This book had an interesting premise, and I was excited to read it. Sadly, the story did not live up to the expectations, and that might not be on me. I found myself struggling to connect and get into the book.

Overall, I liked this series. It did get tedious at points but the plot and the characters were what kept my attention. Giving this book a try is something I don't regret. It has a similar feeling to Six of Crows and capitalizes on the magic!

Rating 2.5. This series was interesting but tedious to get through. My goal this year is to finish up series and this was at the top of my list. There was so much going on in this book that it was sometimes hard to follow especially with the added POVs. While I liked getting to follow other characters especially Harvey and Sophia, it took me a while to remember what was happening with each character. Like the other books in the series I think the pacing was still lacking. The repetitive nature of the plot felt boring at times and when things finally started to pick up everything happened really quickly. While I liked the overall conclusion of the story the journey was a bit rough, especially the antsy relationship between Levi and Enne. The overall plot of this book was intriguing especially the game but the execution didn't really pay off for me. The plot was dragged on way too long and there was too much drama and not enough development.

I have elected not to read and review this book due to time constraints. Thank you for the opportunity.

Captivating conclusion to this trilogy! I am so happy with the way Amanda Foody was able to bring everything together, while still keeping us on our toes until the very end. I did struggle with King of Fools but found that with Queen of Volts I did not have the same issue, thankfully!

Did I like Queen of Volts? yes. But Did I like it more than the first two books... meh Still on the fence. Firstly, Amanda Foody's City of Sin is one of the most underrated books trilogies in YA. If You enjoy Leigh Bardugo or VE Schwab, you really do need to do yourself a favor and start this series. A good conclusion to a very twisty and intriguing book series.

A satisfying conclusion to the Shadow Game trilogy.

It took me a while to readjust to Foody’s imagined world after a long hiatus between the second and third books, but once the story pulled me in, I found myself enjoying this strange, quasi-Las Vegas world and its inhabitants.

As fantasy settings go, this series hasn’t been my favorite. It just isn’t either creepy or beautiful enough to feel fully captivating and immersive, and if it truly is supposed to be a magical Las Vegas, there are a lot of missed opportunities playing off of the real world location.

But the story has been a good one, and the characters, if not exactly unique or nuanced, are likable and easily keep the reader’s attention.

Foody writes action well, and it’s in that element that this series shows its best side. I prefer the worldbuilding in Foody’s new All of Us Villains series, but both show a gift for action sequences, and The Shadow game also gives us some good plot intricacies that don’t always show up in YA Fantasy.

Plot wise this was fine and provides a satisfying conclusion to a series that didn’t drag on too long as many in the genre do and leaves the reader both pleased with the ending and wishing for just a tiny bit more.

I went into Queen of Volts only remembering the bare details of King of Fools, I did not have the time to reread before reading and I wish I did. I normally don't need to reread books before I continue the series but the reader goes into Queen of Volts only like two weeks after the death that occurred at the end of King of Fools. Queen of Volts is a lot to wrap my head around, there were so many different character POVs I got lost trying to remember where everyone was and what everyone was doing in between each different character.

I cared about all the characters and I loved that each character was able to give me a range of emotions, I cried over some of them. I laughed with others and I raged at the sheer audacity of one and all their decisions even though I understood why. I am still fuming by the way. The character development throughout was never staged or staggered. Amanda Foody did a great job of having the characters really write the story, I understood every choice they made and how they became who they were at the end of the book.

But man, the end of the book was a bummer. Like the literally the ending was bittersweet. It was a good ending, but the ending made the whole book kind of seem like it was just the characters going around in a circle, they think it is one thing but its the first thing kind of thing, the answer was right in front of them and they ignored it because it seemed obvious.

The story was intense and great but the ending made me face palm because I SHOULD HAVE SEEN THAT. But it was so obvious I didn't think it would be that.

Levi deserves the world.

This was a great ending to the series! Amanda Foody does not disappoint with her twists in plot and character development.

You'll have to bear with me because I don't know how well this review is going to go. I genuinely have no critiques. This was a flawless end to an incredible trilogy that has captivated me with every word so this might be an incoherent rambling mess.

There will be some mild spoilers about the previous two books, so read at your own risk.

The third instalment to The Shadow Game series picks up shortly after the shocking end of the last book. Everyone is understandably sad and grieving as they try to pick up the pieces of the North Side and their relationships. But it's hard to forgive the murder of a best friend by the hand of your lover, so there is a lot lashing out alongside the grief from our favourite main characters. Worse still, another game has begun, and it's not possible for all the players will survive. Villains new and old lurk on the board, promising for a rollercoaster of a ride through New Reynes one last time. It has been a while since I read the last book, but the summary was well integrated to the story and I was able to pick up the threads super quick.

