Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 10, 2018
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets...and secrets hide in every shadow.Review:
Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted.
Frightened and alone, her only lead is a name: Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unraveling investment scam, so he doesn't have time to investigate a woman leading a dangerous double life. Enne's offer of compensation, however, could be the solution to all his problems.
Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi's enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city… And she’ll need to play.
It's been a long time since I've become so completely immersed in a fantasy series, and I have Amanda Foody's Ace of Shades to thank for that.
Ace of Shades is mesmerizing as well as unique. It captures you from the first page until the very last, and by the end, you're craving for more, more, more.
Ace of Shades has a lot of fantastic things going for it; however, the one aspect I loved the most was the world building. City of Sin is an interesting place. It has its glitz and glamour in some respects, but for the most part it's loaded down by murder and deceit. I thought Amanda did a fantastic job of establishing the city. It was easy to picture, and even though there's a lot to get used to (the three gangs, the the casino families, the hierarchy of it all), it didn't take long to have everything down pat. Additionally, I enjoyed the use of "talents." Fantasy books tend to rely heavily on magical talents, but I felt that Amanda did a good job of keeping it fresh and interesting in the way the talents came about. I also liked learning more about the talents that were more "forbidden."
Aces of Shades contains two POVs - Levi and Enne. On the surface, Lenni and Enne couldn't be any more different. Head of one of the three gangs, Lenni spends his days keeping his gang in check and carrying out tricks to keep money in their pockets. On the other hand, Enne hails from a more conservative city, and she's spent her days prior to the City of Sin, attending a prestigious school and improving her dancing. When Lenni and Enne's path converge, however, it's easy to see that they share two qualities: desperation as well as determination. Both Lenni and Enne are facing the impossible. Enne's looking for aunt, knowing that the chances are greater that she's dead than alive and Lenni's trying to work his way out of a bad deal. I enjoyed seeing them come together. At first, they mixed as well as water and oil. Enne is sassy and a teensy bit headstrong, always giving Lenni a run for his money. Conversely, Lenni is more laid-back. Don't get me wrong, he can be cunning and resourceful, but he keeps it all more under lock-and-key. I loved the banter that arose from their adventures as well as the bond that resulted. Their friendship felt very natural.
The plot in this also kept me on my toes. There's mystery and adventure, two of my favorite things! I thought the mystery involving Enne's mother was well done. I enjoyed the events that occurred because of it, and I also liked that Amanda also used it as a way for Enne to discover who she was. Additionally I enjoyed the different power players (i.e. the casino families) that always managed to cause drama and problems. They were so, so terrible, but in the kind of way you couldn't look away from.
Overall, Ace of Shades definitely lives up to the hype its accumulated these last few months. I look forward to reading the follow-up.
4.5 stars!!
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Amanda Foody has always considered imagination to be our best attempt at magic. After spending her childhood longing to attend Hogwarts, she now loves to write about immersive settings and characters grappling with insurmountable destinies. She holds a Masters in Accountancy from Villanova University, and a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from the College of William and Mary. Currently, she works as a tax accountant in Philadelphia, PA, surrounded by her many siblings and many books.
DAUGHTER OF THE BURNING CITY is her first novel. Her second, ACE OF SHADES, will follow in April 2018.
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5 copies of Aces of Shades (The Shadow Game #1) by Amanda Foody
I just started reading this one and I'm loving it! The atmosphere and world building is amazing! I'm so glad you loved it. I can't wait for all the banter.
ReplyDeleteNick @ The Infinite Limits of Love
This book sounds so intriguing. The synopsis has me hooked and I will definitely be picking this one up eventually. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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