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Pawn's Gambit

(Mortal Techniques)

Rob J. Hayes (Goodreads Author)

4.46 · Rating details · 13 ratings · 18 reviews

The Mortal Techniques novels are a series of stand-alone stories that can be read entirely independently, set in the award-winning Mortal Techniques universe.

Even Pawns can checkmate Kings.

Once a century, the gods hold a contest to determine who will rule from the Jade Throne. Each god chooses a mortal champion, and the fate of heaven and earth depends on the winner.

Once a ...more

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Kindle Edition, 315 pages

Expected publication: January 26th 2021 by Rob J. Hayes

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Jan 12, 2021 Petrik rated it really liked it

Shelves: self-published-and-indie, arcs-and-review-copies

I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/petrikleo

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

A great Wuxia adventure with an empathizing redemption arc.

I’ll start this review by giving a shout out to Felix Ortiz and Shawn T. King for doing such another terrific job with the cover art and typography. Now, I’ll say it upfront that I’m a huge fan of Never Die by Rob J. Hayes; it’s one of my favorite books. When I heard that there would be a standalone ...more

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Nov 14, 2020 Hamad rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-reads, adult-books, e-books, fantasy, from-the-publisher, good-covers

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“Weapons are not dangerous,” said the goddess as she slid her Monk into place. “Nor is a man with a weapon. A person’s skill and intent are the real danger.”

Hayes is one of my most trusted self-published authors ever. Never Die is one of my favorite books and I recommended it to many of my friends who also loved it. The War Eternal Trilogy is one of my favorite trilogies ever and the first trilogy that I read as ARCs. You can te ...more

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Jan 09, 2021 Nick Borrelli rated it it was amazing

Anyone who is a frequent visitor to my blog knows that I am a huge fan of Rob J. Hayes. I've reviewed a number of his books and the common theme that always prevails is that I am going to enjoy anything he writes. Rob has the flexibility to write stories that are completely different from the ones before and yet the high quality is always there in my opinion. I'm happy to say that PAWN'S GAMBIT continues that trend and quite honestly, I wasn't really surprised.

The book takes place quite a few ye Anyone who is a frequent visitor to my blog knows that I am a huge fan of Rob J. Hayes. I've reviewed a number of his books and the common theme that always prevails is that I am going to enjoy anything he writes. Rob has the flexibility to write stories that are completely different from the ones before and yet the high quality is always there in my opinion. I'm happy to say that PAWN'S GAMBIT continues that trend and quite honestly, I wasn't really surprised.

The book takes place quite a few years after the events in Never Die. The time has come for the gods to see who will lead them for the next century. This will be determined through a competition. In this case, the competition is a scavenger hunt of sorts to collect a specific number of powerful magical artifacts that are hidden in different areas in the human world. There are a few catches that make the contest an even more difficult one. One of them being that these artifacts can only be collected by a human, sponsored by each god. Oh, and the gods can't assist directly in any way, making the recovery of these artifacts all the more challenging.

The two main characters in PAWN'S GAMBIT are Yuu, also known as The Art of War, and the goddess Natsuko. Throughout the book we follow the two as they progress through the near-impossible competition of capturing each mysterious object. Natsuko's professed aim is to win the hunt at all costs so that the god of war Batu can be removed from the Jade Throne and finally free the world from 100 more years of bloodshed, war, and despair. Is this really her desired outcome, or are there motivations that go beyond what she claims? And what part will Yuu play in all of this if she does happen to be able to collect all of the artifacts?

I really enjoyed this book a lot and part of the reason why is that it is so quickly paced. It doesn't take long for you to be dumped right into the action after a brief setup. The relic hunting aspect of this fantasy story made it a nice departure from Never Die as a fully standalone entry, yet there are enough nods to its predecessor to create a slight bit of nostalgia at times. The action is breakneck in this one and you won't find a lot of quiet reflective passages. That's not to say that there isn't any character development though, as Yuu especially evolves considerably from the beginning of the story to the climax.

I found the relationship between the goddess Natsuko and her champion Yuu to be a truly compelling and complicated one. It's obvious that Yuu doesn't fully trust her almighty benefactor but really has no choice in the matter. Conversely, Natsuko needs Yuu to accomplish her final goal and it's increasingly clear as the story plays out that she chose her for a specific reason. There's a good deal of mystery, which Hayes usually inserts into his books, and that is also what made PAWN'S GAMBIT an even more rewarding read for me.

As with most of Rob's books, he also does a fine job of including a significant amount of super cool magic and the world-building is never an area where Hayes slacks either. All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fantasy story that is rife with dangerous moments, daring escapes, vindictive gods at war with each other, and superb storytelling that only Rob J. Hayes can deliver. It's also a very quick read and the page count is not daunting at all compared to many other books in the genre.

