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Queen of Faces #1
Queen of Faces
"The ruthless, remarkable world you’ve been waiting for." —Chloe Gong, #1
New York Times-
bestselling author of
These Violent Delights
"A twisty, dark academia fantasy . . . I was hooked from the very first page." —Marie Lu, #1 New York Times- bestselling author of Skyhunter
A desperate girl at a cutthroat magical academy faces a choice between life and become an assassin for the enchanted elite or watch her decaying body draw its last breath. For fans of Leigh Bardugo, Brandon Sanderson, Lev Grossman, and R.F. Kuang.
Anabelle Gage is trapped in a male body, and it’s rotting from the inside out. In Caimor, where the magical elite buy and swap designer bodies like clothes, Ana can’t afford to escape her tattered form. When she fails the entrance exam to the prestigious Paragon Academy, her last hope of earning a new body implodes. As the clock ticks down to her last breath, she’s forced to use her illusion magic to steal a healthy chassis—before her own kills her.
But Ana is caught by none other than the headmaster of Paragon Academy, who poses a brutal face execution for her crime or become a mercenary at his command. Revolt brews in Caimor's smog-choked underworld, and the wealthy and powerful will stop at nothing to take down the rebels and the infamous dark witch at their helm, the Black Wraith.
With no choice but to accept, Ana will steal, fight, and kill her way to salvation. But her survival depends on a dangerous band of an impulsive assassin, a brooding bombmaker, and an alluring exile who might just spell her ruin. As Ana is drawn into a tangled web of secrets, the line between villain and hero shatters—and Ana must decide which side is worth dying for.
14 hours
"A twisty, dark academia fantasy . . . I was hooked from the very first page." —Marie Lu, #1 New York Times- bestselling author of Skyhunter
A desperate girl at a cutthroat magical academy faces a choice between life and become an assassin for the enchanted elite or watch her decaying body draw its last breath. For fans of Leigh Bardugo, Brandon Sanderson, Lev Grossman, and R.F. Kuang.
Anabelle Gage is trapped in a male body, and it’s rotting from the inside out. In Caimor, where the magical elite buy and swap designer bodies like clothes, Ana can’t afford to escape her tattered form. When she fails the entrance exam to the prestigious Paragon Academy, her last hope of earning a new body implodes. As the clock ticks down to her last breath, she’s forced to use her illusion magic to steal a healthy chassis—before her own kills her.
But Ana is caught by none other than the headmaster of Paragon Academy, who poses a brutal face execution for her crime or become a mercenary at his command. Revolt brews in Caimor's smog-choked underworld, and the wealthy and powerful will stop at nothing to take down the rebels and the infamous dark witch at their helm, the Black Wraith.
With no choice but to accept, Ana will steal, fight, and kill her way to salvation. But her survival depends on a dangerous band of an impulsive assassin, a brooding bombmaker, and an alluring exile who might just spell her ruin. As Ana is drawn into a tangled web of secrets, the line between villain and hero shatters—and Ana must decide which side is worth dying for.
14 hours
14 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 3, 2026
294 people are currently reading
55796 people want to read
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of Queen of Faces by Petra Lord
Feel free to judge this book by its cover. I can confirm it's just as beautiful on the inside as the outside
I don't know what is going on but I'm here for it! I have never in my whole reading career had such a strong finish to a reading year. Each book has been better than the next even though I swear that's impossible every single time.. These Authors did NOT come to play and if these ARCs I've been reading are any indication 2026 is going to be one hell of a year in the book world and I personally can't wait
I started my day listening to this book while doing housework and ended it listening to the last few hours of this while staring at a wall.
Any Fantasy/ Academia lover is going to want to read this..but, if you've been in a reading rut lately you most definitely NEED to read this! This book will have you out of that rut faster than a NASCAR Pit Crew.
Intoxicating & spellbinding, the Queen of Faces is written to such a beautiful perfection there are lines that would make Robert Frost swoon and Roseanne Barr laugh. The story and characters are truly unforgettable, the magic system is original and refreshing.. Maybe I'm alone on this. But, I feel as if one can tell when an author writes because it's a deep passion or simply because the light bill is due and they just happen to have a knack for writing.. This was definitely written with ALL the passion and I'm SO here for it!
I will most definitely be adding a hard copy of this golden nugget to my collection
Until next time,
Hades
🩵
Feel free to judge this book by its cover. I can confirm it's just as beautiful on the inside as the outside
I don't know what is going on but I'm here for it! I have never in my whole reading career had such a strong finish to a reading year. Each book has been better than the next even though I swear that's impossible every single time.. These Authors did NOT come to play and if these ARCs I've been reading are any indication 2026 is going to be one hell of a year in the book world and I personally can't wait
I started my day listening to this book while doing housework and ended it listening to the last few hours of this while staring at a wall.
Any Fantasy/ Academia lover is going to want to read this..but, if you've been in a reading rut lately you most definitely NEED to read this! This book will have you out of that rut faster than a NASCAR Pit Crew.
Intoxicating & spellbinding, the Queen of Faces is written to such a beautiful perfection there are lines that would make Robert Frost swoon and Roseanne Barr laugh. The story and characters are truly unforgettable, the magic system is original and refreshing.. Maybe I'm alone on this. But, I feel as if one can tell when an author writes because it's a deep passion or simply because the light bill is due and they just happen to have a knack for writing.. This was definitely written with ALL the passion and I'm SO here for it!
I will most definitely be adding a hard copy of this golden nugget to my collection
Until next time,
Hades
🩵
February 19, 2026
This book is the kind of dark, glittering fantasy that grabs you by the collar from the very first page and refuses to let go. Anabelle Gage’s story begins in decay—her body rotting from the inside while the wealthy elite of Caimor slip in and out of pristine designer bodies as if changing clothes. That premise alone is chilling, but what makes this book truly extraordinary is how it balances imaginative world-building with raw, intimate emotion. It’s not just a survival story—it’s a meditation on identity, desperation, and the thin line between power and vulnerability.
Ana is no polished heroine. She is jagged, haunted, and beautifully flawed—her hunger to live, to finally inhabit a body that reflects who she is, makes her one of the most compelling YA protagonists I’ve read in recent years. When her last shot at Paragon Academy implodes, she’s thrown into a deal that would terrify anyone: execution for her crimes, or a life as a mercenary under the command of a ruthless headmaster. From there, the novel plunges us into a cutthroat magical academy full of whispers, rivalries, and corridors humming with danger. The setting gives us all the dark academia atmosphere we crave—secrets inked in shadows, knowledge that comes at a terrible price—but it’s Ana’s journey that holds the beating heart of the story.
The world itself is dazzling and grotesque all at once. The concept of “chassis” and body-swapping creates an unsettling metaphor about class, privilege, and disposability. The poor rot away while the powerful literally buy themselves immortality—and Ana’s desperate fight within that system forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the world we live in too. Yet for all its sharp commentary, the novel never loses sight of character. Every choice Ana makes carries emotional weight, and her interactions with her unlikely allies—an impulsive assassin, a brooding bombmaker, and an alluring exile—turn into a deliciously complicated web of loyalty, danger, and found family.
And then there’s the romance. The sapphic relationship woven through the darkness is tender, electric, and filled with longing—it’s not just there for trope’s sake but grows out of character, reminding us that even in the grimmest worlds, love and vulnerability are acts of defiance. Those quieter moments of intimacy balance beautifully against the blood-soaked battles and betrayals, making the book as emotionally resonant as it is thrilling.
By the end, I was exhilarated, unnerved, and utterly hooked. The story doesn’t shy away from moral ambiguity, forcing Ana—and us—to confront the cost of survival and the gray area between villain and hero. It’s brutal at times, but that’s the brilliance of it: this book makes you feel everything, from dread to hope to aching tenderness. I finished it breathless, already impatient for the next installment.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for sharing this sapphic dark academia YA fantasy novel’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest review that I deeply appreciated.
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Ana is no polished heroine. She is jagged, haunted, and beautifully flawed—her hunger to live, to finally inhabit a body that reflects who she is, makes her one of the most compelling YA protagonists I’ve read in recent years. When her last shot at Paragon Academy implodes, she’s thrown into a deal that would terrify anyone: execution for her crimes, or a life as a mercenary under the command of a ruthless headmaster. From there, the novel plunges us into a cutthroat magical academy full of whispers, rivalries, and corridors humming with danger. The setting gives us all the dark academia atmosphere we crave—secrets inked in shadows, knowledge that comes at a terrible price—but it’s Ana’s journey that holds the beating heart of the story.
The world itself is dazzling and grotesque all at once. The concept of “chassis” and body-swapping creates an unsettling metaphor about class, privilege, and disposability. The poor rot away while the powerful literally buy themselves immortality—and Ana’s desperate fight within that system forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the world we live in too. Yet for all its sharp commentary, the novel never loses sight of character. Every choice Ana makes carries emotional weight, and her interactions with her unlikely allies—an impulsive assassin, a brooding bombmaker, and an alluring exile—turn into a deliciously complicated web of loyalty, danger, and found family.
And then there’s the romance. The sapphic relationship woven through the darkness is tender, electric, and filled with longing—it’s not just there for trope’s sake but grows out of character, reminding us that even in the grimmest worlds, love and vulnerability are acts of defiance. Those quieter moments of intimacy balance beautifully against the blood-soaked battles and betrayals, making the book as emotionally resonant as it is thrilling.
By the end, I was exhilarated, unnerved, and utterly hooked. The story doesn’t shy away from moral ambiguity, forcing Ana—and us—to confront the cost of survival and the gray area between villain and hero. It’s brutal at times, but that’s the brilliance of it: this book makes you feel everything, from dread to hope to aching tenderness. I finished it breathless, already impatient for the next installment.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for sharing this sapphic dark academia YA fantasy novel’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest review that I deeply appreciated.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
December 29, 2025
A fascinating magic system and an interesting, queer normative world with body swapping, spectacular insight into the trans experience, mental health rep, and a plot that grabs you instantly and does not let go!
This is a dark fantasy with a richly layered world and a metric ton of social commentary and meaningful themes. It’s smart, poignant, and feels like a book you could read again and again, picking out new elements each time.
It’s also just plain fun to read. The world and magic are so interesting and feel fully fleshed out without ever info dumping. It’s a rich eat the poor world that feels like a mix between dystopian, fantasy, and sci-fi. The plot moves as a medium pace, allowing for meaningful character development in all the right places, but never slowing down enough for plot-driven readers to lose interest. It is well-executed and worthy of a read (or multiple reads). It's YA but feels like a perfect contender to be well loved by adult readers too!
I am not trans so I can’t speak on the rep other than to say this book felt so intentional. It was insightful and I leave this book feeling like I have a bit more understanding of what the trans experience might feel like. <— a mark of a good book is an increase in empathy and this book nailed it.
Gosh, it’s always hard to write a review when a book is so layered like this. How do I possibly do it justice? I’m bound to forget something…
Whats to love…
- dark fantasy/sci-fi/dystopian mash up
- queer normative world with flaws perfectly positioned to detail the trans experience.
- mental health rep
- found family
- morally grey characters
- magical school
- social commentary on a multitude of issues (immigrant experience, trans experience, & classism, to name a few.
- high stakes, edge of your seat action
- romantic subplot
- YA with plenty of appeal for adult readers!
4/5 - Really solid performance! Definitely recommend the audiobook! Each narrator fit their character so well. Pacing, inflection and voice variation were all fantastic across narrators. Pausing (at the end of sentences) was a bit extended at times but not to the extent that it became frustrating. I especially enjoyed Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick’s performance! SO GOOD! I will be seeking out other books narrated by them in the future!
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
This is a dark fantasy with a richly layered world and a metric ton of social commentary and meaningful themes. It’s smart, poignant, and feels like a book you could read again and again, picking out new elements each time.
