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 :)