Masquerade of Mirrors

by Samantha Hartwood

The only thing more dangerous than falling for a lie
is falling for the liar.


Don’t look at the desert. Don’t think about the desert. Never step onto the sand. Taera has followed these rules her entire life—until he arrives.

Impossibly gorgeous, with a face masked in magic, Nikolai kidnaps Taera and drags her deep into the dunes. He says she’s powerful and needs to be trained…if she ever wants to see her family again.

Thrust into a deadly school of illusions and lies, Taera can’t trust anyone. Especially not her breathtaking, ruthless captor. Top student and notorious liar, his secrets run deeper than the sand. He’s her worst nightmare—and everything she craves.

The cutthroat Halls of Glass have a mind of their own. Trapped within their looping corridors, Taera is surrounded by hostile students and forced to rely on Nikolai.

Taera knows she shouldn’t fall for his illusions. But magic requires a partnership, and he’s the only mage who can handle her wild, untamed power.

And the only way he’ll help her is if she pretends to be his.


Masquerade of Mirrors is a fast-paced, slow-burn fantasy romance. Taera and Nikolai’s story is for readers who love crackling chemistry, daring escape plans, and as many lies as truths. This book is highly addictive and contains adult content.
~~~

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

592 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC read - this is my completely honest review.
This book had me absolutely hooked. The dual POV worked so well, and the world itself is incredibly rich and unique, I felt fully immersed from the beginning. The academy setting paired with the magic system was fascinating, and everything felt thoughtfully built rather than overwhelming.
The characters and their dynamics were easily one of my favorite parts. The enemies-to-lovers tension (my favorite trope) was done really well, and the dialogue felt natural and engaging throughout. Some of the raw emotions genuinely got to me, diving into grief and self acceptance. I was constantly thinking about this story when I wasn’t reading, dying to see how everything would play out.
And that twist? Damn! Completely caught me off guard in the best way. The ending was beautiful and left me feeling genuinely satisfied. This is my first five-star read of 2026, and I already know it’s going to stick with me for a long time.

[Hulda · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Read ✨

Masquerade of Mirrors delivers a richly layered fantasy with dual POVs, enemies to lovers, and a slow-burn romance set inside a dark, magical world that clearly took a lot of care to build.

I really enjoyed the complexity of the magic system and world-building—it leans heavily into mystery and intrigue, giving off strong dark academia fantasy vibes. The enemies-to-lovers tension was there, and the slow burn worked well overall, even if it tested my patience at times.

That said, the story occasionally felt like it was dragging the plot, with moments of mystery that felt more unnecessarily vague than intriguing. I also struggled with the MMC’s complexity—not in a compelling way, but in a way that left me feeling somewhat disconnected from the romance, which made the love story fall a little flat emotionally despite the 🌶️🌶️ moments.

Fans of magical worlds, dark academia aesthetics, romantasy, layered lore, and slow-burn fantasy romance will likely enjoy this one.

✨ Thank you to Samantha Hartwood and BookSirens for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nikki Ibarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review | No Spoilers ✨

Masquerade of Mirrors is dark, immersive fantasy done right.

This is a story about survival, power, and the lies we tell to protect ourselves. The desert is alive. The magic is dangerous. The secrets run deep. And every character feels like they’re hiding something.

Taera is a compelling FMC resilient, clever, and stubborn in the best way. The world-building is rich and atmospheric, and the tension simmers on every page.

This book doesn’t comfort you.
It challenges you.
It lures you deeper.

If you love slow-burn fantasy romance with morally gray energy and a beautifully dangerous world, put this on your TBR immediately.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masquerade of Mirrors was such a unique book, with such different magic systems and settings. This book had the most delicious of slow burns, the perfect balance of keeping you on your toes and teasing you a little. The spice was amazing, but the plot was still there with fun adventures and intriguing character development.

Everytime I put this book down, I was thinking about when I could pick it up again. 🤭

I would recommend this book to all my book friends! 🫶🏻 🪄

[Matthew Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well paced, slow burn romance with a well thought out and unique magic system. I was entertained all the way through and really bought in to the back and forth between our FMC and MMC.