It’s also just plain fun to read. The world and magic are so interesting and feel fully fleshed out without ever info dumping. It’s a rich eat the poor world that feels like a mix between dystopian, fantasy, and sci-fi. The plot moves as a medium pace, allowing for meaningful character development in all the right places, but never slowing down enough for plot-driven readers to lose interest. It is well-executed and worthy of a read (or multiple reads). It's YA but feels like a perfect contender to be well loved by adult readers too!
I am not trans so I can’t speak on the rep other than to say this book felt so intentional. It was insightful and I leave this book feeling like I have a bit more understanding of what the trans experience might feel like. <— a mark of a good book is an increase in empathy and this book nailed it.
Gosh, it’s always hard to write a review when a book is so layered like this. How do I possibly do it justice? I’m bound to forget something…
Whats to love…
- dark fantasy/sci-fi/dystopian mash up
- queer normative world with flaws perfectly positioned to detail the trans experience.
- mental health rep
- found family
- morally grey characters
- magical school
- social commentary on a multitude of issues (immigrant experience, trans experience, & classism, to name a few.
- high stakes, edge of your seat action
- romantic subplot
- YA with plenty of appeal for adult readers!
4/5 - Really solid performance! Definitely recommend the audiobook! Each narrator fit their character so well. Pacing, inflection and voice variation were all fantastic across narrators. Pausing (at the end of sentences) was a bit extended at times but not to the extent that it became frustrating. I especially enjoyed Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick’s performance! SO GOOD! I will be seeking out other books narrated by them in the future!
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
February 7, 2026
4.5 ☆
”Let’s find each other in the next life,” murmured Anna. “When the world has tired and our names are long forgotten. Let’s be beautiful strangers, and after our first words, we’ll swear we’ve known each other in eternity.”
this book hurt my brain in the best way, the body swapping and magic system felt so unique and fresh. i loved the queer normative world but it’s not without it’s struggles and injustices. i will admit, some parts of the story did get confusing at times due to the characters constantly switching but that did not stop me from enjoying this book.. a couple of the twists actually had my jaw on the floor. Anna and Wes were probably my favorites, i kept going back and forth with getting frustrated with Wes while also rooting for him. i always appreciate characters who aren’t inherently good or bad.. there’s nuance to every single person. it’s hard to explain this book without giving things away but i seriously cannot wait for the sequel, this was so good.
↝ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.
”Let’s find each other in the next life,” murmured Anna. “When the world has tired and our names are long forgotten. Let’s be beautiful strangers, and after our first words, we’ll swear we’ve known each other in eternity.”
this book hurt my brain in the best way, the body swapping and magic system felt so unique and fresh. i loved the queer normative world but it’s not without it’s struggles and injustices. i will admit, some parts of the story did get confusing at times due to the characters constantly switching but that did not stop me from enjoying this book.. a couple of the twists actually had my jaw on the floor. Anna and Wes were probably my favorites, i kept going back and forth with getting frustrated with Wes while also rooting for him. i always appreciate characters who aren’t inherently good or bad.. there’s nuance to every single person. it’s hard to explain this book without giving things away but i seriously cannot wait for the sequel, this was so good.
↝ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.
Currently reading
January 1, 2026Starting off this year with an ARC!
BIG thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Children’s publishing group for this ARC!!!
Publication date: February 3, 2026
BIG thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Children’s publishing group for this ARC!!!
Publication date: February 3, 2026
did-not-finish
January 11, 2026DNF @ 42%: This is just torture porn. Strong trans vibes but the author's only interest is in how much she can make the main character suffer.
January 19, 2026
(taps microphone)
Is this thing on?
PETRA LORD WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE???
Ok, ok, I’ll stop shouting. (Not really, though.) Holy shit, you guys, this book… this book is a POWERHOUSE. I lost sleep reading this book because I refused to put it down. (And also three-day weekend, don’t judge.) I can’t even begin to summarize this book because it was so incredibly twisty I will inadvertently reveal a spoiler. We got magic, which by the way, is probably one of the coolest magic systems I’ve seen in a minute. We got academia, because how can you not when you have high society living on the top of a very large mountain and name the fancy magic school Paragon. Oh yeah, I mean at that point if you don’t have a magic school with that name, what are you even doing with your life. We have identity confusion, who are you, WHO are you and why are you. We have intrigue, the political machinations are just… *chef’s kiss*. We have a bad guy, or three that will have you guessing every single step of the way. We have a coming of age story that is just… sheer perfection. Oh, and let’s not forget the pro-LBGTQIA+ and trans themes here. (And if that makes you turn up your nose, BYE. Don’t let the door hit you where mother nature split you, baby. No time for haters.)
This book you guys, Queen of Faces should be at the TOP of your TBR for 2026. It is stunning. It is life-changing. It is BRAIN-changing. It hits retailers on Feb 3, and you know I pre-ordered this one with a quickness. Make this a must-read, and I assure you, it will give you what you are lacking in your TBR right now. And look, the audiobook…. Dear readers, it is an experience! The narrators give this a whole new level of understanding to these tremendous characters. Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick, E.A. Castillo, and Nicky Endres are incredible and I felt like I KNEW these characters in my bones. It made for a delightful immersive reading experience.
Huge, huge thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) and Netgalley for the eARC and the opportunity to review this amazing work. Also, double extra thank you to Macmillan Young Listeners for giving me a copy of the audiobook of this title in a contest on Storygraph. Having both mediums was an immense treat. All opinions expressed are my own.
Is this thing on?
PETRA LORD WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE???
Ok, ok, I’ll stop shouting. (Not really, though.) Holy shit, you guys, this book… this book is a POWERHOUSE. I lost sleep reading this book because I refused to put it down. (And also three-day weekend, don’t judge.) I can’t even begin to summarize this book because it was so incredibly twisty I will inadvertently reveal a spoiler. We got magic, which by the way, is probably one of the coolest magic systems I’ve seen in a minute. We got academia, because how can you not when you have high society living on the top of a very large mountain and name the fancy magic school Paragon. Oh yeah, I mean at that point if you don’t have a magic school with that name, what are you even doing with your life. We have identity confusion, who are you, WHO are you and why are you. We have intrigue, the political machinations are just… *chef’s kiss*. We have a bad guy, or three that will have you guessing every single step of the way. We have a coming of age story that is just… sheer perfection. Oh, and let’s not forget the pro-LBGTQIA+ and trans themes here. (And if that makes you turn up your nose, BYE. Don’t let the door hit you where mother nature split you, baby. No time for haters.)
This book you guys, Queen of Faces should be at the TOP of your TBR for 2026. It is stunning. It is life-changing. It is BRAIN-changing. It hits retailers on Feb 3, and you know I pre-ordered this one with a quickness. Make this a must-read, and I assure you, it will give you what you are lacking in your TBR right now. And look, the audiobook…. Dear readers, it is an experience! The narrators give this a whole new level of understanding to these tremendous characters. Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick, E.A. Castillo, and Nicky Endres are incredible and I felt like I KNEW these characters in my bones. It made for a delightful immersive reading experience.
Huge, huge thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) and Netgalley for the eARC and the opportunity to review this amazing work. Also, double extra thank you to Macmillan Young Listeners for giving me a copy of the audiobook of this title in a contest on Storygraph. Having both mediums was an immense treat. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 4, 2026
You know what is deeply lacking in romantic fantasy these days? Originality. I so often feel like I’m reading the same setup, the same twist on a magic system, the same tropes, over and over and over again.
There’s absolutely none of that here.
Petra Lord’s Queen of Faces is shockingly, loudly, proudly original. It’s gender-bending and genre-defying. Part gritty urban fantasy, part dystopian, part dark academia. It’s body swappers but make it elitist; mercenaries but make them vulnerable & aching; young but make it lived in and a bit tired.
Anabelle Gage is an FMC like no other, but so too are the full cast of characters here—from former privileged girl Wes, to Nima, who lives in two bodies simultaneously.
Also:
🏳️🌈 Queer-normative world with absolutely stellar LGBTQ+ rep
💙 Found family vibes
🎭 A lovely sapphic romance—though this one overall is romance light
💚 Political machinations in a corrupt society
✨ Themes around classism, elitism
🌃Young adult in age and spice but feels mature in writing and themes
Add in interesting magic, high stakes, & twists galore, and it’s the kind of book that is hard to look away from.
🎧 I liked the audio here a lot. However, I did find that the complexity of this one made it hard to fully focus and absorb on audio. I ended up eyeballing the last ~40% or so.
Really impressive debut from Lord—excited for the next one!
Thank you Macmillan for the ARC & ALC!
There’s absolutely none of that here.
Petra Lord’s Queen of Faces is shockingly, loudly, proudly original. It’s gender-bending and genre-defying. Part gritty urban fantasy, part dystopian, part dark academia. It’s body swappers but make it elitist; mercenaries but make them vulnerable & aching; young but make it lived in and a bit tired.
Anabelle Gage is an FMC like no other, but so too are the full cast of characters here—from former privileged girl Wes, to Nima, who lives in two bodies simultaneously.
Also:
🏳️🌈 Queer-normative world with absolutely stellar LGBTQ+ rep
💙 Found family vibes
🎭 A lovely sapphic romance—though this one overall is romance light
💚 Political machinations in a corrupt society
✨ Themes around classism, elitism
🌃Young adult in age and spice but feels mature in writing and themes
Add in interesting magic, high stakes, & twists galore, and it’s the kind of book that is hard to look away from.
🎧 I liked the audio here a lot. However, I did find that the complexity of this one made it hard to fully focus and absorb on audio. I ended up eyeballing the last ~40% or so.
Really impressive debut from Lord—excited for the next one!
Thank you Macmillan for the ARC & ALC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5⭐️
"But if you survive, you get to fly. And doesn’t that make it all worth it?”
...
Thank you to Macmillan Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
I can say this is truly one of the most unique YA books I have ever read. YA oftentimes picks and pulls from a pool of tropes and magic systems that can give it all the sense of sameness, but this was so refreshing.
The world itself is very robust, and we are trying to take on a lot of things, from there being a magical school surrounding the dark academia setting, a ragtag group of mercenaries, rising tides, and skies dreched in darkness no longer holding stars, where all who venture there never return. However, I think the main standout was the concept of body-swapping. This really took on a fascinating take froma trans perspective as well as a classism perspective.
Our main character, Ana, encapsulates both as she is forced to live in the only body she could afford - an Edgar "chassi" that is rotting from the inside as she is surrounded by the upper-echelon of those with designer bodies that change them out without thought or care. Ana has a small amount of magic, a scant amount of funds, and is looking for a way to save herself on minimal time, eventually leading her to a dark magic academy that is anything but welcoming. The students are cutthroat, and the stakes are high.
Something the story could have very easily done is make Ana the "chosen one" type character, where everything came easily to them. But she scrapes and claws her way through this school without ease to hone her skills. I enjoyed watching her journey because it felt more realistic. Given the author's lived experience, I felt a lot of their own vulnerability was woven into the words, especially when it came from Ana's perspective. Petra created a rather grim world. However, I felt so captivated throughout the story due to its gripping writing, morally ambigous charachters, and ACTUAL twists that truly took me by surprise.
I also really liked Wes (don't want to spoil too much on their character) and their dynamic with Ana. It was all so nuanced and real, and I couldn't look away anytime they were together. I also enjoyed our little found family mercenary group! This book is primarily dual pov with Ana and Wes, but there are some assistant pov’s mixed throughout the book.
I also loved how unapologetically queer this book is. It explores gender identity, but in a world that is not homophobic. I think it will be a real standout, especially in the trans fantasy genre!
