Galley Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

Pawn by Aimee Carter

To Be Published November 26, 2013 by Harlequin Teen

Source: Netgalley with permission from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister’s niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There’s only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that’s not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she’s only beginning to understand.

Previously titled Masked.

I really enjoyed Ms. Carter’s The Goddess Test series, so when I saw that she was going to write a dystopian series, I was so there!!

With all the dystopians coming out recently, I really, really felt that Ms. Carter did a wonderful job for creating a unique and intriguing story. Upon their seventeenth birthday, they have to take a test to determine how they will be categorized for job placement and basically social status. Lily had always dreamed of becoming a VI, but when she takes her test and runs out of time, she is left being a III. III’s are in the lower social classes and she would be moved to Denver soon to start her job. Away from the only mother she has ever known and the most important person in her life, her boyfriend, Benjy. She hatches a plan and although it is risky, she needs to stay close to Benjy. What she doesn’t know is that the choices she makes will change her life forever.

This book really kept me guessing. I could never tell or imagine what would happen next. Ms. Carter did a great job with surprising the reader with so many twists and turns. There literally were times that I had to stop and take a breath because I could not believe that had just happened. Some points in this book were down right heartbraking but I literally could not stop myself from reading it.

I enjoyed all of the characters but Knox would have to be my favorite. I liked that he stuck by Kitty’s side and was determined to keep her safe. I really think that they have a special spark and although I would feel really sorry for Benjy, I really hope that Knox and Kitty will end up together.

I am really having a hard time putting into words how much this book was thoroughly enjoyable. It made me put faith back into the world of dystopians and want to go search for my next great read! Ms. Carter created a unique world where the guards are trigger happy and hunting the elderly has become a sport. I am telling you, you have to read it!!! You will be left breathless as well!