I was a bit worried about reading this book! I picked it up around the time that it was published, and I didn't get far it, and it seemed like it was going to hit my button of characters making poor choices. So I put it down. But I picked it back up, and powered through, and I'm glad I did, because it was a really great story!

This world with the government that rebelled against the monarchy-and now has a republic that is pretty corrupt, yeah, there were some interesting things going on with the politics, but it was more in the background. At least for now, but the reveals in this book tell us that they're going to be in the forefront not too far from now!

Getting to know Enne and Levi was really great. They both had their secrets, some even that they themselves didn't know. I had such a great uncovering them, learning who they were as characters, and what they would do in a tight corner.

I'm really excited to see where this book goes, a lot happened in this book, a lot was set up, and I need to know how it's all going to play out. The lines were cast, and now the tension is going to be raised, and I can't wait!

I really enjoyed reading it, and I can't wait to continue!

my expectations going into this book were very high with the spirited away meets six of crows comp pitch and unfortunately this story, although definitely has promise, didn’t live up to the juggernaut IPs it aligned itself with and i came out of the experience a little let down and disappointed. however much people want to pitch comps to help market a book, i think it’s important to also pick comps that help manage expectations of readers going into the piece. if my expectations going in weren’t a 100% straight up right down my alley banger, i may have had a better experience of being pleasantly surprised and rated the book higher, but. unfortunately that was not my experience here which was sad as i really really wanted to love this book and was so looking forward to it.

I was very excited for this book when I requested it but unfortunately I’ve not been able to get into the story when I’ve picked it up. I do have a hardcover and will most likely give it another shot in the future.

Somehwat enjoyable, but unfortunately not as memorable as one would hope. It felt like there were several points in which is stands too much in the shadow of superior peers (Six of Crows, being one that comes to mind). Too much infodumping on the worldbuilding, but the author shows some promise for improvement in the future, hopefully, given that this seems to be their debut work.

I loved this book so much. The story is unlike anything I have ever read. Such a unique concept and fantastic characters that stand out

Welcome to the City of Sin.

This book deserves so much more hype than it gets! First of all it has such a stunning cover. Also the plot, writing, and world building in this book are amazing. I loved learning about the world and it's history. It definitely does take your undivided attention sometimes to follow all the history, details and plot though. Not to mention some LGBTQ+ representation figures.

It takes place in a very Las Vegas-esque setting where casino families reign and secrets hide. The main female protagonist comes from a very modest background and visits the city of sin in search of her mother. Here she meets Levi, a street lord, along a few other questionable characters. They find themselves unraveling secrets and fighting for their lives together.

Ace of Shades has such a unique magic system which are technically considered "talents". And personally being a big fan of character driven books I really enjoyed the characters. I feel both the main protagonists help each other grow and develop so much and I loved it. The romance elements are pretty light, more of a mutual/growing pining but I am excited to see where things head in the next book as well as learning more about the supporting characters. The action are so riveting and the end scene was PHENOMENAL!

There are so many twists and plot turns. I actually read this way before Six of Crows and while the plots are different but I definitely get similar vibes with the worlds. So if you like Six of Crows you should definitely give this one a try!

Thank you to netgalley and Harlequin Teen for approving me a copy for review & thank you Amanda Foody for the amazing new book world.

This was a fun read that I think teens at our library will enjoy. The book is filled with twists and turns and creates a magical world that I enjoyed. I hadn't heard much about the author/series and it was a pleasant surprise.

Excellent world building and characters! I was hooked from the first chapter. Book two cannot come soon enough.

Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to read this ARC prior to the book's publication, but we did end up buying it for our library collection.

My rating is actually more like 3.5. I enjoyed this book but it seemed like it took me so long to finish. I'm not really sure why it took me so long. There were definitely slow parts, but there was also a lot of action. The magic system was interesting, but I was kind of confused by some of it and the politics were a little difficult to follow. I liked many of the characters, but at the same time I felt like some of their actions didn't really make sense. For example, I had a really hard time believing Levi was a crime lord. I still liked him as a character though. This was a fairly entertaining read and I am sure there are quite a few people I could recommend it to.

I love world building and this book was great at it. The magic system was fascinating and I really enjoyed it.
I also enjoyed the transformation of the main character, Enne, from naive to absolutely willing to kill someone to get what she wants. Her descent from black and white morality into a world of grey was very engaging and honestly the reason I kept reading.
I feel like the writing could have been better. The author would often tell the reader something about the characters without having anything in the narrative to back it up. Additionally, none of the characters seemed like real people and I had no grasp on who they were as characters. Although I loved the world building, it could also have had more depth to it.
I also hate made-up profanity. It just sounds stupid.
Despite these flaws, I did still enjoy this book and I might read the others in the series.

Ace of Shades is a great adventure. Brought to New Reynes in search of her mother Enne Salta is certain of a few things. New Reynes is not the kind of place proper young ladies find themselves, and she's stepping into something she doesnt' quite understand.

With just a name to go one, Enne doesn't really have a clue where to start, but she's determined to figure out what has happened to her mother. When she tracks down Levi, the two of them team up to get to the bottom of a mystery that seems to be several layers deep. The deeper they get into the case, the more complex it seems to get, and Enne is starting to understand that she doesn't know as much about herself as she thought she did.

The only way to get answers is to play a game where no one can win, and losers forfeit their lives. Together Levi and Enne have to play the game if they hope to make it out of New Reynes with their lives.

