Princess Kassie, the 12-year-old daughter of the gods Caïssa and Mars, lives a charmed life in the dazzling kingdom of Chess Mountain. In this realm, chess pieces are living beings and flourish as loyal citizens. However, on Kassie's birthday, her best friend Dimitri mysteriously disappears and her parents are wrongly accused. This event shatters Kassie's world.

As war is declared, the princess escapes to Earth on a special mission to strengthen her kingdom and gain her goddess title. Accompanied by a trusted knight, Kassie assumes the identity of a mortal student and attends an unusual and diverse classroom in New York City led by a quirky teacher.

To her surprise, Kassie discovers that she has much in common with her human classmates. Through the power of chess thinking, she empowers her newfound friends to confront their own challenges, including family issues, physical challenges, and a relentless class bully with secrets of his own.

But mysterious clues suggest that kingdom enemies may be lurking nearby. Kassie must decide whether to cut her mission short or risk everything to protect Chess Mountain. And when the ultimate face-off occurs, she must make her final move-with no time to spare.

This wholesome book filled with new mythology, mystery, friendship, and a dash of the holiday spirit will hold your child's attention, spur imagination, and nurture a love for reading with its satisfactory resolution for all characters. It also fosters the development of STEM, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The narrative can be fully enjoyed without any prior knowledge of chess (although it may be a beneficial influence and motivate readers to learn the game!)