As before, the story is told through multiple POVs. This time we follow along with Levi, Enne, Sofia, Lola and Harvey.
♥ Levi is reeling after the death of Jac at Enne's hand. But his hands aren't exactly clean either after killing Vianca and freeing himself from the omerta that kept him at her beck and call. What remains for him now is securing pardons for himself and his team. Still my favourite boy.
♠ Enne is grieving too for her part in the events of the last few weeks. Her mizzer identity has been revealed, and receiving a pardon for herself will require one of the biggest deceptions she never thought she would have to do. I will die for Enne Scordata.
♦ Sofia has destroyed her family empire, but she still doesn't feel whole. To take her family down she had to make a deal with the Bargainer, giving up one of her talents, and now she wants it back. I really liked how her story ended.
♣ Lola no longer recognizes her friend Enne when her long-lost brother appears and Enne threatens to have him killed. She has defected and hitches her wagon to one of New Reynes most notorious street legends for revenge. Her character arc was difficult because I didn't want it to happen.
♥ Harvey is caught between a rock and a hard place. Between the man he loves and the deadly game that man has created to sow chaos. While he has a strong character arc, his was my least favourite POV as I found him too mousy and mopey.

I admit I was a little confused by the rules of the final game itself, but I was able to fill in the blanks well. Honestly, I chalk up any confusion to this being the audiobook, which was delightful to listen to. Still, the game was so good, and very interesting of how it played into not only events from the last book but of the entire series! Trust no one and nothing, basically. In a nutshell, there are 22 players who are the most formidable people in New Reynes. Each receives a golden tarot card with the name of another on the back: their target. They can either be given their target's card willing, and in doing so tie their life to that person's, or they can kill for it. The first person to get five cards wins. But the creator of the game doesn't care who dies; he only wants to create enough chaos to bring the Bargainer into the open.

The Bargainer herself is such an interesting new character slash villain. She is a true legend of New Reynes who has caused so much damage. The way she makes deals is simple. You ask her for something, and she takes something in return. This could be as simple as memories of people or entire talents, as she did with Sofia Torren. As such, she has a huge arsenal of talents, giving her immense power. I really loved how her history tied into the Shadow Game itself and the city.

As far as finales go, this was tight! It is so intriguing and exciting and impossible to put down. The characters, the multiple plot lines, the scheming, the gangs--it all amounts to such a good book. I read the last half while doing gardening and I got a sunburn because I stayed out too long listening to the end. The character developments are phenomenal, the twists unforeseen, and the final climax itself is shocking. But best of all, the entire ending is satisfying. I would re-read this in a heartbeat.

I'm so sad this series is over! Truly one of the more underrated series in YA right now and I fully intend to change that by smushing it into everyone's faces. Amanda Foody is an incredible story teller and I will continue to read everything that she puts out in future.

I loved this series. Not only was there a story arc that continually developed and progressed throughout each book, but each book had its own central conflict. Because of this, not book ever felt like a filler title, as sometimes can happen in a trilogy. This book is perhaps not as fast paced as the others but that could be attributed to the fact that it is just so long with so many things to wrap up. I was constantly getting swept up in all the twists and turns, and had to stop and put it down because I just did not know what could be happening next.

Queen of Volts by Amanda Foody wasn’t what I expected. And that’s good and bad. I was intrigued by the notion of a new, mysterious game with the inclusion of these gold minted shadow cards. It was intriguing. The hunt to obtain 5 of the 22 cards at the risk of lives lost had me on the edge of my seat. However, this hunt ran way too long and all of the context in between this seemingly simple game just kept adding more and more drama that wasn’t that interesting. It didn’t keep me invested but rather made me bored, wishing for the story to head in a different direction and quickly otherwise I wouldn’t be able to keep going. At first I found the multiple perspectives helped fix this error in plot but as it neared the end I found it no longer helped. I really liked Harvey’s chapters and the addition of Sophia’s provided a much needed relief from all of the North side gangs drama because hers showed more of the forgotten South side. However, I ended up really hating her chapters because I found I didn’t care that much for the South side angle despite knowing its purpose and how it connected to the story. To me, it just wasn’t interesting enough.



Unfortunately, the complexity of the story made these beloved characters suffer. Levi’s character was my favourite in this conclusion by far as he was the voice of reason and served as the moral compass for most of the other characters and especially for Enne who was falling through a downward spiral ever since killing Jac under Vianca’s omerta from King of Fools. I also really enjoyed knowing more about Harvey Gabbiano. I felt for him throughout the entire book and he might be why I finished it…I wanted more of him earlier!



