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shannonxo 's review for:
King of Fools
by Amanda Foody
Okay, okay, okay. I've had nearly a week to sit and cobble together my thoughts on King of Fools, and I'm fairly certain I'm not there yet. The last quarter of the books was an absolute emotional rollercoaster!
Ace of Shades was one of my favourite reads last year—and my re-read last month still has it at five stars—so I was thrilled to read the sequel early. Book two did not disappoint. Admittedly, the first half or so took some getting into. It's a bit slower than the first and while it is a bit darker, the story takes on an entirely different ... feel, I guess you could say. I'll explain what I mean later. We get to explore a bit more of the equally vibrant and dark parts of New Reynes. I still adore the vibe it evokes, of 1920's Atlantic City with gangsters, casinos and a whole lot of nefarious doings happening in the shadows. And broad daylight as well, I might add.
As with AoS, the story is told through Enne Salta and Levi Glaiyser's point of view. I still adore being inside Enne's head the most, but this time we also got a point of view from Jac Mardlin! I didn't know this was happening, so I got really excited when I got to his first chapter. I kind of hoped that meant we would get Lola Sanguick, but she sticks with Enne as they build their girl gang of counters. Mr. Mardlin, however, gets to tell his own story. For those who don't remember, Jac is the Irons second and Levi's best friend. He's a big bear of a guy, but he's had issues in the past with drugs. I really enjoyed his arc as it was at times heartbreaking, but fully satisfying. Foody did a great job I think.
As I mentioned, the first half of the book moved slower than the first book, and that is because this delved a lot more into the politics of New Reynes and the place the gangs and the North Side has in grand scheme of things. The first book ended with a murder that is being blamed on the North Side as a whole. Known members of the gangs are wanted dead or alive, and this fuels a lot of how the story progresses. How to put the North Side on top with the upcoming election setting the tone. As before, Enne and Levi are still dancing around each other romantically, and not helping the situation is the fact they are both working for opposing sides. AKA, Mama Augustine and her son.There isn't the same undertone of panic as there was in the first, with Levi scrambling for money and Enne trying to stay afloat with the debauchery coming at her. The stakes didn't feel as high, until they were through the roof.
The last quarter of the book is unreal. I couldn't for the life of me put it down. It is intense, to say the least. And emotional. I had a hand covering my mouth for most of it and yelled "How could you?!" The POVs switched each time something was coming to light, making me freak out a little bit more. It took so many damn twists that everything I thought was concrete was thrown out the window. And it got dark. I mean, not to spoil anything, but a new villain comes into play towards the end, and I do not want to get on his bad side. SO. MANY. QUESTIONS!
The epilogue really sets the stage for the third book, and it has me biting my nails already. Things are going to be different and I can't wait!
Ace of Shades was one of my favourite reads last year—and my re-read last month still has it at five stars—so I was thrilled to read the sequel early. Book two did not disappoint. Admittedly, the first half or so took some getting into. It's a bit slower than the first and while it is a bit darker, the story takes on an entirely different ... feel, I guess you could say. I'll explain what I mean later. We get to explore a bit more of the equally vibrant and dark parts of New Reynes. I still adore the vibe it evokes, of 1920's Atlantic City with gangsters, casinos and a whole lot of nefarious doings happening in the shadows. And broad daylight as well, I might add.
As with AoS, the story is told through Enne Salta and Levi Glaiyser's point of view. I still adore being inside Enne's head the most, but this time we also got a point of view from Jac Mardlin! I didn't know this was happening, so I got really excited when I got to his first chapter. I kind of hoped that meant we would get Lola Sanguick, but she sticks with Enne as they build their girl gang of counters. Mr. Mardlin, however, gets to tell his own story. For those who don't remember, Jac is the Irons second and Levi's best friend. He's a big bear of a guy, but he's had issues in the past with drugs. I really enjoyed his arc as it was at times heartbreaking, but fully satisfying. Foody did a great job I think.
As I mentioned, the first half of the book moved slower than the first book, and that is because this delved a lot more into the politics of New Reynes and the place the gangs and the North Side has in grand scheme of things. The first book ended with a murder that is being blamed on the North Side as a whole. Known members of the gangs are wanted dead or alive, and this fuels a lot of how the story progresses. How to put the North Side on top with the upcoming election setting the tone. As before, Enne and Levi are still dancing around each other romantically, and not helping the situation is the fact they are both working for opposing sides. AKA, Mama Augustine and her son.There isn't the same undertone of panic as there was in the first, with Levi scrambling for money and Enne trying to stay afloat with the debauchery coming at her. The stakes didn't feel as high, until they were through the roof.
The last quarter of the book is unreal. I couldn't for the life of me put it down. It is intense, to say the least. And emotional. I had a hand covering my mouth for most of it and yelled "How could you?!" The POVs switched each time something was coming to light, making me freak out a little bit more. It took so many damn twists that everything I thought was concrete was thrown out the window. And it got dark. I mean, not to spoil anything, but a new villain comes into play towards the end, and I do not want to get on his bad side. SO. MANY. QUESTIONS!
The epilogue really sets the stage for the third book, and it has me biting my nails already. Things are going to be different and I can't wait!