As a debut novel Masquerade of Mirrors stands out for it's expert blend of fantasy lore, romance and overall storytelling. I can't wait to recommend this to anyone who will listen but if you enjoy slow burn, enemies to lovers romances this book is definitely for you!

[Alexandra]

ARC review pending...

[Gali · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Masquerade of Mirrors” by Samantha Hartwood is an enticing romantasy with all the tropes that I love: dark academia, intrigue, enemies to lovers, and magic. I came for the tropes and stayed for the plot and the writing.

Written in a dual first-person POV, the book follows two protagonists whose worlds clash and are upended. Twenty-four-year-old Taera has spent her entire life in the desert with her grandfather and younger brother, caring for them after her mother’s death. She was warned never to enter the desert, so as not to risk its lure. All that changes when a student magician, Nikolai, enters the picture - saving her from the clutches of a robber mage and dragging her to the Halls of Glass, a deadly school of illusions, lies, and secrets, all for her own good, of course. Or so he claims.

Taera has wild powers that must be trained if she ever wants to go home. The other students hate her, she is a fish out of water, and Nikolai is a manipulative liar with his own agenda. Unfortunately, he is also the only one who can handle her magic. Amid various escape attempts, she has to find her footing, control her power, and sift the truth from the sand of lies to survive - not an easy task in a place built on smoke and mirrors.

I enjoyed the book very much. It pulls the reader into the plot from the very first moment. The writing is smooth and immersive, making it effortless to get lost in the story. The author’s style balances heart, intrigue, and magic beautifully, creating a book that remains engaging from start to finish. I especially loved that both the school and the desert feel almost sentient, with minds of their own, reacting to the students’ emotions.

None of the students show their real faces - literally and figuratively - hiding behind masks and glamour, except for our heroine, and I loved that about her. I admired Taera’s courage, determination, and devotion to her family, even though some of her actions were thoughtless, and she was often too trusting and forgiving. Since most of the chapters are from her POV, it’s easy to connect with her and experience the world through fresh eyes, in contrast to Nikolai’s jaded perspective. I have to admit, I liked her more than Nikolai, though he did grow on me, eventually.

That said, I didn’t like Nikolai’s attitude. He explains nothing to Taera, lies through his teeth, and essentially throws her into the deep end. I could understand where he was coming from, but it didn’t justify his cruelty or fickleness. Still, both characters are complex, and I enjoyed their dynamic and interactions.

The world-building was excellent. I loved the setting, the morally gray characters, the slow-burn romance, and the magic. The magic system felt unique, even if not everything was fully explained. The book works as a standalone, but it is also the first in a planned series, The Halls of Glass, and I hope future installments will expand further on the magic and the secrets of the desert.

Overall, I loved the book, though it could probably be tightened up a bit toward the end. I would have liked more focus on the lessons, but this is a minor issue in the larger scheme of things. As a debut novel, it is an impressive achievement, rich in intrigue, atmosphere, and emotional depth. I highly recommend it to fans of intense, emotionally driven stories that explore themes such as trauma, grief, found family, and the need for belonging. Full stars from me!

Content Warnings: Sexual content, Bullying, Confinement, Sexual harassment, Adult content. Additional triggers are listed at the start of the book.

* I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...

[Jamie (Books and Ladders) · Rating 3 out of 5]

See this review and more on Books and Ladders!

Content Warnings: sexual content, Alcohol (magical, one scene), Death of parent (off page), Mental illness (magical), Terminal illness (magical), Addiction (to magic), Panic attacks/disorders (mild, on page), Abandonment, Sexual harassment (stripped naked, not by MMC), Blood (tending his wounds), Sexual assault (tricked into kiss, not by MMC), Suicide (of parent, off-page), Bullying, Violence, Confinement (in magic school, between closing walls), Cursing, Chronic illness (magical), Gaslighting (frequent lies), Dysphoria (magical appearances), Grief, Kidnapping, Transphobia (references to outer world), Homophobia (brief surprise, no aversion), Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Slavery (vague reference), Vomit (non-explicit)

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

Rating: 2.5/5, rounded up

If this had been about 200 pages shorter, it would have been a 5-star read. But there was just too much included that I felt took away from the plot and dragged the story in a way that it didn't need to be, leading to me not really enjoying that last bit of the novel. For a debut fantasy, I think this was a great start and I would be interested in seeing what comes next.

