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Bloody Spade (The Cardplay Duology) Paperback – September 15, 2021

by Brittany M. Willows (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 51 ratings
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Bloody Spade is the first installment in an upper YA urban fantasy duology that follows a cat-eared thief and a softhearted girl as they navigate his wild magic, her hotheaded brother, a sinister plot, and the feelings they're developing for each other. Suitable for fans of A Darker Shade of Magic and This Savage Song, or anime/manga such as RWBY and D.Gray-Man.

A girl full of heart
A thief touched by darkness
A hot-tempered golden boy
An unwitting servant of evil

The era of magic was once thought to be a myth, but after the Reemergence ushered forces both dark and light into the mundane world, it has since become a harsh reality. Now those affected by this strange power—a specialized group of Empowered called Jokers, known collectively as Cardplay—must protect their world from the darkness that threatens to consume it, all the while fighting for equality in a society clinging to normalcy.

But the Reemergence was only the beginning.

When another influx occurs on the seventh anniversary of that fateful event, an unfortunate encounter at ground zero lands Iori Ryone, a teenage boy in possession of a corrupt and legendary magic, in the care of recent Joker graduate Ellen Amelia Jane. From him, she learns the Reemergence may not have been the inevitable natural disaster it first seemed.

Someone is trying to tear down the barrier that separates the magical realms from the mundane. The question is why, and can Cardplay stop them before it’s too late?

___________________________

Content Advisory
- Coarse language
- Blood and violence, some gore
- Moments of graphic violence/torture
- On-page character death
- Body horror
- Harassment/bullying
- Vomiting
- Poisoning
- Amnesia
- Grief/bereavement
- Anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks
- Trauma related to kidnapping/physical abuse
- Parent death (discussed, glimpsed in flashbacks)
- Car accident (discussed, glimpsed in flashbacks)
- One instance of a forced kiss (not intended to be romantic or sexual)
___________________________

A four-chapter preview of the novel can be found via the author's profile!
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 2
    The Cardplay Duology
  2. Print length
    461 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    September 15, 2021
  5. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.16 x 8.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0993647278
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0993647277
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Brittany M. Willows brings her characters leaping off the page. With a complex magic system and prose that will take your breath away, Bloody Spade is a whirlwind of edge-of-your-seat action, interspersed with moments of tenderness and humor. Her diverse cast and unique worldbuilding will sweep you away into a world where magic slumbers-and is about to be awoken." -E.M. Wright, author of SEDITION

"Bloody Spade is a delightful anime-inspired adventure anchored by one of the most adorable main characters you're likely to meet, a cat-eared thief who's hiding a wealth of mysteries. There is so much to love here-sharp, complex worldbuilding, intense action, and an incredible supporting cast. What really stole my heart was the central relationship, which is nuanced, believable, and complex. But be warned, your emotions might not be the same when you reach the end." -S.J. Whitby, author of the Cute Mutants series

"How do you describe a book you fell instantly in love with? Bloody Spade sucks you in and holds on tight, presenting you with a buffet of fierce characters, moral greyness, action, comedy, and friendship to delight every sense." -Erin Kinsella, author of the Olympian Confessions duology

"Magic, misfits, and mayhem? Check. Realistic representation that feels natural? Check. Characters that you bond with and love (though you also want to smack them sometimes)? CHECK. READ THIS BOOK." -J. Breeden, beta reader, bookseller

"It's been a while since I've had this much fun reading a fantasy book. Witty humour, interesting lore, likeable and diverse characters for pretty much every taste. I loved the magical feeling throughout, the intense fight scenes, the intimate tender moments and nuanced relationships between the characters. Looking forward to seeing this adventure to its completion!" -Maf, creator of the Webtoon Stray Souls

"A delightful, action-packed adventure featuring a charming cast, a fun magic system, and a story that pulls at all the heartstrings. I loved every moment of it!" -Chelsea Abdullah, beta reader

"It's a thrilling roller coaster of emotions. A wild ride. Non-stop. Breathtaking. Brilliant. Everything I want and need in a book." -Mary Lynne Gibbs, author of Jericho Rising

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Brittany M. Willows (September 15, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 461 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0993647278
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0993647277
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.28 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.16 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

About the author

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Brittany M. Willows

Brittany M. Willows

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Brittany M. Willows is a queer author and digital artist from rural Ontario, Canada. Inspired initially by video games and the stories they told, she began building her own fictional universes and has no plans of stopping any time soon. When she's not writing about post-apocalyptic lands, wild magic, or people gallivanting through the stars, she can be found hunched over a tablet drawing the very same things.

