Check & Mate Book Review (2024)

Language

a lot

"Bulls--t," "c--kblocking," "d--k," "d--kbreath," "d--khead," "f--k," "f--kity f--k f--k," "f--kwhit," "mindf--k," "motherf--king," "s--t," "s--tshow," "s--tstain," "ass," "a--hole," "bitch," "butthole," "crap," "crapload," "douchebag," "douchewad," "hard-ass," "ho-bag," "Jesus," "pants-crappingly," "poopstain," "screw you," "turds," and the middle-finger gesture.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

some

Sex is implied several times through things like mentioning condoms, muscles clenching and releasing, pulling up panties, and doing things with hands that feel good and don't require a condom. Mallory likes having sex because it feels good but doesn't want an emotional connection with anyone. A few kisses are described. Lots of romantic tension between Mallory and Nolan. Erotic fan fiction, tentacle porn, and being a "sapiosexual furry" are mentioned but not described.

Products & Purchases

some

Many, many consumer products mentioned by brand name including cars, food and beverage outlets, snack foods, social media, video games, etc., mainly for scene-setting or to establish character or location.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

a little

An important adult character smokes cigarettes and jokingly mentions influencing children to smoke. Mallory jokes about putting Benadryl into her sisters' cereal in the morning so she can have some quiet. Older teens who are of age to drink in Canada have beer and "fruity drinks" at a party. Narrator Mallory doesn't drink. Mention of being tested for doping at the chess Olympics.

Violence & Scariness

very little

Mention of Nolan's past violent behavior when he lost his temper, but no acts of violence are directly described by the narrator.

Positive Messages

a lot

Don't waste time holding on to grudges or denying yourself what makes you happy. Figure out what you really want, then figure out a way to make it happen, and ask for help when you need it. Winning a game isn't what makes you lucky or a winner, it's doing what you really want to do surrounded by the people you love.

Positive Role Models

a lot

Except for the villains, Mallory, Nolan, and their friends and colleagues in the world of professional chess model perseverance and teamwork. Mallory and her family model loving, supportive relationships. She's also fiercely loyal and willing to sacrifice her own wants to support her family. Nolan has changed for the better since his temper sometimes got away from him when he was younger. He's also very thoughtful and generous.

Educational Value

a little

Readers will learn a little about the game of chess, some famous strategies, and players; and about the world of professional chess like how rankings and tournaments work. A note at the end explains that a study one of the characters mentions about the gender gap in chess and about a phenomenon called the "stereotype threat" is a real academic concept.

Diverse Representations

a little

Mallory, 18, has sex with men and women. Her best friend Easton is attracted to people of the same gender. Most characters read as White; Mallory and her family have blond hair and blue eyes, Easton has dark curls and a hispanic last name. An important character is Turkish.

Did we miss something on diversity? .