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Diviner's Game #3
Queen to King Three
an alternate cover edition can be found here
Robbie:
On the most auspicious occasion of my eighteenth birthday, my stepmother drove me to and abandoned me in her brother’s driveway. Allegedly, I’m an adult now, but one day doesn’t make a difference for a guy with an alphabet soup of anxiety disorders, except that it does. The Demesne D’Aquino feels like home, the family here chooses to love me, my step-uncle actively wants to help me. I arrived broken, small, and terrified, but I feel like I can finally start healing.
My Humanities teacher treats me like he believes I have value. I don’t know how Chanda Marduke slipped past all my defensive walls. He’s a towering wall of muscle and strength, and I’ve been conditioned to fear men like him, but I’m falling in love. I know the attraction between us, the chemistry, and the friendship falls under a morally ambiguous standard, but he engages me in ways I have never experienced, he treats me like I have intrinsic, inherent value, and I can’t give that up for social mores that have failed to protect me my entire life. He may be the most terrifying man I’ve ever met, but we fit together too perfectly to let anything stand between us.
Lamentably, Fate's animus toward me followed me to Houston.
Chanda:
Until I walked into my classroom to find a pretty little guy reading one of the textbooks, I had no idea what temptation was. He’s my student, and I shouldn’t lust after him, but the more time I spend with him, the more I realize lust doesn’t begin to cover what I feel for him. Robbie may be the strongest guy I’ve ever met, not brute strength like me, but inner strength and damn if that doesn’t make everything about him more appealing.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, some random Diviner has drawn me into a real-life game of chess where every decision I make could end someone’s life. I’m trying to keep my pieces on the board, but free will is a bitch, and Fate has tangled a web of strings to trap me or end us all. How do I keep everyone thrust into this game with me alive without losing the guy I think may be the key to saving us all?
Robbie:
On the most auspicious occasion of my eighteenth birthday, my stepmother drove me to and abandoned me in her brother’s driveway. Allegedly, I’m an adult now, but one day doesn’t make a difference for a guy with an alphabet soup of anxiety disorders, except that it does. The Demesne D’Aquino feels like home, the family here chooses to love me, my step-uncle actively wants to help me. I arrived broken, small, and terrified, but I feel like I can finally start healing.
My Humanities teacher treats me like he believes I have value. I don’t know how Chanda Marduke slipped past all my defensive walls. He’s a towering wall of muscle and strength, and I’ve been conditioned to fear men like him, but I’m falling in love. I know the attraction between us, the chemistry, and the friendship falls under a morally ambiguous standard, but he engages me in ways I have never experienced, he treats me like I have intrinsic, inherent value, and I can’t give that up for social mores that have failed to protect me my entire life. He may be the most terrifying man I’ve ever met, but we fit together too perfectly to let anything stand between us.
Lamentably, Fate's animus toward me followed me to Houston.
Chanda:
Until I walked into my classroom to find a pretty little guy reading one of the textbooks, I had no idea what temptation was. He’s my student, and I shouldn’t lust after him, but the more time I spend with him, the more I realize lust doesn’t begin to cover what I feel for him. Robbie may be the strongest guy I’ve ever met, not brute strength like me, but inner strength and damn if that doesn’t make everything about him more appealing.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, some random Diviner has drawn me into a real-life game of chess where every decision I make could end someone’s life. I’m trying to keep my pieces on the board, but free will is a bitch, and Fate has tangled a web of strings to trap me or end us all. How do I keep everyone thrust into this game with me alive without losing the guy I think may be the key to saving us all?
452 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2021
72 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Cody
47 books711 followersJennifer Cody lives in Small Midwestern Town, USA, aka the sticks of Kansas. She has three kids and a Beardo she loves. Her sleep schedule is weird, so messages sent at midnight usually get answered relatively promptly. She reads all kinds of mm romance and urban fantasy, but her favorites are gay-for-you, small-town romances and over the top urban fantasy romances. Her own writing doesn’t always reflect her reading preferences, but mostly it does. She writes what she wants to read and reads extensively because she’s an addict. To books, obviously. And caffeine because sleep is for other people.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
February 6, 2021
This was the best one of the trilogy. I loved everything about Chanda and Robbie; their personalities, their quirks, their love for each other and their family, everything!
There were twists and turns and poor Chanda had to keep everyone in line and on the right path to keep the ones he loves (and some he doesn't) alive.
Robbie's backstory was heartbreaking but he was truly strong. One thing I would note, I wish the author would have addressed Robbie's abuser and there was some sort of comeuppance (was that a Robbie word? lol).
There were also a few surprising reveals: Robbie's species and who was the mysterious person moving the chess pieces on the board as well. I was a bit shocked at that one and I already hated him so it was fitting lol.
Now, it was a little long winded (everything that happens in books 1 & 2 were revisited from different POV's) and the twists & turns I mentioned were a little convoluted, but have no fear, the author puts a timeline in the back if you get lost.
But overall, it was a great series ,and I hope she'll give us more of the side characters in the future. I really want Kendall and Colt and I cannot wait for Tio!!
There were twists and turns and poor Chanda had to keep everyone in line and on the right path to keep the ones he loves (and some he doesn't) alive.
Robbie's backstory was heartbreaking but he was truly strong. One thing I would note, I wish the author would have addressed Robbie's abuser and there was some sort of comeuppance (was that a Robbie word? lol).
There were also a few surprising reveals: Robbie's species and who was the mysterious person moving the chess pieces on the board as well. I was a bit shocked at that one and I already hated him so it was fitting lol.
Now, it was a little long winded (everything that happens in books 1 & 2 were revisited from different POV's) and the twists & turns I mentioned were a little convoluted, but have no fear, the author puts a timeline in the back if you get lost.
But overall, it was a great series ,and I hope she'll give us more of the side characters in the future. I really want Kendall and Colt and I cannot wait for Tio!!
