Queen of Spades

by Michael Shou-Yung Shum

Queen of Spades revamps the classic Pushkin fable of the same name, transplanted to a mysterious Seattle-area casino populated by a pit boss with six months to live, a dealer obsessing over the mysterious methods of an elderly customer known as the Countess, and a recovering gambler who finds herself trapped in a cultish twelve-step program. With a breathtaking climax that rivals the best Hong Kong gambling movies, Michael Shou-Yung Shum's debut novel delivers the thrilling highs and lows that come when we cede control of our futures to the roll of the dice and the turn of a card.

Genres: Fiction, Literature

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2017

About the author

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Michael eventually found himself dealing poker in a dead-end casino in Lake Stevens, Washington. Two doctorates bookend this strange turn of events: the first in Psychology from Northwestern, and the second in English from University of Tennessee. Along the way, Michael spent a dozen years in Chicago, touring the country as a rave DJ. He currently resides in Astoria, Queens, with Jaclyn Watterson and three cats. Queen of Spades is his first novel.

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

How could I not pick this up. Michael Shou-Yung Shum is a poker dealer and sometime rave DJ in between getting a doctorate in Psychology and another in English - as you do. What sealed the deal was reading an excerpt from the book over at the Literary Hub. There's a precise sense of growing tension and this works well as a standalone short story that feels like the Coen Brothers meets Chuck Palaniuk. It's seriously good.

In Queen of Spades we've got a poker dealer at a worn around the edges casino outside of Seattle. A pit boss with a terminal condition and an enigmatic older women known as the Countess who seems to have mastered High Stakes Faro.

Shum brings his experience of working the felt to the pages and I loved it. I can see the casino in my head. Garish carpet with extravagant patterns worn at the edges, the chirping of chips and the riffling of cards. But it's not the high gloss bling of the Vegas strip, it's more Fear and Loathing by way of Fargo. Here we have bookie enforcers opening up a gym/salon, mystic healers, gambling addicts and dealers meditating over the differing weight of ink on playing cards.

It nudges up against the mythos of long odds, lady luck and vagaries of chance. It's something that's always left me suspicious as I tend to a more pragmatic, mathematical approach when it comes to gambling. As a result I find myself distrusting the narrative, unwilling to just let it ride.

[Chelsea Barth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A retelling of a Pushkin fable by the same name, Michael Shou-Yung Shum's debut novel centers around the mysterious Royal Casino. It tells the story of a dying pit boss, an ex-gambler in a 12-step program, and a new dealer who is captivated by the Royal's most mysterious customer- The Countess. The three stories converge in a breathtaking climax that attests to Shou-Yung Shum's incredible writing skills.

It is hard to believe that this is Shou-Yung Shum's first novel, the writing is elegant and the plot had me glued to the book until the very last page. The story is reminiscent of a memoir tinged with fantastical elements that make this story so interesting. I would highly recommend this novel and I know that I will read any future stories written by this promising author.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no idea a story about casino dealers would hold my attention, especially when there were 13 rules for the game Faro described in the beginning pages. But it did hold my attention. What hit home the most for me was the way Shou-Yung Shum juxtaposed the mathematical probabilities of winning, where one takes into account the weight of the ink on the cards, and the effect of gravity at certain times of the year such as solstices; against pure intuition and luck, where one considers sensations felt in the body, lucky streaks, and matters simply intuited. We get the feeling he’s talking about more than cards.

Arturo Chan, a new dealer at the Royal, deals mathematically, feeling the weight of the cards, and using probabilities in his calculations. Sam Chimsky, a high-limit dealer unhappily divorced from Barbara, deals intuitively, focusing all his mental energies on feeling the placement of cards and leaving the rest to chance. The way these two dealers handle the cards with the mysterious gambler, The Countess, will determine their fate.

The Countess is an intriguing character and I don’t recall meeting one like her in other novels. She has her own chair in the high limits room. She often watches the play without betting. Other times, she places a single bet of $25,000 or more. Her one time $100,000 winning is legendary at the Royal. She never loses. The dealers believe she has a system, but no one can figure out what it is. Chan is so intrigued, he investigates and learns she donated the $100,000 she won to a school. Still, he cannot determine that she lives anywhere other than her Rolls Royce Phantom driven by her assistant, even though from her winnings alone, she’s very wealthy. “[S]he played. . .as a reason to live.” The Countess is a gambler who plays using mathematical principles.

