Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game #1) by Amanda Foody - Restarting May 11th 2020

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…
and secrets hide in every shadow.

Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted.

Frightened and alone, her only lead is a name: Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unraveling investment scam, so he doesn't have time to investigate a woman leading a dangerous double life. Enne's offer of compensation, however, could be the solution to all his problems.

Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi's enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city…

And she’ll need to play.

[Maddie]

Thanks! Will most likely just start this tomorrow, as I have a day off. Want to get it done relatively quickly though because I have another 4 or 5 Netgalleys to get done too.

[Maddie]

The size of this font is terrifying. I'm going to have to try and get it on my phone, but I feel like this won't work either :/ I can't change the font size of my Netgalleys on my Kobo because of the formatting or something, so it's super tiny.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "The size of this font is terrifying. I'm going to have to try and get it on my phone, but I feel like this won't work either :/ I can't change the font size of my Netgalleys on my Kobo because of t..."

I just noticed that as well! I think it's because it's a PDF? All my others have been Epub. You can use the four arrow thing to adjust the closeness but only for one page so it would get annoying in the long run. :/

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

NM. All my ARCs have been PDF except the one I just read. Furyborn. :S

[Maddie]

Yeah that's why. I tried getting them on an app in my phone as well, same issue. And same with my Adobe app to transfer them to my Kobo. This is going to be a fun time :/

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "Yeah that's why. I tried getting them on an app in my phone as well, same issue. And same with my Adobe app to transfer them to my Kobo. This is going to be a fun time :/"

The font doesn't seem that small though. It's only a bit smaller than I usually set my kobo at. Does it get smaller as it goes???

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

What I dislike the most is that there is a lot of wasted space. It's like reading a book meant for a phone on your computer. It's kind of irritating me. :S

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Or is that what you meant?

[Maddie]

Bookbuyer wrote: "Maddison wrote: "Yeah that's why. I tried getting them on an app in my phone as well, same issue. And same with my Adobe app to transfer them to my Kobo. This is going to be a fun time :/"

The fon..."

It's so small for me :/ I sent Netgalley an email asking them if they know of any good apps in which I can change the font size, or if there's a way to get them as epub.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "Bookbuyer wrote: "Maddison wrote: "Yeah that's why. I tried getting them on an app in my phone as well, same issue. And same with my Adobe app to transfer them to my Kobo. This is going to be a fun..."

If you figure out how to get them as Epub I'd love to know. :)

[Maddie]

Yeah no worries. Is there actually a device that supports PDF?

[Maddie]

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[This seems interesting so far! We've met the MC, whose mother is clearly in some trouble. Probably dead already. And I believe we might have met the love triangle? Assuming there is one XD Jac and Chez. I'm so pleased that Jac pronounced her name for us XD I was pronouncing it 'en-knee'. But it's just 'en'.

I want to figure out more about the suits and numbers on their forearms! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'm reading it on my computer because it's the only place big enough for me to comfortably read. At least I'm home to read it XD

[Maddie]

I'm really enjoying this book so far! I want to keep reading! But I'm playing my game too XD

[Maddie]

So I shall continue to do both, and enjoy my day off.

[Maddie]

Chapter 2, 8% (view spoiler)[I'm finding it hard to picture Levi. I know he's black, but his hair? What colour is bronze? Is it like copper? And then it's black on the ends. And curly? What a combo :p

Also wasn't expecting him to be young. I kind of wish he wasn't.
So we'd have one young POV and one older one. Because now we all know they'll get together in the end. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

At least when I read on the computer I can update each chapter, because I'll always have GR with me.

[Maddie]

14% (view spoiler)[Ah right so Mizers made the energy, the volts, and orb-makers put the volts into the glass orbs. But why need energy? Why not use money? What's the energy used for? I'm really intrigued.

