kirstycarson1's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jjoany's review
4.0
A short story (only around 50 pages) which would be great for reluctant or dyslexic readers, who want to read “proper” books. It takes inspiration from the true historical story of the Mechanical Turk, but Bunzl dreams up a Clockwork Queen, a Russian chess master, a daughter desperate to save her father, and a real empress of Russia.
Easy reading but high quality literature and a great story.
Easy reading but high quality literature and a great story.
twiinklex's review
4.0
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.
molly_greenshields's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
electraa's review
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
'Chess to me was all about instincts. Heart choices and head choices.'
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 :)
tammie_2207's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
3.0
I would honestly read everything that Peter Bunzl releases, he is 100% an autobuy author for me and I cannot wait to get to Magicborn.
b00ksns0cks's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
4.0
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.)
lil_book_nut's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
4.0
“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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
roshreviews's review
fast-paced
4.5
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:
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. 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.
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. 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.
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