The Game of Pawns by Leonard D. Hilley II

 Series: The Darkness, Book Three

Publisher: Self

Format: Kindle

Published: 29^th April 2010

Number of Pages: 354

Book: For Review From Author*

Genre: Science-Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Horror, Action-Adventure, Police Drama, YA, YA-Adult Crossover

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains Lots of Violence, Death, Mild Swearing

No Alcohol, Drug References

Available From: Kindle, Nook: Leonard's books are priced at $2.99 at the moment to raise money for his old school's library.  More information: here
Author's Blog: Deimosweb

PAWNS ARE EXPENDABLE . . .

Twelve execution-style murders have occurred in Newark, New Jersey, in less than a week. Each murder has a calling card - a red pawn on each corpse. Kat Gaddis and Lucian investigate the homicides and discover the last four victims were employed by GenTech, a company that recently merged with Mech Cybernetics. After FBI director Mike Carpenter shares evidence with Kat, they soon discover political ties and corruptions that place Kat's life in direct danger. New players emerge and what seems like serial murders suddenly becomes a struggle for biotech knowledge and power. Kat is thrust into their game - The Game of Pawns.

Review:

Murders have been happening all over New Jersey, each with a common thread: a red pawn left on the bodies.  Kat and Lucien investigate the murders, and discover that they’re all connected to one genetic company or another.  And then… a new side comes into the light, leaving black pawns behind on the corpses.  In the biggest adventure yet, our characters have to fight against corruption, politics, new scientific creations and dangerous players who believe that human-pawns can be killed for their own gain…

This is one of my favourite thriller series out there, and I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to do without it!  All three in the series so far have kept me up late, so full of adrenaline I can’t get to sleep for hours afterward.  Leonard D. Hilley is one of the most amazing thriller-suspense writers I’ve ever read, and I honestly do not think he gets the attention he should. 

My favourite characters are all back, and just as strong as ever.  There are even a few new additions including talking rats!  (I know: cool, right?)  They were a welcome breathe of humour throughout the non-stop suspense.  Oh, and I love Kyle and all the awesome psychic stuff he can do.  Plus, characters who have only been in the background before now have bigger roles: Carpenter, Typhis… I could go on, but I guess unless you’ve read the book (which you should do), none of these names will mean anything to you… 

What I really liked about The Game of Pawns is that was far more emotional than the others in the series.  Plus there was lots of humour, generally in the form of Morton (a talking cat) and the gang of talking rats.  And yet, I was still scared out of my mind, constantly looking over shoulder.  The suspense and action is just so addictive: completely, overwhelmingly, truly.  I was unable to put my kindle down, reading far too late into the night.  

The characters, plot, and world were all so unbelievably believable, if that makes any sense.  It’s a terrifying thought, but oh-so true.  So much thought went into all aspects of the book, and if I closed my eyes, I could see the plot playing in my mind, could see all the characters.  I have less than no idea how Hilley manages to make the connections and lives so realistic, but I love that he does. 

The Game of Pawns was the biggest, hardest, more exhilarating adventure in the series so far.  It answered many of my questions.  And left dozens more in their place.  I can’t wait to see where Leonard D. Hilley takes the series next: this one ended on the worst cliffhanger yet!

Star Rating:
4½ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Darkness Series by Leonard D. Hilley II

Anything by Steven King

Blood Ties/Blood Ransom by Sophie McKenzie

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)
A-Z Reading Challenge (Hosted by Book Junky)
2011 e-Book Challenge (Hosted by The Ladybug Reads)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review