Enter Barbara Chimsky, a one-time Gamblers Anonymous member and Sam Chimsky’s ex-wife. She can’t resist buying a lottery ticket and wins $1000. Barbara believes in lucky streaks unlike the Countess. She goes on a wild ride.

It was fun to learn that dealers, too, like to gamble. A memorable scene among three dealers occurs at the horse races. It seems dealers have developed their own systems. Do dealers beat the odds?

What bugged me at the end of this novel was realizing I had to stop and think about who the protagonist was. There were several strong characters, all of whom had conflicts and resolutions. I believe the least interesting character, Mannheim, the pit boss, was the protagonist. We learn the day he hires Chan that he is dying of dementia. He seeks help from a young boy who is prescient and a special kind of doctor who can see his aura and help prepare him for death. The two fall in the category of living life through intuition and feelings and help Mannheim do the same. These three could have been interesting, but they weren't. Their characters were hardly developed.

Both the people who live life with precision and mathematically calculate their odds, and those who live by intuition sensing their way through life, experienced magical occurrences. Overall, who is better off, the former or the latter?

Queen of Spades held promise but somehow the structure was off. Mannheim’s character development was lacking. Who is he? Why should I care he’s dying? If he’s not the protagonist, who is? This novel read more like a draft of one that could be really good but missed the mark.

I appreciated getting a sneak peek from Net Galley.

P.S. I have never read Pushkin's novel. Maybe this one would have made more sense. But I think novels should stand on their own.

[Mareli Thalwitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was first published on http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/...

Queen of Spades revamps the classic Pushkin fable of the same name, transplanted to a mysterious Seattle-area casino populated by a pit boss with six months to live, a dealer obsessing over the mysterious methods of an elderly customer known as the Countess, and a recovering gambler who finds herself trapped in a cultish twelve-step program. With a breathtaking climax that rivals the best Hong Kong gambling movies, Michael Shou-Yung Shum’s debut novel delivers the thrilling highs and lows that come when we cede control of our futures to the roll of the dice and the turn of a card. (Forest Avenue Press)

"We can never know anything for sure", the Countess replied. "for what we speak of is gambling"

What an intriguing tale involving gambling, casinos, card dealing, taking high stake chances and card games I never even heard of......I'm still not much the wiser, but I was mesmerized by the magical and oh so addictive turn of the cards.

Hard to believe that this was Michael Shou-Yung Shum's debut novel. But if you take a look at his life story (so far), this man sure has some delightful tales to tell:

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Michael Shou-Yung Shum eventually found himself dealing poker in a dead-end casino in Lake Stevens, Washington. Two doctorates bookend this strange turn of events: the first in Psychology from Northwestern, and the second in English from University of Tennessee. Along the way, Michael spent a dozen years in Chicago, touring the country as a rave DJ. (Forest Avenue Press)

It's thus safe to assume that many aspects in this novel was based on the author's vast knowledge of gambling and all its contingencies. It also revamps the classic Pushkin fable of the same name. I haven't read any of the Pushkin's stories myself, but Google has and according to my trusted friend, the essential premise does stay the same: An obsessed gambler; a mysterious but ridiculously old Countess; and a fatal game of faro.

The book is also a much longer version than the original short story by Pushkin, dealing with more characters and a far more intriguing plot. Such wonderful characters we met in and around the Royal Casino. Some had a sad, lost and hopeless feel around them. The only thing that gave meaning to their lives were the thrill of winning and the luck of the draw. Inside the casino, or on the racetracks, or standing in line to buy a lotto ticket - turned these characters into winners and royalty. The risk of losing hardly ever occurs, until the reality of loss hits them.

I know next to nothing about cards and casinos, but I was definitely swept up in the magic of that ultimate faro game. (Trivia: I honestly never would have thought that dealers like gambling as well.)

Queen of Spades is one of those food for thought books. A quick,enjoyable read that lingers for a couple of days. I will recommend this one to just about everybody. Unless you have a gambling problem. It might be better to stay clear.