March 5, 2022
An amazing, gripping ride… with some minor complaints
This was such a fun trilogy to read. I’m in awe at how the author managed to tie so many events together and have everything make sense at the end. It was great to finally understand some of Chanda’s actions (though I never perceived him as a bad guy even when events seemed to indicate that), and I loved him and Robbie together. All of the couples in this trilogy have had distinct personalities and their own flaws that make them even more lovable.
Okay, now for my gripes lol. If the book weren’t as long as it is (140k!), maybe they wouldn’t have bothered me as much.
First, the footnotes were distracting and ineffective. The majority of people will be reading this digitally, which means you can just tap on a word for a definition if needed… unless there’s a FOOTNOTE attached to it. And it’s not like they were even linked to the glossary in the back, so I don’t get the point of having them numbered at all. It also seemed very inconsistent which words were chosen to be footnoted and which weren’t. To me, a glossary should be for words you wouldn’t be able to easily find in a dictionary, whether because they’re made up or maybe foreign.
Second, Robbie’s vocabulary mostly felt like someone going through a thesaurus and looking for big words to prove he was smart. It lost its effectiveness when there were typos (like breath when it should be breathe) in the same sentence, or when the word wasn’t used correctly. He also wasn’t consistent in it, sometimes thinking or saying several longer/more unusual words in a sentence, and sometimes thinking/speaking more like an average person.
Finally, and maybe this is because I read all three books back to back, there were some scenes that really didn’t need to be repeated word for word in all three books. A summary or snippet of the conversation would have worked just fine. This became less of an issue toward the end as events started happening that we hadn’t seen before.
Again, these are all minor quibbles that, while I’d love to see them fixed, won’t stop me from recommending the series or reading the spin-offs. They did detract from my enjoyment enough to dock a star on this one, but the series as a whole remains five stars for me.
This was such a fun trilogy to read. I’m in awe at how the author managed to tie so many events together and have everything make sense at the end. It was great to finally understand some of Chanda’s actions (though I never perceived him as a bad guy even when events seemed to indicate that), and I loved him and Robbie together. All of the couples in this trilogy have had distinct personalities and their own flaws that make them even more lovable.
Okay, now for my gripes lol. If the book weren’t as long as it is (140k!), maybe they wouldn’t have bothered me as much.
First, the footnotes were distracting and ineffective. The majority of people will be reading this digitally, which means you can just tap on a word for a definition if needed… unless there’s a FOOTNOTE attached to it. And it’s not like they were even linked to the glossary in the back, so I don’t get the point of having them numbered at all. It also seemed very inconsistent which words were chosen to be footnoted and which weren’t. To me, a glossary should be for words you wouldn’t be able to easily find in a dictionary, whether because they’re made up or maybe foreign.
Second, Robbie’s vocabulary mostly felt like someone going through a thesaurus and looking for big words to prove he was smart. It lost its effectiveness when there were typos (like breath when it should be breathe) in the same sentence, or when the word wasn’t used correctly. He also wasn’t consistent in it, sometimes thinking or saying several longer/more unusual words in a sentence, and sometimes thinking/speaking more like an average person.
Finally, and maybe this is because I read all three books back to back, there were some scenes that really didn’t need to be repeated word for word in all three books. A summary or snippet of the conversation would have worked just fine. This became less of an issue toward the end as events started happening that we hadn’t seen before.
Again, these are all minor quibbles that, while I’d love to see them fixed, won’t stop me from recommending the series or reading the spin-offs. They did detract from my enjoyment enough to dock a star on this one, but the series as a whole remains five stars for me.
October 24, 2021
It takes a great deal of skill to write books that happen concurrently without making them seem repetitive, and Jennifer Cody nailed it with the Diviner's Game, especially with Queen to King Three, where all the threads are woven together. Appropriate for Chanda, who as a diviner, reads the threads of people's fate.
This third book of the series really doesn't stand alone, but the first two books are SO GOOD that you should read them anyway. I will end up reading the side stories, too, because I loved this core trilogy so much.
This third book of the series really doesn't stand alone, but the first two books are SO GOOD that you should read them anyway. I will end up reading the side stories, too, because I loved this core trilogy so much.
February 7, 2021
First, let me start off by saying that Jen is a fabulous author. I’ve loved her writing style, characters, and overall stories from day one. She’s brilliant when it comes to weaving wonderful books together. I’ve loved the whole series, but what a wonderful conclusion for the Diviner’s Game series! I’ve been eagerly awaiting Robbie and Chanda’s story since I finished book one. Chanda caught my attention from the start and his actions kept me wondering. So, I was chomping at the bit for Jen to finish Queen to King Three. I’ve got to tell you, I wasn’t disappointed in the least!
I’ve spoken with Jen about her books many times. Usually, I’m fangirling about how much she’s blown me away with details or character developments that I wasn’t expecting. I don’t want to give too much about the trilogy away, but let’s just there was at least one thing from each book that really threw me for a loop! In Bishop to Knight One, I found myself shocked by how well Matt took to being a parent at seventeen/eighteen years old. He took to it like a duck to water and always acted incredibly mature. Oh, and I was pleasantly surprised by Matt’s cum! Haha! In Knight to Castle Two, I was totally blown away by the roles Loki and Gage filled. I have them reversed in my mind so it was a trip seeing that not everything is how it seems. I loved it! It’s probably my favorite part of the series, to be honest, because I was so thrown off by it...in a good way though! Queen to King Three has a lot of twists, turns, and one wonderfully big surprise hidden in Robbie’s pants. The latter of those three did it for me. I loved the shock and awe! Jen, it’s gotta be said, you always astonish me in the best of ways! Please, never change the way you spin your stories!
Okay, so now that I’ve fangirled a little more about things I love, let’s get into the story.
