Allison Saft somehow made a fantasy about a chess tournament completely addictive. Shea enters the Otherworld hoping to win a single wish and rescue her sister, but every match comes with new tricks, dangerous rivals, and very questionable fae deals. Even if you know nothing about chess, the tension makes it hard to stop reading. The rivalry with the fae princess Ciara adds charm and sparks along the way. This clever, twisty fantasy features a sweet sapphic romance and just the right amount of chaos to keep you on your toes.
Immortal Game by Allison Saft, (List Price: $22, Wednesday Books, 9781250404763, August 2026)
Reviewed by Sandra, Hills and Hamlets Bookshop in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia