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jesuismoi's review
This should have so many trigger warnings. Consent is never given and MUCH happens that needs it.
The heroine is literally tortured. Then, after that ends, she just decides it's not going to impact her. There's some mention of PTSD, but once, and she waves it away as, "oh well, no one to help me."
The world building plays fast and loose with this concept of "everything is b/c of debts you owe other people" ---- sometimes the debts aren't specific enough (I guess?) and end up with sexual torment being added to the torture with no consequences. Sometimes the debts are implicit and end up with someone being endlessly tortured for violating a debt. If you buy into that theory, then it has to be kept the same throughout, and it's not. (Sorry, vague, spoilers)
There's a bit with some sex and lightning, and, honestly, I don't understand how they got there.
But, in the end, you have a heroine people LITERALLY have arguments about whether she's a slave; people physically and sexually abuse her; and she decides (agency, I guess?), well it's ok, b/c she dreamed about the hero needing help.
Stockholm syndrome doesn't begin to cover it.
Buy into that, and you're still left with a problem: The hero never changes. He never learns anything about himself. He never learns anything about their relationship. He never learns anything about the heroine. He just is.
I've enjoyed stories with literal BDSM. Of course, those ALSO have literal consent.
I gave it two stars instead of one b/c I quite liked the "competency porn" about learning to use her magic. Too bad the rest was in there.
The heroine is literally tortured. Then, after that ends, she just decides it's not going to impact her. There's some mention of PTSD, but once, and she waves it away as, "oh well, no one to help me."
The world building plays fast and loose with this concept of "everything is b/c of debts you owe other people" ---- sometimes the debts aren't specific enough (I guess?) and end up with sexual torment being added to the torture with no consequences. Sometimes the debts are implicit and end up with someone being endlessly tortured for violating a debt. If you buy into that theory, then it has to be kept the same throughout, and it's not. (Sorry, vague, spoilers)
There's a bit with some sex and lightning, and, honestly, I don't understand how they got there.
But, in the end, you have a heroine people LITERALLY have arguments about whether she's a slave; people physically and sexually abuse her; and she decides (agency, I guess?), well it's ok, b/c she dreamed about the hero needing help.
Stockholm syndrome doesn't begin to cover it.
Buy into that, and you're still left with a problem: The hero never changes. He never learns anything about himself. He never learns anything about their relationship. He never learns anything about the heroine. He just is.
I've enjoyed stories with literal BDSM. Of course, those ALSO have literal consent.
I gave it two stars instead of one b/c I quite liked the "competency porn" about learning to use her magic. Too bad the rest was in there.
thecarolynpenney's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
annkniggendorf's review
4.0
This was tricky to rate. I loved the ideas, the setting, and to a certain degree the characters - although not necessarily the ones in focus of the main characters. The ridiculousness of the world, though clearly intended, felt sometimes grating, then the final scene was too fast, in contrast too earnest to connect with it. Up until that scene I was going to give it three stars, afterwards I feel the characters deserve more. Since 3.5 isn't possible, it's four. And a definite reading-on in part 2.☺
halffast's review
4.0
A gal from the modern world is accidentally transported to Faerie and gets entangled with their deals and politics. Interesting book. The tone was impossible to pin down — some scenes were really funny and lighthearted, then you’d get moments of analytical sleuthing or crafty bargaining, and then it would veer into a fairly dark like woah-damn-did-that-happen scene packed full of emotion. Personally it all worked for me despite a bit of whiplash at times. The main character had a strong inner voice that held the story together pretty well.
I really loved some of the author’s ideas; it’s clear she has a great imagination. I enjoyed the concept of the world’s magic trying to translate Jen’s English thoughts into words and concepts the Fae understood, and vice versa. Some of the ways things get lost in translation, both unintended and purposeful, were really clever. Many of the Faerie names ended up with goofy translations which the heroine mocked and I found this hilarious. I also liked the way Jen, like a true scientist, continually tried to understand the “rules” of the magic and set up little hypotheses and tests. Same thing applies to her understanding the Fae’s nebulous bargains, and she’s a fast learner who gets better at this important skill as the book progresses.
