Born into hell. Baptism by betrayal.
His life revolves around violence. My life is on the line. I’m trapped both physically and emotionally. A pawn in a game I didn’t know I was playing. Until I met him. Pike acts without emotion, but I know he feels something for me. I see it in his eyes when he looks at me. I feel it when he’s close. I know it’s real because I feel it too. Lust. Desire. It … feel it too.
Lust. Desire.
It complicates everything.
I know that I’m part of Pike’s plan for revenge.
He doesn’t know he’s part of mine.
Pawn is book two of The Pawn Duet. Pike is book one.
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Exciting and definitely a page turner!! Fantastic story!!
Rating:
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” – Albert Einstein
This was a particularly timely story that T.M. Knight had started in the first book (Pike). The beginning of the story was published in March 2020, a few months before George Floyd was killed by police, spiking the racial tensions in the US to new heights. This story is about a white supremacist hate group, so you can probably imagine how difficult it was for Ms. Knight to finish this book.
Background from Pike (The Pawn Duet, book 1):
The Hero is named Pike, he is best friends with Nine who is the brother to Preppy (Samual Clearwater), so he has spent time with King, Preppy, Bear and the gang. Pike was targeted during a drug deal that he had going with King and the drugs were stolen. The group that targeted him tried to make it look like Pike was behind it so that King would no longer trust him. When that didn’t work, they broke into Pike’s Pawn shop.
Pike was able to catch one of the people that broke in and it turned out her name was Mickey and he had met her years before on the day that her family was murdered. That day, she was caught by the guy she was running from and has been with the group ever since. She was able to hide the fact that she blamed the leader of the white supremacist group, Darius for the murder of her family and she has been wanting revenge ever since.
During her time with Pike, she grew to have feelings for him and she knew that he also was trying to get revenge on the group for the thefts of the drugs and his money. However, Mickey decides to protect Pike by going back to the group and going after revenge on her own.
The back story behind why Mickey was in with the group is odd and a bit complicated, since it has to do with her father and she doesn’t really know his motives. However, her father told the family that they traveled to Florida every summer to rent a house on the beach and spend time with this group of skinheads and neo-Natzi’s in order to study them and find out the origins of hate and loyalty. Mickey herself was a child prodigy and graduated college with a doctorate at a young age and was helping her father with the study.
Information from this book (Pawn):
Mickey finds out that her father may not have just been studying the group, but was in fact the co-founder of the group with Darius. She originally thought that Darius killed her father (and entire family) because he found out that her father was studying them and was planning to publish his insights. Though the new information belies that theory. If her father was a founder, so she doesn’t know why her family was murdered.
Darius has plans for Mickey, which include marriage to his son Percy, who just got out of prison. Percy has learned to hate at the hands of his father for his entire life and is entrenched in the group an slated to be the next leader. There is a lot of danger in Mic continuing to be with the group especially after she finds her sister in a cage looking near death. She thought her sister had died with their family.
The overall theme of the book is great, though in my opinion a bit simplistic (Hate/Love). But I did really enjoy the story quite a bit. The story took precedence over the romance which is opposite of the first book. Though the romance was still there between Pike and Mickey and it is quite steamy when they are together. Of course the book also has some hilarious scenes with our favorite characters (Preppy, Nine and King).
Preppy clears his throat. “Nine’s right. You guys shouldn’t have let her go. That was never one of the options. Marry or kill. That was it. Did you even read The Kidnappers Commandments? I spent a lot of time on that, you know, and not just writing it. I had to break into The Copy Store to print that thing, and that wasn’t exactly easy when the Trekkie who runs the printing press holds his Dungeons and Dragons meetings there at night. I was a fucking elf on a quest for six fucking weeks until I was able to sneak away and get it printed.” He sighs and looks to the ceiling with regret in his eyes. “I never even got a chance to find the diary of Princess Elfington and release its powers back into the world, restoring the basic rights and magical powers to all of the little elven boys and girls throughout The Kingdom of CopyStoreland.”
Preppy is my favorite character ever. I could read book after book about him! On another note, I liked the fact that Mickey is studying the hate group and trying to come up with conclusions about what drives them. I mean we all know that hate is a product of ignorance, and that in these types of groups, the children are raised in this culture of hate and not given true facts about the reasoning for hating or about of people they hate.
