A Cunning Thief. A Rebel General. One Deadly Game of Revenge.After being spared execution by a mysterious masked handler – who both infuriates and mesmerizes her – Ines de la Vega is thrust into a world of rebellion and winged warriors.
Her mission is to score the biggest payday of her criminal career, she must assume the identity of a lady of high society and deceive the elite by seducing the son of the Master of Justice and infiltrate the enemy’s inner circle to report her findings to the rebels.
But when she allows her growing feelings for her general and ghosts from her past to cloud her better judgment, she realizes what was supposed to be an in-and-out job void of attachment proves to be the opposite.
Ines finds herself invested in the fight against the Soberano – fifteen years of reigning in tyranny, whispers of rebellion begin to circulate, and Ines is determined to bring a corrupt government and its illegitimate ruler to their knees.
Storytelling is in Morgan Gauthier’s blood; She can’t seem to turn her brain off at night and some of her best ideas have come to her in the shower.
Born to two book-loving parents, Morgan was raised on a healthy diet of The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, and any fantasy book she could get her hands on. She started writing her own stories at eleven years old and hasn’t looked back.
Wolves of Adalore was her first self-published YA Fantasy title and since then, she has published a Contemporary Romance (Aloha, Seattle) with the second YA Fantasy installment in the Mark of the Hunter Trilogy (The Red Maiden) coming in April of 2022.
Morgan Gauthier lives in East Tennessee with her husband and best friend, Brad, with their three children, Remi, Archer, and Roux (who are 4 years old and younger!). If five people wreaking havoc in the same house wasn’t enough, Morgan also has three dogs, Potter, Skye, and Bubba, and one grumpy bird named Titus.
If Morgan isn’t writing or reading, she can be found binge watching Netflix shows, attempting to cook like Gordon Ramsay (not even close to his level), and practicing archery.
7/10 - just finished and not quite sure what to rate this book. I think I may have to do a reread closer to the release date to get a better idea on how I like the book. The biggest thing for me is that real life got in the way and I was only able to read a chapter or two at a time some days and then there would be multiple days in between those so the pacing most likely felt slower than it actually was. So between real life and being a mood reader, I will try to remain as objective as possible.
Character wise, I find myself being more drawn to the side/minor characters. Not that the main characters were terrible, but I think the character archetypes are ones that are really prevalent in recent publications and I kind of want something different. The banter seemed kind of forced or awkward at times but I do remember there were times where I just wanted more lore/world-building and the characters just wanted to banter. If you’ve read some of the author’s previous works, the banter is very similar to what she has written previously (which I loved) so if you’ve read liked those, you should like the banter in this one as well.
I loved how Spanish and Hispanic culture influenced the world of Orlencia. It was a nice break from more “traditional” European/British influences in fantasy. The descriptions of buildings, smells, and fashion helped paint a picture in my head without being over explained/bogging down the story with unnecessary details. There’s even a recipe for a special treat included and I can’t wait to try and make them.
In terms of plot and pacing, it’s a pretty slow build and I don’t think I really locked into it until maybe almost halfway through the story. With new fantasy series, I usually give the book about 100 pages to really establish the world, characters, and general plot. With this book hitting just over 350 pages, it hit the threshold for what I normally give books. The beginning had enough action/intrigue to hook me in and keep reading, but then there was a necessary chunk of the book dedicated to setting up the plot both for Ines (the FMC) and the reader. Like I stated earlier, it more likely felt slower because of real life impeding my progress rather than the actual story. I think the author actually could’ve spent more time exploring Orlencia but this book one of a duology as opposed to a trilogy or epic fantasy.
There’s a trigger list in the beginning of the book that lists some potential triggering subject matter. To me this is more of a precaution because there’s no extreme/gratuitous detail with some of the darker elements, but I think out of respect for the reader, it’s better to warn and not trigger someone rather than catch someone off guard and trigger an episode.
