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The Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God: A Chess Story
A Mythological Fantasy for the Whole Family
Princess Kassie, the 12-year-old daughter of the gods Caïssa and Mars, lives a charmed life in the dazzling kingdom of Chess Mountain. In this realm, chess pieces are living beings and flourish as loyal citizens. However, on Kassie's birthday, her best friend Dimitri mysteriously disappears and her parents are wrongly accused. This event shatters Kassie's world.
As war is declared, the princess escapes to Earth on a special mission to strengthen her kingdom and gain her goddess title. Accompanied by a trusted knight, Kassie assumes the identity of a mortal student and attends an unusual and diverse classroom in New York City led by a quirky teacher.
To her surprise, Kassie discovers that she has much in common with her human classmates. Through the power of chess thinking, she empowers her newfound friends to confront their own challenges, including family issues, physical challenges, and a relentless class bully.
However, mysterious clues suggest that kingdom enemies may be lurking nearby. Kassie must decide whether to cut her mission short or risk everything to protect Chess Mountain. And when the ultimate face-off occurs, she must make her final move—with no time to spare.
In a world filled with countless distractions, this wholesome book filled with adventure, mystery, and a dash of the holiday spirit will hold your child's attention, spur imagination and creativity, and nurture a love for reading. It also fosters the development of STEM, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The narrative can be fully enjoyed without any prior knowledge of chess, although it may be a beneficial influence and motivate readers to learn the game.
Princess Kassie, the 12-year-old daughter of the gods Caïssa and Mars, lives a charmed life in the dazzling kingdom of Chess Mountain. In this realm, chess pieces are living beings and flourish as loyal citizens. However, on Kassie's birthday, her best friend Dimitri mysteriously disappears and her parents are wrongly accused. This event shatters Kassie's world.
As war is declared, the princess escapes to Earth on a special mission to strengthen her kingdom and gain her goddess title. Accompanied by a trusted knight, Kassie assumes the identity of a mortal student and attends an unusual and diverse classroom in New York City led by a quirky teacher.
To her surprise, Kassie discovers that she has much in common with her human classmates. Through the power of chess thinking, she empowers her newfound friends to confront their own challenges, including family issues, physical challenges, and a relentless class bully.
However, mysterious clues suggest that kingdom enemies may be lurking nearby. Kassie must decide whether to cut her mission short or risk everything to protect Chess Mountain. And when the ultimate face-off occurs, she must make her final move—with no time to spare.
In a world filled with countless distractions, this wholesome book filled with adventure, mystery, and a dash of the holiday spirit will hold your child's attention, spur imagination and creativity, and nurture a love for reading. It also fosters the development of STEM, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The narrative can be fully enjoyed without any prior knowledge of chess, although it may be a beneficial influence and motivate readers to learn the game.
218 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2022
3 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 15, 2022
“The Princess, The Knight, and The Lost God: A Chess Story” is a children’s fantasy & magic book by the accredited chess coach and Author Victoria Winifred.
The bursting vigor and energy this particular morning brightened up Chess Mountain, where Princess Kassie’s family resides. As she strides down the mountain, she knows today is not any ordinary day. Born in a family of gods, Kassie is lucky. Her father, Mars, the god of war, and her mother Caïssa, the queen goddess of chess, cannot wait for their adorable princess to get her deity title. She has to, however, complete a successful mission of helping someone acquire better skills at the chess game or improve their lives differently altogether. It’s a huge task for the jovial princess, but the thought of acquiring her title is fascinating enough to keep her going.
Unusual noises and quarrels from little King Eddie and Scot catch Kassie’s attention. The two never seem to have a good chess game without arguing over moves. She delights in coaching them, but today her greatest anticipation is to get a birthday surprise from her father and be able to once again beat Dimitri in a chess contest. However, an unusual number of soldiers surrounding the mountain and rather disturbing news from a distressed King are about to knock her out of her fantasy world and bring a twist to the course of life and the environment she is so used to.
Once again Victoria Winifred has hit a milestone with a children’s fiction masterpiece that comes in handy for aspiring chess players as well as existing ones. With its enthralling characters and stirring plotline, this five-star book is bound to invigorate any child’s brain into imagining possibilities and overcoming obstacles that seem defiant in their lives. It is so adeptly written with dexterity and prowess making it a must-buy resource book that encourages love and interest in the game of chess. The language employed is relaxed and simple, with engaging imagery that will capture the mind of young ones. Victoria’s skill in magical storytelling, chess mythology, and analogies is golden and stands appreciated and valued.
