Review: Ace of Shades | Amanda Foody

This review is spoiler free.

“She was a pistol wrapped up in silk. She was a blade disguised as a girl.” 

Series: The Shadow Game
Published: 2018, by HQ Young Adult.
Pages: 459
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Contains: Death, Violence, Arson, Implied Strong Language, Anger, Abandonment, Blood/Gore, Grief, Murder

‘Ace of Shades’ tells the story of Enne Salta, a young lady raised ‘proper’, and no proper ladies willingly visit the City of Sin. However, when her mother goes missing, Enne must leaving her school and reputation behind to find her. Her only lead is a street lord and con man, Levi Glaisyer, who claims he doesn’t have time to help her whilst fighting his own battles. Yet, Enne’s offer of compensation could be the solution to all his problems.

This book sounded fast paced from the get go, and has been on my wish list since the moment it was released. I just simply couldn’t get enough of this story, which only magnified after reading.

This book is quite possibly my favourite read of the year so far. Having been so hyped for its release, I couldn’t help but take this book with me wherever I went to ensure I finished it as soon as possible. It’s fast paced, action packed, and filled with anger, violence, and implied fantastical cursing. What more could you want from a book?

At first, I was admittedly nervous that I’d end up not liking Enna Salta, fearful of her lady-like trope, yet she became a complete bad-ass the more the plot developed. She was fearless, developing into the most powerful protagonist I think I’ve ever read. I loved her. Levi’s character was an immediate favourite from the start, being charming and playful whilst also developing more of a protective personality. The perfect LGBT representation, with added violence and sarcasm. Plus, having expected the pair to develop a more romantic relationship only emphasised my adoration for the book when the unexpected happened.

Overall, this book is simply perfection. I was hooked on every single word on the page, whilst falling more and more in love with the characters. I might even give it a second read in the same year.

5/5