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Insanity #6

Checkmate

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'It's a great huge game of chess that's being played – all over the world --- if this is the world at all, you know.' Lewis Carroll

What's the most you've ever lost in a game of chess?

Want to play chess?
An epidemic of perpetual sleep threatens to drive the world mad...

Are you good at it?
Unless Alice and the Pillar can solve a global chess game where every world leader plays to save their own country.

Good enough to play for your life?
Designed by the one Wonderland monster who knows what the Six Impossible keys are for, Alice will have to risk the lives of millions to expose his secret.

But that's the least of Alice's fears. She is about face a monster who is on nobody's side, but his. A monster who shares a terrible past with her she can't quite remember. A past that will deepen her struggles with her identity and the things she'd done -- and is about to do.

On the other hand Inspector Dormouse is about to discover why Pilla da Killa killed 12 people in cold blood. A discovery that he may soon regret.

Will Alice walk the white tiles of the chessboard of life again like she did in the Vatican? Will she triumph over her sins in the past? Will she find love again? Is she really destined to kill the Pillar? And most important of all, who is Carter Pillar, really?

Unknown Binding

Published March 7, 2016

76 people are currently reading
1211 people want to read

About the author

Cameron Jace

96 books2,044 followers
Bestselling author of the Grimm Diaries and Insanity series. A traveller and collector of out-of-print books from all over the world, obsessed with the origins of folk tales and the mysterious storytellers who spread them. Many of his books made Amazon's Top 100 Customer Favorites in Kindle 2015 & Amazon's Top 100 kindle list. Cameron lives in Yerba Buena San Francisco California. When he isn't writing or collecting books, he is playing music or enjoys the silence.

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5 stars
591 (55%)
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311 (29%)
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141 (13%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
Profile Image for Phoenix2.
1,234 reviews115 followers
June 11, 2016
Hmm, I don't really know what to say about this book. I liked it, as I did with all the books of the insanity series, but maybe I actually enjoyed it more because of the fast pace writing, rather than the story, though the HUGE twist towards the end was one of the highlights of the whole series. All in all, I found it interesting, although it was, for me, a little confusing. I didn't get when Alice found the third piece and towards the end things got even more complicated. However, I do love this Alice and I can't wait for Family to be released.
Profile Image for Kseniia.
96 reviews13 followers
June 2, 2016
Отзыв на русском здесь

There was a girl named Alice Wonder, who wanted always to be with Jack Diamonds..
And then she got into Radcliffe Asylum,
Spoke with Tiger Lily,
Got mushroomed,
Met Pillar,
Run away.
Saw a lot of chopped heads and dead people.
Saw the future,
and the past.
She found out who she really is,
and didn't give up.


Neither did I, because I will be telling everytime to everyone that Insanity series is my favourite book series. Thanks to Charles Dodgson for meeting with Alice Liddell and to Cameron Jace for his amazing tallent at writing books. Btw, I with Cam created cover to the Checkmate. *prides*

So,

"She is badass, by the way," the Pillar points at me. "You really don't want to mess with her. She's escaped an asylum. Killed her friends, her boyfriends, and a man who did nothing but sell muffins. She is brutal. A killing machine. No conscious at all. I dare you, if you can kill her first."

This time Alice meets someone named Vozchik Stolb. I was puzzled for a very long time, why Vozchik Stolb, coz in Russian it means nothing at all. But thanks god Cheshire I understood.

Vozchik Stolb - the most-famous russian chess player, who beat chess God himself. But the thing is, Chessmaster isn't so easy to understand, because if you want to play chess with him for each your move you need to drink nothing else but VODKA! Yep, 7 shots of vodka and say goodbye to your life *waves hand* (that's not because it's russian vodka, no, that's because this vodka is the poison). And the worst thing in this book that Alice has never (am I right?) ever drank vodka either played chess.

Have you ever been to Marostica, Italy? Did you know that every year in September takes place some festival, dedicated to chess game. I didn't. So did Alice, because she was very surprised, when the head of a poor woman were chopped of by the order of the Chessmaster.

By the way, in addition to Italy, Alice had travelled to China, Tibet, KALMYKIA (RUSSIA), where the main part of the book took place. I didn't know that there is a Chess City in Kalmykia, really. It was very surprising and enjoyable reading.

And like the Cheshire said: "You're all interested in this Wonderland War, and I'm just a cat. I want to have fun." So I'm craving for "Family" as much as the Cheshire wants to have fun.

And if you still reading this and you love my "regular column with quotes", here they are:

"Listen carefully," the Chessmaster continues. "Because you have no idea who I am. I mean, I am so scary that I sometimes prefer not to remind myself who I am."

"You're too smart, Alice. It may kill you," he says with beady eyes. "Did you ever notice ignorant and stupid people live happier - longer?
"I did," I say. "Only they never live to have such adventures life like you and I."

"Trust me, no one ever thinks I'm the hero. I'm a nineteen-year-old mad girl at best. Most of my boyfriends died, or I make silent sacrifices for them. I have no friends. Neither do I have idols. Everything around me is a purple haze of madness, but you know what? I save a few people from time to time.
Profile Image for Kayla Silverss.
Author 1 book126 followers
June 3, 2018
This was an okay installment, I wished these books were as good as the first novel.
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
184 reviews6 followers
July 19, 2016
Checkmate is the 6th installment of the Insanity series. I am a fan of this series… its Dark humour and escapism and a lot of fun.

Checkmate was a very fast read, in fact it felt like the story flew by very quickly and I don’t really feel we progressed much in the overall plot, whilst the newest wonderland monster chess master was an interesting character, he was quite forgettable (I’ve forgotten his name already) and not so stand outish crazy as the Cheshire or entertaining as the Queen

… I also felt a distinct lack of Alice and Pillar interaction, there were some times together and some dialog back and forth but it didn’t feel as natural which maybe was down to the situation. Saying that the trusted Insanity banner was there and I found myself chuckling away whilst reading, however unfortunately the copy I received from amazon was full of editing mistakes which did distract from the story.

Overall it was a quick and enjoyable read, there were some revelations and I am definitely going to be purchasing Family as soon as I am able
3 reviews2 followers
March 21, 2016
I love this author. All his books are amazing but by far this series is my favorite! He breathes new life into a old fairy tale something we all grew up with. He keeps you guessing and you never know which end is up. If you read ANY book series from Cameron Jace you will not be left wanting!
Profile Image for Bookish Devil.
507 reviews71 followers
August 22, 2016
Oh God. If there is one thing I want you to do for me, is to make sure that this series never ends.
Profile Image for Mila.
784 reviews67 followers
July 4, 2018
During the process of reading this book, I finally realised I don't care about this series anymore and reading two more books would only bore me out of my mind. That's sad but true.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
64 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2021
An entertaining instalment

I enjoyed reading this addition to the series. I liked the story arc and the continued character development. The pace was good and it is like all the other books easy to read.
Profile Image for Frances Shellings.
169 reviews
May 28, 2016
Astonished, flabbergasted, sitting on the edge of my seat!

Jace has done it AGAIN! And leaves you hanging!!!! If you haven't read any of the Insanity series you're MISSING OUT!!! Here's a run down:

(IF YOU HAVENT READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS: DO NOT READ!!!!
SPOILERS!!!!)

Alice- is a nineteen year old girl who is committed to the Radcliffe Insane Asylum for killing a school bus full of classmates. Who believes that she is the REAL ALICE from Wonderland. Or does she? Now Alice runs around Oxford, London, and the rest of the World even Time.

Pillar - Is a flamboyant man committed to the Radcliffe Insane Asylum for killing 12 people. He believes Alice is the REAL ALICE and helps her slay the Wonderland Monsters. But he has an agenda of his own. Is the Pillar good or bad? Does he walk the white or black tiles of life?

Fabiola - aka The White Queen - was a nun in the Vatican now a bartender at the "Inklings" the headquarters of the Inklings which she is a member of. She is on the fence whether Alice is the REAL ALICE. But she does help sometimes. She also has many secrets that are about to come to light. What do her tattoos mean? What is the story between her and the Pillar? Why is she on the fence about Alice?

Professor Jittery - aka the March Hare - a child trapped in a mans body with his only wish and life goal is to get back to Wonderland. A member of the Inklings. Loves Alice, and his White Queen (loves Alice more) Designer are master Gardens.

Jack - Alice's boyfriend that she killed in the school bus. Is not really alive. Loves Alice completely. Is still around to tell Alice something. Is in the Asylum also. To keep safe. Gets possessed by the Cheshire Cat. And is saved by Alice.

Margaret Kent - aka the Duchess - is a member of Parliament and Black Chess. Wants the Queen of Hearts to return what she took from her. Keeps tabs on when the Wonderland Monsters appear and what Alice and the Pillar are up to approximately. Hates the Queen of Hearts.

Queen of England - aka Queen of Hearts - Took the real Queen of England's place. Is a short, quick tempered, MAD woman. Works for Black Chess. Is gearing up for the Wonderland Wars. Likes to have peoples heads chopped off. Loves her dogs and are obsessed with her nuts.

Mr. Jay - mysterious man who runs Black Chess. Is in Alice's hallucinations or memories as her psychiatrist she thinks.

Tom Truckle - the Mock Turtle - Heads the Radcliffe Insane Asylum. Wants to know how the Pillar escapes. Then agrees to let the Pillar and Alice out to fight the Wonderland Monsters. Is addicted to pills. Just remembers he is a Wonderlander himself. Trys to full fill his mission that Lewis Carroll gave him.

Inspector Sherlock Dormouse - Inspector of the Insanity Crimes of the Police Department. Has a terrible habit of falling asleep ALL the Time. Might be a Wonderlander himself?

The Cheshire Cat - Wonderland Monster that can possess others bodies. Has no body of his own. Hates humans. Wants to destroy the world. That is until he possess Jack's body and Jack's feelings and thoughts seep into the Cheshire. How can one person love another so much? As the Cheshire dives deeper into Jack's memories and thoughts he becomes more and more confused.

The Chessmaster - Mysterious man who is unbeatable in chess. Is out to destroy Alice at any cost. Is looking for a special chess piece. Holds the world leaders hostage and kills them one by one.

Alice is having to come to grips with her past. Is she the BAD ALICE who kills for Black Chess? Or is she the ALICE she has been, the one that saves the world and walks the white tiles of life? A member of the Inklings? Now everyone but the Pillar thinks she dead. She has made a silent sacrifice to save a loved one. And she just wants to know WHO SHE IS. But once again a new Monster has emerged and once again Alice must save the world with the help from the Pillar. But what is the Pillar's true agenda? And who is the mysterious RED who keeps helping her but doesn't talk? And how does he know SO much about her?
Turn the page and continue on the wild ride of INSANITY

Profile Image for Adalinda Gonzales.
108 reviews4 followers
March 24, 2016
While Alice wants to believe in the Pillar and trust me so do I. I can't help but wonder what are his motives and what does he have to gain by tricking her. Checkmaster comes to play and he does not play nice. All and all this book kept me looking within for more clues of what or who he could be. What is going to happen to Alice and what about this mysterious Dude? What happened to Jack why is he so stuck up on himself that he hasn't come searching for Alice if he truly liked her. More questions are presenting themselves and I can't help but want more. Cameron Jace has kept me on the edge of my seat gasping from every page as to what will happen next. Can't wait for the 7th book Family to come out
Profile Image for Alexis King.
11 reviews
March 25, 2016
It's the Never-Ending Story.

While the overarching story has been intriguing, the details have become trite. There is a seventh installment coming and I am officially strung along to muddle through more typos and plainly bad English. I'm not even sure I like any of the characters anymore. I very much recommend a good editor...and an ending.
Profile Image for Elli.
138 reviews
October 18, 2016
I think it is complaining about first world problems, but this was the first time in this series that the beginning was a little bit strange and weird. The feeling of being inbetween the mad world was missing. However, after about a quarter it was great as ever. I just keep reading this series, it is one of my favorites. So let's start with "Family".
Profile Image for Dina.
26 reviews
May 2, 2016
Whaaaaat is happening in this book? It's so mad, but I do love it so much!
Profile Image for KayLynn Zollinger.
513 reviews33 followers
April 1, 2025
Each book seems to be dropping bigger and bigger bombshells. I am floored. And have so many freaking questions. Give me the next book now, please!
P.S. I am now way beyond my knowledge of Lewis Carroll or Alice in Wonderland, so I'm officially just along for the ride. It's a thrilling ride.

Quotes:
Dormouse couldn’t fathom the carnage of evil in this world, let alone Wonderland. Wasn’t it supposed to be the children’s friendly place with all the cute rabbits and enchanting roses? What made it that way? Was this Carroll’s plan, or did something evil slip from this beautiful creation? How in heaven’s name did our beloved and enchanting childhood turn into this bloodbath of adulthood? Dormouse didn’t know what to do. It was all clear now. But somehow he had a soft spot for Alice. First, she reminded him of his daughter. In fact, she reminded him of all the struggling teenage daughters in his neighborhood. Those girls fighting for their own identities in a world that imposed nonsensical rules and obligations to grow up. What if every teenage girl from around the block had the power to save the world? Which teacher or parent in this scary world outside would ever notice?

