2.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Anthea is the responsible workaholic older sister - I enjoyed the beginning banter with her sisters and the parts about the cats on the counters.. I really would have enjoyed more from the sisters or even flashbacks with the sisters later on in the books. Anthea goes out and gets intoxicated one night and ends up in a magical world with elves.. she had no idea magic existed and had never heard of such a place. There’s intricate world building with a unique magic system, heavy politics, and different courts. Humans are taken as slaves in this world and Anthea finds herself as a slave to a Prince of the crimson court….. but eventually she sneaks away to another court and there we have the start of a love triangle. Things aren’t what they seem - how come Anthea is immune to the spells thrown her way, how come she can understand this ancient tongue? Anthea reads up at the library to learn more and ends up training in the nephrite court .

I’ll be honest it was hard for me to get through this book - I felt like I was drowning in the politics and it felt really repetitive. I didn’t love Anthea & I really didn’t care for the love interests. I found myself bored throughout most of the book waiting for something interesting to happen. There were some funny moments sprinkled throughout and the ending brought this book from a 2 to a 2.5 for me.

I think there is an audience of fantasy lovers who will enjoy this book, but sadly it wasn’t for me. I would be interested in reading more from the author in the future.

I almost ~ALMOST~ DNF'd this one because the beginning felt slow and wasn't holding my attention. BUT. I'm glad I stuck with it. After trudging through about twenty percent of the book it started to get interesting and then I couldn't stop reading. I enjoyed Anthea reading/ trying to manipulate those around her and was pleasantly surprised by the twist. There are two love interests introduced, but really after a certain turn of events (without spoiling things) there is only one she should even be interested in. There were a lot of names and characters introduced, and they all started to sound the same. I felt like I was constantly having to think about and try to remember who each person was. Which was annoying. The ending had me hooked though - I will be continuing the series! Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

This debut novel offers a unique blend of fantasy and suspense, but it didn't fully deliver for me. The main character, who finds herself in a strange and dangerous new world, spends much of the story in the dark, with key details only revealed much later. This created a lot of buildup without many answers until the end, which made the pacing feel slow at times.

While the FMC is thrust into intense situations, the romance felt forced and didn't add much depth to the plot. The manipulation and deceit she faces are central to the story, but her reactions felt a bit too forgiving given what she goes through. That said, the novel does a solid job of setting the stage for future books, and I'm curious to see where the story goes next.

I love this book so much! I’m so glad that the next one is coming out in February, and that I didn’t read it any earlier because that cliffhanger was a killer.
I appreciate the overall story as it followed the popular romantasy plot line of human meets magic folk and discoveries hidden abilities - as a simple human who wishes that this was possible IRL, I’m a sucker for it. I also thought it was interesting that the FMC didn’t spot all of the breadcrumbs or immediately see the bad behavior of the elves that surrounded her in real time. That she didn’t suddenly become able to intuit their every move because she’d been there for a little while made it more realistic to me. As a captive Anthea tried to be smart and plot against her captors, but like many of us, she simultaneously remained naive and hopeful, until she actions of those around her taught her to expect and respond differently. Some reviewers were annoyed by this but I think it made her relatable - because I’d probably be hoping against hope that those around me weren’t betraying me left and right too. It’s only because I read these types of book 24/7 that I tend to pick up on the plot twists AGES before they come up - so I’m not sure it’s fair to expect the character living it to see each situation for what it is in real time. Stayed up until 12am to read the 70 pages last night and I have no regrets!
Love this is a debut novel and can’t wait to see what this author sends our way next!

A very refreshing fantasy romance with political aspects.
Well written with interesting characters.
The FMC was powerfull and very well portrait editor .
The MMX was intriguing and very mysterious.
I had a good time with it.

Here’s your review for The False Pawn by A.E. Asavi:

I genuinely enjoyed The False Pawn, a promising debut novel by A.E. Asavi. The story kicks off with Athena, the FMC from a modern time period, crossing paths with multiple Far courts in conflict—a premise that gets interesting quickly. The intrigue and tension between the courts pulled me in right away.

While the overall story was engaging, the pacing felt a bit uneven. Some parts, like the initial romance and the time spent in the first court, felt rushed, leaving me wanting more depth. On the other hand, certain sections leaned heavily into political machinations, which slowed things down for me. I also found the mix of modern language with the fantastical world and mythical creatures slightly jarring at times, though not enough to detract from the experience.

Despite these minor critiques, I really enjoyed the direction the story took. A.E. Asavi crafted a unique blend of modern and mythical that I’m curious to see developed further in book 2. If you’re looking for a fresh take on fantasy with compelling courtly drama, give this one a go—I’ll definitely be following the series!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this title!

It was definitely a nice debut novel! I liked that it had fantasy, mistery and romance and action. I really liked the premises and the thought of the story and world. I did find however i was not able to enjoy the story fills unfortunately.

The romance felt a bit forced and just not something i was enjoing as much as I wanted to. There were certain aspects to the characters that made me dislike them on some level a bit and it made it more difficult for me to get into the story and relate to the characters.

I did enjoy the magic system and the action this book had to give and I do think it sed the premises for book 2 perfectly! I did find the writing style nice as well!

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher as well as the author for a advanced reader copy in exchange of an honest review.

This whole story is about a world where humans are slaves to elves. Sounds good, right? It was okay. I have to say a little forgettable in the height of the romantasy genre. I think it was a well written debut, but ultimately not my cup of tea. I appreciate the opportunity to read!

This book was a little slow at some points but I gave it a chance to the end. Safe to say it was alright. I will read the next one to see where it goes from here.

I enjoyed this story, and I’m looking forward to the next book. I liked that our FMC, Anthea, is in her 30s and has no innate fighting skills; she is a refreshing change from the stabby teenage protagonist that features in so many stories lately! Anthea is very confused, scared, and unwilling to trust those around her - completely understandable in my opinion, though it did take me a little while to warm up to her.

This book has it all: political intrigue, court politics, prophecies! I really felt the FMCs frustration, being thrust into a world she has no knowledge of, being kept in the dark by those who promise to protect her and keep her safe, being betrayed and not knowing who to trust. Anthea is being used as a pawn as elven kings try to outmanoeuvre their political rivals, and she is desperately seeking scraps of knowledge to piece together the bigger picture and strengthen her position in the courts she finds herself in.

I loved that this book was very heavy on the plot and world building, with the romance elements taking more of a back seat. With so many morally grey characters, it was hard to tell who truly had Anthea’s best interests at heart, and if anyone was worthy of her trust. The second half of this book was really well paced and hard to put down!

The story moved very quickly at the beginning (perhaps a little TOO quickly) but it helped to put us in Anthea’s shoes, suddenly plucked from one life and dumped into another with no time to adjust!

The way this story ended has me so excited for the next book! This book featured a lot of world building and has definitely set up for a very interesting series. I cant wait to read the second book, and I would recommend this story!

Not my style, I couldn't really connect with any of the characters and the plot seemed to be going no where.

This was really easy to get into and I enjoyed the world and the setting. There's politics, intrigue and spice which is the perfect balance. The only downside is that I didn't feel that connected to the main characters which took me out the story a bit but I still enjoyed it overall!

I really enjoyed this book. The FMC is trying to navigate her way through a new world filled with lies, betrayal, blossoming romance and horror on her part.. In a world where humans are slaves to the elves Thea has to go into battle mode and decided who she can and can't trust especially when she finds herself the chosen one spoken of in a prophecy... the world building was awesome and the characters really made the book. Can't wait to find out what happens

After a night out with friends, Anthea finds herself taken to the land of Isluma where she is held prisoner by the princes that live there. She makes a bargain with the princes to stay in their court and live by their rules. She is to serve their every desire.

