Review of "Fortune's Pawn"

"If I don't shoot something soon, I'm going to pop."

     If you've never heard of the novel Fortune's Pawn, by Rachel Bach, you have been missing out on some serious action. The book features Deviana Morris, a strong-willed mercenary working for the Blackbirds, the greatest private armored company on the planet Paradox. With her suit of high-powered armor and a set of advanced weaponry, she has successfully completed eight tours of duty in the past five years. Now Devi has her sights set on a higher goal: the Devastators, the King's own guard. According to her friend-with-benefits, Anthony, the quickest way into the Devastators is to take a tour as a security chief on a beat-up freighter named the Glorious Fool. Although it goes against her grain to work security, Devi applies for the job...and gets more action out of the bargain than she could ever have asked for.

     Fortune's Pawn is the ultimate military sci-fi story. When Devi leaves the Blackbirds for her new job, she expects little more than a few pirate attacks scattered between long stretches of boredom. What she gets is xith'cal tribal ships, invisible monsters, and symbionts--large, human-shaped creatures covered in dark scales that can protect them from anything. With every encounter, Devi is sucked further and further into a mystery so deep she may never understand the extent of it. She will have to weigh her curiosity against her ambition and her recklessness against her survival, because the Fool holds onto its secrets with unbelievable force, and Devi might not make it out alive.

     This book has everything: action, mystery, romance, and games of dominance. Aside from the adrenaline-packed fight scenes, which are extremely well-written, Devi is faced with mystery after mystery surrounding the Glorious Fool. What is the invisible creature she encounters on that nameless planet? Where does the Fool get her money if she does no trade? And who is the captain truly working for? All these questions and more are woven into a fascinating plot filled with great characters. Also featured is a dynamic romance between Devi and an enigmatic foreigner, which is a little awkward at times but feels realistic enough that it works. As if to balance it out, our hero must also deal with a masochistic security partner whose life goal appears to be making her life difficult.

     Devi's story is 100% an adult read. There is violence, cursing, and sex (although nothing is too explicit), and characters occasionally call each other rather crude names. However, this is all scattered about in small enough doses that it does not overwhelm the story, so if you or your older reader are willing to take it in stride you will find it actually contributes to the story.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story about aliens, heavy armor, kick-butt soldiers, and plot twists. It is NOT a book for children. That said, for a brilliant plot, amazing writing, and well-rounded characters, I gladly award Rachel Bach's Fortune's Pawn five shining stars. Congratulations, Fortune's Pawn. You deserve it.