To keep up with the latest news regarding both current and future stories, and to find out more about Brittany or to delve deeper into the worlds she has created, check out the links below! She can also be contacted directly via these platforms.

Twitter: twitter.com/BMWillows

Instagram: instagram.com/brittanymwillows/

Blog: brittanymwillows.wordpress.com

Facebook: facebook.com/BrittanyMWillows

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
51 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Lexi Biondi
5.0 out of 5 stars I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK!! It’s like anime but in book format 😍
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
Bloody Spade has become one of my all time favorites books. It is full of magic, love and adventure but it’s also a story about rising from hardship, healing and opening up to others.

The characters have stolen my heart and their growth arcs in the book are amazing and so full of feels.
- Iori is a snarky, cat-eared thief who keeps to himself but he has such a soft heart beneath all the jokes and carefree demeanor. He has a lot of trauma to deal with and I swear I spent so much of the book just wanting to hug him. His character arc is amazing and I was rooting for him every step of the way, crying with him when things got bad and cheering him on when he kept trying in spite of that.
- Ellen is the sweetest person in existence and we don’t deserve her. Cinnamon roll with the purest of hearts. She has a heart of gold and looks out to help others but she also hurts and struggles with anxiety. I just love her so much!
- Alexander is the fire wielder that will steal your heart but also make you want to spray him with a water bottle and smack him in the head because of certain decisions he takes. His growth and all what he learns during the book are such an experience and I’m so proud of how far he has come.
- Kyani is my baby and I will protect her till the end of times. She is a gentle soul but is stuck in a situation that forces her to take some very morally questionable choices and OMG I just 😭.
- The rest of the cast is so amazing as well. Ellen’s best friends, Tatiana and Soren, have stolen my heart. Tatiana is a ball of energy and Soren is such a sweet and timid bun. Then there’s Ellen and Alex’s guardians, Elizabeth and Hikaru. Elizabeth is a total badass and Hikaru is one of my favorite dad figures ever! They’re so cute together as well!

The books has a lot of queer representation and the story touches many themes of mental health which is something I’m grateful for.

The magic is absolutely breathtaking and I am in love with the powers that the MCs have. And the whole system with the Suits and the Keepers and the Stars is just 😍😍 I cant say more without spoilers but if you like anime magic systems or intricate magic stories then you’re gonna love this.

The romance between Iori and Ellen is just the cutest thing ever. It’s slow burn and it’s so wholesome. They are so supportive of each other and truly complement and bring out the best in the other. It’s such a beautiful and healthy relationship. I loved every moment these two spent together.

Conclusion? If you love anime, magic, romance, strong friendships, sibling dynamics, found family and just long for a book that will both make you cry and squeal, then I 100% recommend Bloody Spade.
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Denise
5.0 out of 5 stars This book has reinvigorated my love of reading. Five stars all the way.
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is absolutely stunning. Get ready for drama, angst, magic galore, transformation sequences, anime style, LGBTQA+ rep, PINING, and the process of healing from the past while staring straight ahead at the dangers the future poses.

The characters all breathe life to every page, even the side characters who don't get as much screentime have very defined traits and personalities. Sometimes as a character entered a scene I would just go, "Oh, yep, that's Ikkei." The story and trials these characters (whom you will fall in love with) face drag you into the world and those ink-stained claws won't release. I've got to deal with them until I can sink my teeth into book two!

