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Against the Odds #1
The Pawn
Against the Book One
Adam Challoner was born a member of the wealthy elite, but he can’t forget that his power and comfort come from the suffering of the vast underclass—people oppressed by the very regime that keeps him safe. Living with that knowledge is uncomfortable to say the least. When Adam meets Remy Stone, his discomfort becomes intolerable.
Get in, seduce his target, give him all he could ever dream of, then get out—that’s Remy’s assignment. No man has ever been able to resist Remy before, but Adam Challoner is unlike any of Remy’s previous clients. In a world where Big Brother is always watching, Remy needs to perform his assigned duties in order to survive, but Adam seems to be as oblivious to that as he is to Remy’s charms.
Luckily, Remy’s determination to accomplish his mission piques Adam’s interest. But just when Remy’s hard work starts to pay off, a rebel bomb attack interrupts their would-be tryst. Unforeseen circumstances force them apart, then throw them back together. And just as they discover new reasons to live, they realize some things are worth dying for.
Adam Challoner was born a member of the wealthy elite, but he can’t forget that his power and comfort come from the suffering of the vast underclass—people oppressed by the very regime that keeps him safe. Living with that knowledge is uncomfortable to say the least. When Adam meets Remy Stone, his discomfort becomes intolerable.
Get in, seduce his target, give him all he could ever dream of, then get out—that’s Remy’s assignment. No man has ever been able to resist Remy before, but Adam Challoner is unlike any of Remy’s previous clients. In a world where Big Brother is always watching, Remy needs to perform his assigned duties in order to survive, but Adam seems to be as oblivious to that as he is to Remy’s charms.
Luckily, Remy’s determination to accomplish his mission piques Adam’s interest. But just when Remy’s hard work starts to pay off, a rebel bomb attack interrupts their would-be tryst. Unforeseen circumstances force them apart, then throw them back together. And just as they discover new reasons to live, they realize some things are worth dying for.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2013
5 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 5, 2013
Hmmm. Slave fic via the Occupy movement
The first 60% wasgood verging on very good. I'd like Sherwood to rewrite the last third.
My kneejerk rating was 2.5 rounded down to a 2, but overnight the ending rankled more and more. Don't let my opinion put you off. After all, I thought the end of Guttersnipe was too happy. I think other people will enjoy this more than I did. I'd like to suggest Leanne's review as an alternative viewpoint.
But, just . . . really?
EDIT: in the comments ttg asked me if it was the overall HEA that annoyed me, so it's probably worth clarifying here; no, it's not the HEA
My issue is that the ending is completely ludicrous. Yes, it's too happy, but I'm more annoyed at the events that were portrayed to have taken place.
Total spoiler for the end of book =
seriously??
Also, it's worse, because the first part was so good. I was debating if it was a 4 or if I could justify it being a 5 just for the believable way Sherwood handled someone in the MCs situation, and the clever tying of the storyworld to the events and themes of Occupy. Clever, thoughtful, intelligent dystopia. Didn't ruin it with gratuitous sex or insta-love. There's a simply marvellous scene between the MC and Challoner
Astounding (actually, thinking, it would have been a 4.75).
And then. (TOTAL SPOILER!!)I still can't believe she did that.
Ruined the whole, glorious, marvellous book.
The first 60% was
My kneejerk rating was 2.5 rounded down to a 2, but overnight the ending rankled more and more. Don't let my opinion put you off. After all, I thought the end of Guttersnipe was too happy. I think other people will enjoy this more than I did. I'd like to suggest Leanne's review as an alternative viewpoint.
But, just . . . really?
EDIT: in the comments ttg asked me if it was the overall HEA that annoyed me, so it's probably worth clarifying here; no, it's not the HEA
My issue is that the ending is completely ludicrous. Yes, it's too happy, but I'm more annoyed at the events that were portrayed to have taken place.
Total spoiler for the end of book =
seriously??
Also, it's worse, because the first part was so good. I was debating if it was a 4 or if I could justify it being a 5 just for the believable way Sherwood handled someone in the MCs situation, and the clever tying of the storyworld to the events and themes of Occupy. Clever, thoughtful, intelligent dystopia. Didn't ruin it with gratuitous sex or insta-love. There's a simply marvellous scene between the MC and Challoner
Astounding (actually, thinking, it would have been a 4.75).
And then. (TOTAL SPOILER!!)I still can't believe she did that.
