A review by ktomp17
Hell's Pawn by Jay Bell

5.0

I am absolutely stunned by this book. At first, the book went at a very slow pace and I wasn't too keen on the whole concept (I'm don't typically find fantasy books appealing for me). After a couple of chapters, however, the book really picked up and had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. It was a very cerebral read-lots of big words and concepts that made me think. Lots of history and mythology. I found myself teary-eyed at some parts and sobbing at the end.

I thought the epilogue was great to show that he had found love and had moved on from the love he thought he had for Rimmon. I could truly feel that Scott was his everything. At first I wanted more. I know he mentioned he was his husband and I can assume they were together for 60 years. But I wanted to know just a little bit more. I want to know what his return was like. Did Scott see everything as John remembered? Were things the way John remembered? Was Rimmon there? Now I realize that by saying "everyone he had missed from this life and the other, welcoming him home again" answered everything I could have wondered about. Yes to all the questions I had. Although I wouldn't have said no to just a small glimpse of his return. After such big sobbing, I would have loved a happy feeling moment.

I really had a hard time deciding how to rate this book. I wish I could give 4.5 stars as I tend to give 5 stars to my favorites. The more I thought about this book and all that happened in it, the more I realized it is worth 5 stars just for the emotions, thoughts, and questions that this raised for me. It now sits on my favorites shelf. :-)