Iori and Ellen are lovely protagonists, and as obvious as their will they/won't they scenario is, the author paints the scenes of pining and indecision so beautifully it lures me into their heads and I can't be frustrated with them one bit. ALL these kids are traumatized. From the main duo to Ellen's brother Alexander, and even the leaders of Cardplay where they all study their magical abilities, every character has a rich, immersive backstory told in flowing prose. Nothing ever seems out of place. The author plays with the deck they built like a pro.

The world feels so real and believable it's like I could see it happening if such an event as the reemergence happened in our society. I won't spoil how the empowered are treated, but if you've been a fan of X-Men you likely can guess. I love all the threads the author pulls together with the villainous plots and big reveal near the end. While some plot points are foreseeable, I never once felt that a bad thing, I was just waiting for the shoe to drop with anticipation, and boy does this book keep you turning the next page. I'd recommend Bloody Spade to anyone, and I already have to all my friends. PLUS, THAT GORGEOUS COVER! Give this book a shot, you won't regret it if you like any of what I mentioned here.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars favorite book of the year??????
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
I think this was my favorite book of the year?????? Oh my goodness it was so enjoyable. The author has talked about the book being anime inspired, both on Twitter and in the acknowledgements, and it truly reads like watching an anime. If you like Promare, for instance, I think you'd love this book.

The characters are incredibly endearing and the world is so exciting. It's just a FUN book to read, with a whole lot of heart to it. I don't think I've shipped anything like I shipped Ellen and Iori in a LONG LONG time. Also, the ace and aro rep in this book was so refreshing in that it felt seamless? You didn't get some social media soapbox-esque monologue, the characters just WERE ace/aro/demi and navigated their lives as such. They made jokes about it. They wore T-shirts about it. They had a brief clearing up with a new friend that things weren't going to get romantic because they were aro. It felt very true to my experiences and the experiences of people I know.

Basically I finished this book already so excited to read the next book and then got very sad that there are only two books so when that's done, it will be over.
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Top reviews from other countries

Gádor Rubias
5.0 out of 5 stars MINDBLOWING! Do Not Pass By!
Reviewed in Spain on February 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
Well, what a BOOK! I knew that I couldn't go wrong with such gorgeous cover and character artwork , but I wasn't expecting to enjoy the ride this much. "Bloody Spade", book 1 in the Cardplay Duology, follows four main characters: homeless thief Iori Ryone, Cardplay's golden boy Alexander Jane, sweet and loving Ellen Jane, and mysterious Kyani Oto. Known as the boy who might've triggered the Reemergence of magic, and thus the presence of Empowered people in society, Iori is the Keeper of the Spade, one of four legendary Suits that come with extraordinary powers entrusted to them to safeguard the balance of the universe.

When he, Alexander, and Ellen cross paths in a gruesome battle, and Iori gets seriously injured, he doesn't expect the youngest Jane sibling to want to help him - who'd want to lend a thief a hand? -, but she does. From there on, Iori and Ellen will navigate their way through the Cardplay organisation's rehab program for Iori, and their classes to become Jokers and keep the city safe from monsters known as Inkblots. But Alexander isn't all too happy about it, Kyani might have more than one secret of her own, and three other Suits lie dormant in the face of imminent war.

One thing that immediately stood out to me was the dynamism and action-packed pacing of the story. This book reads the way anime feels! I was hooked throughout the entirety of the duology, and this book in particular felt really cosy and comforting. My favourite character has to be my lovely boy Iori, who's happy to be a little gremlin and a menace to society while secretly moping on the inside. He was exceptional, and so very well written in so many ways - as a PTSD and GAD sufferer, as a bisexual person, as an orphan, as someone with poor self-image. But there was also Ellen, whose sweetness and determination to make things right won me over right away. They're the most wholesome main characters ever!

The worldbuilding was absolutely exquisite, and although it did take me a little while to fully grasp all of the concepts, once I did I wished I lived inside this story. In a nutshell, so you have a cheat sheet, we find ourselves in the city of Hildegrand, in which mysterious monsters known as Inkblots terrorise the city every now and then. Cardplay's trained Empowered people, also known as Jokers, possess magical powers that they use to keep the city safe, but it's only after graduating their Third Year that they can become full-time Jokers. But Inkblots aren't their only enemy, since a criminal organisation known as Blackjack seems bent on letting all hell loose.

