"The False Pawn" by A.E. Asavi is a gripping fantasy novel that captivates with its intricate blend of political intrigue, mystery, and slow-burn romance. The story follows Anthea Clark, a PR specialist whose life takes a dramatic turn when she's swept into a treacherous realm of court politics and Elven conflicts. As Anthea navigates this dangerous new world, her resilience and cunning are tested, making for a compelling protagonist. While the time jumps can be a bit disorienting, the immersive world-building and vivid emotional landscape make this a standout read that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

I don't like giving bad reviews, but this book could just not hold my attention! I got well over a quarter into it and I was BORED. The writing was okay (not bad, but not great) used a lot of skips - where there would be one scene, then it would fast forward to later in the day with no real substance. It just felt too choppy and nothing interesting really happened. (I mean if you count her being thrust into a new world interesting then yes that is interesting, but after that nada) I'm not asking for everything to go so quickly, but she spends a full month just being a prisoner and them testing her with their magic. The connection between her and the 2 elves also just felt off and that there was no real substance there either. Unfortunately, I had to put it on the shelf for now. Maybe I will try again another day.

The False Pawn is a fantasy slow-burn romance that has a lot of political aspects in it. The romance took a backseat to the political plot and it was rather refreshing with books nowadays. The storyline was decent and the characters were interesting enough. The book is set up well to span over multiple books and I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes us. The FMC was easy to connect and empathize with, but she is a tad annoying at the beginning of the book. With politics playing a big part in the book, I didn’t find myself trusting anyone. The twist in the book took me completely by surprise which I loved because I can usually guess the twists and turns of books. Altogether The False Pawn is a great debut book and I can’t wait for the next in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and A. E. Asavi for providing the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC

A new dragon novel to devour. This was such a pleasant read. It was truly fantastical, a great start to a new fantasy series. I liked the atmosphere and worldbuilding and loved the fact that our mc is older. That was really refreshing. Highly recommend

Lies, intrigues and betrayal, but also kindness, longing and dreaminess. This book has it all. It feels as if, by the end of it, we barely scratched the first layer of this world, there's just so much more that you can sense lurking between the lines, waiting to be discovered. Anthea's emotions are raw, you can clearly feel them through the words, her pain and love incredibly vivid. I loved every part of it, stopping every once in a while to scream with her through it all. It's that sort of book that makes you dread the last page, leaves you wanting for more, never ready to say goodbye to the world it paints.
I can't wait for the second one, I have incredibly high hopes for it!

This book made me go through a roller coaster of emotions. I enjoyed the FMC, even after all she went through she never gave up. Can't wait to read the next book!

I really don’t like to give out bad reviews but I could not continue with this story anymore.
It had all the things I love: fantasy, romance, mystery. But there was just a lot of missing details for me and the FMC was confused most of the time, which then leaves the readers confused as well.
I liked the female MC and I liked her spicy attitude; but every single male character in this book was insufferable. Poor Anthea could not catch a break. Everyone was just making decisions on her behalf and keeping her in the dark about it. The plot was so repetitive and incredibly frustrating. I made it to 70% before I called it quits. I had no desire to keep going in order to find out how everything wrapped up and that is so upsetting to me. I was really hoping to enjoy this story more.

Wow that was an incredibly debut! I found all the things I love in this book, it has fantasy, mystery, romance. The presence of elves made me very happy because it is something different from what we are used to seeing in most fantasy books.

The FMC, Anthea, wasn't my favorite but I really understand her. She's the type of character who does what needs to be done and honestly, she's absolutely right.

The only thing that bothered me a little was the amount of time jumps, I think there could be a little less but it is really just a detail.

Title: The False Pawn by A. E. Asavi

Release date: March, 10th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Get ready to be enchanted!

A thrilling fantasy novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Anthea Clark, a PR specialist with a knack for polishing the reputations of the rich and notorious, finds her mundane existence turned upside down when she encounters a mysterious stranger who knows her by name.

In the blink of an eye, Anthea is whisked away from her familiar world and plunged into the treacherous realm of court politics, far from everything she knows. Captured by two enigmatic Elven princes on the brink of war, Anthea must navigate a world where trust is a rare commodity and survival depends on cunning and resilience.

This novel is a captivating blend of fantasy, mystery, deception, betrayal, and a touch of spice. The female main character (FMC) is a compelling protagonist, trying to make sense of her new world and the undesirable situations she's thrust into. Her point of view allows readers to experience the mysteries and uncertainties of this realm alongside her.

The world-building is immersive, drawing you into a realm where nothing is as it seems and danger lurks around every corner.

"The False Pawn" is a thrilling adventure that combines elements of fantasy, mystery, and romance into a compelling narrative. Anthea's journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and the quest for truth in a world that is on the brink of war.

A. E. Asavi has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a standout in the fantasy genre. If you're looking for a book that will transport you to another world and keep you guessing until the very end, look no further than "The False Pawn."

Thank you to The Author A. E. Asavi & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

The False Pawn by A.E. Asavi
Rating: 4/5

Fantasy, mystery, and deception intertwine with slow-burn romance, dragons, and a touch of spice in “The False Pawn”, an ideal read for fans of plot-driven romantasy brimming with political intrigue.

Anthea Clark feels trapped and overwhelmed as she turns 30, struggling to keep her life in order. Her somewhat manageable reality shatters when a mysterious stranger who knows her name appears. Suddenly, she is thrust into a dangerous world of court politics in a distant realm where humans are second-class citizens.

Captured by two enigmatic Elven princes in a land on the brink of war, Anthea must rely on her cunning and resilience to navigate this treacherous environment and protect her heart.

This book is a fantastic blend of fantasy, mystery, deception, betrayal, and a bit of spice.

The female main character (FMC) navigates a new world, facing undesirable situations and uncertain intentions. Through her perspective, we experience her frustrations and desperation, skilfully conveyed by the author.

The male main character (MMC) is an enigmatic figure, initially appearing to be one person but potentially another.

While the romance leans more towards physical than emotional connection, it suits the FMC's current situation. This slow-burn romance sets the stage for future instalments.

In conclusion, I found it to be a delightful read, and I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment of the story!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author, A. E. Asavi, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

SO SO SO GOOD. LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THIS BOOK. I RATED THIS BOOK 4 STARS AND I LOVED THE CHARACTERS AND THE PLOT OF IT.