Anthea is a strong female character. She is not willing to sit by and idly play a pawn in the princes' game. I enjoyed that Anthea spoke up and fought back against the demands that the Princes placed on her. This works out in her favour, as she starts working with the princes as a team to try to fight back against the rival court, the Obsidian court.

Some frustrated aspects of this book was its lack of world building. I found that the book was not long enough and did not offer its readers enough backstory to understand the inner workings of Isluma and the different courts. It would have been nice to have more detail provided surrounding the fictional world.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the second installment.

A decent debut novel!

The False Pawn is a fantasy slow-burn romance that has a lot of political aspects in it.

The storyline was interesting and the characters were pretty decent. The world building was also good.
The book is set up well to be a series.

Although the writing could use some work as all new authors can, overall I would say a great start!

If you like: fantasy, mystery, deception, betrayal, and a bit of spice you should definitly give it a try!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this captivating fantasy romance, the author weaves a beautifully intricate world filled with magic, adventure, and an undeniable chemistry between the protagonists. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a richly imagined landscape where the stakes are high, and love transcends boundaries.

The characters are delightfully complex, each facing their own trials and transformations. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s true self. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making every shared moment feel electric and deeply meaningful.

The plot is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with tender, intimate scenes that linger long after the book is closed. The author’s lyrical prose brings the settings to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of this enchanting world.

Overall, this book is a delightful escape that deftly combines elements of fantasy and romance. It’s a testament to the power of love and the strength found in vulnerability. Perfect for fans of the genre, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical journey of the heart!

The False Pawn is a romantasy about Althea Clark, a normal 30-year-old who is mysteriously whisked away from her normal life into another world. She’s captured by two elven princes and plunged into the treacherous world of court politics, where humans are enslaved, used, and abused. She will do anything to return home to her dear sisters.

I wanted to try this story as an entrance into romantasy. The book was not for me. The story and world are interesting, but the writing style was not my favorite and the pacing was quite slow. It was too dark for me and twists the standard stereotypes of elf culture and society, which I found off-putting. It was also too spicy for me. Romantasy is probably not my genre.

The novel reads a little like Game of Thrones and reminds me of what I’ve heard about Fourth Wing, though I haven’t read it. Fans of those stories who love lots of world building and heart-to-heart conversation may enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 3.25 stars/review contains spoilers
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the e-book.
Spice: 🌶️

I thought this book was decent, especially for a debut novel. Our FMC ends up in the elven world of Isluma after she's been out drinking (an unknown man put spells on her, this plot line will likely come back up in Book 2, at least I hope so), and ends up in Prince Endreth's bed. No one is really who they seem at first and the princes keep her in the dark about their intentions (the politics are a little confusing w/ the world building because you're introduced to everyone pretty quickly).
Also the MC's just treat women/humans terribly and the bit of spice that occurs is meant to be slow burn--the relationship is just 0 to 100 w/ it becoming sexual. Pacing could have been better.
The plot twist where Prince Endreth betrays her and was always going to give her the court; very clever and didn't see that coming. The ending was kind of sudden, even if it wasn't necessarily a cliff hanger. She makes her way through the caves and into the human territory, and Althea is blindfolded by the humans. And the warrior Eldrion waits for her in the town because he believes she's still alive. I think their romance has more potential and there is a lot of *smoldering* between them. Depending on the release date for book 2...not sure if I'd stick around to read it!

Thank you Netgalley + Publishers for this !

I did not think I would have enjoyed this as much as I did .

Enemies to lovers , strong FMC , bloody MMC , and really good world building !

This is definitely a Romantacy girlies book !

I don’t think it was anything crazy special , but it was very enjoyable !!

Absolutely LOVED this debut novel by A.E. Asavi. The False Pawn had me gripped from the get go. Great world building with mild spice.
Finally an FMC that isn’t completely inept or self deprecating. I need to know what happens to Anthea, does she make it home?!… is the next book ready to be published yet?!?
If you’re an ACOTAR fan (check!), a Fourth Wing Fan (check!), then this book is for you.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.