The Serpent

Set in 17th-century Venice, this adventurous novel follows a courageous woman as she enters the enigmatic Gamehouse, where fortunes are won and lost through various games, including chess and backgammon. As she is drawn into the higher league, the stakes escalate to a dramatic level, involving the intricacies of politics, empires, and real castles. In a world where only the worthy ascend, she may surprise everyone with her prowess, but she must navigate the perilous nature of high-stakes competition where the rules can be deadly.