Overall the book had me turning pages long past bedtime for several nights in a row, and had me on such a chokehold! I was really worr..., er, invested!, in what my sweet children would face next, and the subtle clues regarding a much larger conflict in Hildegrand kept me guessing until it all unraveled.

Would definitely recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy, well-written magical adventures, and lovers of upper YA stories. I'd love to offer up some titles that can compare, but this is quite a unique book IMO!
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Alexander McCall
5.0 out of 5 stars Anime in all the best ways
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is one of the most anime books I’ve ever read and I mean that as a complement. One if the main characters is a catboy, there’s a bunch of magical girl (and boy) transformations and they fight against the forces of The Void. It’s great.
However what separates this book from the other overly anime books that I‘ve read is that it’s played entirely straight. The others tend to be more ‘surface anime,’ where they’ll play into all the tropes almost like they’re counting them off a list. But Bloody Spade, like the best of all anime, plays it completely straight. Sure, there’s catboys and magical transformations and all that but they fit into the lore of the world. Ten years ago magic returned to the world, in this one city in particular, changing people and giving them magical abilities. The authorities reacted with suspicion and basically quarantined the city, not allowing anyone with magic out. Some of the magic users turn to crime, some just want to live normal lives and some become heroes. It’s a great and interesting setting.
If there’s one complaint that I have however is that we don’t get to see enough of the lore and the wider world. The wider world is very understandable, as everyone’s trapped in the one city. And there’s enough references to it to satisfy me that it’s out there and built up enough. But the history of the world is something that really needs to be expanded on. One of the main plot points of the book centres around Suites, four special magic people that have appeared in ancient times and of whom, so far, only one has appeared. There’s references to old poems and stories about them and how they have to use this fragmented knowledge of the past to try and work out what’s going on in the present. Which is a great plot device but my problem is that we don’t get to see enough of those pieces of knowledge to know what’s going on ourselves. There’s obviously a nice background to this world and what’s happening in it but I don’t think the reader gets to see enough of it. At one point a being called a Star turns up and I think that was the first time they were mentioned in the whole book. It’s a small quibble but it nagged at me a bit.
That aside this was a very readable book. There’s always something going on, the author’s voice is strong and entertaining and the characters develop well. Also it’s lovely to see the range of representation in this book. The lesbians, gays, bisexuals, pansexuals, trans people, non-binary and not one, not two but three people under the asexuality umbrella. That last one was particurally nice to see, as the ace community has enough problems getting people to agree that the A in LGBTQA doesn’t refer to Allies, let alone have main characters in the media.
All in all I loved this book and all I can say is that I want more. More of the world, more of the history, more of the characters and more of the story. Can’t wait for the sequel.
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Client d'Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Dark fantasy my hero academia but queerer (like, really, really queerer)
Reviewed in France on March 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
Action-packed but also emotions-packed, lots of fun but also full of trauma and grieving and other hard stuff, fascinating world-building and amazing writing, and, one of the most important things for me, wonderful characters ; complex, funny, endearing, frustrating at times, and with different meaningful relationships. This is everything I love and more.
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Catherine McP
5.0 out of 5 stars "Oh. So this was what falling felt like."
Reviewed in Australia on May 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
I'm going to be totally honest and say it almost got put on the backburner to priritise library loans but I picked it up again and couldn't put it down. For me it was that kind of book. I'm so happy I decided to finish this. Yes there are some definite tropes in play (not to mention a spoiler in the blurb) but it's not about the destination as much as the journey. The representation provided in the characters. description description description description description This was a joy to read. It is quite unlike anything I've ever read. I will say it is left in something of an odd place at the end but I know this fully intended to be a duology. Now the waiting begins.

