Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

Title: Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1)
Author: Aimee Carter
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: November 26th 2013
Source: Netgalley & Harlequin TEEN

★★★★

Four stars.

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I picked up this book because it was one that blew up the blogosphere. I hadn't read any books by Aimee Carter before, so I was excited to get started on this dystopian novel. I'm glad I gave into peer pressure; this is a great start to a series that I cannot wait to finish.

First of all, I love the world that Carter created. US citizens are categorized and sorted by number, depending on the results of their test. The higher the number, the better off in society you'll be. The lower... Well, let's just say it's not good. The scenery is well written and the characters well described so that I could easily fall into the story. I read it in one go. I was particularly intrigued by the concept of Elsewhere- where you go when you need to be out of sight for good. I had to read the reveal of that a good three times before I accepted it!

I also loved the amount of action in this book. The plot is one big strategy game, where everyone is trying to out-lie everyone else. When you think someone's lying, they're telling the truth. You think you can trust them? Think again. I was perpetually asking myself "Wait, WHAT?" but in a really good way. I like when I don't have a book entirely figured out. The only problem with having such dense layers of treachery and deceit is that sometimes the timing seemed a bit rushed or choppy. I found myself questioning where I was in the novel one or two times, but not enough to really hinder my reading experience.

If you're a fan of YA dystopian books such as Stung, The Hunger Games and Divergent, then I'd definitely give Pawn a try. I eagerly await the next book in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin TEEN for my chance to read this.