“There are some things in this world that are not meant to be known by everyone.”
— Levi's philosophy on secrets and information.
Archivist's Choice
Ace of Shades
Amanda Foody (2018)
Genre
Fantasy / Mystery / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
8-10 hours
Key Themes
See below
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In the cutthroat City of Sin, a finishing school girl risks her reputation with a con man to find her missing mother, uncovering a deadly secret about her past and gambling everything to save them both.
Synopsis
Enne Salta, a prim finishing school student, arrives in New Reynes, the City of Sin, to find her missing mother. Her only lead is Levi Glaisyer, a charismatic but struggling street lord. Enne, desperate, offers Levi a large sum to help, which he accepts as he faces financial ruin from a failing scam. Their search pulls them into the city's dangerous underworld of casino families, gangs, and illicit cabarets. Enne discovers a shocking secret about her past and identity. Meanwhile, Levi's enemies close in, forcing him into a deadly 'execution game.' To save Levi, Enne must change, using her intelligence and street smarts to outwit their adversaries and play the game herself, revealing a conspiracy that links her mother's disappearance to the city's powerful figures.
Reading time
8-10 hours
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Gritty, Suspenseful, Romantic, Mysterious, Action-packed
✓ Read this if...
You love high-stakes fantasy with intricate world-building, morally grey characters, and a blend of mystery, romance, and card games.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer low-stakes fantasy or are looking for a story with clear-cut heroes and villains.
Plot Summary
Arrival in New Reynes
Enne Salta, a proper finishing school student, travels to the dangerous city of New Reynes, the City of Sin, to find her mother, Lourdes, who has disappeared. Her only clue is a letter with 'Levi Glaisyer' and an Ace of Shades card. Enne, new to the city's dark side, quickly feels overwhelmed by its lawless nature. She learns Levi is a notorious street lord, a con man, and leader of a gang called the Shades. Desperate, Enne seeks him out, hoping he can explain her mother's absence and the card.
Meeting Levi and the Shades
Enne finds Levi Glaisyer in a seedy place and confronts him, surprising him. Levi, a cunning con man, first dismisses Enne's request, as he is deep in financial trouble from a failing scam called 'The Game.' Enne, however, offers him a large sum, her entire inheritance, to help find Lourdes. This offer interests Levi, as it could solve his mounting debts and threats from creditors. He agrees to help, though he doubts her naive manner and the real reason for her mother's disappearance.
The Search Begins and First Clues
Levi, with his Shades gang, begins investigating Lourdes's presence in New Reynes. They discover Lourdes was not the refined woman Enne knew, but a skilled card sharp and high-stakes gambler known as 'The Lady of the Lamp.' This revelation shocks Enne, making her question what she knew about her mother. Their search leads them to casinos and gambling dens, where they gather rumors about Lourdes's recent activities. They learn Lourdes was in a dangerous game and made powerful enemies, suggesting her disappearance is more serious than Enne first thought.
The Game and its Players
As Enne and Levi continue their search, they uncover 'The Game,' a dangerous, high-stakes gambling operation Lourdes was involved in. This game is about power and survival in New Reynes's cutthroat society, not just money. They meet figures in the city's criminal underworld, including the formidable Mafia donna, Vianca Augustine, who controls much of the city's gambling. Enne starts to see New Reynes's brutal reality, where alliances change, betrayal is common, and lives are always at risk. She also begins to respect Levi's street smarts and his ability to navigate this dangerous world.
Developing Skills and Trust
Under Levi's guidance, Enne begins to shed her sheltered upbringing and adapt to New Reynes's harsh realities. She learns to play cards, bluff, and navigate the city's complex social dynamics, surprising Levi with her quick mind and hidden talents. As they spend more time together, a cautious trust forms between Enne and Levi, despite their different backgrounds. Enne starts to see past Levi's tough exterior to the calculating and protective leader he is, while Levi recognizes Enne's intelligence and resilience. The Shades, initially wary of Enne, also begin to accept her into their makeshift family.
A Dangerous Revelation
During their investigation, Enne finds a disturbing secret about her past that connects her to New Reynes and its powerful families. She discovers she is not who she thought she was, and her link to the city is more dangerous than just searching for her mother. This revelation questions her identity and makes her rethink her family's history. The truth exposes a hidden lineage, a secret power, and a destiny she never expected, making her a key part of New Reynes's web of power.
Levi's Unraveling Scam
While Enne deals with her personal revelations, Levi's scam, 'The Game,' collapses. His creditors, led by the ruthless Vianca Augustine, demand immediate repayment, putting Levi in a dangerous spot. The scam's failure jeopardizes his life and his gang, the Shades. Levi is cornered, with no clear way out, as Augustine's influence in New Reynes is absolute. This crisis forces Enne and Levi to face the severity of their situation, realizing their quests have merged, and the stakes are now life or death for both.