The writing is rich in detail and the author takes the time to really establish her characters as well as the character of the city itself.

Absolutely captivating! I found Ace of Spades to be dark and twisty, exactly how I like them. You never really knew what was around each corner or where the story was leading. Enne's character evolves and grows exponentially. I can't wait to see where King of Fool's takes us!

My Review: I am so sad that I did not enjoy this one. I tried it three times before I had to call it quit. First off I would like to tell you that I have not read Six of Crows so I will not be comparing the two.

So this one started off pretty good but once that dual POV takes over and we get into the story this one fell apart for me. Early on this one lost me in its world of info dumping, characters, and well the world itself. I really do love made up names and terms but when it gets to the point where I need a dictionary and a float chart to keep things straight then its a little much.

I really loved the authors first book but this one just lacked the right execution. I kind of wished that this one would have been just one POV which I think it would have made the story a little more solid.

So in the end for me this one just did not work out at all. I had high hopes but those were dashed.

Loved it! It has an intriguing plot, a fantastic world-building, a believable romance, and realistic characters.. I'm so excited for the sequel!! I highly recommend this book!

Amanda' Foody's sophomore release, Ace of Shades, is a dark, immersive, and carnivalesque romp through a seedy underground world rife with mafia-like gangs and magic. If you loved her debut, Daughter of the Burning City, then you'll love Ace of Shades, but prepare yourself for a much darker and more well-developed world.

Foody's writing excels in the areas of description, world-building, and character development. Readers will appreciate her diverse and multi-dimensional cast, and the world within which they live is expansive. Unlike a lot of YA fiction, Foody's writing will appeal to young adult and older adult readers simply because her language and writing overall isn't "juvenile." She doesn't shy away from expansive details, colorful vocabulary, or complex sentence structure. I know this is a weird thing to harp on, but readers shouldn't be "written down to," and I love that Foody doesn't do this.

I cannot wait for King of Fools, the follow-up to Ace of Shades. I'm ready for more high-stakes magical card games where your life is the price and prize and mind-blowing dancing, acrobatics, and betrayls set against the backdrop of carnival, casino, and the underbelly of society is life.

Amanda Foody is a new master of fantasy, and she can do no wrong in my book. I highly recommend her books.

Amanda Foody's debut novel originally came to my attention because of the deal announcement for her second book. I was instantly spellbound by its premise and was even more excited to dive into it after loving her writing style upon reading her first novel. Ace of Shades offers up a dazzling start to a series where secrets can be dangerous and gambling can cost you much more than money.

Amanda Foody's writing feels effortless. It's descriptive, captivating, and alluring. Its descriptive ability to conjure the most vivid pictures is tailor made for the style of novels she seems to favor. There is something whimsical but dark at the center of the worlds she creates, and that is showcased in her writing as well.

The world that these characters inhabit is so well developed and unique. It's a mix of 1920's mobster, Las Vegas, and something all its own. Everything from the history of the city, the hierarchy that exists for the people who inhabit it, and the sort of magic that thrums through everything is complex and intricately crafted. It makes for a world you can easy slip into while reading and one that is hard to leave.

This is a world where all of the characters exist on some sliding scale of moral ambiguity. It's a world where many of them are, to some extent, criminals and that made all of them feel just as complicated and fleshed out as the world. There are some truly awful people within these pages, but others are just trying to survive the only way they know how. In a world that is inherently dangerous it's something they cannot really be faulted for. It also makes Enne's character arc feel more authentic and realistic when you consider the world she is in and who she is surrounded by.

Enne is the kind of character I love. She comes into her own at the series progresses and learns so much about who she is because of what happens to her. It's very much a journey she is taking and that directly impacts who she is becoming. She proves herself to be quite capable under stress, and much stronger than I think she gives herself credit for. She slips into this world of sin much quicker than she would like, but I felt the reader could feel this part of her lurking under the surface almost immediately.

Levi's bravado hides a caring young man who just wants to do right by the people who are counting on him. His world is quickly unraveling and Enne comes in like a whirlwind to complicate it even further. He's a character who is treading water, but who knows he could be sucked under at any moment. There's something interesting about him as a character and it makes the chapters from his point of view shine just a little brighter.

The romance in this one is scorching. There is a ton of unresolved sexual tension between the characters and it is palpable. It is nothing overtly explicit, but Amanda Foody does so much with just a look or a light touch. The act of wanting is potent when done right, and this book has it in spades. The delayed gratification of these two characters is going to make the eventual payoff all the more rewarding.

The plot is a pulse pounding, rapid paced jaunt through this vivid world that has been created. It's quite obviously the first part in a larger story and it is one that I predict readers will be more than happy to continue. The reveals and twists found within these pages only serve to ramp up tension and ensure that the reader is entirely hooked.

New Reynes is a world you'll quickly become charmed by, along with the characters that call the city home. Amanda Foody has once again crafted a darkly tantalizing read that will instantly have you wishing for its sequel, and probably make you add this author to your auto buy list.

I absolutely loved this book! I thought the twists were perfect and the romance was the best. It left me desperate for the sequel.

I had to DNF this book. I just wasn’t enjoying it. It reminded me to much of another book that pulled of the concept a lot better. I wasn’t invested in any of the characters. What I did enjoy was the world itself. Overall it just wasn’t for me, maybe I would have enjoyed it better if I didn’t keep comparing it to another.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I could not finish this book. I gave it a try, but the story did not grab me. The characters fell flat, and I wasn't able to really get pulled in to the world Foody was building.