Just like Knight to Castle Two, Queen to King Three parallels the timeline set in Bishop to Knight One. So, as things are happening in Robbie and Chanda’s book, they coincide with Matt and Deejay’s story as well as Gage and Loki’s. Book three does a fantastic job of tying up the loose threads of Chanda’s actions which left me wondering about his moral character. If you’ve read book one, you’ll know that some things happened that painted Chanda in a bad light. The same happened in book two, making you wonder if the characters were who you initially thought they were. Don’t worry folks, things become clear in the end leaving us with a delightful finale for the Diviner’s Game trilogy.
This was a tale of how an eighteen-year-old guy finds himself involved with his teacher, working to outmaneuver a set of antagonistic characters determined to win. Chanda is a powerful Diviner who spends his days teaching at Robbie’s high school. Outside of the classroom, Chanda spends time consulting with people who want their strings read. Robbie is a human, or so he thinks, who’s been dropped off at his step-uncle’s house by his shitty stepmom. Together, with a set of allies determined to be victorious, they’re forced to play a treacherous game of skill and clever manipulation. If they don’t win at this Diviner’s Games it could spell the end of many lives.
This is a story about family, bravery, intelligence, healing, overcoming, laughter, tears, growth, and so much more. The depth of emotions draws you further into the lives of the characters you’ve come to love from the first two books. It leaves you rooting for the protagonistic characters. It makes you flip through pages just to make sure your players succeed. I just can’t even describe how wonderful this story, and series, was to read.
Now, let’s talk about characters for a moment. At first, I was concerned about my feelings toward Robbie. He didn’t seem like a bad person per se, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about him. I knew he had suffered abuse in the past which left him more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room of rocking chairs. The anxiety within was real and understandable. I was worried he’d come across as a bit of a doormat. Boy was I wrong! Sure, he struggled with his anxiety and his past abuse, but holy crap does he power through and grow! I thought Chanda might be too dominant for some like Robbie. And yet, they go together like peanut butter and jam! A classic combination of yummy goodness to sink your teeth into!
Overall, I thought this was a wonderful finish to Jen’s series. It’s a satisfying read that leaves you feeling sated at the end. You’re left with a HEA that leaves a smile on your face. If you’ve read the first two books in Jen’s series I highly recommend you finish it off with the book. If you haven’t, go back and read the first two! It makes the story so much more satisfying. And if you don’t, you’ll be missing out on a wonderful set of books.
Ten out of ten, Jen! Would most definitely recommend it!
I’ve spoken with Jen about her books many times. Usually, I’m fangirling about how much she’s blown me away with details or character developments that I wasn’t expecting. I don’t want to give too much about the trilogy away, but let’s just there was at least one thing from each book that really threw me for a loop! In Bishop to Knight One, I found myself shocked by how well Matt took to being a parent at seventeen/eighteen years old. He took to it like a duck to water and always acted incredibly mature. Oh, and I was pleasantly surprised by Matt’s cum! Haha! In Knight to Castle Two, I was totally blown away by the roles Loki and Gage filled. I have them reversed in my mind so it was a trip seeing that not everything is how it seems. I loved it! It’s probably my favorite part of the series, to be honest, because I was so thrown off by it...in a good way though! Queen to King Three has a lot of twists, turns, and one wonderfully big surprise hidden in Robbie’s pants. The latter of those three did it for me. I loved the shock and awe! Jen, it’s gotta be said, you always astonish me in the best of ways! Please, never change the way you spin your stories!
Okay, so now that I’ve fangirled a little more about things I love, let’s get into the story.
Just like Knight to Castle Two, Queen to King Three parallels the timeline set in Bishop to Knight One. So, as things are happening in Robbie and Chanda’s book, they coincide with Matt and Deejay’s story as well as Gage and Loki’s. Book three does a fantastic job of tying up the loose threads of Chanda’s actions which left me wondering about his moral character. If you’ve read book one, you’ll know that some things happened that painted Chanda in a bad light. The same happened in book two, making you wonder if the characters were who you initially thought they were. Don’t worry folks, things become clear in the end leaving us with a delightful finale for the Diviner’s Game trilogy.
This was a tale of how an eighteen-year-old guy finds himself involved with his teacher, working to outmaneuver a set of antagonistic characters determined to win. Chanda is a powerful Diviner who spends his days teaching at Robbie’s high school. Outside of the classroom, Chanda spends time consulting with people who want their strings read. Robbie is a human, or so he thinks, who’s been dropped off at his step-uncle’s house by his shitty stepmom. Together, with a set of allies determined to be victorious, they’re forced to play a treacherous game of skill and clever manipulation. If they don’t win at this Diviner’s Games it could spell the end of many lives.
This is a story about family, bravery, intelligence, healing, overcoming, laughter, tears, growth, and so much more. The depth of emotions draws you further into the lives of the characters you’ve come to love from the first two books. It leaves you rooting for the protagonistic characters. It makes you flip through pages just to make sure your players succeed. I just can’t even describe how wonderful this story, and series, was to read.
Now, let’s talk about characters for a moment. At first, I was concerned about my feelings toward Robbie. He didn’t seem like a bad person per se, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about him. I knew he had suffered abuse in the past which left him more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room of rocking chairs. The anxiety within was real and understandable. I was worried he’d come across as a bit of a doormat. Boy was I wrong! Sure, he struggled with his anxiety and his past abuse, but holy crap does he power through and grow! I thought Chanda might be too dominant for some like Robbie. And yet, they go together like peanut butter and jam! A classic combination of yummy goodness to sink your teeth into!
Overall, I thought this was a wonderful finish to Jen’s series. It’s a satisfying read that leaves you feeling sated at the end. You’re left with a HEA that leaves a smile on your face. If you’ve read the first two books in Jen’s series I highly recommend you finish it off with the book. If you haven’t, go back and read the first two! It makes the story so much more satisfying. And if you don’t, you’ll be missing out on a wonderful set of books.
Ten out of ten, Jen! Would most definitely recommend it!