I really loved some of the author’s ideas; it’s clear she has a great imagination. I enjoyed the concept of the world’s magic trying to translate Jen’s English thoughts into words and concepts the Fae understood, and vice versa. Some of the ways things get lost in translation, both unintended and purposeful, were really clever. Many of the Faerie names ended up with goofy translations which the heroine mocked and I found this hilarious. I also liked the way Jen, like a true scientist, continually tried to understand the “rules” of the magic and set up little hypotheses and tests. Same thing applies to her understanding the Fae’s nebulous bargains, and she’s a fast learner who gets better at this important skill as the book progresses.
jillsbooknook's review against another edition
3.0
So this book was not for me.
This book is a dark fantasy surrounding Jennifer accidentally ending up in the world of fae. In this world she is powerful but many fear what she can do, especially with no control. In a fashion vary much like the fae, those who helped her in the hours she fell within the world, they demand promises from her from enslavement as a weapon for war to promising her first born child.
I didn't end up finishing the book and that doesn't mean the book is bad - I just felt it was too dark for me. The main love interest was cruel in the beginning and I just couldn't see enough glimmers of redemption to see me to the other side, especially when she is sent off to train with these other fae.
I am particular with my main characters - if you want a bit of darkness but good love interests, Kennedy's Bonds of Magic series is a great alternative! It is more high fantasy.
This book is a dark fantasy surrounding Jennifer accidentally ending up in the world of fae. In this world she is powerful but many fear what she can do, especially with no control. In a fashion vary much like the fae, those who helped her in the hours she fell within the world, they demand promises from her from enslavement as a weapon for war to promising her first born child.
I didn't end up finishing the book and that doesn't mean the book is bad - I just felt it was too dark for me. The main love interest was cruel in the beginning and I just couldn't see enough glimmers of redemption to see me to the other side, especially when she is sent off to train with these other fae.
I am particular with my main characters - if you want a bit of darkness but good love interests, Kennedy's Bonds of Magic series is a great alternative! It is more high fantasy.
tracey_stewart's review
2.0
Received from Netgalley for review.
I wanted to like this. I liked the writing - clean and direct and intelligent. I liked the main character, Jennifer. I liked Darling and Starling and Blackbird and Larch. I liked the general idea, of the bargaining and quid pro quo and the system of magic.
But the book didn't, quite, hang together – I don't buy Jennifer's accidental transportation into fairyland, and the story as a whole didn't resolve believably in my eyes. And while I understood the arc of Jennifer's "training" and its necessity to the story as given, I hated the whole aspect of (someone's going to say it, so it might as well be me) Fifty Shades of Fae.
I wanted to like this. I liked the writing - clean and direct and intelligent. I liked the main character, Jennifer. I liked Darling and Starling and Blackbird and Larch. I liked the general idea, of the bargaining and quid pro quo and the system of magic.
But the book didn't, quite, hang together – I don't buy Jennifer's accidental transportation into fairyland, and the story as a whole didn't resolve believably in my eyes. And while I understood the arc of Jennifer's "training" and its necessity to the story as given, I hated the whole aspect of (someone's going to say it, so it might as well be me) Fifty Shades of Fae.
ark99's review against another edition
3.0
i mean the plot wasn't bad but it wasnt really good enough to continue to the sequel. interesting world tho a bit different from most fae books i've read lately reminds me more of the older fae books
moirwyn's review
4.0
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2014/09/19/rogues-pawn-by-jeffe-kennedy/
I wish Goodreads allowed half stars, because my thoughts on this one were about 3 1/2 stars. I'm rounding up.
Rogue’s Pawn is the first in a trilogy of fantasy erotica novels by Jeffe Kennedy. The story begins when Jennifer walks out of her life and through a portal to fairyland. This seems to be a theme in the books I’ve been reading lately (see The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic for a much tamer alternative). When Jennifer arrives, she finds that her thoughts and desires are translated into reality. Because she has no mental control, she ends up putting herself in danger and almost dies. The fae are impressed by her power, but they also realize that she’s dangerous. Jennifer ends up bargaining for her life, only to enter into a world of erotic torment.
