Ace of Shades

Ace of Shades
The Shadow Game Book One
Written by Amanda Foody
Fantasy, Magic, Romance
464 Pages
Published April 23rd 2018
Thank you to Harlequin Australia
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★★★★☆
Welcome to the city of sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets... And secrets hide in every shadow.

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, Enne has only one lead, the name Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected, he's a street lord and con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unravelling 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.
New Reynes is notorious for the corruption of the innocent, a decrepit, polluted metropolis thriving on underworld corruption. Lourdes Alfero arrived in New Reynes on whispered secrets and a sheltered existence for adoptive daughter Erienne, attending a prestigious finishing school for young women. Sixteen year old Enne is a virtuous, aristocratic young woman pursuing her mother through the ostentatious streets of New Reynes, intoxicated by immorality, prohibition and inappropriate for modest young ladies of virtue.

Levi Glaisyer is the Iron Lord of New Reynes. Throughout the narrative, Enne and Levi develop a subtle companionship and attraction.  A machiavellian luminary and an endearing young man, Levi is a disarmingly charismatic, professional charlatan and the surviving affiliation Enne has to her adoptive mother. 

Each resident is recognised by their bisected capabilities, their abilities manifest through their individual heritage, from entertainers to illusionists to alchemists. Electrical currents are used as monetary value, extricated from the vitality of unsuspecting patrons of New Reynes. The corruption and anarchy of a metropolis is founded upon the illegal gambling industry. Within the kingdom, the monarchy and sympathisers were eradicated during the revolution, corruption infiltrating as the Augustine and Torren families reigned the Scarhands, Doves and the Iron syndicates. Beneath the atmospheric metropolis, an amalgamation of anonymous journalists whisper the atrocities of the anarchic new world, including the notorious Séance, a monarchist sympathiser. 

Characters are eclectic and diversified. A bisexual protagonist of colour, gender fluidity and socioeconomic representation, a gentle reminder of the importance of inclusion within young adult narratives. Unfortunately an instance of implied paedophilia is present. Unbeknown to Enne, she is coerced into a abhorrent and vulnerable position with a paedophile, believing she is immensely younger than she appears. Although condemned during the narration, it's confronting, uncomfortable and unnecessary.

New Reynes is atmospheric and distinctly imagined, a city of debauchery and immorality. Wonderfully portrayed, vibrantly diversified and captivating until the final page.

29 comments

  1. I've seen this book around, but this is the first review I've read for it. Brilliant (as always)! I love that the main character is searching for her mother, and I'm curious what she'll have to do in the city of sin to find her.

    If the pedophile aspect of the book was unnecessary, that would be a major turn off for me. I don't like when books use rape or other atrocities to further plot points and stories. There has to be a better way to convey the point you're trying to make. With that being said, books that are meant to deal with rape and horrible experiences, that show how someone is having to deal with those things, are different. There is a time and a place for those topics, and they shouldn't be thrown in lightly.

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. I thought so too. While it's not graphic in nature, the scenario is implied but also discussed among the characters as well so it's condemned. One small aspect in what is a phenomenal read.

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  2. This sounds almost perfect. I've heard murmurings of likeness to L Bardugo's Six of Crows but you never mentioned it, so I'm guessing there just might be some similarities but done in a way that the author owned it.

    Love the diverse characters and the world you described.

    Brilliant review, as always!

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    1. I've heard the same actually but I haven't read Six Of Crows so I couldn't personally compare the two reads. I'd absolutely love to see what you think of it Joy and if you can see the similarities.

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  3. Oooh, me like! I have been wondering about this, and might try the audio of it. I like how diverse and different these characters are.

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    1. Their diversity isn't part of the narrative either, which was incredibly authentic. I absolutely cannot wait to read your thoughts.

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  4. I have to be honest, this is not a book I would have picked up on my own, but it sounds absolutely like something I need to check out, even with the difficult topics.
    Hugs...RO

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    1. It's such a brilliantly entertaining read, I really enjoyed it and would love to see what you thought of it too!

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  5. I'm glad you liked this, Kelly! I had a lot of fun reading it and I was definitely taken in by how atmospheric New Reynes was. I'm eager for more!

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    1. Same, gosh it was magnificent. I can imagine that Las Vegas was similar during it's infancy, founded by the proceeds of crime and assets shared within a few families. I cannot wait for book two!

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  6. brilliant review! love the seedy underbelly feel of the cover and synopsis. Might pick this one up!

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    1. You'll enjoy this one Ailyn, so vividly imagined and atmospheric. Can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  7. I've read another really positive review for this one, so I'm definitely curious. Plus, yay for all sorts of diversity! I'm so excited that there is a bisexual MC because you don't always see that. It's usually one or the other.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I was chatting with another blogger recently about this possibly being the first black male, bisexual character I've discovered in young adult, completely unrepresented. It's brilliant Lauren, you'll absolutely love it.

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  8. Bah I have been so on the fence with this one, mixed bag of reviews, seems you either like it or really don't. I love when authors throw in a mix bag of characters and make it look smooth and well done and not just stuck in a book just because they needed the brownie points. LOVE books like this done well, great review, now I want.

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    1. It's difficult to imagine any reader disliking this one, it's a wonderfully written read, likable diverse characters, atmospheric world building. It's a blend of the historical underworld of Las Vegas, vintage crime bosses and shenanigans. Definitely grab a copy, you won't be disappointed.

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  9. I think Silvia had this one in my WOW a few weeks or months ago that's why I was familiar of this book. And my! I'm glad that it was as good as what I imagined. Glad you enjoyed it Kelly. Great review!

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    1. It's a brilliant read Vanessa, would love to see what you think of it.

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  10. Honestly, this isn't my kind of book but all the reviews are amazing and it sounds kind of dark which I do like.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. It has an old Vegas, gangster type feel to it Karen, such a joy to read and I absolutely loved Levi.

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  11. Ahh I'm so so excited about this!! I LOVED Amanda Foody's first book. 😍 Her writing is so captivating to me and yas thank you I am here for the dark side. I heard there are cookies.

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    1. There certainly are! Along with black, bisexual boys, shenanigans and a girl who goes on a remarkable journey of discovering her own strength. I'll have to check out her debut series, I absolutely loved this one!

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  12. Ooooh I am SO ready for all the magic and the diverse cast of characters! I saw this at the bookstore a few days ago and already had my hands on it... Before I realized I didn't bring enough money for it. Whoops. D:

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    1. Oh no, I'm sure they'll still have plenty of copies next time or perhaps the library. Such a wonderful read, eagerly awaiting the next instalment!

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  13. I've seen this book about on a couple of blogs and I've seen mostly positive reviews. I didn't know about the implied paedophilia which is upsetting to hear, especially if it's unnecessary to the larger story. I still want to read but at least I'll be prepared for that when it comes to it.

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    1. Yeah it is, it shows the villainous characterisation of one particular character and there could have been other choices that would have had the same impact. There is no graphic description but unwanted touching of the character's leg. Such a small aspect on what is such a brilliant book though, I would love to see what you think of it too!

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  14. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Kelly! Your review was lovely <3 I have to agree about the paedophilic themes. I wasn't a fan of their inclusion, and I feel like the character's evilness could have been portrayed in a different way. It was very uncomfortable to read about, and quite unexpected, as well. But other than that, I fell head over heels with almost every aspect of Ace of Shades. I cannot wait to see where Foody takes these characters next. I feel like this series is going to get bigger and better with each book!

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    1. Thanks Chiara. I felt the same, it was without warning and confronting. I just felt that although he's villainous and it's portrayed as being justified what happens to him, there could have been other choices to show this. Perhaps it was shock value? I felt incredibly uncomfortable that Enne was placed in that position. Overall I absolutely love it immensely, the wait for the next instalment will be brutal!

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  15. This was quite a fun read! I loved Enne's character journey and the world of New Reynes. I hope the sequel is as entertaining!

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