Book Review: Pawn (Fae Games #1) by Karen Lynch

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Urban fantasy romance
Length: 289 pages
Author: Karen Lynch
Publisher: Tempest Press
Release Date: May 26th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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, 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.

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?

Well isn’t this a NA urban fantasy hidden gem! I was lovingly pushed into reading this and I can’t believe it took me this long to pick it up. I know I’m not an urban fantasy fan, but this is one of those that took me by surprise.

I adored Jesse James. She is strong and resilient. I love her take charge attitude and willingness to learn and use her senses as she works to become a bounty hunter. One of the best heroines I’ve read recently and the true star of this book.

The side characters are stunning too!! Jesse’s cute brother, Finch. The best friend, Violet. The other bounty hunters and faeries Jesse comes across. There were many and I felt like I remember them all well. A testament to great writing that built many personalities well.

The romance was a little left to be desired for me. I thought there’d be more. What I got, LOVED. Not mad about that. I just hope there’s a bit more in book two. I love learning about Lukas and his friends. I couldn’t put this book down and will be reading book two ASAP.

Overall audience notes: