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afantaseaofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Maeve a 30-year-old (or so), an anti-hero heroine, born with superhuman strength sells her abilities to mercenaries and warlords in exchange for wealth. Slaying innocent people without looking behind. In the midst of a raid, on a night with a full moon, she’s being captured by the Dark Fae. Thrown on the Dungeon of the Damned, left to rot for about a month – they offer her a deal, to find some relics that are rumored to have the power to break all the curses in exchange for her freedom. Without any choice, Maeve sets off on a quest guided by the Scholar - a grumpy old lady.
The book is so different, there is no lady in distress, no hero here. She’s the opposite, she sells her powers to the ones who have money for it, slaying innocent people without thinking twice, spends money on pleasure, food, and comfort. She’s the bad guy, a thief and a murderer who loves being victorious at the end of a battle-winning is what she’s living for and brings her a rush of excitement that fills her with pleasure.
Its a story about treasure hunting with the fae, orcs, goblins, dragons and so many more characters, each unique in their own way, with damned islands where no one even dares going, with eels big as a ship that would kill you in a blink of an eye, with souls trapped on an island that with a simple touch makes you feel and see what happened to them. It has a lot of characters and elements but at the same time, it doesn’t make you feel overwhelmed because they’re synced so nicely and the story just flows. I can’t even remember how many times I’ve just lost track of time while reading this story.
The story has bits and pieces of romance, especially between Maeve and Caspian (a warlord she’s been doing raids with for a while), even tho their relationship seems complicated, they act sometimes as they love each other but don’t say the words, and other times they act as best friends. However, during her quest, she meets two new brothers: Ingram and Imer and things start to get complicated.
The book can have some triggers for people who don’t like reading about blood, murder, prostitutes, etc. Overall I’d say the book is more suitable for the 18+ because the murder scenes are a little bit descriptive.
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The book is so different, there is no lady in distress, no hero here. She’s the opposite, she sells her powers to the ones who have money for it, slaying innocent people without thinking twice, spends money on pleasure, food, and comfort. She’s the bad guy, a thief and a murderer who loves being victorious at the end of a battle-winning is what she’s living for and brings her a rush of excitement that fills her with pleasure.
Its a story about treasure hunting with the fae, orcs, goblins, dragons and so many more characters, each unique in their own way, with damned islands where no one even dares going, with eels big as a ship that would kill you in a blink of an eye, with souls trapped on an island that with a simple touch makes you feel and see what happened to them. It has a lot of characters and elements but at the same time, it doesn’t make you feel overwhelmed because they’re synced so nicely and the story just flows. I can’t even remember how many times I’ve just lost track of time while reading this story.
The story has bits and pieces of romance, especially between Maeve and Caspian (a warlord she’s been doing raids with for a while), even tho their relationship seems complicated, they act sometimes as they love each other but don’t say the words, and other times they act as best friends. However, during her quest, she meets two new brothers: Ingram and Imer and things start to get complicated.
The book can have some triggers for people who don’t like reading about blood, murder, prostitutes, etc. Overall I’d say the book is more suitable for the 18+ because the murder scenes are a little bit descriptive.
Follow me on my social media for more than just reviews:
BookBub
Reedsy
Blog
leschroniques_delea's review against another edition
3.0
3, 75/5
J’ai bien aimé ma lecture de ce premier tome qui est prometteur pour la suite. Ce premier tome reste assez introductif avec Maeve notre protagoniste qui doit accomplir une quête pour les Fae qui se retrouvent prisonnier d’un sortilège qui les empêche de vivre à la lumière de jour.
Les chapitres sont courts ce qui donne un certain rythme où on ne s’ennuie pas même dans les moments plus lents. Malgré que j’ai aimé l’univers je le trouve pas assez exploité dans ce premier tome et j’espère qu’il le sera plus dans le tome 2.
Maeve est plutôt attachante, par contre je n’ai pas réussi à m’attacher aux autres personnages qui l’accompagne dans cette quête assez périlleuse. Certains des personnages étaient difficiles à cerner et je ne sais toujours pas de quel côté ils sont vraiment.
