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Mask of Shadows #1
Mask of Shadows
Sallot Leon is a thief, and a good one at that. But gender fluid Sal wants nothing more than to escape the drudgery of life as a highway robber and get closer to the upper-class--and the nobles who destroyed their home. When Sal steals a flyer for an audition to become a member of The Left Hand-the Queen's personal assassins, named after the rings she wears-Sal jumps at the chance to infiltrate the court and get revenge. But the audition is a fight to the death filled with clever circus acrobats, lethal apothecaries, and vicious ex-soldiers. A childhood as a common criminal hardly prepared Sal for the trials. And as Sal succeeds in the competition, and wins the heart of Elise, an intriguing scribe at court, they start to dream of a new life and a different future, but one that Sal can have only if they survive.
352 pages, Library Binding
First published August 29, 2017
331 people are currently reading
19560 people want to read
About the author
Linsey Miller
14 books1,100 followersOnce upon a time, Linsey Miller studied biology in Arkansas. These days, she holds an MFA in fiction and is the author of Lambda-nominated What We Devour. Her other works include the Mask of Shadows duology, Belle Révolte, The Game, the first three books in the Disney Princes series, and the upcoming YA fantasy That Devil, Ambition (spring 2025 from HarperCollins). She can be found in Texas writing about science and magic anywhere there is coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,397 reviews
August 30, 2017
This book was so dull, which is weird, for a book that contains mostly action and not much else.
To mention this book in the same breath as Sarah J. Maas or Leigh Bardugo is just laughable. I don't even like Maas' books, but she has a writing style that makes her books easy to follow, and easy to read. This book is composed of too much action and dialogue, with little introspection and no art. Had I not read the blurb for the book, I would not have known what it was about, even after reading it 1/3 of the way through.
I guess one of the main "selling point" of this book is that we have a gender-fluid protagonist. I really didn't notice the gender fluidity at all, nor did I understand the point of it, if there is a point to it at all? Am I being obtuse? Offensive? I don't really know.
At the risk of being politically incorrect, and I will put the disclaimer here that I am a raging liberal, and pro LBGQT rights and I don't give a fuck who you are and what you fuck and what your identity is as long as it's legal (and even when it's not legal, cause some countries are ass-backwards), there really is no point of the main character's gender definition or lack thereof. I didn't notice it, and if it hadn't been specifically stated MAIN CHARACTER IS GENDER FLUID, I honestly would not have been able to tell whether he/she/they were or not.
I guess it's good for the sake of representation and political correctness, but that's about it, as far as my impression goes.
Their gender fluidity was not well-written, for instance, during a discussion of killing people and introductions and shit, all of a sudden, out of nowhere.
My bunnies are damned cute, by the way.
Whatever, gender whatever is not the point of the book. The point is that a book should have a point, a clearly defined plot, excellent writing, compelling characters, believable dialogue. This book had none of the above, and that is my sole reason for the one star rating. It didn't draw my attention at all.
To mention this book in the same breath as Sarah J. Maas or Leigh Bardugo is just laughable. I don't even like Maas' books, but she has a writing style that makes her books easy to follow, and easy to read. This book is composed of too much action and dialogue, with little introspection and no art. Had I not read the blurb for the book, I would not have known what it was about, even after reading it 1/3 of the way through.
I guess one of the main "selling point" of this book is that we have a gender-fluid protagonist. I really didn't notice the gender fluidity at all, nor did I understand the point of it, if there is a point to it at all? Am I being obtuse? Offensive? I don't really know.
At the risk of being politically incorrect, and I will put the disclaimer here that I am a raging liberal, and pro LBGQT rights and I don't give a fuck who you are and what you fuck and what your identity is as long as it's legal (and even when it's not legal, cause some countries are ass-backwards), there really is no point of the main character's gender definition or lack thereof. I didn't notice it, and if it hadn't been specifically stated MAIN CHARACTER IS GENDER FLUID, I honestly would not have been able to tell whether he/she/they were or not.
I guess it's good for the sake of representation and political correctness, but that's about it, as far as my impression goes.
Their gender fluidity was not well-written, for instance, during a discussion of killing people and introductions and shit, all of a sudden, out of nowhere.
“And you can call me ‘she’ when I dress like this. I dress how I am.”Huh? Where did that come from? I had to go back to read that entire section again because that comment was just so random. And then there's moments when they tell us "I dress how I like to be addressed—he, she, or they. It’s simple enough," and I'm just thinking in my head well, aren't you a special little thing." I would like to be called Khanh, First of Her Name, Eater of Brunch, Slayer of the Stairmaster, She of the Awesome Legs, and Mother of Bunnies, but I don't walk around telling people that.
My bunnies are damned cute, by the way.
Whatever, gender whatever is not the point of the book. The point is that a book should have a point, a clearly defined plot, excellent writing, compelling characters, believable dialogue. This book had none of the above, and that is my sole reason for the one star rating. It didn't draw my attention at all.
July 3, 2017
Over half of my friends didn't like this book but I freaking loved it! There was only one little aspect I didn't like but it wasn't too bad.
Sal gets into the Audition to become the next Opal a particular assassin for the Queen. Sal has other plans, Sal wants to find out all of the people involved in killing everyone in Nacea.
This book is freaking awesome if you like assassins and people going around trying to kill each other and blood and guts and what not.
There are a group of these assassins and they all wear masks with a number on them. They are known as their number. They can kill each other during trials, during the night, pretty much any time accept while eating with their trainers and while in training. It's pretty cray.
Sal is already pretty experienced in fighting since Sal has from childhood and in street fights. Sal's also a thief and knows how to do other cool things that pertain to that. I love how Sal is just telling them all, I'm going to be the Opal and does what has to be done to not get killed in the process.
I wanted to smack someone at the end of the book though because of that little aspect I don't like about the book almost gets Sal killed. But, that's all I'm saying about that. It doesn't matter, I already pre-ordered the book on Amazon =)
Not only does Sal have to learn training in the different kinds of fighting, they give Sal a tutor to learn how to read and write. And no one can try to kill Sal while in study time. Lol. This book is great. Oh, they also learn about poisons and other ways to kill people. Yay!
*I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.*
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
Sal gets into the Audition to become the next Opal a particular assassin for the Queen. Sal has other plans, Sal wants to find out all of the people involved in killing everyone in Nacea.
This book is freaking awesome if you like assassins and people going around trying to kill each other and blood and guts and what not.
There are a group of these assassins and they all wear masks with a number on them. They are known as their number. They can kill each other during trials, during the night, pretty much any time accept while eating with their trainers and while in training. It's pretty cray.
Sal is already pretty experienced in fighting since Sal has from childhood and in street fights. Sal's also a thief and knows how to do other cool things that pertain to that. I love how Sal is just telling them all, I'm going to be the Opal and does what has to be done to not get killed in the process.
I wanted to smack someone at the end of the book though because of that little aspect I don't like about the book almost gets Sal killed. But, that's all I'm saying about that. It doesn't matter, I already pre-ordered the book on Amazon =)
Not only does Sal have to learn training in the different kinds of fighting, they give Sal a tutor to learn how to read and write. And no one can try to kill Sal while in study time. Lol. This book is great. Oh, they also learn about poisons and other ways to kill people. Yay!
*I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.*
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
September 21, 2017
Per Linsey Miller's Twitter:
"There are new ARCs out, so bringing this back. Sal explains it in text, but please use they/them pronouns for Sal in reviews & discussions." @LinseyMiller
In light of this, I've updated this review to reflect "they/them" pronouns when referring to Sal. I apologize if my choice to review to Sal as "he" in my previous review for ease of understanding for readers offended anyone!
_______________________________
If I had one to describe this book in one word, it would have to be:
Reductive.
Have you read the Hunger Games, or any other dystopian fight-t0-the-death novel? Then good news, you've already read this one! Mark it off your "read" shelves folks!
There is nothing new or exciting about any of this. I suppose it could be the familiarity of it all that made this book a total snooze for me, but I also think a distinct lack of character development definitely didn't help.
Lets take a look at the plot for a second:
Sound familiar?
At least in the Hunger Games, the author took the time to establish and develop characters. Here, Miller employs a really strange narrative choice, by making the competition require every character to wear a mask with a number on it.
Sal becomes Twenty-Three, and every other contestant in the game is only referred to by a number. Four, Five, Fifteen, Eleven, etc. Every time a number was referred to, I couldn't help but think:
"Why was 6 afraid of 7?"
It made it impossible to care about characters, when they have no face or name to associate with them. They are literally just numbers waiting to be killed off for 300+ pages. We don't even know the ages or genders of almost all of these characters.
Now, onto the Gender-Fluidity
I accept that this will be a controversial opinion, but this was the BIGGEST disappointment out of the novel for me. Seriously. Sal's gender-fluidity is such a nonentity that it hardly factors into the story at all.
I think it was Miller's intention to create a world where gender fluidity is accepted by all, because no one ever questions Sal on what it means to be gender fluid. However, Sal still gets teary eyed when people accept them dressing how they like, implying that an accepting society isn't the case at all. This dichotomy creates a really strange divide in the story, where I was completely unsure at times if characters understood that Sal was gender fluid, or how they reacted to/viewed it.
Because there's no extrapolating on what it means to be gender-fluid and how Sal fits into this world and society as a gender fluid character, there's no learning or growth for either the characters or the reader. Like it was included as an afterthought almost. I was incredibly disappointed.
Additionally: There are just so many strange choices made in this story. Such as: making Sal illiterate, only to turn around and have them be able to read a name on a piece of paper that a messenger is carrying, from their vantage point, hidden high above in the branches of a tree, after 2 reading lessons. Like, what?
I just don't even know. I really wanted to like this, but I was totally let down.
1.5/5 stars
________________________________
*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Gender fluid MC? I'm sold! Can't wait to crack into this one
"There are new ARCs out, so bringing this back. Sal explains it in text, but please use they/them pronouns for Sal in reviews & discussions." @LinseyMiller
In light of this, I've updated this review to reflect "they/them" pronouns when referring to Sal. I apologize if my choice to review to Sal as "he" in my previous review for ease of understanding for readers offended anyone!
_______________________________
If I had one to describe this book in one word, it would have to be:
Reductive.
Have you read the Hunger Games, or any other dystopian fight-t0-the-death novel? Then good news, you've already read this one! Mark it off your "read" shelves folks!
There is nothing new or exciting about any of this. I suppose it could be the familiarity of it all that made this book a total snooze for me, but I also think a distinct lack of character development definitely didn't help.
Lets take a look at the plot for a second:
Katniss EverdeenSal, our gender fluid (we'll get back to that later!) main character, is a lowly thief with a thirst for vengeance against the noble class, and joins a competition to the death in order to sneak into their ranks and get revenge.
Sound familiar?
At least in the Hunger Games, the author took the time to establish and develop characters. Here, Miller employs a really strange narrative choice, by making the competition require every character to wear a mask with a number on it.
Sal becomes Twenty-Three, and every other contestant in the game is only referred to by a number. Four, Five, Fifteen, Eleven, etc. Every time a number was referred to, I couldn't help but think:
"Why was 6 afraid of 7?"
It made it impossible to care about characters, when they have no face or name to associate with them. They are literally just numbers waiting to be killed off for 300+ pages. We don't even know the ages or genders of almost all of these characters.
Now, onto the Gender-Fluidity
I accept that this will be a controversial opinion, but this was the BIGGEST disappointment out of the novel for me. Seriously. Sal's gender-fluidity is such a nonentity that it hardly factors into the story at all.
I think it was Miller's intention to create a world where gender fluidity is accepted by all, because no one ever questions Sal on what it means to be gender fluid. However, Sal still gets teary eyed when people accept them dressing how they like, implying that an accepting society isn't the case at all. This dichotomy creates a really strange divide in the story, where I was completely unsure at times if characters understood that Sal was gender fluid, or how they reacted to/viewed it.
Because there's no extrapolating on what it means to be gender-fluid and how Sal fits into this world and society as a gender fluid character, there's no learning or growth for either the characters or the reader. Like it was included as an afterthought almost. I was incredibly disappointed.
Additionally: There are just so many strange choices made in this story. Such as: making Sal illiterate, only to turn around and have them be able to read a name on a piece of paper that a messenger is carrying, from their vantage point, hidden high above in the branches of a tree, after 2 reading lessons. Like, what?
I just don't even know. I really wanted to like this, but I was totally let down.
1.5/5 stars
________________________________
*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Gender fluid MC? I'm sold! Can't wait to crack into this one
November 8, 2017
Full review now posted!