As soon as Jennifer enters fairyland, she meets Rogue. Rogue is a tall-dark-and-handsome dominant figure, but he’s a fae, and even though he’s trying to protect Jennifer, she doesn’t see it, because his methods are a bit rough. Rogue certainly has ulterior motives, and he extracts the promise of Jennifer’s firstborn child in exchange for her life. Jennifer quite naturally spends much of the book trying to run away from him.
As the book progresses, Jennifer undergoes a transformation. She becomes more like the fae as she learns to control her power. The fae think that she will easily submit her will to them, but instead Jennifer becomes adept at standing up for herself and pursuing her own agenda. And of course, the source of her magic is sexual tension, so there’s a lot of that, especially as she begins to realize that she wants to be with Rogue. Meanwhile, Rogue must learn to realize and accept that Jennifer has to choose him of her own free will and not just because he tricked her into making a bargain.
Normally when I read books with a BDSM element, I expect that the dominant partner immediately establish himself as trustworthy, but in this case, it makes sense that he isn’t, because the fae aren’t supposed to be angelic. And as much as I felt like the “training” Jennifer went through was harsh, a bargain with the fae isn’t an Apple license agreement, and Jennifer really ought to have known better than to accept without being explicit about the terms and conditions. It’s basic fairy lore.
I’ve been a fan of Jeffe Kennedy’s writing ever since winning one of her books in giveaway a couple years ago. Her writing is solid, and she’s one of the few erotica/romance writers that I can take seriously. She’s one of my go-to writers on days when my brain needs a break and I want to read something that I don’t have to think too hard about. Rogue’s Pawn isn’t my favorite of her stories, mostly because I prefer more of an emphasis on consent and mutual respect, which I felt didn’t really surface in this book until close to the end. At the same time, it was still an enjoyable read, and I do plan on continuing the trilogy.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2014/09/19/rogues-pawn-by-jeffe-kennedy/
I wish Goodreads allowed half stars, because my thoughts on this one were about 3 1/2 stars. I'm rounding up.
Rogue’s Pawn is the first in a trilogy of fantasy erotica novels by Jeffe Kennedy. The story begins when Jennifer walks out of her life and through a portal to fairyland. This seems to be a theme in the books I’ve been reading lately (see The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic for a much tamer alternative). When Jennifer arrives, she finds that her thoughts and desires are translated into reality. Because she has no mental control, she ends up putting herself in danger and almost dies. The fae are impressed by her power, but they also realize that she’s dangerous. Jennifer ends up bargaining for her life, only to enter into a world of erotic torment.
As soon as Jennifer enters fairyland, she meets Rogue. Rogue is a tall-dark-and-handsome dominant figure, but he’s a fae, and even though he’s trying to protect Jennifer, she doesn’t see it, because his methods are a bit rough. Rogue certainly has ulterior motives, and he extracts the promise of Jennifer’s firstborn child in exchange for her life. Jennifer quite naturally spends much of the book trying to run away from him.
As the book progresses, Jennifer undergoes a transformation. She becomes more like the fae as she learns to control her power. The fae think that she will easily submit her will to them, but instead Jennifer becomes adept at standing up for herself and pursuing her own agenda. And of course, the source of her magic is sexual tension, so there’s a lot of that, especially as she begins to realize that she wants to be with Rogue. Meanwhile, Rogue must learn to realize and accept that Jennifer has to choose him of her own free will and not just because he tricked her into making a bargain.
Normally when I read books with a BDSM element, I expect that the dominant partner immediately establish himself as trustworthy, but in this case, it makes sense that he isn’t, because the fae aren’t supposed to be angelic. And as much as I felt like the “training” Jennifer went through was harsh, a bargain with the fae isn’t an Apple license agreement, and Jennifer really ought to have known better than to accept without being explicit about the terms and conditions. It’s basic fairy lore.
I’ve been a fan of Jeffe Kennedy’s writing ever since winning one of her books in giveaway a couple years ago. Her writing is solid, and she’s one of the few erotica/romance writers that I can take seriously. She’s one of my go-to writers on days when my brain needs a break and I want to read something that I don’t have to think too hard about. Rogue’s Pawn isn’t my favorite of her stories, mostly because I prefer more of an emphasis on consent and mutual respect, which I felt didn’t really surface in this book until close to the end. At the same time, it was still an enjoyable read, and I do plan on continuing the trilogy.
nemerith's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75