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A review by sallenreads
Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As a disclaimer, I should mention that I read ACE OF SHADES several years ago in manuscript form. I loved it back then, and if anything, it’s even better now.
First of all, I love how Enne wasn’t ashamed of being simultaneously ladylike and into makeup while getting in there and getting the job done. So many YA books portray “strong female characters” who take on traditionally masculine traits and pooh pooh clothes and makeup and the girls who like them. This is not that book, and as someone who is fully capable of being awesome at my job and tearing down the patriarchy while rocking a manicure and sparkly clothes and a bold lip, I fully appreciate this. I think it’s important for teen readers to see that you can be extremely femme but also a badass.
We also get to see in this book a view of female sexuality as something that isn’t to be feared. Enne is curious about the dancers in the casinos, and about her body, and about how to make herself feel good, and that it’s okay to feel desire. The whole thing is refreshing.
And above all else, ACE OF SHADES is just fun. The whole thing takes place over the course of about a week or so, so it moves really fast and since it’s dual POV, we get to see a lot of the criminal underworld, a lot of the dirt underneath all of the glitz and glamor. There’s also the mystery element to it as Enne and Levi try to figure out what happened to her mother, which is layered with Levi’s financial problems and the shaky political climate of New Reynes.
Overall, ACE OF SHADES was a fast-paced fantasy read with excellent world building, plenty of mystery to keep readers turning pages, and complex characters. I can’t wait for the sequel!
First of all, I love how Enne wasn’t ashamed of being simultaneously ladylike and into makeup while getting in there and getting the job done. So many YA books portray “strong female characters” who take on traditionally masculine traits and pooh pooh clothes and makeup and the girls who like them. This is not that book, and as someone who is fully capable of being awesome at my job and tearing down the patriarchy while rocking a manicure and sparkly clothes and a bold lip, I fully appreciate this. I think it’s important for teen readers to see that you can be extremely femme but also a badass.
We also get to see in this book a view of female sexuality as something that isn’t to be feared. Enne is curious about the dancers in the casinos, and about her body, and about how to make herself feel good, and that it’s okay to feel desire. The whole thing is refreshing.
And above all else, ACE OF SHADES is just fun. The whole thing takes place over the course of about a week or so, so it moves really fast and since it’s dual POV, we get to see a lot of the criminal underworld, a lot of the dirt underneath all of the glitz and glamor. There’s also the mystery element to it as Enne and Levi try to figure out what happened to her mother, which is layered with Levi’s financial problems and the shaky political climate of New Reynes.
Overall, ACE OF SHADES was a fast-paced fantasy read with excellent world building, plenty of mystery to keep readers turning pages, and complex characters. I can’t wait for the sequel!