*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
•I don’t think there is much to say about a book like Mask of Shadows. In some respects, it very much reflects every single YA fantasy book out there. Specifically, and I apologize if this comparison has already been made by, basically, every single person who’s already read the book, the plot bears remarkably similarities to the Hunger Games concept—I have to point out, though, and sorry if it sounds harsh, that the execution is so much poorer that when you’re reading this, you don’t even notice they actually are rather similar. I, at least, never thought about the Hunger Games while reading Mask of Shadows: there is too much of an abyss between the two, if you ask me.
•As I said, not much to be said (sorry for the pun): bland plot, bland characters, bland—sometimes downright confusing—writing. And speaking about confusing, the world building. I’ll be very honest: I didn’t understand a thing. Take the shadows. I kept waiting and waiting for some disclosure about them, and I got none. Or, also, what’s going on in terms of politics between these various countries, which is explained in such a fragmentary and random way, with bits of it scattered here and there in the least fitting moments in the story, was completely lost on me as well.
•Much of the hype around this book, as you probably know, is due to the fact that the MC, Sal, is gender fluid. Now, it’s likely that many of you have picked up or will pick up this book expecting to find in it a lot of fuss being made about the protagonist being gender fluid. The truth is that, in the story, this is actually treated as a no-big deal, which surprised and pleased me a lot. I know that many people were disappointed by this approach, which admittedly felt like rather too simplistic at times, but I like the direction it tried to take and I think the effort must be appreciated, especially if we consider that this is a topic still waiting to be duly explored by literary fiction and subgenres as fantasy in particular.
➽ Seeing what a disappointment Mask of Shadows was for me, I’m not sure I’ll give the sequel a chance. What’s sure is that I was bored to tears and immensely frustrated by the messy world building, and that these are the main reasons why I can’t really recommend the book. But if you think you won’t be bothered by all the things I mentioned and you just want to try out the author’s approach to gender-fluidity, then I think you might even enjoy it.
*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
•I don’t think there is much to say about a book like Mask of Shadows. In some respects, it very much reflects every single YA fantasy book out there. Specifically, and I apologize if this comparison has already been made by, basically, every single person who’s already read the book, the plot bears remarkably similarities to the Hunger Games concept—I have to point out, though, and sorry if it sounds harsh, that the execution is so much poorer that when you’re reading this, you don’t even notice they actually are rather similar. I, at least, never thought about the Hunger Games while reading Mask of Shadows: there is too much of an abyss between the two, if you ask me.
•As I said, not much to be said (sorry for the pun): bland plot, bland characters, bland—sometimes downright confusing—writing. And speaking about confusing, the world building. I’ll be very honest: I didn’t understand a thing. Take the shadows. I kept waiting and waiting for some disclosure about them, and I got none. Or, also, what’s going on in terms of politics between these various countries, which is explained in such a fragmentary and random way, with bits of it scattered here and there in the least fitting moments in the story, was completely lost on me as well.
•Much of the hype around this book, as you probably know, is due to the fact that the MC, Sal, is gender fluid. Now, it’s likely that many of you have picked up or will pick up this book expecting to find in it a lot of fuss being made about the protagonist being gender fluid. The truth is that, in the story, this is actually treated as a no-big deal, which surprised and pleased me a lot. I know that many people were disappointed by this approach, which admittedly felt like rather too simplistic at times, but I like the direction it tried to take and I think the effort must be appreciated, especially if we consider that this is a topic still waiting to be duly explored by literary fiction and subgenres as fantasy in particular.
➽ Seeing what a disappointment Mask of Shadows was for me, I’m not sure I’ll give the sequel a chance. What’s sure is that I was bored to tears and immensely frustrated by the messy world building, and that these are the main reasons why I can’t really recommend the book. But if you think you won’t be bothered by all the things I mentioned and you just want to try out the author’s approach to gender-fluidity, then I think you might even enjoy it.
July 19, 2017
DNF @ 34%
As much as I hate leaving books unfinished, there’s nothing that makes me want to continue. Taking place in a generic fantasy world, Linsey Miller’s debut focuses on Sal, a thief who enters a competition to become one of the Queen’s Assassins.
...sound familiar yet?
This offers some really great representation, as Sal is genderfluid. I appreciated how they weren't completely defined by this, and the plot was the primary focus. However, despite the representation this offers, Sal isn’t a very strong character. I feel very little connection to them, and their one definable trait seems to be their pursuit of becoming an Assassin and moving the plot forward.
Aaaaaannnddd, unfortunately, that plot offered nothing new. Just an oddly-built up competition reminiscent of Red Rising or The Hunger Games. There’s no real sense of place, despite the random facts about the intermingling languages or long-ago wars that are scattered throughout the first third.
I reached my limit when it came to Sal’s competitors. Everyone competing to become an assassin is designated a number in place of their name. It’s a depersonalization tactic that works. Everyone is just a blur of numbers (up to 23) with nothing distinctive about them.
Without an interesting plot, any sense of setting or character depth, there was simply nothing compelling about this. Despite featuring an MC in an often underrepresented demographic, the story simply wasn't interesting.
I received an ARC of this through Netgalley, thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity!
As much as I hate leaving books unfinished, there’s nothing that makes me want to continue. Taking place in a generic fantasy world, Linsey Miller’s debut focuses on Sal, a thief who enters a competition to become one of the Queen’s Assassins.
...sound familiar yet?
This offers some really great representation, as Sal is genderfluid. I appreciated how they weren't completely defined by this, and the plot was the primary focus. However, despite the representation this offers, Sal isn’t a very strong character. I feel very little connection to them, and their one definable trait seems to be their pursuit of becoming an Assassin and moving the plot forward.
Aaaaaannnddd, unfortunately, that plot offered nothing new. Just an oddly-built up competition reminiscent of Red Rising or The Hunger Games. There’s no real sense of place, despite the random facts about the intermingling languages or long-ago wars that are scattered throughout the first third.
I reached my limit when it came to Sal’s competitors. Everyone competing to become an assassin is designated a number in place of their name. It’s a depersonalization tactic that works. Everyone is just a blur of numbers (up to 23) with nothing distinctive about them.
Without an interesting plot, any sense of setting or character depth, there was simply nothing compelling about this. Despite featuring an MC in an often underrepresented demographic, the story simply wasn't interesting.
I received an ARC of this through Netgalley, thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity!
September 17, 2020
This was me when I read this:
"Perfect for fantasy fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, the first book in this new duology features a compelling gender fluid main character, impressive worldbuilding, and fast-paced action."
This was me about fifty pages in:
I'm not sure who decided to come up with that little quote about it being like Maas and Bardugo, but I just have one question: have you read any Mass or Bardugo? Like I understand the whole "fight and see who whens to be on this elite team" nonsense that is so wonderful in young adult books these days (Throne of Glass [which is a Sarah J Maas book], Red Queen, Hunger Games, Wolf by Wolf, ect.), but that's where the comparisons stop.
The only thing that I felt translated well out of this novel is the gender-fluid character, Sal. The author did a tremendous job with bringing to light gender-fluidation and showing it as a normal thing. I feel like if you aren't gender fluid, it might be hard to write about, but I feel as if Miller did a great job with that.
I also feel that Sal was the only thing unique about this book.
If you want to know more about the plot, I say just read The Hunger Games or any other fight-to-live-or-be-on-this-really-cool-and-elite-team type book.
"Perfect for fantasy fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, the first book in this new duology features a compelling gender fluid main character, impressive worldbuilding, and fast-paced action."
This was me about fifty pages in:
I'm not sure who decided to come up with that little quote about it being like Maas and Bardugo, but I just have one question: have you read any Mass or Bardugo? Like I understand the whole "fight and see who whens to be on this elite team" nonsense that is so wonderful in young adult books these days (Throne of Glass [which is a Sarah J Maas book], Red Queen, Hunger Games, Wolf by Wolf, ect.), but that's where the comparisons stop.
The only thing that I felt translated well out of this novel is the gender-fluid character, Sal. The author did a tremendous job with bringing to light gender-fluidation and showing it as a normal thing. I feel like if you aren't gender fluid, it might be hard to write about, but I feel as if Miller did a great job with that.
I also feel that Sal was the only thing unique about this book.
If you want to know more about the plot, I say just read The Hunger Games or any other fight-to-live-or-be-on-this-really-cool-and-elite-team type book.
February 14, 2017
- Full review coming soon, closer to pub date -
Action-packed, daring, engaging and romantic, Mask of Shadows was everything I wanted and more! I will definitely be pre-ordering my own copy of this one off of Amazon, and I already can't wait for the sequel!
Action-packed, daring, engaging and romantic, Mask of Shadows was everything I wanted and more! I will definitely be pre-ordering my own copy of this one off of Amazon, and I already can't wait for the sequel!
October 15, 2017
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not persuade my actual opinion of the book.
1 star - maybe 1.5, if I'm feeling nice.
I'm sorry, but I just couldn't enjoy this. From the first chapter I sort of guessed that I wouldn't, with how the story just jumped into the action so quickly and so suddenly - I really disliked it. But not only that, but the writing wasn't great either - it lacked depth and barely described any of the scenes in ways people could actually image. Ah, I feel quite rude writing this, but again, I'm sorry, it just wasn't good. Which really is a bummer considering this book was recommended for fans of Sarah J. Maas, (I loved ACOTAR) so I was ecstatic when I read that. Only to end up feeling somewhat offended for Maas.
Maas's writing is much more advanced and fluid in one paragraph, than this book was in its entirety. Again again, I'm sorry, but it's true! I just don't think it's right to compare the two, when one is so much more advanced than the other.
Also, don't even start me on how I didn't even know what was going on - for nearly the entirely of the book I kept wondering: what am I reading? I'm still quite confused, even now.
Overall, I only finished this because I received it before anyone else, and because I wanted to see if maybe, maybe it would get better somewhere down the road.
Unfortunately, it didn't.
1 star - maybe 1.5, if I'm feeling nice.
I'm sorry, but I just couldn't enjoy this. From the first chapter I sort of guessed that I wouldn't, with how the story just jumped into the action so quickly and so suddenly - I really disliked it. But not only that, but the writing wasn't great either - it lacked depth and barely described any of the scenes in ways people could actually image. Ah, I feel quite rude writing this, but again, I'm sorry, it just wasn't good. Which really is a bummer considering this book was recommended for fans of Sarah J. Maas, (I loved ACOTAR) so I was ecstatic when I read that. Only to end up feeling somewhat offended for Maas.
Maas's writing is much more advanced and fluid in one paragraph, than this book was in its entirety. Again again, I'm sorry, but it's true! I just don't think it's right to compare the two, when one is so much more advanced than the other.
Also, don't even start me on how I didn't even know what was going on - for nearly the entirely of the book I kept wondering: what am I reading? I'm still quite confused, even now.
Overall, I only finished this because I received it before anyone else, and because I wanted to see if maybe, maybe it would get better somewhere down the road.
Unfortunately, it didn't.
August 14, 2019
fuckkkkkk this book. I'm so glad it's over. Oh my god. This was a struggle to finish. I had to skim read the last few pages because I was so angry and ready to be done with this shit. For my review I'm going to try to be as non spoilery as I can, but if spoilers come out then I'm sorry. You've been warned. Also I'm sorry if this is super incoherent, but I'm just writing down my thoughts as they come to me. Here we go.
Words to describe this book: unmemorable, confusing, messy, unoriginal
Honestly while reading this I kept thinking about how it was similar to The Hunger Games, Six of Crows, Throne of Glass and The Mortal Instruments all at once. Plus I kept thinking about America's Next Top Model lol. "Who will be Igna's Next Top Assassin?"
Okay so I don't care if this book is super unoriginal because what even is original anymore? But it wasn't done well at all. The world building was garbage. The politics and backstory were confusing. I didn't know what the fuck was going on 90% of the time. There was so much info dumping that I kept getting things confused. I started to forget things as I was reading it. The author was trying to do so many things at once and I couldn't grasp a single thing.
The characters were so unmemorable. Who is Sal? Other than a gender fluid MC with a tragic backstory, who is so good at all the things. I virtually know nothing about them. Elise, the love interest, was such an awkward addition. Their romance was forced and cringe and I hated it. Also Sal was so cocky about how Elise so obviously liked them and how they were totally just using her for info and that was so annoying and lame. I only liked two or three characters in this entire book and that was like from the little itty bitty piece I knew about them and two of them died so... oh well. Four was my fave at the beginning, but then he became a coward and did dumb shit so I got over him real quick.
The plot was predictable and everything that happened was super convenient. Sal just did things without ever planning them out and it always turned out well. From the beginning when they wanted to enter the competition, it was so spur of the moment. Like they found a flyer for the event in a purse they were robbing and then they were like "oh shit I could totally do this and get revenge on the people that wronged me!" What a coincidence!! Then they immediately were like I'll just kill this highly wanted gang boss I've been under for ~years~ in order to enter the competition. EASY! That's basically how everything Sal does goes down.
This book was just an underdeveloped, convoluted, confusing mess to me. I wanted to like it and I thought I did for the first 100 pages, but this is just not cutting it for me. I'm so glad it's over and you can already tell that I definitely will not be picking up the next book in the series.
Words to describe this book: unmemorable, confusing, messy, unoriginal
Honestly while reading this I kept thinking about how it was similar to The Hunger Games, Six of Crows, Throne of Glass and The Mortal Instruments all at once. Plus I kept thinking about America's Next Top Model lol. "Who will be Igna's Next Top Assassin?"
Okay so I don't care if this book is super unoriginal because what even is original anymore? But it wasn't done well at all. The world building was garbage. The politics and backstory were confusing. I didn't know what the fuck was going on 90% of the time. There was so much info dumping that I kept getting things confused. I started to forget things as I was reading it. The author was trying to do so many things at once and I couldn't grasp a single thing.
The characters were so unmemorable. Who is Sal? Other than a gender fluid MC with a tragic backstory, who is so good at all the things. I virtually know nothing about them. Elise, the love interest, was such an awkward addition. Their romance was forced and cringe and I hated it. Also Sal was so cocky about how Elise so obviously liked them and how they were totally just using her for info and that was so annoying and lame. I only liked two or three characters in this entire book and that was like from the little itty bitty piece I knew about them and two of them died so... oh well. Four was my fave at the beginning, but then he became a coward and did dumb shit so I got over him real quick.
The plot was predictable and everything that happened was super convenient. Sal just did things without ever planning them out and it always turned out well. From the beginning when they wanted to enter the competition, it was so spur of the moment. Like they found a flyer for the event in a purse they were robbing and then they were like "oh shit I could totally do this and get revenge on the people that wronged me!" What a coincidence!! Then they immediately were like I'll just kill this highly wanted gang boss I've been under for ~years~ in order to enter the competition. EASY! That's basically how everything Sal does goes down.
This book was just an underdeveloped, convoluted, confusing mess to me. I wanted to like it and I thought I did for the first 100 pages, but this is just not cutting it for me. I'm so glad it's over and you can already tell that I definitely will not be picking up the next book in the series.
July 31, 2017
You know that feeling when a book jumps out at you and the rest of the world fades away? MASK OF SHADOWS by Linsey Miller did that to me and getting to the end had me thinking, now that’s a great story! Imagine Fate dumping the opportunity to better your life, gain the respect of others and get a long awaited revenge on those responsible for the death of Sallit’s people. Sallit is all that is left, a skilled thief, living in poverty and filth. This is Sal’s chance to change that, but first the auditions must be survived…only then can Sal become a member of the Queen’s Left Hand, her personal assassins. Skilled in the art of bringing death when one least expects it in ways too numerous to count.
Ms. Miller has skillfully created an almost dreamlike atmosphere as we witness the making of an assassin, the best of the best, the one who outwits and outlasts their fellow auditioners by any means necessary, even killing them. Feel the tension of distrust, the wariness of every action, every look and the loneliness of knowing you are all that is left of your people. Know how desperate and determined Sallit is to bring down the monsters responsible for the genocide of good and trusting people.
Dark, violent, mysterious and brilliantly executed, Linsey Miller has created a fantasy that will raise the hairs on your neck and actually trying to devise means of helping Sallit stay alive to win the title, Opal, the masked assassin for the queen. Sometimes justice and revenge can be a driving force to one’s own destruction, yet it is also a powerful motivator. Sallit is proof, but is it worth possibly losing your soul and your life? You decide. Linsey Miller makes a powerful statement in the fantasy world that begs to be read!
I received an ARC edition from Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (August 29, 2017)
Publication Date: August 29, 2017
Genre: Fantasy YA
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Ms. Miller has skillfully created an almost dreamlike atmosphere as we witness the making of an assassin, the best of the best, the one who outwits and outlasts their fellow auditioners by any means necessary, even killing them. Feel the tension of distrust, the wariness of every action, every look and the loneliness of knowing you are all that is left of your people. Know how desperate and determined Sallit is to bring down the monsters responsible for the genocide of good and trusting people.
Dark, violent, mysterious and brilliantly executed, Linsey Miller has created a fantasy that will raise the hairs on your neck and actually trying to devise means of helping Sallit stay alive to win the title, Opal, the masked assassin for the queen. Sometimes justice and revenge can be a driving force to one’s own destruction, yet it is also a powerful motivator. Sallit is proof, but is it worth possibly losing your soul and your life? You decide. Linsey Miller makes a powerful statement in the fantasy world that begs to be read!
I received an ARC edition from Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (August 29, 2017)
Publication Date: August 29, 2017
Genre: Fantasy YA
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Read
September 6, 2017Official comments: Compelling and relatable characters, a fascinating world with dangerous magic, and a dash of political intrigue: MASK OF SHADOWS completely delivered. Fantasy fans will love this book.
Unofficial comments: this was a seriously fun book.
Unofficial comments: this was a seriously fun book.
October 10, 2017
(I received an advance copy of this book for free. Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley.)
This was a YA fantasy story, about a gender fluid thief who trained to be an assassin.
Sal was an interesting character, and it took me a while to realise that he/she was gender fluid, and changed his/her preferred gender as often as he/she changed his/her clothes. It was an interesting element to the story though, and I felt sorry for him/her when people used the wrong gender to identify him/her.
The storyline in this was about Sal taking place in a contest to become the Queen’s new Opal – one of her assassins. The competition was pretty fierce with contestants killing each other, and I was on the edge of my seat wondering who would be killed next and how. We also got a little bit of romance between Sal and a girl who acted as his tutor, and Sal’s own motives to kill off those people who Sal felt had led to the destruction of Sal’s own country of Nacea.
The ending to this was pretty good, and we got an unexpected death to add to the death toll, and an interesting assignment for Sal.
7 out of 10
“They’d welcomed me into their house, and I was going to tear it down.”
This was a YA fantasy story, about a gender fluid thief who trained to be an assassin.
Sal was an interesting character, and it took me a while to realise that he/she was gender fluid, and changed his/her preferred gender as often as he/she changed his/her clothes. It was an interesting element to the story though, and I felt sorry for him/her when people used the wrong gender to identify him/her.
The storyline in this was about Sal taking place in a contest to become the Queen’s new Opal – one of her assassins. The competition was pretty fierce with contestants killing each other, and I was on the edge of my seat wondering who would be killed next and how. We also got a little bit of romance between Sal and a girl who acted as his tutor, and Sal’s own motives to kill off those people who Sal felt had led to the destruction of Sal’s own country of Nacea.
The ending to this was pretty good, and we got an unexpected death to add to the death toll, and an interesting assignment for Sal.
7 out of 10
November 2, 2017
This review can also be found at http://fortheloveofbooksreviews.blogs...
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
Sal is a thief, living in a world complicated by politics and war. Still haunted by the 'shadows', they steal for Grell, but they're tired of it. After stealing from some nobles, Sal finds a flyer that could change their life. If they prove their worth, they can audition to be part of the Queen's Left Hand, a group of assassins that get their namesakes from the rings that the Queen wears. Opal has died, and this may be Sal's chance for a new life, and vengeance.
The competition is deadly, and the stakes are high. With a romance blooming and drama between contestants, Sal will be lucky to survive with their heart, and their life.
So this book was really awesome. It was close to perfect, I am so happy that I received an ARC from NetGalley!
First off, Sal was genderfluid. I am genderfluid, and there are so few people like me in books that its incredibly exciting whenever I come across a nonbinary character! Not to mention the way that Sal's genderfluidity was incorporated into the book.... I loved it because it wasn't the focus of the plot. Sal was casually genderfluid, kinda like how most genderfluid people just wake up and live their lives like everyone else, eh? While I think stories about identity and coming out are great as well, I want to see more of this, more books with nonbinary people just existing as nonbinary individuals, not necessarily on display for their identity. I loved the casual way that Sal's pronouns were discussed, and the way that most characters just complied. It was quite optimistic and a great break from the real world where just the mention of singular "they" will spark a fight. I also loved the way that Sal described genderfluidity and I thought it was really accurate. I won't quote it since this is an ARC and the final manuscript may prove to have minor differences, but when you read the book, you'll get what passage I'm talking about. Anyways, this was an awesome aspect of the novel, I really appreciated the diversity!
Then there's Elise, the love interest. Elise is a noble of Erlend, a nation whose people haven't been kind to Sal's people. Elise is smart, assertive, and likeable! At first, Sal is a bit wary of Elise, almost using her, but I love how later in the book they realize their feelings for her! Alongside Elise is the idea that a person is not the sum of their heritage, or their nationality, and I thought that was a really great message. Sal realizes this and it adds to their growth as a person throughout the novel, in my opinion. This just made me love the book, and Sal, more.
I also have to mention that there are some emotional scenes in this book. I can't say much without giving it away, but if you get attached to characters, get ready to potentially have your heart shattered!
I also loved the beautiful descriptions throughout the novel. Metaphors and such really added to the way I visualized Sal's world. I loved this fantasy world, I loved getting lost in the danger of the shadows and the life that Sal was escaping, and the life they were ultimately working toward. However, this book lost a star because sometimes the world-building was confusing. Maybe this is because I'm new to this type of fantasy, but I had trouble keeping up with all the political drama, national tensions, and historical events.
Overall, this was a really awesome fantasy novel! I loved the inclusion of a genderfluid character, and I really like Elise and the messages that accompanied her character. While the world-building could use a little work, the author's descriptions were often beautiful.
I absolutely recommend this book! If you're a fan of fantasy novels, this book is for you. If you are interested in a book featuring a genderfluid person, you'll want to pick this one up. I know that once this is released in stores, I'll be picking up a copy!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
Sal is a thief, living in a world complicated by politics and war. Still haunted by the 'shadows', they steal for Grell, but they're tired of it. After stealing from some nobles, Sal finds a flyer that could change their life. If they prove their worth, they can audition to be part of the Queen's Left Hand, a group of assassins that get their namesakes from the rings that the Queen wears. Opal has died, and this may be Sal's chance for a new life, and vengeance.
The competition is deadly, and the stakes are high. With a romance blooming and drama between contestants, Sal will be lucky to survive with their heart, and their life.
So this book was really awesome. It was close to perfect, I am so happy that I received an ARC from NetGalley!
First off, Sal was genderfluid. I am genderfluid, and there are so few people like me in books that its incredibly exciting whenever I come across a nonbinary character! Not to mention the way that Sal's genderfluidity was incorporated into the book.... I loved it because it wasn't the focus of the plot. Sal was casually genderfluid, kinda like how most genderfluid people just wake up and live their lives like everyone else, eh? While I think stories about identity and coming out are great as well, I want to see more of this, more books with nonbinary people just existing as nonbinary individuals, not necessarily on display for their identity. I loved the casual way that Sal's pronouns were discussed, and the way that most characters just complied. It was quite optimistic and a great break from the real world where just the mention of singular "they" will spark a fight. I also loved the way that Sal described genderfluidity and I thought it was really accurate. I won't quote it since this is an ARC and the final manuscript may prove to have minor differences, but when you read the book, you'll get what passage I'm talking about. Anyways, this was an awesome aspect of the novel, I really appreciated the diversity!
Then there's Elise, the love interest. Elise is a noble of Erlend, a nation whose people haven't been kind to Sal's people. Elise is smart, assertive, and likeable! At first, Sal is a bit wary of Elise, almost using her, but I love how later in the book they realize their feelings for her! Alongside Elise is the idea that a person is not the sum of their heritage, or their nationality, and I thought that was a really great message. Sal realizes this and it adds to their growth as a person throughout the novel, in my opinion. This just made me love the book, and Sal, more.
I also have to mention that there are some emotional scenes in this book. I can't say much without giving it away, but if you get attached to characters, get ready to potentially have your heart shattered!
I also loved the beautiful descriptions throughout the novel. Metaphors and such really added to the way I visualized Sal's world. I loved this fantasy world, I loved getting lost in the danger of the shadows and the life that Sal was escaping, and the life they were ultimately working toward. However, this book lost a star because sometimes the world-building was confusing. Maybe this is because I'm new to this type of fantasy, but I had trouble keeping up with all the political drama, national tensions, and historical events.
Overall, this was a really awesome fantasy novel! I loved the inclusion of a genderfluid character, and I really like Elise and the messages that accompanied her character. While the world-building could use a little work, the author's descriptions were often beautiful.
I absolutely recommend this book! If you're a fan of fantasy novels, this book is for you. If you are interested in a book featuring a genderfluid person, you'll want to pick this one up. I know that once this is released in stores, I'll be picking up a copy!
January 10, 2023
i think we all knew how i was gonna rate this
July 9, 2018
THIS BOOK GUYS.
EVERYBODY ADD THIS TO YOUR TO-READ.
BUY IT
ALL THE THINGS.
I can't impress upon you how awesome and amazingly written this book is, and the feels you'll be reeling with for a week(s) after. So yeah.
YOU GUYS HAVE GOT TO READ THIS.
EVERYBODY ADD THIS TO YOUR TO-READ.
BUY IT
ALL THE THINGS.
I can't impress upon you how awesome and amazingly written this book is, and the feels you'll be reeling with for a week(s) after. So yeah.
YOU GUYS HAVE GOT TO READ THIS.
April 16, 2017
A big thank you goes to Linsey Miller, Sourcebooks, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this free copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
What an original premise and a bold move on Miller's part! Sal, a street fighter and highway thief, auditions for a place on the Queen's Left Hand, her trusted band of assassins. She/He then goes by Twenty-three and learns how to kill and also falls in love. It's a battle to the death. It's also an androgynous stand in the YA genre, which I thoroughly respect. I think many young adults will relate to this aspect of the main character's personality.
Although the plot was violent, it was also simply brilliant to follow. I had so much fun reading this book. I can't wait for book two!
What an original premise and a bold move on Miller's part! Sal, a street fighter and highway thief, auditions for a place on the Queen's Left Hand, her trusted band of assassins. She/He then goes by Twenty-three and learns how to kill and also falls in love. It's a battle to the death. It's also an androgynous stand in the YA genre, which I thoroughly respect. I think many young adults will relate to this aspect of the main character's personality.
Although the plot was violent, it was also simply brilliant to follow. I had so much fun reading this book. I can't wait for book two!
January 8, 2017
I was lucky enough to read an earlier draft of this, and it is seriously one incredible book. Perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce and Scott Lynch, this action-packed, twisty novel will keep you on the edge of your seat. Sal is an incredible protagonist, the world-building is incredibly real-feeling, and there's even some gorgeous romance for all your shipping feels.
September 17, 2017
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this young adult fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
This novel is about a young gender-fluid adult in a competition to become a court assassin for the purposes of revenge. Should have been a perfect catch but ended up being such a disappointment that I hereby decree that this book must walk the plank! Be forewarned dark opinions abide below . . .
Now this book is getting comparisons to Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo. Now as I thought that throne of glass was an atrocity of storytelling only worth existing so I could read Liam @ heyashers!, snarky read-along, I was hoping it would fall on the Bardugo side of the spectrum. I can definitively say that it did not.
It certainly is a better version of throne of glass. I mean the assassins at least compete and the clothes and romance are not the sole focus of the main character. Sal is assured of her skills and does use her brain occasionally which is nice. But overall she is not a compelling character. She seems to have no other major thoughts except for revenge and comes across as rather flat. Also for someone with no major education except street smarts, her lack of real struggling to learn and adapt to the court world and political society seem unrealistic at best.
The politics and world building also fall rather flat. I know that there is a young-ish queen struggling to keep her kingdom going but all the interesting political wrangling seemed to have occurred before the novel takes place. As does the magic. Magic has been banished from the land and the hints we get of it seemed tantalizing but nothing is truly explained. The info-dumping that does occur just leaves more questions. There is no real explanation of how the court functions, how any of the laws work, etc. The world structure seemed superfluous. I was hoping for more than that.
I wanted to abandon this book many many times because it was so not what I wanted. I kept reading for three reasons:
- Sal is gender-fluid. This is the first young adult book I have read with a gender-fluid character. I tend to see gender-fluidity dealt with a bit more in adult sci-fi. I wanted to see how this was incorporated for the main character throughout. I am not gender-fluid so I am not sure if this portrayal works for someone who is (and would LOVE to get that viewpoint) but overall I found this element lacking. I was glad to have Sal be gender-fluid. Inclusion of diverse elements is always wonderful. But with the exception of a couple of secondary characters, Sal spends most of the time being afraid of who she is. I would have liked to see more personal growth from Sal and those around them on this issue rather than just discussing how their outfit determined the pronoun used. Of course that may come in the next book . . .
- I rather enjoyed the secondary characters of Sal’s love interest and also Sal’s assistant. In fact I wanted the story to switch from Sal’s perspective to theirs. I knew it wasn’t going to but I was happy every time I got to spend time with either of those secondary characters.
-It was obvious who was going to win the competition, but I wanted to see what the set-up for the next novel was going to be. While there were twists in the story, (mostly because the assassin competition rules made no sense) I kept hoping that the cliche setting and flat characters were going to redeem themselves somewhere. I wanted a powerful ending. It didn’t happen for me.
So basically I will not be reading any further books in this series. The inclusion of diverse characters and me enjoyment of the secondary characters means that I may give the author’s future series/works a chance. But this one did not float me boat.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
This novel is about a young gender-fluid adult in a competition to become a court assassin for the purposes of revenge. Should have been a perfect catch but ended up being such a disappointment that I hereby decree that this book must walk the plank! Be forewarned dark opinions abide below . . .
Now this book is getting comparisons to Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo. Now as I thought that throne of glass was an atrocity of storytelling only worth existing so I could read Liam @ heyashers!, snarky read-along, I was hoping it would fall on the Bardugo side of the spectrum. I can definitively say that it did not.
It certainly is a better version of throne of glass. I mean the assassins at least compete and the clothes and romance are not the sole focus of the main character. Sal is assured of her skills and does use her brain occasionally which is nice. But overall she is not a compelling character. She seems to have no other major thoughts except for revenge and comes across as rather flat. Also for someone with no major education except street smarts, her lack of real struggling to learn and adapt to the court world and political society seem unrealistic at best.
The politics and world building also fall rather flat. I know that there is a young-ish queen struggling to keep her kingdom going but all the interesting political wrangling seemed to have occurred before the novel takes place. As does the magic. Magic has been banished from the land and the hints we get of it seemed tantalizing but nothing is truly explained. The info-dumping that does occur just leaves more questions. There is no real explanation of how the court functions, how any of the laws work, etc. The world structure seemed superfluous. I was hoping for more than that.
I wanted to abandon this book many many times because it was so not what I wanted. I kept reading for three reasons:
- Sal is gender-fluid. This is the first young adult book I have read with a gender-fluid character. I tend to see gender-fluidity dealt with a bit more in adult sci-fi. I wanted to see how this was incorporated for the main character throughout. I am not gender-fluid so I am not sure if this portrayal works for someone who is (and would LOVE to get that viewpoint) but overall I found this element lacking. I was glad to have Sal be gender-fluid. Inclusion of diverse elements is always wonderful. But with the exception of a couple of secondary characters, Sal spends most of the time being afraid of who she is. I would have liked to see more personal growth from Sal and those around them on this issue rather than just discussing how their outfit determined the pronoun used. Of course that may come in the next book . . .
- I rather enjoyed the secondary characters of Sal’s love interest and also Sal’s assistant. In fact I wanted the story to switch from Sal’s perspective to theirs. I knew it wasn’t going to but I was happy every time I got to spend time with either of those secondary characters.
-It was obvious who was going to win the competition, but I wanted to see what the set-up for the next novel was going to be. While there were twists in the story, (mostly because the assassin competition rules made no sense) I kept hoping that the cliche setting and flat characters were going to redeem themselves somewhere. I wanted a powerful ending. It didn’t happen for me.
So basically I will not be reading any further books in this series. The inclusion of diverse characters and me enjoyment of the secondary characters means that I may give the author’s future series/works a chance. But this one did not float me boat.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
August 29, 2017
3★★★ stars
Genre: Fantasy Young Adult
Type: Book 1 in the Mask of Shadows Series
POV: First Person
Sallot Leon aka Sal a twenty three year old; was an orphan. Survived in the streets by fighting and becoming a great thief. He was the last children of Nacea; he had a goal, it was to become the next "Opal" aka the right hand of the Queen. He wouldn't stop until he accomplished it.
Honestly, this book was a bit hard to follow like I understood the story and overall it was good. However; it was a bit confusing because it did not give me details of the past to help me understand exactly Sal's actions and purpose. I knew he wanted to be the next Opal but didn't exactly understand why. The story was interesting; Sal had to win a lot of auditions, test and tricks in order to earn the Opal title. It was like watching the hunger games but at the same time it wasn't.
I really wanted to connect in a deeper level with Sal but I found myself unable to; perhaps the lack of back history prevented me to get attached to him and the rest of the characters. There was a lot of death which didn't bother me. And one character in particular I really enjoyed; however when that character died I didn't hurt for him because It happened so quickly and I just didn't get it.
I feel the story has potential and I would love to continue the other book in the series. I hope there's more background on it and more feels. Overall, I enjoyed the story and it would be appealing to readers who enjoy fantasy genre.
February 12, 2017
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest opinion and I feel so incredibly lucky I did.
Ahhh, my friends. This book, this book is a beauty. Right away I need to say that I am both cis and straight, so the gender fluid aspect of the book, while a huge delight to me, can't possibly be as important to me as someone who identifies similarly to Sal. I'm so looking forward to those reviews in the future, seeing how special and meaningful this book could be. That being said, this book is an absolute joy.
The setup is fairly simple--it's even familiar: a main character with revenge on the mind enters a contest in the hopes of becoming one of the Queen's assassins in the hopes of punishing those who destroyed their home country.
Yes. It could be Throne of Glass. Could be, but honestly? It's better.
Main character Sal is a pickpocket and highway robber. Having lived a life as a child thief, fighting to stay ahead and survive, they make an apt candidate for an assassin audition. Ad yet, refreshingly, Sal's life of crime really doesn't give them much leverage. Every step of the way the competition is bloody and brutal and unforgiving. People die and they die horribly. Rather than tell the reader over and over how talented and cunning Sal is, Miller lets the story show who Sal is.
I was one of those people that was disappointed in how thin the contest in Throne of Glass felt. Most of the contests are skimmed over or left off the page, and the ones we *do* see never feel like real challenges. Mask of Shadows is almost entirely the competition. The catch? Almost every waking second of Sal's day (and even most of their nights) are the competition. The assassins-to-be are encouraged to take out their competition, so we do see a good deal of death and deception. Sal is quiet but sly and competent, making the most of every opportunity to get ahead and stay ahead of the other auditioners. Even knowing that Sal can't die, the stakes feel real. You wonder who to trust, and watching Sal inch closer and closer to getting revenge for the death and destruction of their homeland and family is engaging. The ending makes me especially curious for the second book.
The world-building is seamless. While I would say I docked a star because I'd have liked a little more exposition on the history of this world, the fact that at no point was there clunky exposition dropped into the plot is a huge plus. It was a vivid world I did want to see and understand better. With this being a duology, there's definitely that chance in the next book.
And of course there's the diversity in the book. First of all, Sal is gender fluid. Not only is this not something that is merely glossed over, it's something that is so well-integrated into them (in my mind anyways) that it feels *right* for the character. We see Sal defend their identity and explain it, but also not apologize or justify it to anyone, and it felt so good. There's also racial diversity in the book and female friendships and women not shown to be petty and catty! And best of all, it all felt effortless. This is what fantasy is for, for creating new worlds. Worlds are not made of only one caste--they are supposed to feel huge and varied, and this is how you do it.
As someone who read a lot of Tamora Pierce growing up, I can't say enough how much this book felt like it could be one of hers. The diversity! The well-drawn characters! The gender politics! I'd have no problem believing this book belongs on a shelf right next to the Tortall books. Over the years I've seen references to her work on other books. Sometimes they feel right, other times, not so much. This one, I feel, definitely would earn it.
Even though I technically own the book as an ebook, this is a title I'd have no problem buying in hardback in September to support the author. And really, in the world of books, is there a higher compliment?
Ahhh, my friends. This book, this book is a beauty. Right away I need to say that I am both cis and straight, so the gender fluid aspect of the book, while a huge delight to me, can't possibly be as important to me as someone who identifies similarly to Sal. I'm so looking forward to those reviews in the future, seeing how special and meaningful this book could be. That being said, this book is an absolute joy.
The setup is fairly simple--it's even familiar: a main character with revenge on the mind enters a contest in the hopes of becoming one of the Queen's assassins in the hopes of punishing those who destroyed their home country.
Yes. It could be Throne of Glass. Could be, but honestly? It's better.
Main character Sal is a pickpocket and highway robber. Having lived a life as a child thief, fighting to stay ahead and survive, they make an apt candidate for an assassin audition. Ad yet, refreshingly, Sal's life of crime really doesn't give them much leverage. Every step of the way the competition is bloody and brutal and unforgiving. People die and they die horribly. Rather than tell the reader over and over how talented and cunning Sal is, Miller lets the story show who Sal is.