October 22, 2021
This is book 3 of the series and must be read in order to understand the timelines. This book is about Chanda and Robbie. Chanda is a diviner and based on what he did in the first 2 books, I thought he was going to get people to hate him but he was playing the long game. Poor Robbie, who was abused but came out stronger because of Chanda. I really, really enjoyed these books and I highly recommend.
I received a copy of this book for my review
I received a copy of this book for my review
April 3, 2022
Awesome
Perfect ending to this series. I love watching all the events from all the different perspectives. Really enjoyable world to read.
Perfect ending to this series. I love watching all the events from all the different perspectives. Really enjoyable world to read.
January 1, 2026
Ok. So all I'll say was this was amazing. The plot is so intricate and little plot bunnies mentioned in books 1 & 2 suddenly pop back up and make sense in book 3. Every few pages I was going ''OH.....that's why that happened...." Piece by piece things started making sense and tying together. While I wasn't super into Robbie and Marduke's relationship, the plot alone made it a 5 star for me. Can't recommend the trilogy enough.
March 2, 2022
Robbie's language in this one annoyed me. I just don't believe anyone actually talks like that. Otherwise, it was really cool to see who Chanda really was and all he was facing because he comes across so different from everyone's perspective.
May 6, 2023
Given how distasteful I found the semi-incestuous and (illegal) age gap romances in the first two books, I’m not sure why I finished the trilogy. I guess it’s because I got them from KU as a single download and I did want to know how the diviner’s game turned out. Maybe I was holding out hope that there would be some further explanation of those choices in the third book. There wasn’t. There was, as is apparently a feature of these books, an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a high school student. At least this student was a legal adult, although the author apparently couldn’t stand not to make him underage by the standards of his species. Because, gross relationships FTW, I guess. My additional complaint about this book was the ridiculous vocabulary of Robbie. You can make the point that he is intelligent without writing his dialogue as if he is a walking thesaurus. No one speaks like that, because they would sound ridiculously pompous and obnoxious in real life. The ending was a bit messy, but did manage to tie up most of the loose ends. The trilogy would have been a decent KU read if not for the fact that literally not one of the relationships in any of the three books passed the ick test. I won’t be reading any further books by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2023
QUEEN TO KING THREE is the third and final book in this trilogy but NOT, I'm pleased to say, in this world. And what a fitting end it is. Everything that was unclear becomes clear. And all written with emotion!
We already know Robbie's story is heartbreaking, but I had no idea just how bad it really was and how much I hated a character that I didn't meet. Robbie is a strong character and deserves to be seen as such. As for Chanda, aww, bless him. He's a sweetie. He is trying so hard to protect and save lives, even knowing how hard it will make his life. These two certainly belong together, and I love how the small guy comes out on top. 😉
Now, this is the third book in the series, and I don't know of many people that would start with #3, but just in case, please don't! This one runs on the same parallel timeline as the first two, and you really NEED to read those first. This one does give you extra insights, after all, it's told partly from Chanda's perspective.
This book feels longer than the other two, but that may just be because of all the information you are given. It didn't feel too long though. I don't think any words were wasted. The Big Bad is revealed, and I honestly can't say how I feel about that! I didn't see it coming in one way, and yet I did in another. Kudos to Jennifer Cody for providing such a great story with all of its twists and turns.
This is one series that I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did, with a new-to-me author. I'm glad I took the chance, and I honestly recommend you take it too. Absolutely brilliant.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 12, 2021
We already know Robbie's story is heartbreaking, but I had no idea just how bad it really was and how much I hated a character that I didn't meet. Robbie is a strong character and deserves to be seen as such. As for Chanda, aww, bless him. He's a sweetie. He is trying so hard to protect and save lives, even knowing how hard it will make his life. These two certainly belong together, and I love how the small guy comes out on top. 😉
Now, this is the third book in the series, and I don't know of many people that would start with #3, but just in case, please don't! This one runs on the same parallel timeline as the first two, and you really NEED to read those first. This one does give you extra insights, after all, it's told partly from Chanda's perspective.
This book feels longer than the other two, but that may just be because of all the information you are given. It didn't feel too long though. I don't think any words were wasted. The Big Bad is revealed, and I honestly can't say how I feel about that! I didn't see it coming in one way, and yet I did in another. Kudos to Jennifer Cody for providing such a great story with all of its twists and turns.
This is one series that I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did, with a new-to-me author. I'm glad I took the chance, and I honestly recommend you take it too. Absolutely brilliant.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 12, 2021
May 24, 2022
In the end I realized that this could have been so much better if we get all six of the POVs at the same time and devide the books up in time, not by characters. Let's face it, reading the same story three times is just not really interesting for the third time. Even if I get new tidbits, I guessed most of it for the second read in the worst case.
We also left the action behind, Robbie is a survivor, not a fighter and while Chanda does fight, he has more stake in his diviner's game than in actual physical altercations.
This should have been the best book if we only take the romance into account. But despite not liking Loki and Gage as people, I still loved their relationship more than whatever is happening here. I read the first sex scene, skipped all of the others... You shouldn't add them if they don't move the plot or the relationship along. You most definitely don't need one as an epilogue.
By the end I became kind of disappointed. I will still read Tio's book, because he became my favorite character, and I want to see what's happening there, but I'm not sure about the rest.
We also left the action behind, Robbie is a survivor, not a fighter and while Chanda does fight, he has more stake in his diviner's game than in actual physical altercations.
This should have been the best book if we only take the romance into account. But despite not liking Loki and Gage as people, I still loved their relationship more than whatever is happening here. I read the first sex scene, skipped all of the others... You shouldn't add them if they don't move the plot or the relationship along. You most definitely don't need one as an epilogue.
By the end I became kind of disappointed. I will still read Tio's book, because he became my favorite character, and I want to see what's happening there, but I'm not sure about the rest.