I’m a bad girl who is determined to do good things and save the world from the worst kind of evil. To do so, I have to make choices, like killing a man I may have once hurt—if it wasn’t the Pillar, and he just pulled me into the story somehow—to save so many lives. In my book it’s not who you were yesterday. It’s who you are today. And though the tables have turned, the Chessmaster with his pain is the villain today, and I’m trying to save lives. It’s a grey truth. Colorless, confusing, and borderline unethical. But it’s a truth that saves innocent people’s lives.
29 reviews
February 24, 2017
This time Alice and the Pillar deal with a much darker Wonderland Monster. Chess is a game of strategy, but if she's not careful Alice and the Pillar could get all the world leaders killed. In order to get to the end of a life-size chessboard, Alice is going to have to go deeper into her past, and figure out who to trust. Meanwhile, another character may loose his life if he digs deeper into the Pillar's past.
After five books I still found myself unable to put this one down, and still finding myself doing my own research. Places, events, and facts make me still want to visit England. The ending made me happy and left me with some questions and eager for the next book.
As a lover of Alice in Wonderland, this was a fantastic read! I finished it very fast. It sucked me in after the first chapter. It looked like a lot of research and love went into the book like the previous books, and I encourage you to read the series.
Profile Image for Kal ★ Reader Voracious.
568 reviews210 followers
January 1, 2018
5 stars, another great addition to the series! This is a very fast read, and is full of Wonderland puzzles and trivia tidbits.

Another week, another Wonderland Monster for Alice and the Pillar to defeat so they can save the world (again). This book has a lot of moving parts, bringing the reader deeper into the world and deeper into Alice's identity crisis as she tries to figure out who she is... and who she can be.

"it’s not who you were yesterday. It’s who you are today."

Are we bound by our pasts, defined by the choices we once made? Or can we start fresh and redefine ourselves? As Alice struggles with information that she learned in Wonder, this idea of person-hood brought up in Insanity comes back again - and let us never forget Alice's tattoo: "I cannot go back to yesterday because I was a different person then."
Profile Image for Sue.
455 reviews
March 2, 2017
I loved this book, I think it might be my favourite so far. Cameron Jace is a genius the way he weaves characters and in this one we get a nod to through the looking glass. I felt there was a political element in a subtle undertone and the plot was a roller coaster ride, can't wait to read family. So if your thinking reading this series I would highly recommend you give it a go. I'm glad to say that the old editing issues that a few other books were riddled with seems to be much better.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,626 reviews32 followers
June 3, 2017
I love this series!! Insanity is definitely a good name for this series because it is complete insanity. Every time I think I figure out who is who and what is happening, something new is revealed that turns it all upside down again. I can't wait to read book 7 despite the fact that these books are driving me insane. Then again(as they say in Wonderland), "we are all mad around here" so I guess I fit in...LOL
Profile Image for Amber.
865 reviews
August 19, 2018
More Wonderlander insanity, this time the story is driven by a new villain and a high stakes chess game. The question of Alice’s “goodness” or “badness” still hovers in the background, and the plot thickens with some new revelations about the mysterious Pillar. This series keeps me coming back for more each time. I love the characters and celebrations of the nonsensical. Looking forward to reading the next installment.
Profile Image for Adrianne.
3 reviews
June 27, 2017
Amazing, just like all of his other books, but I have to give it 4 stars due to the author's horrible punctuation and spelling mistakes throughout the whole book and series. This book did not disappoint with all of the adventure, suspense, and evil villains! I recommend this series to anyone, just be ready for some writing mistakes!
Profile Image for Elaine.
434 reviews25 followers
January 25, 2019
Although not as good as the last one, this was still pretty epic. I loved the whole thing, especially the ending. Alice back at it again to save the world, with a lot of twists and turns. Is everyone who they say the are? Nothing, and I mean NOTHING is a given in this series and I love it! Such a mad story!
Profile Image for Kat.
101 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2017
...

When I read the first books it was easy to get lost in them. I’d catch myself hours later still thinking about what I read; this one was a little slower and harder to read. I forced myself to finish it. It was good just dragged a little.
Profile Image for Rianna.
62 reviews
December 12, 2016
i cant wait for the library to get the next book in this series. always a thought provoking adventure!
Profile Image for Marcie.
180 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2017
Oh Alice! I don't know how I feel at the moment! Loved the reveals in this chapter, but I don't know how I'm feeling with the reveals....really loving this book series!
Profile Image for Lori.
51 reviews
August 26, 2017
Each book has been better than the one before. Mad Alice and her friends are the best! Love this series. What a great discovery.
11 reviews
January 29, 2018
Too good!

This is the sixth book that I have read and I still can't believe how hooked I still am on this series ... book seven here we come.
Profile Image for Gene Steinbacher.
164 reviews4 followers
March 28, 2024
Even better than book 5. Glad I am sticking with it. Hope I am not disappointed in the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews

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