There were just a few things that kept me from bringing this up to five stars, no matter how much I loved it. A lot is going on with this world, from the school to how the planet seems to be crumbling apart. There is some missing lore, but I do hope that will be further explored throughout the series, as I am really itching to know more. I was also a little confused about the timeframe setting. We had cars, but then some limited technology, but then our main character loves reading manga. Just makes it all hard to visualize at times.
In the end, I had an amazing time with this book. I was truly SHOCKED at the end with some of its reveals. It all came together so well, and I truly cannot wait for the next installment!
"But if you survive, you get to fly. And doesn’t that make it all worth it?”
...
Thank you to Macmillan Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
I can say this is truly one of the most unique YA books I have ever read. YA oftentimes picks and pulls from a pool of tropes and magic systems that can give it all the sense of sameness, but this was so refreshing.
The world itself is very robust, and we are trying to take on a lot of things, from there being a magical school surrounding the dark academia setting, a ragtag group of mercenaries, rising tides, and skies dreched in darkness no longer holding stars, where all who venture there never return. However, I think the main standout was the concept of body-swapping. This really took on a fascinating take froma trans perspective as well as a classism perspective.
Our main character, Ana, encapsulates both as she is forced to live in the only body she could afford - an Edgar "chassi" that is rotting from the inside as she is surrounded by the upper-echelon of those with designer bodies that change them out without thought or care. Ana has a small amount of magic, a scant amount of funds, and is looking for a way to save herself on minimal time, eventually leading her to a dark magic academy that is anything but welcoming. The students are cutthroat, and the stakes are high.
Something the story could have very easily done is make Ana the "chosen one" type character, where everything came easily to them. But she scrapes and claws her way through this school without ease to hone her skills. I enjoyed watching her journey because it felt more realistic. Given the author's lived experience, I felt a lot of their own vulnerability was woven into the words, especially when it came from Ana's perspective. Petra created a rather grim world. However, I felt so captivated throughout the story due to its gripping writing, morally ambigous charachters, and ACTUAL twists that truly took me by surprise.
I also really liked Wes (don't want to spoil too much on their character) and their dynamic with Ana. It was all so nuanced and real, and I couldn't look away anytime they were together. I also enjoyed our little found family mercenary group! This book is primarily dual pov with Ana and Wes, but there are some assistant pov’s mixed throughout the book.
I also loved how unapologetically queer this book is. It explores gender identity, but in a world that is not homophobic. I think it will be a real standout, especially in the trans fantasy genre!
There were just a few things that kept me from bringing this up to five stars, no matter how much I loved it. A lot is going on with this world, from the school to how the planet seems to be crumbling apart. There is some missing lore, but I do hope that will be further explored throughout the series, as I am really itching to know more. I was also a little confused about the timeframe setting. We had cars, but then some limited technology, but then our main character loves reading manga. Just makes it all hard to visualize at times.
In the end, I had an amazing time with this book. I was truly SHOCKED at the end with some of its reveals. It all came together so well, and I truly cannot wait for the next installment!
January 24, 2026
4.5⭐️ this was so captivating, unique and had some of the best gender fluidity casual rep in Fantasy I’ve read. I binged 70% of it in a day and my only regret now is that I have to wait for the rest of what I’m sure will be an incredible trilogy.
Tropes/themes:
✨queer normative world
✨body swapping is normal for those that can afford it
✨complex lady villain
✨elite magical academy
✨growing rebellion from nonmagic users
✨slowburn romance subplot
✨gender fluidity, LGBTQ & trans rep
✨unique magic system & abilities tied to one’s own growth (mc has illusion magic)
✨found family of illegal teenage mercenaries
Take the teenage found family gang of Six of Crows and the magic system of anime like Hunter x Hunter, and throw it in an incredibly immersive queer normative world and you have Queen of Faces.
From the first chapter, I was absolutely hooked into this story. The pacing is a great speed throughout the whole book and the events flow in a way that keep you on the edge of your seat, while still taking the time to flesh out individual character development arcs in some fantastic ways. I’m still in a love hate relationship with one of our mcs, but I really loved all of our characters.
Though don’t expect to meet two of the ones mentioned in the synopsis until halfway through, I think the synopsis leaves out a lot of the core of this story. I would go so far to say that the dark academia elements are pretty minimal in this, but the dark fantasy vibes are strong - for a YA, this reads very maturely (and has some shockingly bloody moments) and is a great book that I think is perfect for dark Fantasy readers of any age.
One of the things I enjoyed (and admittably cringed from emotional impact) about this book is that our main character Ana is truly a morally ambigious underdog. Our girl is truly just trying to surive in a society set up where only the elite magic users can stay at the top and afford all the medical care/spare chassis (bodies) they need. Her dreams of attending the elite academy Paragon to grow her mage skills and get a replacement body for her dying one are continuously crushed until a near death experience leads her to becoming a mercenary, trying to earn the money for it instead as her clock runs out. She is continuously kicked down again and again and her growth can even be frustratingly nonlinear at times, but I think her journey was really realistic.
I also just love the emphasis of mind/soul being a person’s core instead of a body, and how that ties into an individual’s magical Codex, their unique ability that may or may not develop throughout each mage’s lifetime. I think our magic system was the perfect balance of complex and unique, with explanations of it not feeling like an infodump at all.
The ending was so INSANE, it’s always sad when you truly relate and understand a villain’s origin story and some of the plot twists literally had my jaw on the ground.
The author says that she spent nearly 8 years developing this story and I honestly see that with every page; every part of this book is filled with intention, representation and ties each thread together in masterful subtlety. I cannot WAIT to see where this story goes next.
Endlessly grateful to MacMillan and Fiercereads for gifting me an ALC and finished physical copy of this beautiful book. Full disclosure that I have a collab coming up with them for Queen of Faces in Feb, but all opinions are my own honest thoughts on every platform.
Tropes/themes:
✨queer normative world
✨body swapping is normal for those that can afford it
✨complex lady villain
✨elite magical academy
✨growing rebellion from nonmagic users
✨slowburn romance subplot
✨gender fluidity, LGBTQ & trans rep
✨unique magic system & abilities tied to one’s own growth (mc has illusion magic)
✨found family of illegal teenage mercenaries
Take the teenage found family gang of Six of Crows and the magic system of anime like Hunter x Hunter, and throw it in an incredibly immersive queer normative world and you have Queen of Faces.
From the first chapter, I was absolutely hooked into this story. The pacing is a great speed throughout the whole book and the events flow in a way that keep you on the edge of your seat, while still taking the time to flesh out individual character development arcs in some fantastic ways. I’m still in a love hate relationship with one of our mcs, but I really loved all of our characters.
Though don’t expect to meet two of the ones mentioned in the synopsis until halfway through, I think the synopsis leaves out a lot of the core of this story. I would go so far to say that the dark academia elements are pretty minimal in this, but the dark fantasy vibes are strong - for a YA, this reads very maturely (and has some shockingly bloody moments) and is a great book that I think is perfect for dark Fantasy readers of any age.
One of the things I enjoyed (and admittably cringed from emotional impact) about this book is that our main character Ana is truly a morally ambigious underdog. Our girl is truly just trying to surive in a society set up where only the elite magic users can stay at the top and afford all the medical care/spare chassis (bodies) they need. Her dreams of attending the elite academy Paragon to grow her mage skills and get a replacement body for her dying one are continuously crushed until a near death experience leads her to becoming a mercenary, trying to earn the money for it instead as her clock runs out. She is continuously kicked down again and again and her growth can even be frustratingly nonlinear at times, but I think her journey was really realistic.
I also just love the emphasis of mind/soul being a person’s core instead of a body, and how that ties into an individual’s magical Codex, their unique ability that may or may not develop throughout each mage’s lifetime. I think our magic system was the perfect balance of complex and unique, with explanations of it not feeling like an infodump at all.
The ending was so INSANE, it’s always sad when you truly relate and understand a villain’s origin story and some of the plot twists literally had my jaw on the ground.
The author says that she spent nearly 8 years developing this story and I honestly see that with every page; every part of this book is filled with intention, representation and ties each thread together in masterful subtlety. I cannot WAIT to see where this story goes next.
Endlessly grateful to MacMillan and Fiercereads for gifting me an ALC and finished physical copy of this beautiful book. Full disclosure that I have a collab coming up with them for Queen of Faces in Feb, but all opinions are my own honest thoughts on every platform.
January 28, 2026
3.75 stars
July 7, 2025
Note: This is an ARC.
Very unique premise! YA fantasy tends to have very similar concepts and magic systems, but this book was very original and fresh.
Unfortunately, I wasn't the biggest fan of the meandering plot. A lot of it comes down to personal taste, but the missions Ana and co went on just didn't do anything for me. It was boring, especially at around 60% when it got somewhat repetitive.
I liked Ana, but didn't care much for the other characters. This book was comped to Six of Crows so I was expecting that kind of tight knit ensemble cast, but nope. This book wasn't nearly as exciting or suspenseful.
The world building was confusing too. I was lost as to why Caimor was at war with Shenten and what exactly Khaiove's motivation was. Additionally, the magical academy felt veryyyyy Harry Potter esque. Like Headmaster Carriwith was very clearly a remixed Dumbledore. And Nell was giving me Draco vibes at first. I really wish s/he'd stop bringing up Samuel every few pages.
I liked the theme of gender exploration, but I wish it could have been pushed further. In a world where men and women swap bodies all the time, why does a gender binary exist? I would think there would be more common gender identities. Additionally, I wish we dived a little more into Ana's body dysmorphia. Her problem with being stuck in the chasis she was boiled down to it being sick, not necessarily because it was a boy's body.
The body swapping made me a little bit uncomfortable, I'm not going to lie. It's really gross that an old person can go inside a child's body whenever they want. It's also really uncomfortable that one can be "Ousted" from their body and stuck in a completely separate body that doesn't align with their gender whatsoever while a stranger occupies their original body. It gave me the ick.
Still, that ending was entertaining and I enjoyed Adam Weaver's (what is that name?) plot line. I might pick up the sequel, but we'll see.
Very unique premise! YA fantasy tends to have very similar concepts and magic systems, but this book was very original and fresh.
Unfortunately, I wasn't the biggest fan of the meandering plot. A lot of it comes down to personal taste, but the missions Ana and co went on just didn't do anything for me. It was boring, especially at around 60% when it got somewhat repetitive.
I liked Ana, but didn't care much for the other characters. This book was comped to Six of Crows so I was expecting that kind of tight knit ensemble cast, but nope. This book wasn't nearly as exciting or suspenseful.
The world building was confusing too. I was lost as to why Caimor was at war with Shenten and what exactly Khaiove's motivation was. Additionally, the magical academy felt veryyyyy Harry Potter esque. Like Headmaster Carriwith was very clearly a remixed Dumbledore. And Nell was giving me Draco vibes at first. I really wish s/he'd stop bringing up Samuel every few pages.
I liked the theme of gender exploration, but I wish it could have been pushed further. In a world where men and women swap bodies all the time, why does a gender binary exist? I would think there would be more common gender identities. Additionally, I wish we dived a little more into Ana's body dysmorphia. Her problem with being stuck in the chasis she was boiled down to it being sick, not necessarily because it was a boy's body.
The body swapping made me a little bit uncomfortable, I'm not going to lie. It's really gross that an old person can go inside a child's body whenever they want. It's also really uncomfortable that one can be "Ousted" from their body and stuck in a completely separate body that doesn't align with their gender whatsoever while a stranger occupies their original body. It gave me the ick.
Still, that ending was entertaining and I enjoyed Adam Weaver's (what is that name?) plot line. I might pick up the sequel, but we'll see.
January 26, 2026
thank you harper YA for the advanced proof copy! ✨
before even starting the book, i already knew it was going to be a fascinating read. the magic system is one i've never come across before and initially i was worried i'd get lost in the structure of the magic, but i was pleasantly surprised by how naturally everything flowed together! the story immediately starts with a hint of high stakes which grips your focus, and it doesn't give you much room to breathe for air because there are constant action and plot twists that will get you to turn the pages! i'm impressed by the fact that this is a debut novel because it is simply INCREDIBLE. the author is so sure of her tone of the story and has such a strong voice! it's unflinching and dark and the world is so glamorous and magical!
the characters and plotline were my favorite part of the book! i love a character-driven novel, but this had the best of both worlds which made the book emotionally complex, relatable, but also easy to get lost in! there is definitely a lot to explore still and i’m very excited to see what else the author has in store for this world 👀
before even starting the book, i already knew it was going to be a fascinating read. the magic system is one i've never come across before and initially i was worried i'd get lost in the structure of the magic, but i was pleasantly surprised by how naturally everything flowed together! the story immediately starts with a hint of high stakes which grips your focus, and it doesn't give you much room to breathe for air because there are constant action and plot twists that will get you to turn the pages! i'm impressed by the fact that this is a debut novel because it is simply INCREDIBLE. the author is so sure of her tone of the story and has such a strong voice! it's unflinching and dark and the world is so glamorous and magical!
the characters and plotline were my favorite part of the book! i love a character-driven novel, but this had the best of both worlds which made the book emotionally complex, relatable, but also easy to get lost in! there is definitely a lot to explore still and i’m very excited to see what else the author has in store for this world 👀
January 17, 2026
Got an arc through Libro.Fm 4.5/5
I wasn’t expecting to get as into this as I did but hot damn did I really enjoy it. Not only is it an unabashed middle finger to the transphobic legacy of a certain magical school series (because my god there’s so much gender going on here) it’s absolutely wild, kept me guessing from early on and managed to emotionally devastate me less than a quarter of the way into the story. I appreciate that it told a complete story since sometimes I’ve seen first in a series books struggle with pacing and at the same time the fact that I have to wait who knows how long for another book is gonna have me chewing drywall. I look forward to seeing these characters grow and only hope they get even more fuck the system as the series goes on. The only thing that felt a little out of place to me with the setting was mentioning manga but tiny details, this was great.
I wasn’t expecting to get as into this as I did but hot damn did I really enjoy it. Not only is it an unabashed middle finger to the transphobic legacy of a certain magical school series (because my god there’s so much gender going on here) it’s absolutely wild, kept me guessing from early on and managed to emotionally devastate me less than a quarter of the way into the story. I appreciate that it told a complete story since sometimes I’ve seen first in a series books struggle with pacing and at the same time the fact that I have to wait who knows how long for another book is gonna have me chewing drywall. I look forward to seeing these characters grow and only hope they get even more fuck the system as the series goes on. The only thing that felt a little out of place to me with the setting was mentioning manga but tiny details, this was great.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This has some decent bones for a really good story. Its an interesting concept to be able to change bodies, but it was a bit confusing for me. And there seemed to be some missing background that I feel could have helped the plot.
Thank you to netgalley and Macmillan audio for the chance to give this a listen.
Thank you to netgalley and Macmillan audio for the chance to give this a listen.
February 4, 2026
I unabashedly loved this. LOVED it. I’m blown away by the reveals in the last quarter of the book.
Admittedly, this took me a few chapters to get into it, but the author is amazing at developing characters and building an entirely believable world, where those with magic can swap bodies at will—as long as they are wealthy enough to do so.
And unfortunately, the main character, Ana, does not have the means to buy a new body, even though her own (a generic boy), is rapidly declining. Her only chance is to get into a prestigious magical academy that hovers high up in the sky.
I really don’t want to say much more about the plot, because I want readers to go into this mostly blind. In my opinion, the plot summary spoils something about the characters involved, and I’m glad it wasn’t fresh in my mind when I picked this up.
I will say, however, that the story is a beautifully crushing middle finger to a certain British lady who, despite creating one of the most-beloved stories in literary history, thinks that our actual world cares about what she has to say about other people’s bodies. And this book is also a way to stand up for LGBTQ+ folks, especially people who are struggling in the wrong bodies.
And I’m HERE for it.
I cannot wait for the sequel to this. I’m actually a bit miffed that I probably have to wait another year.
Petra Lord, I’ve got my eye on you. You’re a phenomenal writer, and I am so, so excited to see what else is in that beautiful brain of yours.
Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for this wonderful read! All opinions are mine.
Admittedly, this took me a few chapters to get into it, but the author is amazing at developing characters and building an entirely believable world, where those with magic can swap bodies at will—as long as they are wealthy enough to do so.
And unfortunately, the main character, Ana, does not have the means to buy a new body, even though her own (a generic boy), is rapidly declining. Her only chance is to get into a prestigious magical academy that hovers high up in the sky.
I really don’t want to say much more about the plot, because I want readers to go into this mostly blind. In my opinion, the plot summary spoils something about the characters involved, and I’m glad it wasn’t fresh in my mind when I picked this up.
I will say, however, that the story is a beautifully crushing middle finger to a certain British lady who, despite creating one of the most-beloved stories in literary history, thinks that our actual world cares about what she has to say about other people’s bodies. And this book is also a way to stand up for LGBTQ+ folks, especially people who are struggling in the wrong bodies.
And I’m HERE for it.
I cannot wait for the sequel to this. I’m actually a bit miffed that I probably have to wait another year.
Petra Lord, I’ve got my eye on you. You’re a phenomenal writer, and I am so, so excited to see what else is in that beautiful brain of yours.
Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for this wonderful read! All opinions are mine.
November 28, 2025
boring and confusing as hell, like the story was so messy oml... and the way the author butchered body swapping as a magic system to explore themes of trans identity and gender fluidity properly is just criminal. every day i mourn books with interesting concepts but have a shitty execution
February 13, 2026
Depuis l’enfance, je n’ai jamais entendu de grands discours sur l’égalité. Personne ne m’a solennellement déclaré que tous les êtres humains se valent. On me l’a appris autrement. À table, en voyage, dans la rue. Par la manière dont mes grands-parents accueillaient un inconnu avec la même attention qu’une personnalité politique. Par la façon dont ma mère regardait chacun sans hiérarchie préalable. Ils ne commentaient ni la couleur de peau, ni l’orientation, ni l’identité. Ils cherchaient la personne. Et cela suffisait.
En 2026, il faut pourtant encore rappeler cette évidence. Non par goût du slogan, mais par devoir de conscience. L’égalité ne devrait pas être un combat permanent. Elle devrait être un état naturel. Lorsque certains persistent à la contester, il nous revient d’y opposer une vigilance ferme et digne. Défendre la liberté n’est pas un luxe militant. C’est une responsabilité morale.
C’est avec cet héritage intérieur que j’ai ouvert Queen of Faces. Avant même la première page, l’autrice est présentée comme une femme transgenre. J’ai ressenti une légère appréhension. Non face à son identité, mais face au risque éditorial de voir une expérience intime transformée en argument promotionnel. Je redoutais que le roman ne soit porté davantage par son étiquette que par sa littérature. Le succès annoncé avant publication, les traductions simultanées, les superlatifs précoces ont nourri ce doute. Peut-on proclamer un chef-d’œuvre avant qu’il n’ait rencontré ses lecteurs.
À la lecture, mes craintes se sont révélées plus nuancées que je ne l’imaginais. Oui, la transidentité irrigue tout le roman. Elle en est la sève et le fil conducteur. Mais loin d’être un simple motif, elle devient une tentative sincère de traduire le vertige d’habiter un corps qui ne correspond pas à son être profond. Petra Lord parvient à donner chair à cette dissonance entre enveloppe et essence, entre regard social et vérité intérieure. Elle décrit ce sentiment d’exil intime avec une intensité parfois bouleversante. Sur ce plan, le roman possède une force indéniable et permettra à de nombreux lecteurs de mieux comprendre ce que signifie vivre avec une identité que le monde refuse de reconnaître.
Là où mon enthousiasme s’est fragilisé, c’est dans la construction narrative. L’intrigue semble reposer sur deux blocs solides, les premiers chapitres et les derniers, reliés par un entre-deux plus étiré. L’univers est riche, prometteur, mais il donne parfois l’impression de tourner autour de son thème sans faire véritablement progresser l’action. Certaines répétitions affaiblissent la tension dramatique. L’autrice rejoue la même partition émotionnelle au lieu d’en explorer de nouvelles variations.
Il apparaît clairement que ce premier tome agit comme une porte d’entrée vers un monde plus vaste. Des intrigues secondaires sont esquissées, des tensions sociales et politiques sont amorcées, des personnages sont placés sur un échiquier encore incomplet. Toutes ces pistes ne trouvent pas leur aboutissement ici. Le lecteur habitué du genre devine parfois les trajectoires avant qu’elles ne s’accomplissent. La relation entre les deux jeunes filles, l’une enfermée dans un corps détruit, l’autre contrainte d’exister dans un corps qui ne lui correspond pas, suit une logique que l’on pressent très tôt. Cette prévisibilité n’annule pas la portée symbolique du récit, mais elle atténue le suspense.
Et pourtant, c’est avec une forme de mélancolie que j’ai refermé le livre. Les derniers chapitres retrouvent une intensité que j’aurais aimé sentir plus tôt. Les enjeux se resserrent, la tension monte, les révélations s’enchaînent avec efficacité. Le cliffhanger final, d’une redoutable précision, ouvre des perspectives ambitieuses et donne envie de poursuivre l’aventure.
Queen of Faces n’est pas, à mes yeux, le chef-d’œuvre annoncé avec fracas avant sa sortie. Mais il n’est certainement pas un simple produit porté par son sujet. C’est un roman habité par une nécessité intime, parfois maladroit dans son architecture, souvent sincère dans son propos. Et dans un monde qui a encore besoin d’entendre que l’identité n’est pas une anomalie mais une vérité intérieure, cette sincérité compte.
Je poursuivrai cette saga. Parce que malgré ses failles, elle ouvre un espace de dialogue. Et que la littérature, lorsqu’elle cherche à comprendre plutôt qu’à condamner, accomplit déjà quelque chose d’essentiel.
Benjamin L. Urbanski – Le Parfum des Mots
14 février 2026
En 2026, il faut pourtant encore rappeler cette évidence. Non par goût du slogan, mais par devoir de conscience. L’égalité ne devrait pas être un combat permanent. Elle devrait être un état naturel. Lorsque certains persistent à la contester, il nous revient d’y opposer une vigilance ferme et digne. Défendre la liberté n’est pas un luxe militant. C’est une responsabilité morale.
C’est avec cet héritage intérieur que j’ai ouvert Queen of Faces. Avant même la première page, l’autrice est présentée comme une femme transgenre. J’ai ressenti une légère appréhension. Non face à son identité, mais face au risque éditorial de voir une expérience intime transformée en argument promotionnel. Je redoutais que le roman ne soit porté davantage par son étiquette que par sa littérature. Le succès annoncé avant publication, les traductions simultanées, les superlatifs précoces ont nourri ce doute. Peut-on proclamer un chef-d’œuvre avant qu’il n’ait rencontré ses lecteurs.
À la lecture, mes craintes se sont révélées plus nuancées que je ne l’imaginais. Oui, la transidentité irrigue tout le roman. Elle en est la sève et le fil conducteur. Mais loin d’être un simple motif, elle devient une tentative sincère de traduire le vertige d’habiter un corps qui ne correspond pas à son être profond. Petra Lord parvient à donner chair à cette dissonance entre enveloppe et essence, entre regard social et vérité intérieure. Elle décrit ce sentiment d’exil intime avec une intensité parfois bouleversante. Sur ce plan, le roman possède une force indéniable et permettra à de nombreux lecteurs de mieux comprendre ce que signifie vivre avec une identité que le monde refuse de reconnaître.