I was one of those people that was disappointed in how thin the contest in Throne of Glass felt. Most of the contests are skimmed over or left off the page, and the ones we *do* see never feel like real challenges. Mask of Shadows is almost entirely the competition. The catch? Almost every waking second of Sal's day (and even most of their nights) are the competition. The assassins-to-be are encouraged to take out their competition, so we do see a good deal of death and deception. Sal is quiet but sly and competent, making the most of every opportunity to get ahead and stay ahead of the other auditioners. Even knowing that Sal can't die, the stakes feel real. You wonder who to trust, and watching Sal inch closer and closer to getting revenge for the death and destruction of their homeland and family is engaging. The ending makes me especially curious for the second book.
The world-building is seamless. While I would say I docked a star because I'd have liked a little more exposition on the history of this world, the fact that at no point was there clunky exposition dropped into the plot is a huge plus. It was a vivid world I did want to see and understand better. With this being a duology, there's definitely that chance in the next book.
And of course there's the diversity in the book. First of all, Sal is gender fluid. Not only is this not something that is merely glossed over, it's something that is so well-integrated into them (in my mind anyways) that it feels *right* for the character. We see Sal defend their identity and explain it, but also not apologize or justify it to anyone, and it felt so good. There's also racial diversity in the book and female friendships and women not shown to be petty and catty! And best of all, it all felt effortless. This is what fantasy is for, for creating new worlds. Worlds are not made of only one caste--they are supposed to feel huge and varied, and this is how you do it.
As someone who read a lot of Tamora Pierce growing up, I can't say enough how much this book felt like it could be one of hers. The diversity! The well-drawn characters! The gender politics! I'd have no problem believing this book belongs on a shelf right next to the Tortall books. Over the years I've seen references to her work on other books. Sometimes they feel right, other times, not so much. This one, I feel, definitely would earn it.
Even though I technically own the book as an ebook, this is a title I'd have no problem buying in hardback in September to support the author. And really, in the world of books, is there a higher compliment?
March 19, 2017
The synopsis for Mask of Shadows says "perfect for fantasy fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo". I think whoever wrote that set this book up to fail in comparison to those two writer's books. Comparing a book to the likes of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo is a very bold claim and I feel like because of that claim and the epic sounding synopsis, I was let down by this book.
The plot is kind of boring and unoriginal. It felt a lot like The Hunger Games and by a lot, I mean almost an exact copy. I'm not really into reading books that are very similar so the plot really wasn't for me.
I liked the writing. It wasn't Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo level but I liked it. It felt like the writing of a debut novel but I think there's a lot of potential for the author.
The diversity in the main character is what held this book together for me. I'd never read about a gender fluid character before and to be honest, I don't know a lot about gender fluidity. I was very interested to learn about Sal and see a new perspective. If the main character wasn't diverse, this would be a two star book for me.
Overall, Mask of Shadows was okay. I liked it for the most part but whenever I think about this book being compared to Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, I roll my eyes. That line is clearly a marketing ploy and shouldn't be taken seriously. If you don't mind books having similar plots, you might really like this book. Or if you're on the hunt for a gender fluid character, Mask of Shadows would be a good one to pick up. But, if you're looking for amazing writing and an original plot, you'll want to skip this book.
The plot is kind of boring and unoriginal. It felt a lot like The Hunger Games and by a lot, I mean almost an exact copy. I'm not really into reading books that are very similar so the plot really wasn't for me.
I liked the writing. It wasn't Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo level but I liked it. It felt like the writing of a debut novel but I think there's a lot of potential for the author.
The diversity in the main character is what held this book together for me. I'd never read about a gender fluid character before and to be honest, I don't know a lot about gender fluidity. I was very interested to learn about Sal and see a new perspective. If the main character wasn't diverse, this would be a two star book for me.
Overall, Mask of Shadows was okay. I liked it for the most part but whenever I think about this book being compared to Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, I roll my eyes. That line is clearly a marketing ploy and shouldn't be taken seriously. If you don't mind books having similar plots, you might really like this book. Or if you're on the hunt for a gender fluid character, Mask of Shadows would be a good one to pick up. But, if you're looking for amazing writing and an original plot, you'll want to skip this book.
April 27, 2020
Update
Update
I am not going to spend too much time on this review because I'm glad to have gotten through it at all. I DNF'd this book but curiosity got the better of me so I came back to find out how it ended. I was hoping that like the last couple of books I've read, they would make it to my "Come Back Kid" list at the end of the year (DNF to 5 stars) . I've had a pretty good streak going but I guess all good things must come to an end at some point.
This book suffered in so many ways (plot, character development etc ) but its real crime was from the poor world building. World building is the back bone of a good fantasy and it has to be well defined as it aids in the movement of plot and , more importantly, it helps develop the character and their motivations. Sal was a thief who stole to make ends meet and get by. While stealing from a carriage, Sal happens upon a flyer asking people to audition to become a replacement for one of the current reining monarch's assassins. At this point we don't know much about the world or its societal hierarchy. We don't have an idea of the culture or if there are any religious beliefs. Nothing. When we do get to hear more about the history of the world, Sal is telling us during internal monologues while they plan the murder of someone.
Now as I mentioned before, good world building will assist in developing your characters because it brings validation to their motivations. Sal finding the flyer brings on a sudden and burning need to avenge the death of their village by some random dude who gave an order from the palace. Prior to this flyer, Sal gave no indication that they ever considered revenge. The incident happened years
ago and Sal only talked about getting money so that they can get out of indentured servitude to this crime lord. When this side motive shows up I immediately know that this book was trying to be Throne of Glass . The main difference between that book and this one is that Celaena has an actual motive and you can feel her drive for vengeance right from the first time you meet her. You know what she has been through with just the descriptions of the mines alone and you are ready to cheer her on. You don't feel anything like that from Sal in the beginning and therefore you don't believe it when it shows up.
As soon as I realized that this book was pretty much resting on the laurels of its characters, I knew that no saving grace in the universe was going to help this train wreck. Without proper world building almost every character lacked depth and personality which made them feel like caricatures of different stereotypes i.e. our always easily offended and hot headed MC. The poor character development prevents readers from believing in them and the overall plot. The author wanted us to feel the suffering Sal underwent from a society that " hates " them for being gender fluid when no indication of that is ever shown or described. The " love interest" , Elise, has less substance than water and did not provoke a want OR need for them to be paired together. She was not witty, she did not provide any kind morality check for our MC and was basically there solely to teach Sal to read. Surprisingly the only character who was remotely interesting was Maud, Sal's chambermaid. I honestly believed she was introduced to balance out the weakness we would get from Elise with a bit of sass. I'm not saying Maud was a Nikolai (Grisha Trilogy) or anything but she at least made you curious about her and what role she could play in helping Sal win since she'd get something out of it if they did as well.
Aside from these two huge aspects, the last biggest disappointment for me was the way the MC's sexuality is presented in this book. This was my first attempt at reading a book about a gender fluid character and I recognize that it needs to be addressed initially at the beginning to establish a part of Sal's character but it does not need to be the only thing makes up Sal's character. The author made it a point, every step of the way throughout the book, to point this aspect out at every chance. With this hyper focus on Sal's sexual identity, I felt that the author lost the fact that they needed to write a great story. At every turn Sal was focusing on this aspect of themselves and what the other characters will think. They were constantly being offended when someone just didn't know what pronouns to use and anytime there is any introductory conversation they follow up their name with their identity as if it a job title. This same hyper focus permeates the writing as well because they start to misuse pronouns for characters that are not gender fluid such as Amethyst, who was initially described as a male but then is later described as a female ( see status updates ).
Overall this book was just sloppy which is a shame. I do hope other books are written with gender fluid characters that will provide a better reading experience then this novel.
Happy Reading
Jo
------------------------------------------
Initial Review
I had to do it. This book was just too much to handle. I did not like this book at all. Will have to write a better review later.
Update
I am not going to spend too much time on this review because I'm glad to have gotten through it at all. I DNF'd this book but curiosity got the better of me so I came back to find out how it ended. I was hoping that like the last couple of books I've read, they would make it to my "Come Back Kid" list at the end of the year (DNF to 5 stars) . I've had a pretty good streak going but I guess all good things must come to an end at some point.
This book suffered in so many ways (plot, character development etc ) but its real crime was from the poor world building. World building is the back bone of a good fantasy and it has to be well defined as it aids in the movement of plot and , more importantly, it helps develop the character and their motivations. Sal was a thief who stole to make ends meet and get by. While stealing from a carriage, Sal happens upon a flyer asking people to audition to become a replacement for one of the current reining monarch's assassins. At this point we don't know much about the world or its societal hierarchy. We don't have an idea of the culture or if there are any religious beliefs. Nothing. When we do get to hear more about the history of the world, Sal is telling us during internal monologues while they plan the murder of someone.
Now as I mentioned before, good world building will assist in developing your characters because it brings validation to their motivations. Sal finding the flyer brings on a sudden and burning need to avenge the death of their village by some random dude who gave an order from the palace. Prior to this flyer, Sal gave no indication that they ever considered revenge. The incident happened years
ago and Sal only talked about getting money so that they can get out of indentured servitude to this crime lord. When this side motive shows up I immediately know that this book was trying to be Throne of Glass . The main difference between that book and this one is that Celaena has an actual motive and you can feel her drive for vengeance right from the first time you meet her. You know what she has been through with just the descriptions of the mines alone and you are ready to cheer her on. You don't feel anything like that from Sal in the beginning and therefore you don't believe it when it shows up.
As soon as I realized that this book was pretty much resting on the laurels of its characters, I knew that no saving grace in the universe was going to help this train wreck. Without proper world building almost every character lacked depth and personality which made them feel like caricatures of different stereotypes i.e. our always easily offended and hot headed MC. The poor character development prevents readers from believing in them and the overall plot. The author wanted us to feel the suffering Sal underwent from a society that " hates " them for being gender fluid when no indication of that is ever shown or described. The " love interest" , Elise, has less substance than water and did not provoke a want OR need for them to be paired together. She was not witty, she did not provide any kind morality check for our MC and was basically there solely to teach Sal to read. Surprisingly the only character who was remotely interesting was Maud, Sal's chambermaid. I honestly believed she was introduced to balance out the weakness we would get from Elise with a bit of sass. I'm not saying Maud was a Nikolai (Grisha Trilogy) or anything but she at least made you curious about her and what role she could play in helping Sal win since she'd get something out of it if they did as well.
Aside from these two huge aspects, the last biggest disappointment for me was the way the MC's sexuality is presented in this book. This was my first attempt at reading a book about a gender fluid character and I recognize that it needs to be addressed initially at the beginning to establish a part of Sal's character but it does not need to be the only thing makes up Sal's character. The author made it a point, every step of the way throughout the book, to point this aspect out at every chance. With this hyper focus on Sal's sexual identity, I felt that the author lost the fact that they needed to write a great story. At every turn Sal was focusing on this aspect of themselves and what the other characters will think. They were constantly being offended when someone just didn't know what pronouns to use and anytime there is any introductory conversation they follow up their name with their identity as if it a job title. This same hyper focus permeates the writing as well because they start to misuse pronouns for characters that are not gender fluid such as Amethyst, who was initially described as a male but then is later described as a female ( see status updates ).
Overall this book was just sloppy which is a shame. I do hope other books are written with gender fluid characters that will provide a better reading experience then this novel.
Happy Reading
Jo
------------------------------------------
Initial Review
I had to do it. This book was just too much to handle. I did not like this book at all. Will have to write a better review later.
July 3, 2017
This book had a lot of potential. The premise was there and it made sense, but it lost itself in info dumping, inaccessible characters, and overt similarities to other books.
Things I Liked :
I actually thought the premise of the competition to become the Queen’s next assassin was great. It made complete sense: kill the other competitors and don’t get caught. It was smart and allowed the book to have a lot of action and fight scenes. The tests the competitors faced were also very logical - specific tasks used to both test and train the potential assassins. It was smart.
I have to praise the inclusion of Sal, our genderfluid protagonist. Sal likes to be referred to as he/she/they depending on what they're wearing. Sal’s being genderfluid was very much a non issue for the other characters, who largely accepted Sal as any other competitor.
I liked the imagery of the Queen’s assassin’s guild, The Left hand, each member reflecting a ring worn on the Queen’s left hand. The use of gemstones created a vibrant picture of this assassin group, when the aliases of the other characters made connecting with them difficult.
Things I Didn’t Like :
There was a good bit of info dumping in the beginning of the story. We get fed a lot of history about Sal’s background, the revenge quest Sal is now on, the country, previous wars and customs. Even with all of this information, it didn’t feel cohesive. I couldn’t clearly connect points of information we were given to fill this new world.