This is another sterling winner of a book from an author who is at the very top of his game right now. The Mortal Techniques series is truly one of the more unique series that I've come across and I can only hope that this isn't the last we've seen from this world. Something tells me it won't be. Be sure to grab yourself a copy of this one when it is released on January 26th. You can pre-order it on Amazon by clicking HERE.
...more

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Jul 15, 2020 Rob Hayes added it · (Review from the author)

The cover is revealed! The release date is set (January 26th 2021). Pawn's Gambit is coming. ...more

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Aug 27, 2020 Mihir rated it it was amazing

I know this book isn't released yet, but I've read a couple of drafts of it so far and I believe there won't be any major changes from them to the final version. Firstly this book is the second book in the Mortal Techniques series (this is a new term for all the standalone books that will be released focusing on the world of Never Die).

Pawn's Gambit is set a bit over five years later than the events of Never Die. It focuses on a minor character from Never Die. This book is vastly different fr
I know this book isn't released yet, but I've read a couple of drafts of it so far and I believe there won't be any major changes from them to the final version. Firstly this book is the second book in the Mortal Techniques series (this is a new term for all the standalone books that will be released focusing on the world of Never Die).

Pawn's Gambit is set a bit over five years later than the events of Never Die. It focuses on a minor character from Never Die. This book is vastly different from Never Die as the it was almost akin to a thriller whereas this one leans more towards the epic fantasy genre. What Pawn's Gambit does is focus heavily on the Gods of Hosa, Ipia, Nash & Cochtan. We get to know the main reason behind why these fours lands have been strewn with so much conflict (I think this will help understand the events of Never Die in a clearer light).

With our new main character, we are reintroduced to the ten kingdoms of Hosa and as usual there's trouble afoot. This time however its not due to the Emperor but a possible invasion from the neighboring land of Cochtan. This story however focuses on the Godly side of things (think Clash Of The Titans like atmosphere) but with a competition on hand. Our protagonist is chosen so as to speak and has to help a God succeed to help save the world (being very vague over here).

Hijinks ensue and we get one of the most endearing & brilliant protagonists who's carrying on a very heavy emotional load. With lots of action, magic and some chess-like maneuvering, this book is a fun cross between Contest (by Matthew Reilly) & Clash Of The Titans.

Rob J. Hayes continues to reveal more about the world of the Mortal Techniques as this time around we learn about the Metaphysical aspects of this world and why there are so many Gods. We get to see a ton of heroes and villains with their cool names and fascinating abilities. There's some terrific action battles between characters (two of which IMHO outdo anything ever seen in Never Die). We get to see the city of Ban Ping and learn the truth about the monks and their worship of the stars.

Lastly the characters are so mult\i-faceted beginning with our protagonist, the God whom they champion, their muscle and LUMP (who steals the show). There's a lot more secondary characters who are fascinating and for spoiler reasons I can't mention (for now at least).

All in all Pawn's Gambit is a much different book than Never Die and it will be interesting to see what readers think. I for one am in love with this world and the concept of the Mortal Technique series wherein Rob plans to release more standalone stories (each of which will reveal newer aspects of the world will also being kickass homages to all the amazing martial art movies that we love and cherish).

More to come in full FBC review when the cover & blurb are revealed in the upcoming months....
...more

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Dec 26, 2020 Blaise rated it it was amazing

More reviews at undertheradarsffbooks.com

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have said it before in my review of Never Die and I will say it again if you didn’t hear me the first time, Rob Hayes is the pinnacle of how a self-published author can achieve great success and notoriety. He keeps putting out novel after novel with each one being better than the last as he gains more experience to go along with the great talent he already possesses. Pawn’s Gambit is th More reviews at undertheradarsffbooks.com

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have said it before in my review of Never Die and I will say it again if you didn’t hear me the first time, Rob Hayes is the pinnacle of how a self-published author can achieve great success and notoriety. He keeps putting out novel after novel with each one being better than the last as he gains more experience to go along with the great talent he already possesses. Pawn’s Gambit is the “not” sequel to Never Die but it takes place in the same world of Hosa. You do not need to have read Never Die in order to enjoy and understand this novel, but there are crossovers from Never Die to will give readers the slightest of nods and a fantastic set up for book 3. Since this is a standalone novel, there will be no risk of spoilers in this review.

The gods are at each others throats as a contest has been launched for control over the pantheon. Each of the gods has to sacrifice something of value in the contest and select a champion. It is the champions job to search the land and discover these hidden artifacts in order to provide their god sponsor the chance to become the next ruler of the gods. The plot seems simple and even along the lines of a hide and seek game, but the characters and progression of the story will keep you coming back for more. In Pawn’s Gambit we follow the journey of Yuu, a world renowned strategist and general, wanted for the betrayal and murder of the prince. When Yuu, who is in hiding, is approached by one of the goddess’ to embark on this search she is quick to turn her aside until the goddess promises to return the one thing she values the most. Then the journey begins across the land of Hosa.