The bursting vigor and energy this particular morning brightened up Chess Mountain, where Princess Kassie’s family resides. As she strides down the mountain, she knows today is not any ordinary day. Born in a family of gods, Kassie is lucky. Her father, Mars, the god of war, and her mother Caïssa, the queen goddess of chess, cannot wait for their adorable princess to get her deity title. She has to, however, complete a successful mission of helping someone acquire better skills at the chess game or improve their lives differently altogether. It’s a huge task for the jovial princess, but the thought of acquiring her title is fascinating enough to keep her going.
Unusual noises and quarrels from little King Eddie and Scot catch Kassie’s attention. The two never seem to have a good chess game without arguing over moves. She delights in coaching them, but today her greatest anticipation is to get a birthday surprise from her father and be able to once again beat Dimitri in a chess contest. However, an unusual number of soldiers surrounding the mountain and rather disturbing news from a distressed King are about to knock her out of her fantasy world and bring a twist to the course of life and the environment she is so used to.
Once again Victoria Winifred has hit a milestone with a children’s fiction masterpiece that comes in handy for aspiring chess players as well as existing ones. With its enthralling characters and stirring plotline, this five-star book is bound to invigorate any child’s brain into imagining possibilities and overcoming obstacles that seem defiant in their lives. It is so adeptly written with dexterity and prowess making it a must-buy resource book that encourages love and interest in the game of chess. The language employed is relaxed and simple, with engaging imagery that will capture the mind of young ones. Victoria’s skill in magical storytelling, chess mythology, and analogies is golden and stands appreciated and valued.
May 11, 2023
This wonderful whimsical story blends Roman gods with chess, and brings the product, Princess Kassie, to New York City. She has to endure her time there to complete the process of becoming a full-fledged goddess, but finds friends and comfort in a familiar activity, chess.
November 17, 2022
Kassie is a princess of a whimsical world called Chess Mountain. On Chess Mountain, the residents are all chess pieces, and Kassie’s parents rule over them. Princess Kassie is a beloved member of the royal family, and it is her birthday. Kassie is excited to spend the evening with friends and family and celebrate her twelfth birthday. But not everything goes as planned, and Kassie is whisked away to Earth to complete her twelfth-year mission and to protect her from harm.
The Princess, The Knight, and the Lost God by Victoria Winifred is a unique novel about chess. While on Earth, Kassie must hide from evil Originals and make an impact in the lives of others. What better way to do that than to teach and improve her classmates’ chess game? Kassie must navigate Earth’s strange habits and traditions while watching her back for those who might harm her. She makes friends and helps them better their lives by teaching chess, and Kassie learns to stand up for herself against bullies while taking time to understand their challenges.
Winifred has created a unique world centered around chess, which shows her passion for the game. She weaved a story about lovers of chess and how it affects their lives. While the premise might seem a little silly at times, the story is exciting and entertaining all the way until the end. There are many twists and turns that await the reader throughout this story.
The Princess, The Knight, and the Lost God by Victoria Winifred is a captivating children's chapter book. Young chess lovers will enjoy how Winifred weaves chess terms and strategies throughout the story while sticking to the fantasy genre. With memorable characters and an exciting plot older, elementary and middle school-age children will find this book a wonderful addition to their reading collection.
The Princess, The Knight, and the Lost God by Victoria Winifred is a unique novel about chess. While on Earth, Kassie must hide from evil Originals and make an impact in the lives of others. What better way to do that than to teach and improve her classmates’ chess game? Kassie must navigate Earth’s strange habits and traditions while watching her back for those who might harm her. She makes friends and helps them better their lives by teaching chess, and Kassie learns to stand up for herself against bullies while taking time to understand their challenges.
Winifred has created a unique world centered around chess, which shows her passion for the game. She weaved a story about lovers of chess and how it affects their lives. While the premise might seem a little silly at times, the story is exciting and entertaining all the way until the end. There are many twists and turns that await the reader throughout this story.
The Princess, The Knight, and the Lost God by Victoria Winifred is a captivating children's chapter book. Young chess lovers will enjoy how Winifred weaves chess terms and strategies throughout the story while sticking to the fantasy genre. With memorable characters and an exciting plot older, elementary and middle school-age children will find this book a wonderful addition to their reading collection.
November 16, 2022
It starts when 12-yr-old Princess Kassie keenly anticipates a full day of birthday festivities all over the cheery realm of Chess Mountain where lively chess pawns flourish. Held responsible for the vanishing of one of the young gods, Caïssa and Mars, Kassie’s parents haste Kassie to safety.
Foes are neighboring, and Kassie can’t disclose her identity as well as her chess level. She fights to strengthen her classmates frightened by a chess thug. It’s on Kassie’s shoulders to make the right moves to save Chess Mountain.
The holiday spirit is in the air as well as action and adventure. Entwined throughout this tale are characteristic chess interchanges presented in a magical way.