September 27, 2021
Good job to this author for getting me to read the same book three times in an effort to try to make it make sense. I still don’t get what was up with the cop but I’m done now.
September 16, 2024
most detailed
I did not like reading the same story three times I think it is a cop out calling this a trilogy
I did not like reading the same story three times I think it is a cop out calling this a trilogy
April 2, 2022
The most important thing I learned about this series is that you must read ALL THREE BOOKS - IN ORDER - in the series to have a complete understanding of the storyline from start to finish. This book ties everything together and answers questions left from the previous two books. I think that is a crappy way to write a trilogy but that is how the author decided to unfold the plot. This book deals with the convoluted mess created by greed and subterfuge in the paranormal/supernatural characters' lives from the point of view of Robbie and Chanda who were introduced in book #1 (which was primarily Deejay and Matt's story) and part of their story was continued in book #2 (which was primarily Loki and Gage's story) as it retells the stories from the previous books, only from the point of view of Robbie and Chanda. Now their history and the trilogy's history are complete. This series is quite intricate in its plots and machinations. The author tries their hardest to weave a compelling story but often creates confusion and a lack of cohesiveness. In this book, they employ a quirky and annoying use of bizarre words (they must have had a thesaurus next to their keyboard in order to find the most obscure synonyms possible) in order to create the image that Robbie is highly intelligent, as half of the book is told from his point of view, and presumably using his esoteric vocabulary to prove the point. Unfortunately, it becomes increasingly annoying to the reader when these words pop up in the storytelling. On the plus side, I did become quite invested in the characters that the author develops, as shallow as that development is. There are still some unresolved issues at the end of this book (Tio? The Curse? Loretta and the King? Robbie's abuse and the person(s) responsible for it What happened to them?) but I guess that leaves room for the author to continue the series in the future. This is a long book, as it is necessary to tie all of the unresolved plot points from the previous two books together for a complete understanding of this tale. But, you must read all three books - in order - to have full comprehension of the story.
September 29, 2021
Wow, let me start by saying this series needs to be completely read together to gather how brilliant it really is. Each book alone is good but when you read all 3 you see how truly interwoven the stories are and it really does read like an elaborate chess match. There were so many types of magical creatures it was fascinating as the story went continued to unravel and I am eager to read the next series once it is complete and I hope it is as amazing as this was.
Bishop to Knight One is the beginning of the game the Diviners play and is centered around Deejay and Matt. Both of these MCs are compassionate and loving with darkness to them as well. Each of the characters for the series are introduced, it is easy to make assumptions based on how the game plays out and what you think you know but it is just the beginning.
Knight to Castle Two is adding another layer to the Diviners Game and expands on Gage and Loki and boy oh boy are they HOT. I hate all the pain Loki went through but I loved how possessive Gage was and seeing his inner Drakon come free. I loved this book in the series and I wish they could have had their physical comfort sooner but when you think about the fact the book plays out in a timeframe of about a month it is not so bad.
Queen to King Three is the conclusion to the Diviners Chess Match and there is so much at stake. This book is Chanda (the Diviner) and Robbie. Poor Chanda is trying to save everyone, and he really redeems himself when you see why he had to make the moves he did in the previous books. Robbie really comes out of his shell when he is with Chanda and I was surprised he was so dominate. There are some loose ends that I would have liked answers to such as when was going on with Colt and Kendall. This book is what really drives home how much layering there was to these books and it truly blew my mind.
This was a really great series and I can’t stress enough that you should really all 3 books to truly get how amazing this series is and how involved the game really was.
Bishop to Knight One is the beginning of the game the Diviners play and is centered around Deejay and Matt. Both of these MCs are compassionate and loving with darkness to them as well. Each of the characters for the series are introduced, it is easy to make assumptions based on how the game plays out and what you think you know but it is just the beginning.
Knight to Castle Two is adding another layer to the Diviners Game and expands on Gage and Loki and boy oh boy are they HOT. I hate all the pain Loki went through but I loved how possessive Gage was and seeing his inner Drakon come free. I loved this book in the series and I wish they could have had their physical comfort sooner but when you think about the fact the book plays out in a timeframe of about a month it is not so bad.
Queen to King Three is the conclusion to the Diviners Chess Match and there is so much at stake. This book is Chanda (the Diviner) and Robbie. Poor Chanda is trying to save everyone, and he really redeems himself when you see why he had to make the moves he did in the previous books. Robbie really comes out of his shell when he is with Chanda and I was surprised he was so dominate. There are some loose ends that I would have liked answers to such as when was going on with Colt and Kendall. This book is what really drives home how much layering there was to these books and it truly blew my mind.
This was a really great series and I can’t stress enough that you should really all 3 books to truly get how amazing this series is and how involved the game really was.
September 8, 2022
Once again, we return to the beginning of the story for the final installment of this trilogy. This time, the focus is on Robbie and Chandu, along with their developing relationship. We finally get some answers about both men, including Robbie’s true identity and the role Chandu has played in this entire game. It turns out these are the characters who have been most relevant all along, and their romance arc feels more like a bonus treat to accompany the compelling external plot.
For all the danger and intrigue so far, it turns out this has been all a game—and Chandu is the protagonist of the entire scheme. That being said, Cody has excelled at making every point of view character the hero of their own story, with the freedom to make choices and mistakes, despite the later revelation that the Diviners are tugging on certain strings. This book features plenty of amazing plot twists considering we technically already know what always happens next, and I was blown away by Cody’s ability to craft such a layered and intricate story.
It’s hard to pick a favorite of the three romances in this trilogy because each was as different as the featured characters. Once again, Cody upends everything I thought I knew about Robbie. Even his true personality is a bundle of delightful surprises, and I was impressed by how his anxiety is a defining aspect of his character but did not define his character. Chandu’s love for Robbie also does not fix him; instead, Chandu makes Robbie feel safe enough to express his true strength, giving him the space to act instead of constantly react.
