Title: Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1)
Other Books by Author: The Goddess Test (The Goddess Test #1), Goddess Interrupted (The Goddess Test #2)
For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.
If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister’s niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.
There’s only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered. The same one that got her killed…and one Kitty believes in.
Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that’s not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she’s only beginning to understand.
Pawn will always be a favourite of mine – the first book I read of 2014, too! Not to mention in just a few days I read it all (and insomnia-fueled nights…).
I was surprised with every new turn of events and it wasn’t at all predictable or similar to anything out there…
Kitty was the lead character and of course I liked her best. She was smart, wise and headstrong, all the best things we like in our lead heroines. Even when she was Lila, she was still the Kitty we loved at heart. Seeing her personality stay the same was one of my favourite parts of the transformation between Kitty and Lila. How often can you actually get to walk in someone else’s shoes? It’s such an original plot.
Aside from being newly rich and loved, Kitty still had a boyfriend; Benji. He was sweet and so loyal to her. Even when she had to let him go and leave him behind, they were reunited soon after and I was pleasantly surprised that the romance in the book was very subtle and didn’t divide the Dystopian setting. Just a hint of romance.
Though, Lila had a fiancé, which meant Kitty now had a fiancé. And his name was Knox. There was some unmissable chemistry between him and Kitty, that I wasn’t sure would possibly develop into something else…but I’m hoping for Kitty and Benji, because they were the sweetest. I can’t wait to see what happens with these characters and the rest when the series continues! Definitely one to watch.
This is an unmissable, stunning dystopian novel with the unique and unpredictable aspects that everyone loves. In a league of it’s own, truly.
Recommendations: for anyone who loves YA Dystopia or Post-Apocalyptic novels will love this. If you’re looking for your first dystopian read, then Pawn is also a great starting point and will set a huge bar that so many can’t beat. If you’re a fan of Aimée’s other novels and love her writing style, then you’ll definitely want this one on your shelf!