I'm confused what the Mizers did. They were the ones with the Mystery affinities right? But why were they executed? And the monarchists are almost journalists for the Mizers? Or what are
the monarchists? (hide spoiler)] I really wish you were ahead of me at this point because these are questions I need answers to for it to make sense.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "Yeah no worries. Is there actually a device that supports PDF?"

No clue. :S

[Maddie]

Neither XD

And I just got accepted for another PDF file. So I'm going to spread those out, just read a bit a day I think. Because Ace of Shades is starting to hurt my eyes reading on a computer.

[Maddie]

I'm liking it! I have to finish it tomorrow, which isn't going to happen XD But hey I can try. It is a good book! Doesn't really feel like I'm reading though because I'm still sitting in front of my computer looking at the screen.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "I'm liking it! I have to finish it tomorrow, which isn't going to happen XD But hey I can try. It is a good book! Doesn't really feel like I'm reading though because I'm still sitting in front of m..."

I'll be starting it after I shower in a few hours. I tend to read the most late afternoon/evening. :)

[Maddie]

Alright. Please tell me you didn't just read like half the book without an update XD

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "Alright. Please tell me you didn't just read like half the book without an update XD"

No. I'm still on the first page. I was going to start about an hour ago but I have both an earache and a headache after my shower. :(

I'm going to try to push through and get to at least 25% but I might just go to bed early. I'll try sprinting in about half an hour. :)

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

I got to the first POV change and I couldn't continue for tonight. I'm too tired to deal with dual POVs. I'm rather tired of them. -.-

I will pick it up again in the morning when I can deal with the second POV.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "Chapter 1 This seems interesting so far! We've met the MC, whose mother is clearly in some trouble. Probably dead already. And I believe we might have met the love triangle? Assuming there is one X..."

I'm not really liking the MC so far. But I try to give a book more than a chapter to decide. I am really intrigued about these (view spoiler)[blood talents though. Also why Enne calls her mother by her first name? That seems weird to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Yeah XD

Hope you can continue with it! It gets good! I'm going to read a bit more today for sure. Who knows how much more. I'm kind of stressing about how little time I'll have next month for reading..

[Maddie]

I want to keep reading now XD I'm 18%, and (view spoiler)[she's met Vianca. I'm so curious as to what she's going to make her do! (hide spoiler)] I've gotta go do some weeding now so hopefully that won't take too long XD

[Maddie]

28% (view spoiler)[I'm so pleased she managed to tell Levi about the omerta (I can't remember spelling). I still don't really picture him as black XD And I can't picture his bronze-black hair. But then tbh I don't really picture faces when I read. Only picture them when they have emotions explained in the book.

Just pleased this isn't insta-love. I could be on board for them. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

It's so annoying when I'm reading the ebook, because I feel like I've read so much today, when it's only been like 10%, which is 40 pages. It's really bad. I'm definitely not finishing today, or tomorrow. Or probably the next few days..

[Maddie]

Alright going to do a bit more reading before bed.

[Maddie]

Playing Dota for a bit and then I shall read.

[Maddie]

Who knows when I'll finish this one. Eventually XD Probably not tomorrow, maybe Tuesday/Wednesday. Need to finish it by then because yknow next month starts Thursday XD

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

I'm struggling with it as well. 2-3% feels like 20%. :(

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "Chapter 2, 8% I'm finding it hard to picture Levi. I know he's black, but his hair? What colour is bronze? Is it like copper? And then it's black on the ends. And curly? What a combo :p

Also wasn'..."

Same. I was very surprised to find him (view spoiler)[so young. I pictured a 40-50 year old guy. O.o (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "14% Ah right so Mizers made the energy, the volts, and orb-makers put the volts into the glass orbs. But why need energy? Why not use money? What's the energy used for? I'm really intrigued.

I'm c..."

I'm as lost as you at this point. :(

[Maddie]

Bookbuyer wrote: "Maddison wrote: "Chapter 2, 8% I'm finding it hard to picture Levi. I know he's black, but his hair? What colour is bronze? Is it like copper? And then it's black on the ends. And curly? What a com..."

