In "Checkmate," follow the gripping journey of 19-year-old Ray Woodland as she navigates a world unlike our own, where life hinges on competing in challenging Cycles to ascend the ranks. Ray, on the brink of her sixth Cycle, finds herself thrust into an extraordinary test where maintaining friendships and making tough choices become paramount. Battling with notions of independence and torn between the past and the present, Ray must confront her inner demons while unraveling the mysteries that blur the lines between memory and reality. Prepare for a thought-provoking tale filled with twists, betrayals, and the ultimate quest for self-discovery in this captivating novel.