I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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 Séance, 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 the estranged son of mafia donna Vianca Augustine. Meanwhile, Enne remains trapped by Vianca’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: sacrifice everything they’ve earned in order to survive...

Or die as legends.

Short and Sweet

After the events of the Shadow game both Levi and Enne are wanted criminals. Levi partners with Harrison Augustine to take down his mother Vianca, while Enne plays the part of a lady by day and street lord by night. Now both of them have to make decisions that will either help them or in the long run set them back and it could be the end.

Characters

Levi: Levi Levi Levi, well he’s still the Iron lord but something about him in this book was off putting. I think he was too concerned about helping Harrison that he forgot to consider the feelings of those around him. Levi is still good at making plans and usually gets himself out of tough situations. Oh and because Levi is working with Harrison he has to keep it on the down low because if Vianca found out Levi was working with her son it would be the end of him and the legacy he’s trying to create.

Enne: Enne is trying to figure herself out in this book, is she still the proper lady from Bellamy or has New Reynes made her a Lord? Enne goes by the name Seance when she’s dealing with the other gangs or wants to be inconspicuous. I liked Enne a lot in this book she’s a lot tougher and she does have to make ethical choices in this book.

Jac: Jac is still Levi’s second and best friend but their relationship in this book is strained and it made me sad because they’re best friends. Jac is on his own mission to find out who is going to be the next person to inherit the Torren empire and its hard for him because Jac used to be addicted to a drug that is distributed by the Torrens. So now that he’s in their territory he has to fight the urges to use lullaby. Jac also meets Sophia Torren who is determined to take the empire down.

Lola: Lola is Enne’s second and one of her best friends. Lola is around in this book she helps Enne learn the history of the north side and she’s there to give advice, but I didn’t feel like she was there as much as I wanted her to be. Lola is still her grumpy self but deep down she cares about those closest to her.

Romance

Levi and Enne: Well these two obviously like each other but the relationship in this book wasn’t the best. Levi tried to keep secrets from Enne because he thought it would be safer incase Vianca found something out. They fought a lot in this book and sometimes went weeks without talking but they would meet up to discuss business.

Jac and Sophia: Jac meets Sophia when he’s trying to find out who is going to take over the Torren empire, and it so happens that Sophia is a Torren. Jac ends up staying to help Sophia take down her half-siblings so they can burn the Torren empire to the ground. Jac likes Sophia but she’s keeping a few secrets from him which makes it hard for him to trust her.

Lola and Tock: So Tock is a new iron and I guess Levi’s third, anyway Lola and Tock meet at a party and there was chemistry and yeah. We don’t see a lot of their encounters but they’re usually together when they can be.

My Thoughts

~ There’s a lot going on in this book, Levi is working with Harrison, Vianca is using the omertà to have Enne attend political parties for her. Harrison is running against Worner Prescott which is the man her mother is supporting. It’s all very messy, Levi is supporting Harrison and hoping he wins because Harrison will kill Vianca which will break the omertà.

~ By the way there’s an all girl gang called the Spirits! Enne made a girl gang you guys and they’re awesome! At first it just started with Enne and Lola and then they recruited Grace and in the end theres more than 10 all together. Most of the girls have the split talent to count which is helpful for the plans that Enne and Levi have.

~ We meet all of the gangs from the north side in this book and let me just say they’re all interesting in their own ways and obviously not the most trusting people.

~ We get to read from Levi, Enne, and Jac’s POV and I will say that I enjoyed Enne’s the most.

~ There’s always been talk that Vianca had a third person under her omertà and we finally get to see who that person is ready for revenge.

~ There’s a lot of politics involved in this book and because of that there’s a lot of secrets and betrayal going on. Everyone has something to lose this time around.

Overall

This was a solid sequel but when I think about it I did enjoy Ace of Shades a little more, mainly because this one had me worrying about the characters at every turn. The ending was a cliffhanger and now I need the third book in my hands now just to see how everything ends! I really do love this series its so different and I love New Reynes and its fun to lose myself in this world, so definitely read check out the series!!!