Ruined the whole, glorious, marvellous book.
March 3, 2013
4.5 stars
I loved this quiet, intense story of Remy, a man who's been a prostitute living in slave-like conditions since the age of 9. When he first meets Adam he is cocky and arrogant and throws himself into the seduction with robot-like efficiency. Adam is not so easily seduced, but that first meeting sets off a chain of events that has Remy slowly emerging from the fearful and mindless drudgery of his day to day existence into something tentatively hopeful.
I would have liked to have found out more of what makes Adam tick but I suspect that more will be revealed in book two, The Knight. I can't wait to see more of Remy and Adam being an actual couple, solidifying their relationship and working through the obvious issues of Remy recovering from years and years of sexual and physical abuse.
Sparse and haunting with a decent plot and interesting supporting characters- this is going to be a fascinating series!
I loved this quiet, intense story of Remy, a man who's been a prostitute living in slave-like conditions since the age of 9. When he first meets Adam he is cocky and arrogant and throws himself into the seduction with robot-like efficiency. Adam is not so easily seduced, but that first meeting sets off a chain of events that has Remy slowly emerging from the fearful and mindless drudgery of his day to day existence into something tentatively hopeful.
I would have liked to have found out more of what makes Adam tick but I suspect that more will be revealed in book two, The Knight. I can't wait to see more of Remy and Adam being an actual couple, solidifying their relationship and working through the obvious issues of Remy recovering from years and years of sexual and physical abuse.
Sparse and haunting with a decent plot and interesting supporting characters- this is going to be a fascinating series!
October 14, 2013
This is the near-future story of a man who was orphaned in a failed colonial revolt at age nine, and essentially enslaved (despite calling it a "contract") to a man who runs sex workers and gathers information on his wealthy clients. Remy has grown up to become very, very good at his job. Then he's sent as an unwanted gift to spend time with Adam, a man whose motives are more honorable than Remy ever expected to find, and who is tangled up in the chance of a new revolution.
I really enjoyed the character of Remy, and his struggles to find dignity and control in the life of sex-work and information-gathering that had been forced on him. I thought he was well drawn and believable, against the backdrop of Adam's privileged almost-innocence. And I was cheering for him to break out of his constraints, and pleased that the author didn't just have him suddenly shrug off every remnant of his past and his conditioning. I definitely empathized with him.
The plot was light, but a reasonable backdrop, although the end came too quickly and easily. In a society where, despite the heavy automated surveillance measures, enforcement is still done by humans, I envisioned something far more serious and chaotic. So I felt a little dropped out of the story at the end. But it was Remy who pulled me back in, and sent me looking for the next book to find out how the next part of the story goes.
I really enjoyed the character of Remy, and his struggles to find dignity and control in the life of sex-work and information-gathering that had been forced on him. I thought he was well drawn and believable, against the backdrop of Adam's privileged almost-innocence. And I was cheering for him to break out of his constraints, and pleased that the author didn't just have him suddenly shrug off every remnant of his past and his conditioning. I definitely empathized with him.
The plot was light, but a reasonable backdrop, although the end came too quickly and easily. In a society where, despite the heavy automated surveillance measures, enforcement is still done by humans, I envisioned something far more serious and chaotic. So I felt a little dropped out of the story at the end. But it was Remy who pulled me back in, and sent me looking for the next book to find out how the next part of the story goes.
February 27, 2013
3 1/2 - 4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Remy is a sex worker, but his contract means he is more like a slave, told to seduce a target and get whatever information he can on the man Remy thinks it will be a piece of cake, but finds that Adam Challoner is a more complex man than he ever thought. Adam is mightily tempted to sample Remy’s charms, but he has qualms about using someone who will report all his actions, when a rebel bomb interrupts them they are forced to go separate ways, but Adam has to see Remy again and before long Remy’s eyes are opened and there is no turning back.
This is a very interesting futuristic/science fiction story, where the North American government is big brother and you had better do what they want and stay in your place. Remy was sold when he was only nine; his family had been on a colony planet that rebelled against the Government and was completely wiped out, Remy is now a sex worker doing as he is told, but meeting Adam shakes the very foundation of his being and sets him on a path that there is no turning back from. Adam hates the way North America is; he lived in Europe for many years and is disgusted by his own Government, but complaining will get him killed, any sign of discontent will have a boot heel on his neck and being dragged in for interrogation. Meeting Remy is hard for Adam as he fights his attraction; he will not take advantage of someone who has no choice in his life, but there is something about Remy that keeps drawing him back.
This is far from your typical romance, in fact there is very little in the way of romance and much more in the way of plot and storyline. Remy and Adam are brilliant characters and although there is something between them, especially more notably with Adam, this story is more focused on the iron gripped control of the Government and the dismal treatment of anyone without money. I really would love to go in-depth with this story, but I really don’t want to give any of the storyline away because the blurb only reveals a small amount of what you can expect to enjoy, all I can really say is that there’s secrets and intrigue that really pull you in and make this story enjoyable.
I would love to say that Remy and Adam fall madly in love and they live happily ever after, but they don’t, in fact Remy is so confused that he really doesn’t know what a normal reaction is, he is so used to doing what he has to and anticipating what the client wants that Adam completely throws him. Adam won’t take advantage of Remy no matter how much Remy throws himself at him; it doesn’t mean that Adam doesn’t struggle to keep his hands to himself because he fights himself hard to keep things feeling right. After reading this book, I now want to know more and I really can’t wait for the next and final book The Knight.
I will recommend this story to those who love complicated relationships, damaged young men, feeling hope, secrets, intrigue and an ending that could be a new beginning.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Remy is a sex worker, but his contract means he is more like a slave, told to seduce a target and get whatever information he can on the man Remy thinks it will be a piece of cake, but finds that Adam Challoner is a more complex man than he ever thought. Adam is mightily tempted to sample Remy’s charms, but he has qualms about using someone who will report all his actions, when a rebel bomb interrupts them they are forced to go separate ways, but Adam has to see Remy again and before long Remy’s eyes are opened and there is no turning back.
This is a very interesting futuristic/science fiction story, where the North American government is big brother and you had better do what they want and stay in your place. Remy was sold when he was only nine; his family had been on a colony planet that rebelled against the Government and was completely wiped out, Remy is now a sex worker doing as he is told, but meeting Adam shakes the very foundation of his being and sets him on a path that there is no turning back from. Adam hates the way North America is; he lived in Europe for many years and is disgusted by his own Government, but complaining will get him killed, any sign of discontent will have a boot heel on his neck and being dragged in for interrogation. Meeting Remy is hard for Adam as he fights his attraction; he will not take advantage of someone who has no choice in his life, but there is something about Remy that keeps drawing him back.
This is far from your typical romance, in fact there is very little in the way of romance and much more in the way of plot and storyline. Remy and Adam are brilliant characters and although there is something between them, especially more notably with Adam, this story is more focused on the iron gripped control of the Government and the dismal treatment of anyone without money. I really would love to go in-depth with this story, but I really don’t want to give any of the storyline away because the blurb only reveals a small amount of what you can expect to enjoy, all I can really say is that there’s secrets and intrigue that really pull you in and make this story enjoyable.
I would love to say that Remy and Adam fall madly in love and they live happily ever after, but they don’t, in fact Remy is so confused that he really doesn’t know what a normal reaction is, he is so used to doing what he has to and anticipating what the client wants that Adam completely throws him. Adam won’t take advantage of Remy no matter how much Remy throws himself at him; it doesn’t mean that Adam doesn’t struggle to keep his hands to himself because he fights himself hard to keep things feeling right. After reading this book, I now want to know more and I really can’t wait for the next and final book The Knight.
I will recommend this story to those who love complicated relationships, damaged young men, feeling hope, secrets, intrigue and an ending that could be a new beginning.
March 5, 2013
Need to organize thoughts first (good luck to me) before I can write a proper review for this book. For now, though, I'd like to say that this was heartbreaking, romantic, thrilling, and hopeful. I do understand Emma's point about how convenient the ending was, I didn't expect it would be that easy myself, but I didn't mind it so much since I was so in love with Remy and his journey. He was such an interesting character and I can't wait to see him discover real desire in the sequel.
Read
March 5, 2013Not sure how to rate this. This action packed story kept me riveted and I read through this book in one sitting, enjoying both the characters and the plot. On the other hand, once I was done, I sort of had a feeling that I hadn't read anything very memorable. So, I guess that for me, this was a fun 3 hours, but not one for re-reading.
April 14, 2013
The futuristic stuff is weird. I know I'm not one to judge someone else's universe or their interpretation, per se, but it just Seems...incomplete.
