Shadow Card Guardian Audiobook By Kacey Ezell cover art

Shadow Card Guardian

A Deck-building LitRPG (The Nyx Cards, Book 1)

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Shadow Card Guardian

By: Kacey Ezell
Narrated by: Anna Delphine
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Dania Ellis has faced warzones and Emergency Room chaos—but nothing prepared her for Drop Night.

Once every ten years, the gods give a deck of cards to a chosen few. These new “deckbearers” are capable of great magical feats, and are the top of every food chain, both metaphorically and literally.

As a combat veteran and ER nurse, Dania knows what it takes to fight for a better life. She’s worked tirelessly to build a future for herself and her orphaned nephew, Jake. But everything changes on Jake’s fourteenth birthday when he receives a Drop Night deck—straight from Nyx, the goddess of night.

The deck grants Jake power, but it also paints a target on his back. Suddenly, he’s a deckbearer hunted by forces that would do anything to possess his special deck of cards. But those hunting him and others like him failed to consider one important thing: Jake may be orphaned, but he’s not alone…

Because Dania will do anything to protect her kid. Survival isn’t just an option—it’s a promise.

Fast-paced, gripping, and full of heart, this story is in the same universe as Demon Card Enforcer, and perfect for fans of All the Skills and Goblin Summoner.

©2025 Kacey Ezell (P)2025 Kacey Ezell Fantasy Science Fiction Steampunk Heartfelt
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Listener received this title free

I don't normally like this genre, but I'm glad I was talked into trying this one out! The story was believable from start to finish, especially when it came to character interactions. The highlight, of course, is the love between Dani and Jake. You 100% believe when she says she'd do *anything* to protect him.

The narrator had a big part to play in that. There werr a few moments where I felt the tone didn't match what was happening, but it wasn't enough to take away from my enjoyment, and she really sells Dani's protective nature when it comes to Jake and the others.

I can't wait for the next book. If you like deckbuilder litrpgs, or even if, like me, you normally don't, give this one a shot!

AAAAAAAA SO GOOD

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While I read a lot of LitRPG, this is the first deck building story that I have ever read (I never played any of the card games either, but one day I'll break down and try Munchkin) so a lot of this was new to me. However, Kacey's style is as good as it ever was and I enjoyed the journey completely. if you read this story and enjoy it, you should check out the anthology she edited, titled "Or All Will Burn". Same vibe from the Momma Bear protagonist.
in any case, The Bubba Likes it! Do Recommend!

Wow! Very interesting story.

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Listener received this title free

Shadowcard guardian is a pretty noir buddy cop lit RPG deck builder which I did not think would roll work together. It is a very strong character driven book about a woman who is in charge of her sister 's son due to various reasons and when the Sun gets a magical ability to dramatic cards and create creatures on drop night along with everybody else in the world, he was targeted and from there on things spin way out of control as she tries to reassert her motherly instincts and keep her Jake from harm.

The female lead is one of the best examples I would use for showing the full spectrum of what it means to be both a mom or an adopted mom and in a situation where he probably wouldn't find a male character. Casey is Al writes beautifully and I need you to understand that I have cried several times reading this because of the emotional damage of her writing. So I would say that this is a superb performance of an excellently written book. I cannot wait for the next one because of how gripping it is. It is literally hard for me to put down this audiobook and do something else.
,

it's what the world needs

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This book could easily have been something very different. On his 14th birthday, Jake Ellis is chosen by the goddess of the night to be her champion against the adult champions of the other gods and given cards which give him cool powers. All the ingredients of a YA book are there: parents dead, cool aunt who teaches him combat basics but doesn’t know the cards nearly as well as Jake, creepy new best friend / bodyguard who can come back to life after being killed, possible mentor hero who can no longer fight, and his cute and popular 16-year-old granddaughter…

What we got instead was a story with all those ingredients told from the viewpoint of the aunt, Dania Ellis, who is trying her best to be a good mom for Jake, and despite doing a great job in difficult circumstances still worries (like most parents). What could have been offhand tropes are instead treated in an adult way and with realism. For example, Dania still has PTSD-related nightmares, but it is obvious she has received therapy, they don’t ruin her life, and she can speak with authority with Jake about dealing with everything happening to him in a mature and healthy-as-possible way.

This is an uncomplicated action story in an urban fantasy world with realistic stakes, plenty of danger, plenty of thrills, and a group of people doing their realistic best in difficult circumstances.

My personal favorite was the monster Hush, who didn’t stop being a monster just because he liked Dania. I was reminded of the t-shirt some of my old military friends wore (paraphrased): in the valley of death I will fear no evil because I am the scariest thing in here.

The narrator does a great job, but struggles a bit with male voices.

Author changed a good story to become great

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I enjoy Demon Card Enforcer, and this is a very nice addition to the world! It has its own charm, and I love seeing characters that exist in both series.

A Good Addition

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This was a great addition to the universe and plays well into the themes from demon card enforcer. The writing was good but had some rough patches here or there where it could have been more impactful, but the points came across fine. It has some fun crossover aspects with the original story though I don’t know how much it will ever be hinted at in DCE. Overall I would recommend it for anyone who wants more of the great game!

Fun new addition to the universe!!

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Listener received this title free

the story draws you into the world in a way that you can really be engaged. great storytelling and works building.

very entertaining

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