Bloody Spade
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Average rating4.5
A girl full of heart A thief touched by darkness A boy with a fiery temper 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, can Cardplay stop them before it's too late? Bloody Spade is the first installment in an urban fantasy duology that follows a cat-eared thief and a spirited girl as they try to navigate his wild magic, her hotheaded brother, a sinister plot, and the feelings they're developing for each other.
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Chaos and confusion ensued as the Reemergence brought magic screaming back into the world. Many lost their lives. And many gained powers they never wished to have. But from the ashes, Cardplay was created. A group of magic individuals who work to fight back against the dark uses of magic, and save those who have been poisoned by it. And Iori’s been on their list for a while due to his use of Void magic with being poisoned. When a new surge of magic hits the city, Iori finds himself right in the middle of falling into Cardplay’s hands.
Iori captured my heart from the first page. While he has an aloof personality deep down readers can see he’s missing personal connections in his life. Due to tragedies in his past, he’s kept himself distant from everyone, staying in the shadows and doing his best to survive. Iori is a misunderstood character with a whole wealth of potential. If only the right people were to help guide his path. He also carries a bad boy flare from outward appearances, yet has a kind heart.
But Iori isn’t the only complex character. Alexander is tormented by the night his parents died. Fueled by misunderstanding and anger, he targets all his negative emotions towards Iori. When the two collide, it is both emotionally and physically brutal. Each new clash brings another level to their rivalry and exposes the mental and emotional damage each has suffered from the Reemergence.
Bloody Spade will not only hook readers in with its characters but also with its anime influence and magic. Each battle brought to life the power of its wielders in a brilliant display. As I read through each battle, I could picture the animation in my mind of the amazing abilities and power. Each battle elevates the power level and difficulty for all involved. Drawing the reader in with close calls and tense moments.
Words cannot express how much the characters in this book resonated with me. From the rivalries to the friendships, each character arc will hit your emotions. Combining wonderful characters with a fast-paced and action-packed story was a winning combination. And if you enjoy anime you need to give this book a try.
Originally posted at www.behindthepages.org.