Like the author didn't quite commit to it. Either that or went in a weird direction.
Of course, now that line from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead comes back to me ("Audiences know what to expect, and that is all they are prepared to believe in.") so I don't know if my argument is valid at all. But then, you know what, I'm part of the illogical audience known as humanity, so I object.
I think it's all "retro" stuff. It's weird that they would keep referring to things that exist now like that. Makes it feel like the author arbitrarily decided to make it "futuristic" because xe either didn't want to research what does and doesn't exist now or wanted some gimmicky way to explain away certain elements the author wanted to magically include somehow.
That's probably why it feels like the author didn't really commit to xer world. It makes it feel like the author's almost apologetic about it.
I didn't have as much issue with the tablet thing because that's the direction most people seem to think technology is going in, especially as, in our world, tablets are growing in processing power and capabilities and such. Me, I can't quite picture "typing" on a tablet. I like the feel of the pressure of the keys so I know when I'm actually typing and when I'm not. It makes me feel like I'm not typing gibberish.
There are a couple of times when the phrasing's really...weird...
Remy's insight was interesting/weird. It was kind of cool because you could see the effects of the whole thing on his psyche, but it was subtle and well-worked.
Until the random "I will fight with you" moment.
That was Marius moment if ever I've seen one.
But then it goes right back to the previous mindset, which is a bit weird, but makes sense.
It was nice/interesting because Remy didn't seem like a dysfuncional small child. So often with this character type the narration comes off sounding like we're dealing with a terrified child. You know, between the cringing and groveling and sniveling and sobbing and all that. ...that came out harsher than I meant for it to. Argh, I can't think of any other way to describe it. I mean, I know regression is considered a perfectly viable defense mechanism, but it just...well, can get annoying.
Remy actually felt like an adult. An adult with a certain set of trained responses, yes, but still an adult (as opposed to a traumatized teenager).
But then...maybe I just haven't been paying attention to the ages of other characters and they actually ARE teenagers... *shrug
Actually, the way Remy referred to himself was an interesting point, also. I liked the way it was lampshaded. I also liked that it was lampshaded at all. It would have been extremely weird if Challanor hadn't picked up on so obvious a nuance that.
Remy's insight on during the whole was interesting, too. I liked the way the author explored his mindset.
I didn't have much issues with the . But then, I knew it was coming.
Actually, Emma, if you read this, I didn't have issues with Remy's apparently Heel Face Turn because to me it seemed more like he was transferring his...allegiance?...codependency?...whatever...to Challoner. So, in a sense, Challanor went from simply "a client" to basically "The Master," for want of better terms.
I mean, for all that he seems to bear enmity towards Challoner, that mostly just stems from him not knowing waht to do to please him.
One point of concern: the orgasm pills.
Now, when they say "behind the molars," they mean between the molar and the cheeck, right? They don't ACTUALLY mean "behind the molars." They can't; there's no way you can physiologically lodge a pill there and not accidentally swallow it when you try to talk/open your mouth.
But then...if it's against the cheek, wouldn't it cause a bulge? Unless it's not large...
Ah, conundrums...
But anyways. As the revolution starts spreading, it starts getting...dare I say stupid?
Ridiculous, at the very least.
That's when it started getting weird.
I mean, Remy magically develops a self identity, people are suddenly willing to jump on the potential-suicide-boat, things start getting pedestrian...all sorts of shit.
Did I forget anything? Oh, yeah. How could I have forgotten?
Remy starts to develop Loooooove~
Like magic.
Remy's complete personality makeover was annoyingly instantaneous. I mean, up until that "spread the word!" point, it was quite good.
The last 10% was extremely stupid.
See Emma's review for more information.
(It cost it its "magnum opus" status. And it's >3 star rating. Sheesh.)
Makes me wonder...did the author run out of time, had to race the deadline or something (the way Rowling did)?
You know what the author needs?
What do you mean, you "don't know how to end this"?
So you're just giving up? You're just going to throw in some token deus ex machina and then make your readers wait for book two?
No! That is not what you do!
ETA:
I also am definitely NOT enamored of the cover.
Like the author didn't quite commit to it. Either that or went in a weird direction.
Of course, now that line from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead comes back to me ("Audiences know what to expect, and that is all they are prepared to believe in.") so I don't know if my argument is valid at all. But then, you know what, I'm part of the illogical audience known as humanity, so I object.