Taera was a really great main character and I liked being in her perspective a lot. Her willingness to learn and be open to new ideas was the perfect canvas for the story. I appreciated that she was brought into a new world that she couldn't always understand and that she accepted and rolled with it.

Nikolai's perspective was interesting, especially as the magic began to impact him throughout the story and we saw some of the changes at the end. I almost wish more of the chapters had been from his perspective so that we could get a different sense of what it meant to be magical within this world. I think we as readers would have benefited from seeing more of his plans from his perspective.

I would have liked a bit more explanation of how the magic system worked beyond the few pieces we saw. There was a lot of really intriguing pieces about being a source vs a conduit that I think could have been explored more within the school as Taera got more of a grasp of magic, which would have only added an extra layer to the character development of everyone in the story and to the slow burn romance.

There are a few threads of the story that weren't closed or felt as though they led to nowhere. For example, the desert left me with more questions than it answered and seemed like it would be a bigger plot point than it was. Because of that, I kept questioning when we would get back to it which led me to not being as invested in the school plotline.

The slow burn romance was good, even though I didn't always feel the connection between Nikolai and Taera. I wasn't as convinced as I wanted to be about them being into one another or why Nikolai would be interested in Taera, even though we were able to see his perspective. It made more sense that he wanted to use her and her magic than it did that he would actually love her. Their spicy scenes were really well done though and the inclusion of magic just made them that much better.

I think if you're a fan of magical schools and intriguing fantasy systems, this will be a great read for you! I am interested in seeing what comes next from the author and as part of the series.

Like my reviews? Buy me a Ko-Fi!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. I give this one 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.

I was really into this until about 60% of the way through the book, when it kind of lost me. Usually I'm very much a "yes" on standalone books, but I feel like this is one that could have benefitted from being a series.

The magic system initially really drew me in, because in the Halls of Glass (where magicians are all illusionists), nobody wears their own face and they are generally very out there about it. The descriptions of some of the fake faces were really cool. The benefits of this as it was utilized and explained for nonbinary characters was really interesting and well done. And, overall, it just seemed cool. But because illusion magic appears to be the ONLY magic that exists in this world, it kind of fell apart for me. My brain is honestly a little bit broken by it, I don't know how to describe my frustrations with it other than to say it creates the MOST unreliable narrator you could possibly have because if you get hit by an illusion and feel pain, are you actually injured or are you just feeling pain? And if illusions fall apart if you don't believe in them, how does any of the magical stuff exist and what is the point of the illusioned faces?

Anyway, I could go on about that for a while. If you don't think too deeply about it, it probably just stays really cool. But my brain went down a rabbit hole of confusion.


Aside from the magic confusion though, where this really fell apart for me and the reason I think this should have been more than one book is that (1) Taera's feelings about the Halls of Glass, and the evolution of those feelings, feels very rushed and (2) for a magical academy book there really wasn't much time spent on/at the actual academic parts and what there was didn't go that deep. Also, the title is Masquerade of Mirrors, implying a masquerade. There is one, but it is an incredibly short portion of the book and most of it could have been cut and it would have changed nothing about the book.

Finally, an in conjunction with the point above about Taera's feelings, there is a lot happening with Taera and her prejudice against magicians based on a bad experience in her past. This comes up in her opinions of everyone in the Halls of Glass from Nikolai, to her friends Annie and Omi, to mean girl Jezebel. There is ONE moment where Taera thinks something like "you know what, I was wrong. Not every magician is a bad person. I can learn my magic and still be who I am." Then ONE thing happens, with someone who has been mean to her for the entire book, and suddenly she is back to "I was right before! Magicians are all terrible! My friends aren't my friends! I hate them and I'm never coming back!" Even at the end, she never explicitly walks that back.

Stylistically, the author's writing is enjoyable to read. The desert world is atmospheric, and I wish it had been explained a bit more what the connection is between the desert and the magic. If you like fantasy romance you will probably enjoy this as long as you aren't looking to engage too critically with your reading material.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to the author for the opportunity to review the ARC of this book. It was an easy read that captivated from the very beginning and held my attention for the whole story. I really liked the switch in perspective between the two lead characters; it enhanced the story flow for me.

