The Pawn (Endgame, #1)

by Skye Warren

[stacey_is_sassy]

The appeal of losing control…

I don’t read books like The Pawn very often. I’m not sure if it’s my fear of the dark or my fear that I’ll like the dark too much. Surprisingly, I didn’t find this one overly dark. Sure, it was hardly a sweet romance to make you swoon, but I wasn’t uncomfortable at all. Maybe, I’ll regret my undaunted approach and The Knight will have me shaking and shivering in my shoes.

Avery is the kind of character I find it hard to like or connect with. A rich “Princess” who lives a life of luxury with hardly a thought to where the money comes from. Turns out, Daddy was bad and picked the worst man to try and cheat. Daddy paid for his wrong decision, with his fortune and his health. Unfortunately, Avery must pay as well.

When the money is gone and her reputation is in tatters, her “friends” disappear. With medical bills and an estate with no staff, Avery is desperate. She needs money and her choices are slim of where she can get it from. The skeevy “uncle” or a loan shark seems to be her only choices. Either way, it’s her body that will pay the loans.

Here is where I have a bit of an issue…why is she in this position? Her emotional attachment to her house was bloody stupid. Sure, her mother died and it was her house but I’m positive her mother wouldn’t have wanted her to sell her body to the highest bidder just to keep the bloody house. Bloody Hell!! The lifestyles of the bloody rich and famous.

I know that stories aren’t real and I need to suspend my realistic expectations. I’m happy to put aside my need for the heroine to make smart choices. I can push away my injustice of men who choose to “own” women. I can even turn a blind eye to the acceptability of women being displayed like cattle for purchase. The hardest one for me to accept is a heroine caring or falling for her captor/enemy/abuser.

But, I do it. I put my blinkers on and only look ahead. I kind of get a kick out of seeing characters losing control or handing over control. I'm fascinated that men and women try to be physical without forming connections. There has to be a level of trust and acceptance to allow someone to be so close. I want to see the characters fight their instincts to protect themselves. Seeing opponents fight for control is enthralling. I love the vulnerability that arises when things don’t go to plan.

I enjoyed The Pawn and the start of this journey. Avery, I hope, will grow and mature. Gabriel, well I’m kind of hoping that he’ll stay evil and terrifying for a little while longer. I kind of like him in control of the game.