Jesse James is a normal eighteen-year-old, even if her parents are the best faerie bounty hunters in New York. Jesse’s only concern is how to pay for college, but that changes the night her parents disappear. Equipped with her parents’ weapons and her own smarts, Jesse enters the dangerous world of bounty hunting in search of her mother and father. In her quest, she encounters all manner of Fae, … manner of Fae, but the scariest is Lukas, the mysterious, imposing faerie who offers to help her find her parents.
But there are powerful forces at work, and Jesse is about to become a player in a dangerous game that could decide the fate of everyone she loves. In this world of magic and deception, it’s hard to tell her allies from her enemies in the race to find her parents before their time runs out.
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Decided to try something a little new and absolutely love book 1! I read it in a sitting and can’t wait to dive into book 2. This is a unique Fae story.
Someone call a hunter, this book stole my heart! This was the book I didn’t know I was missing, and I’m absolutely in love with it. While it started a little slow, the build was only preparation for the twists, turns, and swooning that follows. I especially loved Lynch’s attention to character depth and development. The characters really came alive and I found myself emotionally invested in them. The story was well-developed and the book hangover is strong. I can’t wait for the next book and highly recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy romance or fae! As for the narration, Caitlin Kelly did an exceptional job. I loved how she captured each character’s personality and the variety of voices and tones made each character easily distinguishable. She added an extra dimension of enjoyment to an incredible story and I loved the experience!
*Review based on audiobook version.
I have always loved reading Karen Lynch. An amazing and talented author, she has a way that once you start reading her books, you’re hooked from the very get go. And boy did she didn’t disappoint with Pawn the first book of the Fae Games series.
Jesse James isn’t your typical 18 year old teenager. Her parents are the best bounty hunter in their state. But one night, they didn’t return after going after a bounty. Determined to find out what happened to her parents and to rescue them, Jesse took up her parents weapons and became a bounty hunter.
She’s smart and sassy, determined and have a secret skill. Along the way, she meets hot and sexy Fae. This book definitely kept me enthralled. I love the interaction between Jesse and the Faery she meets along the way. The story has a lot of depth, made me laugh and even at one point had my heart breaking. The cliff hanger that Karen leaves us with, ugh! Why do she have to do that to us! Now I can’t wait until the next book comes out!
A definite must read, you won’t regret it! If you haven’t read any of her books yet, I highly recommend you do. The Relentless series is absolutely fantastic and you’ll fall in love with Sarah and Nikolas, along with the rest of the Mohiri as much as I do!
Pawn, book one of the new Fae Games series is proving that this Author isn’t just a one series hit writer (like a one hit wonder). She is masterfully building a story that is leaving me wanting more, just as she did with the Relentless series!
The main character in Pawn, Jesse, is fantastic! She is a down to earth, no angst young lady who is forced to take care of her brother, hunt for her parents and try to figure out who she can trust, if anyone. Lynch has created wonderful, colorful characters that you find yourself either loving or loathing. Another fascinating being of a paranormal series. I cannot way for book 2!
I love a strong female lead, and Jesse James has the self-defense moves to go with her smarts! Really enjoyed this book.
I love Lynch’s books and this one was not a disappointment.
If you enjoy tough female leads, then you’ll enjoy this read.
I read this book in one sitting. Great premise, interesting world building, and believable characters. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Pawn grabbed me and never let go!
Jesse is so damn brave, kind, and loveable. I was rooting for her nonstop and gutted by the emotional avalanche that came down on her at the end.
This is a “I Need the Next Book NOW!!!” kind of series.
Bravo, Karen. I absolutely, freaking love your new Fae Games series!
xo, Nikki
This is the first book in Karen Lynches new series, looking forward to the next book.
I love Karen Lynch stories and Pawn sure did not disappointed me. I just sad that it ended, even if i tried to prolong my read to make last longer. Can’t wait for book 2 to be released!!
When I read the Relentless series, I enjoyed the luxury of it being a completed story, so I could devour it without a care. I told myself that I should try to pace myself when I began Pawn…
That did not happen.
Despite having a munchkin who wants my attention at every waking hour, I finished the book in two evenings. I knew from the characters and storyline of Relentless that a Karen Lynch story would hook me quick, and this new series certainly didn’t fall short of that.
