My Rating: 5/5 This book was perfect!

Characters: 5/5 I found the characters so dynamic and interesting! I definitely feel like most of the characters aren’t black and white at all. They all are a shade of gray and that makes them even more interesting. They are unpredictable. If I had to survive in New Reynes, I would definitely want to do it with a group like Enne’s. I really liked Enne, especially in the second half of the book. She was adaptable and interesting. I’m curious to see how she changes in book 2!

Setting: 5/5 I love the city of New Reynes. Like the characters, the city is a shade of gray. Be careful who you trust and who you make an enemy out of. But it isn’t all bad, You might just discover more about yourself than you’d ever think. The book has a map in it so that you can better see where everything is in relationship to each other and also which sections are owned by which gang or family. Throughout the book, you really get to know how the city works. The world building was amazing in this book.

Plot: 5/5 This story had twists and turns all throughout. It was an adventure and a mystery. It kept me sucked into the book from start to finish and I can’t wait for the second one!

Relationship: 5/5 I’m a sucker for a hate to love relationship! The relationship in this book was more of a Mistrust to Trust relationship and it was just as good. I thought the romantic relationship was well developed. I also enjoyed the platonic relationship building as well! Enne comes into this city alone and unknown but by the end of the book she has a group of Ally’s and Quite a few enemies! ( )

This book was fine. I don’t have any complaints but at the same time I didn’t love it.
It started very interesting, with Enne being very out of place and Levi being threatened, but about halfway through I kind of lost interest because the stakes were not high enough.
The atmosphere of this book was well written, kind of like a dark Las Vegas, but none of these gangs or cons felt intimidating. (Especially Levi, it's said multiple times he is an Iron Lord and con artist but he never shows it.)
I liked the idea of volt orbs as currency, and the two talents people inherit, but this magic system was not defined enough for me. If Levi has orb making talent, why not make more volts to pay off his debt? ( )

This book took me a long time to read because I just couldn't connect to the characters (namely Enne) and I felt like it was such a slog to continue. Luckily, once things start to kick off and we find a little more about Lourdes and Enne's past and get some action sequences, it was a bit easier to get through. I still didn't feel anything for any of the characters and don't think I'll continue with the series. If they focused more on the gangs and Levi's world, it would have been more compelling. Every time a gang is mentioned or something happens with them, it felt like just a tease - the writer introduces too many characters and doesn't have the skill to develop them in the allotted text. Enne, the main character, was just so boring and basic with no real redeeming qualities that I would rush through her chapters just to get back to Levi's POV with a little more meat to it. And while I understand this is a YA book, the romance will-they-won't-they teasing was frustrating and added nothing to the story. If you're not going to have them actually follow through on any sort of intimacy, leave it out of the book entirely. ( )

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3.5 Stars - I received with thanks an ARC copy of Ace of Shades from HQ Young Adult & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody. This is due was published on 17th May 2018

This was my 1st Amanda Foody book and will not be the last. This was an interesting ride with plenty twist and turns. Enne and Levi were an interesting pair to read about. I cannot wait until their next instalment. Plenty of Rogues, Thieves and other unique characters are within this story. The authors writing style is unique and enjoyable. I have had the pleasure of going to Las Vegas many, many years ago and it was enjoyable to read a story that has a Vegas type atmosphere.

Great book for YA fantasy lovers.
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