J’ai bien aimé ma lecture de ce premier tome qui est prometteur pour la suite. Ce premier tome reste assez introductif avec Maeve notre protagoniste qui doit accomplir une quête pour les Fae qui se retrouvent prisonnier d’un sortilège qui les empêche de vivre à la lumière de jour.
Les chapitres sont courts ce qui donne un certain rythme où on ne s’ennuie pas même dans les moments plus lents. Malgré que j’ai aimé l’univers je le trouve pas assez exploité dans ce premier tome et j’espère qu’il le sera plus dans le tome 2.
Maeve est plutôt attachante, par contre je n’ai pas réussi à m’attacher aux autres personnages qui l’accompagne dans cette quête assez périlleuse. Certains des personnages étaient difficiles à cerner et je ne sais toujours pas de quel côté ils sont vraiment.
mellhay's review against another edition
3.0
I think I was wanting or expecting more from this book, or maybe something a little different. For me, I had a bit of a rough start with this. But I was left curious at the end of the book. I may listen to the next book to see how it evolves.
Maeve is the main character. She's a strong warrior who's captured by the dark fae. She's sent on a task to find items for the Dark Fae king. However, her powers are restricted by a magical collar.
Maeve's character has lots of growth needed. The first time she says she needs to change her ways and not kill, I did not believe her conviction. It didn't feel to fit her at this point in the book. I don't think she'd digested it all enough with what we see, and to have her feel that...just not yet for me. Felt forced too early. Maeve feels to start to see things, but the writing makes me wonder if she's really digesting it all. She's growing, but I wasn't sure if it was genuine growth in the character.
I'll check out the next book and see how I feel about it.
Maeve is the main character. She's a strong warrior who's captured by the dark fae. She's sent on a task to find items for the Dark Fae king. However, her powers are restricted by a magical collar.
Maeve's character has lots of growth needed. The first time she says she needs to change her ways and not kill, I did not believe her conviction. It didn't feel to fit her at this point in the book. I don't think she'd digested it all enough with what we see, and to have her feel that...just not yet for me. Felt forced too early. Maeve feels to start to see things, but the writing makes me wonder if she's really digesting it all. She's growing, but I wasn't sure if it was genuine growth in the character.
I'll check out the next book and see how I feel about it.
emmad's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
katiejohn_'s review
2.0
DNF, interesting premise, action in the beginning which is great, butttttttt I’m not invested with the character and I’m moving on to another book. Best of luck to the author, no hard feelings
_camk_'s review
2.0
All the ratings for this book are high but this just didn't do it for me.
The plot is full of action and the world building interesting but none of the characters had any personality. All the conversations in the book were Maeve asking a questions and no one really giving an answer.
The plot is full of action and the world building interesting but none of the characters had any personality. All the conversations in the book were Maeve asking a questions and no one really giving an answer.
leapearlreads's review against another edition
4.0
Pawn is quite the immersive fantasy adventure!
Maeve of Carn is taken by the Fae and forced on an epic quest. Along the way we discover pirates, wizards, goblins, orcs, dragons...everything a fantasy novel could ever need. The world builds seamlessly as the story progresses, there's no "info dump" at the beginning to confuse readers, which I found refreshing. There's plenty of action to keep those pages turning...I really wanted to know what happened next! And, that being the case, I will definitely be picking up the next two books in this epic trilogy.
Thank you, Angela J. Ford via Feather and Dove tours for the e-copy to read!
Maeve of Carn is taken by the Fae and forced on an epic quest. Along the way we discover pirates, wizards, goblins, orcs, dragons...everything a fantasy novel could ever need. The world builds seamlessly as the story progresses, there's no "info dump" at the beginning to confuse readers, which I found refreshing. There's plenty of action to keep those pages turning...I really wanted to know what happened next! And, that being the case, I will definitely be picking up the next two books in this epic trilogy.
Thank you, Angela J. Ford via Feather and Dove tours for the e-copy to read!
kitvaria_sarene's review
3.0
I have finished this one, and it isn’t bad at all, (and is available as audiobook!) – it just is as far away from being my cup of tea as a book can be. I don’t like romance in my fantasy, and I don’t like a focus on emotions of any sort.