I guess I will look at the representation first which is one of the two reasons read this (the other being the genre). For those who can't pick all the flags. Pansexual, Gray-Ace, Asexual, Demiromantic, Demisexual. These are just the four main characters. Among the four main characters, Iori is Pan (as identified by the author). Kyani is demi sexual and demi romantic. Alex is ace. Ellen in this book is only identified as aspec but is grey (again author info). Other characters are gay, bisexual, lesbian, trans and enby. Soren the transmale uses male pronouns. Iris may or may not use they/them. Enby Dax uses xe/xem/xyr. The generation above likewise has same-sex couples. I probably should say here that according to Brittany M. Willows in an answer on Goodreads unless explicitly stated otherwise all the characters are queer/bi, it's jus naturally coded into the world. I identify as aspec or queer I just had a moment of pure glee when I realised exactly how much aspec representation there was in this. When I was reading the author bio one thing caught my attention "bisexual/gray-asexual author, all I could think was 'well that explains the aspec rep'. This level of representation, done well, usually comes from within our community.

The lore and plot. Usually, I do characters first but in a world where characters depend so heavily on their lore and position within the world, I have to do that first. The basics of Bloody Spade is urban fantasy set in a fictional world circa 2027. We see no mundanes (those with no powers), we only see within the Empowered world. There is as one would expect some discrimination, primarily the Empowered are limited to one city, Hildegand, by a wall. All of the Empowered have different powers, as one would expect. I do have a theory that but it's only ever going to be implied not outright stated. The Empowered are given three choices when their powers awake, take suppressants, waive the use of their powers (and pay the price if they use them) or join the Jokers at Cardplay. Cardplay's opposite is Blackjack. Where Cardplay is light or on the side of pure magic. Blackjack is dark or on the side of void magic. Operators for Cardplay are called Jokers, Blackjacks operators are called Players. Blackjack are the villains of Bloody Spade. I appreciate the lore reveal. The lore is not provided in one massive piece of exposition. It is given to the reader only as it is needed. Sometimes answering questions you didn't know you had other times answering questions you've possibly had for a while. With its YA intended audience and coming of age (but not quite) feel. The plot has some predictability. But it's more how. And the world. And the characters. The pleasure of seeing the characters are overcoming adversity both of their own making and from external forces. Of battling their own demons and accepting help, of self-discovery of what will help you beat those demons. I will say there is an appendix that includes a meet the cast, both main and supporting, a list of notable locations and a list of magic-related related terms.

Bloody Spade has four main characters. Iori Ryone, the Keeper of the Spade. Possibly the closest thing to a titular character it has, 'Bloody Spade' is the name of his active power. A way Iori is perhaps representative as a character is his handedness, his naturally ambidextrous (important no, but interesting). Iori is the sort of character that has the potential to break your heart. He raised himself on the streets, his physical appearance with its feline attributes is known to all and he blamed releasing void magic on the world. His suit, the Spade, is corrupted while it should be using pure magic it uses void magic, and Iori and the Spade do not get along. Iori resents the Spade. He is all anger against the world and I will become the monster you believe me to be. Until he crosses paths with a certain young Empowered who intrigues both him and the Spade. Enter Ellen Jane, newly graduated Joker with the power to remove the void from a person, to cure them. Not that anyone is made aware of that.

The second set of main characters are Ellen's older brother Alexander Jane and Kyani Oto. Alexander is fire type more or less and his temper matches this. He can be emotional and hot-headed. It suits Cardplay at points but when it comes to Ellen that can be a problem. After being orphaned at a reasonably young age Alex took on both the big brother and pseudo father role for her. He has expectations of her to a degree. Alex is one of the strongest Jokers fighting along his best friend. Kyani is the Keeper of the Club. She loves flowers and nature and was until recently a florist. Everything she does she does for the good of her father who for reasons we are unsure of is in some kind of expensive medical care. This has landed her in the hands of Blackjack. She is a kind soul even if it sometimes appears she doesn't appear as such. Her power is tied to her interest in botany she can manipulate plans and replicate the active agents of plants after ingesting them. She has a secret from Blackjack, she sees the auras of people.

