Kendi

Kendi's life plan has always been clear: study hard, protect her family's reputation, and keep distractions firmly off the board. Dating was never part of the strategy.

Then feelings intervene.

Caught at the bus stage with not one but two crushes-Alex and Leo-Kendi finds herself under the sharp watch of Uncle Lenana, whose sense of duty extends well beyond family concern. What follows is inevitable: parental scrutiny, stern lectures, and rules that tighten overnight.

The timing could not be worse. Chess Nationals are approaching, and Kendi's focus is already slipping. One careless moment now could cost her more than her freedom-it could jeopardize Alex's already fragile world, drag Leo into consequences he never asked for, and derail her long-held Olympiad dream.

As pressure mounts from every direction-family, feelings, and competition-Kendi is forced to consider a risky strategy. In chess, sacrifice can be a path to control. In real life, the cost is far less theoretical.

Kendi: Backlash, Pressure, Survival is a sharp, witty young adult coming-of-age novel that blends competitive chess, romantic tension, and family expectations, exploring what it means to grow up when every choice feels like a move away from safety-and closer to checkmate.