herself in is an intriguing one, and it won't be just the intended age bracket for this that get a little surprise from the way things pan out. All told, this was a solid success – four and a half stars.
As the footnote proves, this is partly based on real history, but nothing reads faintly old and dusty about this tale. Sophie is perfectly easy to care for, and she's not a perfect chess wunderkind of unlikeable ability – just a girl looking up to her father and intent on doing right. The bizarre situation she finds herself in is an intriguing one, and it won't be just the intended age bracket for this that get a little surprise from the way things pan out. All told, this was a solid success – four and a half stars.
May 14, 2022
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
THE CLOCKWORK QUEEN is inspired by the Mechanical Turk, a mechanical chess player that was actually a fake hiding a real player. In this Russian set, MG, Sophie's father is a chess master, summoned by Catherine the Great to teach her son - but when he fails, she imprisons him. It's up to Sophie, some chess-playing friends, and a clever mechanical device, to infiltrate the palace and free him.
It was such a delightful story about chess, family, and friendship, particularly friendship in dire circumstances. Not to mention shining a spotlight on invention, ingenuity, and illusion, surrounded by 18th century Russia, both cities and palaces.
The illustrations, by Lisa Visirin, really help set the scene. As you'd expect with a book (novella) this short, the descriptions are pretty sparse, so the illustrations make it much easier to imagine the blocking and layout. They are a combination of full page images capturing a whole scene and smaller ones capturing an object or a close up of Sophie in action. It was a nice mix, and the style was a very clean one, with block grey to add depth and detail into it.
THE CLOCKWORK QUEEN is inspired by the Mechanical Turk, a mechanical chess player that was actually a fake hiding a real player. In this Russian set, MG, Sophie's father is a chess master, summoned by Catherine the Great to teach her son - but when he fails, she imprisons him. It's up to Sophie, some chess-playing friends, and a clever mechanical device, to infiltrate the palace and free him.
It was such a delightful story about chess, family, and friendship, particularly friendship in dire circumstances. Not to mention shining a spotlight on invention, ingenuity, and illusion, surrounded by 18th century Russia, both cities and palaces.
The illustrations, by Lisa Visirin, really help set the scene. As you'd expect with a book (novella) this short, the descriptions are pretty sparse, so the illustrations make it much easier to imagine the blocking and layout. They are a combination of full page images capturing a whole scene and smaller ones capturing an object or a close up of Sophie in action. It was a nice mix, and the style was a very clean one, with block grey to add depth and detail into it.
April 3, 2023
My daughter is a chess player, so I was interested in this book based on that alone. It’s not long, but the narrative is complete.
Sophie has learned chess at her father’s knee, but upon his disappearance, she falls on hard times. It is almost by accident that she ends up in a rescue attempt—by hiding inside a supposed wind-up chess playing doll. Of course, there’s actually a person inside the doll, and when Sophie becomes that person, excitement commences!
Sophie is quite brave, and it is her ability to think quickly—not just in a chess game!—that saves the day.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Perilous situations. Deceit. Her father is imprisoned and is not in the best of shape afterward.
Who Might Like This Book:
Chess lovers. Anyone interested in Russian history. Those who like daring rescues.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my opinion.
This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
Sophie has learned chess at her father’s knee, but upon his disappearance, she falls on hard times. It is almost by accident that she ends up in a rescue attempt—by hiding inside a supposed wind-up chess playing doll. Of course, there’s actually a person inside the doll, and when Sophie becomes that person, excitement commences!
Sophie is quite brave, and it is her ability to think quickly—not just in a chess game!—that saves the day.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Perilous situations. Deceit. Her father is imprisoned and is not in the best of shape afterward.
Who Might Like This Book:
Chess lovers. Anyone interested in Russian history. Those who like daring rescues.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my opinion.
This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
May 22, 2022
I’ve really enjoyed everything that Peter Bunzl has written, so I jumped on the chance to read an advance copy of The Clockwork Queen.
