Gypsy Knights by Two Brothers Metz

Title: Gypsy Knights (The Gypsy Knights Saga #1)

Author: Two Brothers Metz

Publisher: LoudCloud Publishing

Pages: 213

Reviewed by: Sabrina

Fourteen-year-old Durriken Brishen has lost his parents, his grandfather, and though he doesn't know it, his Gypsy culture's dangerous gift.

Taken in and raised on the rails by the first woman to pilot a freight train, Durriken has one remaining connection to his Romani roots: a small wooden box that hangs from the hammer loop of his overalls.

The last gift he received from his grandfather, the box contains the world's first chess set. But a piece is missing: the Red Queen. According to Durriken’s family lore, the complete set awakens the power of Tărie, a mercurial gift that confers unique abilities on each new Master.

When a suspicious fire erupts in the Chicago rail yard, Durriken's escape produces an uneasy alliance, though not without its silver lining. Dilia is a few inches taller, several degrees cleverer, and oh yes – very pretty. While Durriken is uneasy allying with a girl whose parents were convicted of sedition, there's no doubt she is a powerful partner. And while it's not immediately clear to either, her own Guatemalan culture and family history are deeply entwined with the ancient Romani mystery.

Jumping box cars, escaping riverboats, deciphering clues, crossing swords with the brilliant madman Radu Pinch – with great American cities as its backdrop – Gypsy Knights is the page-turning saga of Durriken Brishen and his quest to rediscover his past.

My Thoughts 

Durriken lost his parents and barely escaped the accident that claimed their lives. He carries an ancient chess set, one of the only things left of his family, with the Red Queen missing. He finds Casey, a female engineer, who adopts him (but not legally) and gives him a home on her train.

Dilia lost her parents after they were arrested and charged for sending Anti-US broadcasts. She carries the Red Queen, given to her by her father.

Five years later, Durriken has become a master at chess along with Dilia. They meet for the first time at a chess tournament where Dilia receives strange visions from the Red Queen. Durriken wins and then finds a mysterious letter from his late mother. Dilia follows him and they team up.

Together they begin a journey and travel all over the United States to find Durriken's grandma, his mother's last request. Along the way, they are followed by Radu Pinch, his grandpa's old enemy who is intent to have the pieces.

I wasn't disappointed by Gypsy Knights. It captured my attention by the first word. Gypsy Knights gets more interesting by the minute and it's something you can never put down. This fast-paced novel is full of action, adventure, family and chess. I can't wait for the next one!