This book wraps up the majority of the plotlines established in this trilogy but leaves plenty of larger questions unanswered. Cody’s talent with secondary characters also means I’m already excited to read more about them and extend my stay in this fantastic urban fantasy world.
For all the danger and intrigue so far, it turns out this has been all a game—and Chandu is the protagonist of the entire scheme. That being said, Cody has excelled at making every point of view character the hero of their own story, with the freedom to make choices and mistakes, despite the later revelation that the Diviners are tugging on certain strings. This book features plenty of amazing plot twists considering we technically already know what always happens next, and I was blown away by Cody’s ability to craft such a layered and intricate story.
It’s hard to pick a favorite of the three romances in this trilogy because each was as different as the featured characters. Once again, Cody upends everything I thought I knew about Robbie. Even his true personality is a bundle of delightful surprises, and I was impressed by how his anxiety is a defining aspect of his character but did not define his character. Chandu’s love for Robbie also does not fix him; instead, Chandu makes Robbie feel safe enough to express his true strength, giving him the space to act instead of constantly react.
This book wraps up the majority of the plotlines established in this trilogy but leaves plenty of larger questions unanswered. Cody’s talent with secondary characters also means I’m already excited to read more about them and extend my stay in this fantastic urban fantasy world.
January 22, 2023
I would actually give this 4.5 stars, but I'll round up (despite my discomfort with some of the relationship aspects) because of the truly intricate and compelling plot. I really liked how everything was explained here, and I have to say, I disliked Chanda so much in the previous two, I almost didn't even read this -- I'm so glad I did!
This one truly reveals Chanda's motives and how others (such as Deejay) completely interfered with his original plan. I especially liked .
I would definitely recommend this trilogy for the plot, though. The world building is intriguing though a bit brutal (ha), but man, the complexities that Chanda was dealing with and trying to manipulate made this the best book of the series.
So the relationships:
Chanda is this book is much more enjoyable, by the way -- he ended up being my favorite character (well, along with Matt). Overall, the characters weren't quite as fully fleshed as I would've liked to see, but they're good enough to keep the reader engaged. Great read!
This one truly reveals Chanda's motives and how others (such as Deejay) completely interfered with his original plan. I especially liked .
I would definitely recommend this trilogy for the plot, though. The world building is intriguing though a bit brutal (ha), but man, the complexities that Chanda was dealing with and trying to manipulate made this the best book of the series.
So the relationships:
Chanda is this book is much more enjoyable, by the way -- he ended up being my favorite character (well, along with Matt). Overall, the characters weren't quite as fully fleshed as I would've liked to see, but they're good enough to keep the reader engaged. Great read!
November 2, 2022
"Queen to King Three" received THREE stars.
Massive kudos to Jennifer Cody. 🙌🏻 I can’t even imagine how much planning this series must have taken. That said, I’m going to repeat what I wrote in my review for Book 2: I don’t like series that follow the exact same plot line / timeline in each book. What kept me reading the series was each characters’ personal journey and love story. Robbie and Chanda didn’t have as much sexual tension as Gabe and Loki but I did like the hurt/comfort, dominant/submissive aspects of their relationship. I plan to read the follow up series, which begins with Tio’s story and I’m hoping 🤞🏻those books will have their own plot line.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
Massive kudos to Jennifer Cody. 🙌🏻 I can’t even imagine how much planning this series must have taken. That said, I’m going to repeat what I wrote in my review for Book 2: I don’t like series that follow the exact same plot line / timeline in each book. What kept me reading the series was each characters’ personal journey and love story. Robbie and Chanda didn’t have as much sexual tension as Gabe and Loki but I did like the hurt/comfort, dominant/submissive aspects of their relationship. I plan to read the follow up series, which begins with Tio’s story and I’m hoping 🤞🏻those books will have their own plot line.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2022
deja vu
Third story that takes place concurrently, with other novels: while chunks of dialogue repeat almost verbatim, only the observers change.
This story showcases the powers of Diviners, who don’t simply read fate, they can use the knowledge to manipulate it. I’d think that could lead to Diviners being more despised than Dragons, who wants their actions messed with for some magical competition?
Characters can’t help monologuing their feelings, rather than showing them or revealing by their actions. Robbie has an annoying habit of using big words, and Chandra thinks it’s a sign of intelligence.
Squirm continues with wink-wink taboo romance. First book was father/son, second was stepbrothers, this one is teacher/student. Makes every effort to declaim why it’s not weird, which makes it sad AND weird.
Kudos for the role reversal, the top in the relationship isn’t the biggest guy (or he is, just not height wise). Also kudos for promoting mental health and therapy: Trauma doesn’t define you, but even with psychiatric help, I think Robbie acted way too mature for a 18 year old with a history of neglect.
Third story that takes place concurrently, with other novels: while chunks of dialogue repeat almost verbatim, only the observers change.
This story showcases the powers of Diviners, who don’t simply read fate, they can use the knowledge to manipulate it. I’d think that could lead to Diviners being more despised than Dragons, who wants their actions messed with for some magical competition?
Characters can’t help monologuing their feelings, rather than showing them or revealing by their actions. Robbie has an annoying habit of using big words, and Chandra thinks it’s a sign of intelligence.
Squirm continues with wink-wink taboo romance. First book was father/son, second was stepbrothers, this one is teacher/student. Makes every effort to declaim why it’s not weird, which makes it sad AND weird.
Kudos for the role reversal, the top in the relationship isn’t the biggest guy (or he is, just not height wise). Also kudos for promoting mental health and therapy: Trauma doesn’t define you, but even with psychiatric help, I think Robbie acted way too mature for a 18 year old with a history of neglect.
February 7, 2023
Well, I made the stupid mistake of reading "just one chapter" before I went to bed at 11 O'clock. It's 7 AM now...
This trilogy has been a total delight to sort through. It is a testament to the author's ingenuity that, even though I knew many of the events, I still refused to set the book down until the satisfying conclusion. The way all the events are tied together is nothing short of brilliant.
There are many things I didn't like though, such as Robbie's totally contrived and stilted verbosity and his use of so many obscure terms, sometimes incorrectly! The biggest hurdle however is the complete and total lack of chemistry between the MCs. I just couldn't picture Robbie in any sexual way , much less weirdly dominant. Some scenes -that I wasn't fast enough to skip- were so awkward as to give second hand embarrassment.
The MCs however did work much better apart rather than together. And I didn't even care about Rob and Chanda's awkwardness. The book is just that good. Thank you Author for writing a superb trilogy. I'm looking forward to further stories in this universe.
Now I just have to find out how much coffee to make it through the day.
This trilogy has been a total delight to sort through. It is a testament to the author's ingenuity that, even though I knew many of the events, I still refused to set the book down until the satisfying conclusion. The way all the events are tied together is nothing short of brilliant.
There are many things I didn't like though, such as Robbie's totally contrived and stilted verbosity and his use of so many obscure terms, sometimes incorrectly! The biggest hurdle however is the complete and total lack of chemistry between the MCs. I just couldn't picture Robbie in any sexual way , much less weirdly dominant. Some scenes -that I wasn't fast enough to skip- were so awkward as to give second hand embarrassment.
The MCs however did work much better apart rather than together. And I didn't even care about Rob and Chanda's awkwardness. The book is just that good. Thank you Author for writing a superb trilogy. I'm looking forward to further stories in this universe.
Now I just have to find out how much coffee to make it through the day.
May 6, 2022
Spectacular finale!
There is so much awesomeness in this book! Chanda and Robbie’s story is achingly imperfect and they both do so much to improve each other.
We also get the final pieces of the series puzzle so that everything we have learned from the previous two books is tied together and the bigger picture is formed. The identity of the other Diviner is one I absolutely did NOT see coming. I love when a story can do that!
My one semi-major issue with this book doesn’t precisely detract from the story, but it is irksome. The authors liberal use of the Grammarly (?) keyboard word suggestions or possibly a thesaurus, while not checking the actual definition of the replacement words. There are numerous sentences throughout the book that are unintelligible without a dictionary and a few that don’t make sense even with one. Don’t get me wrong, I adore expanding my vocabulary, but it was needlessly excessive in my opinion. Otherwise utterly fantastic story and I cannot wait to read the spin-off series.
There is so much awesomeness in this book! Chanda and Robbie’s story is achingly imperfect and they both do so much to improve each other.
We also get the final pieces of the series puzzle so that everything we have learned from the previous two books is tied together and the bigger picture is formed. The identity of the other Diviner is one I absolutely did NOT see coming. I love when a story can do that!
My one semi-major issue with this book doesn’t precisely detract from the story, but it is irksome. The authors liberal use of the Grammarly (?) keyboard word suggestions or possibly a thesaurus, while not checking the actual definition of the replacement words. There are numerous sentences throughout the book that are unintelligible without a dictionary and a few that don’t make sense even with one. Don’t get me wrong, I adore expanding my vocabulary, but it was needlessly excessive in my opinion. Otherwise utterly fantastic story and I cannot wait to read the spin-off series.
March 11, 2021
I almost decided against reading this book
I read previous two books in series and really didn't care for Chanda's behavior towards the end. If this book weren't available via KU, I most likely would've skilled it.
However, this books brings a lot of explanation to Chanda's behavior, and basically all "behind the scenes" view. It is NECESSARY to read if you want to understand full plot and brings Chanda to a totally different light.
Anyway, I am taking away one star partially because there are a lot of new facts and topics introduced, but this series has finished. So, lots of "hanging" ends, and no comment about possible related series that would cover them. Another reason is that there was a super clear hint about the identity of opponent repeated several times in second half of the book, and it did look strange that people with vast chess experience didn't understand it.
I read previous two books in series and really didn't care for Chanda's behavior towards the end. If this book weren't available via KU, I most likely would've skilled it.
However, this books brings a lot of explanation to Chanda's behavior, and basically all "behind the scenes" view. It is NECESSARY to read if you want to understand full plot and brings Chanda to a totally different light.
Anyway, I am taking away one star partially because there are a lot of new facts and topics introduced, but this series has finished. So, lots of "hanging" ends, and no comment about possible related series that would cover them. Another reason is that there was a super clear hint about the identity of opponent repeated several times in second half of the book, and it did look strange that people with vast chess experience didn't understand it.
June 20, 2021
What a dramatic and totally unexpected conclusion to this thrilling trilogy. With so many twist, turns and surprises i am in awe of how this author has accomplished so much in such a short time. Lives are in peril and futures in jeopardy, the question is what are you willing to sacrifice to win. I was enthralled with Robbie and his transformation and shocked with the roles people played, I love the power plays and sheer magnitude of backstabbing seen. You really need to start from book 1 to understand what is going on as the story plays out over the trilogy. I have never seen so much action, mystery and suspense packed into one book and epically so. I love how Deejay is acquiring more family left and right some of who are closer then you think, absolutely heartbroken with the fallout and the suffering caused. I never saw things happening like they did and allegiances fell and made new, I enjoyed the care aspect and perceived weakness.
October 14, 2021
Omg.This was amazing.
How the hell did you keep all those balls in the air at the same time.?
Right. Ok review time.
I loved it, just simply loved it. My only regret is the story/stories are now finished.
You are an author I will 100% read again.
The relationship between Robbie and Chanda, was so tastefully done. Yes it is teacher and student. However, the protective nature they each had of the other, gave Robbie a healthy and safe place to become the man he was due to become. Chanda was always there encouraging him, but at his pace, in a manner he could work with.
As for the rest of the story, all questions have been answered. And not in a rushed tied up in a sweet bow, I liked that all actions had to be paid for...
