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Pawn #1
Pawn
I'm no one's pawn. Not with my skills. I may outwardly kneel in allegiance, but when I do, it is by my choice, and only my choice. In more private settings, well, in the words of my people, "She carries the spear from that hut."
It's never meant as a compliment.
No, I'm no one's pawn.
Not anymore.
---
Yallameenara is a 13-year-old girl of the Horse People when the strangers come to The Hippa. Soon, Yalla finds herself taken from everything and everyone she knows, the pawn in a game of politics and diplomacy.
This is a long novel of 170,000 words and is the first in the three-novel Pawn series.
It's never meant as a compliment.
No, I'm no one's pawn.
Not anymore.
---
Yallameenara is a 13-year-old girl of the Horse People when the strangers come to The Hippa. Soon, Yalla finds herself taken from everything and everyone she knows, the pawn in a game of politics and diplomacy.
This is a long novel of 170,000 words and is the first in the three-novel Pawn series.
696 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2016
43 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Robin Roseau
114 books213 followersA writer by avocation, Robin has a renaissance interest in many areas. A bit of a gypsy, Robin has called a few places home and has traveled widely. A love of the outdoors, animals in general and experimenting with world cuisines, Robin and partner share their home with a menagerie of pets and guests, although sometimes it is difficult to discern who is whom.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 18, 2016
Wow. What a ride. The story of a girl from the steppes who is taken as a hostage of peace by a country that suffered raids by some of the clans of her people. Only, the truth is that a girl's life has little value on the Hippa where she grew up, and she isn't sure what will happen to her when these soldiers find out. So begins her new life, and she becomes enmeshed in the upper reaches of the society that has taken her, for it was none other than the heir of the ruling queen who took Yalla hostage. This is a story of power dynamics, and power imbalances, again. Roseau is adept at exploring different facets of such relationships, and engendering strong emotional responses to the narratives. I was glad that Yalla didn't suffer as much as some of Roseau's other characters have, as she realized her own powerlessness when she was taken from everything she knew. Indeed, Juleena and her mother, Queen Ralalta, took care to welcome Yalla to their country and teach her to become a part of them. It was interesting reading about Yalla's initial introduction to this new way of life, and then seeing how much has changed for her five years later. And that is when things got real. At 18 and as the Queen's foster daughter, Yalla is courted by several people. And Juleena lets Yalla know that she too is interested, although Yalla needs to grow and experience courting and life and love before Juleena could court her herself. Now, Yalla, and by close proximity, her best friend Muranna, are learning more about politics and diplomacy and responsibility. Everything seems to be going Yalla's way. And of course that's when everything goes horribly wrong. A betrayal by one of the people closest to Yalla is what ends the book, and it was definitely an eye-opener. It made me really want the second book as soon as possible to see what happened next. A thoroughly enjoyable read that kept me turning pages and ignoring chores and bedtimes. I definitely recommend this book.
August 14, 2023
this is Robin…
I’ve read so many series and stand-alone from this author. And I must say I pretty much like anything and everything this author writes. Except, for the Galatzi series. I swear it seems that series was written by someone else. I couldn’t get even make it out of the 3rd book in the series and hated the second one. I say that to say, “This is the RR I know and love.” This book is amazing. And there are always so many twists and turns. And I am loving the life of Yalla. At first I was nervous about reading a book that starts with the protagonist being so young. However, o was pleasantly surprised by the contents of what was between the bindings. This is RR at her best. And thank goodness, even though I have read more than half her books, I slow the pace so that I have more to go.
It is a treat to read this author’s work. She is in my top 10 authors for this genre. That is how good she is. And I read about 300 different books a year, meaning I am not including the ones I reread in a year. I can easily read a book of about 400 pages per day.
I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I’m that in love with Yalla and her journeys. This one will prove no different I am sure.
I’ve read so many series and stand-alone from this author. And I must say I pretty much like anything and everything this author writes. Except, for the Galatzi series. I swear it seems that series was written by someone else. I couldn’t get even make it out of the 3rd book in the series and hated the second one. I say that to say, “This is the RR I know and love.” This book is amazing. And there are always so many twists and turns. And I am loving the life of Yalla. At first I was nervous about reading a book that starts with the protagonist being so young. However, o was pleasantly surprised by the contents of what was between the bindings. This is RR at her best. And thank goodness, even though I have read more than half her books, I slow the pace so that I have more to go.