The number aliases given to the competitors and the code names given to the Erland Lords did not help the story at all. It made it hard to keep track of the competitors, especially when the competition was beginning, and difficult to connect the Lord’s roles with the wars that destroyed Sal’s home. I couldn’t connect to the characters and had to reread several passages to understand who was doing what, and what their motivations were.
It was clear that the Queen banished magic, and the Shadows along with it, but I couldn't tell you anything else magic/shadows related. I still don’t understand how the shadows/magic work: If it’s by glyphs, can anyone use them or only magically inclined people? What do the shadows actually do, or do they just kill people? How exactly are they controlled? The whole magic situation was unclear and confusing.
I just didn’t need the romance and I didn’t really buy it. They had some cute banter, but it didn’t feel like there was enough build up for me to be invested.
There was LOTS of action which was a plus, but there wasn’t much tension or suspense in the action scenes. The fights and training felt like there was only one outcome possible. Even when the new Opal is told they won the competition, it’s done so blasé and given none of the weight we're told the position deserved.
I was disappointed with this book. And it’s unfortunate because it had the greatest potential - who doesn’t love assassin stories. Being more straightforward and deliberate would have greatly helped the story, especially regarding the scattered history we were given.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review.
Things I Liked :
I actually thought the premise of the competition to become the Queen’s next assassin was great. It made complete sense: kill the other competitors and don’t get caught. It was smart and allowed the book to have a lot of action and fight scenes. The tests the competitors faced were also very logical - specific tasks used to both test and train the potential assassins. It was smart.
I have to praise the inclusion of Sal, our genderfluid protagonist. Sal likes to be referred to as he/she/they depending on what they're wearing. Sal’s being genderfluid was very much a non issue for the other characters, who largely accepted Sal as any other competitor.
I liked the imagery of the Queen’s assassin’s guild, The Left hand, each member reflecting a ring worn on the Queen’s left hand. The use of gemstones created a vibrant picture of this assassin group, when the aliases of the other characters made connecting with them difficult.
Things I Didn’t Like :
There was a good bit of info dumping in the beginning of the story. We get fed a lot of history about Sal’s background, the revenge quest Sal is now on, the country, previous wars and customs. Even with all of this information, it didn’t feel cohesive. I couldn’t clearly connect points of information we were given to fill this new world.
The number aliases given to the competitors and the code names given to the Erland Lords did not help the story at all. It made it hard to keep track of the competitors, especially when the competition was beginning, and difficult to connect the Lord’s roles with the wars that destroyed Sal’s home. I couldn’t connect to the characters and had to reread several passages to understand who was doing what, and what their motivations were.
It was clear that the Queen banished magic, and the Shadows along with it, but I couldn't tell you anything else magic/shadows related. I still don’t understand how the shadows/magic work: If it’s by glyphs, can anyone use them or only magically inclined people? What do the shadows actually do, or do they just kill people? How exactly are they controlled? The whole magic situation was unclear and confusing.
I just didn’t need the romance and I didn’t really buy it. They had some cute banter, but it didn’t feel like there was enough build up for me to be invested.
There was LOTS of action which was a plus, but there wasn’t much tension or suspense in the action scenes. The fights and training felt like there was only one outcome possible. Even when the new Opal is told they won the competition, it’s done so blasé and given none of the weight we're told the position deserved.
I was disappointed with this book. And it’s unfortunate because it had the greatest potential - who doesn’t love assassin stories. Being more straightforward and deliberate would have greatly helped the story, especially regarding the scattered history we were given.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review.
August 18, 2017
You know, for a book where all the characters battle each other to the death, this was really... dull. The premise was incredibly cool, with a competition to become part of the Queen's assassins, yet the execution fell rather flat.
I hardly know where to begin with this. I was really excited to read Mask of Shadows, but I never really got into the story. At times, it felt a lot longer than it actually was, and I couldn't connect to any of the characters. All of the assassins are numbered from one to twenty-three, given a mask but no name, no characteristics, no recognisable traits. This kept them from becoming real characters and left them being numbers. I couldn't distuingish one from the other and cared about minus twenty percent when one of them kicked the bucket.
Aside from that, none of it felt very new. If you've read The Hunger Games or Throne of Glass, I doubt there's much in Mask of Shadows that you didn't find in either of those. I did like Maud, and the fact that Sal was genderfluid was certainly great, I felt like they could've done so much more with that.
In the end, I am left feeling rather disappointed. This story had a lot of potential, but wasn't polished enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy
I hardly know where to begin with this. I was really excited to read Mask of Shadows, but I never really got into the story. At times, it felt a lot longer than it actually was, and I couldn't connect to any of the characters. All of the assassins are numbered from one to twenty-three, given a mask but no name, no characteristics, no recognisable traits. This kept them from becoming real characters and left them being numbers. I couldn't distuingish one from the other and cared about minus twenty percent when one of them kicked the bucket.
Aside from that, none of it felt very new. If you've read The Hunger Games or Throne of Glass, I doubt there's much in Mask of Shadows that you didn't find in either of those. I did like Maud, and the fact that Sal was genderfluid was certainly great, I felt like they could've done so much more with that.
In the end, I am left feeling rather disappointed. This story had a lot of potential, but wasn't polished enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy
October 4, 2018
This book has a gender fluid thief competiting to become the Queens assassin. OMG! Yes Please! The assassin competition totally gave me Throne of Glass vibes and I really enjoyed the representation of a gender fluid character. The Queen has 4 assassins called the Left Hand and each assassin is called by the gem the queen where on her left hand. Theres Ruby, Emerald, Amethyst and Opal. Since Opal died the Queen is holding a competition to replace her
At first I was dying to know what sexe the main character Sallot had been born with because its easier for my brain to relate that way but eventually I didnt mind not knowing and I came to see Sal as both depending how they were portraying their gender that day. I though they were attractive either way, especially when they were flirting with the noble lady Elise. I loved Elises interaction with Sal. She has a sharp mind and a compassionate heart.
I also enjoyed Sal relationship with their servant Maud and some of the other auditoner like Four and Two. I came to really love the Left Hand assassins during the competition. They believe in killing only when they absolutely have to. They have strict rules not to harm anyone outside the competition. We really get a chance to know them because they spend most of the book training and evaluating the auditionners. I really liked that the competition takes place for most of the book.
I was a little disapointed we didnt get any magic because the Queen blocked it to prevent the shadows for killing her people, but the competition more than made up for it. The pace was just right. It wasnt fast but it also wasnt too slow. I usually prefer a fast pace but I see the benefit of not rushing. I dont like it when we only get action at end after a slow build up. This book had both action throughout and a great ending. I didnt see the twist coming but I have some interesting predictions for the sequel.
*received in exchange for an honest review*
At first I was dying to know what sexe the main character Sallot had been born with because its easier for my brain to relate that way but eventually I didnt mind not knowing and I came to see Sal as both depending how they were portraying their gender that day. I though they were attractive either way, especially when they were flirting with the noble lady Elise. I loved Elises interaction with Sal. She has a sharp mind and a compassionate heart.
I also enjoyed Sal relationship with their servant Maud and some of the other auditoner like Four and Two. I came to really love the Left Hand assassins during the competition. They believe in killing only when they absolutely have to. They have strict rules not to harm anyone outside the competition. We really get a chance to know them because they spend most of the book training and evaluating the auditionners. I really liked that the competition takes place for most of the book.
I was a little disapointed we didnt get any magic because the Queen blocked it to prevent the shadows for killing her people, but the competition more than made up for it. The pace was just right. It wasnt fast but it also wasnt too slow. I usually prefer a fast pace but I see the benefit of not rushing. I dont like it when we only get action at end after a slow build up. This book had both action throughout and a great ending. I didnt see the twist coming but I have some interesting predictions for the sequel.
*received in exchange for an honest review*
April 29, 2018
I was what I was - what Nacea had made me, what Erlend had made me, what Our Queen had made me. There was no innocence left in this world, left in me, not after all we had done
* * .5
2.5 / 5
I had very high hopes for Linsey Miller's debut novel and, on the whole, I was a little disappointed. Whilst there's intrigue, assassinations, politics, a competition (there's very little I love more than game plots - see A Gathering of Shadows), and a reasonably well-developed main character, Sallot Leon, the book feels rough. I must say that Sallot just sounds like shallot, which is not even close to be as cool a name as Sal.
The novel opens with Sal doing their thing as a highway robber. The writing is good, though the dialogue is a bit clunky. I was slightly concerned that the plot might turn out like Throne of Glass - there's a competition to become an assassin, a tough character with a tragic past - but fortunately these concerns are soon swept away. There are initial hints to Miller's world building, mentions of runes, magic and shadows, as well as a civil war and impending trouble. All exciting stuff. There is little explanation of these at the start, possibly to avoid clunky info-dumping, but I did feel a little confused until about half-way in. Frankly, even by the end of the book I still didn't really understand how Miller's runes and magic system functioned!
Quite swiftly, within a dozen or so pages, the plot moves on to the main element: the competition for the opportunity to be the fourth assassin, Opal, of the Queen's left hand (does she only have four fingers?). The other three assassins, Ruby, Amethyst, and Emerald, oversee the competition. Ruby has the most memorable personality whereas Amethyst and Emerald are a little too interchangeable. Everyone has scars and is super muscular. Now, to enter the competition, Sal must leave the criminal gang they belong to and bring a token worthy of an assassin. I found this scene a touch unrealistic. Sal takes the life of gang leader Grell, a man they have served under since childhood, who takes people's fingers on a whim. Yet Sal has no issues betraying him, a man who scares everyone else witless, chopping off his hand with no real difficultly all within hours of learning about the competition!
Where this book gets good is the competition itself. Sal is competitor number 23, and this section is abound with plots, lessons, and murders. Three of my favourite things. Winding alongside this narrative arc is Sal's underlying motive: revenge for their country, Nacea, which was decimated during the civil war, and love for the Queen. There's also the delightful building up of Sal's relationship with their maid, Maud, and the fledgling romance with Elise, Sal's tutor. Elise is charming, beautiful, and a scholar to boot. Their meeting is delightful. The romance itself, however, seems a little confused. It seems to stray into various cliches and paradigms: it is vaguely forbidden because of the disparity in social standing and Elise's father, it is sweet and slow building, and then passionate. I felt like Miller couldn't quite settle on the kind of romance she wanted to tell and instead varied between kinds and it ends up being a bit unsatisfying.
Neither were Sal's relationships with the other competitors particularly well-developed. We get it, they're all trying to kill each other, so there aren't any particularly close relationships. The fact that they are only ever called by numbers makes it a little hard to tell Two, Four, Five, Eleven, Fifteen and a few more, characters that are supposed to be notable, apart. I had a few moments where a character popped up and I thought they had already been killed. There's also the fact that Sal takes their mask off at one point and none of the other competitors recognised them. I think if I spent a few weeks in close proximity with someone in a mask, I'd recognise their body shape and appearance even without it.
Then there is Sal. I applaud the author for writing a genderfluid person of colour (Sal is described as having "russet-toned skin") as diversity in books is something I prize. This isn't a novel about being genderfluid, it just has a character who happens to be so. I only wish Sal's identity wasn't so entrenched in sexist stereotypes about what it is to be a man or woman. Miller manages to avoid the classic clunky information dump and instead opts to only bring it up concerning clothes and their relation to pronouns. Consistently Sal says things like "I dress how I like to be addressed - he, she, or they" or "You can call me she when I dress like this. I dress how I am" (whilst wearing a dress, in which Sal twirls a lot) the implication here obviously being that a woman is a person in a dress... There are more examples. Interestingly, the blurb uses "they" for Sal (which is why I have used it in this review), yet Sal snaps at people using "they", saying "address me however I look", as though there is a way to look like a woman (there isn't). Whilst I appreciate the author's attempt to write a diverse character, this was not the way to do it. One's identity should not be built on shoving other people into gender roles.
The last 10% or so of the book was the crowning jewel for me. The emotions were ramped up and this is where Miller's writing truly shone - I could feel the passion in the words, I could feel Sal. I mean look at this:
I would kill the lords whose heritage was built on war and hate, and I would never be free of it, but the world would be free of them.
I was uncertain about Sal's motive before - they seem torn between revenge, duty to the Queen, and personal improvement at various points in the plot - but now I have no doubt. It's definitely revenge. The Queen also finally shows the spine I'd been waiting for:
"I am nothing like them. The decisions I made, everything I gave up, I did it for you, for each and every one of you, and you have no idea of the costs. You may be able to repay your debt in blood, but I'll take mine to the pyre."
