A review by michellehogmire
Bloody Spade by Brittany M. Willows

adventurous mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thanks to BookSirens for a free advance copy of this title, which comes out today Sept. 15, 2021 (happy pub date!). I'm writing this review voluntarily.

It's the seventh anniversary of Reemergence Day, when magic appeared in mundane reality, and another potentially dangerous incident is on the rise. Magic is complicated in the world of Brittany M. Willows' Bloody Spade: between the mythological realms of the Domain and the Void, magic contains elements both light and dark, and society has been deeply impacted by the emergence. 

Enter two (seemingly) opposing forces and characters: first, Iori Royne, a young man who controls an incredibly wild kind of magic. As a figure called the Keeper of the Spade, he wields the menacing power of the Void and gets by as a thief, running from the authorities. Our other main character, Ellen Amelia Jane, exists on the other end of the magical spectrum: she's a Joker--a recent graduate of Cardplay, a magical policing force that aims to protect humanity from the darker side of magic. Ellen's brother, Alexander, is the most prestigious member of Cardplay, so things don't go well when she decides to assist an injured Iori. Actually, though, the Jokers will need Iori's help--he knows about the original architects of the Reemergence, and they're going to try to create even more chaos, unless they can be stopped. Throw in an evil inventor/corporation head who's willing to conjure deities, a criminal mobster-esque magical organization called Blackjack, and a woman who's forced to work with the enemy to protect her father, and you have the recipe for an incredibly original fantasy novel.

Author Willows' book contains excellent characters and amazing world building, culminating in an all-out battle for the fate of humanity, both Empowered (magical) and non-magical. Bloody Spade has it all: wonderful ace representation, complicated sibling relationships, and the perfect set-up for a sequel. I wish someone would make this into a video game, because I'd definitely play it!