I was so excited to get an advanced read of this book! Obsessed with chess, I loved how the author created her own game, weaving it into a surprising plot, with a hurting kingdom, a compassionate heir, a girl with forbidden magic and a street-wise companion who join together to become forces for change. Highly recommend!

This was such a unique and enjoyable story! The story felt like a wonderful classic. Something that can be enjoyed for ages. I hope this book finds it's way into the hands of many, many young readers!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.

This was a book I read in just one day! A rich setting, lots of adventure, magic, and compelling characters, all worked together to make this an excellent book! This middle grade fantasy is the story of Beau, the heir, Cressi and Nate. These three kids must all work together but that is not always easy and they face a number of adventures along the way. I particularly liked how the story mirrored the chess-like game of Fist.

As a note to educators and parents: I would probably reserve this book for more upper MG readers instead of the younger 8-and-9-year-olds.

The cover of this book has a classic feel to it—the perfect match for the story inside! In the vein of Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, this book invites readers into a fantasy world with a strong backbone. We are given history and world-building, but there is no long explanation or set up—we are thrust right into the adventure, right from Chapter 1, following the adventures of Beau, hapless heir to a kingdom that is crumbling under the tyranny of his father. My favorite character was Cressi, the charmer, and I suppose if I have any complaint at all, it's that I wanted more of her! (But, of course, that's a credit to the book and author Alysa Wishingrad).

Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3874126461

What a fresh and exciting story. In this magical battle of good versus evil, the heir to the throne discovers that things are not as he has been taught. Now he has to figure out who is truly good and an ally, and who is out for themselves. As someone who never had a voice, he has to discover what he stands for. The book is full of magic, strategy and surprises. It fits a niche of middle grade readers who love fantasy, and also readers who are almost ready for dystopian novels. Such a wonderful page turner.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this eARC!
The Verdigris Pawn feels like a classic story. Beau is the heir of a land that is hurting. Himself, Beau’s father and ruler, has been endlessly cruel to his people as well as his son. Beau has been kept in ignorance of reality beyond the Manor all of his life- but once he sees the truth, he won’t stop until things are righted. Luckily he has his friends, bold and brash Nate as well as thoughtful, budding charmer Cressi.

I was wondering why this story felt so much like those with which I grew up. About 2/3 of the way in, I realized it. This book doesn’t have the quips and modern references seen in so many books these days. It’s not that I don’t like that style, but this read was down right refreshing. It’s a classic tale that I had a hard time putting down. Definitely recommend!!

An engrossing middle grade debut! Loved the chess-like game that becomes a metaphor for the story, and the young characters learning to view their world with more nuance and master the magic in their hands. This book will appeal to any fan of middle grade fantasy.

An heir to the throne, civil unrest, forgotten magic, and a board game that is more than it seems; these are the ingredients of an unforgettable adventure. Beau is thirteen years old, the heir to a throne he knows little about. His father, known as Himself, is distant, connecting with Beau only a superficial amount. As a result, Beau spends his days memorizing The Histories, visiting the stable hand named Fledge, and secretly learning to play a forbidden game called Fist. A chance encounter with a girl named Cressi—who has inexplicably powerful healing skills—opens Beau’s eyes to the realities of life outside his guided chambers. Together, they begin an adventure that will forever alter the future for Beau and his people.

Told from the dual perspectives of Cressi and Beau, readers are able to observe two divergent but interconnected narratives. Both characters learn important things about themselves and their inner strengths throughout the course of the novel. Beau’s nativité causes him to make frequent missteps, but he quickly learns from and adapts to each of them. With the help of knowledgeable guides, Cressi comes to realize who she is and how she can make a difference in her world. Linked directly to the fictional game of Fist that is introduced in this story, the characters each represent a piece on the game board. Determining who is connected to each game piece is an enjoyable puzzle to solve while reading the story.

Vivid descriptions and an action-packed plot make this fictional world come alive for readers of all ages. There are some depictions of violence and a handful of stressful scenes, but the story overall is widely accessible. The story itself is a powerful metaphor, inspiring readers to pursue truth and justice even when they are hard to find.

Confident middle grade readers will be immediately drawn into this stratified kingdom, starkly divided by wealth and ruled by self-serving leaders. From beginning to end, readers will be rooting for Cressi and Beau to succeed in their mission. This is a highly recommended fantasy adventure for fans of magic and champions of truth.

I read this wonderful book in nearly one sitting on a rainy Sunday and was so sad to leave this lyrically woven world and these new friendships. From one tension-filled scene to the next, Beau and Cressi and Nate are vivid characters that middle-schoolers will relate to, worry for and cheer. The story is familiar enough to be accessible but with its own twists and crafty world-building, including a very cool spin on chess. It truly feels like a classic in the making. Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy.

Political intrigue. Revolution from within. Outside forces bent on the downfall of the Land. A plague decimating the people. And unreliable characters, where all is not as it seems.

Sound like your typical middle grade fantasy? No! And delightfully so! This sophisticated story had layers and cliff-hangers that made it binge-worthy like a Netflix series drama.

Beau is a character who evolves realistically and deeply through the course of the novel, in large part due to his interactions with the myriad of other characters. Most importantly, Cressi and Nate. But also the light-heartedly named King Himself, Fledge, Barger, and even the bumbling guards Keb and Boz. The broad cast of characters were all skillfully crafted and added to the range of perspectives brought into the story.

No spoilers, but the final confrontation was action-packed and the ultimate outcome was highly satisfying. The parallels with the invented game of Fist were done well enough that I can imagine the author actually played this game in her mind. If she plans on creating it for real, we will check that out too!

Thank you kindly to the author for the advance copy. This is my honest review.

The Verdigris Pawn was so, so good!!! How on earth did Alysa Wishingrad do that? I spent all afternoon curled up on my couch reading and reading and reading. At one point, my husband asked me if I was planning on getting up off the couch today and I promptly told him NO!

I felt transported into a world that was somewhat medieval, somewhat magical, and purely engaging. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, Wishingrad threw in an unexpected twist. I absolutely loved the characters. They have depth to them and by the end, I truly felt like I knew them as people ... not just characters.

When I was in middle school myself, I read nothing but fantasy. I loved Narnia, Prydain, and to be honest ... anything that came with a map of the magical land in the front section. I loved being transported into those magical lands filled with quests and battles, good and evil. As an adult, I stepped away from fantasy and haven't often made my way back to it. The Verdigris Pawn has sucked me back.

Now, I'm waiting for the sequel. I assume there must be one in the works?? I need to know what Beau and Cressi find in terms of allies. I need to know if Doone comes back to wreak havoc on Beau and the lands. Will Beau and Cressi grow up and get married? Or simply remain friends forever? And Nate ... impulsive, hot-headed, loyal Nate ... what becomes of him?

I feel both honoured and privileged to read the eARC before it comes out into the world. I will, of course, be purchasing copies of this masterpiece for myself and for my school library once they are available. Congratulations, Alysa Wishingrad, on a brillliant debut novel.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and HarperCollins for this arc! The Verdigris Pawn is everything that I look for in a middle grade novel: a richly imagined setting, vividly drawn characters who resonate with the reader long after the book is finished, and an adventure that keeps you turning the pages!

Wishingrad's debut novel tells the story of Beau, the heir to his father's land, who has been sheltered from the injustice his people live with every day. Beau, along with his friends Cressi and Nate, are determined to free the working children from their circumstances at Mastery House, and their adventure leads them to several interesting characters--some clearly villains, and others more difficult to decipher.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale from beginning to end, and I can't wait to see more from Alysa Wishingrad!

The Verdigris Pawn is an absolute gem of book - rare, sparkling and beautiful brilliantly conveying bold messages on issues such as power, privilege and injustice. It very cleverly shows how even those who, prima facie, seek change can be easily corrupted by the love of power - be careful who you choose as your heroes. Very important and relevant message for this present day!