Là où mon enthousiasme s’est fragilisé, c’est dans la construction narrative. L’intrigue semble reposer sur deux blocs solides, les premiers chapitres et les derniers, reliés par un entre-deux plus étiré. L’univers est riche, prometteur, mais il donne parfois l’impression de tourner autour de son thème sans faire véritablement progresser l’action. Certaines répétitions affaiblissent la tension dramatique. L’autrice rejoue la même partition émotionnelle au lieu d’en explorer de nouvelles variations.
Il apparaît clairement que ce premier tome agit comme une porte d’entrée vers un monde plus vaste. Des intrigues secondaires sont esquissées, des tensions sociales et politiques sont amorcées, des personnages sont placés sur un échiquier encore incomplet. Toutes ces pistes ne trouvent pas leur aboutissement ici. Le lecteur habitué du genre devine parfois les trajectoires avant qu’elles ne s’accomplissent. La relation entre les deux jeunes filles, l’une enfermée dans un corps détruit, l’autre contrainte d’exister dans un corps qui ne lui correspond pas, suit une logique que l’on pressent très tôt. Cette prévisibilité n’annule pas la portée symbolique du récit, mais elle atténue le suspense.
Et pourtant, c’est avec une forme de mélancolie que j’ai refermé le livre. Les derniers chapitres retrouvent une intensité que j’aurais aimé sentir plus tôt. Les enjeux se resserrent, la tension monte, les révélations s’enchaînent avec efficacité. Le cliffhanger final, d’une redoutable précision, ouvre des perspectives ambitieuses et donne envie de poursuivre l’aventure.
Queen of Faces n’est pas, à mes yeux, le chef-d’œuvre annoncé avec fracas avant sa sortie. Mais il n’est certainement pas un simple produit porté par son sujet. C’est un roman habité par une nécessité intime, parfois maladroit dans son architecture, souvent sincère dans son propos. Et dans un monde qui a encore besoin d’entendre que l’identité n’est pas une anomalie mais une vérité intérieure, cette sincérité compte.
Je poursuivrai cette saga. Parce que malgré ses failles, elle ouvre un espace de dialogue. Et que la littérature, lorsqu’elle cherche à comprendre plutôt qu’à condamner, accomplit déjà quelque chose d’essentiel.
Benjamin L. Urbanski – Le Parfum des Mots
14 février 2026
January 31, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ Thank you to Petra Lord, Fierce Reads and the publisher for providing me with an ARC to review!
Wow. Just wow. At its core, this is a novel all about self-discovery and identity. I found myself invested in all of our characters and their found family, but Korin Nameless has my whole heart and I’m hoping we get way more of him in the next installment.
I enjoyed learning about the magic system (the different branches – such a unique idea!) The world building was reminiscent of a certain wizarding world that we all know and already love, but I felt there was enough of a distinction that it held up on its own very nicely.
I will say that I did find myself getting confused with the history of the world and the role of the Star Prophets, but that may be intentional on the author’s part as I think my questions will be answered down the line.
For a debut novel, this was fabulous and I can’t wait for book 2!
Wow. Just wow. At its core, this is a novel all about self-discovery and identity. I found myself invested in all of our characters and their found family, but Korin Nameless has my whole heart and I’m hoping we get way more of him in the next installment.
I enjoyed learning about the magic system (the different branches – such a unique idea!) The world building was reminiscent of a certain wizarding world that we all know and already love, but I felt there was enough of a distinction that it held up on its own very nicely.
I will say that I did find myself getting confused with the history of the world and the role of the Star Prophets, but that may be intentional on the author’s part as I think my questions will be answered down the line.
For a debut novel, this was fabulous and I can’t wait for book 2!
Read
February 18, 2026A fantasy dark academia novel with body swapping from a trans perspective! Queen of Faces is a YA book that is a little on the darker side and the start of a planned trilogy. It explores gender identity in an interesting way through worldbuilding that allows people to magically change bodies, and for the wealthy to purchase designer bodies.
The book primarily follows a character from the lower classes who aspires to learn in this magical academy, and the daughter of a noble who is forced out of her position. There are secrets and conspiracies, complicated politics and dangerous tasks given to our main characters by the man they work for. It's an ambitious debut that's doing something different! At times things got a little difficult to follow and I wasn't exactly sure what was going on, but overall it's a good book with interesting twists and characters who are great foils for each other. The audio narration is great. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
The book primarily follows a character from the lower classes who aspires to learn in this magical academy, and the daughter of a noble who is forced out of her position. There are secrets and conspiracies, complicated politics and dangerous tasks given to our main characters by the man they work for. It's an ambitious debut that's doing something different! At times things got a little difficult to follow and I wasn't exactly sure what was going on, but overall it's a good book with interesting twists and characters who are great foils for each other. The audio narration is great. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
January 26, 2026
phew! what a journey this book takes you on. while yes this is a dark academia, know that most of this doesn't take place in a school. this book focuses more on politics, gender identity, social norms, and relationships. it's a breathtaking and captivating world you are trust into. a protagonist with a well of depth that mixes vulnerability and determination. the magic system is intirguing, the social and politic systems are unique, and the overall plot is something i have never read before but thoroughly enjoyed. this was an excellent debut and i truly cannot wait to see where this story goes.
January 15, 2026
I went into Queen of Faces with sky-high curiosity and a very open mind, and I want to start by saying thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Petra Lord for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Now, deep breath… This is one of those books where I could see what it was trying to do, admire the ambition behind it, and still feel… a little overwhelmed by the execution. Queen of Faces is juggling A LOT at once. Political intrigue, body-swapping magic, gender exploration, class divide, rebellion, academy life, moral dilemmas. At times it felt less like a carefully balanced crown and more like a stack of shiny ideas threatening to topple over if you so much as blinked.
My biggest struggle was the characters. I never fully connected to them, and for me that is a bit of a reading red flag. I wanted to care more. Especially in a story with such personal themes, emotional investment feels essential. I kept wishing the story would slow down, especially within the magical academy. Spending more time there and gradually unraveling someone like Adam’s character could have added so much emotional weight.
That said, the writing itself is often beautiful. The prose has a quiet depth that really shines in certain moments, like:
“𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳, 𝘖𝘳𝘪. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺.”
I truly appreciated what this book was doing with gender. The body-swapping element allows characters to move between bodies, between expressions, between identities. Boy, girl, something in between, something entirely outside those definitions. It felt fluid, intentional, and refreshingly thoughtful. There is something powerful about reading a fantasy where gender is not fixed, not boxed in, and not treated as a standard given. In that sense, this book felt bold and necessary.
The contrast between the futuristic feel of the body-swapping magic and the old-timey fantasy setting was also intriguing. It created a slightly dissonant but memorable atmosphere, even when the story itself felt like it was moving faster than my emotional attachment could keep up with.
In the end, Queen of Faces was a bit too much for me. Too many moving parts, too many ideas competing for attention, not enough space to let the characters breathe. I respect the ambition and I applaud the themes, but as a reader I finished the book feeling more impressed than impacted.
Now, deep breath… This is one of those books where I could see what it was trying to do, admire the ambition behind it, and still feel… a little overwhelmed by the execution. Queen of Faces is juggling A LOT at once. Political intrigue, body-swapping magic, gender exploration, class divide, rebellion, academy life, moral dilemmas. At times it felt less like a carefully balanced crown and more like a stack of shiny ideas threatening to topple over if you so much as blinked.
My biggest struggle was the characters. I never fully connected to them, and for me that is a bit of a reading red flag. I wanted to care more. Especially in a story with such personal themes, emotional investment feels essential. I kept wishing the story would slow down, especially within the magical academy. Spending more time there and gradually unraveling someone like Adam’s character could have added so much emotional weight.
That said, the writing itself is often beautiful. The prose has a quiet depth that really shines in certain moments, like:
“𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳, 𝘖𝘳𝘪. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺.”
I truly appreciated what this book was doing with gender. The body-swapping element allows characters to move between bodies, between expressions, between identities. Boy, girl, something in between, something entirely outside those definitions. It felt fluid, intentional, and refreshingly thoughtful. There is something powerful about reading a fantasy where gender is not fixed, not boxed in, and not treated as a standard given. In that sense, this book felt bold and necessary.
The contrast between the futuristic feel of the body-swapping magic and the old-timey fantasy setting was also intriguing. It created a slightly dissonant but memorable atmosphere, even when the story itself felt like it was moving faster than my emotional attachment could keep up with.
In the end, Queen of Faces was a bit too much for me. Too many moving parts, too many ideas competing for attention, not enough space to let the characters breathe. I respect the ambition and I applaud the themes, but as a reader I finished the book feeling more impressed than impacted.
January 22, 2026
This book immediately stood out for its fascinating, original magic system and the creativity of its world. The concept of “chassis” and body-swapping is unsettling in the best way, and it’s used to explore identity, class, and power in a really thoughtful manner. The worldbuilding felt fresh and imaginative, and I loved how immersive and unique this setting was.
One of the strongest aspects for me was the representation. It felt naturally woven into the story and added so much depth to both the characters and the themes the book explores.
Overall, this was a solid and enjoyable read with a truly original premise, compelling ideas, and a vivid, inventive world. I’m really glad I picked this one up and I think readers who love unique magic systems and darker fantasy will absolutely want to check it out. Thanks to Henry Holt for the ARC.
One of the strongest aspects for me was the representation. It felt naturally woven into the story and added so much depth to both the characters and the themes the book explores.
Overall, this was a solid and enjoyable read with a truly original premise, compelling ideas, and a vivid, inventive world. I’m really glad I picked this one up and I think readers who love unique magic systems and darker fantasy will absolutely want to check it out. Thanks to Henry Holt for the ARC.
August 30, 2025
⋆｡°✩ 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 ⋆｡°✩
4.5 stars | a thought provoking fantasy about identity and how you view yourself | 1/3 spice, 2.5/3 violence, trigger warnings like su!cide | nice pacing and unique writing style with a slow start, strong finish plot
*:･ﾟ✧♡ 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕤 *:･ﾟ✧♡
I really loved the characters in this book, especially Wes, whose growth was just amazing to watch. The relationships??? Yes. Just yes. Triangle??? Triangle-ing. Scrappy main character that I sorta relate to making me believe in love again??? Yup.
I’m going to be really honest, I forgot to review this book for over a week after I read it, so I don’t really remember much of what I wanted to say, but I really liked the characters and needed to say that.
Okay also the magic system and the body swapping thing is such a cool idea, it’s really unique and I thought it was so cool to read about.
Also I loved Ori so much. Favorite character easily.
Oh my gosh and that ending!!! I NEVER could have expected any of what happened and it was so awesome.
Also, this book explores identity and expresses it really well, and I thought that was really nice. Presenting it in a fantastical situation is a great way to relate these types of problems to the real world and I think that’s really important, so this book was much appreciated by me for that.
‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚. 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕤 ‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.
The reason this wasn’t five stars was the beginning. Like, up until 50% beginning. It was just really slow for me. Like, I think this book is the definition of slow start, strong finish. I just wasn’t interested you know? But around 50%, stuff started happening and I got really into it. So yeah.
* ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝕨𝕣𝕒𝕡-𝕦𝕡 * ੈ✩‧₊˚
Overall, a very good book, and I really enjoyed! I’d recommend for anyone looking for a unique fantasy or something touching on important matters in fantastical ways!!!
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝕢𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤 ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
"𝑀𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓅𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒹𝒾𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝒸𝑜𝑜𝓃."
"𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝒶𝓁𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓃 𝓌𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇."
"𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝓋𝒾𝓋𝑒, 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝓁𝓎. 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝒹𝑜𝑒𝓈𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒾𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒽 𝒾𝓉?"
⋆˚⚡︎˖° 𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 ⋆˚⚡︎˖°
Queen of Faces releases February 3, 2026!!!