However, saying hate is due to ignorance is not the full truth and this book touches on that also. There are people in hate groups that are intelligent and that have all the knowledge about the groups they hate. They know people are people and one race or group of people is not inherently better than any other. So this book does show how hate is a choice and not only a product of ignorance. Hate groups target the disenfranchised and give them a home, a place to belong and people to call their own. They know what they are doing and how to get others into the fold.
I don’t want to say more about what actually happens in the story with our characters, but I liked that this book was timely and it did hold my interest. I don’t think it was perfect, but it was a good ending to the story of Pike and Mickey.
To say I was excited for this book is an understatement I’m a long time lover of t m fraziers words and everytime one lands on my kindle I always have an eeeeekk moment !!!
We pick right back up where pike left off and continue on path of betrayal and heartbreak, I absolutely loved pike and I really enjoyed pawn but……..I thought the second half seemed to go off course, felt a little rushed but by the end it was one of those ” ok what did I just read” moments …but….I went back read certain chapters again and damn thats some very clever writing mrs frazier
So did the book go the way I thought it was going?…..hell no!! Even the best puzzle solvers would struggle with predicting this twist!!!!
All in all another good read from a brilliant author. With an added bonus of seeing King and preppy haha
I’m glad I didn’t have to wait that long after the cliffhanger, Pike and Mickey’s story kept me on the rollercoaster of turmoil emotions, miscommunication is the key element, but they find their love and that makes them find each other individually and as a couple. This book kept me guessing and had me on edge until the end, I got the answers I needed and had a very enjoyable time. Definitely a great read.
Pike & Michalea “Mickey” are back in part two of this explosive duet. With her memories back what will Mickey do and can she trust them? Will she be the same when she finds out the whole truth? Can Pike protect her or is it too little too late for them? Will the Fourth Reich be able to be overturned? (You will know who that is once you read book 1) I loved Pike and his pull towards Mickey. I can’t say enough on how much I love when Preppy and the gang “stop by” in these books too. Just makes my whole day 🙂 Action, suspense and lies follow this story of “cults” and finding a way to break free. This one leaves you to think and p.s. the msg at the end… “beautiful” ; Told in dual POV
I loved the storyline and the characters! Pawn (Pawn Duet #2) is a great conclusion that’s dark, twisty, and steamy. However, as with most TM Frazier books, there are errors; in one sex scene in a restroom they’re up against the sink, they’re then on a mattress, then up against the sink again, in another, they’re on the beach, then he sits her on the counter, then lies her on the sand. Once you’re used to it, it’s funny but edited these books are not.
The final chapter in the Pawn Duet (I’m so glad I waited and listened to them back to back, no waiting), I dived straight into this and what a rollercoaster of a ride it was. Lots of surprises. Way too many secrets, and a whole lot of vengeance as Pike and Mickey take on the 4th Richt. Both struggle with trust issues (rightly so), emotions run high, and loyalties are tested. Mickey has a lot of issues to overcome, and to be fair to Pike, he’s willing to stand by her all the way, and I loved him for that. Teddy Hamilton narrates Pike (and any of Mickey’s parts to perfection), Elizabeth Hart, again, is a little wooden and emotionless, initially I thought it was the character she was narrating, but she’s exactly the same when she narrates any of Pike’s words, and we all know that Pike’s emotions most definitely come out in his thoughts and voice.
My favorite author…. This book in my opinion went wrong. i could feel the story becoming a statement on current affairs in the country. If I wanted a account of these affairs I would watch the news or read nonfiction opinions. I was very disappointed with these read, though the Pawn was very good.
In the final book of the duet, Mickey is trying hard to bring down the group that took her family away, but struggles keeping Pike out of harms way. Pike finally found someone to call his own and he will make it so, no matter what she says.
The story starts off with a bang and doesn’t let you go until the end. There is a lot of twists and turns and it’s themes are very relevant for the stuff going on right now. The story covers some sensitive subjects such as racism and discrimination. There might be some triggers for people so be warned.
I am beginning to have trust issues with all of Frazier’s characters where I just don’t trust anyone that she introduces until the very end. I dont know if this is a good thing or not. But I have been burned before and I WILL NOT let it happen again.
The story wraps up nicely and gives the story a conclusion. We get to see some familiar faces but not nearly enough Preppy (very hard to fill this void).
What an amazing 5 star read that will have you glued to your kindle. I couldn’t wait too read this book especially after the cliffy in Pike, and of course I wasn’t disappointed at all. Truly an amazing read that will have you rooting for Pike & Mickey.
Read: 7/4/2020
Pawn was the second part of the Pawn Duet in the King series spinoff by TM Frazier. It was the conclusion of Pike and Mickey’s story and needed to be read in order.