The Execution Game
As punishment for his failed scam and debts, Levi is forced by Vianca Augustine into a deadly 'Execution Game.' This brutal game is a public show to entertain the city's elite and eliminate those who cross the powerful casino families. The rules are rigged, and players rarely survive. Levi's life, and the Shades' future, now hang by a thread. Enne, seeing Levi's desperate situation, realizes her feelings for him and the urgency. She understands that to save him, she must fully embrace New Reynes's dangerous world, even if it means losing her old identity.
Enne's Desperate Plan
With Levi's life on the line in the Execution Game, Enne creates a desperate plan to save him. This plan requires her to fully immerse herself in New Reynes's cutthroat world, using the card skills and street smarts she has quickly gained. More importantly, she must confront and embrace the shocking truth about her heritage and the unique abilities that come with it. She must use her true identity, a secret that connects her to the city's founding families and its magic, to outwit Vianca Augustine and other powerful players. This is a turning point for Enne, as she steps into her power.
The Climax of the Game
The Execution Game reaches its climax as Enne and Levi carry out their risky plan. Enne, using her quick thinking, new card skills, and growing power from her heritage, manipulates the game from behind the scenes, while Levi faces immediate dangers in the arena. Tension builds as they navigate betrayals, obstacles, and their opponents' cunning, especially Vianca Augustine. The fate of Levi, the Shades, and Enne's future in New Reynes is uncertain. This high-stakes confrontation tests their trust, skills, and resolve, forcing them to rely on each other completely.
Aftermath and New Beginnings
After the intense climax of the Execution Game, Enne and Levi achieve a fragile victory, saving Levi's life and lessening Vianca Augustine's immediate control. However, victory has costs, and new problems arise. Enne's true heritage is more widely known, attracting other powerful figures in New Reynes. While Levi's debt to Augustine is renegotiated, the city's underlying power struggles remain. The mystery of Lourdes's disappearance is not fully solved, but new clues emerge, pointing to a larger conspiracy. Enne, no longer the naive girl who arrived, is now a force to be reckoned with, ready to face New Reynes's future on her own terms, with Levi by her side.
Principal Figures
Enne Salta
The Protagonist
Enne transforms from an innocent, proper lady into a resourceful, cunning, and powerful figure who embraces her true heritage and abilities.
Levi Glaisyer
The Co-Protagonist/Love Interest
Levi learns to trust and rely on others, particularly Enne, while facing the consequences of his ambition and striving for a better future for himself and his gang.
Lourdes Salta
The Supporting/Mysterious Catalyst
Her character is revealed retrospectively, showing a woman who lived a double life and made significant sacrifices, ultimately setting Enne on her own path of self-discovery.
Vianca Augustine
The Antagonist
Augustine remains a powerful and unwavering force, serving as a constant obstacle and a representation of the city's corrupt power structure.
Jac
The Supporting
Jac remains a consistent pillar of support and loyalty, his character deepening through his steadfastness.
Grace
The Supporting
Grace maintains her role as the group's conscience, her character providing emotional depth and warmth amidst the danger.
Dacian
The Mentioned/Minor Antagonist
Dacian's role is primarily to establish the dangerous world Levi inhabits and the high stakes of his financial dealings.
The Lady of the Lamp
The Mentioned/Mysterious Figure
Her character is built through reputation and flashbacks, revealing her as a pivotal figure whose actions continue to influence the present.
Themes & Insights
Identity and Self-Discovery
The novel explores identity as Enne Salta sheds her sheltered upbringing and confronts a hidden past. Her journey in New Reynes reveals a shocking truth about her heritage and uncovers latent skills and strength. She changes from a 'proper lady' into a cunning card sharp, embracing her true self amid the city's corruption. This theme is clear when Enne learns about her mother's secret life as 'The Lady of the Lamp' and her own magical lineage, forcing her to redefine herself.
“New Reynes didn't care about who you were. It cared about who you pretended to be, and who you could become.”
The Corrupting Nature of Power
New Reynes, the City of Sin, shows how power corrupts. Casino families, street lords, and Mafia donnas like Vianca Augustine hold absolute power, often through violence, manipulation, and exploitation. Characters like Levi constantly struggle against these forces, while Enne sees firsthand how ambition leads to ruthless actions and disregard for human life. The 'Execution Game' is a prime example, a brutal spectacle where the powerful dominate the vulnerable, showing the moral decay power can bring.
“In New Reynes, power was currency, and fear was its interest.”
Found Family and Loyalty
Despite the city's treacherous nature, found family and loyalty are strong themes, especially within Levi's Shades gang. Levi, Jac, and Grace share a deep bond, relying on each other for survival and support in a world where betrayal is common. Enne, initially an outsider, gradually becomes part of this family, finding a sense of belonging and protection. This theme is clear in how the Shades risk their lives for each other, and how Enne's decision to save Levi in the Execution Game is driven by her loyalty and newfound love, showing that chosen bonds can be stronger than blood.
“The Shades weren’t just a gang; they were a lifeline in a city that wanted to drown you.”