Thanks again to the lovely Laura Stanfill for providing me with an Advance Reading Copy of this novel. Much appreciated!

[Akhila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Forest Avenue Press and Net Galley.
**Sorry for the delayed reviews**
This debutant author has written made a great debut. I have not read the original Pushkin, but reading this book, I am guessing it would have been interesting as well.

It was literally like being in a Casino. I really appreciate the author's efforts. His experience is well put in words, The extensive research on Probability and Statistics, the part where Countess explains the concept was one of the highlights of the book.


The book starts with a lot of interesting and promising characters that are woven into a single plot.

The ending was interesting with the nail-biting finish to the game of FARO.
I expected a bit more of the story around Thomas Eccleston, Dr. Eccleston, Countess, and Theo. It would have given the book a tad more edge considering the potential characters. All in all, I recommend this book to the ones who like or don't like to gamble. Moreover, our life is a gamble too, right?

[Joe Kucharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adapting a 19th Century Russian fable into a contemporary setting, albeit one 30 some years back in the hey-days of the early eighties, and from a first-time author no less, can be considered a gamble. With Queen Of Spades, Michael Shou-Yung Shum doubles down and beats the house. And as much as I would like for that to be the last gambling metaphor of the review, the speed and tone of the book simply will not allow me to throw down markers on Odd when the roulette wheel will definitely come up Even. Shum, you see, has a way of stacking the deck in his favor.

Set in a unique casino in the Pacific Northwest, Queen Of Spades focuses on a new dealer and his quest to understand the system of Countess, a legend in those parts who only plays the high-stake tables. Shum deals in other players, a dying pit boss, a sad-sack gambler, the ex-wife attending 12-step recovery meetings, a palm-reading teen among others, whose tales are just as unique to that of the dealt hand. More Robert Altman than Woody Allen, although Shum plays tight with themes of both humor and friendship, Shum focuses on his cast of characters, ensuring the prime players are available for the climatic big deal. By the end of that hand, and the read, when all players have called, a few of those folded tales become lost amongst the victory of others, and is a slight problem that is easily forgotten and forgiven.

Shum has a light, easy tone making Queen Of Spades a fun read not only through his narrative, but also as he picks and tempts with the theory of the gamble, the strategy behind the play, and how luck envelops it all.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forest Avenue Press for dealing me into this well-played round. I feel like a winner.

[E.P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cracking tale! As soon as I saw the title, I knew I had to read it. Although "Queen of Spades" isn't my favorite of Pushkin's stories--that honor goes to his "Little Tragedies"--it's certainly a classic for a reason. This version, set in a casino in Snoqualmie in the 1980s, is a loose adaptation that maintains the essential premise--an obsessed gambler, an impossibly old and lucky Countess, and a fatal game of Faro--while modifying it enough that even readers familiar with Pushkin's tale won't be able to guess the final outcome.

Arturo Chan is a dealer who never stays more than a few months at a casino. He's hired at the Royal and discovers that it's one of the few casinos left that still offers Faro, and that a mysterious elderly woman known as the Countess sometimes comes and places the occasional, but very large, bet at the Faro table. Arturo becomes fascinated with her and seeks to learn more about her and about Faro.

Meanwhile, Chimsky, a dealer in the High Limit Room, has gotten into trouble with a loan shark. To pay off his debt, he offers to throw a game of Faro for him, even though it's technically almost impossible. Only fate takes a hand--or is it Lady Luck?

This "Queen of Spades" is a longer work than the original, with more characters and a more detailed plot. In lieu of Pushkin's spare compression, this version chooses to spend more time with the characters and their lives, all of which are sad but slightly magical. We get to know the types of people who spend their time in casinos and racetracks, and, more than that, we get a feel for their lives, and the sense that events converge in patterns. Gambling, like drugs, may be addictive, but also like drugs, it can put you in touch with with something greater than yourself--when luck is with you, you're aligned with the entire universe, a part of something greater than yourself. Pushkin, himself an inveterate gambler and a duelist, focused on the sick thrill and the destructive power of gambling; Shou-Yung Shum, while not neglecting that aspect of it, focuses more on both the technical aspects and the "flow state" that players can sometimes enter into. So WARNING! Gambling addicts will probably want to stay far, far away from this book! Although ignorant enough of cards that I don't even know the rules for poker (and therefore found some of the technical moments above my head), I still found myself hopelessly sucked into the action, biting my nails until all the races had been run or the cards had been played. A deeply thrilling and magical tale of life, cards, and adrenaline.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Misha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pit boss, a Countess, a dealer, and a recovering gambler meet in the High Limit Salon for a game of Faro.