While I have a real love of this couple in particular due to the strength they provide each other, seeing Matt and Deejays, and Gage and Loki"s story from this point of view made everything worth it.
How the hell did you keep all those balls in the air at the same time.?
Right. Ok review time.
I loved it, just simply loved it. My only regret is the story/stories are now finished.
You are an author I will 100% read again.
The relationship between Robbie and Chanda, was so tastefully done. Yes it is teacher and student. However, the protective nature they each had of the other, gave Robbie a healthy and safe place to become the man he was due to become. Chanda was always there encouraging him, but at his pace, in a manner he could work with.
As for the rest of the story, all questions have been answered. And not in a rushed tied up in a sweet bow, I liked that all actions had to be paid for...
While I have a real love of this couple in particular due to the strength they provide each other, seeing Matt and Deejays, and Gage and Loki"s story from this point of view made everything worth it.
May 24, 2021
What an insanely good finish to this series. We finally get to see the story playout from the eyes of the Diviner, Chanda. As one of the Diviners in "the game," we get the little details we were not privy two in the first two books, and see the hell he has to go through to have the best endgame outcome that he can.
We also get to see Robbie develop, learn who/what he is, and see his and Chanda's relationship build and develop into something awesome.
This is the longest of the three books, but it has so much amazing detail, and more incredible storytelling, that I flew through the pages. I'm sad to see the trilogy end, since it was so immersive and engaging, but I am looking forward to the spinoff series where we get to explore some of the major side characters from this trilogy.
I didn't expect these books to be so good and am now addicted to this author. :)
We also get to see Robbie develop, learn who/what he is, and see his and Chanda's relationship build and develop into something awesome.
This is the longest of the three books, but it has so much amazing detail, and more incredible storytelling, that I flew through the pages. I'm sad to see the trilogy end, since it was so immersive and engaging, but I am looking forward to the spinoff series where we get to explore some of the major side characters from this trilogy.
I didn't expect these books to be so good and am now addicted to this author. :)
October 24, 2021
This is book three in the Diviner’s Game series, and it’s the place we finally get answers for the questions that have been building in previous books (it’s always a good idea to read series in order, but in this case, it REALLY is, so if you didn’t start with books one and two, do yourself a favor and go back).
Here, the pieces start to fall into place, and as they do, readers get to see Chanda in a new light— not a villain after all, but someone desperately pulling strings to keep people alive. We also get to see his dynamic with Robbie, and learn more of Robbie’s secrets. Robbie has been through a lot, and his experiences have marked him. Robbie and Chanda together brings out the best in both of them, and I liked the way they fit each other. A fulfilling conclusion to a really interesting series.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Here, the pieces start to fall into place, and as they do, readers get to see Chanda in a new light— not a villain after all, but someone desperately pulling strings to keep people alive. We also get to see his dynamic with Robbie, and learn more of Robbie’s secrets. Robbie has been through a lot, and his experiences have marked him. Robbie and Chanda together brings out the best in both of them, and I liked the way they fit each other. A fulfilling conclusion to a really interesting series.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 19, 2022
The end game
I was really happy to get this side of the story because I felt so betrayed in Deejay and Matts book and couldn't wrap my head around how Chandra could do that to them.
From this book and Chandra an Robbies perspective we get to see just how intricate the game between the Diviners are and how hard Chandra had to work to get everyone he cares about safely to the end.
I also love how Chandra manages to get Robbie out of his shell and that we finally se what kind of species Robbie is and the extent of his power. And I can't help to kind of like Tio despite his chaotic personality and I love that we get a spin of series.
I was really happy to get this side of the story because I felt so betrayed in Deejay and Matts book and couldn't wrap my head around how Chandra could do that to them.
From this book and Chandra an Robbies perspective we get to see just how intricate the game between the Diviners are and how hard Chandra had to work to get everyone he cares about safely to the end.
I also love how Chandra manages to get Robbie out of his shell and that we finally se what kind of species Robbie is and the extent of his power. And I can't help to kind of like Tio despite his chaotic personality and I love that we get a spin of series.
Read
May 15, 2022My overall impression of this series was that it was way too many words for what it was and it really needs a better editor and proofreader. There are poorly constructed sentences all over the place and spare apostrophes (thirteen year old's as a subject rather than a modifier and stuff like that) and typos in all three books. I would say if you really want to read the series, read the third book first and then go back and read the other two if you really feel like it. It's way too repetitive otherwise. The author really needs someone to tell her when she needs to cut stuff out of her books. I wouldn't really recommend this series to anyone but the most dedicated of book masochists.
October 23, 2021
When Robbie is eighteen, he is dropped off at Deejay’s home. There Deejay gives him love and acceptance, which he needed with the anxiety that Robbie has. His story is heartbreaking! Chanda is Robbie’s humanities teacher and treats him with respect. They have an instant connection, attraction, and chemistry. The characters are so complex, and their story felt so real. Loved it! It was really well written, highly recommend. I am voluntarily leaving a review form an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
March 31, 2022
Epic series!!!!
Jennifer Cody is a goddess amongst writers. This is not just an MM book/series, this is brilliantly plotted supernatural fantasy in any genre, period!
Where to start? Honestly, just read the series. This book is a brilliant addition, I was gobsmacked by how the plot pieces (yes, like chess) moved about to create a story/saga like no other. I loved all the characters - they are well fleshed out, even the 'bit players'.
I can't praise this enough. Highly, highly recommend!!!
PS - Loved Ajamu.
Jennifer Cody is a goddess amongst writers. This is not just an MM book/series, this is brilliantly plotted supernatural fantasy in any genre, period!
Where to start? Honestly, just read the series. This book is a brilliant addition, I was gobsmacked by how the plot pieces (yes, like chess) moved about to create a story/saga like no other. I loved all the characters - they are well fleshed out, even the 'bit players'.
I can't praise this enough. Highly, highly recommend!!!
PS - Loved Ajamu.
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