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A review by larainsidebooks
Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The way that this book had me hooked during the second half is insane. It's saying a lot that, as I'm writing this review, I'm already halfway through the sequel.
However, this wasn't the case at the beginning. I will blame that on me having big breaks between starting this book and actually comitting to reading it regularly and my uni obligations getting in the way of giving this book the proper attention it deserves. As I was getting closer to the ending, my anticipation rose and I ended up being glued to the screen until the very end!
We have two main characters, both with their own motives. At the beginning, it seems like they are complete opposites: Enne, a pretty young girl, straight out of a presitge finishing school and Levi, a gang leader trying to build his empire. They both fail at their respective missions, but they pick themselves up each time and continue fighting. I especially loved Enne's development. Levi and Enne have to work together and at first they clash, but they learn to rely on eachother. Which may or may not lead to some feelings. Which brings me to THE TENSION. I'm so happy we have dual POV because there is no doubt about their feelings. They both like the other, but are doing absolutely nothing about it (maybe not nothing at all, but still I need more!).Their banter was perfect and I loved all of their scenes together. I appreciated the slow buildup, because the entire books spans only 8-10 days and it's expected that they wouldn't get together in the first book out of the three. I'm so excited to see what's in store for them in the sequel! Also, one point I would like to add is that Levi is bisexual and Enne's mother dresses fluidly, so there's some representation if you are looking for that.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters very much. I already see warming up to Jac even more in the second book and I love his friendship with Levi. I also feel that Lola will become a much bigger part of the story.
It is around the halfway point that a big reveal happens, but I didn't get my full attention. It didn't feel grounded in logic, because there weren't that many reasons why our MC would even pursue getting to the bottom of that mystery. I mean, there were two main ones, but it felt like that sort of reveal was meant to happen later in the book because it feels it didn't make any sort of difference at the middle except the fact that we gained a new secondary character.
I also struggled to understand what were everyone's talents at the beginning of the book. The magic system of this book is really interesting and unique. Basically, everyone has two talents: one blood talent (which is stronger) and one split talent (the weaker one), both inherited from your parents. You also share your main last name with the parent that you got your blood talent from. Example: Enne Abacus Salta - her main (blood) talent is dancing and that's why she is usually just called Enne Salta, while counting is her second (split) talent. There are so many different talents. Strenght, healing, seeing auras, fire, acrobatics, counting, being able to see other people's talents (blood gazers), protecting someone.. I also really liked that the strenghts of the the same talents were different depending on it being your blood talent or split talent (Jac's split talent is healing, but since it's his weaker one, he feels the pain of the wound he heals).
The volt/orb system was also a mystery to me, because I couldn't for the life of me figure out the difference between orb makers and the power that the Mizers apparently had, which was making volts (I'm still not quite sure).
This brings me to my next point: the history and the setting. The time period/setting feels like late 19/early 20th century and I loved the atmosphere of New Reynes and how it contrasted Bellamy, where Enne is originally from. I also loved that Enne was constantly referring to her guidebook and Levi was teasing her about it. The history of this world is also pretty interesting. New Reynes is a part of the Republic now, but there used to be bunch of kingdoms, but the royals were all killed 18 or so years ago so there's a lot of mysteries about that to uncover. I just wish we got more information about the Mizers and their actual powers, because the only thing I know for sure that they all have purple eyes, but I don't understand all of their powers (do they make volts???). I also don't really understand what the name Mizer actually stands for. All of the royals or just a selected group? Is it a monarchists party or does is include the people that support them? I hope we get more answers in the next book.
I expected the final conflict to happen at the very end of the book, but I didn't expect it to play out the way it did. I honestly thought the roles would be reversed (if you know you know), but I guess that there was more at stake this way. I loved the ending and can't wait to see what the sequel brings!
What it reminded me of: Six of Crows, These Violent Delights, The Gilded Wolves (haven't read it yet, but they both give me a similar vibe), tv show Peaky Blinders
However, this wasn't the case at the beginning. I will blame that on me having big breaks between starting this book and actually comitting to reading it regularly and my uni obligations getting in the way of giving this book the proper attention it deserves. As I was getting closer to the ending, my anticipation rose and I ended up being glued to the screen until the very end!
We have two main characters, both with their own motives. At the beginning, it seems like they are complete opposites: Enne, a pretty young girl, straight out of a presitge finishing school and Levi, a gang leader trying to build his empire. They both fail at their respective missions, but they pick themselves up each time and continue fighting. I especially loved Enne's development. Levi and Enne have to work together and at first they clash, but they learn to rely on eachother. Which may or may not lead to some feelings. Which brings me to THE TENSION. I'm so happy we have dual POV because there is no doubt about their feelings. They both like the other, but are doing absolutely nothing about it (maybe not nothing at all, but still I need more!).Their banter was perfect and I loved all of their scenes together. I appreciated the slow buildup, because the entire books spans only 8-10 days and it's expected that they wouldn't get together in the first book out of the three. I'm so excited to see what's in store for them in the sequel! Also, one point I would like to add is that Levi is bisexual and Enne's mother dresses fluidly, so there's some representation if you are looking for that.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters very much. I already see warming up to Jac even more in the second book and I love his friendship with Levi. I also feel that Lola will become a much bigger part of the story.
It is around the halfway point that a big reveal happens, but I didn't get my full attention. It didn't feel grounded in logic, because there weren't that many reasons why our MC would even pursue getting to the bottom of that mystery. I mean, there were two main ones, but it felt like that sort of reveal was meant to happen later in the book because it feels it didn't make any sort of difference at the middle except the fact that we gained a new secondary character.
I also struggled to understand what were everyone's talents at the beginning of the book. The magic system of this book is really interesting and unique. Basically, everyone has two talents: one blood talent (which is stronger) and one split talent (the weaker one), both inherited from your parents. You also share your main last name with the parent that you got your blood talent from. Example: Enne Abacus Salta - her main (blood) talent is dancing and that's why she is usually just called Enne Salta, while counting is her second (split) talent. There are so many different talents. Strenght, healing, seeing auras, fire, acrobatics, counting, being able to see other people's talents (blood gazers), protecting someone.. I also really liked that the strenghts of the the same talents were different depending on it being your blood talent or split talent (Jac's split talent is healing, but since it's his weaker one, he feels the pain of the wound he heals).
The volt/orb system was also a mystery to me, because I couldn't for the life of me figure out the difference between orb makers and the power that the Mizers apparently had, which was making volts (I'm still not quite sure).
This brings me to my next point: the history and the setting. The time period/setting feels like late 19/early 20th century and I loved the atmosphere of New Reynes and how it contrasted Bellamy, where Enne is originally from. I also loved that Enne was constantly referring to her guidebook and Levi was teasing her about it. The history of this world is also pretty interesting. New Reynes is a part of the Republic now, but there used to be bunch of kingdoms, but the royals were all killed 18 or so years ago so there's a lot of mysteries about that to uncover. I just wish we got more information about the Mizers and their actual powers, because the only thing I know for sure that they all have purple eyes, but I don't understand all of their powers (do they make volts???). I also don't really understand what the name Mizer actually stands for. All of the royals or just a selected group? Is it a monarchists party or does is include the people that support them? I hope we get more answers in the next book.
I expected the final conflict to happen at the very end of the book, but I didn't expect it to play out the way it did. I honestly thought the roles would be reversed (if you know you know), but I guess that there was more at stake this way. I loved the ending and can't wait to see what the sequel brings!
What it reminded me of: Six of Crows, These Violent Delights, The Gilded Wolves (haven't read it yet, but they both give me a similar vibe), tv show Peaky Blinders
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Addiction