I think it's all "retro" stuff. It's weird that they would keep referring to things that exist now like that. Makes it feel like the author arbitrarily decided to make it "futuristic" because xe either didn't want to research what does and doesn't exist now or wanted some gimmicky way to explain away certain elements the author wanted to magically include somehow.
That's probably why it feels like the author didn't really commit to xer world. It makes it feel like the author's almost apologetic about it.
I didn't have as much issue with the tablet thing because that's the direction most people seem to think technology is going in, especially as, in our world, tablets are growing in processing power and capabilities and such. Me, I can't quite picture "typing" on a tablet. I like the feel of the pressure of the keys so I know when I'm actually typing and when I'm not. It makes me feel like I'm not typing gibberish.
There are a couple of times when the phrasing's really...weird...
Remy's insight was interesting/weird. It was kind of cool because you could see the effects of the whole thing on his psyche, but it was subtle and well-worked.
Until the random "I will fight with you" moment.
That was Marius moment if ever I've seen one.
But then it goes right back to the previous mindset, which is a bit weird, but makes sense.
It was nice/interesting because Remy didn't seem like a dysfuncional small child. So often with this character type the narration comes off sounding like we're dealing with a terrified child. You know, between the cringing and groveling and sniveling and sobbing and all that. ...that came out harsher than I meant for it to. Argh, I can't think of any other way to describe it. I mean, I know regression is considered a perfectly viable defense mechanism, but it just...well, can get annoying.
Remy actually felt like an adult. An adult with a certain set of trained responses, yes, but still an adult (as opposed to a traumatized teenager).
But then...maybe I just haven't been paying attention to the ages of other characters and they actually ARE teenagers... *shrug
Actually, the way Remy referred to himself was an interesting point, also. I liked the way it was lampshaded. I also liked that it was lampshaded at all. It would have been extremely weird if Challanor hadn't picked up on so obvious a nuance that.
Remy's insight on during the whole was interesting, too. I liked the way the author explored his mindset.
I didn't have much issues with the . But then, I knew it was coming.
Actually, Emma, if you read this, I didn't have issues with Remy's apparently Heel Face Turn because to me it seemed more like he was transferring his...allegiance?...codependency?...whatever...to Challoner. So, in a sense, Challanor went from simply "a client" to basically "The Master," for want of better terms.
I mean, for all that he seems to bear enmity towards Challoner, that mostly just stems from him not knowing waht to do to please him.
One point of concern: the orgasm pills.
Now, when they say "behind the molars," they mean between the molar and the cheeck, right? They don't ACTUALLY mean "behind the molars." They can't; there's no way you can physiologically lodge a pill there and not accidentally swallow it when you try to talk/open your mouth.
But then...if it's against the cheek, wouldn't it cause a bulge? Unless it's not large...
Ah, conundrums...
But anyways. As the revolution starts spreading, it starts getting...dare I say stupid?
Ridiculous, at the very least.
That's when it started getting weird.
I mean, Remy magically develops a self identity, people are suddenly willing to jump on the potential-suicide-boat, things start getting pedestrian...all sorts of shit.
Did I forget anything? Oh, yeah. How could I have forgotten?
Remy starts to develop Loooooove~
Like magic.
Remy's complete personality makeover was annoyingly instantaneous. I mean, up until that "spread the word!" point, it was quite good.
The last 10% was extremely stupid.
See Emma's review for more information.
(It cost it its "magnum opus" status. And it's >3 star rating. Sheesh.)
Makes me wonder...did the author run out of time, had to race the deadline or something (the way Rowling did)?
You know what the author needs?
What do you mean, you "don't know how to end this"?
So you're just giving up? You're just going to throw in some token deus ex machina and then make your readers wait for book two?
No! That is not what you do!
ETA:
I also am definitely NOT enamored of the cover.
November 6, 2016
Owned and indentured prostitute, the nobel but naive client, and the ultimate game of chess
The first two-thirds of this intriguing story explores a whore's life in a modern dystopian world echoing both of the economic and political oppression outlined by Dickens and Orwell. The interplay between the prostitute and his nobel but naive (and very wealthy) client has a nice mix of the slow slipping of a thick mask worn to please others (in order to simply survive) with eye-opening realities for the a powerful man who seems unable to help.
The last third is less about personal relationships and a bit pat (it is a romance novel rather than an entirely dark urban-fantasy). However, I found the societal musings and the need to break some shackles to be entertaining and enjoyable reading if a bit simplistic and brief.