I really enjoyed this story, which is set in Russia during the reign of Catherine the Great. Sophie is a great character, who copes with several misfortunes and wins through in the end (with the help of some friends).
This was a quick and easy read, with a fun and imaginative story. I also liked the Author’s note at the end, which gives some factual background for the story.
The illustrations throughout are lovely, and really add to the atmosphere of the book.
Overall, this story is a fun way to while away an hour or so. I recommend it, and all of Peter Bunzl’s other books too.
TW: death of mother of main character, though it’s not focussed on.
I really enjoyed this story, which is set in Russia during the reign of Catherine the Great. Sophie is a great character, who copes with several misfortunes and wins through in the end (with the help of some friends).
This was a quick and easy read, with a fun and imaginative story. I also liked the Author’s note at the end, which gives some factual background for the story.
The illustrations throughout are lovely, and really add to the atmosphere of the book.
Overall, this story is a fun way to while away an hour or so. I recommend it, and all of Peter Bunzl’s other books too.
TW: death of mother of main character, though it’s not focussed on.
May 12, 2024
A quick, fun read about the whole dwarf-in-the-machine playing chess for kids, which has been the subject of other stories. This book has a lot of heart and the pictures are absolutely adorable.
I also love that the book is about chess and it introduces the young reader to a chess game, and to a very old story about the mechanical chess player.
It's a sweet little tale and Sophie is a sweet heroine. It's a completely predictable story but that doesn't matter because you want things to work out.
The main thing that really is missing is some more excitement at times. It's more of a lovely book than a dramatic high stakes one. I think there were a few places where I was expecting a little more tension. I still enjoyed this read a lot and think it would be nice for young kids, mainly for younger kids.
I also love that the book is about chess and it introduces the young reader to a chess game, and to a very old story about the mechanical chess player.
It's a sweet little tale and Sophie is a sweet heroine. It's a completely predictable story but that doesn't matter because you want things to work out.
The main thing that really is missing is some more excitement at times. It's more of a lovely book than a dramatic high stakes one. I think there were a few places where I was expecting a little more tension. I still enjoyed this read a lot and think it would be nice for young kids, mainly for younger kids.
April 21, 2022
The story focuses on Sophie, a young girl who, because of her dad, becomes a master chess player. But the simple life she could have had becomes complicated from the start.
The book is past paced, a real page turner, there are gripping and heartbreaking moments when I urged Sophie to catch a break or become the hero she deserves to be.
There will parallels drawn between this story and The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, I would suggest that for any adult/educator who devoured and enjoyed the mini-tv series, the same will be said for The Clockwork Queen.
As an educator I would recommend this to all my students, I think this would be great for KS2/3. It provides tense and dramatic moments and teaches young readers to never give up.
The book is past paced, a real page turner, there are gripping and heartbreaking moments when I urged Sophie to catch a break or become the hero she deserves to be.
There will parallels drawn between this story and The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, I would suggest that for any adult/educator who devoured and enjoyed the mini-tv series, the same will be said for The Clockwork Queen.
As an educator I would recommend this to all my students, I think this would be great for KS2/3. It provides tense and dramatic moments and teaches young readers to never give up.
May 12, 2022
Trigger warnings:
-Death of a parent
The clockwork queen is an exciting and enjoyable unputdownable read about a young girl named Sophie who has to save her imprisoned father using her chess skills and the help of the clockwork queen. It is adventurous, emotional, hopeful, inspiring, sad at times and fast-paced with an ending that pays off.
I loved how Sophie was a strong character who kept pushing no matter how tough things got. It was a touching read with a beautiful lesson for children…never give up.
(Thank you Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Publishing for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
-Death of a parent
The clockwork queen is an exciting and enjoyable unputdownable read about a young girl named Sophie who has to save her imprisoned father using her chess skills and the help of the clockwork queen. It is adventurous, emotional, hopeful, inspiring, sad at times and fast-paced with an ending that pays off.
