The Game of Rochambeau is a heartwarming and thoughtful read. On the surface it may seem like it’s written for middle graders, but it speaks to adults just as deeply. Nancy K. Chadha explores emotions like friendship, jealousy, and courage in a way that feels real and relatable.

At the centre of the story is Papier, who’s grappling with dark thoughts and deep pain. His friends, Rock and Snippy, are quirky, sharp, and sometimes exhausting, but also fiercely loyal. The irony? The same friends who once saved Papier also pushed him to the edge. That complicated, tangled bond is what makes the story so real.

Now, years later, they’re all back at it trying to help others stay alive while questioning their own purpose. As they battle loss, guilt, and the strange efficiency of the death angel, Azraella, they’re forced to ask: is it still worth fighting for hope when everything feels hopeless?

The author writes with humour, heart, and insight. The book explores friendship, grief, purpose, and the quiet ways we save each other, or push each other over the edge. The emotional honesty crosses the limits of the age lines and everyone will be felt see through the writing.

If you’ve ever struggled with doubt, loved someone who’s hurting, or wondered if you’re enough then this book will sit with you long after the last page.

It is a bold, and strangely comforting read. Told with tenderness, the book reflects both the world around us and the quiet truths we carry inside. Highly recommended for both young readers and grown-ups.