Have a dump on just some of my highlights and comments from my reading
• “She taught me how to dance and sing. How to write poetry. She was fiercely independent, too. Anything she could do by herself, she would, and that included having me.” — (Iori) This is Iori clearly about his mother. That actually explains something he has quite a strong EQ (emotional quotient, like IQ measures intelligence) common with sons of single mothers.
• Empowered, they called them. Nobody could decide yet whether they were the heroes or the villains of this brave new world. Saints or sinners, a gift or a curse.
The way Iori saw it, they could be both and neither. Magic didn’t automatically make good people bad, and it didn’t make bad people good. — (Iori) This from the earliest pages. Iori has a wide almost worldly mind for a protagonist in this sort of book. And he is quite young too.
• To the public, he was a troublemaker.
To the police, a wanted criminal.
But to Cardplay, Iori Ryone was known primarily as the Keeper of the Spade—an Empowered teenager in possession of a special kind of magic called a Suit. The stuff of legends, literally. They were only able to identify his status early on because he shared his feline traits with a painted depiction of the Spade’s former Keeper. — (Ellen) I missed the import of this quote when I first read it. I missed the section on depictions. That becomes important when it comes to the other Keepers. Those of the Diamond, Club and Heart.
• “Wait,” Ellen pleaded, stepping out from her brother’s shadow and into the Keeper’s view once more. “You don’t have to fight us. We can talk this over!” — (Ellen) Something I have thoughts on is that Ellen's impulse is to be a peacekeeper, to negotiate first and to fight last. Iori's is the opposite. Fight first then flee. She is something akin to a peacekeeper he is closer to a weapon.
• The Keeper rose from his throne, and with a sweeping gesture, presented the place to her with an ostentation unbefitting of its decayed state. “Welcome,” he said, “to my domain.” — (Ellen) There is true beauty in some of the places described. Particularly the three dreamscapes, making me really wonder what the hearts is and if the spades was always like that. Or if the Spades corruption changed it. Ellen's belief is that it was the corrupted Spade, but it does also suit Iori
• “It’s Iori, by the way,” the Keeper said.
“Huh?”
“My name. I figure you might as well use it since we’re getting so intimate.” — (Iori and Ellen) What I would so good about this line is that they were both working instinct and it wasn't the self-preserving kind. For a bit of context Ellen is about to fish one of Alex's bullets out of Iori's body.
• “They had a fight?”
Ikkei howled a laugh. “Right in the middle of the restaurant, too. Let me tell you, pyric and electric types do not do civil debate.” — (Ellen and Ikkei) This is about Alex and Naomi. While reading that fight I could almost see the sparks coming off Naomi.
• “It doesn’t bother me, really! It’s just kind of tingly.”
He arched a brow. “I make you tingly?”
“Don’t make it weird.” — (Ellen and Iori) They have this light playful banter nearing flirtation that I really appreciate. It's worth realising that 'don't make it weird' coming from Ellen an aspec.
• Alexander’s purposeful stride a contrast to Iori’s nonchalant stroll. Two very different people with very different strategies, their techniques about as diverse as their gait. Professionally trained versus self-taught. Military-style teachings versus a rudimentary weaponization of acrobatics. — (Iori) This is critical in a way. The contrast between the formal training of the Jokers represented by Alex and Iori's free-flowing nature. Alex sees Iori as a threat to Ellen (and everyone else), Iori just kind of wants to prove himself worthy of her faith. This being a fair fight requires both of them keeping their cool and holding it together. It was never going to happen it was just a case of how badly it went.
• “You taught me to stand up for what I believe in,” she said. “I believe in him, and I’m not going to let him bin his chance at a decent life because you can’t let go of some petty grudge.” — (Ellen-to Alex) This is Ellen. This is also a total mood. Even had that moment when your parents look at you with surprised pikachu face when you act as you were raised? Yeah that is happening here.
• In conflict, Ellen always tried to see things from the other party’s point of view, but his was clouded by rumor and conjecture and a couple of unfortunate encounters that had forever marred the Keeper of the Spade in his mind. What would it take to change his perception? What if it couldn’t be changed? — (Ellen) This is part of the key point of the book. Perception is everything and something that Bloody Spade is seemingly trying to encourage is thought and seeing beyond your bias. Especially when not doing so will impact your relationships with others.
• “Your battlemaster was right. To some extent, this thing inside me is influenced by my feelings. My emotions. I’m a mess, Ellen. If I stay, sooner or later, someone is going to get hurt. Someone could die.” His hand slipped from the folds of his shirt, falling heavy to his side. “Nobody should want a monster like me.” — (Iori) This broke my heart. Iori needs a hug. And serious human contact. These two could heal each other. They are the balance to each other. He can teach her to live and embrace experiences. She can teach him trust and control.
• “You want me to pay rent for occupying your couch?”
“For occupying my couch unnecessarily,” Ikkei specified. “Consider it bitch tax.”
Alexander scowled. “Excuse me?”
“You have a perfectly gorgeous house waiting for you in the rich district. The only reason you’re crashing in this dump is because you’re being too much of a bitch to share said house with the sister you unfairly disowned. Thus, I say again: bitch tax.” — (Alex and Ikkei) I adore Ikkei okay. He makes me smile. And this is a brilliant play. Alex needs to hear this. It is true friendship.
• “The streets foster this kind of ‘screw-it’ mentality. Everybody’s already decided what you are, so why bother trying to be anything else? Be the troublemaker, be the thief. Fit the mold society’s carved out for you. And when every good thing that does come along gets ripped away—I guess that’s why I ran. Suddenly there were all these promising new paths in front of me, and instead of being excited, I got scared because it meant I had something to lose.” — (Iori) This feels like it still so true now.
• “Darling, may I hold your hand?
Am I asking too much?
Maybe it’s reckless to love,
When my heart is made of glass.
But if I am to fall,
Oh, let it be with you,
For I know you’d handle it with care.” [...]
“Darling, you are the sun when it’s raining,
The light when I’m fading,
The glimpse of a life I could live.
You are the promise of change,
Of a soul uncaged, And, darling, I’m dreaming
Of a life with you now.