There is a reason romantasy has become so popular; placing relatable characters in a strange new world of infinite creative possibility is a heady mix. This story takes advantage of that space to explore the very real issues of power and control, and particularly, the role of truth-telling and the courage it takes to be true to yourself when that truth comes with a consequence.

There was much to enjoy about the enemies to lovers / forced proximity storyline. I loved the characters and their nuances. Although I found the overuse of the word 'hate' in the first few chapters grating, we moved past that and it was worth it for the journey. It would have been great to get to know some of the secondary characters a little more, their diversity was a joy. I also loved the illusions and costumes depicted so beautifully by the author, it was difficult not to be wistful of the ease with which a full and fantastical ensemble could be created.

While keeping in mind a key theme of the story was power, its use and misuse, and how young people learn to navigate in a world of the very powerful, I still found some of the interactions a bit overblown for me. The nemesis character had quite the 'mean girls' vibe about her.

I found the lead character's loyalty to her own code and beliefs, even when existing in a world that did not value those beliefs, to be highly satisfying. She was strong, even in her uncertain moments, and was guided by her principles. Nice.

I do have one question for the author. I had the impression the carriage did not stop until it reached its destination. How did they manage to spend days in a moving carriage deep in the unrelenting desert without needing a bathroom? Maybe I missed something?

Overall, this book is a great addition to the genre and well worth a read.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The cover is gorgeous and catches your eye. This book has it all! It captures world building, flow, vivid imagery and pacing beautifully. I was in the story the entire time! Samantha writes like a seasoned pro and this is just her debut book!

Taera finds herself kidnapped by Nikolai, a magician, and taken from the people she loves. She is told she needs to be trained in the power she never knew she had. I love that this takes place somewhere different from many other stories involving magic. I also love the illusionist magic. Not everything is as it seems.

Taera is a very strong, fierce, stubborn, determined woman, because she has needed to be. Now, she is thrown into a situation that will test her resilience. Taera and Nikolai are great! I love the banter and the angst! Ahhh, these two characters are so good; which means, Samantha did an incredible job writing them! The side characters also add to the story.

Wow, again I say,"Wow!" This was beautiful; I LOVED it! It was not a book I wanted to put down! I had to know what happened! It was new and refreshing. It has a unique magic system with incredible characters. Do yourself a favor and add this to the top of your TBR! You won't be disappointed! This is a 6 ⭐️ read!

Thank you Samantha and BookFunnel for the ARC.

"Nikolai is like quicksand: I have no clue when he'll support me or let me drown."

"This source is my undoing."

"Being real isn't something that requires one more relic. It's a choice you make right now, of what's most important to you."

Masquerade of Mirrors
Samantha Hartwood

[Sanjanah Srinivasan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly it was a little annoying how he kept fooling her and she keeps believing everything he says instead of maybe trying to find out some answers herself!

And the continuous denial when the harlot revealed the truth was even more pathetic! And her friends being in on the lie too? I wouldn't have forgiven them even if I'm dead! No matter how big the cause, u don't break the girl code or the bestie code!

I can't make myself believe that he loves her even at the end! Dude goes to a ball with the harlot and lets her humiliate her and then goes taera is mine infront of everyone after she's humiliated😂
The love, romance or whatever it is, feels shallow! Also her wanting to dress up the best so he can feel bad for not asking out? If I were her,I would've dropped his ass then and there! But no, she just wants to grab his attention 😭...she gave me major doormat vibes 😭
And the immediate sex after the fuck up was disappointing too!

I don't like it when they don't address the issue and jump straight to "sex and I love you's, like it wasn't him lying and manipulating her for the most part of the book!

This is a good one for those who like to read Abt the MMC lying and manipulating and using FMC for his own agenda!

But yeh this one is not for me! I can forgive the lying but I can't ever forgive someone if they manipulate and use me! And he even has a pattern! Screams "CON ARTIST"😭

So I can't connect with her forgiving him🙂‍↔️

But yeah the writing was okay and plot was good too!

Can give a solid 3 ⭐⭐⭐

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Liza Buss · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

I went into Masquerade of Mirrors expecting a fun romantasy, and instead I was completely consumed.