˙⋆.˚𐙚 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 ˙⋆.˚𐙚
Thank you so much to the publisher, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and to NetGalley for giving me a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
All thoughts are my own <3
4.5 stars | a thought provoking fantasy about identity and how you view yourself | 1/3 spice, 2.5/3 violence, trigger warnings like su!cide | nice pacing and unique writing style with a slow start, strong finish plot
*:･ﾟ✧♡ 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕤 *:･ﾟ✧♡
I really loved the characters in this book, especially Wes, whose growth was just amazing to watch. The relationships??? Yes. Just yes. Triangle??? Triangle-ing. Scrappy main character that I sorta relate to making me believe in love again??? Yup.
I’m going to be really honest, I forgot to review this book for over a week after I read it, so I don’t really remember much of what I wanted to say, but I really liked the characters and needed to say that.
Okay also the magic system and the body swapping thing is such a cool idea, it’s really unique and I thought it was so cool to read about.
Also I loved Ori so much. Favorite character easily.
Oh my gosh and that ending!!! I NEVER could have expected any of what happened and it was so awesome.
Also, this book explores identity and expresses it really well, and I thought that was really nice. Presenting it in a fantastical situation is a great way to relate these types of problems to the real world and I think that’s really important, so this book was much appreciated by me for that.
‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚. 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕤 ‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.
The reason this wasn’t five stars was the beginning. Like, up until 50% beginning. It was just really slow for me. Like, I think this book is the definition of slow start, strong finish. I just wasn’t interested you know? But around 50%, stuff started happening and I got really into it. So yeah.
* ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝕨𝕣𝕒𝕡-𝕦𝕡 * ੈ✩‧₊˚
Overall, a very good book, and I really enjoyed! I’d recommend for anyone looking for a unique fantasy or something touching on important matters in fantastical ways!!!
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝕢𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤 ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
"𝑀𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓅𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒹𝒾𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝒸𝑜𝑜𝓃."
"𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝒶𝓁𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓃 𝓌𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇."
"𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝓋𝒾𝓋𝑒, 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝓁𝓎. 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝒹𝑜𝑒𝓈𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒾𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒽 𝒾𝓉?"
⋆˚⚡︎˖° 𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 ⋆˚⚡︎˖°
Queen of Faces releases February 3, 2026!!!
˙⋆.˚𐙚 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 ˙⋆.˚𐙚
Thank you so much to the publisher, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and to NetGalley for giving me a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
All thoughts are my own <3
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
my rating is 4.25
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ALC to listen and review. My thoughts are my own.
What a unique and fresh feeling YA novel. We need more of these stories! Trans representation is sorely lacking in publishing and we get it here with a delightful side eye.
The premise of the people being able to switch bodies at will (and affordability) highlights being who you want to be at any given time. I loved that aspect!
The darker aspect of that is finding the 'chassis' or bodies. Definitely speaking to the elite having the ability to essentially live forever in other people's bodies, stolen from others, in perpetuity. All at cost of the poor who supply those chassis. What a snapshot of the world we live in.
The world building here is fulsome and detailed. The characters, Ana in particular, have depth and breadth.
Navigating the dangerous academy world, Ana tries desperately to find her way and break down what she sees happening within the system. This is real emotion!
I flew through this listen, the narrators, EA Castillo, Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick and Nicky Endres bring incredible darkness and intensity to the audiobook. Working together, they brought the story to life for me. The production is flawless.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ALC to listen and review. My thoughts are my own.
What a unique and fresh feeling YA novel. We need more of these stories! Trans representation is sorely lacking in publishing and we get it here with a delightful side eye.
The premise of the people being able to switch bodies at will (and affordability) highlights being who you want to be at any given time. I loved that aspect!
The darker aspect of that is finding the 'chassis' or bodies. Definitely speaking to the elite having the ability to essentially live forever in other people's bodies, stolen from others, in perpetuity. All at cost of the poor who supply those chassis. What a snapshot of the world we live in.
The world building here is fulsome and detailed. The characters, Ana in particular, have depth and breadth.
Navigating the dangerous academy world, Ana tries desperately to find her way and break down what she sees happening within the system. This is real emotion!
I flew through this listen, the narrators, EA Castillo, Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick and Nicky Endres bring incredible darkness and intensity to the audiobook. Working together, they brought the story to life for me. The production is flawless.
December 16, 2025
Review of Queen of Faces by Petra Lord
Queen of Faces by Petra Lord is a harrowing, boldly imaginative young adult fantasy about a girl fighting for survival in a world where wealth can buy bodies like fashion, magic is intertwined with identity, and the very essence of who you are is at stake. At its core this story follows Anabelle Gage, a fiercely determined young heroine whose body is literally crumbling, and who must navigate dangerous choices, betrayal, and rebellion in the smog‑choked nation of Caimor as she fights for a chance to live as her true self.
When I first learned about Ana’s situation it struck me how daring and visceral this book feels: trapped in a defective body that is literally killing her, she chases entrance to a prestigious academy in hopes of earning a new form, only to see that dream collapse and be forced into an impossible bargain with the headmaster of Paragon Academy, trading her freedom for survival. The beauty of Petra Lord’s world lies both in its dazzling creativity and in how deeply personal Ana’s journey feels. Her magic, especially her illusion work, becomes an extension of her inner life, and as she is drawn into a covert conflict against powerful forces and tangled alliances with a cast of renegades, I found myself invested not just in the fast‑paced action, but in her longing for autonomy and self‑definition. The oppressive class divides and the haunting concept of body swapping foreground themes of identity, privilege, and bodily autonomy in ways that rattled me long after reading, making Ana more than a fantasy heroine but a deeply affecting voice. Although the worldbuilding feels rich and layered with dark academia intrigue, it is Ana’s resilience, vulnerability, and evolving moral compass that anchored my heart throughout this high‑stakes narrative.
I would rate Queen of Faces 4 out of 5 because it combines breathtaking worldbuilding, emotionally charged stakes, and a protagonist whose fight for selfhood resonates with rare intensity.
Petra Lord awakens both wonder and ache in equal measure, crafting a fantasy that feels cinematic and deeply human, and one that left me eager for the next volume in what promises to be an unforgettable series.
Queen of Faces by Petra Lord is a harrowing, boldly imaginative young adult fantasy about a girl fighting for survival in a world where wealth can buy bodies like fashion, magic is intertwined with identity, and the very essence of who you are is at stake. At its core this story follows Anabelle Gage, a fiercely determined young heroine whose body is literally crumbling, and who must navigate dangerous choices, betrayal, and rebellion in the smog‑choked nation of Caimor as she fights for a chance to live as her true self.
When I first learned about Ana’s situation it struck me how daring and visceral this book feels: trapped in a defective body that is literally killing her, she chases entrance to a prestigious academy in hopes of earning a new form, only to see that dream collapse and be forced into an impossible bargain with the headmaster of Paragon Academy, trading her freedom for survival. The beauty of Petra Lord’s world lies both in its dazzling creativity and in how deeply personal Ana’s journey feels. Her magic, especially her illusion work, becomes an extension of her inner life, and as she is drawn into a covert conflict against powerful forces and tangled alliances with a cast of renegades, I found myself invested not just in the fast‑paced action, but in her longing for autonomy and self‑definition. The oppressive class divides and the haunting concept of body swapping foreground themes of identity, privilege, and bodily autonomy in ways that rattled me long after reading, making Ana more than a fantasy heroine but a deeply affecting voice. Although the worldbuilding feels rich and layered with dark academia intrigue, it is Ana’s resilience, vulnerability, and evolving moral compass that anchored my heart throughout this high‑stakes narrative.
I would rate Queen of Faces 4 out of 5 because it combines breathtaking worldbuilding, emotionally charged stakes, and a protagonist whose fight for selfhood resonates with rare intensity.
Petra Lord awakens both wonder and ache in equal measure, crafting a fantasy that feels cinematic and deeply human, and one that left me eager for the next volume in what promises to be an unforgettable series.
February 11, 2026
2,5 ⭐️ Reina de Rostros — Prometía hechizos, me dio confusión
🗺️ Un inicio prometedor
Antes de meterse en harina, Reina de Rostros hace algo que a mí me gana siempre: un epígrafe explicando los cuatro tipos de magia y un mapa sencillo pero claro. Así sí. Así me gusta entrar en una fantasía: con brújula, manual de instrucciones y sensación de que el mundo está pensado 🧭
Todo apuntaba a que iba a disfrutar.
💥 Un primer capítulo impactante… y desconcertante
El arranque no se puede negar: impacta.
También te deja con el culo torcido.
En pocas páginas nos sueltan conceptos potentes casi de pasada:
• Los cuerpos caducan.
• La protagonista, Anabelle (17 años), habita el cuerpo de un chaval canoso.
• Trabaja para alguien cuya moralidad es… cuestionable (y estoy siendo generosa).
La idea es potente. Mucho.
Pero la exposición es tan fugaz que en lugar de fascinar, descoloca. Me sentí intentando montar un puzzle al que le faltan piezas 🧩
🧙♀️ Escuela de hechicería y sueños rotos
Anabelle sueña con entrar en la escuela de hechicería Paragon (sí, el guiño a Harry Potter es más que evidente). Está esperando su carta de admisión con ilusión adolescente… pero sorpresa: no es admitida.
Y aquí llega el verdadero drama: a su cuerpo le quedan unos 10 meses de funcionalidad.
Además es pobre como las ratas.
Combo completo 🫠
La parte en la que la reclutan “por el bien mayor” (sin spoilers) no me resulta especialmente creíble. Pero bueno… si cuestionamos eso, se nos caen la mitad de las tramas del género.
👥 Segunda voz: Nell y el club de los traumas
Tenemos también a Nell, cuya primera aparición es un encontronazo poco amable con Anabelle.
Nell arrastra unos mami issues bastante serios.
Y aquí confieso: esos conflictos me dan pereza. Quizá porque ya tengo más edad para ser madre que hija adolescente y mi paciencia con ciertos dramas está en números rojos 😅
La madre de Nell tiene el instinto maternal de una cucharilla. Y su mundo se pone patas arriba… dicho suavemente.
🔄 El mundo de los cuerpos intercambiables
El concepto central es muy interesante: un mundo donde la gente cambia de cuerpo como quien cambia de bragas.
Pero aquí empiezan mis dudas logísticas (sí, soy esa lectora):
• Si los cuerpos son artificiales, ¿por qué hay que alimentarlos?
• Cuando no se usan, ¿no pierden masa muscular?
• ¿Alguien los mantiene?
• ¿Se quedan en modo estatua decorativa hasta nuevo aviso?
Hay muchas explicaciones, pero no todas terminan de encajar en mi cabeza. Y cuando empiezo a cuestionar demasiado la mecánica del mundo, algo falla.
🦸♂️ Héroes imperfectos y reflexiones interesantes
Hay un momento que me recordó bastante a The Boys: cuando los héroes no son tan heroicos. Ese enfoque me gustó 👌
También hay que reconocer que el libro juega muy bien con la identidad de género. Muchas personas terminan en cuerpos que no se corresponden con su género de nacimiento, lo cual puede ser vivido como tragedia o liberación. Aquí hay una reflexión potente y actual que está bien trabajada.
🏫 El inevitable aroma a Hogwarts
Es una escuela de magia.
Hay casas, jerarquías, dinámicas estudiantiles.
El guiño a Harry Potter no es sutil, pero tiene una vuelta de tuerca interesante. Aun así, no termina de sentirse completamente propio.
💔 El problema real: la desconexión
Llegué al 50% del libro y tuve una revelación sencilla pero definitiva:
Me daba igual lo que les pasara a los personajes.
Y cuando eso ocurre, no hay sistema de magia, trauma generacional ni cuerpo intercambiable que lo arregle. Si no conecto emocionalmente, no hay hechizo que funcione 🪄
Así que, con pena (porque ideas tenía), decidí abandonarlo.