Along the way, Yuu will encounter other characters whom will help in her endeavor to gain as many artifacts as she can. Rumors are swirling that another champion of the gods is hunting down the champions and stealing the artifacts for themselves. Yuu will have to keep up her guard in order save herself the goal she has agreed to take on. Yuu is the shining character in Pawn’s Gambit as she has the reputation of seeing the whole battlefield and has been known to sacrifice armies of soldiers in order to achieve a winning position on the field. She is smart, cunning, and has the ability to pivot on the spot when the unexpected comes to fruition. Yuu’s journey has plenty of twists and turns along the way and her arc progresses nicely for the set up to book 3.

One other great addition to Pawn’s Gambit is the explanation of the different types of mortal techniques characters have and how they are introduced to the world. There are three different types of techniques: Those that you are born with, those that can be learned from a young age with practice, and those that are granted spontaneously through gifts from the gods. Yuu has a mortal technique and she uses it sparingly when planning her strategies for the upcoming battles. Two of these techniques lead to a fantastic battle around the half way point and the endless possibilities of what can be introduced for future novels has me giddy with excitement. Yuu may want things to return to the way they were when she was the right hand man, to the prince, but she has now become a pawn in the greater game of the gods. Yuu will come to know that even a pawn can checkmate a king, or in this case a god.

If you have not read Never Die yet or anything by Rob Hayes, then I don’t know what you are waiting for. Every time I pick up on of his books, I am blown away with the imagination and love Rob Hayes has for his characters and work. Don’t let another second pass without giving Rob Hayes a read and I promise that you will be glad you did!

Cheers! ...more

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Dec 06, 2020 Lynn K : Grimmedian rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arcs

I thoroughly enjoyed Rob J. Hayes’ first installment of Mortal Techniques, Never Die. It was a fun and entertaining wild romp through the world he’s created. You can read my review here. After his dark hair-raising adventure of The War Eternal, (review here), Hayes has returned to the universe of Mortal Techniques and has surpassed himself. The story is deeper and more complex. The characterizations are done with more depth and it features a protagonist that is relatable and memorable.

Gambit- de ...more

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Jan 14, 2021 sol marked it as to-read

its wuxia
...
that's literally all i needed to hear ...more

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Dec 07, 2020 Maxine Robinson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020, arc, fantasy

It exceeded my expectations.
Full review to come closer to release.

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Jan 06, 2021 Dustin marked it as to-read

Shelves: fantasy, wuxia-xianxia, asian

Never Die, (book I in the Mortal Techniques series,) was easily one of my favorite books of 2019. My review, if you're interested:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Needless to say, I am PSYCHED for Pawn's Gambit, which is a standalone novel set in the same world. ...more

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Jan 09, 2021 Adam added it

Very cool expansion of this universe! Review to come a bit closer to launch date.

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Jan 01, 2021 S. D. Howarth rated it it was amazing

A slightly more cerebral take on the use of characters, and I thought with the not earlier book I would miss it. I didn’t, the characters - and their strengths are there to open certain opportunities, then held to strike decisively.
The Art of War is a neat character, in a tight tale of her unravelling and gradual rebuilding that works very, very well, yet remains human, and no mere pawn pusher, while broken and up there with Tanaka Khan.

Depending what else comes out, it could be a book of the y ...more

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Jan 01, 2021 Miriam Michalak rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

Set in the same world as Never Die around 5 years after events in that book took place, Pawn's Gambit tells the story of Yuu when she is chosen to be a champion of the Gods.

We learn that Yuu, a wanderer making a living by playing and winning at chess, was previously known as The Art of War - a famous war strategist. When her strategy fails and leads to the death of the Steel Prince, she leaves behind the persona of the The Art of War and goes on the run.

Now the Gods are holding contest for the ...more

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Dec 15, 2020 Iraya marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2021-releases

Looking forward to this one.

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Jan 12, 2021 Caitlin G rated it really liked it

Shelves: january-2021-tbr

Final Rating: 3.5/5 Stars - Full review to come!

Review based on a free ARC provided by the author in exchange for my fair and honest review.

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Dec 18, 2020 Bonnie Parker marked it as to-read

YAAAAAAAAS! Finally some good news! Can't wait!! The title, the cover... everything is just perfect! I want it now T.T ...more

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Dec 29, 2020 Patrick Samphire marked it as to-read

Really looking forward to this one. The first book in this loose series was how I came across Rob Hayes. It was fantastic and made me a fan.

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About Rob J. Hayes

Rob J. Hayes

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Winner of Mark Lawrence's 3rd Self Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO) with Where Loyalties Lie

Rob J. Hayes was born somewhere south of the cockney wastelands in a small town called Basingstoke. He grew up with all the usual boy toys including Lego, Star Wars figures (complete with working lightsaber action) and plenty of Transformers. Playing with these toys inspired his imagination and as soon as ...more