I want to thank publishers at Harlequin Trade publishing and Inkyard press for including me in the 2020 Fall Reads Blog Tour and for giving me the chance to read the conclusion to The Shadow Game trilogy.



What I found that stood out for me in here were all the relationships made and broken as they chased down The Bargainer and their respective target cards in the game. Grace and Roy were expected and they were adorable! I wish they got a happy ending but I guess some people in the City of Sin can’t have that right?

______

“I’m going to look at this,’ Levi grumbled, snatching a box of chocolates from a nearby shelf, ‘as an investment in my political future—and state of mind.’



‘Oh, you must stop,’ Enne said flatly. ‘Or I might swoon.’ This earned her a small crack of a smile. He waved the box.



‘That’s what the sugar is for.’

_______



Levi and Enne were up and down and reduced to a fake coupling for the media which was hilarious and ironic! It reminded me of The Hunger Games when Peeta dropped that huge bomb about his crush on Katniss. It brought a fiery heat that reminded them of their true feelings. The only thing that let that down was how long it took from them to man up and say something to each other. It ran too long. There’s moments like these ones above that were so cute and funny and they did she a different side to Levi, one with humour and vulnerability. It was raw and emotional and showed that they belonged to each other. It just took them too long to figure out something they both already knew since book 1.



“Enne saw the answers clearly now. Even if she could return to the girl she used to be, that girl had also been weak. And facing monsters like Vianca Augustine, Sedric Torren, and Bryce Balfour had taught Enne an invaluable lesson: the City of Sin would always prey on weakness. She would not, like Lola suggested, diminish herself so that the wigheads would dismiss her. She wouldn’t leave her fate in the hands of those who’d prefer her dead regardless. She’d had so little control of her life until now, and she would not willingly relinquish it again.”



This right here was written early on in Queen of Volts and despite this sure confidence in the main character of Enne, I didn’t see it here. She wanted to not be weak but that’s exactly what happened here. She needed Levi to help with her blood talent to produce viable volts, she needed him for her pardon by using him to fake a relationship. Someone strong can handle things by themselves and this last installment showed a step back in her character. She seemed to always be relying on someone else despite wanting this control. She was constantly out of control in both life and strategy. It was a disappointing turn for the MC and with a title like “Queen of Volts” I thought it was heading in a completely different direction. This title makes it sound like she’s going to go through something verging on epic and unfortunately it missed its mark.



“Enne still saw Jac Mardlin in the glint of the metal, and perhaps she always would. But Enne hadn’t killed him—Vianca had.”



I was devastated when this happened in King of Fools and throughout this entire book I was looking for a loophole to bring him back and when that didn’t happen I was in shock. But I could deal with it, what I couldn’t deal with though was Enne’s constant guilt. It was so infuriating especially when she stated this so early on. Despite knowing that it wasn’t actually her doing but rather the omerta put on by Vianca, Enne stays in this constant state of guilt. It was hard to keep reading. To me if felt like the amount of times they mentioned it, that they were going to find a way to save him because why else mention it as often as it was? But then that didn’t happen which only left a sour note.



I hated the break up between Lola and Enne, I just couldn’t understand why it happened. They were torn apart and separated for most of the book and I missed them. They were the original girl gang. It lost some awe to it with this twist. It added drama but it was at the expense of the characters and the plot. I don’t think it needed to go this way because they were a strong team determined to have control and power for themselves and this separation only made them vulnerable and weak. The very thing they never wanted.



“Lola did not approve of cabarets. The Sauterelle was as loud as it was dirty, with a sugarcoated stickiness to the floor from spilled cocktails…”



I loved Lola’s voice. Despite where she was headed plot wise, her actual voice and tone was humourous and enjoyable.



Overall, I was disappointed with this conclusion to the Shadow Game trilogy. The plot was dragged on way too long and there was too much drama and not enough of the gritty City of Sin that I was introduced to in the first two books. What let me down the most with this book was how far Enne seemed to spiral, she no longer made any progress or growth in character and what little she did manage to achieve would be knocked down and reduced to nothing by the events of the plot as it unfolded. She was the least liked by characters as well after what she did with Jac in book 2 despite knowing that she was under an omerta and had no choice. Instead of insisting throughout that she couldn’t help what she was forced to do, she dwelled on it and that the whole story suffer. My favourite book will always be Ace of Shades. I still think this series is worth a read because I found the concept wholly original and I liked the City of Sin angle. It’s definitely a more mature YA series because it deals with mature scenes but still good!

Really good conclusion to this series. I honestly wish it could have gone on longer but ah! So good lol Especially finally piecing everything together with Enne!

