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Shadow Card Guardian: A Deck-building LitRPG
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 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.
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 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.
- GenresFantasy
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2025
30 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Kacey Ezell
79 books106 followersKacey Ezell was born in South Dakota in 1977. Her parents joined the US Air Force in 1984, and she grew up around the world on various military bases. When she was seven, her mother gave her a copy of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragondrums, and shortly thereafter, Kacey decided that she wanted to be a dragonrider when she grew up. In 1999, she followed her parents into the “family business” and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy before going to pilot training. As dragons were in short supply at the time, she reasoned that flying aircraft was the next best thing. She earned her wings in 2001, and has over 2500 hours in the UH-1N and Mi-17 helicopters.
From the time she was a small child, Kacey made up stories to tell to her friends and family. In 2009, while deployed to Iraq, she wrote the military-themed supernatural story “Light”, which was accepted for publication in the Baen Books anthology Citizens. She was asked to consult on John Ringo’s 2015 novel Strands of Sorrow, and wrote the cover story for the Black Tide Rising anthology set in Ringo’s zombie apocalypse universe. That story, “Not in Vain” was selected for inclusion in the “Year’s Best Military SF and Adventure Fiction” anthology produced by Baen Books.
In addition, she’s written a story called “Gilded Cage” for the Four Horsemen Universe anthology A Fistful of Credits, and her story “Family Over Blood” will be included in the upcoming Forged In Blood anthology set in Michael Z. Williamson’s Freehold Universe.
She and Christopher L. Smith are currently collaborating with John Ringo on a new post-apocalyptic steampunk trilogy from Baen.
Kacey writes science fiction, fantasy, horror, noir, romance… etc. fiction. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.
From the time she was a small child, Kacey made up stories to tell to her friends and family. In 2009, while deployed to Iraq, she wrote the military-themed supernatural story “Light”, which was accepted for publication in the Baen Books anthology Citizens. She was asked to consult on John Ringo’s 2015 novel Strands of Sorrow, and wrote the cover story for the Black Tide Rising anthology set in Ringo’s zombie apocalypse universe. That story, “Not in Vain” was selected for inclusion in the “Year’s Best Military SF and Adventure Fiction” anthology produced by Baen Books.
In addition, she’s written a story called “Gilded Cage” for the Four Horsemen Universe anthology A Fistful of Credits, and her story “Family Over Blood” will be included in the upcoming Forged In Blood anthology set in Michael Z. Williamson’s Freehold Universe.
She and Christopher L. Smith are currently collaborating with John Ringo on a new post-apocalyptic steampunk trilogy from Baen.
Kacey writes science fiction, fantasy, horror, noir, romance… etc. fiction. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 6, 2025
Preface: I am not really a gamer, either of video-games or Trading Card games. As such, this is not my preferred style, but I decided to give this Deck-building LitRPG a chance.
One thing I really like is the way that Kacey Ezell writes the characters. I really connected with Dania in this book, and I aso really liked her nephew Jake and their assisting creature Machairi.
The plot is also really fascinating, particularly in the beginning and the end. It does slow down a bit in the middle though.
I also really enjoyed the themes that Kacey Ezell explores here, mainly about family, responsibility, self-sacrifice, and about grief. Ezell explores some great themes that will really resonate with veterans (especially as Ezell is one herself).
Unfortunately, as I'm not into trading card games, deck-building games, or anything of the sort, this style of story just isn't for me. Just not what I find appealing. Although I will say I thought the second half of the book balanced the game mechanics with the story really well, to the point I almost forgot about it.
But even then I can recognize when the mechanics are done well and Kacey Ezell has turned something in really good for this audience. If you like this kind of gaming and stats as well as good storytelling, characters, and themes, then you'll probably really enjoy this book.
Overall, this is an entertaining book that will really work for the LitRPG audience. I'll give it a 7 out of 10. Well done Ezell.
One thing I really like is the way that Kacey Ezell writes the characters. I really connected with Dania in this book, and I aso really liked her nephew Jake and their assisting creature Machairi.
The plot is also really fascinating, particularly in the beginning and the end. It does slow down a bit in the middle though.
I also really enjoyed the themes that Kacey Ezell explores here, mainly about family, responsibility, self-sacrifice, and about grief. Ezell explores some great themes that will really resonate with veterans (especially as Ezell is one herself).
Unfortunately, as I'm not into trading card games, deck-building games, or anything of the sort, this style of story just isn't for me. Just not what I find appealing. Although I will say I thought the second half of the book balanced the game mechanics with the story really well, to the point I almost forgot about it.
But even then I can recognize when the mechanics are done well and Kacey Ezell has turned something in really good for this audience. If you like this kind of gaming and stats as well as good storytelling, characters, and themes, then you'll probably really enjoy this book.