At least that's how the story ends. This book is about chance, and the events that led to that faithful night in the Royal Casino.

And here, you're introduced to the characters, and the events that led them there.

This Michael Shou-Yung Shum's debut novel is based on Pushkin's short tale "The Queen of Spades". It is a work of fiction, best described as a gambling fairy tale, with suspenseful writting, full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A suspenseful thriller if you will, that will not only introduce you to the characters, but put you in their shoes, make you go through their daily routines and present gambling to you through a new set of eyes. A definite must read for any fan of good writting.

[Martina · Rating 3 out of 5]

There exist untold pathways that twist between the world of the infinite and the soul of man, most of which remani undiscovered, The three most direct are dreams, first and foremost; second, art; and lastly, the wagering of prodigious sums of money.

Queen of Spades è un retelling della novella La dama di picche di Pushkin, che riguarda appunto il gioco d'azzardo e cosa riusciamo a fare pur di mettere le mani sull'attimo scintillante di una singola vincita.

Purtroppo non ho ancora letto nulla di questo famoso narratore russo, quindi non posso fare confronti tra le due opere.
Di certo, per essere la sua opera prima, Micheal Shou-Yung Shum è riuscito a creare un'atmosfera seducente e intrigante, rendendo glamour l'ambiente dei casinò americani, che vediamo normalmente come rumorosi, pieni di colori squillanti e poco entusiasmanti.
Il Royal, luogo in cui la stragrande maggioranza dei personaggi è impiegata, appare elegante ed è la perfetta cornice agli intrighi e ai misteri che lì si svolgono.
La Contessa, personaggio sfuggente e misterioso, è quasi una caratteristica propria del luogo e attira su di sè l'interesse di tutti, che sono stregati dalla presenza di quest'anziana signora, che passa le serate a guardare i giocatori e, rarissime volte, a scommettere e a vincere ingenti somme.
E' proprio questo suo inesplicabile comportamento che porta Arturo Chan a cercare di capire il suo metodo e a conoscere la sua identità, mentre tutto intorno si dipanano le vicende personali degli altri suoi colleghi, come Chimsky, indebitato fino al collo, e la sua ex-moglie Barbara, che decide di tornare a giocare nonostante anni di astinenza e un passato da dipendente dal gioco.

Forse perché l'autore ha studiato psicologia, i personaggi sono ben caratterizzati e diversificati fra loro, con chiare motivazioni delle loro mosse. Nonostante l'eccitazione del gioco, però, non sono riuscita a empatizzare con le storie che venivano raccontate, seppure di grande insegnamento.
La vicenda di Barbara, come si lascia alle spalle un passato difficile, è di certo la più interessante di tutte ed è uno sguardo inedito su ciò che accade dopo i gruppi di sostegno.

Il finale, pur essendo ben fatto, non è stato scoppiettante come mi sarei aspettata e ci sono più chiacchiere tecniche su giochi di carte che non conosco di quanto voglia leggere.
In generale, un romanzo piuttosto carino.









Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Ilyssa Wesche · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I was a little worried at first that it would be too magical realism for me, but I sort of let my literal expectations go and happily there were only one or two moments where I had to work at suspending my disbelief. But the book as a whole was written in a way that I sort of floated along the story, so I didn't mind those parts. Parts of this almost reminded me of reading Bukowski, in a way, with the gambling and the last-chances.

[Jalila · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I received the message I was allowed to get an early copy of this book in order to review it after, I grew enormously suspicious. The author's debut, hm? I was deeply afraid I might be disappointed. What else to expect from a rather inexperienced writer?

