* I got this book for review and would give it 3.75 stars for review*

I really wound up loving this main character so much. I also really liked the world building and the characters in this read. I thought the magic system based on diamonds was super cool. I really liked how the main character background was really unique and was pulled or inspired by the author life. It was fun heist novel mixed with a Assisan novel. It also really liked the full cast of characters and also loved the friendship that was at the heart of this novel. I will def be checking out the sequel!! ( )

* I got this book for review and would give it 3.75 stars for review*

I really wound up loving this main character so much. I also really liked the world building and the characters in this read. I thought the magic system based on diamonds was super cool. I really liked how the main character background was really unique and was pulled or inspired by the author life. It was fun heist novel mixed with a Assisan novel. It also really liked the full cast of characters and also loved the friendship that was at the heart of this novel. I will def be checking out the sequel!! ( )

Action Packed from page one!
I enjoyed the world building. It was like The Professional meets West Side Story. There is definitely room for improvement. The timeline transitions could have been a bit better defined with breaks or something. The romantic shadows were a bit frustrating. There were a few elements that were a bit over done in my opinion. But it was a good story and I am looking forward to book two. ( )

We've all heard the adage 'when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.' After reading the author's notes at the beginning and then reading the story that follows, it's clear that this book is Francesca's lemonade. And what a good refreshment it is. Prime dystopian with a completely flawed, but relatable protagonist, more obstacles that you can throw a dagger at, two classes of citizens, one downtrodden primarily due to a giant fear hangover after a king went nuts, with the other in fear much of the time because of a corrupt soul, and rough diamonds that play a most unique role in how the action unfolds. There's blood and violence, but they're completely relevant to the story. It ends, as many dystopian tales do, with scars, both emotional and physical, resolution in some instances, but no happy dancing and the potential for more and I'll be eager to read what comes next. ( )

DIAMOND CITY, by Francesca Flores, is set in a gloomy dystopian world called Sumerand,where society revolves around industry and money and little else. Aina Solis is an assassin, called a "Blade", who works for a gang leader by the name of Kohl. When Kohl gives her the biggest job she has ever had and she fails at it and her failure is exposed to all of Sumerand, Aina has to go on the run until she can finish the job she failed at. Hiding in the shadows and through some new acquaintances, Aina discovers a deep-seeded conspiracy and she along with some new and old friends, decide to reveal and disassemble the hidden secrets of Sumerand.
Flores has created a uniquely fascinating world in DIAMOND CITY. It's a little bit steampunk with a bit of magic thrown in, with a haze of gloom and despair cast over it all. Aina is at a crossroads in her life and the reader is immediately drawn into Aina's search for who she is and what she wants and how to get what she wants. The rest of the team supporting her are an intriguing group and Flores spends some time letting the reader get to know them as well. Teo, her often teammate on her assassin jobs, is the most likable and engrossing character in the group. The plot is complex, layered, with some good surprises along the way. I found myself wanting the way to traverse across Sumerand, which the group has to do several times, to vary a little from always dark tunnels, alleyways, and long hallways. There is a difficulty in that because of how the world of this book is setup, but I found a certain staleness and apathy to a lack of variety in traveling throughout the book. The climax of the book, though, did not disappoint and some really good twists were thrown in. I enjoyed DIAMOND CITY and I look forward to the next story in the series.
I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway program. ( )