THE TOURNAMENT

Narrator Katie Firth perfectly matches the excitement and subterfuge of this historical novel. Reilly mixes the reliable Elizabeth Tudor with the more novel setting of the Ottoman Empire for a story that thrills all the way through--despite the implausibility of a young Elizabeth traveling to Constantinople for a chess tournament. Fans of Nancy Bilyeau's Joanna Stafford series will love the story, which is only improved by Firth's able narration. Firth's performance seems consistent with what we know of Elizabeth's personality, helping to keep this fictional story rooted in historical realities. Listeners who love their historical fiction with a bit of mystery will find this a thoroughly engaging listen. J.L.K. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2015]