It had been months and hundreds of books in between since I read the first book, Pike, so frankly, I didn’t remember it. And when I refreshed my memory briefly, I remembered that I was mostly lost in the first book anyway so I didn’t feel as bad when it took a bit to catch back up.
This was a tough story for me. Hard to read, full of hate and racism. There was a twist along the way that I was glad to see and hopeful for more. No spoilers, so no elaboration but I really enjoyed some characters that I assumed I wouldn’t. It also had a suspenseful vibe and I began to really love Pike. But then at the end, it got weird. I wasn’t really even sure what happened but I powered through and the conclusion wrapped it up.
With all that said, don’t mistake my confusion for not liking it. Because I totally did. And as expected from Frazier, it was well written, well developed and I read it straight through, unable to put it down. I enjoyed the intrigue, mystery and yes, even the confusion. Additionally, there were a few characters that needed their own stories, so I’m hopeful for even more.
I’m not sure where Frazier will take us next, but I’m totally all in!
4.5 stars
I think I got off on the wrong foot with this series. My review for Pike which is book one in this duet. Left me feeling lost, in a story I really didn’t get or gel with but as I thought and knew would happen. This book changes everything.
TM Frazier manages to pull everything together. She makes you understand and I get now why I had such a disconnect with the characters. It was how they were supposed to be, so you could watch them grow, become stronger, and learn lessons that had been missing their whole lives.
Again the story is very fast-paced and the story moves very quickly. We get some great appearances from King, Preppy, Nine, and Rage. And they all brought so much to the table. Making this story an all-rounder.
Now for what actually happens in this story, I won’t say. But know it’s so not what you expect. It’s very clever and at points heartbreaking watching it all unfold. There were times I shouted at the characters and there were other times, I wanted to wrap then up and protect them. Pike and Mickey’s story is one that I can honestly say is a beautifully broken love story. That makes you laugh at points but cry hard.
This story, the duet is a must-read. And as a whole is a fantastic story that will leave you with a heavy heart but will also leave you smiling hugely. The moral of this story for me is… Sometimes if you love someone enough, you have to let them go. If they come back, they are yours forever.
Reviewer: Donna
Isn’t funny how things turn out I’m sure Tracey never imagined just how timely this book would be. I applaud her for sticking with the storyline it could not have been easy to write.
Pike and Mickey are back in this high octane conclusion to their duet. I had all these questions at the end of book one and thankfully they were all answered but not before some serious heart pounding moments. The story kept me enthralled, some secrets I guessed but some I never saw coming. There is no underestimating the danger Mickey puts herself in to get her revenge and closure on a horrendous chapter of her life. I loved all the cameos from some of my favourite characters ever they always pop up at just the right time. Pike is a walking saviour willing to put everything on the line to ensure her safety, just remember not all heroes are in plain sight some hide in the shadows waiting on their moment. The only thing I felt was missing was there was not enough scenes with Pike and Mickey together.
There is nothing like ‘visiting’ the Causeway for another adventure that is sure to knock your socks off. King and his extended family have taken readers on one epic journey to another. Every moment in the King series and subsequent spin-offs have left me thrilled to no end. After diving into Pike – I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Pawn.
After the mouth dropping ending in Pike, I couldn’t wait to find out what was going on with Mickey. Revenge is the name of the game and Pike’s emotions and actions are all over the place. Mickey is faced with uncertainty, determination and her feelings for Pike. Both are fighting for each other, but the past will play a critical role in where the story will lead.
I will admit I was anticipating every single action and reaction in this quest for the truth. What I didn’t expect was to get ¾ of the way through the book and have it become so disjointed that it made my head spin. There were some surprising twists that left you rooting for the most unexpected characters, but then one revelation led to the unraveling of a magnificent plot. At that point – so many things were thrown in and it was like a hodge podge of information. Whiplash would be a great way to describe what unfolded and left me going back to reread parts of the story to make sure I wasn’t reading a flawed copy of the book.
Pike and Mickey find that ‘happily ever after’…….well…..sort of. The ending was like multiple trains of thought thrown together without a ‘real’ resolution or understanding of the influx on information. If you read the authors notes – TM Frazier explains that writing this book in a time of social unrest was hard. I get that…..I totally do. However – this is one of those times where I think a novel should have been held closer to the vest until an ending fit for such an epic series and spin off was possible. In the end – I felt let down from a legacy in the Causeway that is worthy of an epic ending.
