Exploring the Royal Intrigue: A Review of Royal Gambit (The Checquy Files, #4)
As a long-time fan of Daniel O’Malley’s Checquy Files, I was eager to dive into the latest installment, Royal Gambit. O’Malley has a unique knack for blending the bizarre with the bureaucratic, and I’ve always found myself enchanted by his imaginative world. With a premise that features bone-shattering powers and royal murder mysteries, I couldn’t resist picking this one up. However, while it certainly has its moments of brilliance, I found myself wishing for a bit more focus throughout.
The story centers around Alix Mondegreen, a noblewoman with the intriguing gift to shatter bones with just a touch. Her ambitious nature and competence make her a magnetic character, and I thoroughly enjoyed following her journey as she investigates the bizarre murder of the new heir’s brother. This high-stakes scenario is loaded with intrigue, but I often felt like it was bogged down by O’Malley’s penchant for elaborate world-building. The Checquy—a secret British agency that deals with all things supernatural—provides a rich backdrop, but I found that the plot sometimes stalled beneath the weight of lengthy explanations and royal protocols.
O’Malley’s writing is undeniably clever, with a dry humor that manages to shine through even during tense moments. The quirky powers and personalities introduced feel like pieces of a larger puzzle, yet I often lost track of who was who as new characters kept surfacing, each with a distinctive name or peculiar power. The cast felt a bit overstuffed for the intricacies of the main plot, leading to a muddled narrative that detracted from the central mystery. At times, I found myself wishing O’Malley had streamlined his focus a touch more, thus maintaining the tension around the royal assassination that is purportedly the crux of the story.
Despite these pacing issues, when Royal Gambit is firing on all cylinders, it genuinely soars. The humor landed well with me, often breaking the tension effectively, and the finale tied things together in a satisfying manner. O’Malley’s world continues to fascinate; he crafts scenarios where people morph into dinosaurs and mysterious cubes invade their minds, all while keeping the reader on their toes.
I cannot resist mentioning Moira Quirk’s audiobook narration, which has consistently added a delightful layer to my experience with the series. Her ability to breathe life into O’Malley’s engaging prose was a treat, and I found myself enthralled even during the slower sections.
In conclusion, Royal Gambit is a solid continuation of the Checquy Files series—filled with charming wit, an intriguing premise, and a strong character in Alix. While the pacing and narrative can feel self-indulgent at times, there’s no denying the creativity that O’Malley brings to the table. Fans of quirky fantasy, murder mysteries, or anyone who enjoys a touch of the supernatural with their politics will likely find much to appreciate here. Personally, I walked away satisfied, albeit wishing for a tighter narrative that could have transformed this promising tale into something even more spectacular. If you’re ready to plunge into a world of charm and chaos, Alix Mondegreen’s escapades might just be your next great read!
Discover more about Royal Gambit (The Checquy Files, #4) on GoodReads >>