Beau, the young heir has been shut away from the world and indoctrinated from birth from believing the false accounts of the past as laid out in The Histories, which are more fiction than fact. He is a timid boy who despite being familiar with harsh and judgmental treatment from his father has no idea of the brutal tyranny he unleashes upon his subjects and how hated and feared their family is. This all changes when he meets the intelligent and sparky Cressi who helps open his eyes to the reality. Together with hot-headed Nate they go on an epic adventure to enlist the help they need to bring about a radical change. As a former chess nerd, I also loved the references to the chess-inspired game of Fist.

This is a beautifully written historical fantasy full of heart, hope and adventure. Readers are in for such a treat when this comes out in July. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing with me with an Advance Review Copy.

What a wonderful book! I was pulled into this adventurous tale on page one. The engaging characters, enchanting setting, plus a dash of magical potions make this story a delight to read. The overarching chess game of strategy adds depth and intrigue as Beau, the main character, finds his way. I highly recommend this book for middle-grade fantasy readers and anyone who likes to get lost in a story of adventure and triumph.

Middle-grade readers, get ready to be immersed in the world of The Verdigris Pawn where the rumblings of revolution threaten the power of the privileged few while a mysterious plague spreads across the Land. Where the heir to power, Beau, has spent most of his life closeted in luxury being waited on hand and foot, but is flung out of his comfortable life by the plotting of would-be usurpers to his father's power -- only to have his entire perspective changed when he encounters the lives of misery being scratched out by those living beyond the walls of the Manor. As expertly plotted as the chess-like game of Fist that the characters in the book enjoy, readers will love this debut middle grade fantasy!

I adored this fantasy debut. It was a non-stop, nail-biting adventure filled with subtle brilliant nods to the humanity in us all. It made me remember how much I loved being in the castles of Gormenghast. I’ll be reading everything from Alysa Wishingrad.

What can I say, except ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT?

Oh, my heart. THE VERDIGRIS PAWN has all the makings of a classic middle grade fantasy, yet it still manages to feel beautifully fresh at all times. The story follows Beau, heir to a tyrant, as he tries to undo the poisoned legacy of his father. In order to restore fairness to the Land, he must recreate a real-life game of Fist (similar to chess!) with the help of his mage, Cressi, and his ace, Nate. But when you're reviled throughout the Land and false heroes lurk around every corner, leading a rebellion is easier said than done.

What follows is an adventure that sparks incredibly resonant conversations about power, justice, and freedom. Alysa Wishingrad writes with the confidence of a master, never slipping into over-moralizing territory, and I adored every minute spent with her characters. The fast-paced rush to the end left me breathless! It's the kind of book I could gush about for pages and pages, but with all great stories, it's also the kind I want to leave to speak for itself.

VERDIGRIS PAWN is whip-smart, relevant, and bursting with heart; I wholly recommend to MG'ers and readers of all ages. 5/5.

This middle grade fantasy reads like an instant classic. Beau is the young heir to an oppressive regime, unaware of the cruelties done in his name. When he meets a low-born girl with forbidden magical talents, he learns the truth and embarks on a quest to find a savior. The author deftly weaves in many strands--an intricate chess-like game, incisive social and political commentary, and complex friendships among multi-dimensional characters-- to create a fully realized world that immerses and mesmerizes the reader. The Verdigris Pawn entertains and delights and also asks deep questions about what one should do when faced with the truth.

A riveting book, examining themes of leadership and trust- this suspenseful tale will keep you on your toes as Beau hatches a plan to set things right using strategy.

I grew up playing chess, I'm currently obsessed with The Queen's Gambit on Netflix, and I love middle grade books, so I was hooked on this story from the moment I saw the cover. I had the good fortune of reading an advanced reader copy (thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley) and I'm pleased to report that the story met, and even exceeded, my high expectations. The author has created a timeless but fresh story world that manages to tackle heady themes like truth, trust, and power without feeling didactic. And readers won't be able to help but root for Beau, Cressi, and Nate as the three children embark on personal adventuress before finding out that they each are part of a larger game––one that has the power to save their country if only they can figure out who to trust and what roles they are supposed to play. Fans of chess will be especially intrigued by how the author built up on its rules to further the themes in the story.