eARC Review: Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

Summary: 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.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Rep: black bi mc

Release date: 

US: 10th April 2018

Australian: 17th May 2018

I received an arc from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

---

Ace of Shades was an interesting book with an enthralling setting, following two polar opposite characters. The book takes place at a casino sort of place called ‘City of Sins’. I really loved the setting, it had an amazing atmosphere and felt bigger than what was shown. The setting really draws you in and you want to learn everything you can about it. It’s a dark setting, but you can’t help but be enthralled by its performers and its gangs.

I really loved the characters too. Enne is clearly unfamiliar with the kind of setting like City of Sins, making her out of place presence very clear. She was meant to attend her final year of finishing school but instead she is searching for adoptive mother, which leads her to Levi. Levi is a cunning, clever, and flirtatious character. He has a reputation in the City of Sins and clearly knows his way around.

 

The book keeps you second guessing, and you feel like you’ve full grasped the world but then more is revealed about it. In a good way, the world-building is done so well but also makes you want to learn more about it.

I will say what didn’t totally work about the book was that it was really slow at times. I took its time to really set out the setting and introduce elements of the world. It also did that thing where instead of using an actual swear word, it used the word ‘much’ for cursing. This is a pet peeve of mine as the book was meant to be an alternate 20th century setting. But that’s a more nit picky thing.

I overall really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see more in the sequel.