Oh, darling, I’m dreaming,
Of a life with you now.” — (Iori) These are lyrics, Iori is playing them acoustic on a piano. They are just so freaking beautiful. The meaning behind them is obvious and he admits as much to himself. But he can't admit it to her when she interrupts him.
• The moonlight permeating the balcony curtains illuminated Iori’s shape on the bed, his back to her, a faint rise and fall to his chest. One of his ears was already turned in her direction, and when she didn’t soon move along, his gaze followed next. — (Ellen) This is such an appealing image. I can't even say why. It's not so much the intimacy of it but the feline feel to it. The moonlight, the sense of noise and the awareness. His feline self goes well beyond the ears for me.
• Get a grip. He buried his burning face into his palm, trying to banish those thoughts—those images—from his brain. He couldn’t be envisioning her like that when he didn’t even know if these feelings were mutual.
Well, not these precise feelings. He knew they weren’t—not to the same degree, anyway. The black band on her middle finger, the “why frick-frack when you can snick-snack” shirt she wore to the gym, plus numerous other signs pointed to her being on the asexual spectrum. Where exactly he couldn’t say, but that didn’t matter. Not that it wasn’t important. It was. It simply had no bearing on his desire to be with her. — (Iori) Two massive things here. One God bless consent and understanding. He respects her sexuality but also respects his attraction to her. But he is also aware it's a spectrum. That it is not like a light switch, there might be some chance. Two I adore this representation of a modern aspect woman. Confident in her sexuality and more than willing to show it publically, black aspec rings are a thing they have been around since 2005 and that shirt? Omg yes. It's just an all round good piece of writing.
• In Ellen’s company, those terrors grew tamer. Fewer. He’d noticed it shortly after his arrival at Cardplay, how safe he felt when she was near—an irony not lost on him as his whole purpose here was to protect her. And all these months later, he still couldn’t explain why her presence was such an effective salve. — (Iori) All I can say to this is he protects her while they are awake. She protects him while they're asleep.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2022
Verified Purchase
I was searching for something to Quench my thirst for anime style books and I found it. What a joy this book was and now I find myself trying to keep busy until the sequel is released
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