Checkmate 3

Checkmate 3 by Tan

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This volume completes the English release of the series to date. Park is really a piece of work, and can't fade into the background fast enough. Things looked more than a little rocky for Soohyun and Eunsung for awhile there, but somehow they both seem to have come to the same conclusion without actually using the words or labels with each other while they do use them with others around them? Even their friends and at least Soohyun's family have put the pieces together except for Eunsung's one old school friend that likes to show up unannounced, which adds even more hilarity to the encounters. Both boys have a bit of a possessive streak, though that could work in their favor long term as long as they stay on the same page. Despite Soohyun's confusion over the drawn out date nights and slow kisses given their previous fast and hard relationship, it's rather touching to see the boys actually spend time together and getting to know one each other instead of just dragging each other to the nearest bed. Timing is also amusing as the main part of the series wraps up around Christmas/New Years and it's New Year's Eve tonight. It seems like the series could go on with these side stories at the end nearly indefinitely depending on the author's whims and reader's attentions.

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Checkmate 2

Checkmate 2 by Tan

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Soohyun is trying to move everyone into position to his whims and plans, but they don't seem to be cooperating very much, especially Eunsung, who seems to have his own curiosity and concerns when it comes to Soohyun. More people are being pulled into this tangled web, and even Soohyun seems to be having difficulty keeping his original goals in mind as time goes on. In no way could any of these relationships be considered healthy, but it would still be nice to at least see the boys escape from Park all things considered. Soohyun is most likely going to need more than the little bit of backbone he's developed to really survive these depths.

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Checkmate 1

Checkmate 1 by Tan

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Soohyun has more than a little bit of a superiority complex when it comes to his past classmate, Eunsung. Good looking, always at the top, leaving Soohyun in second place, his jealousy rages out of control when it comes to just this one person, creating a blind spot and obsession that get him entangled in a series of unusual circumstances and events. With a new job as a reporter, Soohyun has an excuse to seek out Eunsung and finally try to one-up him, except he'll end up knee-deep in scandal and it's difficult to see just who he's playing anymore. Park seems like a common enemy, but these two will likely need to learn to work together if they hope to survive this mess. Add to that, they've ended up in a highly unusual and somewhat abusive relationship together as they each want to call the shots in this strange game they're playing.

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