Even if you don’t play chess, this story will have you engaged from the get-go. It’s fast-paced, intriguing, educational, humorous, touching, and has wonderful pictures. Not only for children but for children at heart. Make sure to pick up ‘The Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God’ where an unexpected ending will mark the forthcoming of chess until the end of time.
Foes are neighboring, and Kassie can’t disclose her identity as well as her chess level. She fights to strengthen her classmates frightened by a chess thug. It’s on Kassie’s shoulders to make the right moves to save Chess Mountain.
The holiday spirit is in the air as well as action and adventure. Entwined throughout this tale are characteristic chess interchanges presented in a magical way.
Even if you don’t play chess, this story will have you engaged from the get-go. It’s fast-paced, intriguing, educational, humorous, touching, and has wonderful pictures. Not only for children but for children at heart. Make sure to pick up ‘The Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God’ where an unexpected ending will mark the forthcoming of chess until the end of time.
December 1, 2022
Charming, well-spun story with a fresh voice and great sense of adventure! Perfect for anyone, especially children and their parents who love chess or mythology. Highly recommend!
February 28, 2023
Victoria Winifred, a former teacher and a chess player herself, has combined legend, chess, and fantasy to create a delightful modern-day adventure story that tackles the fears and struggles young people face while subtly weaving in multiple life lessons and artfully using chess as a teaching tool.
The settings for both New York City and Chess Mountain are not only believable but vivid and vibrant. Princess Kassie and her young friends—and sometimes enemies—are realistically portrayed as they struggle to succeed in school, build relationships, overcome evil, solve the mystery that has ripped Kassie from her home world, and save Chess Mountain.
In addition to all of this, this book is so timely in light of the growing focus internationally on the use of chess by teachers to teach not only subject matter (math, language arts, etc.) but more importantly higher-level cognitive skills (decision making, critical thinking, etc.).
This book is written for young people. Most of the reviews I’ve read are written by adults, and I’m an adult, but both the adult and the child in me loved this story—its action, twists and turns, danger, and mystery. I must admit, I had no idea of the multiple mythologies surrounding the introduction of chess to the world. After doing a little research, I’m convinced the author chose the best one on which to build this story.
I hope Victoria Winifred has plans for Kassie to have future adventures on Chess Mountain and around the world!
The settings for both New York City and Chess Mountain are not only believable but vivid and vibrant. Princess Kassie and her young friends—and sometimes enemies—are realistically portrayed as they struggle to succeed in school, build relationships, overcome evil, solve the mystery that has ripped Kassie from her home world, and save Chess Mountain.
In addition to all of this, this book is so timely in light of the growing focus internationally on the use of chess by teachers to teach not only subject matter (math, language arts, etc.) but more importantly higher-level cognitive skills (decision making, critical thinking, etc.).
This book is written for young people. Most of the reviews I’ve read are written by adults, and I’m an adult, but both the adult and the child in me loved this story—its action, twists and turns, danger, and mystery. I must admit, I had no idea of the multiple mythologies surrounding the introduction of chess to the world. After doing a little research, I’m convinced the author chose the best one on which to build this story.
I hope Victoria Winifred has plans for Kassie to have future adventures on Chess Mountain and around the world!
September 19, 2023
I won this book in a ReadersView Giveaway. I liked this book a lot. Very charming and interesting. Also very well written. It was like a mixture of Greek Mythology with an Alice in Wonderland vibe. Kassie is a 12 year old princess facing a lot of real life challenges. A war breaks out in her homeland on her birthday due to her best friend being kidnapped. She has to escape the war zone with the help of a charming knight and go to Earth for safety. While on Earth she is enrolled at a school who loves chess and learning the challenges of the sport to help with issues in real life. She helps a lot of the children in many ways. A great childrens book with lots of intriguing adventure and twists and turns along the way. Kudos to the author. I will proudly pass on this book to my 10 year old granddaughter. Well done.
April 20, 2023
What a delightful book! It is well-written and provides excellent life lessons for young and old. I am only a beginner chess player, but expertise in this game is not a prerequisite for thoroughly enjoying the story of Caïssa and her adventures on planet Earth. I gave The Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God to a young friend who really enjoyed it (her mother had to interrupt her for meals) and was disappointed that she couldn't immediately read a sequel. This is a great gift option for friends and for children of friends.
February 19, 2023
This book surprised me in a number of ways. It is perfectly suitable for young readers, but it is also perfectly engaging for adults. There's mystery, suspense, tension, victory over bullies, and all manner of other desirable components. If that isn't enough, the author illustrates how chess can supplement and support learners' comprehension of other subjects: math, geography, and English, to name a few. I hope there's a sequel. Great read.
March 31, 2023
Thank you NetGalley & publisher for this eARC.