A pet peeve of mine is when a character is so -sassy- and disrespectful to someone who, realistically, they ought to be in fear and awe of. This woman has united countries and ordered deaths! I'd be on my knees and yet previously the Queen had seemingly given Sal a free pass to be a cliche, irritating snob. So when I read this bit I was immensely pleased. Where had this stunning writing been for the rest of the book? The rest of the writing was fine, but the last few pages were excellent! Miller sets up perfectly for the sequel.
Overall, the plot was based on something I love (a game/competition) so I was fairly sure I would enjoy this. It's not a particularly original book and it could have massively benefited from some more explanation of the world and less dependence on gender roles, but I was pleased with the fast-paced plot, the writing, and the exciting end.
My thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.co...
* * .5
2.5 / 5
I had very high hopes for Linsey Miller's debut novel and, on the whole, I was a little disappointed. Whilst there's intrigue, assassinations, politics, a competition (there's very little I love more than game plots - see A Gathering of Shadows), and a reasonably well-developed main character, Sallot Leon, the book feels rough. I must say that Sallot just sounds like shallot, which is not even close to be as cool a name as Sal.
The novel opens with Sal doing their thing as a highway robber. The writing is good, though the dialogue is a bit clunky. I was slightly concerned that the plot might turn out like Throne of Glass - there's a competition to become an assassin, a tough character with a tragic past - but fortunately these concerns are soon swept away. There are initial hints to Miller's world building, mentions of runes, magic and shadows, as well as a civil war and impending trouble. All exciting stuff. There is little explanation of these at the start, possibly to avoid clunky info-dumping, but I did feel a little confused until about half-way in. Frankly, even by the end of the book I still didn't really understand how Miller's runes and magic system functioned!
Quite swiftly, within a dozen or so pages, the plot moves on to the main element: the competition for the opportunity to be the fourth assassin, Opal, of the Queen's left hand (does she only have four fingers?). The other three assassins, Ruby, Amethyst, and Emerald, oversee the competition. Ruby has the most memorable personality whereas Amethyst and Emerald are a little too interchangeable. Everyone has scars and is super muscular. Now, to enter the competition, Sal must leave the criminal gang they belong to and bring a token worthy of an assassin. I found this scene a touch unrealistic. Sal takes the life of gang leader Grell, a man they have served under since childhood, who takes people's fingers on a whim. Yet Sal has no issues betraying him, a man who scares everyone else witless, chopping off his hand with no real difficultly all within hours of learning about the competition!
Where this book gets good is the competition itself. Sal is competitor number 23, and this section is abound with plots, lessons, and murders. Three of my favourite things. Winding alongside this narrative arc is Sal's underlying motive: revenge for their country, Nacea, which was decimated during the civil war, and love for the Queen. There's also the delightful building up of Sal's relationship with their maid, Maud, and the fledgling romance with Elise, Sal's tutor. Elise is charming, beautiful, and a scholar to boot. Their meeting is delightful. The romance itself, however, seems a little confused. It seems to stray into various cliches and paradigms: it is vaguely forbidden because of the disparity in social standing and Elise's father, it is sweet and slow building, and then passionate. I felt like Miller couldn't quite settle on the kind of romance she wanted to tell and instead varied between kinds and it ends up being a bit unsatisfying.
Neither were Sal's relationships with the other competitors particularly well-developed. We get it, they're all trying to kill each other, so there aren't any particularly close relationships. The fact that they are only ever called by numbers makes it a little hard to tell Two, Four, Five, Eleven, Fifteen and a few more, characters that are supposed to be notable, apart. I had a few moments where a character popped up and I thought they had already been killed. There's also the fact that Sal takes their mask off at one point and none of the other competitors recognised them. I think if I spent a few weeks in close proximity with someone in a mask, I'd recognise their body shape and appearance even without it.
Then there is Sal. I applaud the author for writing a genderfluid person of colour (Sal is described as having "russet-toned skin") as diversity in books is something I prize. This isn't a novel about being genderfluid, it just has a character who happens to be so. I only wish Sal's identity wasn't so entrenched in sexist stereotypes about what it is to be a man or woman. Miller manages to avoid the classic clunky information dump and instead opts to only bring it up concerning clothes and their relation to pronouns. Consistently Sal says things like "I dress how I like to be addressed - he, she, or they" or "You can call me she when I dress like this. I dress how I am" (whilst wearing a dress, in which Sal twirls a lot) the implication here obviously being that a woman is a person in a dress... There are more examples. Interestingly, the blurb uses "they" for Sal (which is why I have used it in this review), yet Sal snaps at people using "they", saying "address me however I look", as though there is a way to look like a woman (there isn't). Whilst I appreciate the author's attempt to write a diverse character, this was not the way to do it. One's identity should not be built on shoving other people into gender roles.
The last 10% or so of the book was the crowning jewel for me. The emotions were ramped up and this is where Miller's writing truly shone - I could feel the passion in the words, I could feel Sal. I mean look at this:
I would kill the lords whose heritage was built on war and hate, and I would never be free of it, but the world would be free of them.
I was uncertain about Sal's motive before - they seem torn between revenge, duty to the Queen, and personal improvement at various points in the plot - but now I have no doubt. It's definitely revenge. The Queen also finally shows the spine I'd been waiting for:
"I am nothing like them. The decisions I made, everything I gave up, I did it for you, for each and every one of you, and you have no idea of the costs. You may be able to repay your debt in blood, but I'll take mine to the pyre."
A pet peeve of mine is when a character is so -sassy- and disrespectful to someone who, realistically, they ought to be in fear and awe of. This woman has united countries and ordered deaths! I'd be on my knees and yet previously the Queen had seemingly given Sal a free pass to be a cliche, irritating snob. So when I read this bit I was immensely pleased. Where had this stunning writing been for the rest of the book? The rest of the writing was fine, but the last few pages were excellent! Miller sets up perfectly for the sequel.
Overall, the plot was based on something I love (a game/competition) so I was fairly sure I would enjoy this. It's not a particularly original book and it could have massively benefited from some more explanation of the world and less dependence on gender roles, but I was pleased with the fast-paced plot, the writing, and the exciting end.
My thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.co...
May 24, 2017
I absolutely loved this book to the point where the author and I are going to have a talk about these cinnamon roll characters and how VERY STRESSED I ALREADY AM ABOUT BOOK TWO. There's not a cliffhanger, per se, but it's obviously a series, and I AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT MY NOT-SO-SWEET AND EXTREMELY DEADLY SAL.
No, really. I really enjoyed this book. I could quibble over a few pacing issues and a few worldbuilding things, but the book flowed beautifully, everyone was complex and interesting, even the 'evil' characters, and I adored spending time with Sal, the narrator and main character. They leapt off the page and into my heart where they're probably scowling at me and threatening to stab me. But they wouldn't, because they're soft in a world that wants to make them hard.
I can't speak to the genderfluid rep, but it felt natural to me, and Sal never dwelled on it which I appreciated. There was no long explanation of when they started to feel this way, and you never find out what body parts they do, or do not, have, which I *also* appreciate.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET BOOK 2?
No, really. I really enjoyed this book. I could quibble over a few pacing issues and a few worldbuilding things, but the book flowed beautifully, everyone was complex and interesting, even the 'evil' characters, and I adored spending time with Sal, the narrator and main character. They leapt off the page and into my heart where they're probably scowling at me and threatening to stab me. But they wouldn't, because they're soft in a world that wants to make them hard.
I can't speak to the genderfluid rep, but it felt natural to me, and Sal never dwelled on it which I appreciated. There was no long explanation of when they started to feel this way, and you never find out what body parts they do, or do not, have, which I *also* appreciate.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET BOOK 2?
January 13, 2018
Primera decepción con mayúsculas del año.
Me encantan los libros cuyos protagonistas sean asesinos y/o ladrones que se buscan la vida como pueden y este libro me llamaba mucho por su sinopsis. Ha sido una gran decepción. Durante todo el libro he sentido que este libro ya lo había leído porque se parece muchísimo a otras sagas, pero con unas decisiones diferentes a la de dicha saga que no voy a poner.
Sallot León es un ladrón de género fluido cuyo mayor deseo es vengarse de aquellos que exterminaron a su pueblo. En uno de sus asaltos encuentra la invitación para la competición que tendrá lugar para ocupar el puesto de Ópalo, uno de los cuatro asesinos de la Gran Soberana que conforman la comúnmente llamada Mano Izquierda. Para conseguir el puesto, deberán competir entre todos asesinando a los demás y superando las pruebas que el resto de la Mano Izquierda ponga para ellos. Bien, el argumento no está mal si no fuera por la mala planificación de la autora. Ha sido muy confuso. Durante toda la competición ponen una serie de reglas que van cambiando según sople el aire. ¿Ayer estaba permitido hacer x cosa? Hoy como os pillemos seréis descalificados. El cambio constante de reglas sin explicación han hecho que en su mayor parte me sintiera confusa porque, como digo, no había justificación para ese cambio de reglamento. También ha habido escenas y capítulos que cortan la escena y en el siguiente capítulo casi no se nombran, solo por encima y aún ha sido más difícil de comprender qué pasó en el transcurso del tiempo.
En cuanto a los personajes también ha sido confuso recordar o atribuir cada uno a un número. No se conocen los nombres y tampoco hay una descripción detallada que te ayude a recordar quién es quién, salvo por el protagonista, la Mano Izquierda y algún que otro personaje secundario, pero el resto de los competidores han estado en blanco para mi. El protagonista, para ser de género fluido, tampoco es que se le haya dado importancia. Esperaba más en este aspecto y que no se pasará por encima, he leído libros que se desarrolla mejor y se ve el cambio del personaje pero no aquí. Rubí ha sido el personaje que mas me ha gustado, pero me quede con ganas de conocerlo en profundidad.
La trama se me ha hecho muy cuesta arriba y me costó terminar el libro, pero por curiosidad sobre el final seguí leyendo pero no me ha convencido. No creo que lea el siguiente libro de esta bilogía y me entristece porque era uno de los libros que más ganas tenía de leer.
Me encantan los libros cuyos protagonistas sean asesinos y/o ladrones que se buscan la vida como pueden y este libro me llamaba mucho por su sinopsis. Ha sido una gran decepción. Durante todo el libro he sentido que este libro ya lo había leído porque se parece muchísimo a otras sagas, pero con unas decisiones diferentes a la de dicha saga que no voy a poner.
Sallot León es un ladrón de género fluido cuyo mayor deseo es vengarse de aquellos que exterminaron a su pueblo. En uno de sus asaltos encuentra la invitación para la competición que tendrá lugar para ocupar el puesto de Ópalo, uno de los cuatro asesinos de la Gran Soberana que conforman la comúnmente llamada Mano Izquierda. Para conseguir el puesto, deberán competir entre todos asesinando a los demás y superando las pruebas que el resto de la Mano Izquierda ponga para ellos. Bien, el argumento no está mal si no fuera por la mala planificación de la autora. Ha sido muy confuso. Durante toda la competición ponen una serie de reglas que van cambiando según sople el aire. ¿Ayer estaba permitido hacer x cosa? Hoy como os pillemos seréis descalificados. El cambio constante de reglas sin explicación han hecho que en su mayor parte me sintiera confusa porque, como digo, no había justificación para ese cambio de reglamento. También ha habido escenas y capítulos que cortan la escena y en el siguiente capítulo casi no se nombran, solo por encima y aún ha sido más difícil de comprender qué pasó en el transcurso del tiempo.
En cuanto a los personajes también ha sido confuso recordar o atribuir cada uno a un número. No se conocen los nombres y tampoco hay una descripción detallada que te ayude a recordar quién es quién, salvo por el protagonista, la Mano Izquierda y algún que otro personaje secundario, pero el resto de los competidores han estado en blanco para mi. El protagonista, para ser de género fluido, tampoco es que se le haya dado importancia. Esperaba más en este aspecto y que no se pasará por encima, he leído libros que se desarrolla mejor y se ve el cambio del personaje pero no aquí. Rubí ha sido el personaje que mas me ha gustado, pero me quede con ganas de conocerlo en profundidad.
La trama se me ha hecho muy cuesta arriba y me costó terminar el libro, pero por curiosidad sobre el final seguí leyendo pero no me ha convencido. No creo que lea el siguiente libro de esta bilogía y me entristece porque era uno de los libros que más ganas tenía de leer.
August 18, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Just an FYI, I skipped giving a basic summary and went right in. There are also spoilers ahead.
