Review: Gambit by C. L. Denault

Title: Gambit
Author: C. L. Denault
Publisher: REUTS Publications 
Release Date: March 31st, 2015
Pages: 556
Format: e-ARC
Source: Netgalley
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy 

In Earth’s battle-ridden future, humans have evolved. Those with extraordinary skills rise to power and fame. Those without live in poverty.Sixteen-year-old Willow Kent believed she was normal. But when a genetically-advanced military officer shows up in her village and questions her identity, long-buried secrets begin to emerge. With remarkable skills and a shocking genetic code the Core and its enemies will do anything to obtain, Willow suddenly finds the freedom she craves slipping through her fingers. Greed, corruption, and genetic tampering threaten every aspect of her existence as she’s thrust, unwilling, into the sophisticated culture of the elite Core city. To ensure peace, she must leave the past behind, marry a man she’s never met, and submit to the authority of a relentless officer with a hidden agenda of his own.Her life has become a dangerous game. How much will she sacrifice in order to win?

I was excited to get lost in a fantasy book. I have been somewhat on a break from them and the chance to pick one up was answered without a second thought. I had never heard of this author so with the luck I have been having I was excited to see where this author would take and the story as well.

The story follows Willow Kent who grows up as what she would say in a normal lifestyle. That all changes when a mysterious fellow shows up and from that moment Willow’s life is changed forever. After learning a secret that puts her life in danger she must leave the familiarity of her home and find out the truths of her past and save a world on the brink of war.

Willow Kent did improve throughout the book and her strength is recognizable. I would still like to see her full potential and I am hoping that we get more of that in the second book. I do think she may have acted rash in some parts but I do feel that it was understandable. Reece on the other hand is a special character in my book. I still do not have a solid opinion on him fully yet but I am still deciding.

There was one thing I was having a hard time grasping and it was the idea of where the story was taking place and how one chapter I was thinking we were in a time of no technology and all of a sudden a tablet popped out. WHAT?!?!?! I was a little confused with this added feature to the story that it kind of didn’t really sit well with me. So I am curious to see where this leads me.

Overall I am wanting to see more plot, story, and world building. I am looking forward to reading the next installment and see where Willow goes from here. For all fantasy lovers, Gambit is a read that 

will have you placing bets.

I give this book 4 souls!