Overall, this is an entertaining book that will really work for the LitRPG audience. I'll give it a 7 out of 10. Well done Ezell.
April 22, 2025
A small change and a lot of heart turn a good story into a great one
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 -- uncomplicated because Dania has her priorities straight and is very good at cutting through bull -- 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.
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 -- uncomplicated because Dania has her priorities straight and is very good at cutting through bull -- 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.
April 23, 2025
Solid
A good beginning with emotional layers and a depth to the characters that bodes well for the series.. Got teary eyed a few times, got to admit.
Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn
A good beginning with emotional layers and a depth to the characters that bodes well for the series.. Got teary eyed a few times, got to admit.
Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn
May 3, 2025
Wow! That. Was. Lovely!!! 'Cause Karmic Justice is always Lovely! Don't you agree? This book takes place in the shared world that John Stovall created when he wrote Demon Card Enforcer and you don't hafta read his books to enjoy Kacey Ezell's book! But I know you're gonna want to read 'em, after finishing this fantastic novel. And yes I love deck-building litRPG adventures and yeah I believe I've read 'em all. I want to thank the writer gods, and all the writers that bring each of these wonderful stories to life! And yah know I always want moarr! This is about Dania and her nephew Jake and it's Card Drop Night. And whooo do Jake and Dania get the surprise of their lives! They're lives immediately do a 180 where they escape from the city for safety and train, learning about their cards and how to use them for levels. And wow looky there, there’s a dungeon to dive...
Grab the book to find out how everything shakes out, and just maybe they'll end up finding some allies along the way.
Here's a quote for y'all:
"You think I'm fancy?" Machairi asked, delight in his eerie voice. "I was going for unsettling, but I can work with fancy."
Grab the book to find out how everything shakes out, and just maybe they'll end up finding some allies along the way.
Here's a quote for y'all:
"You think I'm fancy?" Machairi asked, delight in his eerie voice. "I was going for unsettling, but I can work with fancy."
December 10, 2025
When Dania Ellis's 14-y.o. nephew is gifted a deck of magical cards on his birthday, he is predictably excited. When an assassin shows up immediately afterward to kill him and take his deck, the protagonists, with the help of an old battle-buddy of Dania, go on the run immediately.
This book reminds me most of Erin Ampersand's "Time to Play", another LitRPG series that focuses on family. That series is, frankly, better written and more entertaining. The characters here don't really react like real people in many circumstances, and the adversaries are mostly sketched in.
But since "Time to Play" might be my book of the year, that's not a damning indictment. This is entertaining throughout, with characters i care about, a plot that holds my attention, and a "game" that is both innovative in its challenges and that works for the story being told.
I hope there will be more books with this cast. If so, I will buy them immediately.
This book reminds me most of Erin Ampersand's "Time to Play", another LitRPG series that focuses on family. That series is, frankly, better written and more entertaining. The characters here don't really react like real people in many circumstances, and the adversaries are mostly sketched in.
But since "Time to Play" might be my book of the year, that's not a damning indictment. This is entertaining throughout, with characters i care about, a plot that holds my attention, and a "game" that is both innovative in its challenges and that works for the story being told.
I hope there will be more books with this cast. If so, I will buy them immediately.
July 12, 2025
Very decent, well written story with only a couple of flaws
So, I liked this story. Read it and enjoyed it. Lots of action, some LitRPG crunch, and decently well paced. Seemed to be pretty long, too, so it wasn’t over too quickly!
There are just a couple of things I disliked. One is how forced the found family thing is. The old guy who is super traditional is gonna be, you know, very traditional. He’s not going to use last names and then the next instant be all “I’ve known you for a week, you’re totally family!”. Just saying.
Some of the interpersonal interactions were like that. Kinda modern and lacking depth.
But otherwise a good story. Give it a read.
So, I liked this story. Read it and enjoyed it. Lots of action, some LitRPG crunch, and decently well paced. Seemed to be pretty long, too, so it wasn’t over too quickly!
There are just a couple of things I disliked. One is how forced the found family thing is. The old guy who is super traditional is gonna be, you know, very traditional. He’s not going to use last names and then the next instant be all “I’ve known you for a week, you’re totally family!”. Just saying.
Some of the interpersonal interactions were like that. Kinda modern and lacking depth.
But otherwise a good story. Give it a read.
December 14, 2025
This was a fun novel set in the same world as the Demon Card Enforcer books by John Stovall. It was really interesting to see characters from the other series, and especially curious to see how things play out between Rhett and Dani. Will we see more fall out from one series bleeding into the other?
And I'm also really intrigued by the "over land monster" situation.
The characters in this book are interesting and mesh well together. The new family they've created will be one that I'm interested to see how it develops and grows.