I hate to say it, but I have to DNF Mask of Shadows. It has been sitting at 59% for months now, because I can't force myself further. I was excited when I found out what it had been about and that NetGalley had approved my request of an e-ARC. I felt on top of the world, excited to have this progressive YA fantasy in my hands with a gender fluid character (Sal) as its protagonist. Actually, of all things, that might be the only aspect I did enjoy: the gender fluidity was something natural to Sal, something that they summed up well by explaining that they dressed as they felt and sometimes they felt like wearing traditionally female outfits and sometimes they felt like wearing traditionally male outfits, and they did not identify with gender norms. I loved it, because the cis-gender dichotomy needs to go. I'm a firm believer that the existence of gender fluidity should be accepted, and that it isn't that difficult to understand or work toward inclusion/acceptance. Person X does not feel like either gender (or any known gender--there are many that I am still learning about), and they wish to be referred to as they/them/whatever pronoun they request. It isn't the highest level of math or science requiring years of study before understanding--it is learning the preferences of an individual, which you already do with the people in your life. This book works to show the naturalness of gender fluidity and how it doesn't change daily life, it just changes a very tiny portion of your perspective. Many kudos for this.
Another aspect I did enjoy was that it was made clear that knowledge and skills have power. Knowing what plants are poisonous, how to write, reading the intentions of others from their actions and the inflections of verbal language--among many other examples from the competitors training--I appreciated the emphasis of a strong body being just as important as a strong mind, because being weak in one or the other puts that individual at a disadvantage. Since developing knowledge and skills was incorporated into the competitors' training, it was more believable to me that the winning competitor, who becomes Opal, is the fittest. Ruby and Emerald, the other hands to the queen, tried to even the field by tailoring each competitors training to what they are weak in and lack.
Now, aside from those aspects, the writing wasn't terrible. It was actually pretty good, right up there with other YA fantasy books that I enjoy. What failed in this book, however, was characterization and clarity.
-Characterization: I didn't find Sal likable or believable. They were a know-it-all constantly, and I give that personality typecast out rarely. Why? Because everyone at some point acts like a know-it-all. However, once in a blue moon there is a person who becomes the epitome of this typecast, because they eat, sleep, breathe omniscient thoughts, words, and actions--can't go a moment without something big or small occurring and that person interjecting to explain. We don't need the explanation 24/7. We just don't. With Sal I noticed that the inner monologue consisted of them explaining left, right, up, down, in, and out what they were doing. They were like a magician with how they knew things about other people, or knew of key political members that caused the desolation of Sal's people. They also knew things that didn't make sense for them to know, or they suddenly (and conveniently) brought up information that worked to their favor but left me wondering why that tidbit suddenly came to light when it was relevant to something previous (nor do you find out how Sal found it out)... Let me just end this part by saying--I would have been more appreciative and finished this book if this character was portrayed in a way that left me wanting to see where their story went. Since Sal knew everything, there really wasn't much of a story for me to stick around for. The way the book had been going up until 59%, Sal was sure to know how to deal with everything that came their way without any of my concern.
-Clarity is my biggest issue with this book, and it all comes down to keeping track of all the participants in the competition determining the next Opal. I understand why each competitor was assigned a number and given a mask for anonymity, but daggone if I didn't spend more time flipping back and forth, back and forth trying to figure out who is who than I did enjoying the story. By giving the competitors numbers for reference, it was so hard for me to remember who was which number. Yes, there were physical descriptions given, theories as to where someone might be from based on speech and behavior...But a name is really important and is meant to be the first memorable thing you are given to identify one person from another. By using numbers instead, you lost that memorability. With the memorability lost, the story becomes difficult to navigate and leads to frustration. And in my case, not finishing the book. The author would have been better off having Sal create arbitrary names throughout for reference based upon who he thinks each competitor is (in terms of their background, at least).
Overall guys, I'm greatly disappointed. The premise was SO PROMISING, and I'm bummed that I can't get myself to go on. Once it no longer felt rewarding and I had to force myself to continue, I knew it was time to call it quits.
I suggest giving it a try, see what happens. It is possible that there were fantastic improvements made. I haven't decided if I'm going to pick up a published copy. We shall see.
2 bitchin' stars from me.
Just an FYI, I skipped giving a basic summary and went right in. There are also spoilers ahead.
I hate to say it, but I have to DNF Mask of Shadows. It has been sitting at 59% for months now, because I can't force myself further. I was excited when I found out what it had been about and that NetGalley had approved my request of an e-ARC. I felt on top of the world, excited to have this progressive YA fantasy in my hands with a gender fluid character (Sal) as its protagonist. Actually, of all things, that might be the only aspect I did enjoy: the gender fluidity was something natural to Sal, something that they summed up well by explaining that they dressed as they felt and sometimes they felt like wearing traditionally female outfits and sometimes they felt like wearing traditionally male outfits, and they did not identify with gender norms. I loved it, because the cis-gender dichotomy needs to go. I'm a firm believer that the existence of gender fluidity should be accepted, and that it isn't that difficult to understand or work toward inclusion/acceptance. Person X does not feel like either gender (or any known gender--there are many that I am still learning about), and they wish to be referred to as they/them/whatever pronoun they request. It isn't the highest level of math or science requiring years of study before understanding--it is learning the preferences of an individual, which you already do with the people in your life. This book works to show the naturalness of gender fluidity and how it doesn't change daily life, it just changes a very tiny portion of your perspective. Many kudos for this.
Another aspect I did enjoy was that it was made clear that knowledge and skills have power. Knowing what plants are poisonous, how to write, reading the intentions of others from their actions and the inflections of verbal language--among many other examples from the competitors training--I appreciated the emphasis of a strong body being just as important as a strong mind, because being weak in one or the other puts that individual at a disadvantage. Since developing knowledge and skills was incorporated into the competitors' training, it was more believable to me that the winning competitor, who becomes Opal, is the fittest. Ruby and Emerald, the other hands to the queen, tried to even the field by tailoring each competitors training to what they are weak in and lack.
Now, aside from those aspects, the writing wasn't terrible. It was actually pretty good, right up there with other YA fantasy books that I enjoy. What failed in this book, however, was characterization and clarity.
-Characterization: I didn't find Sal likable or believable. They were a know-it-all constantly, and I give that personality typecast out rarely. Why? Because everyone at some point acts like a know-it-all. However, once in a blue moon there is a person who becomes the epitome of this typecast, because they eat, sleep, breathe omniscient thoughts, words, and actions--can't go a moment without something big or small occurring and that person interjecting to explain. We don't need the explanation 24/7. We just don't. With Sal I noticed that the inner monologue consisted of them explaining left, right, up, down, in, and out what they were doing. They were like a magician with how they knew things about other people, or knew of key political members that caused the desolation of Sal's people. They also knew things that didn't make sense for them to know, or they suddenly (and conveniently) brought up information that worked to their favor but left me wondering why that tidbit suddenly came to light when it was relevant to something previous (nor do you find out how Sal found it out)... Let me just end this part by saying--I would have been more appreciative and finished this book if this character was portrayed in a way that left me wanting to see where their story went. Since Sal knew everything, there really wasn't much of a story for me to stick around for. The way the book had been going up until 59%, Sal was sure to know how to deal with everything that came their way without any of my concern.
-Clarity is my biggest issue with this book, and it all comes down to keeping track of all the participants in the competition determining the next Opal. I understand why each competitor was assigned a number and given a mask for anonymity, but daggone if I didn't spend more time flipping back and forth, back and forth trying to figure out who is who than I did enjoying the story. By giving the competitors numbers for reference, it was so hard for me to remember who was which number. Yes, there were physical descriptions given, theories as to where someone might be from based on speech and behavior...But a name is really important and is meant to be the first memorable thing you are given to identify one person from another. By using numbers instead, you lost that memorability. With the memorability lost, the story becomes difficult to navigate and leads to frustration. And in my case, not finishing the book. The author would have been better off having Sal create arbitrary names throughout for reference based upon who he thinks each competitor is (in terms of their background, at least).
Overall guys, I'm greatly disappointed. The premise was SO PROMISING, and I'm bummed that I can't get myself to go on. Once it no longer felt rewarding and I had to force myself to continue, I knew it was time to call it quits.
I suggest giving it a try, see what happens. It is possible that there were fantastic improvements made. I haven't decided if I'm going to pick up a published copy. We shall see.
2 bitchin' stars from me.
August 19, 2017
2.5 stars
While I definitely think the premise of this book was promising, I don't find that the execution lived up to my expectations. I really appreciated the main character, Sal, being gender fluid and I found that I liked the way Sal's gender fluid-ness was explained within the text. Many of the characters respected their gender identity and I appreciated that. However, I can't help but feel that Sal's gender identity would have been more efficient had the story been written in 3rd person. That way the author could have used the various pronouns used to describe Sal that they insist upon in the text. I've never read a book with a gender fluid main character that shows us the use of pronouns in that way. I feel it would have been even more effective.
I feel the rest of the issues with this book comes down to bad writing. The majority of characters within this novel are either referred to as numbers or long, fancy names that match characters that you don't get to meet for most of the novel. This was incredibly confusing. It wasn't until the end of the book that I felt I could tell any of the auditioners or members of the Left Hand apart. They didn't have enough distinguishable personality characteristics to really stand out from one another. I don't feel like Amethyst and Emerald had very different personalities and none of the auditioners had any personality aside from Sal and Five, who is set apart as the "bad guy." The descriptions of the old lords and mages from the history of this world were incredibly confusing because of how the names in this story read. There are still many characters that I'm still not sure who is who.
I also felt like the descriptions and actions were equally as confusing. There were many instances when Sal would be in one place and the very next sentence they'd be in another place with no description of how they moved between the two points. Sal would be performing one action before suddenly be doing another, without any transition between the two. That was super confusing because I constantly found myself having to reread passages and asking myself, "what?" There is one scene where Sal is walking before suddenly crawling in rafters before suddenly walking again but it's never said that Sal is moving between these places.
The plot and world-building weren't very original and, again, quite confusing. I'd also have to say that the first half of the book was quite boring. However, I very much enjoyed the second half once the plot got more action packed and the court intrigue got more intense. I can't say I enjoyed the romance for the pure fact that Sal and their love interest fell head over heals over the span of a few days. They were basically ready to die for each other and Sal essentially threw away all of their convictions and hatred for Erlend after knowing their love interest for a few days. It was way too intense, way too fast which kind of soured it for me, even if I thought their interactions were cute.
Overall I appreciated seeing a gender fluid main character and I'd love to see more characters in these underrepresented minorities in the future. However the rest of this book fell low for me and I'm unsure whether it's compelling enough for me to want to continue the series.
I received an ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While I definitely think the premise of this book was promising, I don't find that the execution lived up to my expectations. I really appreciated the main character, Sal, being gender fluid and I found that I liked the way Sal's gender fluid-ness was explained within the text. Many of the characters respected their gender identity and I appreciated that. However, I can't help but feel that Sal's gender identity would have been more efficient had the story been written in 3rd person. That way the author could have used the various pronouns used to describe Sal that they insist upon in the text. I've never read a book with a gender fluid main character that shows us the use of pronouns in that way. I feel it would have been even more effective.
I feel the rest of the issues with this book comes down to bad writing. The majority of characters within this novel are either referred to as numbers or long, fancy names that match characters that you don't get to meet for most of the novel. This was incredibly confusing. It wasn't until the end of the book that I felt I could tell any of the auditioners or members of the Left Hand apart. They didn't have enough distinguishable personality characteristics to really stand out from one another. I don't feel like Amethyst and Emerald had very different personalities and none of the auditioners had any personality aside from Sal and Five, who is set apart as the "bad guy." The descriptions of the old lords and mages from the history of this world were incredibly confusing because of how the names in this story read. There are still many characters that I'm still not sure who is who.
I also felt like the descriptions and actions were equally as confusing. There were many instances when Sal would be in one place and the very next sentence they'd be in another place with no description of how they moved between the two points. Sal would be performing one action before suddenly be doing another, without any transition between the two. That was super confusing because I constantly found myself having to reread passages and asking myself, "what?" There is one scene where Sal is walking before suddenly crawling in rafters before suddenly walking again but it's never said that Sal is moving between these places.
The plot and world-building weren't very original and, again, quite confusing. I'd also have to say that the first half of the book was quite boring. However, I very much enjoyed the second half once the plot got more action packed and the court intrigue got more intense. I can't say I enjoyed the romance for the pure fact that Sal and their love interest fell head over heals over the span of a few days. They were basically ready to die for each other and Sal essentially threw away all of their convictions and hatred for Erlend after knowing their love interest for a few days. It was way too intense, way too fast which kind of soured it for me, even if I thought their interactions were cute.
Overall I appreciated seeing a gender fluid main character and I'd love to see more characters in these underrepresented minorities in the future. However the rest of this book fell low for me and I'm unsure whether it's compelling enough for me to want to continue the series.
I received an ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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