What if your parents were gods—and middle school was your new battlefield? Kassie is the daughter of powerful gods—and when her best friend disappears, her family is blamed. Sent to Earth on a secret mission, Kassie must hide who she is and survive life as a sixth grader in New York City. At her new school, she faces a menacing teacher, complicated classmates, and a quiet boy with a metal leg who becomes an unexpected ally. Meanwhile, dangerous exiles hunt her from the shadows, forcing Kassie to rely on her instincts, courage, and a loyal protector sworn to her side. Torn between her divine duty and the very human friendships she begins to form, Kassie discovers that every choice matters—and some battles can’t be won by strength alone. A fast-paced middle grade fantasy adventure for fans of Percy Jackson and modern mythology, featuring ancient secrets, brave heroes, and heartfelt journeys—and a complete, stand-alone story that sets the stage for the upcoming fantasy series The Chess Mountain Chronicles . "Entertainingly original, and the chess-themed and idiosyncratic worldbuilding will excite young readers' imaginations. Inventive mashup of mythology and chess. Kirkus's Verdict: get it." — Kirkus Reviews "Wildly clever and creative, The Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God combines chess, the struggles of growing up, and mythology all together in a blend that feels both natural and brings a refreshing take to the fantasy genre. It is unique but still has strong appeal for most readers in its intended genre. The attention to chess and the love for chess is apparent across the novel. Moments of tenderness between characters, especially Kassie and Maurice as they first meet and transport to Earth when she admits she feels scared, are not only age appropriate, but provide a tender element to a story that can easily become complicated. These emotional moments between characters let the story be grounded and feel down to earth, especially in light of its fantastical premise. All main characters (including antagonists) are unique and fully fleshed out with compelling, layered motivations and traits. Secondary characters have a meaningful purpose. The book has a unique voice, and the writing style is consistent throughout. The style and tone will appeal to readers of the intended genre. This book is also exemplary in production quality and cover design." —Judge, 31st Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards (2023) "A splendid read! This clever and agile fantasy is as absorbing as it is delightful. Full-bodied characters combine with pitch-perfect pacing to create a compelling and enchanting story. Mystery and intrigue also abound, propelling this fresh and original plot toward an I-did-not-see-that-coming ending. This book is sure to delight its target audience of young readers, and will charm older readers, too!" - Reedsy Discovery Reviews "I'm always very happy to see a book about chess that can fascinate children and help them to fall in love with the game. I want to congratulate Victoria Winifred on this amazing milestone that will bring more children to our beloved game of chess, and inspire them to become wiser, smarter, and happier." - Alexandra Kosteniuk, 12th Women's World Chess Champion "The scenes on Chess Mountain will be like heaven for chess fans! The book was written in a way that was almost like playing a movie in your head. It was unlike any story I have read and I have read a lot of fantasy novels, but the way the author describes Chess Mountain is fascinating. How Kassie wasn't even curious to see the Earth, but how she started liking Earth was described extremely well in the story. It made me think about so many things that we do and have in our daily life that we don't always appreciate. A book I thoroughly enjoyed and If you decide to buy the book I hope you enjoy it too!" - Bhuvi (aged 9 years), Kid's Book Reviews, BooksUpNorth This novel captures and holds your attention from the first page to the very last. It is imaginative, infused with action, humor, mystery, princesses, gods, and dragons, The plot breezes past without a single hitch as you turn the pages wondering what will happen next!" -Readers' Favorite Awards ★★★★★ A captivating children's chapter book. Young chess lovers will enjoy how Winifred weaves chess terms and strategies throughout the story while sticking to the fantasy genre. With its memorable characters & exciting plot, older elementary & middle school children will find this book a wonderful addition to their collection. -Literary Titan Review ★★★★ Victoria Winifred skillfully merges the art of magical storytelling with guided instruction. What a great way to introduce the royal game and stimulate a child's imagination to dream of possibilities!" - Carey Fan, CEO, Chesskid.com "The Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God: A Chess Story" by Victoria Winifred is an amazing chess mystery that I simply couldn't put down until I finished