The comparison (comp) titles are The Mask of Zorro, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Six of Crows, but Zorro definitely stands out as the most accurate and prevalent. There’s a specific plot point in the the Hunchback that is evident and the Six of Crows comp works well in terms of a band of six people with different skill sets doing some sort of heist against the rich.
Overall it’s a decent book and with how it ended, I’m really looking forward to the next book.
Secrets of the Six is the first in a duology perfect for fans of Zorro, six of crows, and the hunchback of notre dame! I’m so excited for this to be released into the world and I NEED the next book asap!! Because that ending??
Morgan Gauthier has a talent for writing multi-layered characters and revealing their history/backgrounds in a way that has me SOBBING, and rooting for their happily ever after. It’s no different in this book, as we follow Ines, who has had a pretty crappy past and now put in a situation where she has to help find info in order to get herself out of a sticky situation. If that sounds vague I’m SORRY but trying to not say anything spoilery. Because some of the reveals and twists in here has me gobsmacked 😱🤣
Then we have our MMC as well, and they are so perfect for each other 😭 they are forced into this partnership and work together for their shared goal. The slow BURN AND ANGST—I freaking ate it all up. He has his own demons and past as well and my heart hurts for him!!! It’s brutal.
Another thing I loved and that I’m looking forward to in book 2, is the WORLDDDDD omg. I know we’re going to be learning so much more but you already see how vast the world is and the stakes they’re fighting for is really that high. Oof I’m getting chills just thinking about it rn.
Anyway, Secrets of the Six releases this year and I highly recommend!!! Two releases this year, we are spoiled.
I'm going to start with the end of this book because... what do you mean that's where it ends?! 😐😱 I need to know what happens next! I have so many questions... my questions have questions!
Okay, rant over...
Secret of the Six is a vastly different type of story from what I'm usually used to reading from Morgan Gauthier, and I really enjoyed it. I loved the Spanish flair woven throughout, from the lingo to the food, dance styles, and deeply immersive world-building. She has done a fantastic job crafting this story, and I'm excited to see what comes next.
Ines is a powerful character who is strong, sassy, and hilarious, and I loved following her journey from start to finish. I found myself swinging between swooning over Remus and wanting to punch him at times, but by the end, he became a much more understood character. I especially loved watching his growth from someone who struggled to trust Ines, to someone willing to burn the world down for her.
Overall, this story kept me intrigued, invested in the spy missions and rebel activities, completely immersed in its world, and rooting for Ines, Remus and their little team every step of the way. (And still reeling from that ending!)
Thank you to the author for having me on the early reader team. I can't wait to see what comes next.
For all the ones that loved Antonio Banderas in Zorro because we all know our love for masked men started early, get ready to navigate the rooftops with Ines and Remus in Book 1 of the new Secrets duology from Morgan.
I devoured this in one day because I simply could not put it down. You are going to fall in love with the fierce and sharp mouthed Ines and the flirty bantered mouth of Remus.
When Ines is given an opportunity to help take down the corrupt government, she jumps at the chance, though reluctantly having to work with the masked man who saved her from execution.
She must pretend to be a lady in their society and learn to hold her tongue in order to infiltrate the inner circle. But what starts out as just a job quickly escalates into more when lines get blurred between Remus and Ines.
I loved seeing Remus trying to deny his feelings, this tough general to everyone but it is game over for him when it comes to her. Ines has been alone for a long time and it hurt to see her struggling with her sense of belonging. The way they are able to comfort each other and pull each other back from the edge was so endearing.
After that ending I am desperate for the next book and I cannot wait to see how their story ends!
Morgan has crafted another unique, tension filled world that has a romance that will leave you smiling. The stakes feel real, the characters are super cool, and the plot is unlike any I’ve read before. I can’t wait to see what comes from this world.
She has a way to draw you into a world and make you feel connected to the characters. The world feels so lived in and established rather than just coming into existence at the start of the story. This is added on to by the fact that the story starts right in the middle of an intense action scene. And the stakes stay pretty high for, there.
There’s some great twists throughout, some I saw coming, some I did not. But overall, it left me eagerly waiting to see how the story was going to play out.