This story follows Taera, a 24-year-old heroine (finally!) who is quiet, stubborn, and far more powerful than she realizes. After being rescued from a mage by the enigmatic magician Nikolai, she’s taken across the desert to the Halls of Glass - a dangerous school of illusions, lies, and political games where magic is as beautiful as it is deadly.

From the first chapter, I could not put this book down. The pacing is addictive, the twists are sharp, and the illusion-based magic system feels genuinely fresh. The Halls themselves almost feel alive with looping corridors, secrets layered upon secrets, and students who are never quite what they seem.

The romance is a true slow burn - agonizing in the best way. Nikolai is equal parts ruthless, guarded, and magnetic, and the tension between him and Taera builds steadily until it finally ignites near the very end. If you’re someone who loves emotional payoff over instant gratification, this will absolutely work for you.

Tropes & vibes:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Dark academia
✨ Forced proximity
✨ One bed
✨ Found family
✨ Unique illusion-based magic
✨ Slow burn romance

This is especially impressive as a debut novel. The worldbuilding, emotional restraint, and confidence in letting the story breathe all stood out to me. I’ll be thinking about these characters and the Halls of Glass for a long time.

Highly recommend pre-ordering if you love romantasy with atmosphere, tension, and depth.

[Sarah's Always Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic scrolling late night Instagram find when I came across a post from Samantha Hartwood looking for ARC reads. I applied and 20 minutes later I had the book downloaded. I was shocked at how much I loved this standalone romantasy book. It was so well written and while the magical world and Halls of Glass were unique it was easy to follow and understand. I fell into the pages and didn't get out till I finished- there were tears, I might have cursed a few times (darn it Nik) and through it all I discovered a new author that is now on my always MUST READ list.

Taera and Nikolai have a unique back and forth interaction where they want to hate each other but are drawn to each other instead like a moth to the flame. At times it is painful to read because you know how unhealthy it is for Taera. Because she grew up in a remote desert village, Taera has an innocence about her but she is also strong willed, stubborn and a loyal friend. I thought it was interesting the academia is referred to as the Halls of Glass because Taera to me is sand shaped under force to become glass. She is forced to survive the HoG and become a magician as her views on her past and magic change.

Overall this is such a beautiful written novel. I do wish Nik had slightly better redeeming character arc / qualities at the end. The masquerade will absolutely break you and cause you to cry- I'm not sure I got past that.

5 Stars
2.5 Spicy

Tropes:
- Dark Academia
-One bed
- He kidnaps her
- Fake dating
-Morally grey/ black MMC
-Unique magic system
-She is definitely the outcast of the school

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ARC review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I should protect her. But I don’t want to protect her. I want to possess her. I want her to be mine. I want to have those gorgeous eyes—bottomless brown like the twilight sand—fixed on me.”

“Somewhere between the mirrors and the glass, amidst the beauty and the danger, I had completely and utterly given myself to this magician. Somewhere in the warmth of his arms and his seductive imagination.”

I went into 2026 with a solid thought of not reading any ARC
books as my TBR is contains as many books as bookstore.
This strong determination only lasted for a whole of 6 days till I came across Masquerade of Mirrors on BookSirens and I fell in love with it instantly.
There is no way this a debut book! It was executed perfectly, there was nothing I didn’t love about it (like seriously, I’ve highlighted so many parts that the whole book is basically yellow)! I devoured it within days and loved every chapters of it!!!
The entire story is so unique and the main characters both perfect (Justice for all the blond MMCs- Nikolai is going to break every readers heart!).
I am so extremely grateful that I was able to read the book early and can’t wait for the release date when I can finally order the physical copy of this truly magical piece of art.
Samantha Hartwood you are just as great magician with your word as Nikolai with his fingers!
Loved loved loved this book ❤️

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop. Whatever you are doing. Yes, you. Put this book on your TBR immediately if you love academia settings, enemies-to-lovers tension, and elite touch her and die energy. I am not asking. I am telling.

This book was phenomenal.

The world building? A desert with a hidden academy, both with a mind of their own. Literally. It breathes, it shifts, it watches. It is unsettling and fascinating and completely immersive. Perfection.