When Jesse’s bounty hunter parents go missing, she finds herself joining the family business to gain access to the contacts and answers she needs to track down her family. A healthy dose of mystery kicks the novel off and immediately immerses the reader in a world of competing rivals, paranormal antics and inequalities, and the ever-intriguing world of the Fae. Lynch’s familiarity with the slow burn (as readers of the Relentless series will be well used to) carefully marks the moments between the action, and the ending… while not a cliffhanger per se, will leave you desperately looking for a preorder link for book two.
This was a very enjoyable read, and one I know I’ll be revisiting several times before the next is released.
Fast fun read
Addicting!!
Pawn, is book 1 of the Fae games series.
This is a new series by Karen Lynch and it is a page turner and very addicting!! Jesse is a strong female character, who isn’t afraid to ask for help when she needs it. She is someone that a lot of people can relate to and connect with. Jesse finds herself in the middle of several Fae encounters, along with other Fae creatures. She becomes friends with Lukas and together they join forces to try to find her parents along with something else that he’s in search for. This book does not disappoint and I’m truly looking forward to the next installment.
Can they trust each other? Is it possible for a human and a faerie to join forces? Pick up this book to find out!!
I listened to the audiobook which I highly recommend. It’s narrated by Caitlin Kelly. She does a amazing job portraying Jesse and the other characters. She truly brought the book to another level.
“You are very dangerous, Jesse James.”
I loved everything about this book. The characters, the world created and the plot. I simply could not put it down and read it in one sitting. I need more!!! I can’t wait until the next book.
“I was falling for this beautiful, enigmatic, and overbearing faerie, who would only break my heart when all of this was over.”
Omg, Holly crap! Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down, I literally stayed up all night last night cuz I couldn’t put it down. That ending tho, AARRGGHH!! Karen definitely knows how to draw you in & make you fall in love with her characters. Her females are bad ass, & her males are smoking hot, & this book is no exception! I can’t wait for the next book!!
Spelling binding could put book down. Can’t wait for the second series.
Wow! Is really all I can say! This book was so good. The characters were so easy to love and the story line was even better. I’m sure I’m with everyone when I say that this book was so hard to but down. I had to know what was going to happen next. I can’t wait to read more from this new series and fall more in love with them. Finch oh man I love that little Fairie!
I, like most other Relentless fans, was over-the- moon excited for this next series. And this book did not disappoint! Jesse cares about others and is a strong female character like Sara Gray, but the comparison stops there. Jesse navigates a world where human and Faerie live together and takes up the family business of bounty hunting to ensure that she can do what needs to be done. This immediately sucked me in and was difficult to put down despite the needs of working and sleep. Excellent new trilogy and I’ll be working through my theories, biding my time until the second book is announced.
Hey, Hey Peeps
This book has probably been my most anticipated read since I first heard of its release….and guys this book is everything, everything! Yes, it needs it repeated twice because man I was attached to this book well, like a book nerd when you try to take their book off them…(I don’t suggest anyone try this out with a fellow book nerd… unless you want to see a whole new side to them #CrazyAlert lol). My point here is that I was 1000% invested and attached to everything going on within this story. To the point that by the end I had some serious emotions bubbling up in the back of my throat and my heart was beating so fast.
I myself listened to the audiobook of this one first, and it was phenomenally done. The narration by Caitlin Kelly was top notch, the scenes, especially towards the end, had so much emotion and pain in it, that you believed it and felt it…and that’s something I crave for whenever reading. I want to be hit in the feels. And although this book practically destroyed me….and I mean…Destroyed. Me. I can’t get it out of my head or heart. It’s here to stay.
Man, this book seriously didn’t mess around in my opinion. It demanded to be read and I couldn’t ignore the call. Now I feel like I’m seriously obsessing about it…and I can’t help but think of the characters and world.
I don’t even know where to start with the summary of this book. So much happened and went down. I made new friends, new book boyfriends (what? he had dark hair and blue eyes that’s practically my Kryptonite) and fell in love with the world created. It was crafted so expertly and felt so seamless, that it’s hard to believe there was no magic in use. Karen has her own brand of magic it seems.
So anywho, this story is set in a world where the Fae now coexist with humans on earth…you have your two Courts of the Fae with Royals and the such (these Fae are the more powerful of the lot) and then there are others that are lower in ranking (if it helps, the Agency ranks the Fae by a scale of 1-5…4 and 5 being the highest). Confused you yet? I think I’m confusing myself haha…anywho, there are many different kinds of Fae beings, but you’ll have to read to find those out …I have to keep the mystery alive lol.