So parts like this – exactly what other readers might enjoy – just have me sigh and drop my shoulders and hope to get on with it…
So while the plot was interesting enough and I enjoyed the world building, the characters stayed a bit plain with emotions painted on, instead of them just feeling like a natural part of the story. Big changes to their whole being take place in a matter of paragraphs, which adds to them not feeling like “real people” to me. Being really unsure about their own emotional state also didn’t help to win me over – me being a very pragmatic kind of person:
For those who are looking for an epic fantasy with a big world mixed with some romance and a rather easy read, this might be absolutely perfect though!
So parts like this – exactly what other readers might enjoy – just have me sigh and drop my shoulders and hope to get on with it…
He Smelled like the sea, wild and free, eager to go wherever it wished, do whatever it wanted. Like freedom. If she kissed him, would he taste like salt and sunshine? What hold did he have on her? What madness? For she was giving in at just his touch, at the unexpected gentleness of his words. A desperate desire thrummed through her body to have more of his warmth, to envelop herself in him and forget about the quest, the fae, and the potential of dragons.
“Yes,” she whispered.
His fingers undid the laces of her sheath, baring her upper chest down to where her breastplate covered her breasts and stomach. A lump settled in her throat as his fingers brushed against the swirls that decorated her collarbone.
“They are beautiful,” he breathed a light in his eyes, lost in awe.
So while the plot was interesting enough and I enjoyed the world building, the characters stayed a bit plain with emotions painted on, instead of them just feeling like a natural part of the story. Big changes to their whole being take place in a matter of paragraphs, which adds to them not feeling like “real people” to me. Being really unsure about their own emotional state also didn’t help to win me over – me being a very pragmatic kind of person:
The past year she’d warred with her feelings, and although she was still unsure whether it was brotherly love or romantic love, it didn’t matter. She needed to help him.
For those who are looking for an epic fantasy with a big world mixed with some romance and a rather easy read, this might be absolutely perfect though!
theseblankpages's review
4.0
'Pawn' follows Maeve of Carn, a warrior born with superhuman strength, who is captured by the Dark Fae and forced on a quest to find the missing shards of a devine relic - rumoured to have the ability to break all curses.
Led by a mysterious scholar and with strange events afoot, Maeve must uncover secrets about her past and discover a way to defeat the Dark Fae's plan.. before it is too late.
-
I found myself really enjoying the story, and honestly flew through it during my reading sprints with my friend! The Dark Fae were truly a frightening species to read about, but I was really curious to discover their motives!
Led by a mysterious scholar and with strange events afoot, Maeve must uncover secrets about her past and discover a way to defeat the Dark Fae's plan.. before it is too late.
-
I found myself really enjoying the story, and honestly flew through it during my reading sprints with my friend! The Dark Fae were truly a frightening species to read about, but I was really curious to discover their motives!
the_b00kreader's review
5.0
**TW**
This book contains death, blood, torture and violence. This may not be suitable for sensitive readers.
I buddy-read this book with @these.blank.pages on Instagram and can gladly say that I found this to be a very enjoyable read!
The character of Maeve was strong and independent. She was human and felt real. She had her weak moments just like us all, but she pulled through.
I love that the fae in this book weren't portrayed as being nice and instead evil. It's certainly different to how they're usually portrayed.
This book was able to both hurt me and keep me hooked throughout!
I adored Ford's writing and I cannot wait to venture into book 2!! (I NEED more
This book contains death, blood, torture and violence. This may not be suitable for sensitive readers.
I buddy-read this book with @these.blank.pages on Instagram and can gladly say that I found this to be a very enjoyable read!
The character of Maeve was strong and independent. She was human and felt real. She had her weak moments just like us all, but she pulled through.
I love that the fae in this book weren't portrayed as being nice and instead evil. It's certainly different to how they're usually portrayed.
This book was able to both hurt me and keep me hooked throughout!
I adored Ford's writing and I cannot wait to venture into book 2!! (I NEED more