Novel Reviews

Ace Of Shades By Amanda Foody 

Rating ✶✶

Ace of Shades had a lot of growl but no bite. The author kept making references to Enne losing her innocence in the Sin City. For a city of sin, the author didn’t really make me feel all the concerned about corruption of anyone innocents- there were plenty of opportunities where this could have added more to the atmosphere of the setting. It may have been the fact that this book started in the middle of Ennes quest to find her adoptive mother Lourdes, like she pretty much landed in the middle of New Reynes and there was hardly a reference to her pervious life that was not vague. I think also, Vianca could have been more menacing and terrifying- though I certainty understood her character near the end of the novel- this may have been due to the fact we, as the readers, don’t have much to do with Vianca until the end where I imagine she would become more of a player in the development of the second book.

It terms of Enne, I think she was a pretty neural character who we see more of her personality come out throughout the novel, and her simple reason for existence. Though, in Ace of Shades, I felt like there was a lot of investigating and limited of action, and therefore there was no time to really get a in depth view of what type of person she is. What annoyed me a bit, was that there was soo dam many references to Ennes innocents that it was overdone. It would have been fine, had there been an actually reason to believe this was the case. Granted, she was attracted to Levi, and maybe she thought this as a sin, but to blame that on the cities?! Why? So next time I meet a hot guy who makes me tempted, should I think, dem girl, don’t be tempted by the city, you are already a sinner. There are plenty of examples of this, for example:

She fought the urge to stand closer to Levi, remembering how last night she’d nearly accepted his advances and surrendered herself to New Reynes. Every touch, every look from Levi was a temptation to abandon the girl she’d always been. Enne might’ve strayed from a few of her ladylike ideals, but she wouldn’t lose her entire identity. When she did leave the city, she would leave in one piece.

OMG. So if she slept with a hot guy, she loses her identity?! So go there girl, I want a new face. Okay, I am being dramatic, but so is Enne. There were literally so many references that I barely read them. Here is another:

Her guidebook had been right about the City of Sin. It was morally decrepit. It was disgusting and rotten. It was stained back to its very core.

I wish it was. I really do.

But honestly, other than that, it was a pretty quick and enjoyable read. It had some interesting aspects that I could get lost in, in terms of the world building that I am excited to see more of. I really like the whole volts system and couldn't help but appreciate the contingencies of that. The Shadow Club had me pretty interested to see how this plays out- pun intended, and I want to see Enne and Levi commit the sin.

Winners Curse By Marie Ruthkoski

Rating ✶✶✶✶✶

I was recommended this book by a friend and just reading the blur I instantly placed this in with the typical romance, Stockholm syndrome, and this put me off a bit. However, after staring at the beautiful cover for the twentieth time that day, I decided that I would give it a shot- after all, surely something as beautiful as this cover would tell an equally enthralling story. 

To my friends credit, it did. The writing style was there from the start. A clean description, yet still having the effect of telling you everything you need to know to make you heart ache in frustration, and yet, want to put the book down because you simply don’t like how things are turning out. 

Its written so well, that the thing you remember long after putting it down, is the writing style itself and the characters who, from the get go, feel so alive. The protagonist is easily liked, and she isn't just a pretty face, she also has a certain way about her that is rather unique when it comes to the world in which it has been written. But it doesn't just show how strong-headed the protagonist is, it also makes us feel as though, she is also frail, that she has weaknesses which are later exploited. We don’t just like bad-ass characters, we like the ones which let us know they can be hurt. 

I highly recommend reading this book.