In this world, we have Bounty Hunters, those who collect the Fae that are causing trouble on the streets…annnd that’s where our girl Jesse comes in….her parents are working as Bounty Hunters, and they are some of the best-known Hunters. But Jesse was never really interested in this life, she had plans to get a job and save up for college (She’s super smart!)…but it seems fate had a very different plan for her right now. One night her parents go missing and Jesse, unable to get the information she needed, decides to take up the family business and become a Bounty Hunter. It’s a dangerous life but Jesse is determined to track down her parents at whatever cost.
Whilst gathering information, she runs into some men (like literally lol) and from here things just get crazier. You see this person she ran into, Lukas (be still my heart hehe), is a person she was warned of, as being dangerous and not someone to get involved with. He’s a man of mystery. But when their paths continue to keep crossing, Lukas’s men begin to question why all of a sudden she continues to be wherever they are… and well, some serious questioning goes down…you don’t want to mess with Lukas’s top security guy, he one serious dude and he means business.
Anyways, they end up basically teaming up, for reasons I won’t disclose hehe…and so things begin to get even more interesting at this point. The story takes on a life of its own and with all of them working together, it seems like maybe just maybe Jesse may find her parents. But with everyone playing games, having there own agendas and the Agency believing that Jesse’s parents are in with a group of drug dealers. Things get complicated. Humans and Fae alike begin to keep tabs/come after Jesse and not all is safe. Lucky for her training and new friends and allies she may just be able to survive it.
But in the biggest twist of all…that ending…like what?! Like I had worked out the main part but…Lukas man I am disappointed in you for even thinking that of Jesse! My brain was going all over the place at that.
I love the build of the relationship with all of Lukas’s men and although there will be complications in the next book, I really want to see more of them altogether.
Okay, and now can we just take a moment to appreciate Lukas? Pleeeaaasee he’s just so…I don’t even have a word for it. But I fell hard and fast for him. He’s just so stubborn, protective and has that whole Alpha male thing going on…but as she gets to know him better he definitely has a teasing side which I loved lol. Our girl, Jesse, continues to surprise him and keep him on his toes…so watch out Lukas lol.
There are so many aspects of this story that I just adored. Everything about it had all the right levels. The intensity, the build-up, the plot development, the twists (some I saw coming, some I did not), the characters. So much about it. I felt such a deep connection to all the characters right from the beginning. And I’m so so intrigued where this will all lead. I’m most curious about this little bead that Jesse found on a Kelpie and the legend with the goddess blessed that’s connected to it. And we all know that book two we are definitely going to see more into that.
If you want/need to be swept away in a book, this is the one to do it with. I honestly can’t express how much I loved this book. So when you pick it up to read just prepare yourself and buckle up. Because this is one hell of a read. Honestly, if you are into Fae, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy books I can’t see how you wouldn’t love this book. I may need to find some new friends if you don’t love it as much as I did. Like it’s a day later and the book doesn’t want to let me go. So yeah…obsessed.
The way this book is written is pure magic. Follow Jesse as she gears up to take on the world…she’s not backing down, even when things get crazy. Her fighting and compassionate spirit will call to you…so don’t ignore it..join her, as the search for her parents begins….but will she find them before it’s too late?
What awaits for Jesse, will be the story of a lifetime and this is just the beginning. Bring on the Bounty Hunter life.
I take my hat off to you Karen. This was such an incredible read and I honestly cannot express how much I need the next book! You bring the full-on book nerd out in me and that’s impressive. So that has my respect and awe. Thank you for the escape your books provide for me, I really needed that more then words can express.
For my sanity, I really, really hope that this time passes soon and that I’ll have the book soon. Meanwhile, there will be a little person in my head, which’ll randomly be standing in a grass field waiting and waiting for it to arrive. And yes I do admit that sounds a wee bit crazy…but doesn’t everyone have little compartments in their head dedicated to something? Mine are simply just very creative boxes Don’t judge.
Ugh, I feel a major book-hangover coming my way. I seriously don’t think I’m ready to pick up another book.
Okay, I think I spilled plenty of crazy today so I’m gonna leave it at that.
Happy Reading!
The world building in this book is amazing! So clearly laid out and artfully described – no unnecessary flashbacks or hopping between past and present.
Heroine, Jesse, is one of my favorite MC’s because she’s smart, practical, and not ridiculously stubborn for no reason. She knows when to listen to advice, ask for and *accept* help, and was fully aware of her own limitations. That’s not to say she doesn’t make mistakes, but that she learns from them!
Other characters are dynamic and add to the story in a meaningful way, not just to move the plot along.
I can already tell I want more than 3 books to this series!