The Pawn (Endgame Book 1)

I have read several books by Skye Warren and my goodness is this one my favorite! Skye delivers on every aspect of dark. There is angst between the characters and a pull for control. There is a story line that is so well made that I felt like I was in their world being consumed by the amazing plot and story that Skye created for us. Avery is a young woman with a whole life ahead of her. She just graduated from high school and has everything an upper class girl could want, but then the bottom falls out. Avery's life changes in such a short amount of time. Everything she has ever known has been taken from her. She has to learn how to survive without the security of family, friends and most of all money. The only way she knows how to get things back to somewhat normal is going to the loan shark to make a deal with the devil that she cannot take back and it must be paid in full! Gabriel is rough around the edges. He has a dark persona and soul. He has brutally selfish tendencies. Gabriel has the ability to love and to be a decent guy, but he will never allow himself to do that. Gabriel needs to be seen as the alpha, a man that you do not mess with and if you do consequences will be had even if that means death. I loved this book from beginning to end. I went back and forth through out the whole book wanting Avery and Gabriel to fall in love and to live an HEA. Skye does not give us that in this book oh no. Instead she leaves us on the edge of our seats and wants us dying to find out what happens next. Oh boy did she do that for me. I ended the book not being able to breathe and finding myself gasping for air trying to understand and decipher what I had just read. My mind was boggled and my emotions were so worn and mingled that I needed a few days to recover. It takes a lot to make me cry when reading a book and even harder for me to have a book hangover, but Skye Warren accomplished both. If you as a reader are looking for a read that has two characters that are totally different and yet the same, constantly fighting for control of themselves and of each other, a fight to not fall in love or to be their real selves then this your book. Skye made these characters so complex and so amazingly developed. The story line is fantastic, one of the best I have ever read. Gabriel: "You play chess. Surely you know the many uses of a pawn." Avery: I flinch because I know exactly what I am to him. It's my role in this game: to fall when the time is right, to protect the king until I've run out of time. To sacrifice myself at the perfect turn. Ponder this quote and if it intrigues you like it did me pick this book up you will not regret it!

Okay, I'll start by saying right off the bat that this is only the first book of the series and it ends on a cliffhanger, so if you have an issue with this, you've been warned! This book follows Skye Warren's familiar pattern - the first book is free and tries to hook you in, with the next couple of books being (what I class for an ebook) expensive and probably able to be put into one book, but split into two more to make the reader commit to two additional purchases. I'm not griping too much about this though because with the first book being free, the price is more acceptable to me averaged out by 3. Anyway, I digress. The Pawn introduces us to Avery, a young socialite and town darling who has lived a luxurious lifestyle and been sheltered from the world's wicked ways. She's about to embark on the next chapter of her life, college, and is engaged to a senator's son who also has political hopes for his future. Then wham, bam, everything is gone. Her father is indicted for fraud and is one step away from prison. They lose everything except their house and when her father is beaten to the point he almost dies, Avery's remaining funds are depleted paying for his medical bills. Hoping for a loan, Avery visits The Den where she encounters Gabriel Miller, a powerful, possibly criminal man who also happens to be the one responsible for providing the evidence that led to her father's fall from high society. She's given an option to get money: auction off her virginity to the highest bidder in order to gain the necessary funds to help her father. If you've read any of Warren's books, this one follows her familiar pattern. A slightly darker, seedier take on romance where the heroine is mostly powerless and needs to embrace her situation and her sexuality. There's continuous hints of a deeper, darker secret in Avery and Gabriel's past which is only slightly chipped away at on the hope that the reader continues with the series. I found this book a decent length and an entertaining read for the most part. I took a star off because there were elements that I found got a bit repetitive by the end of the book, e.g. Avery's virginity, naivety, beauty, family secrets, her father hiding something, etc. I also really disliked the lead up and follow through of the auction itself. There was a lot of focus on how much Avery was degraded that rather than being 'dark', it started to become cringe-worthy and over the top. I didn't find it sexually dark, but more tasteless and unbelievable where this girl who has been sheltered is suddenly stripping off and being paraded around men she used to socialise with. I liked the main characters for the most part. Avery, although young and virginal, didn't annoy me too much as a character along these lines normally does. Gabriel is a strong, dark and silent type and while he was a bit of a prick, he played the moody, aloof anti-hero well. Some of the storyline didn't quite gel, especially with Avery's character. One minute she's innocent, then she's claiming to fight Gabriel to get her house back; she was innocent but then has feelings for him. I would have liked a bit more progression in the story to make this more believable, but for the most part, it was a good read if you don't over-analyse the plot too much. The book was enjoyable enough for me to justify purchasing the next one.

I have falling in love with this writer. I stumbled onto Skye Warren when I got a free book of, "The Prince." I realize now that I'm reading backwards to move ahead, but that's okay. At least it got me to a new author for myself that I love. I absolutely fell in love with this love story. I disagree with one of the reviewers that Avery is naive. I felt she was written strong, and very intelligent. I love to play chess, so that's an added bonus for me! Gabriel has so many layers to him that haven't fully been peeled away, but so far what I've read? Wow. Love this man. He's so smitten with Avery, it's obvious, though from her point of view it's not. I can't wait to see where this is going. I can't say enough about this book. It had intrigue. Substance. The characters were fully developed, and you just fall in love with their story. I can't wait to read "Knight." Just know in reading this wonderful book that there is a sequel. I'm fine with that. I was so glad to know there is more!!

Very good story with great characters. I especially liked Gabriel 😜

The very first thing I have to say about this book is that I LOVED IT! I am an avid reader and read almost all the time, but for the past year or so I didn't manage to find any book or author which would keep my interest alive, until I happened to stumble upon this book. I have read some of Skye Warren's books before, so I knew that the writing would be good and so bought the book. And was I not disappointed! Honestly I regretted not having read the book sooner. Avery and Gabriel, my God, honestly their story was amazing, spectacular and realistic. The book kept my interest alive at all times, every turn or action by each character was one which I enjoyed reading about. I read the book in two days and immediately regretter that it was over, but luckily Skye Warren had thought for her fans and had released a sequel to the story and then a third book. I would 100%, scratch that, 1000% recommend this book as it is definitely worth reading and paying for. Skye Warren gave us one hell of a story and I am so looking forward to her next book!

I don't really know much about chess, but fortunately Avery and Gideon's moves are explained. It's my guess that you'll catch the similarities better if you do know the game. As far as I get it, it didn't really end in checkmate (yet). Didn't know there would be so many loose ends on the last pages. That's a little disappointing.

OMG, I'm sitting here having finished THE PAWN by Skye Warren, with tears in my eyes and want, want of more, so much more! Still sitting here hearing fireworks explode in my neighbourhood while I try to recover from this mind blowing story. Such a mind twisting love, hate, bitterness and enthralling story that it's got to be the top for 2016. So very happy that I choose this story to bring in the New Year 2017 while hubby sleeps in our bedroom. Damn but I need someone to discuss what my mind has gone through these last few hours that I've devoured this book, only to find it's not done yet! Avery, is a wonderfully devoted child of a Father who she we find doesn't deserve her thoughtfulness nor her compassion. She sells herself to save her familia home which gives her the only memories of her lost Mother. To a lost soul that buys her innocence , Gabriel Miller. Still trying to figure out myself if he's friend or foe, pawn or knight in this compelling story. But he certainly would have been wonderful to take my innocence had I the choice. Ms Avery, did choose to sell her innocence. Certainly she could have been sold to a more sinister man, but this story was still so moving and so compelling my mind is still raddled an hour afterward. Honestly, can not wait to see what happens with all the characters(or should I say pieces of the chess game) to fall into place in the next instalment . Not sure my heart can wait! What happens with Avery's Dad?does he survive? What of the house Avery sold her body and soul for? Will Gabriel give it back to her? What's happened to her false fiancé, Justin? Has Gabriel done something sinister to him as well, all these thought whirling in Avery's mind while she finds herself discarded after Gabriel takes her innocence and sends her away, only to find her familia home gone and the father off to the hospital with a coronary incident. Her prior fiancé missing, what's next and is Avery strong enough to face it? Thank you so very much,Skye Warren, and when the hell can I read the next instalment! EXHALE

The story is brillant, a must read. I do not normally buy books above 1 euro, but the follow up is a must read.