The conclusion to Pike and Mickey’s story is one filled with twists and turns, secrets and lies, and heavy doses of suspense, betrayal and revenge – all of the components of a true T.M. Frazier dark read. And since the author left readers in quite the quandary with how she ended book one, Pawn had a lot of questions to answer and issues to resolve before it became clear if Mickey would choose Pike over her need for revenge or if other mitigating factors would decide for them, in the most brutal and heinous ways possible, especially given where Mickey finds herself at the start of this book.
It’s clear that Pike has found who he wants in Mickey; she accepts him for who he is and is willing to dredge through the darkness if it means coming out stronger than ever. But like all of Frazier’s couples, the situations these two find themselves in are not ideal nor are they easily accomplished or accepted for that matter, and in order for Pike to keep his girl by his side, he’ll have to fight for her and perhaps even against her, proving the man he is and that he’ll do whatever it takes for her and for them.
I appreciated the way that Frazier handled the delicate subject matter involved in Pike and Mickey’s story, and in doing so, she explores all aspects in a way that sheds light on pertinent issues, without sugarcoating or dummy down how those situations play out and the emotional toil that occurs.
I do have to say that the ending felt a bit rushed…there was so much involved in the story line, so many moving parts that needed to be resolved and I just didn’t feel like enough was put into unraveling how they all occurred and what the fallout was of them.
Despite my issue with some of the plot, I always love being in T.M. Frazier’s dark worlds and the characters she creates are ones who may not be considered heroes and heroines who are always on the right side of the law or life, but how she crafts them makes them authentic and they have the ability to prove who they truly are by the time each book ends.
4 Poison Apples
Whoa! What a read! This book was so intense. Especially in today’s climate. I adored Pike, but I think this story goes to Mickey. She is such an extraordinary character! I was intrigued by her story and could not put this book down. So many twists! I loved it!
~ Review by Lys
I was really looking forward to the conclusion of this duet, wanting to see how it would play out and if Pike and Mickey would end up getting along together and getting their revenge.
Mickey is all about her revenge and retribution against the Fourth Reich in this, determined to bring them down on her own in her own way, even if that means leaving Pike.
Pike is determined to be there for Mickey to help her get her revenge, as well as revenge for his friend being killed, but they are not communicating very well and he has no idea of where she’s at, much less trusts her.
That is where my problem lies with this book, their lack of communication…. they had chemistry and the scenes were hot and steamy, but I just didn’t feel their connection.
The story has good pace and reads quickly, but I was not really invested in the two main characters, enjoying the interaction with King, Preppy and Nine more. There was an awful lot going on in the story, lots of twists and turn, some surprising hero’s coming out in this one, and an awful lot of political talk which whilst well written with the state of the world at the moment, felt like overkill to me really.
So a bit of a mixed bag for me really, I liked that Pike and Mickey got their happy ending, but not without some major emotional turmoil at the end.
What an epic conclusion to this duet and well worth the wait! After that cliffhanger ending in book 1 I was seriously on the edge of my seat waiting to see how this story would play out!!
This part of the story is fast paces and really pulls all the connections together. Book one, Pike, left a lot of things up in the air but this one pulled it all together and answered any questions we had. I honestly loved watching how Pike and Mickey changed and grew. They found in each other what they didn’t think they were looking for and together they managed to feed each other strength so they could get through the nightmare they were facing.
This book covers some really tough topics which may be hard to read but they were written brilliantly. Even though I had a heavy heart from some points in this book in the end my heart was happy.
I loved seeing appearances from King, Nine and my favourite Preppy! I love that bow-tie freak! his guide to holding captives had me in fits!!
Well done TM Frazier on another brilliant duet! I can’t wait to see what she brings us next!
Mic has got her memories back but are they real? Can she believe them? She knows she loves Pike but that’s not what is good for him in her mind. She tries to keep them apart but Pike is relentless. He wants Mic and will do what it takes to help her in her quest. Her quest is his also, why can’t they help each other is what he doesn’t understand?
What happens though when she keeps pushing him away? What will happen when she makes a decision that totally can change the outcome? Will Pike throw it all away to get his revenge? What happens??? I was like come on tell me!!!!
I loved seeing King, Preppy and Nine in here too!!! Read and find out what happens!!
Amazing conclusion to this duet!! This book made me fall more in love with Pike and Mickey. I am so happy that they got the HEA that they deserved!! I would defiantly recommend this duet if you like a not so conventional love story.