⭐ Veredicto final
Reina de Rostros tiene:
• Un mundo interesante
• Conceptos potentes
• Reflexiones actuales
• Un arranque impactante
Pero en mi caso, no consiguió engancharme ni hacerme invertir emocionalmente en la historia.
Y leer por obligación no es mi deporte favorito.
📌 Abandono al 52%.
📌 Buenas ideas, ejecución que no me atrapó.
📌 Tal vez para lectores que disfruten más del worldbuilding que de la conexión emocional.
A veces no es que el libro sea malo.
Es que no era para mí. 😌📚
🗺️ Un inicio prometedor
Antes de meterse en harina, Reina de Rostros hace algo que a mí me gana siempre: un epígrafe explicando los cuatro tipos de magia y un mapa sencillo pero claro. Así sí. Así me gusta entrar en una fantasía: con brújula, manual de instrucciones y sensación de que el mundo está pensado 🧭
Todo apuntaba a que iba a disfrutar.
💥 Un primer capítulo impactante… y desconcertante
El arranque no se puede negar: impacta.
También te deja con el culo torcido.
En pocas páginas nos sueltan conceptos potentes casi de pasada:
• Los cuerpos caducan.
• La protagonista, Anabelle (17 años), habita el cuerpo de un chaval canoso.
• Trabaja para alguien cuya moralidad es… cuestionable (y estoy siendo generosa).
La idea es potente. Mucho.
Pero la exposición es tan fugaz que en lugar de fascinar, descoloca. Me sentí intentando montar un puzzle al que le faltan piezas 🧩
🧙♀️ Escuela de hechicería y sueños rotos
Anabelle sueña con entrar en la escuela de hechicería Paragon (sí, el guiño a Harry Potter es más que evidente). Está esperando su carta de admisión con ilusión adolescente… pero sorpresa: no es admitida.
Y aquí llega el verdadero drama: a su cuerpo le quedan unos 10 meses de funcionalidad.
Además es pobre como las ratas.
Combo completo 🫠
La parte en la que la reclutan “por el bien mayor” (sin spoilers) no me resulta especialmente creíble. Pero bueno… si cuestionamos eso, se nos caen la mitad de las tramas del género.
👥 Segunda voz: Nell y el club de los traumas
Tenemos también a Nell, cuya primera aparición es un encontronazo poco amable con Anabelle.
Nell arrastra unos mami issues bastante serios.
Y aquí confieso: esos conflictos me dan pereza. Quizá porque ya tengo más edad para ser madre que hija adolescente y mi paciencia con ciertos dramas está en números rojos 😅
La madre de Nell tiene el instinto maternal de una cucharilla. Y su mundo se pone patas arriba… dicho suavemente.
🔄 El mundo de los cuerpos intercambiables
El concepto central es muy interesante: un mundo donde la gente cambia de cuerpo como quien cambia de bragas.
Pero aquí empiezan mis dudas logísticas (sí, soy esa lectora):
• Si los cuerpos son artificiales, ¿por qué hay que alimentarlos?
• Cuando no se usan, ¿no pierden masa muscular?
• ¿Alguien los mantiene?
• ¿Se quedan en modo estatua decorativa hasta nuevo aviso?
Hay muchas explicaciones, pero no todas terminan de encajar en mi cabeza. Y cuando empiezo a cuestionar demasiado la mecánica del mundo, algo falla.
🦸♂️ Héroes imperfectos y reflexiones interesantes
Hay un momento que me recordó bastante a The Boys: cuando los héroes no son tan heroicos. Ese enfoque me gustó 👌
También hay que reconocer que el libro juega muy bien con la identidad de género. Muchas personas terminan en cuerpos que no se corresponden con su género de nacimiento, lo cual puede ser vivido como tragedia o liberación. Aquí hay una reflexión potente y actual que está bien trabajada.
🏫 El inevitable aroma a Hogwarts
Es una escuela de magia.
Hay casas, jerarquías, dinámicas estudiantiles.
El guiño a Harry Potter no es sutil, pero tiene una vuelta de tuerca interesante. Aun así, no termina de sentirse completamente propio.
💔 El problema real: la desconexión
Llegué al 50% del libro y tuve una revelación sencilla pero definitiva:
Me daba igual lo que les pasara a los personajes.
Y cuando eso ocurre, no hay sistema de magia, trauma generacional ni cuerpo intercambiable que lo arregle. Si no conecto emocionalmente, no hay hechizo que funcione 🪄
Así que, con pena (porque ideas tenía), decidí abandonarlo.
⭐ Veredicto final
Reina de Rostros tiene:
• Un mundo interesante
• Conceptos potentes
• Reflexiones actuales
• Un arranque impactante
Pero en mi caso, no consiguió engancharme ni hacerme invertir emocionalmente en la historia.
Y leer por obligación no es mi deporte favorito.
📌 Abandono al 52%.
📌 Buenas ideas, ejecución que no me atrapó.
📌 Tal vez para lectores que disfruten más del worldbuilding que de la conexión emocional.
A veces no es que el libro sea malo.
Es que no era para mí. 😌📚
February 4, 2026
On par with the dark world building and vibrant characters of the Grishaverse series and Mistborn, this book is a breath of fresh air for the genre and I’m in awe that it’s a debut novel! A wholly original concept wrestling with gender and gender dysphoria, classism and racism, revisionist history and fascism. You’ll be questioning who is actually the “good guy” at every turn as you experience a series of unfortunate events alongside Ana and her found family of misfits.
This book is a foil for the Harry Potter series in many ways. There’s a magic school (but the hero doesn’t get their acceptance letter). A small handful of characters may or may not harken back to the beloved series. But this book stands on its own by questioning the chosen one trope, as well as many of the conventions you are used to seeing in YA fantasy. I strongly recommend picking this book up instead of your next Potter reread.
I’ll definitely be hyping this book up any chance I get. I do want fellow adults to read it, but more importantly, I really hope that the intended audience will reach for it. I think it could be the next big thing in YA.
This book is a foil for the Harry Potter series in many ways. There’s a magic school (but the hero doesn’t get their acceptance letter). A small handful of characters may or may not harken back to the beloved series. But this book stands on its own by questioning the chosen one trope, as well as many of the conventions you are used to seeing in YA fantasy. I strongly recommend picking this book up instead of your next Potter reread.
I’ll definitely be hyping this book up any chance I get. I do want fellow adults to read it, but more importantly, I really hope that the intended audience will reach for it. I think it could be the next big thing in YA.
February 2, 2026
It's rare that a book leaves me reeling for weeks, but Queen of Faces did exactly that. This is the underdog story I didn't know I needed.
I have a soft heart for stories about rising above and overcoming adversity. In this book's case - fighting for survival - that struggle made the story worth every page.
What stood out: Queen of Faces is a dystopian fantasy where body swapping is possible alongside magical abilities for a select few. Add in lyrical prose, a tightly written plot, and a complex cast of characters, and you have something special.
The world-building left no questions unanswered. Action scenes were perfectly choreographed. I could picture them vividly in my mind.
Ana and Wes - two characters from different backgrounds who became enemies through a chance meeting that didn't work out for either - teamed up for their survival. I rooted for both. Each had their strengths and weaknesses.
The themes hit hard: elitism, classism, oppression of the poor, controlled media. Political intrigue was subtly woven into the storyline.
Audio experience: The audiobook was performed by a full cast. Each narrator portrayed the characters with nuanced performances. Their reading evoked emotions while I listened. I felt Ana's pain and desperation, and Wes' disappointment and wanting to belong. Pairing it with the print was the perfect match.
Similar vibes: If you loved Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo for a ragtag team, this delivers that same underdog energy - fighting powerful elites with political intrigue and magic. Also reminiscent of Nocturna by Maya Motayne in how it handles appearance-altering magic to navigate a dangerous world with shifting identities.
You'll love this if: You're drawn to underdog characters, political intrigue, and character-driven stories.
Thank you to Henry Holt and Co., Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance readers copies for review. All opinions are my own.
I have a soft heart for stories about rising above and overcoming adversity. In this book's case - fighting for survival - that struggle made the story worth every page.
What stood out: Queen of Faces is a dystopian fantasy where body swapping is possible alongside magical abilities for a select few. Add in lyrical prose, a tightly written plot, and a complex cast of characters, and you have something special.
The world-building left no questions unanswered. Action scenes were perfectly choreographed. I could picture them vividly in my mind.
Ana and Wes - two characters from different backgrounds who became enemies through a chance meeting that didn't work out for either - teamed up for their survival. I rooted for both. Each had their strengths and weaknesses.
The themes hit hard: elitism, classism, oppression of the poor, controlled media. Political intrigue was subtly woven into the storyline.
Audio experience: The audiobook was performed by a full cast. Each narrator portrayed the characters with nuanced performances. Their reading evoked emotions while I listened. I felt Ana's pain and desperation, and Wes' disappointment and wanting to belong. Pairing it with the print was the perfect match.
Similar vibes: If you loved Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo for a ragtag team, this delivers that same underdog energy - fighting powerful elites with political intrigue and magic. Also reminiscent of Nocturna by Maya Motayne in how it handles appearance-altering magic to navigate a dangerous world with shifting identities.
You'll love this if: You're drawn to underdog characters, political intrigue, and character-driven stories.
Thank you to Henry Holt and Co., Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance readers copies for review. All opinions are my own.
February 8, 2026
In bodies borrowed, souls confined,
A grey girl seeks what fate denied—
Through stolen flesh and shattered pride.
The first thing you need to know about Queen of Faces by Petra Lord is that it refuses to offer you comfort. This debut novel—the inaugural entry in the Queen of Faces series—plunges readers into a world where bodies are commodities, magic is privilege, and survival demands impossible choices. Set against the backdrop of a literally drowning civilization, Lord constructs a dark academia narrative that interrogates identity, power, and the brutal cost of transformation with unflinching precision.
The Architecture of a Decaying World
Anabelle Gage is dying from the inside out. Trapped in a deteriorating male body she never chose—an "Edgar" chassis that marks her as disposable in the eyes of Caimor's elite—Ana embodies the intersection of gender dysphoria and economic desperation. Queen of Faces by Petra Lord opens with this visceral premise: what would you sacrifice for the body that feels like home? For Ana, the answer becomes increasingly complex as the novel progresses.
Lord's worldbuilding deserves particular recognition. Caimor exists in a state of managed apocalypse, with rising oceans gradually consuming the lower districts while the wealthy float above the consequences—both literally, in Paragon Academy's suspended islands, and metaphorically, in their ability to purchase immortality through body-swapping. The magic system operates through four schools (Physical, Sinew, Praxis, and Whisper), each coded by color and philosophical approach. Ana's Rainbow Veil—her illusion magic—becomes both her greatest weapon and a metaphor for the masks we wear to survive.
The prose alternates between Ana's desperate, sardonic narration and Westyn Ebbridge's more controlled perspective, creating a textural richness that mirrors their complicated dynamic. Lord writes action sequences with cinematographic clarity—rooftop chases blur with political machinations, and intimate character moments punctuate explosive set pieces. The pacing rarely falters, though occasional exposition dumps about magical theory can momentarily slow the momentum.
The Moral Labyrinth
Where Queen of Faces by Petra Lord truly distinguishes itself is in its refusal of easy answers. Ana begins as a sympathetic protagonist—a girl literally rotting away, denied admission to Paragon three times despite possessing genuine talent. But Lord doesn't allow readers to remain comfortable with their allegiances. Ana lies, manipulates, and makes choices that harm innocent people. She works as an assassin. She becomes complicit in systems she claims to oppose.