The characters? Flawed. Messy. Stubborn. Headstrong. Exactly how I like them. Taera and Nikolai are walking chaos in human form, and their chemistry is electric because they are both so unapologetically themselves. Nikolai kidnaps Taera and drags her into a world she despises, an academy full of people who would happily see her humiliated, broken, or worse… and somehow the tension between them just keeps tightening like a wire pulled too far.

Enemies-to-lovers is done right here. No insta-feelings. No softening too quickly. Just friction, resentment, sparks, and an undercurrent of something dangerous and addictive.

And can we talk about the fact that this book does not end on a cliffhanger? Bless this author. Truly. I am emotionally fragile and deeply appreciative.

I don’t know if Samantha Hartwood plans to return to this world, but I desperately hope she does. Because I am not done with these characters. I am not done with this academy. And I am absolutely not done with this story.

Read it. Immediately.

[Melina · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review | Bilingual | No spoilers

I received an advanced copy thanks to the incredible author Samantha Hartwood, and let me tell you, her debut novel is truly entertaining.

First of all, the enemies-to-lovers trope is my absolute favorite, and the author developed it in a very satisfying way. The dual POV kept me glued to the pages, and to be honest, Nikolai’s perspective was my favorite. I would have loved even more of him!

The source/conduit magic system was really interesting, however, I felt the world-building could have gone a bit deeper.

Overall, the book is a great read and I highly recommend it to all romantasy lovers. You will truly find yourselves laughing and blushing like teenagers all over again.

****

Recibí una copia avanzada gracias a la increíble autora Samantha Hartwood y déjenme decirles que su novela debut es verdaderamente entretenida.

Primero que nada, el trope de enemies to lovers es mi favorito y la autora lo desarrolló de una manera muy satisfactoria. El doble punto de vista me mantuvo pegada al libro y, para serles sincera, el de Nikolai fue mi preferido, me hubiera gustado leerlo más.

La temática de fuente/conducto fue realmente interesante, sin embargo, sentí que se pudo ahondar más en el tema. En general, el libro es muy entretenido y ligero, lo recomiendo ampliamente a todos amantes del romantasy. En verdad van a estar riendo y sonrojándose como adolescentes de nuevo.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC from the author. My review is my own!


A great enemies to lovers set in a school full of liars and illusions. Masquerade of Mirrors follows Taera a normal young lady from a small town that sits along the desert, a dangerous wild place that covers everything with sand and discoloration. The desert is alluring though, and consistently calls to Taera.

Nikolai is a powerful dangerous magician. With a whole army of secrets. When he stumbles across Taera he decides he needs to save her and brings her to his school a school made out of glass hidden in the very desert she was taught to fear.

Taera has grown up knowing everything about mages and magic to be dangerous and avoided. Which fuels her hatred for everything about the school, about the magicians in the school, about magic and most of all her savior Nikolai.

This story is fast paced and enticing. You start to feel like Taera questioning everything about the world around her. What is real and what is fake. What is an illusion or not. The tension that builds under the surface of both main characters leaves you aching turning the pages to find out what happens next.

If you love a dark academia setting, enemies to lovers, forced proximity then you need to pick this up. Releases on Feb 17th 2026! Thank you author Samantha Hartwood for the ARC!

[Natalie Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

OHHH YES 😍☕️📚✨ Masquerade of Mirrors is the kind of romantasy that pulls you in fast and doesn’t let go. Dark academia vibes? Magic wrapped in secrets and illusions? A desert that feels alive and watching you? CHEECCCKKKKM! Samantha is also the kindest author and truly cares about her readers! U have lived supporting and getting to know her!

The world-building is so immersive and atmospheric — I could literally see the Halls of Glass in my head like a movie. The magic system felt fresh and intriguing, and I loved how everything had this “not everything is what it seems” energy the entire time. Every chapter felt like it was hiding something (in the best way).

Taera is such a strong FMC:
She is resilient, determined, and thrown into a situation that would break most people. And Nikolai… okay listen. He is snarky, frustrating, morally gray, and absolutely impossible to ignore 😮‍💨😂 I ate up their dynamic. The banter, the tension, the slow-burn energy… it was giving why do I love this man even when he’s being the worst?