I loved how Sophie was a strong character who kept pushing no matter how tough things got. It was a touching read with a beautiful lesson for children…never give up.
(Thank you Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Publishing for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
May 26, 2022
'The Clockwork Queen' by Peter Bunzl is a children's book set in Russia. Sophie loves playing chess and is brilliant at it. She inherited the love of playing chess from her grandmaster father. But when her father is imprisoned by powerful Empress Catherine the Great for not being able to teach the Prince the game of chess, Sophie devices a plan to help her father escape. It will not be easy and Sophie has a trick up her sleeve- the Clockwork Queen.
This delightful story is beautifully written and the illustrations in the book are perfect. I would love to get my hands on a physical copy of this one, once it comes out. Give this a read, you'll love it.
This delightful story is beautifully written and the illustrations in the book are perfect. I would love to get my hands on a physical copy of this one, once it comes out. Give this a read, you'll love it.
May 15, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this cute story with Russia, St Petersburg, Empress Catherine the Great, a strong and smart little female MC named Sophie and chess playing which made me like it even more. An exciting and enjoyable story that I discovered was inspired by a true story.
It is an absolutely fantastic and great read for middle grades with some cute and funny illustrations. A beautiful story about the courage to survive and to fight for those we love even when we believe that there is no hope.
I liked this cute story with Russia, St Petersburg, Empress Catherine the Great, a strong and smart little female MC named Sophie and chess playing which made me like it even more. An exciting and enjoyable story that I discovered was inspired by a true story.
It is an absolutely fantastic and great read for middle grades with some cute and funny illustrations. A beautiful story about the courage to survive and to fight for those we love even when we believe that there is no hope.
Read
May 22, 2022The Clockwork Queen is a lovely short story about Sophie and her father and her battle to free her father from Catherine the Great's clutches.
Sophie's father is a class master, he introduces her to the game and they play until he is called up to teach Queen Catherines son at her palace. When he fails, he is imprisoned. Sophie's mum falls into poverty but Sophie continues to play chess.
Sophie then takes on a challenge of playing a 'Clockwork queen,' but all is not as it seems.
The story is wonderfully written, the characters are vibrant and really spring to life.
Sophie's father is a class master, he introduces her to the game and they play until he is called up to teach Queen Catherines son at her palace. When he fails, he is imprisoned. Sophie's mum falls into poverty but Sophie continues to play chess.
Sophie then takes on a challenge of playing a 'Clockwork queen,' but all is not as it seems.
The story is wonderfully written, the characters are vibrant and really spring to life.
August 2, 2022
This was a charming quick read about a young girl who uses her wits and chess skills to save her father from the anger of Catherine the Great. Although fully fictional. the idea of the Clockwork Queen is based on The Mechanical Turk. It is an easy read, but the addition of chess terms and historical setting make this a read that will stretch vocabulary and general knowledge.
I can imagine recommending this for a "reading for pleasure book" for KS2 or a weaker/ less confident LKS3 reader - perhaps up to Yr8.
I can imagine recommending this for a "reading for pleasure book" for KS2 or a weaker/ less confident LKS3 reader - perhaps up to Yr8.
August 13, 2022
I never get bored of Peter Bunzl’s books! I was so excited to read The Clockwork Queen because the blurb immediately put me in mind of The Queen’s Gambit, which I have watched repeatedly. This is a wonderful adventure story with a strong, female main character who has agency. I really hope that readers of The Clockwork Queen, particularly girls, will be enthused to discover more about the world of chess.
May 25, 2024
This was a good children's book. I loved the premise of the book and enjoyed reading it but I found that I could see most of the plot points or twists coming. That is probably down to the fact that it is a children's book though and I would still recommend reading it at an older age. The accompanying illustrations add to the story and the fact that this edition has been published with dyslexic children in mind is great, and should be done more often.
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