Rating: 
Summary: I only put three because I enjoyed it despite myself
Review: I'll be blunt, I didn't think there was a lot of depth to this book. I didn't think that there was much depth to her other books either, but this one had even less. This was not your typical "quest" story, so if you need your characters to go on a more physical quest, I'd reccomend against this book. I think that the book actually started out pretty good. Pheresa wasn't and isn't the strongest character around, which made me like her a little and made the story interesting. I guess I felt like it was almost her quest for self-realization. She's a bit shallow, as she was in the previous books, but well-meaning and likable. She makes the mistake of thinking that strength comes from the power to make orders. She grows and matures in the story which I liked and for the most part, I thought was done nicely. I have to say that the author rode a fine line in the climatic scene where she takes the throne back. It could have easily been anti-climatic, but the confrontation between her and Lervan was, in my opinion, well-done. However, I had two major problems with this book. First, there was really no room for character development in Talmor because he was more or less perfect. It was a bit sickening. His "flaws" weren't really flaws, they were flaws of the "world" for lack of a better word, who couldn't or wouldn't understand him and who later realized the error of their ways. Second, the feminist in me was pretty disgusted at the scene where Pheresa was willing to run away from the crown and go away with Talmor. She had a responsibility and she was too weak to get it without Talmor's emotional support (Of course, Talmor realized that he couldn't ask that of her). I was very disappointed in that. I felt that it took away from who she could have been. Had that whole scene been downplayed, or just replayed differently, I would have felt that Pheresa had truly become the strong person she wanted to be, who I felt the author wanted her to be and who I wanted her to be. What i wanted of her was for her to realize that strenght didn't mean doing everythig on her own, she could have leaned on Talmor or others, BUT it also means that she is not useless without those others. I know I'm going on and on about that, but I feel it detracted from the story a great deal as well as made her victory over Lervan a little hollow. Otherwise, it was a book that despite my disappointment in her, I enjoyed. Maybe a follow-up book where she continues her growth? Or maybe I should just be happy with what was there :>
Rating: 
Summary: Review for Queens Gambit
Review: In my opinion Queens Gambit was not as bad as most of the readers say. Although Pharesa disappointed me during the story with her foolishness towards her husband and not being strong until right when the story is about to end. Chester should've put more time going in detail with Talmor. I really liked this book and I haven't read The Sword, The Ring and The Chalice but now I would like to since most people say that triology is even better than this book. One thing I really liked was Talmor's personality and with the authors very good writing ability you actually feel the emotions in the story and when you read about how Talmor has had a hard life, you really wanna HUG him. Well thats only my opinion though. Overall this book was a good Fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: A good read, its worth the time
Review: Not having read the Chalice trilogy I had no preconceived ideas of what this story would be like. I will have to admit I liked it. It is a well-written story with interesting characters, an uncomplicated but not obvious story line and a good finish. In fact didn't find out that there was a sequel until after I finished the book. You can take the ending either way, it works as a lead in to another chapter or it can be viewed as the end itself, period. This is one of the few books I have read lately that has been able to pull this off; Deborah is to be congratulated. In brief: Good romance, interesting characters, an interesting story line without becoming too complicated. In all I liked this book.
Rating:
Summary: A good read, its worth the time
Review: Not having read the Chalice trilogy I had no preconceived ideas of what this story would be like. I will have to admit I liked it. It is a well-written story with interesting characters, an uncomplicated but not obvious story line and a good finish. In fact didn't find out that there was a sequel until after I finished the book. You can take the ending either way, it works as a lead in to another chapter or it can be viewed as the end itself, period. This is one of the few books I have read lately that has been able to pull this off; Deborah is to be congratulated. In brief: Good romance, interesting characters, an interesting story line without becoming too complicated. In all I liked this book.
Rating:
Summary: A princess's struggle for the throne--fun & intriguing.
Review: This is the first Deborah Chester book I have ever read. I've never read the trilogy she is famous for -- The Sword, The Ring, the Chalice. When I started reading 'Queen's Gambit' I noticed that it's supposedly a sequel to this trilogy. Don't let that stop you, though! This book is such an easy, detailed, and entertaining read that you won't feel you're missing part of the story. 'Queen's Gambit' is about Pheresa, an ambitious princess who suddenly finds herself without her Prince, and now her link to the throne is gone. She's surrounded by enemies that are trying to manuever her out of the picture and get their hands on the throne, and it's interesting to watch how a 'normal girl' manages to outwit the throngs around her. She manages to keep her head afloat despite conspiring parents, conspiring new husband, church officials, etc. Pheresa is aided in her struggles by Sir Talmor, a knight recently come to court to join the king's guard. Of course the two fall in love (this is no surprise to anyone that reads the book, the author practically drags them both together). As a first read from Deborah Chester, she definitely has me hooked. Her characters are interesting, and her plots intriguing. I never knew where she was heading next with it, and she kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to sleep!
Rating:
Summary: A princess's struggle for the throne--fun & intriguing.
Review: This is the first Deborah Chester book I have ever read. I've never read the trilogy she is famous for -- The Sword, The Ring, the Chalice. When I started reading 'Queen's Gambit' I noticed that it's supposedly a sequel to this trilogy. Don't let that stop you, though! This book is such an easy, detailed, and entertaining read that you won't feel you're missing part of the story. 'Queen's Gambit' is about Pheresa, an ambitious princess who suddenly finds herself without her Prince, and now her link to the throne is gone. She's surrounded by enemies that are trying to manuever her out of the picture and get their hands on the throne, and it's interesting to watch how a 'normal girl' manages to outwit the throngs around her. She manages to keep her head afloat despite conspiring parents, conspiring new husband, church officials, etc. Pheresa is aided in her struggles by Sir Talmor, a knight recently come to court to join the king's guard. Of course the two fall in love (this is no surprise to anyone that reads the book, the author practically drags them both together). As a first read from Deborah Chester, she definitely has me hooked. Her characters are interesting, and her plots intriguing. I never knew where she was heading next with it, and she kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to sleep!
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