Review: Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

Title: Ace of Shades

Author:  Amanda Foody
Publisher: Harlequin Teen 

Publishing Date:  April 10th, 2018

Pages: 416
Genre: YA Fantasy

Series:  The Shadow Game #1
Source:  Audio

 

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.

I fell in love with the cover of this book the first time I saw it. I was like this looks promising so I read the premise. Yup sounds like a good read. I was very excited to get it on audio and get my read (listen) on.  I hate to say it but I was disappointed in this book. The story was pretty good but the pacing was just way off for me. I couldn't connect to the characters and I really I was a little bored. 

Enna travels to the city of sin to find her mother. Her mother left her a note that stated, Hey if I am not back within this time limit, well I am dead and seek out this guy named Levi.  So Enne goes to look for her in a city she knows nothing about and is kind of lost. I mean on her first day she loses her money and luggage. She meets up with Levi and they go on a search for Enne's mother. 

Levi is in a bit of trouble himself. He has a con going and one of his clients (victims) is a crime lord. I am not sure what made him think this was a good idea. I guess the answer to that is, he is working for someone else that is just as bad. So when he meets Enne, he doesn't want to help her... but he owes the crime boss a lot of money and Enne has promised money in return for his help. 

So they go on a search and find lots of trouble, betrayals, and secrets along the way. 

I am going to keep this review a little short. I really don't have too much to say. I am really very very sad I didn't fall for this book like I thought I would. It was a very anticipated read for me and I am just ruined,  it wasn't a good read. The potential was there. The story was very interesting. In fact, the story is what kept me reading the book. I needed to know what happened. 

I also very much liked the world building. It was a pretty cool place. The problem with the world building, there was a lot of time spent building. I don't think it needed all that time spent on the world building. I felt it took away from the character development and story progression. 

The story was slow and a little longer than I thought it needed to be. I really enjoyed the hunt for Enne's mother, the things they had to go through, and how everything was connected. The mystery was quite fun...  I needed more though. 

I think more than the book being slow for me, there wasn't enough character development. I didn't feel the characters. I felt Enne was naive and a little spoiled and Levi was a bit of a bad boy by accident who wanted to be a tough guy but really he wined a little too much for me. Other than that I didn't connect with them. I didn't feel emotions and I didn't feel the romance or the friendships. 

What I really am bummed about, the ending was left with me hanging and I still want to know what is going on. So I may have not been in the mood for this book. I may try it again when the next one comes out. Maybe read instead of listening and see if that makes a difference. I have been reading so many books lately and maybe I just couldn't feel this one because I was reading too many books that were more intense and exciting. I know this sounds crazy. I haven't decided yet. We shall see. 

I do see a lot of people liked this book and I think that many more will. I know I wanted to love it. I do think the world and story are interesting enough to make this book worth the read. Just keep in mind it's slow. 

Maybe I wasn't in the mood, but I just didn't dig it. 

Amanda Foody has always considered imagination to be our best attempt at magic. After spending her childhood longing to attend Hogwarts, she now loves to write about immersive settings and characters grappling with insurmountable destinies. She holds a Masters in Accountancy from Villanova University, and a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from the College of William and Mary. Currently, she works as a tax accountant in Philadelphia, PA, surrounded by her many siblings and many books.