All in all this was an enjoyable read and I can't wait to see what else happens going forward!
And I'm also really intrigued by the "over land monster" situation.
The characters in this book are interesting and mesh well together. The new family they've created will be one that I'm interested to see how it develops and grows.
All in all this was an enjoyable read and I can't wait to see what else happens going forward!
April 17, 2025
Don't mess with mama bear!!
What a nonstop rollercoaster of Urban Fantasy awesomeness!! With a delightful litRPG twist, no less. The story will keep you turning pages long after bedtime, and those characters will take up residence in your brain and never let go. I loved Dani's grit and resilience and sheer determination to protect her nephew, and Jake was a perfect mix of stubborn teenager and admirable young man. All of the supporting characters felt just as real, and the bantering was *chef's kiss. Highly recommend!!
What a nonstop rollercoaster of Urban Fantasy awesomeness!! With a delightful litRPG twist, no less. The story will keep you turning pages long after bedtime, and those characters will take up residence in your brain and never let go. I loved Dani's grit and resilience and sheer determination to protect her nephew, and Jake was a perfect mix of stubborn teenager and admirable young man. All of the supporting characters felt just as real, and the bantering was *chef's kiss. Highly recommend!!
September 8, 2025
You need to read this book!!!
This book is so good I almost rated it after the 3rd chapter!
The character development is excellent, the storyline is outstanding and it's such an interesting take on good and evil!
This is the best book by Kacey Ezell yet! And that is saying a lot because she is an excellent author.
You need to read this book and like me you will be chomping at the bit for book 2!
Read it!
This book is so good I almost rated it after the 3rd chapter!
The character development is excellent, the storyline is outstanding and it's such an interesting take on good and evil!
This is the best book by Kacey Ezell yet! And that is saying a lot because she is an excellent author.
You need to read this book and like me you will be chomping at the bit for book 2!
Read it!
June 19, 2025
A pretty good story. I liked the dynamic between the MC girl and her nephew. It's just too bad the story had a fair bit of cringe moments and tropes i'm getting tired of. Also, it was a little weird to me that nephew Jake acted and felt like a 9-10 year old kid, like all across the board, but he was actually 14.
August 24, 2025
In order to accurately describe the level of awesomeness contained within the pages of this book, one must contemplate the following description in deep meditation for no less than 48 consecutive hours. (I don't make the rules. If you have a complaint, please take them directly to Jeff Bezos.)
Imagine that you're walking through a verdant woodland meadow, the wind gently blowing, birds chirping, the smell of wild flowers gently tickling your olfactory senses with their pleasing aroma, and small creatures frolicking all around you when suddenly a Great White Shark in a tactical vest bursts from the treeline riding directly towards you on the largest moose you've ever seen. As it rides closer, you see a large group of Orcas dressed in the style of Ninjas giving chase on mounts that look like some clearly mad scientist has crossed a grizzly bear with a komodo dragon.
As the shark draws near, it holds out it's fin and sweeps you onto the back of the moose. "Thank the gods I was able to get to you first!" it exclaims "The very fate of all existence is at stake." and you know that your life is about to become a lot less predictable.
This book is basically exactly like that. Now go meditate upon this truth, after buying this book, of course, and when you have reached enlightenment, you will be able to fully appreciate it.
Or, you can just read it and enjoy it, I suppose, if you want. The important thing is that you must buy this book
Imagine that you're walking through a verdant woodland meadow, the wind gently blowing, birds chirping, the smell of wild flowers gently tickling your olfactory senses with their pleasing aroma, and small creatures frolicking all around you when suddenly a Great White Shark in a tactical vest bursts from the treeline riding directly towards you on the largest moose you've ever seen. As it rides closer, you see a large group of Orcas dressed in the style of Ninjas giving chase on mounts that look like some clearly mad scientist has crossed a grizzly bear with a komodo dragon.
As the shark draws near, it holds out it's fin and sweeps you onto the back of the moose. "Thank the gods I was able to get to you first!" it exclaims "The very fate of all existence is at stake." and you know that your life is about to become a lot less predictable.
This book is basically exactly like that. Now go meditate upon this truth, after buying this book, of course, and when you have reached enlightenment, you will be able to fully appreciate it.
Or, you can just read it and enjoy it, I suppose, if you want. The important thing is that you must buy this book
December 29, 2025
I have never read LitRPG before, but have been a fan of Kacey Ezell's other work, so I thought I'd give this story a shot. I'm so glad I did! Dania is fierce in protecting her nephew, Jake, and they learn how to level up together. There are so many touching moments that will pull on your heartstrings mixed with intense action that will keep you turning the page. If you're a fan of "found family" and the power of friendship, check out Shadow Card Guardian!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews