Pawn

The Strategy Series, Book 1

Seventeen-year-old Rogue has always classified herself as socially awkward, preferring video games over a trip to the mall. When she wakes up in a forest, she finds that life as she knew it has changed forever, and she cannot remember how. In fact, she can't remember the last six months at all. As she navigates this new world she soon discovers a talent for combat and survival she'd never had before. A handy ability in a world where humans compete in a game governed by rules she can't remember.

Ronin, a talented 19-year-old, was wrenched from his Midwest home and forced to compete with a Skaki set. Despite the set's repeated losses, Ronin has proven himself a powerful player, his sights set on surviving each match - no matter the cost. When a new pawn is added to his set to replace one they lost, Ronin begins to break out of the shell he built around himself and reexamines what he and the other humans have become.

©2015 J.C. Ahern (P)2016 J.C. Ahern

A Sci-Fi Game You Won’t Want to Exit

In a Nutshell Pawn is a compelling Played to Perfection, A Sci-Fi Game You Won’t Want to Exit, fast-paced listen that delivers both excitement and depth. If you enjoy sci-fi with strong characters and a unique narrative style, this one is absolutely worth your time.
Pawn by J. C. Ahern is the kind of audiobook that grabs you from the very first moment and doesn’t let go. The story launches straight into the action with a gripping opening that immediately pulls you into its high-stakes, game-like world. There’s no slow build just an instant sense that something big, dangerous, and incredibly intriguing is unfolding.
What really makes this story shine is its characters. They’re fun, engaging, and full of personality, bringing a lively energy that keeps the plot moving and the listener invested. As the layers of the story unfold, you find yourself drawn deeper into the mystery and strategy behind it all, making it hard to press pause.
As a sci-fi experience, Pawn easily stands out as one of the best in the genre. It blends suspense, imagination, and that thrilling “what’s really going on here?” feeling in a way that keeps you guessing.
The dual narration by Patricia Santomasso and Sean Patrick Hopkins was a surprisingly brilliant choice. At first, I wasn’t sure how the two narrators would mesh, but it quickly became clear how much they added to the story. Their performances made the characters feel more real and distinct, enhancing the immersive, game-like atmosphere. It almost felt like being inside the story itself—like the illusion of the game wasn’t just described, but actually experienced.

Scfi Meets Gaming

Starting with the narrator.. easy to listen to and not hard on the ears. This was a very attention grabbing audio book, the character were amazing and the plot was very well written! I can’t wait to dive into book 2!

Checkmate!

This was a very good book. Rogue pulled me in. And I felt for her as soon as she was brought in. It actually reminded me a lot like the series Divergent and o was caught in a web and the spider entrapped me. And I was quite okay with that. I was beyond hooked.

Deadly game!

What a unique story! Trapped in a deadly game where the characters are fighting for their lives! A action packed sci-fi. Would make a great movie!

Way cooler than I thought it would be.... <3

When I first started this book, I thought to myself, "Oh, no...this is one of those weird gamey books". And I almost put it down without giving it a real chance. I am so happy I kept going. This was a very original and well written book. The author really makes you care about each character. Also, this audiobook has two narrators, and they both did excellent jobs. It always makes it easier when listening to have two narrators. It lets the reader know that the point of view is changing, which is not always easy when the book isn't right in front of you. I would love to listen to next book in this series.