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The Septimus #3
Checkmate
Rhitha's life is miserable - but then she meets Bina. Rhitha's sister has been bullying her all her life, for no reason that Rhitha can see. But when they move to Ruph, there is a new friend in Rhitha's life: with the help of Bina and her unique powers Rhitha begins to see that there might be more going on in her family than meets the eye. There is a secret nobody suspected... Things come to a head between Rhitha and her sister in a clash that draws in everyone around them. Are the peculiar forces at play in Ruph responsible for fanning their conflict? Who is the mysterious stranger that appears at Grandmother's door in the middle of the storm? And can Bina help Rhitha find the strength to stand up to the bullies and become who she is meant to be?
285 pages, Paperback
Published January 29, 2016
4 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Offenwanger
9 books8 followersI have loved books ever since I was six years old, when I picked up a copy of LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY and found that I could read it on my own. Some decades later, I discovered that I could write books myself, and I have done so ever since. My preference is for stories that are set in other worlds, whether they are fantastical worlds full of magic or long-gone times and places; humour is a must, romance highly desirable, and a good mystery almost indispensable.
At any given time, I have at least two books sitting beside my bed - usually more, sometimes MUCH more. When they start to encroach onto my sleeping space, they get moved back to bookshelves. The latter are found in nearly every room of my house (with the only exceptions being the bathroom, workshop and furnace room). Books are indespensable to my life, and have been for as long as I can think.
At any given time, I have at least two books sitting beside my bed - usually more, sometimes MUCH more. When they start to encroach onto my sleeping space, they get moved back to bookshelves. The latter are found in nearly every room of my house (with the only exceptions being the bathroom, workshop and furnace room). Books are indespensable to my life, and have been for as long as I can think.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 15, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Checkmate is the third novel in A.M. Offenwanger’s Septimus series. You can read my reviews of the previous books, Seventh Son (Book 1) and Cat and Mouse (Book 2) on their pages or my profile.
While this review does not contain spoilers for Checkmate, it does contain spoilers for the first two novels. I should also note that Seventh Son is FREE at the time of this writing, so if you haven’t read it yet, download your copy from Amazon today!
Thus far, Checkmate is my favorite novel in the Septimus series. It takes place several years after Cat and Mouse, and shows Guy and Cat’s growing family fully settled in the Ruph community. The main action revolves around the return of Bina’s (formerly Bibby’s) cousin Rhitha and her family to Ruph, as well as the two girls’ growing friendship.
As with the other books in the series, Checkmate was well-written in what I have come to recognize as Offenwanger’s distinctive narrative voice: a balance of playfulness and poetry. My only criticism is that some of the chapters would start in present time, then jump back to the past-perfect tense for a scene or two. I would have liked to be “in the moment” with the characters (especially Rhitha) as some of that action unfolded.
Since I don’t want to risk spoiling anything about the plot of Checkmate (it’s that intricately tied and well-developed), I’ll touch quickly on the aspects that made this novel my favorite in the series so far:
- Meeting new characters to love (or love to hate), who fit into the story as if they were always a part of it.
- Reading from the perspective of new characters.
- The complex and realistic relationships between the characters (both loving and hate-filled).
- The development of Bina’s powers and how she learns to control them.
- Seeing Andy and Ben advance in their prospective fields.
- The themes of family and friendship, with the moral message that family can be chosen and friendship should be steadfast and loyal.
- Learning about new traditions in the world (such as trade/economics, other countries, and Ruph's Solstice festival).
The ending of Checkmate? Perhaps one of the most fun and cleverly executed magical climaxes I’ve ever read. I adored it.
Overall, Checkmate is a heartwarming addition to the Septimus series that comments beautifully on family, friendship, and the importance of both. A fun and magical tale, it will delight readers of fantasy and young adult fiction.
Checkmate is the third novel in A.M. Offenwanger’s Septimus series. You can read my reviews of the previous books, Seventh Son (Book 1) and Cat and Mouse (Book 2) on their pages or my profile.
While this review does not contain spoilers for Checkmate, it does contain spoilers for the first two novels. I should also note that Seventh Son is FREE at the time of this writing, so if you haven’t read it yet, download your copy from Amazon today!
Thus far, Checkmate is my favorite novel in the Septimus series. It takes place several years after Cat and Mouse, and shows Guy and Cat’s growing family fully settled in the Ruph community. The main action revolves around the return of Bina’s (formerly Bibby’s) cousin Rhitha and her family to Ruph, as well as the two girls’ growing friendship.
As with the other books in the series, Checkmate was well-written in what I have come to recognize as Offenwanger’s distinctive narrative voice: a balance of playfulness and poetry. My only criticism is that some of the chapters would start in present time, then jump back to the past-perfect tense for a scene or two. I would have liked to be “in the moment” with the characters (especially Rhitha) as some of that action unfolded.
Since I don’t want to risk spoiling anything about the plot of Checkmate (it’s that intricately tied and well-developed), I’ll touch quickly on the aspects that made this novel my favorite in the series so far:
- Meeting new characters to love (or love to hate), who fit into the story as if they were always a part of it.
- Reading from the perspective of new characters.
- The complex and realistic relationships between the characters (both loving and hate-filled).
- The development of Bina’s powers and how she learns to control them.
- Seeing Andy and Ben advance in their prospective fields.
- The themes of family and friendship, with the moral message that family can be chosen and friendship should be steadfast and loyal.
- Learning about new traditions in the world (such as trade/economics, other countries, and Ruph's Solstice festival).
The ending of Checkmate? Perhaps one of the most fun and cleverly executed magical climaxes I’ve ever read. I adored it.
Overall, Checkmate is a heartwarming addition to the Septimus series that comments beautifully on family, friendship, and the importance of both. A fun and magical tale, it will delight readers of fantasy and young adult fiction.
February 1, 2018
This book jumps ahead a few years from the end of Cat and Mouse. Bibby, now called Bina, is growing up and developing her unique magical gift. How that gift allows her to help her cousin Rhitha makes for a very satisfying story, especially as Bina learns more about herself in the process. For fans of Cat, never fear! She has her own thread in this story, and it plays out to a satisfying conclusion as well. The climax is tricky, finely balanced, and so well drawn you can almost see it taking place in front of you. A wonderful addition to the Septimus series!
March 14, 2017
Fun read. This is the third in a series and was not disappointing as sequels sometimes are. I enjoyed them all. And the series is very affordable on kindle, and I don't mind that either.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews