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A review by rosemarieshort
Gambit by C.L. Denault
5.0
Gambit just found its way into being my favourite book thus far this year. This is a fantastic read, filled with compelling characters, layered world building and a fascinating plot which, though partially developed, has left me gasping for more.
One of the greatest strengths of Gambit is C.L Denault's impeccable pacing. Development happens in a measured way, but not once was I bored or frustrated. Relationships were built (whether antagonistic or friendly - or in some cases a mixture of the two) with care and precision. This is particularly true of our two main characters - Willow and Reece.
The fact that Reece's behaviour is at times so incredibly problematic (he is at times both verbally and physically abusive to Willow) and yet I still absolutely love him as a character speaks volumes for Denault's skill as an author. His development is true craft, with each action building towards fleshing out an incredibly complex and layered individual. Reece is not a good guy. Nor is he a wholly bad one. In the realms of antiheroes, I would place him more to the dark side than the light. However the carefully scattered backstory, laced with a wide, very realistic emotional scale, leaves him one of the most fascinating, frustrating, romantic and entirely mesmerizing characters I've ever read.
Willow is a great heroine. She is sixteen, and has all the variances a sixteen year old has. However she is also strong willed, fragile, imperfect, stubborn, intelligent and extremely pragmatic. All this comes together to create one of the most likeable YA heroines I've ever come across. Her interactions with other characters are all tonally different, suggesting a richness of writing, and her development throughout the book is a pleasure to behold.
Other side characters, whether from Willow's home or the Core, are made to feel individual. Too often in other book groups of characters blend together, as they become more representative as their location in the Protagonist's history than as actual flesh and blood human beings. Denault doesn't fall into this trap, and each character felt distinct. I really liked Asp, Rush and Hart, with the Ritters gaining my interest more and more as they became more prominently featured throughout. I would be excited to learn more about Thess in the next novel - his appearance was brief but tantalizing.
The world building is minimal, with this being a debut, and I'm really looking forward to learning more about The Core and the Outlying Lands in future releases. Similarly the Rebels, introduced here as the main antagonists, have little flesh on their bones and I'm looking forward to learning more about their intentions and make up as the series progresses. Denault loves to leave breadcrumbs, sowing the seeds of various mysteries which I'm sure will be addressed later down the line.
From beginning to end, Gambit was a joy to read. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series, and will be keeping an eye out to snap it up the moment it's available.
One of the greatest strengths of Gambit is C.L Denault's impeccable pacing. Development happens in a measured way, but not once was I bored or frustrated. Relationships were built (whether antagonistic or friendly - or in some cases a mixture of the two) with care and precision. This is particularly true of our two main characters - Willow and Reece.
The fact that Reece's behaviour is at times so incredibly problematic (he is at times both verbally and physically abusive to Willow) and yet I still absolutely love him as a character speaks volumes for Denault's skill as an author. His development is true craft, with each action building towards fleshing out an incredibly complex and layered individual. Reece is not a good guy. Nor is he a wholly bad one. In the realms of antiheroes, I would place him more to the dark side than the light. However the carefully scattered backstory, laced with a wide, very realistic emotional scale, leaves him one of the most fascinating, frustrating, romantic and entirely mesmerizing characters I've ever read.
Willow is a great heroine. She is sixteen, and has all the variances a sixteen year old has. However she is also strong willed, fragile, imperfect, stubborn, intelligent and extremely pragmatic. All this comes together to create one of the most likeable YA heroines I've ever come across. Her interactions with other characters are all tonally different, suggesting a richness of writing, and her development throughout the book is a pleasure to behold.
Other side characters, whether from Willow's home or the Core, are made to feel individual. Too often in other book groups of characters blend together, as they become more representative as their location in the Protagonist's history than as actual flesh and blood human beings. Denault doesn't fall into this trap, and each character felt distinct. I really liked Asp, Rush and Hart, with the Ritters gaining my interest more and more as they became more prominently featured throughout. I would be excited to learn more about Thess in the next novel - his appearance was brief but tantalizing.
The world building is minimal, with this being a debut, and I'm really looking forward to learning more about The Core and the Outlying Lands in future releases. Similarly the Rebels, introduced here as the main antagonists, have little flesh on their bones and I'm looking forward to learning more about their intentions and make up as the series progresses. Denault loves to leave breadcrumbs, sowing the seeds of various mysteries which I'm sure will be addressed later down the line.
From beginning to end, Gambit was a joy to read. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series, and will be keeping an eye out to snap it up the moment it's available.