A great book and a mesmerising plot.
The book is the perfect mix between magic and a world where con artists and thieves rule, a world of cabarets, casinos, dodgy bars and a complex network of bad guys.
The world Amanda Foody built is incredible. It reminds a bit of The Godfather but in a city where “unprivileged” people try to make a living, sometimes through dubious means. There’s this vibe of gangsters in the 20s, which I absolutely loved. While it took me a bit to catch up on how this world works, how magic works there and everything that is connected to the history of the country and the city.
About the characters: I must admit that Enne got on my nerves a few times but she really came through throughout the plot, growing some backbone and becoming a true inhabitant of the City of Sin. I was smitten with Levi with his bad-boy-with-a-good-heart-vibe, and the loyalty he feels towards his friends. While the romance is a slow-burn and not in the centre of the story, I had problems “feeling” the chemistry between them, specially in the beginning. There’s tension yes, but I didn’t feel like they matched. At least, for now.
The writing is beautiful and the plot is fast-paced. There are a few twists and surprises throughout the story, as much as you’d expect with murderous card games, con-artists, thieves, magic and the underbelly of the a city that is known more for being a place where you can lose your soul in.
Loved it and I’ll definitely be reading the second one soon enough!
Book Traveller 