“Perhaps he was a monster, after all? Perhaps the toffs and well-dressed women were correct. He wasn’t worth knowing.”
Dave Lawson delivers blood, banter, blossoming romance, and brutal gut punches in The Pawns of Havoc. Set twelve years before the start of The Envoys of War, this standalone prequel novella gives a glimpse into the mysterious backstory of the enigmatic Cork, and you better believe it’s not a happy tale.
Now, out of all the many exceptionally intriguing characters from The Envoys of War, Cork was easily a standout for me, so I was just about jumping with joy to get a peek into his past. We follow our broken, broody mercenary as he gets hired by his erstwhile countrymen, the notorious Winn, who promise to heal his ailing mother if he carries out their unusual job. So, together with the aspiring archer Arabella and the murderous criminal Nessa, he sets out into the barren Frozen Lands where danger, treachery and death lurk around every corner.
In The Envoys of War, Lawson already proved that he has a true gift for creating morally ambiguous characters who you just can’t help but root for (even if you want to strangle them for their actions as well), but he takes that skill to the next level in The Pawns of Havoc. I was instantly reminded why I loved Cork so much as a side character in book 1, and I think he shines even more as a protagonist here.
See, Cork might come across as just another cold-hearted, broody and snarky mercenary, but he really is so much more than that. Yes, he can be brutal and will not hesitate to get difficult shit done, but we also get to see his more tender and emotional side shine through, be that through his undying love for his mother or his growing affection and blossoming feelings for the feisty Arabella (who honestly deserves her own novella, what a gem!). Plus, I really enjoyed getting a bit of a deeper look into the culture of the enigmatic Winn, especially through the eyes of someone who has such a complicated relationship with his own people.
Moreover, the man just has one hell of a strong character voice, and the strong emotional hook planted during the very first few pages just had me fully invested in his tumultuous journey here. The Pawns of Havoc definitely goes down some darker and more disturbing paths than The Envoys of War as it examines just how far one is willing to go to protect their loved ones, but it’s also still got a ton of Lawson’s quintessential witty humour, snappy banter, and surprising heart.
Between the riveting intrigue, fun character dynamics, high-stakes action, and brisk pacing, The Pawns of Havoc just had me so hooked that I devoured this dark little adventure in one sitting. Whether you are already a fan of The Envoys of Chaos series or use this novella as an enticing taste test of Lawson’s rich imagination and strong storytelling skills, I think The Pawns of Havoc is a true treat for anyone who likes their fantasy character-driven, action-packed, and full of heart and dark humour.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Pawns of Havoc is scheduled for release on 29 May, 2025.