Luckily The Queen of Spades did NOT disappoint at all. It took me all into the world of gambling, taking a glimpse into the different kinds of a dealer's life.
Though the title reminds a bit of The Queen of Hearts, as in Alice Adventures in Wonderland, this work is no Fantasy novel - though it served as such to me. As I had close to no experience with dealing or books about this business, to me traveling the Royal Casino the book is set in, was like traveling Narnia to others.

Though I liked the book from the beginning, I was sure I would give four stars, but the ending had me so excited, I couldn't help but add that one final star.

I'm still mesmerized. Hats off to the author, good work.
A very good work, I can only recommend.

TO BE ADDED: Though I received this copy for free in exchange for my review, I can only repeat that has not affected my opinion on this work at all.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author to provide a review copy.

[Jim Loter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Queen of Spades" is set just down the road from me (sort of) in Snoqualmie, Washington, at the fictional Royal Casino. Dealer Arturo Chan is hired by the pit boss, Mannheim, who is secretly dying of an unknown ailment and visits a mystic healer (and her young nephew) for relief. Meanwhile, fellow dealer Chimsky and his ex-wife Barbara struggle with their gambling addictions.

Chan is highly skilled, precise, and professional, and seems unflappable. But he becomes intrigued by an elderly patron nicknamed "The Countess" who occupies a throne-like seat every night in the high stakes room but rarely bets. Eventually, fate (or maybe luck) draws Chan, The Countess, Mannheim, and Barbara to experience a mysterious event that changes their lives.

With the gloomy Pacific Northwest locale, quirky characters, and themes of chance and cosmic manipulation I can imagine David Lynch directing the movie version of this novel (and wish that he would). Shum's writing flows easily and dances just on the edge of magical realism.

[Star Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suspense is killing me! This story is placed in Western Washington in a little town that only the locals might know. Makes the book even more special to Washingtonians. That aside this is a all around fantastic story. Very well devolved involving a tangled web around the Royal Casino. From the first bet placed you are hooked. The author does a fantastic job including explanations of the different type of games and casino life without boring the avid card play or insult the ignorant. You might even learn a new card trick or two. You will have a hard time putting this book down. I received this book without cost in exchange for a honest review.

[Adam Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Proof from Netgalley (released this October). Apparently it's an adaptation from the famous Pushkin short story of the same name. I can't claim to know the original only that the world of gambling and gambling literature intrigues me. It was a short tale but I connected with the characters and the setting but due to my ignorance, I can only assume there are many underlying themes in 'Queen of Spades' which allude my limited brainspace. I'm sure there are metaphors a plenty but for me, it was a decent and at times, exciting romp in a casino.

[Dan Trefethen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A modern retelling of Pushkin's story 'The Queen of Spades', this tale from 1984 happens in a roadside casino in Washington State. The viewpoint characters are mainly a couple of dealers and a floor manager. We learn the inside story of casino gambling, and how pervasive is the urge to gamble even among those who have sworn it off.

The characters were interesting, but I thought the omniscient POV varied from character to character; some worked better than others. There is a fantasy element that comes into play late in the book that appeared to be a call-back to the Pushkin story. It probably worked better the way Pushkin told it. That can be the problem with doing an homage to a great writer; your work may suffer in comparison.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn’t sure what I was going to think about this – it was a bit out of my comfort zone and I have not read the short story the novel is based on. But I thought the author did a wonderful job developing the characters and I found myself fascinated with the behind the scenes workings of the casino. Nice debut and an enjoyable read. I think it would make a great movie!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It's one that will stay with me for the beauty and mystery of the story, and the confidence of the story telling. The book moves quickly, the various points of view give it a good texture, each POV taking the narrative further. The characters are quirky and interesting, the setting (casino/gambling) is compelling and the author offers just the right amount of detail in explaining the games without overwhelming. I absolutely recommend this book and look forward to more from Michael Shop-Yung Shum.

[Melissa Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel set in the 80s in a casino town I've never heard of, with storylines involving magic, gambling, violent bookies, mysterious women, and the delicate plane of our existence, this is unlike anything I have read in a few years, and I loved it. This is going to be a hit with book clubs, especially readers like myself who have had it up to the chin with family dynamic plot lines.