Deception and Appearances vs. Reality
Deception is common in New Reynes, where appearances are rarely what they seem. Enne's mother, Lourdes, lived a double life, appearing as a refined lady while secretly being a notorious gambler. Enne herself must use disguises to navigate the city, learning to bluff and manipulate. Levi, a con man, skillfully uses deception to survive and further his schemes. This theme shows that in New Reynes, true intentions are often hidden, and trust is dangerous, forcing characters to constantly question what is real.
“In New Reynes, everyone wore a mask. Some just wore them better than others.”
Consequences of Choice
The story emphasizes that every choice has significant consequences in New Reynes. Levi's ambition and failed scam lead directly to his forced participation in the deadly Execution Game. Enne's initial decision to come to New Reynes starts a chain of events that changes her life and reveals dangerous truths. Even minor decisions about whom to trust or what information to share can have life-or-death implications, highlighting the high stakes and unforgiving nature of the city. Characters must constantly weigh their options and live with the results.
“Every choice was a gamble in New Reynes, and the house always had the advantage.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Ace of Shades
A cryptic playing card that serves as Enne's initial clue and a symbol of her mother's secret life.
The Ace of Shades is a physical object—a playing card—that acts as Enne's sole lead when she arrives in New Reynes. It's a symbolic device representing her mother's hidden life as a gambler and her connection to the city's underworld. As the story progresses, the Ace of Shades becomes more than just a clue; it embodies the dangerous game Enne is drawn into and eventually comes to symbolize her own burgeoning identity and power within New Reynes. It's a constant reminder of the mystery and the high stakes involved.
The Game
A dangerous, high-stakes investment scam orchestrated by Levi, whose failure drives much of the initial conflict.
'The Game' is a complex, illicit investment scam run by Levi Glaisyer. It functions as a major source of conflict, as its impending collapse and ultimate failure lead to Levi's immense debt and his forced participation in the 'Execution Game.' This device not only drives Levi's motivations and financial struggles but also serves to introduce the ruthless nature of New Reynes's economy and the powerful figures like Vianca Augustine who control it. The unraveling of 'The Game' directly escalates the stakes for both Levi and Enne.
The Execution Game
A deadly, rigged public spectacle orchestrated by Vianca Augustine to punish debtors and entertain the elite.
The 'Execution Game' is a crucial plot device that raises the stakes to a life-or-death level for Levi. It is a gladiatorial-style event, a public spectacle designed by Vianca Augustine to humiliate and eliminate those who cross her. This device serves multiple functions: it creates immense suspense, forces Enne to fully commit to New Reynes and embrace her hidden powers, and showcases the extreme brutality and corruption of the city's ruling elite. It is the ultimate test for Enne and Levi's bond and their ability to survive the City of Sin.
Enne's Hidden Heritage/Magic
A secret magical lineage connecting Enne to the founding families of New Reynes, granting her unique abilities.
Enne's hidden heritage, specifically her magical lineage, is a powerful plot device that is gradually revealed throughout the story. It explains her innate aptitude for certain skills and ultimately provides her with the means to challenge the established powers in New Reynes. This device transforms Enne from a mere seeker into a key player, giving her a unique position and potential influence. It underpins the theme of identity and self-discovery, as she must come to terms with and learn to wield this inherent power to save Levi and uncover the truth about her past.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“The game isn't about the cards you're dealt, but how you play the hand.”
— A common saying among cardsharps, reflecting Enne's worldview.
“Every lie we tell is a debt we incur.”
— Levi's internal thoughts on the consequences of his deceptions.
“You can't trust anyone in a city built on secrets.”
— Enne's initial cynical view of the city of Tress.
“Sometimes the only way to find your own truth is to get lost in someone else's lie.”
— A more philosophical quote, reflecting the complex nature of the mystery.
“There's a difference between being brave and being foolish, Enne. Learn it.”
— Levi's warning to Enne about her impulsiveness.
“In Tress, everyone wears a mask. Some just wear it better than others.”
— A general observation about the deceptive nature of the city's inhabitants.
“You can't run from who you are, no matter how fast you try.”
— A character reflecting on the inescapable nature of one's past or identity.
“Love is just another kind of gamble, and the stakes are always high.”
— A character's cynical yet truthful take on romance.
“The past is a phantom limb. You can't see it, but you still feel it ache.”
— A poignant reflection on the lingering effects of past trauma or events.
“A good scam isn't about taking something, it's about making someone believe they've gained something.”
— Enne's insight into the art of conning.
“Sometimes the greatest power is knowing when to reveal your hand, and when to keep it hidden.”
— A strategic observation about power dynamics and information control.
“The city has a way of showing you exactly who you are, whether you want to see it or not.”
— A character reflecting on Tress's transformative effect on its visitors.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Enne Salta travels to New Reynes because her mother, Lourdes Salta, has gone missing. Enne leaves her finishing school and her sheltered life to follow the only lead she has: the name Levi Glaisyer, believing he might know something about her mother's disappearance.
