The Tournament (Matthew Reilly)

1.  I like how there is are references to history plus a bit of creative licence
2. "..however lamentable his English may be, he still speaks your language while you cannot speak his. To me, this gives him a considerable advantage over to you. Always pause before you criticise, and never unduly criticise one who has made an effort at something you yourself have not even attempted"
3. London a dangerous place for a rival heir
4. The knight is the Queen's greatest enemy, for while the Queen can replicate every other piece's moves, she cannot mimic the knight's leaps 
5. The knight's fork
6. Queen bishop trap
7. A bit of unnecessary sexual text
8. "Forgotten, mistreated and regularly sacrificed...pawns somehow always manage to be there at the end"
9. Austrian delegation sends a 17 year old girl as a gift despite being on bad terms
10. Michelangelo's interaction with social inferiors
11. Roger Ascham like Sherlock
12. Love the ancient household names of the 1500s - Michelangelo, Ivan the terrible, Suleiman the magnificent, Elizabeth I..
13. Dislike the sexual scenes 
14. Elizabeth concludes best not to marry and give into carnal desires
15. Themes of catholic cardinal abuse of kids - disturbing
16. Elizabeth concludes Mr Ponsonby is a servant, not on even footing
17. Sultan grins at draw rigging
18. Chess tournament is simulated warfare
19. I like the cultural references famous figures but I disliked the sex scenes (I understand why it was done though - to explain Elizabeth not marrying)
20. Ending wasn't really that satisfying
21. Good idea but execution is so so: 3?/5