[Lkking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shum weaves together psychology, relationship, Pacific Northwest, new age philosophy and always the lure of gambling - playing Faro, rolling dice, going to the races - in this unusual novel of mystery, chance and perhaps redemption.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great gambling novel. Feels highly cinematic. Slightly disappointing ending, but held together by intriguing themes of fate, chance and addiction and full of interesting characters.

In the interest of transparentcy: thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free review copy. It didn't sway my reading of it, but it's just as well to mention these things.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think I would like a story about gambling which is something I have very little interest in. But the characters were interesting. I really enjoyed the supernatural elements. I wish that there was more about what happened to Chimsky though. Overall it's a good book and a quick read.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I am not familiar with the Pushkin tale that inspired this book, I enjoyed the tale as told here. The greatest strength of the book is the fantastic cast of characters, each with a particular link to gambling, from the dealer to the recovering addict to the mysterious Countess who gambles vast sums on the single turn of the card. Each character is well developed as are the connections between them, and it is these connections and relationships that drive the plot of the book to it's dramatic and unexpected conclusion. A few loose ends were just a little to neatly tied up for my liking but other than that the book was an engaging read and one that I would recommend. I also found that I learned about card games and their history while reading, so it was informative as well as entertaining.
I reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley.

[Gilion Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen of Spades is a debut novel that retells Pushkin's short story of the same name, but sets it in a Washington state casino in the 1980s. It's a terrifically imaginative story that grabs you from the first page. I love it!

[Hasadda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arturo Chan auditions to become a dealer in a high end casino, where he observes the players from his point of view. One player catches his eye and the book focuses on his attempt to figure out the mysterious senior citizen, known as the Countess, that rarely plays, but when she does, its very systematic. He even follows her limo one night to find out where she maintains residence.
First time author, Michael Shoutouts-Yung Shum has a very strong page-turning story. I enjoyed the descriptions and buildup of the characters, how he lead them to the art of gambling skills.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I've never read the original Pushkin short story upon which this novel is based, my enjoyment was not diminished one bit. Inside the world of a 1980's-era casino, we meet distinct characters who have complex relationships with gambling and the highs and lows it brings. Michael Shou-Yung Shum deftly weaves the stories of each together, while maintaining an interesting plot.

I was grateful to receive an ARC from NetGalley!

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I've never read the original Pushkin story, this novel is thoroughly enjoyable. It had the flavor of a retelling, but it still seemed original and had its own personality. All the characters are well-written and relatable, and while we don't learn too much about their past (I would have enjoyed a little more detail), there is enough so that we can understand each character and carry on with the story.

Thank you NetGalley for the review copy!

[Kalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic debut; would make a great movie. Vivid, interesting characters that felt fresh.

[Mary Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely absorbing. I know nothing of gambling but this was fun. Kind of unlikely (maybe) but the characters seem real to me.

[Ema · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book in exchange for a review—sorry it took so long!

Okay, first thing to note here: I know nothing about gambling. I don’t know how to play poker, or blackjack, or any of the other games mentioned here. Sadly, the author lost me a little over some of the gambling terminology (there is a very handy glossary is the back, though!) and that’s on me.

Now that that’s out of the way: I really enjoyed this book! I found the characters to be realistic and fun to read about, even side ones like Little Theo, and I certainly couldn’t help but be fascinated by the mystery of the Countess. I loved the slight magical element, and I thought the writing style was engaging and easy to read at the same time.

This is an excellent debut, if you ask me, and I think that even those who don’t gamble or know the games, like me, can find something to enjoy in this book.

[Andrew Lemek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what makes the library so great, as I was wandering the aisles judging books the best way I know how (by their covers) I stumbled across The Queen of Spades. The back of the book describes it as a revamp of the classic Pushkin fable with unforgettable characters and a breathtaking climax. Well count me in for that even though I have never read the original Queen of Spades. I loved it, I couldn't wait to see how all of the storylines intertwined and of course how would it end? Definitely a 5 star read, and then I come over here to Goodreads to add my review and find that only 100 or so people have read/reviewed the book on here. I doubt there's any other scenario where I come in contact with this book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I guess to wrap up my thoughts here, support your local library.