This book has action, intrigue, emotional depth, and that delicious “I NEED to know what happens next” pacing. It’s intense, immersive, and so addictive.

If you love dark academia romantasy, enemies-to-lovers tension, morally gray characters, and magic with secrets on secrets, put this on your TBR immediately. ✨🖤

[sweetly.obsessed · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
4.5/5 stars ⭐

I was officially sat and fully invested after just a couple chapters. This story finished me and left me thinking for days!
105 short, punchy chapters that made the almost 600 page book fly by.
Plot twists that actually made my jaw drop. I even jokingly guessed the final twist, but seeing it actually play out? I was still stunned.
This book had me in my feelings and crying more than once. The world-building is immersive, but the character dynamics are what kept me up until 3 AM.

⚠️ POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD - PROCEED WITH CAUTION ⚠️
Can we talk about the MMC? Because I'm still on the fence. I want to be supportive since the FMC is trying to forgive him, but real-life me? I would have hit him with a frying pan. 🍳🚫
The sheer volume of lies was insane. I definitely caught those hints of him being addicted to the power. Not just the magic, but also the control he felt from the illusions and the lying itself. That internal dialogue closer to the end where he’s fighting the urge to pile on more lies gave major "compulsive liar" energy.
Needless to say, he is not getting a spot on my Book Boyfriend list. I need honesty, not a man who needs a magic intervention! ✋😂

[Courtney Rainbolt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a devastatingly romantic and truly gut-wrenching story. This is dark academia fantasy served up on a platter of illusion. It’s a slow-burn, enemies to lovers story about learning to accept yourself and all your trauma.

The worldbuilding is atmospheric and immersive, steeped in secrets, power, and deception, where nothing is quite what it seems. The story is heavy with themes of identity and self-perception, using mirrors, masks, and magic as both literal and emotional devices.

Taera and Nikolai’s romance unfolds at a deliberate pace, built on tension, distrust, and moments of reluctant vulnerability. Such a sloooooooooow burn where you find yourself screaming “OH MY GOSH WILL YOU JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!”

The emotional payoff is devastating in the best way — the kind that lingers long after you’ve put the book down. Mostly because of that whiplash you get towards the end. This isn’t a love story that ignores trauma: it acknowledges it, sits with it, and asks what it really means to be seen and accepted.

Truly such a great, moody book.


***This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided by the publisher via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.***

[Soha Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Masquerade of Mirrors is a rich, atmospheric fantasy that intertwines dark magic, intricate politics, and emotionally charged relationships. Samantha Hartwood crafts a world full of secrets, hidden agendas, and layered characters whose choices carry real consequences.

The setting is one of the highlights — lavish masquerades, dangerous courts, and shadowy corners come alive with vivid detail that makes the world feel both intoxicating and treacherous. Magic here isn’t neat or safe; it’s nuanced, whispered about, feared, and costly.

The characters are complex and morally gray in all the best ways. You’ll find yourself rooting for them even when they make questionable decisions, because they feel real — conflicted, vulnerable, and driven by motives that are often as much emotional as they are political.

Plot twists land with impact, pacing stays engaging, and the tension between personal desire versus duty keeps the story thrilling from beginning to end. If you’re into fantasy full of intrigue, secrets, and emotional stakes, this one’s worth a read.

[Corina Bair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of beta reading this and I can’t wait to be able to talk about it more and tell my friends to read it! You’ll love this book if you like academia romantasy - especially with unreliable narrators (what is lie and what is truth??) and learning about the world alongside the main character.

I've never read a book with this type of magic system before, and I read over 200 books every year. That's what I mean when I say this has a unique and really cool magic system. The closest world-building comparison I can make would be Naomi Novik's Scholomance world - where the school is kind of sentient almost, and the dangers react to the students emotions and magic.

Gripping, emotional, spicy, characters with vulnerabilities and growth -so much to love. Oh and no cliffhanger! I can’t wait for more books in this world/series. The next installment is going to be goooooood (Samantha please write fasterrrrrr)

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for fantasy books with unique magic systems, and this one was just perfect. There was a lot of magic involving glass and illusions, and I ate it up. I've never seen glass used as a magical device before (or if I have, I honestly can't remember) but there were some brief moments of stress since the glass correlates with strong emotions. I was chewing on my nails whenever the red glass showed up.
