Review - All of Us Villains (All of Us Villains, #1) by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman

 

 

Title: All of Us Villains (All of Us Villains, #1)

Author: Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman

Pages: 400

Publisher: Gollancz

Release Date: 9th November 2021

Blurb from Goodreads:

The Blood Moon rises. The Blood Veil falls. The Tournament begins.

Every generation, at the coming of the Blood Moon, seven families in the remote city of Ilvernath each name a champion to compete in a tournament to the death.

The prize? Exclusive control over a secret wellspring of high magick, the most powerful resource in the world―one thought long depleted.

But this year a scandalous tell-all book has exposed the tournament and thrust the seven new champions into the worldwide spotlight. The book also granted them valuable information previous champions never had―insight into the other families’ strategies, secrets, and weaknesses. And most important, it gave them a choice: accept their fate or rewrite their legacy.

Either way, this is a story that must be penned in blood.

 

 

 Goodreads | Storygraph | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Bookshop

 

 

 

 

 

 My Review:

 *I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley*

The city of Ilvernath has a dark secret, one that has now been revealed to the outside world - every generation, seven families must compete in a tournament where the last competitor standing wins their family access to the highly sought after high magick. It is a fight to the death, one that some of the competitors are reluctant to take part in, but others dream of glory and bringing honour to their families.

However, this year is different, because what if the tournament doesn't have to be won? What if the curse on Ilvernath can be broken? The competitors just need to stay alive long enough to try . . .

Going into this book, I was intrigued to see where it would go, and I ended up enjoying it.

There were several protagonists, with chapters focusing on them, and I found the ones about Alistair and Isobel the most interesting. I liked that the characters were morally grey and didn't always do what I expected.

I liked the concepts of the spellrings, spellboards and the different magick.

The book took a little while to get going, but once it did, I liked what I was reading. While I wasn't gripped, I did want to keep reading, although I did start to flag towards the end.

The writing style was easy to follow.

I'm unsure if I will read the next book as the ending didn't leave me wanting more.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

 

 

 

DNF Review - King of Fools (The Shadow Game, #2) by Amanda Foody

Title: King of Fools (The Shadow Game, #2)

Author: Amanda Foody

Pages: 384

Publisher: HQ Young Adult

Release Date: 30th April 2019

Blurb from Goodreads: 

Indulge your vices in the City of Sin, where a sinister street war is brewing and fame is the deadliest killer of them all...

 
On the quest to find her missing mother, prim and proper Enne Salta became reluctant allies with Levi Glaisyer, the city’s most famous con man. Saving his life in the Shadow Game forced Enne to assume the identity of Seance, a mysterious underworld figure. Now, with the Chancellor of the Republic dead and bounties on both their heads, she and Levi must play a dangerous game of crime and politics…with the very fate of New Reynes at stake.

Thirsting for his freedom and the chance to build an empire, Levi enters an unlikely partnership with Vianca Augustine’s estranged son. Meanwhile, Enne remains trapped by the mafia donna’s binding oath, playing the roles of both darling lady and cunning street lord, unsure which side of herself reflects the truth.

As Enne and Levi walk a path of unimaginable wealth and opportunity, new relationships and deadly secrets could quickly lead them into ruin. And when unforeseen players enter the game, they must each make an impossible choice: To sacrifice everything they’ve earned in order to survive...

Or die as legends.

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to HQ and NetGalley*

-DNF at 72% - 

Enne Salta's life changed forever when she arrived in New Reynes searching for her mother.

Enne took a life in order to save con-man Levi Glaisyer, and now she dons the name of Seance.

Enne and Levi both have bounties on their heads, which isn't good when they must follow mafia donna Vianca's orders because of a binding oath to do whatever she wants.

With a chance to regain their freedom appears, Levi grabs it.

Can Enne become a Street Lord?

Will they escape from Vianca's grasp?

I enjoyed the first book in the series, Ace of Shades, so I was excited to see what happened in King of Fools.

There were new characters introduced in this book and Grace was probably my favourite of them.

Lola was my favourite character overall and I would have liked to have seen more of her.

I liked Enne, Levi and Jac less in King of Fools compared to the first book.

The plot was interesting in the beginning, but after a while I found myself losing interest and it got to the point where I didn't care about what was happening and I couldn't bring myself to read any more.

The setting was interesting and we did get to see a little more of New Reynes.

I liked that there was a girl gang, but I felt that one of them gave her oath too easily.

I'm disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more.

Unfortunately, this wasn't for me.

Blog Tour + Deleted Scenes + Giveaway - King of Fools (The Shadow Game #2) by Amanda Foody

Find the tour schedule here.

King of Fools (The Shadow Game #2) by Amanda Foody

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Release Date: April 30th 2019

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Indulge your vices in the City of Sin, where a sinister street war is brewing and fame is the deadliest killer of them all...

On the quest to find her missing mother, prim and proper Enne Salta became reluctant allies with Levi Glaisyer, the city’s most famous con man. Saving his life in the Shadow Game forced Enne to assume the identity of Seance, a mysterious underworld figure. Now, with the Chancellor of the Republic dead and bounties on both theirheads, she and Levi must play a dangerous game of crime and politics...with the very fate of New Reynes at stake.

Thirsting for his freedom and the chance to build an empire, Levi enters an unlikely partnership with Vianca Augustine’s estranged son. Meanwhile, Enne remains trapped by the mafia donna’s binding oath, playing the roles of both darling lady and cunning street lord, unsure which side of herself reflects the truth.

