Bloody Spade (The Cardplay Duology #1) by Brittany M. Willows
We received an advanced reader copy of this book.
Published: September 15th 2021
Review:
Myth: 4.5/5
I just loved the vibe of this story, setting, characters, everything. Very post-apocalyptic urban fantasy, where the apocalypse was magic, specifically the awakening of one of card based suits (spade). The resulting magic regulation and government organizations to attempt to monitor and control these powers aren’t new, but the cardplay group’s ability to bend but not break within the rigid society was very well done.
Onto the characters, I really adored both Iori and Ellen. While there are definitely YA coming of age themes, I didn’t think anyone was overly angsty. And when they were brooding, it was usually pretty well earned, but the characters were also pretty self aware. I found that very refreshing.
Magic: 5/5
I loved the card deck magic foundation, the card suits was just an awesome vibe to me and a perfect nod to ‘aces,’ shorthand for asexual, of which a few of the characters in the book are on the spectrum.
The inkblots and void matter didn’t hurt either! Along with a dash of clash between magic and technology. I can’t wait to see what comes up in the conclusion.
Overall: 4.5/5
This was just a wonderful read, full of heart, transformative character arcs and an urban fantasy world that leaves you needing the next installment!
Checkout our Author Q&A with Brittany M. Willows
Other books in the series:
