CHECK & MATE

Karissa Vacker shines brightly as she immerses listeners in the world of professional chess. Mallory Greenleaf once loved chess but put it aside to help support her mother and sisters. Agreeing to play in one last tournament, she unknowingly defeats the current world chess champion, the infamous "Kingkiller," Nolan Sawyer. Nolan is intrigued and wants to cross pawns with Mallory again. As she narrates in the first person, Vacker's vibrant, expressive tone captures Mallory's conflicted and passionate personality. Vacker flawlessly transitions from character to character, creating a unique voice for each while also presenting various accents. Listeners will enjoy learning about the world of competitive chess and fall in love with Mallory and Nolan as they go from rivals to lovers. J.J.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2023]