As Enne and Levi walk a path of unimaginable wealth and opportunity, new relationships and deadly secrets could quickly lead them into ruin. And when unforeseen players enter the game, they must each make an impossible choice: To sacrifice everything they’ve earned in order to survive...

Or die as legends.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iTunes 

Book Depository | Kobo | Google Play

 Deleted Scenes

He knocked, and the door swung open, revealing a girl in a nightdress with her hair in curlers, pointing a pistol at his chest. Levi raised his hands in surprise and surrender.

            “Who are you?” she demanded.

            “Who am I?” He blinked. He hadn’t gotten that question in a few months, and certainly not from someone pointing a gun at his face.

            Another girl appeared behind her, one with wide-brimmed glasses that made her eyes look several sizes too big. She whacked the first girl in the head with a stack of papers. “Are you thick? That’s Pup.” Her voice had a squeak like she’d swallowed a bug.

            The pistol girl squinted. “You’re better looking in your wanted poster.”

            The bug girl gave an exasperated sigh and pushed her aside. “What are you here for? No one comes here.” She looked him over, flushing. “Um, especially not more boys.”

            Levi was quickly regretting his decision not to call ahead of time. The air inside smelled far too much of nail polish and floral perfume. “I’m looking for Séance.”

            The pistol girl smirked. “I figured as much.” She elbowed the bug girl in the side. “Go get her.” And as she scampered off, Levi was left standing with her alone.

            “Can I come in?” he asked.

            She leaned against the doorframe and inspected her pink manicure. “Nope.”

            It was an awfully hot day outside to make him wait. He crossed his arms. “What did she mean about ‘more boys?’” He thought Enne only hired girls.

            “We have thirteen cats and one boy. He’s tied to a chair upstairs.”

            Levi clicked his tongue. He wasn’t in the mood for joking. In fact, he’d been rehearsing his speech all morning, still entirely uncertain what he’d say to Enne. He’d kept his share of secrets, but he thought they’d put them behind them. When he first drove off to come here, he was going to tell her that what she did was unforgivable. By the time he reached halfway, he only wanted to see if she was all right.

And now that he’d arrived, he was more lost than ever, but it was too late to turn back now.

            Somewhere in the school behind her, a girl shouted off a string of numbers, which was followed by bickering and the sound of a blade scraping down a chalkboard. He was no longer sure if he was curious to go inside or mildly terrified. Tock had explained the atmosphere of the Spirits’ hideout to him once or twice, but he hadn’t quite believed her. Maybe they did really keep a man tied upstairs.

            “Levi?” Enne asked, appearing in the doorway, with several other girls peering at him behind her. He felt incredibly on display. Enne whipped around and pushed the girls away. “You all havework to do,” she groaned, and closed the door.

            “Are you about to tell me,” Levi said carefully, “that those six girls are controlling the thousands of volts of nearly every enterprise in the North Side?”

            “Well right now they’re not,” she huffed. “Right now they’re certainly all watching from the window.”

            Levi turned, and sure enough, several faces were pressed against the glass. One of them blew him a kiss.

About the Author

Amanda Foody has always considered imagination to be our best attempt at magic. After spending her childhood longing to attend Hogwarts, she now loves to write about immersive settings and characters grappling with insurmountable destinies. She holds a Masters in Accountancy from Villanova University, and a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from the College of William and Mary. Currently, she lives in Philadelphia, PA, surrounded by her many siblings and many books.

Her books include DAUGHTER OF THE BURNING CITY and ACE OF SHADES. The next installment of THE SHADOW GAME TRILOGY, KING OF FOOLS, releases on April 30, 2019.

Author Links:

 Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Tumblr | Pinterest | Instagram

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Review - Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game, #1) by Amanda Foody

 

Title: Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game, #1)

Author: Amanda Foody

Pages: 416

Publisher: HQ Young Adult

Release Date: 24th April 2018

Blurb from Goodreads: 

Take a card. The price is your soul. Welcome to the City of Sin, 

where 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 unchanged.

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 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, 

cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless society. As Enne unearths 

an impossible secret about her family, 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 the game.

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

*I received a eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley*

The City of Sin, New Reynes, is not a place that a young lady 

attending finishing school should go, especially by herself. But 

Enne Salta has no choice - her mother is missing.

Enne enters the city with a trunk of belongings and the name of 

someone she hopes can help her.

Levi Glaisyer is a con-man and a street lord. Levi is desperately 

trying to gather money together to pay back investors of a scam. 

Desperate enough that he'll even help Enne, a young woman clearly 

out of her depth, if she will pay.

Enne and Levi's investigation leads them into dangerous territory 

and Enne might not like what she finds.

Can Enne survive New Reynes?

Will Levi evade his enemies?

The blurb for Ace of Shades really intrigued me so of course I 

requested a copy on NetGalley. Fortunately, my request was approved!

Enne and Levi were both interesting characters. Enne in particular 

surprised me by how much she changed throughout the book.

The plot kept me guessing and held my attention but there were a 

couple of things that bugged me.

The setting of New Reynes and its history were interesting and I'd 

like to find out more about the city.

The romance wasn't one of my favourites but I didn't dislike it.

The writing was atmospheric and easy to follow.

I definitely want to see what happens in the sequel.

Overall this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.