The dynamic between the mmc and fmc is so good. There’s tension and banter, a sense of reluctant alliance, and some great moments where they really feel like two halves of a whole.
I will absolutely be reading the second book.
Thank you very much to Morgan Gauthier for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.
Man, what a ride this book is! I had the honor of reading this one early on, and I cannot waaaait for it to be out in the world so I can read it again!!
Secrets of the Six is a wonderfully fresh spin on romantasy, set in a Spanish-inspired setting with major Zorro vibes.
Masked MMC? Say less and take my money.
I absolutely loved the fierce FMC. Morgan has a beautiful way of writing her main characters as so relatable and layered. I love this about her writing.
And speaking of other things I love, the BANTER! It never lets me down. This book is no exception. Every scene between Ines and her masked mystery man is just 🤌 so good.
There is so much beautiful world building and political drama happening in this first book, and it has me so excited to read the conclusion of this duology. ESPECIALLY after that ending!!!!
Ha sido todo un descubrimiento. La actitud de Ines es tan afilada y auténtica que desde el principio te atrapa. Me encanta que no sea la típica heroína perfecta, sino alguien con heridas reales y una lengua que corta.
Se me hizo fácil de leer, los diálogos enganchan y la tensión entre Ines y Salvador se siente a kilómetros. Los secundarios también tienen su peso, hay una escena con Lupe en la cocina, churros con chocolate incluidos, que te hace reír, te pone en alerta y de repente te llena el corazón, todo en tres páginas. Eso es exactamente lo que hace que este libro tenga capas sin hacerse pesado. Tiene la receta de los churros, lo que me pareció un lindo detalle y algo diferente que no se ve en todos los libros.
Al terminarlo te quedas procesando. Es de esos que no puedes simplemente cerrar y seguir con tu día. Muy recomendable.
This story gave me all the feelings I haven't experienced while reading in so long. By chapter three, I was completely hypnotized. The slow burn was angsty, delicious, and everything I wanted. I honestly can't remember the last time I read a romance this good.
The world felt so vibrant, alive, and dangerous. I loved the Spanish-inspired setting, the witty banter, the secret identity, and our FMC, who is an absolute badass. Watching her go through "lady training" was hilarious. She's expected to act all demure when, low-key, she could absolutely kill you. 😂 This book completely scratched my rebel itch.
I kept saying, "Just one more chapter," and before I knew it, it was 2 a.m. It was the first thing I thought about when I woke up the next morning. I did NOT want to leave this world.
I'm in absolute turmoil over that ending and will be picking up book two the second I can get my grubby little fingers on it.
This book was fast paced with a masked MMC and a feisty FMC. What is there not to love? After being saved from execution, Ines joins the rebellion and pretends to be the niece of a wealthy woman so that she can infiltrate the inner circle of corrupt politician. In the process there are spy missions, dance lessons and adventures. She is a sassy survivor who has been hurt and let down by the world but is still going. You can really understand her viewpoint as we learn more about her. Salvador is very broody and will do anything to keep his people safe. I loved how Ines got under his skin. They had plenty of banter and chemistry. I had a really good time with this book. I can't wait to read the next one to see how it all ends!
This was a great book! I love the charcters and the Spanish influence in the plot, dancing and language. The story keeps you engaged and wanting to know what happens next. Left me in suspense and waiting to see what comes next! I was so into the book, I didnt even realize I was at the end until I clicked the last page wanting more! 🤣😭🤣
I had the absolute honor of beta reading this book. The Zorro coded vibes, exciting storyline and swoon worthy angsty romance makes for the perfect start to this duology.
With tropes like: masked MMC, forced proximity, slow burn, betrayal, spying and reluctant partnerships what’s not to love?
MORGAN. This was phenomenal. Secrets of the Six has the most phenomenal and unique world building, the characters are delectable and hilarious, the banter was *chef’s kiss*, mixed with the anger and need for revenge had me inhaling this book in one day.
One of my favorite reads of the year! (Possibly of all time 👀 >yes of all time<)