cheyburn92's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
purechaos's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cassie_ellie's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
peruseapage's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
✨ Book Review ✨
Check Mates - Stewart Foster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Oh my goodness. I adore the characters in this book and the story is just magnificent.
Felix struggles at school. With ADHD, his concentration is minimal and his grades are falling. He is constantly told to try harder but he is trying the hardest he can! When he then has to spend time with his grandad, his life could get any worse. However, with one chess piece after another, Felix begins to learn some vital lessons and the relationship he forms might just help him in ways he didn’t know it could.
I absolutely adored Felix and his grandfather. What gorgeous characters Stewart Foster has created! The representation of ADHD was brilliant and Foster depicted the struggles Felix faces wonderfully. The way he wrote made me feel like I too was losing concentration and I became frustrated when Felix was told off - because it’s hard to concentrate when so much is going on! The writing was so powerful and I can see so many children, who live with ADHD, relating to this!
His grandfather however was the star of the show. If I can be half the man he is with my own grandchildren I will be happy. The patience, determination and love within this man was truly wonderful to read about. Finding more about his backstory and the Cold War was highly intriguing and made his character all the more powerful.
The relationship they created was heartwarming. I felt so good after reading this book and that’s exactly what you want! It made me miss my grandad so much - I’d give anything to go scuba diving or zip lining with him (although I doubt he would have ever wanted to haha!). I can see this book resonating with people of all ages: children and adults. I can’t wait to share this with the children in my class!
iheartkarenmmcmanus's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
oh it was so great and rhe end dude rhis book is so good i knew it would be and it was im so happyni am goingnto readnit again ahahaha
katebates2503's review against another edition
5.0
Great mixture of German history and characters you really feel empathy towards.
bexwalsh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rorycoleman44's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a wierd read for me because it’s middle grade basically a child’s book, not fantasy at all and yet I loved it 😆 read it in one night and I only started it at 4pm. Absolutely amazing. Emotional, heartwarming, mysterious, amazing!