Oh, what an adventure. It was packed with mystery and suspense as it will not let you put down the book. You have to know what happens next!
This book is definitely suitable for mid-grade or even adults, the writing was easy and straightforward for fantasy-realm setting. And I love every character in this book, I appreciate the Epilogue as everyone is getting a happy ending they deserved.
Recommended!
Oh, what an adventure. It was packed with mystery and suspense as it will not let you put down the book. You have to know what happens next!
This book is definitely suitable for mid-grade or even adults, the writing was easy and straightforward for fantasy-realm setting. And I love every character in this book, I appreciate the Epilogue as everyone is getting a happy ending they deserved.
Recommended!
July 4, 2023
MAGICAL FANTASY WITH INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES
This is such an incredible tale with its enchanting way of teaching important lessons through “Chess Magic.” I would recommend this be implemented in all elementary curriculums.
It took me back to my kitchen counter years ago when my young nephew was teaching me how to play chess. Now he’s a dad – and I can’t wait to gift this book to him and his wife for their son! VERY WELL DONE, VICTORIA. . . THANK YOU!
This is such an incredible tale with its enchanting way of teaching important lessons through “Chess Magic.” I would recommend this be implemented in all elementary curriculums.
It took me back to my kitchen counter years ago when my young nephew was teaching me how to play chess. Now he’s a dad – and I can’t wait to gift this book to him and his wife for their son! VERY WELL DONE, VICTORIA. . . THANK YOU!
September 10, 2023
Focused life lessons through a whimsical fairytale
Written at an appropriate age level, the story follows Cassia’s fantastical adventures in (and out of) her chess-kingdom.
The focus on critical thinking, team work and other valuable life lessons were age appropriate. That they learned these values through an engaging fairytale-like setting and adventures makes it memorable.
It may be a little long for younger readers.
Written at an appropriate age level, the story follows Cassia’s fantastical adventures in (and out of) her chess-kingdom.
The focus on critical thinking, team work and other valuable life lessons were age appropriate. That they learned these values through an engaging fairytale-like setting and adventures makes it memorable.
It may be a little long for younger readers.
June 26, 2023
A creative and captivating story - LOVE IT!
I wish I’d had this book as a child. Chess is one of those games that is timeless and never gets old. I just wished I’d started it as a child!
Thanks to this book, maybe many more children will be inspired to discover the joy of chess!
I wish I’d had this book as a child. Chess is one of those games that is timeless and never gets old. I just wished I’d started it as a child!
Thanks to this book, maybe many more children will be inspired to discover the joy of chess!
June 18, 2023
What a great read, the setting was perfect, it was written very well. Would recommend your young adults. Once I started reading I could not put the book down
August 5, 2023
Cute story
This was a fun little chess based story that
inspires an interest in the game. I can see it being a favorite for chess lovers.
This was a fun little chess based story that
inspires an interest in the game. I can see it being a favorite for chess lovers.
August 8, 2023
I read this book ‘The Princess, the Knight and the Lost God: A Chess Story’ from @victoriawinifredwriter. Thanks for providing this ARC via @netgalley.
The fact that this was a book abo it chess, made it interesting for me to read. I like chess and was wondering how the game would be used in a book. I loved the originality of the story about Chess Mountain and the Goddess of Chess. I liked the backstory too.
It was nice to get to know the characters and that there was a connection with the real world. I thought this was a lovely book for kids, but it was nice to read as an adult too.
The story is about Kassie, who’s living on Mount Chess and will be turning 12. In the realm of Mount Chess there is a rule that the gods and goddesses (which Kassie is) need to do an assignment to prove themselves worthy as a god/goddess. Therefore Kassie is sent to Earth together with her Knight. Kassie encounters all kinds of human things of which she doesn’t always know how they work. This makes for an endearing story in which she discovers more about the human world and herself. She stumbles across someone who doesn’t want to do good to her and receives help from unexpected allies. All in all, a lovely story to read!
The fact that this was a book abo it chess, made it interesting for me to read. I like chess and was wondering how the game would be used in a book. I loved the originality of the story about Chess Mountain and the Goddess of Chess. I liked the backstory too.
It was nice to get to know the characters and that there was a connection with the real world. I thought this was a lovely book for kids, but it was nice to read as an adult too.
The story is about Kassie, who’s living on Mount Chess and will be turning 12. In the realm of Mount Chess there is a rule that the gods and goddesses (which Kassie is) need to do an assignment to prove themselves worthy as a god/goddess. Therefore Kassie is sent to Earth together with her Knight. Kassie encounters all kinds of human things of which she doesn’t always know how they work. This makes for an endearing story in which she discovers more about the human world and herself. She stumbles across someone who doesn’t want to do good to her and receives help from unexpected allies. All in all, a lovely story to read!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews