Fantasy Worlds. Sapphic. And Chess! I think I was sold before I even read the first page.

Immortal Game has become my introduction to Allison Saft's work. The way that they wrote and built the characters, merged memories into the present and built up the work and connection between the Otherworld and our world was really interesting and felt like a different style of take to what I'd read before. The dynamic between Ciara and Shea was endearing and did not head in the direction I initially thought it would, but seeing their relationship develop like a chess match itself was a lot of fun.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
The premise of Immortal Game is not entirely unfamiliar, and there are a handful of tropes woven through these pages that would normally make me hesitate. The tale of two sisters, one carrying the burden of guilt for the other's fate, is a trope I've encountered often enough to greet it with a weary sigh. Yet stories are far more than the shapes of their bones, and this novel is proof that even familiar paths can lead somewhere enchanting.
Part of me cannot help but daydream about what this story might have become as an adult saphic fantasy: darker around the edges, wilder in its magic, sharper in its teeth. Perhaps that lingering curiosity is the only thing standing between this book and a perfect rating for me. Even so, its prose wrapped around me like a faerie glamour. The characters beckoned, the story whispered promises of wonder, and before I knew it I was reading while walking through the tide of disgruntled commuters during London's rush hour, utterly oblivious to the world around me.
I know next to nothing about chess, only having fond memories of trying to play it as a child. Yet somehow this book had me utterly spellbound. The characters were compelling enough, each pursuing their own ambitions and secrets, but what surprised me most was how invested I became in the matches themselves. Allison Saft transforms every move upon the board into something vivid and urgent, making the strategy feel as thrilling as any sword fight or magical duel. In many ways, it felt like a fantastical YA cousin to The Queen's Gambit. You needn't understand the intricacies of chess to feel the tension tightening with every move, to know that everything hangs in the balance. The depth of research is evident throughout, but even more impressive is the way Saft intertwines the game with her characters' hearts, fears, and desires.
Beyond the chessboard, Saft explores burnout with remarkable eyes. I was pleasantly surprised by the honesty of her portrayal: how the thing you love most can slowly become a source of pressure, exhaustion, and grief, and how rediscovering joy within it can feel like finding your way home after years spent wandering. It was thoughtful, resonant, and beautifully done.
I loved how the fae were portrayed in true fashion. These are not fashionable winged heartthrobs lurking in shadows. They are creatures drawn from older stories, beautiful enough to tempt, clever enough to outwit, and frightening enough to remind you that they are never entirely on your side. Proud, selfish, mercurial, and dangerous. I adored that humans and fae coexist in uneasy awareness of one another, and that only Midir's decree keeps their realms apart. The idea of a grand chess match held once every century to bind the two worlds together felt delightfully mythic, the sort of legend one might stumble upon in a forgotten book tucked away on a dusty shelf.
And then there is the romance. The saphic love story unfolds with exquisite yearning, lingering glances, sharp wit, and just enough magic to make every encounter sparkle. It is exactly the sort of romance I adore: slow-burning, irresistible, and aching with possibility. Though I loved them both, Ciara stole my heart entirely. I am, it seems, powerless against a sarcastic fae princess huntress with a dangerous smile.
The ending was nothing short of delicious: a celebration of sisterhood, womanhood, and the bonds that endure despite every hardship. It wasn’t surprising but it was exactly what the story needed Closing the book felt less like finishing a story and more like stepping out of an enchanted forest. Even now I find myself longing to return, to wander once more through the courts of the fae and lose myself among their bargains, secrets, and silver tongued lies.

Do I like chess? No. Did this author manage to make me squeal and obsess over a fantasy novel where the main theme is chess? 100 times YES. If this doesn't tell you how well-written and exciting this novel is - I’m not sure what will! This is my first introduction to this author and I'm running to read her backlog!

But to this novel! -

This is a novel that ticks all the tropes that we have grown to love as romantasy readers but adds something new so it just felt completely fresh and engaging! And what perfect time to read a sapphic love story with a fxf romance, then during pride month? OBSESSED!

Shea, a chess master, has a sister who is stolen away to the fae world to be the fae King's bride. She decides to enter the fae hosted chess tournament as the grand prize is a magical wish from the King. Along the way she is forced to ally with an old opponent - Ciara (LOVE her character).

Things done AMAZINGLY

*The slow burn relationship development between Ciara and Shea was done perfectly! There were tricky situations to navigate, past feelings to fight through, and it just felt so much MORE than your typical enemies to lovers where broody love interest eventually falls for the mc (a trope I love but it was so refreshing to just have something a bit different).
*Shea was the broody character and I enjoyed watching her deal with her emotions, and past traumas. She was a great example of a character that really developed as the plot continued and I was rooting for her the whole time
*The twists at the end! Divine! How can I go from hating some characters the whole read, to feeling sorry for them at the very last second?
*The intelligence - actual book smart characters - LOVED

I can't hype this book enough! Thank you for the representation in this novel!

This was an earc and I'm so grateful I got it early! Thank you!!

Immortal Game by Allison Saft was a really refreshing read. Perfect for summer or winter in fact.

We follow our FMC, Shea, as she goes on a journey and receives an invite to a prestigious chess tournament. I love the focus around chess as the main game in the book as it gives it a more educated vibe and its own stand out point rather than your typical fantasy read.

The character development throughout the book was really well focused upon and I found it was perfectly balanced between fantastical elements, character development and the romance. I love the sapphic romance representation in the book as it wasn't something I was majorly expecting until about halfway in as I prefer to go into books blind.

I loved Saft's writing and style in this book and it was so chill while also trying to make you engaged and feel the tension our characters were feeling throughout the book. The balance was top tier.

Thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley approval.

Thank you Tempest and NetGalley for the ARC!

"Chess opens a door between two souls."

This has been one of my most anticipated releases this year and it did not disappoint. The fae worldbuilding, the chess tournaments and the Irish folklore blends together to create a really unique fantasy.

I absolutely loved the inclusion of chess as someone who is a (very) casual player and fan. Allison Saft weaves it into the story so naturally—the stakes are high and the descriptions are not overly technical so I think even strangers to chess will be extremely invested.

I loved Shea and Ciara's relationship, it felt very intimate from the beginning despite them being rivals. It was built up really naturally over time, I loved that there was such a focus on who Shea and Ciara were, and the importance of their own journeys. I appreciated how chess played a role in so many character's motivations, and I thought the trauma of some characters was portrayed realistically.

"I cannot become mortal, but I think you might make me human."

I also had the chance to listen to the audiobook alongside reading, and the narration was fantastic. Kristen Sieh's narration was so compelling and I loved how distinct each character felt. The pacing was great and the story just flowed so well, I couldn't put this down and finished the book within a day!

Immortal Game is a must read for those who love fantasy stories that focus on sapphic romances and sibling bonds with a side of magical tournaments.

5 stars, truly perfect! I'm already a big Allison Saft fan so I went into Immortal Game with high expectations and somehow she still managed to blow past them. I did not think I would be the person getting invested in the mechanics of chess, but add in the Fae and a queer romance and apparently I am exactly that person now. Consider me converted.

As always, Allison's writing is gorgeous and aching in that way that just gets under your skin — full of longing and tension in all the right places. You spend the whole book inside Shea's head and come out the other side feeling like you actually know her, Genuinely sad it's over, I could've stayed in this world so much longer.

Ok, so I was given an opportunity to read and review prior to release. I had heard of the author but had not read their work , the premise of this book was a tad random but it clicked with me. A fantasy story triggered by a stolen sister by the fae high king of Ireland, a sister who despite a troubled and tortured childhood is a chess wiz and had the opportunity at the start of her adulthood to play an otherworldly game. And the winner gets a single wish granted.

Shay is an unusual character, troubled by the forced loss of her sister, an unpleasant mother and the torment of losing the one game as a teenager that shaped her world. She’s moody, focused and actually fairly normal. But she has a magical rival that does bring her more to life, the beautiful fae princess Ciara. Ciara is the spark that brings out some of the best moments with Shay, a bit of moody longing, romance and wonderful frustration.

The world building is so visual with the dream that is the Irish countryside. it’s not the quickest read but it has a thrill of the possibilities that keep you going. The mythology of their backstories, the realisations, the heartbreaks, the twist of the next move. I didn’t know chess could be this tense, the game, the moves and the chase of the win. Everybody has their own wish and everybody is looking for their own opportunity at greatness.

This is a superb read, the pace for me was perfect. It did not bore you with overuse of chess yes it’s a focus but there is so much more to enjoy. So many twists and turns plus it’s sapphic with an intelligent series of women, a great set of challengers as well as cruel king to overcome.

I am actually disappointed I have now finished this, but will definitely be looking forward to reading more of the authors work.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5,0.

I loved this sapphic tale that incorporates a queens gambit vibe and magic flawlessly.

The story begins with our main FMC Shea who is reeling from the kidnapping of her sister by a faerie king, and she has the opportunity to retrieve her if she can win a chess tournament. Now, wild concept really and I didn’t know where it would go or if it would have depth I was hoping for, but I have read other books by this author so I trusted the process and was not disappointed.

There’s faerie trickery, witty strategic moves, romance and allies you don’t see coming. And on the flip side there’s surprises that crush you and a deeper scheme unfolding amongst the players, this is the cruelest version of chess I’ve enjoyed.

This hit all the marks for me! You get a spooky mystical faerie world, tragically doomed sisters, the drama of a high stakes chess tournament, and a very cool lesbian faerie princess with a cool butterfly cloak and an attitude. Like yes pls.

Blending a modern setting with a mystical faerie one AND combining it with the sport of chess kinda sounds like it should be too mundane to fit but the stakes are raised high enough that it ends up working. Yes, it’s just a game of chess but the main character and the others she competes against have so much on the line that the story just pulls you completely in. It would’ve been so easy to make this book just a corny rivals-to-lovers type story with a clear villain and a straight forward narrative but the added elements of her quest to save her sister and the development the main character goes through personally really made this book so compelling to me.

Also: “Tell me I am delusional, or give me what I want” HELLO!!! I am gnawing at the walls. Ciara the woman you are. I enjoyed this a lot!

I loved everything about this book! Honestly, the cover alone should convince everyone to read 'Immortal Game'!

This novel has everything I wanted, and then some elements I didn't know I needed in my life until right now - first and foremost: chess?! As somebody who just about knows the rules of the game, I was honestly surprised how well the idea of a chess tournament between faeries and humans worked out. And although a brilliant premisse, the best thing was obviously the romance between Shea and Ciara. I loved their rivals-to-lovers relationship, especially with the added tension that they will have to face each other at some point as adverseries again... so good! But there are also a lot of little details I really liked, for example the cousin-turned-dog, Ciara's cloak, and of course the unwavering love Shea has for her sister.

In short: I'm off to read Allison Saft's whole backlist, and hope we get to see more of Shea and Ciara at some point!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.