Synopsis
No Mercy, No Questions Asked.
Cork has quickly made a name for himself among the Kosellan mercenaries, but now his boss has come to him with an unusual job. Cork’s erstwhile countrymen, the Winn, have hired to him to travel into the barren Frozen Lands and destroy a convoy, leaving only one survivor.
Cork isn’t sure he can trust the Winn. He feels like a pawn in their political game. However, his mother is sick and the Winn have promised to heal her if Cork does the job. And killing is what a Cork does best.
To make matters worse. Cork’s crew has been decided for him: Arabella, an inexperienced and infuriating archer, and Nessa, a gloomy criminal with murder on her mind.
Cork will have to figure out how to complete the job, avoid Winn treachery, and manage conflicts with Arabella and Nessa along the way.
Review
Question: What do you get when you put a big burly guy with two fierce and emotionally complex women and have them go off to attack a convoy of people? I’ll tell you, an amazingly powerful story that doesn’t shy away from the harshness and pain that surrounds the world. Think of this story as if Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games had a bouncing baby. Why? Because of the Death, killing, and being in the cold all the time.
Cork is a man with a good heart and intelligence, but with one really good skill set, killing. He’s like that guy who is tough on the outside, but deep down just wants his life to be a good one. Cork, however, is a mercenary, which fits him well, to a point. It’s like one of those jobs you’re amazingly good at but leaves you feeling empty inside, like being a postal worker! As a mercenary he needs to kill people, he doesn’t kill because he likes it, but since money is hard to come by. I mean who is going to hire this big dude to teach or be a part of society when his very existence frightens people? Why is the population afraid of him? Because he has the tattoos of his estranged people, the Winn, who most everyone in Sarakan fears and despises. Speaking of the Winn, they have a mission for Cork, a mission that will test his morals and what he knows is right and yet knows he must do. Cork’s mother is sick and slowly dying. The Winn have a way to save her, but they won’t do it unless Cork does what they say. Cork is accompanied by a prickly and unkind assassin named Nessa and a naïve, yet kind archer named Arabella. And Cork doesn’t know how to deal with them, he’s just a guy trying to make his way through a harsh world.
This story adds onto the backstory of this fan favorite character from the book The Envoys of War! And goodness is winter coming because Cork is fantastically brutal in this! He is a force to be reckoned with in this story and truly shines here. Despite his outward gruffness Cork has a big heart and truly cares about others. He knows how hard the world is, but the story explores how he feels and thinks in a beautiful way. And can I just say. He needs a hug. Because this large over 6-foot man is honestly great, and he doesn’t see it in himself.
Pawns, as I’ve been calling it, has amazing dialogue that gives the characters life, grounded visuals that bring the story to the forefront, and character descriptions that help flesh out everyone. I absolutely love Arabella as she grows in the story but still holds onto her kindness. She is nobility in spirit, and I totally relate to her! Nessa is like that one goth friend who plays with knives all the time and always seems to bring up your own imminent demise. She’s dangerous, but her story is tragically explored, and it explains her behavior. This story broke my tender little heart, but I honestly couldn’t see it as going any other way. So, if you’re interested in a novella that is filled with treachery, amazing world building and characters, and I would be remiss to exclude the authors trademark humor, and yes, this story has humor in it, then The Pawns of Havoc is for you! I can’t recommend this story enough!
About the Reviewer
S.R. Arrkewey is an epic fantasy author who wishes to captivate readers with intricate worlds and compelling characters. Living in a quiet, secluded cottage nestled by an imposing mountain, Arrkewey finds inspiration in the wonders of the cosmos and the whisper of the stories that flow over the whole of the multiverse.
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