A solid read for those looking for some personal darkness before heroes need to sacrifice the pawn to threaten the King.
The first two-thirds of this intriguing story explores a whore's life in a modern dystopian world echoing both of the economic and political oppression outlined by Dickens and Orwell. The interplay between the prostitute and his nobel but naive (and very wealthy) client has a nice mix of the slow slipping of a thick mask worn to please others (in order to simply survive) with eye-opening realities for the a powerful man who seems unable to help.
The last third is less about personal relationships and a bit pat (it is a romance novel rather than an entirely dark urban-fantasy). However, I found the societal musings and the need to break some shackles to be entertaining and enjoyable reading if a bit simplistic and brief.
A solid read for those looking for some personal darkness before heroes need to sacrifice the pawn to threaten the King.
March 31, 2013
Boy, does Kate Sherwood know how to write or what?!
North America is ruled by a corrupt government, although it's never explained why or what happened. Remy is an expensive prostitute who meets up with Adam, someone who is sincere and kind and is unhappy with the have/have not standard of living. Remy slowly and reluctantly emerges from his numbed existence to actually believe that things might be able to be changed for the better.
No sex between the MCs in this story but it wouldn't have fit the storyline; kudos to the author for not just throwing one in!
I am hoping there is more background of what happened in the 2nd story, which I am very much looking forward to!
North America is ruled by a corrupt government, although it's never explained why or what happened. Remy is an expensive prostitute who meets up with Adam, someone who is sincere and kind and is unhappy with the have/have not standard of living. Remy slowly and reluctantly emerges from his numbed existence to actually believe that things might be able to be changed for the better.
No sex between the MCs in this story but it wouldn't have fit the storyline; kudos to the author for not just throwing one in!
I am hoping there is more background of what happened in the 2nd story, which I am very much looking forward to!
February 10, 2014
Двойственные чувства от книги. Герои безусловно хороши, сюжет ну сойдет под пиво, но world-building sucks. Со страшной силой. Продолжение прочитаю, может там хоть что-то станет понятнее.
Но ваще, мир в котором государство может послать карательную экспедицию на землеподобную планету, причем лететь эта экспедиция будет всего несколько месяцев (а это значит есть гипердрайв или что-то похожее, супер-источники энергии и офигенные технологии) и в котором одновременно голод и народ надрывается на фабриках, лично у меня вызывает когнитивный диссонанс. То есть войска на другую планету отправить как нефиг делать, а вот навыращивать ГМО кукурузы, чтоб на всех хватило - это слишком сложно. Не верю.
Но ваще, мир в котором государство может послать карательную экспедицию на землеподобную планету, причем лететь эта экспедиция будет всего несколько месяцев (а это значит есть гипердрайв или что-то похожее, супер-источники энергии и офигенные технологии) и в котором одновременно голод и народ надрывается на фабриках, лично у меня вызывает когнитивный диссонанс. То есть войска на другую планету отправить как нефиг делать, а вот навыращивать ГМО кукурузы, чтоб на всех хватило - это слишком сложно. Не верю.
March 7, 2013
4.75 stars
Wonderful writing and beautifully drawn characters are pretty much a given with a Kate Sherwood book and this one doesn't disappoint. I loved this book so much. The story is original and grabbed me right from the start. The characters are complex and fully realised. If you want to read something that has an intriguing plot and characters that are layered and engaging, then buy this book. You won't regret it. I am really looking forward to seeing where Kate takes Remy and Adam in the next book!
Wonderful writing and beautifully drawn characters are pretty much a given with a Kate Sherwood book and this one doesn't disappoint. I loved this book so much. The story is original and grabbed me right from the start. The characters are complex and fully realised. If you want to read something that has an intriguing plot and characters that are layered and engaging, then buy this book. You won't regret it. I am really looking forward to seeing where Kate takes Remy and Adam in the next book!
November 8, 2021
This was so very different to anything I may have been expecting. Its grim and gruesome, its violent and dark. It has splashes of hope and light, that keeps you hooked in. The characters are defined and strong and the story keeps you wondering til the very end. You wish for that HEA ending for Remy, but somehow dont think that's how it will be. Amazing work !!
April 20, 2013
4.5 Stars
The newest offering from Kate Sherwood is The Pawn. It’s the first in the Against the Odds series. It’s quite unlike her previous books as it contains no horses. The stables described herein are full of whores. I admit, I have a soft spot for whores in fiction. I don’t think it’s any stranger than liking fantasy. Really! Anyway, Remy Stone is a whore in a futuristic, unequal society. He uses the name David. His pimp sends him to the hotel suite of Adam Challoner. Adam won’t have sex with “David.” He doesn’t even want him there at all. Remy uses all his seductive wiles and years of skill to at least manage a blow job. Then terrorists attack the hotel. Remy happens to know one of them. He spends days in interrogation, gets released and is immediately sent to work. It just so happens he’s sent to the estate of Adam Challoner. Who let’s him sleep. Then for the next two days Adam feeds Remy, lets him relax, teaches him chess, and refuses to have sex with him. In short, Adam spends two days treating Remy like a human. Remy can’t just go back to sex work after that. He also can’t refuse to go back to sex work after that. Drugs are his only solution to make continued work as a whore bearable.
Two different clients of Remy’s think the new drugged out Remy shouldn’t continue to work as a whore. One of them is Adam Challoner. Mr. Baryman, Remy’s pimp, absolutely hates Adam Challoner and sees in Remy the means to destroy him. Little does Mr. Baryman know Adam is part of the terrorist group that bombed the hotel. Remy didn’t know either, and boy is it awkward when the two of them meet and learn who they really are! Remy now has a lot of knowledge that he simply shouldn’t have. That doesn’t bode well if the government ever decides to interrogate him again. Despite the awfulness of the first interrogation it could have been so much worse. Adam tries to get Remy out of the country and to safety. Remy refuses to leave. He wants to be a part of something that matters. He wants to stop being a person for whom decisions are made. It’s time for him to take a stand against the extreme exploitation he’s been subjected to since the age of nine....
Faye's full review can be found at
Live Your Life, Buy The Book
The newest offering from Kate Sherwood is The Pawn. It’s the first in the Against the Odds series. It’s quite unlike her previous books as it contains no horses. The stables described herein are full of whores. I admit, I have a soft spot for whores in fiction. I don’t think it’s any stranger than liking fantasy. Really! Anyway, Remy Stone is a whore in a futuristic, unequal society. He uses the name David. His pimp sends him to the hotel suite of Adam Challoner. Adam won’t have sex with “David.” He doesn’t even want him there at all. Remy uses all his seductive wiles and years of skill to at least manage a blow job. Then terrorists attack the hotel. Remy happens to know one of them. He spends days in interrogation, gets released and is immediately sent to work. It just so happens he’s sent to the estate of Adam Challoner. Who let’s him sleep. Then for the next two days Adam feeds Remy, lets him relax, teaches him chess, and refuses to have sex with him. In short, Adam spends two days treating Remy like a human. Remy can’t just go back to sex work after that. He also can’t refuse to go back to sex work after that. Drugs are his only solution to make continued work as a whore bearable.
Two different clients of Remy’s think the new drugged out Remy shouldn’t continue to work as a whore. One of them is Adam Challoner. Mr. Baryman, Remy’s pimp, absolutely hates Adam Challoner and sees in Remy the means to destroy him. Little does Mr. Baryman know Adam is part of the terrorist group that bombed the hotel. Remy didn’t know either, and boy is it awkward when the two of them meet and learn who they really are! Remy now has a lot of knowledge that he simply shouldn’t have. That doesn’t bode well if the government ever decides to interrogate him again. Despite the awfulness of the first interrogation it could have been so much worse. Adam tries to get Remy out of the country and to safety. Remy refuses to leave. He wants to be a part of something that matters. He wants to stop being a person for whom decisions are made. It’s time for him to take a stand against the extreme exploitation he’s been subjected to since the age of nine....
Faye's full review can be found at
Live Your Life, Buy The Book
July 23, 2015
I like this author. I am not sure what genre this would be considered. Speculative fiction, maybe? It basically takes place in a fantasy world in which a totalitarian regime has instituted total surveillance and individual rights have been voided. Remy is a prostitute who was coerced into a lifetime contract (so although slavery is ostensibly illegal, he has no options). He meets a wealthy man and gets involved in a revolution.
I think the plot is insightful up to a point. It doesn't compete with the masters of Speculative sci/fi and fantasy, but it is definitely an improvement over the majority of m/m fiction. She does consider ethical questions and psychological impact.
Sometimes, though, she doesn't quite consider them enough. So she has Remy react to an offer of rescue with defiance rather than fear or gratitude, but then the expected fear turns up later. It doesn't read as volatility or instability, but as inconsistency.
I think that this author's area for growth would be to go a little deeper in her character development. Decide exactly what's going on psychologically, based on the circumstances. Does Remy suffer from PTSD? Learned helplessness? Who does he fear and who does he trust? The trust thing was another unstable characteristic.
Overall, though, a good read. Not much sex and what there was was not really erotica.
I think the plot is insightful up to a point. It doesn't compete with the masters of Speculative sci/fi and fantasy, but it is definitely an improvement over the majority of m/m fiction. She does consider ethical questions and psychological impact.
Sometimes, though, she doesn't quite consider them enough. So she has Remy react to an offer of rescue with defiance rather than fear or gratitude, but then the expected fear turns up later. It doesn't read as volatility or instability, but as inconsistency.
I think that this author's area for growth would be to go a little deeper in her character development. Decide exactly what's going on psychologically, based on the circumstances. Does Remy suffer from PTSD? Learned helplessness? Who does he fear and who does he trust? The trust thing was another unstable characteristic.
Overall, though, a good read. Not much sex and what there was was not really erotica.
April 14, 2015
I didn't like this quite as much as I usually like Kate's stuff, but it was still a solid, engaging story. Very light scifi. Very light steam, too. More focused on plot than on the romance, although I did like Remy and Adam together. Kate's writing is, as always, very good.
My biggest complaint about the story (and it's a weird one!!) is Adam's last name ("Challoner"), which, unfortunately, is what Remy insists on calling him even once he knows his first name. And since we're in Remy's POV, it gets used a lot. My head just doesn't like it--like, has a hard time pronouncing it--so every time I read the name, my brain skips and I'm pulled out of the story. I've never had anything happen like that before. My iPad says his name was used 818 times, so... yeah. LOL. What a weird issue.
My biggest complaint about the story (and it's a weird one!!) is Adam's last name ("Challoner"), which, unfortunately, is what Remy insists on calling him even once he knows his first name. And since we're in Remy's POV, it gets used a lot. My head just doesn't like it--like, has a hard time pronouncing it--so every time I read the name, my brain skips and I'm pulled out of the story. I've never had anything happen like that before. My iPad says his name was used 818 times, so... yeah. LOL. What a weird issue.
March 12, 2013
I very much enjoyed this. Remy is both fascinating and sympathetic. His past life is revealed slowly and as he opens his eyes to new possiblilities, we see the truth and horror of his existence. That part was hard to take, but Sherwood is not too graphic or gratuitous.
Adam reveals himself as Remy's saviour. But he has taken on a lot. I hope he can fit Remy's well-being into his gruelling schedule.
I look forward to the next one.
Adam reveals himself as Remy's saviour. But he has taken on a lot. I hope he can fit Remy's well-being into his gruelling schedule.
I look forward to the next one.
December 1, 2014
Not sure about this one...
The first half was really, really good! 5 star good! The second half was complete nonsense.
The first half was really, really good! 5 star good! The second half was complete nonsense.
June 19, 2013
The last 10% was extremely stupid. Curse myself and the part of me needing to find out how this trashy summerrific m/m erotica ends (once I finish the heavier reads on my tbr list.)
April 23, 2013
Ehh not bad but not for me.
April 23, 2013
3.5 stars
April 2, 2013
surprised the shit outta me that I actually liked and enjoyed this book.
February 27, 2014
Diving right into the next one. Who cares if it's after midnight? Damn good!
July 13, 2019
This novel has an actual storyline that is engaging, interesting and well-written. The lead characters are loveable and I was on the edge if my seat waiting to see how Remy would grow.
September 14, 2014
4.5 stars.
I loved it! A lot! The writing, story, character build up.. all was pretty much amazing! The only thing that disappointed me was a lack steamy scenes for Remy and Challoner.
I loved it! A lot! The writing, story, character build up.. all was pretty much amazing! The only thing that disappointed me was a lack steamy scenes for Remy and Challoner.
Read
September 11, 2015After two chapters I wasn't feeling this one right now but if any one has read this one tell a girl something. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!
October 22, 2015
great social commentary. must be Snowden inspired. not exactly why I read this genre, but I love new to me ideas. my one complaint is that it's not a complete story. its a HFN.
April 13, 2014
Review to follow
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