I was really looking forward to an epic ending but at times I felt like I was slogging through this super depressing book. There was sooooooo much bad that kept happening to these characters, the main love interests hate each other for most of the book. I hate how certain characters. are used against each other and it really pushed me. at times to even keep on reading. But I did stick through to. the end and. I give it. a higher star rating because even though I struggled at some parts, it was an epic ending to one of my favorite series and these characters did go through quite a lot and its nice to see how their stories wrap up for the most part. I am happy to have gotten early access to finish. this book I'm. not sure why it took me so long to finally write a review, probably. because I couldn't gather my thoughts and feelings on this until now! it was a love hate thing but love won out in the end.

This was such a lovely finale to a really unique series. I love the romance and how it was executed throughout the series. Enne and Levi had an enviable relationship once they actually started being transparent and communicative with each other.

Holy smokes you guys! What a brilliant finale. This trilogy has just been a wild ride of ups and downs, chaos and emotions, fun and hope and love and loss and secrets…I’m just honestly so glad that I’ve picked this trilogy up, and I can absolutely say that I will be re-reading these books.

There is so much great to talk about with this book. Firstly, let me just talk about the length. It is basically the same length as the second book, about 600 pages long, which is about 200 pages longer than the first book. But, honestly, it does not feel like a long book. So much happens and the pacing is great. I was flipping through page after page after page, just eagerly anticipating whatever was going to happen next for Enne and Levi and everyone else.

Seriously, this finale starts off just a couple days after the events of book two, and the characters barely have time to work through their feelings, deal with their losses, and get themselves on steady ground again, because more twists and turns and scheming are thrown their way almost immediately.

Every time you think that they’ve won the Shadow Game, some other twist gets thrown their way. And you just want everyone to have time to breathe and grieve. Oh, and of course there is a typical YA issue…or just fiction entertainment issue in general…of failure to communicate between main characters. This definitely left me getting frustrated with Enne and Levi for a while, because so many issues would be solved by them just talking to each other. But hey, eventually they started talking.

It’s so hard to actually write up a review for this, because it is a final book in a trilogy, so I don’t want to mention anything that could be a spoiler.

Just know that this was a great book, and I definitely recommend the whole trilogy. Amanda Foody is definitely an author I’ll keep my eyes on. I can’t wait to see what new story will come from her next.

This was a great finale to such a fun series. I love this case of characters like no other. This world was is the perfect escape from reality right now. I love the high stakes and the magic system. The betrayals and fights were hard to read emotionally but I felt like Foody did them justice. I wish there were more books left in the series because I will miss this story.

New Reynes is one of the most interesting and thought out, under appreciated worlds I have EVER read. The Shadow Game series is absolutely phenomenal and Queen of Volts is one of the best conclusions to a series I have ever read.
This series has given me so much and I can not wait to dive into more of Amanda Foody's work in the future.

Wow. This final installment in The Shadow Game trilogy did not disappoint. It was fast paced, moody, dark and humourous in equal measure. The characters continue their journey in the City of Sin armed only with the (questionable) ability to make morally grey decisions and poor relationship choices (sometimes at the same time) and yet, they emerge on the other side like a moth after a close encounter with a flame. A bit singed around the edges and feeling sorry for themselves but just about alive, and not likely to play with fire again. Unless it's really bright and glowy ...ooh look at that flame.

**4.5-stars rounded up**

Welcome to New Reynes, self-proclaimed City of Sin, and one of the most interesting worlds in YA literature.

Queen of Volts is the final installment of The Shadow Game trilogy and therefore, was destined to break my heart. I dragged out my time reading this. Literally, tried to make it last as long as possible.

Picking up where King of Fools left off, this third book finds Levi and Enne forced to play the most dangerous game yet. Levi, who is being drawn to the straight life of politics, and Enne, who must figure out how to navigate with her true nature exposed, grapple with their feelings for one another. Should they play the game as allies or enemies?

I mean, obviously together was my vote!

If you know nothing about this series, I urge you to go read about Ace of Shades. These books are full of intrigue, plotting, scheming, backstabbing and compelling ambitions. There are street gangs, crime lords, corrupt politicians, gambling dens and magic. Legends come to life. It's a dangerous, seedy world and I loved every minute of it. Such a vibe.

I could go on and on about the many things I loved about this series, but honestly, you just need to try it for yourself. I will say the story truly matured along the way, so perhaps if you picked up Ace of Shades and it was just okay for you, I would urge you to give the second book a shot.

This is one of my favorite YA trilogies of all time. I love the low key MacBeth vibes that I picked up throughout. It's just everything. I love it. Amazing job, Amanda Foody. I can't wait to binge read the series in its entirety someday.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Inkyard Press, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. This was absolutely one of my most anticipated books of the year, so I truly appreciate it!