I liked Taera, I had to breathe and count to ten with Nikolai. He just made things unnecessarily difficult, and I get it, illusions is a large part of who he is. There were just so many times where I was frustrated with him. I felt bad for Taera because it was just nonstop b.s with Nikolai. BUT the end of the book made up for it, it was really angsty and I love my angst.
Also..."We match." had me screaming. Happy screams of course because my girl deserved a lil cute moment after everything.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Masquerade of Mirrors has an intriguing premise and a lush, atmospheric setup that pulled me in early. There’s a strong sense of mystery and glamour woven through the world, and several moments genuinely caught my attention. I enjoyed the overall vibe and found parts of the story engaging enough to keep me reading.

That said, I never fully fell in love with it. A noticeable number of plot threads felt more like filler than meaningful development, and several of them didn’t seem to lead anywhere. Instead of building tension or deepening the characters, these side elements sometimes slowed the momentum. I kept waiting for certain pieces to tie together, but many simply didn’t.

Still, the core idea is compelling, and there’s enough charm in the setting and concept to make it an enjoyable read. It just didn’t quite deliver the cohesion or payoff I was hoping for. Solid in creativity and atmosphere.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Brin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
.
4.5 Stars
.
This book is a very enjoyable and complex read.
with a unique magic system that slowly reveals itself, forcing the two main characters to work together even when theyre on opposite sides of everything.

Taera is such a warm FMC, new to her abilities but completely honest and open in the way she cares for the people around her. she's naive but not in a negative way, which allows for logical growth without complete change

Nikolai has a moral code that only he understands, carefully crafted in every moment to only show what he wants others to see, which makes the chapters from his pov exciting and revealing

overall its a love story, about every kind of love that fills a person and makes them who they are, and all the ways that can twist and change for better or worse

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors descriptions were written very well. It played out like a movie in my head. The world building is unique and kept me interested and wanting to know more. I absolutely loved the illusionist magic. It was done really nicely here. Kept me captivated guessing what we could or could not trust. I really enjoyed Taera. She is everything I want in a FMC smart, resilient and driven. Her devotion to her family and friends makes her a very relatable character. Nikolai was such a mystery. Taera could never quite grasp when he would help her or let her down. The banter and angst between them is palpable. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys enemies to lovers, magic systems, dual POV, dark academia or slow burn romance. I would definitely recommend this to others. Congratulations to Samantha Hartwood on her debut novel.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I loved the dual POV, it really worked for this book! The academy setting and the magic system was detailed but not overly complex. The characters and their dialogue with one another was one of the best parts of the book! And the enemies to lovers is my favorite troupe and Samantha Hartwood got it perfectly! I did not see the twist coming! Maybe if I had not been so captivated by the story the entire time, but wow I was knocked onto the floor literally and wanted to throw my kindle! There was just the right amount of spice and tension between the main characters. The ending wrapped up the book perfectly and left me thinking about this book long after I finished it! Thank you so much Samantha Hartwood and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Rogue Kayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was mesmerising. It pulled out quite a few emotions for me as well.

I will admit it did take me a few chapters to get into, as i found the world building a little slow, but then the action just came out of no where and the whole plot fell into place. Twists and turns everywhere (pun intended)

It was also refreshing for the mages to be painted as the villian in some sense. Instead of being the good guys.

The main characters relationship had me gripped from the start. Who doesnt love an enemies to lovers trope. They had me feeling all sorts of emotion, from frustration, to heartwarming, even down to crying my eyes out.

If you like enemies to lovers, magic, deception, even heartbreak all happening in the desert amoungst sand and glass, then this is the book for you!!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[iris [updating reviews] · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have lots of mixed feelings about this one. The book started off well and the story had a great progression. I loved the fantasy elements and the world building though there were some aspects of the book that weren't well-explained. Some of the characters [especially the MCs] were a little less likable and the romance between the main characters was shallow. That's my biggest complaint regarding the book and that unfortunately led to me shaving a star off my final rating. The plot, however, was great and a few of the side characters were lovely.

Thank you to Samantha Hartwood and BookSirens for this ARC.