Release Date: May 19th, 2011
Publisher: LoudCloud Publishing
Series: The Gypsy Knights Saga, Book 1
Rating: YA/MG 12+
Format: eBook
Source: Sent from Author
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Fourteen-year-old Durriken Brishen has lost his parents, his grandfather, and though he doesn't know it, his Gypsy culture's dangerous gift.
Taken in and raised on the rails by the first woman to pilot a freight train, Durriken has one remaining connection to his Romani roots: a small wooden box that hangs from the hammer loop of his overalls.
The last gift he received from his grandfather, the box contains the world's first chess set. But a piece is missing: the Red Queen. According to Durriken’s family lore, the complete set awakens the power of Tărie, a mercurial gift that confers unique abilities on each new Master.
When a suspicious fire erupts in the Chicago rail yard, Durriken's escape produces an uneasy alliance, though not without its silver lining. Dilia is a few inches taller, several degrees cleverer, and oh yes – very pretty. While Durriken is uneasy allying with a girl whose parents were convicted of sedition, there's no doubt she is a powerful partner. And while it's not immediately clear to either, her own Guatemalan culture and family history are deeply entwined with the ancient Romani mystery.
Jumping box cars, escaping riverboats, deciphering clues, crossing swords with the brilliant madman Radu Pinch – with great American cities as its backdrop – Gypsy Knights is the page-turning saga of Durriken Brishen and his quest to rediscover his past.
The beginning was a little slow, I couldn't really get into it too much, but then once you move past it, WOW, it's like a freight train going at full speed! Loved it :)
I really love how Duri and Dilia progress throughout the novel. Both were fantastic characters (although I found Dilia a little bit annoying in the beginning) and their romance was really great– just at the right pace. But I REALLY loved Casey, the woman who took Duri in. She's just so funny and strong.
The story takes place in the 1960's, so it's really cool to see some American history and amazing settings for the stops that they make along the way. I got somewhat confused however. The story switches between 1960 and 1965 a lot, so I got slightly confused as to what was going on. But then half way through the book, it went smoothly on from then.
The chess references were also a bit of a problem for me. I'm not a chess player, even though I play sometimes, I don't know the moves and pieces and strategies etc. Just found that the tiniest bit hard to catch on.
Overall, I found Gypsy Knights an amazing debut. Slow at first (and slightly confusing), but later on turns out to be a wild ride with mystery and a whole ton of action. Chess and American history fans: you'll love this! Two Brothers Metz have written an unforgettable adventure. Can't wait to read more from this series!
**Thank you to Two Brothers Metz for sending the book for review and Roxanne of Bewitching Blog Tours for making me apart of it :)**
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