I would have prefered it.

[Maddie]

Bookbuyer wrote: "Maddison wrote: "14% Ah right so Mizers made the energy, the volts, and orb-makers put the volts into the glass orbs. But why need energy? Why not use money? What's the energy used for? I'm really ..."

Oh no you can't help me XD

I'll be reading quite a bit more today I hope, between classes.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "Bookbuyer wrote: "Maddison wrote: "14% Ah right so Mizers made the energy, the volts, and orb-makers put the volts into the glass orbs. But why need energy? Why not use money? What's the energy use..."

I'm hoping to get to at least 25% by the end of today but I'm not extremely hopeful. :S

I really need to consider that kindle app.

[Maddie]

I don't know how far I wanna get, but I'll read hopefully at least 50%. It's a tough read tbh.

Yes you do! It's free and easy.

[Maddie]

I need to get this finished tomorrow. So I need to read another 25% today so I have 25% tomorrow to go. So much for me reading another 3 books after this, this month :/ I'm gonna be behind on my netgalleys now.

[Maddie]

47% (view spoiler)[Okay wow so she's actually a powerful Mizer? And from a dangerous should-be-dead family? What a shocker. I'm not even surprised. I mean, it was obvious that Lourdes was lying to her as soon as the idea was proposed. I do like how she went to the blood gazer though and she overpowered her. Clearly not a Dove. Wonder what's up with her though, why's Lola hiding?

I really hope Levi can get through this debt and get it all paid. He's trying to do the right thing. I really hope Enne can access this money :(

I also like though how Levi isn't exclusively straight XD He enjoys both genders, which I appreciate. I still don't picture him as a black guy though. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I feel like not too much happened since my last update.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

I'm up to 30% and honestly this is a 2 star for me. If it wasn't an ARC I would DNF this. :(

It's still really confusing. I feel like I'm reading a third book in a series that I haven't read any of the previous books of and I'm not connecting to either character. I really hope this improves. -.-

[Maddie]

You can still DNF it can't you? Just say that you didn't enjoy it at all and wouldn't finish it?

It does get a little better, but I still feel like nothing much gets explained. It's still all up in the air. And tbh this brewing romance is a load of crock. They've known each other for 2 days, and the whole convenience of the whole thing: (view spoiler)[she needs someone to help her find Lourdes, and Levi needs 10,000 volts in 10 days. Enne is just coincidentally there willing to give him 10,000 volts. (hide spoiler)]

I won't be finishing this today, that's for sure. I'm going to still be reading it in my breaks between classes, so will get through a little each day, but it definitely won't be my focus. At least we can get points for it next month even though it doesn't count for a letter. Just remember to count it for the pages you read this month. I'll have half of this to count (4 points) as well as finishing off the 3rd Beautiful Bastard audio.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "You can still DNF it can't you? Just say that you didn't enjoy it at all and wouldn't finish it?

It does get a little better, but I still feel like nothing much gets explained. It's still all up i..."

Probably. But I won't. Once I get past 20% I always finish a book. It bothers me otherwise. :/

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "I want to keep reading now XD I'm 18%, and [spoilers removed] I've gotta go do some weeding now so hopefully that won't take too long XD"

I didn't like what she made her do. But I'm glad that the guy was (view spoiler)[poisoned. I can't believe he was a pedophile! -.- (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Maddison wrote: "28% I'm so pleased she managed to tell Levi about the omerta (I can't remember spelling). I still don't really picture him as black XD And I can't picture his bronze-black hair. But then tbh I don'..."

I don't really picture characters either. :)

[Maddie]

Bookbuyer wrote: "Maddison wrote: "You can still DNF it can't you? Just say that you didn't enjoy it at all and wouldn't finish it?

It does get a little better, but I still feel like nothing much gets explained. It..."

I can never DNF. It always bothers me.