Similarly, the revolutionary group Commonplace—led by the enigmatic Khaiovhe, known as the Black Wraith—initially appears as freedom fighters challenging Paragon's monopoly on magical education and body modification. Yet their methods grow increasingly brutal, and their ideological purity proves as dangerous as the corrupt system they seek to topple. Lord asks readers to sit with contradictions: Can you root for a protagonist who commits violence? Can revolutionary goals justify civilian casualties? Is survival itself a form of complicity?
This moral complexity represents the novel's greatest strength and, for some readers, its potential weakness. Those seeking clear heroes and villains will find themselves disoriented. The narrative demands active engagement with uncomfortable questions rather than passive consumption of a straightforward chosen-one narrative.
Found Family in a Burning World
The relationships in Queen of Faces by Petra Lord crackle with tension and unexpected tenderness. Ana's team—dubbed "Queen Sulphur" by the criminal underground—consists of outcasts and survivors:
Westyn Ebbridge (Wes): A former noble trapped in a stolen body, brilliant with a sword but struggling with identity and purpose
Nima Qasemi: An assassin whose Pith inhabits two bodies simultaneously, bringing both tactical advantage and philosophical questions about selfhood
Korin Nameless: A Humdrum (non-magical) engineer and former Commonplace prisoner whose quiet competence anchors the group
Their banter provides levies against the narrative's darkness. Lord excels at writing friendship that develops through shared trauma and mission debriefs rather than manufactured emotional beats. The slow-burn dynamic between Ana and Wes—built on mutual recognition, jealousy, and grudging respect—feels earned rather than imposed. When Wes confesses he envies Ana's certainty about her identity, it lands with devastating impact because Lord has meticulously constructed their parallel journeys of transformation.
However, the romantic subplot could have been developed more fully. While the tension simmers effectively, readers seeking substantial romantic payoff may find the resolution somewhat understated. This restraint serves the story's thematic priorities but might disappoint those expecting a stronger romantic arc.
The Weight of Representation
Lord's author's note reveals that Queen of Faces by Petra Lord was conceived in 2017 during a hopeful moment for transgender rights, but published in 2025 amid significant backlash. This context deepens the reading experience. Ana's journey through literal body transformation parallels the metaphorical transformations we all undergo—the shedding of old selves, the painful growth toward becoming.
The transgender themes never feel tokenized or pedagogical. Ana's dysphoria manifests through her decaying body, yes, but also through her relationship with masks, illusions, and the gap between internal truth and external perception. Lord treats gender identity as one facet of a multidimensional character rather than her sole defining feature. Ana is allowed to be flawed, ambitious, afraid, clever, and morally complicated—fully human rather than a symbol.
The novel also interrogates class through its body-swapping economy. The wealthy purchase designer bodies like fashion accessories while the poor decay in "defective" chassis. This literalization of economic inequality creates pointed social commentary without sacrificing narrative momentum.
Technical Craftsmanship and Minor Stumbles
Lord demonstrates impressive control over a sprawling plot. Multiple conspiracies, betrayals, and revelations layer atop one another, with the Adam Weaver twist hitting particularly hard for those who've been paying attention to the subtle clues. The magic system maintains internal consistency even as its rules expand, and the floating architecture of Paragon provides memorable set pieces for the novel's explosive climax.
That said, Queen of Faces by Petra Lord occasionally suffers from debut novel growing pains:
Character bloat: Several secondary characters, particularly among Paragon's faculty and Ana's targets, blur together and could have been consolidated
Uneven secondary POVs: While Wes's chapters add valuable perspective, occasional brief POV shifts to other characters (Sophie, Clementine) sometimes disrupt narrative flow
Exposition balance: The opening third occasionally pauses action for worldbuilding explanations that, while necessary, can feel front-loaded
The novel's length (around 600+ pages) will reward patient readers but may test those seeking tighter plotting. Some subplots—particularly involving Paragon's internal politics—could have been trimmed without sacrificing core themes.
The Verdict: A Promising Beginning
Queen of Faces by Petra Lord announces a distinctive new voice in dark fantasy. Lord combines the moral complexity of R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War with the queer sensibilities of Tamsyn Muir's Locked Tomb series, filtered through a distinctly original magical system and setting. The novel refuses easy categorization—it's simultaneously a heist story, a dark academia thriller, a meditation on identity, and a critique of power structures.
The prose occasionally reaches for poetry and achieves it, particularly in Ana's moments of reflection on transformation and metamorphosis. Lord understands that real change—whether of body, mind, or society—requires destruction alongside creation. The caterpillar must dissolve in the cocoon before wings emerge.
As the first book in the Queen of Faces series, it establishes compelling mysteries for future volumes while delivering a complete, if occasionally devastating, arc. Readers who appreciate morally grey protagonists, intricate plotting, and worldbuilding that interrogates real-world systems of oppression will find much to love here. Those seeking straightforward heroism or uncomplicated romance should look elsewhere.
A grey girl seeks what fate denied—
Through stolen flesh and shattered pride.
The first thing you need to know about Queen of Faces by Petra Lord is that it refuses to offer you comfort. This debut novel—the inaugural entry in the Queen of Faces series—plunges readers into a world where bodies are commodities, magic is privilege, and survival demands impossible choices. Set against the backdrop of a literally drowning civilization, Lord constructs a dark academia narrative that interrogates identity, power, and the brutal cost of transformation with unflinching precision.
The Architecture of a Decaying World
Anabelle Gage is dying from the inside out. Trapped in a deteriorating male body she never chose—an "Edgar" chassis that marks her as disposable in the eyes of Caimor's elite—Ana embodies the intersection of gender dysphoria and economic desperation. Queen of Faces by Petra Lord opens with this visceral premise: what would you sacrifice for the body that feels like home? For Ana, the answer becomes increasingly complex as the novel progresses.
Lord's worldbuilding deserves particular recognition. Caimor exists in a state of managed apocalypse, with rising oceans gradually consuming the lower districts while the wealthy float above the consequences—both literally, in Paragon Academy's suspended islands, and metaphorically, in their ability to purchase immortality through body-swapping. The magic system operates through four schools (Physical, Sinew, Praxis, and Whisper), each coded by color and philosophical approach. Ana's Rainbow Veil—her illusion magic—becomes both her greatest weapon and a metaphor for the masks we wear to survive.
The prose alternates between Ana's desperate, sardonic narration and Westyn Ebbridge's more controlled perspective, creating a textural richness that mirrors their complicated dynamic. Lord writes action sequences with cinematographic clarity—rooftop chases blur with political machinations, and intimate character moments punctuate explosive set pieces. The pacing rarely falters, though occasional exposition dumps about magical theory can momentarily slow the momentum.
The Moral Labyrinth
Where Queen of Faces by Petra Lord truly distinguishes itself is in its refusal of easy answers. Ana begins as a sympathetic protagonist—a girl literally rotting away, denied admission to Paragon three times despite possessing genuine talent. But Lord doesn't allow readers to remain comfortable with their allegiances. Ana lies, manipulates, and makes choices that harm innocent people. She works as an assassin. She becomes complicit in systems she claims to oppose.
Similarly, the revolutionary group Commonplace—led by the enigmatic Khaiovhe, known as the Black Wraith—initially appears as freedom fighters challenging Paragon's monopoly on magical education and body modification. Yet their methods grow increasingly brutal, and their ideological purity proves as dangerous as the corrupt system they seek to topple. Lord asks readers to sit with contradictions: Can you root for a protagonist who commits violence? Can revolutionary goals justify civilian casualties? Is survival itself a form of complicity?
This moral complexity represents the novel's greatest strength and, for some readers, its potential weakness. Those seeking clear heroes and villains will find themselves disoriented. The narrative demands active engagement with uncomfortable questions rather than passive consumption of a straightforward chosen-one narrative.
Found Family in a Burning World
The relationships in Queen of Faces by Petra Lord crackle with tension and unexpected tenderness. Ana's team—dubbed "Queen Sulphur" by the criminal underground—consists of outcasts and survivors:
Westyn Ebbridge (Wes): A former noble trapped in a stolen body, brilliant with a sword but struggling with identity and purpose
Nima Qasemi: An assassin whose Pith inhabits two bodies simultaneously, bringing both tactical advantage and philosophical questions about selfhood
Korin Nameless: A Humdrum (non-magical) engineer and former Commonplace prisoner whose quiet competence anchors the group
Their banter provides levies against the narrative's darkness. Lord excels at writing friendship that develops through shared trauma and mission debriefs rather than manufactured emotional beats. The slow-burn dynamic between Ana and Wes—built on mutual recognition, jealousy, and grudging respect—feels earned rather than imposed. When Wes confesses he envies Ana's certainty about her identity, it lands with devastating impact because Lord has meticulously constructed their parallel journeys of transformation.
However, the romantic subplot could have been developed more fully. While the tension simmers effectively, readers seeking substantial romantic payoff may find the resolution somewhat understated. This restraint serves the story's thematic priorities but might disappoint those expecting a stronger romantic arc.
The Weight of Representation
Lord's author's note reveals that Queen of Faces by Petra Lord was conceived in 2017 during a hopeful moment for transgender rights, but published in 2025 amid significant backlash. This context deepens the reading experience. Ana's journey through literal body transformation parallels the metaphorical transformations we all undergo—the shedding of old selves, the painful growth toward becoming.
The transgender themes never feel tokenized or pedagogical. Ana's dysphoria manifests through her decaying body, yes, but also through her relationship with masks, illusions, and the gap between internal truth and external perception. Lord treats gender identity as one facet of a multidimensional character rather than her sole defining feature. Ana is allowed to be flawed, ambitious, afraid, clever, and morally complicated—fully human rather than a symbol.
The novel also interrogates class through its body-swapping economy. The wealthy purchase designer bodies like fashion accessories while the poor decay in "defective" chassis. This literalization of economic inequality creates pointed social commentary without sacrificing narrative momentum.
Technical Craftsmanship and Minor Stumbles
Lord demonstrates impressive control over a sprawling plot. Multiple conspiracies, betrayals, and revelations layer atop one another, with the Adam Weaver twist hitting particularly hard for those who've been paying attention to the subtle clues. The magic system maintains internal consistency even as its rules expand, and the floating architecture of Paragon provides memorable set pieces for the novel's explosive climax.
That said, Queen of Faces by Petra Lord occasionally suffers from debut novel growing pains:
Character bloat: Several secondary characters, particularly among Paragon's faculty and Ana's targets, blur together and could have been consolidated
Uneven secondary POVs: While Wes's chapters add valuable perspective, occasional brief POV shifts to other characters (Sophie, Clementine) sometimes disrupt narrative flow
Exposition balance: The opening third occasionally pauses action for worldbuilding explanations that, while necessary, can feel front-loaded
The novel's length (around 600+ pages) will reward patient readers but may test those seeking tighter plotting. Some subplots—particularly involving Paragon's internal politics—could have been trimmed without sacrificing core themes.
The Verdict: A Promising Beginning
Queen of Faces by Petra Lord announces a distinctive new voice in dark fantasy. Lord combines the moral complexity of R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War with the queer sensibilities of Tamsyn Muir's Locked Tomb series, filtered through a distinctly original magical system and setting. The novel refuses easy categorization—it's simultaneously a heist story, a dark academia thriller, a meditation on identity, and a critique of power structures.
The prose occasionally reaches for poetry and achieves it, particularly in Ana's moments of reflection on transformation and metamorphosis. Lord understands that real change—whether of body, mind, or society—requires destruction alongside creation. The caterpillar must dissolve in the cocoon before wings emerge.
As the first book in the Queen of Faces series, it establishes compelling mysteries for future volumes while delivering a complete, if occasionally devastating, arc. Readers who appreciate morally grey protagonists, intricate plotting, and worldbuilding that interrogates real-world systems of oppression will find much to love here. Those seeking straightforward heroism or uncomplicated romance should look elsewhere.
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