It is a treat to read this author’s work. She is in my top 10 authors for this genre. That is how good she is. And I read about 300 different books a year, meaning I am not including the ones I reread in a year. I can easily read a book of about 400 pages per day.
I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I’m that in love with Yalla and her journeys. This one will prove no different I am sure.
January 18, 2022
Fantastic read
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: favorite trope (friends-to-lovers), out of your comfort zone, unusual job, not a romance; UNICORN: 400+ pages
This book was recommended by one of my favorite authors, and I loved it! Yalla, the main character, was a strong young woman when we first met her, and she proved to be intelligent, kind, endearing, daring, and a skilled horsewoman. She progressed from a minor steppe clans woman to an accepted member of a royal family, and the story is the recall of the first five years of that transition. The other characters were well-developed, very likeable, and a few were people that I would enjoy as friends. I highly recommend this book!
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: favorite trope (friends-to-lovers), out of your comfort zone, unusual job, not a romance; UNICORN: 400+ pages
This book was recommended by one of my favorite authors, and I loved it! Yalla, the main character, was a strong young woman when we first met her, and she proved to be intelligent, kind, endearing, daring, and a skilled horsewoman. She progressed from a minor steppe clans woman to an accepted member of a royal family, and the story is the recall of the first five years of that transition. The other characters were well-developed, very likeable, and a few were people that I would enjoy as friends. I highly recommend this book!
January 20, 2019
🎇🎆SPECTACTULAR🎆🎇
✨🌟🌠 This is definitely a vivid imagination!💞 I was captivated once I started reading . It took less than a full day . I was so drawn to seeking the end . Although my want was for Juleena and Yalla to connected . Unfortunately the writer wanted something different . Still great entertainment !😘😍
✨🌟🌠 This is definitely a vivid imagination!💞 I was captivated once I started reading . It took less than a full day . I was so drawn to seeking the end . Although my want was for Juleena and Yalla to connected . Unfortunately the writer wanted something different . Still great entertainment !😘😍
January 17, 2023
Wow
I am a fond of Roseau's Selected series and I am greatly looking forward to future works that hinted by the real reason However, I LOVE this book and the lead character. I am very excited it is part of a series.
I am a fond of Roseau's Selected series and I am greatly looking forward to future works that hinted by the real reason However, I LOVE this book and the lead character. I am very excited it is part of a series.
January 14, 2022
This author always gets my temper hot with his books. There's a lot of injustice, lack of communication and misunderstanding. But at the same time we get involved in the story and learn together with the main character. With three books read so far, it's being worth it. Some aspects are quite revolutionary and surprised me. I am looking forward to more to come.
June 19, 2016
Hate Cliffhangers
I invested so much time in this book only to find out it ended poorly. I hated the-pairings and the lack of a relationship between the main characters. I invested in those characters to be betrayed by a terrible ending.
I invested so much time in this book only to find out it ended poorly. I hated the-pairings and the lack of a relationship between the main characters. I invested in those characters to be betrayed by a terrible ending.
July 17, 2016
While the first part reminds of the Amazon book, at least there are no lengthy games. Of course there is the humiliation and the betrayal the author can not abstain from.
But overall the story is lovely and enjoyable.
But overall the story is lovely and enjoyable.
February 6, 2017
This story is one hell of an adventure. It's told in first person and completely from Yallameenara's point-of-view. Thankfully, she is a wonderful character so I didn't tire of being in her head.
I'm not sure I wish to continue with the series, but I'm glad I read this installment.
I'm not sure I wish to continue with the series, but I'm glad I read this installment.
June 22, 2016
like the book, not a big fan of cliffhangers..but whatever, if we get a 2nd book to continue the series..i don't mind
July 14, 2016
Very interesting
I like the premise of the book and very much enjoyed getting to know the characters. The story is great and not like a lot of the authors other stories.
I like the premise of the book and very much enjoyed getting to know the characters. The story is great and not like a lot of the authors other stories.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews