Sub-Par Writing
While I enjoyed the story, I found myself constantly being ripped out of the scenes and the story as a whole because of the writing. It was adequate writing, enough to get the story across, but it needed quite a bit of polishing. I had a very hard time following the dialogue and it often felt awkward. It was like the characters were having thought trains and I kept following the wrong tracks. Thus, they’d end up at a different location than me and I’d have no idea how the conversation was flowing at all.

Additionally, the scenes were disjointed. Maybe the characters’ actions were just very subtle, but I felt like I kept missing how a character got from point A to point B. Or a scene change would occur and I wouldn’t catch it and would be left scratching my head wondering what the heck just happened. This was disappointing, but all too common among debut authors.

Character Interactions
So… the dialogue was an above-mentioned problem that only added to another, even bigger problem: the overly-fast development of character relationships. Maybe if I’d been able to follow the conversations better, this wouldn’t have been an issue, but the characters gained attachment to each other extremely fast. As in, way too fast for the little depth between them (especially given the face-level topic of their conversations. [*hint hint* I’m really zoning in on the romance in this story here.]) Unfortunately, this left me suspecting everyone of being fake and phony and only hindered my ability to connect with any of the characters.

Underdeveloped
Though, to be honest, a bit thing that contributed to the inability to form realistic connections between characters was the fact that these characters were not developed enough. There is a rather large cast and we focus on a select few, but even those few aren’t well introduced. Heck, even the main character isn’t that well introduced. In other words, it was like reading a story where a bunch of anonymous people were running around doing things and I couldn’t remember which one was which. It was quite frustrating and disappointing because it meant I lost all ability to connect with and care for any of the characters.

Another thing that was underdeveloped in this story and is of particular interest to me (as anyone who reads my reviews knows) is… world-building. o.o I. Am. Dying over here. This world is so confusing! I think there are three kingdoms. Or maybe there’s only 2 and one is gone. Honestly, I don’t even know because the way the kingdoms, historical events, and current politics are set up is… well, not set up. It’s very poorly explained to the point that I didn’t even truly understand which kingdom was which until the last few chapters. This is a HUGE problem for me as world-building is the setting and without a setting, characters might as well be in front of a white screen.

Unique Factors
I loved this story for its unique aspects. There are other assassin contest stories out there, but I really like the challenges, the rules, and the character motivations in this one. Those are the pieces that made this story worth reading and what pulled me through to the end, and what gives me hope for a sequel.

What an interesting story. This story follows Sal from thief to trying to be the Left Hand of the Queen. A lot has already happen to Sal in their young years that lead up to them wanting to compete for Opal. The competition is interesting to read about and to learn about Sal. I look forward to seeing more books in this series.

I specifically requested this book because I heard it was perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, and she is one of my all time favorite authors. Unfortunately this book just didn’t hit the mark with me. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy reading it, because I did. The story was just too similar to other fantasy books I’ve read.
I did extremely enjoy that the main character Sal was gender fluid, it is something I’ve never seen in fantasy novels, and it was very interesting to me. I did have a very hard time connecting with the characters. I think more of a backstory of all the characters would have helped a lot.
Overall I’m in the middle with this book. I enjoyed some parts, rolled my eyes at others (such similar plot lines to many fantasy books I read) and was quite frankly annoyed with other parts. The end was definitely a saving grace for this books and makes me want to pick up the next. I would recommend this book to newer fans of fantasy who haven’t read many others.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

So I thoroughly enjoyed and looked forward to more.

I liked how gender fluid Sallot was to suit his needs but also to survive. In situations he changed based on what he felt and what was needed in the moment. It kept people around him wondering. Enjoyed how he wanted to better himself with learning to read and how eager he was to learn. He started this Audition wanting to win so he could get revenge for the lost people of Nacea but in the end you see there is more to it. He wants to win so he can continue his budding romance. He wants to win for the young lady who is his servant for lack of better term so she can get her family safe. He wants to win so he can have a better life as well.

The story is fast paced and intriguing. The Queen’s left hand seems at first glance to be very uncaring and aloof but as the plot unfolds and their lives are in danger you realize that they are each other’s family and must show that facade. There are two plots working simultaneously together and they fit with each other like jigsaw pieces. It’s so seamless how they blend together.

Each character that is focused on is complex and will invoke some feeling towards them. While Sal is fighting to survive there are other sinister things going on and we see him get embroiled in those as well. the Audition is dangerous and alluring. Very cutthroat and has you crossing your fingers that Sal comes out in one piece. Once he enters the Audition Sal is just a number and everyone is on equal footing with that in this cutthroat race to survive and become part of the queen’s left hand. You also get a preview of what is to come with the queen showing some of her hand to Sal in the end.

A fast paced story that has you see Sal go through many trials and tribulations and show how he cares and yet can be ruthless and keeps you on your toes.

***This book was reviewed for Sourcebooks/ Fire via Netgalley

Miller’s Mask of Shadows is a great beginning to a new fantasy series! Sallot Leon is a highwayman, here called a road agent. When they happen to rob a young Erlend noble, their life changes forever. Within the loot is a message regarding auditions for the Queen’s Left Hand, to replace the fallen Opal. Desperate for a new lot in life, and a burning need for revenge against those who left their country to fall in ruin, Sallot wins a place as an auditioner. Question is, can they survive to claim the title of Opal?

I absolutely loved the humour in this book. I love characters with lots of snarky sass and Mask of Shadows doesn't disappoint! Maud especially cracks me up with her dry wit.

This was another book that doesn't hesitate to play around with notions of gender fluidity, without it having to bludgeon the reader unnecessarily. Like Sarah Gailey's River of Teeth, it simply is part of who the character is. Unlike Hero, though, some of those Sal comes in contact with do give them some measure of grief. It seems more out of confusion, rather than prejudice or malice.

I adored the scene between Sal and Elise where they mark one another with ink during one of Sal’s tutoring sessions. It was such a sweet, touching scene, in the midst of the intrigue and danger of the auditions. I found it to be a great balance to everything else going on, reinforcing Sal’s humanity. They didn't come into this game a killer.

Oh! And there is a character with one eye! You don't learn this until much later. They do not act as if they have a disability at all. I'm partial to characters missing an eye, given I suffer the same. It says a lot about their ability to adapt, and about disability in general. How differently would others have treated her had this been known from the start?

I did feel that there were times when Sal’s personality and actions didn't match their words, which made it confusing to get a full read of their personality. I have questions- why do they seem to tremble often. That's usually a cue to fear or anxiety, but Sal really doesn't seem one to suffer from that unduly. I mean, circumstances are certainly putting their life on the line, but it happens at times that do not make sense.

There were times, too, when the dialogue interactions confused me. It was as if something was missing, snippets of interaction we as readers missed, and then the story picks back up.

Also, besides the gender fluidity, there is something else underlying Sal’s being that’s hinted at but not (yet) fully addressed. My guess is that Sal is truly hermaphroditic. Time will tell. I think it fascinating to have such a main character.

None of the above concerns (hermaphroditism not even a concern) really distracted me from my enjoyment. Kinda just blips along the road. This story was great. I love spies, assassins, and intrigue and I'm looking forward to where the story goes from here!

📚📚📚📚

Linsey Miller knows suspense.

I merely enjoyed the first ½ of the book, but the the second ½ really picked up and had me on the edge of my seat. And I think this may be my first book with a gender-fluid protagonist.

Is there more? I'd read a trilogy! Because the story could keep going.

I’ve been having a really hard time writing this review, involving many, many hours of procrastination via GoT, and it’s taken me a while to put my finger on why. It’s because I really want to say many lovely things about Mask of Shadows, which – don’t get me wrong! – I raced through, finishing in about a day, but I just . . . can’t.

There was so much potential here for Mask of Shadows (and future instalments) to be the thing that filled the Sarah J. Maas-sized hole in my life, while I wait for the next – especially since the plot is almost exactly the same as Throne of Glass, with some fun masks and less complexity – but sadly I don’t think Miller quite pulled it off.

The characterisation, to start. The marketing for the book is so hell-bent on focusing on the fact that the main character is genderfluid (which was one of the reasons I requested it because HELL YES we should be having more open representations of the vast array of gender identities that exist in the real world, especially in books for teenagers) that it was incredibly disappointing when it was thrown in there at best as an afterthought. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly why it bugged me so much, but I think it was how unrealistically the other characters reacted to it and how little it seemed to actually inform anything about Sallot – although that was probably because Sal didn’t have the most, shall we say, developed personality. Again, I actually think it’s a really good thing not to make the book ABOUT being gender fluid, but I’d at least like the descriptions of Sal’s gender fluidity to be vaguely believable (and less self-involved – everyone is wearing masks! Anyone there could be gender fluid! Don’t assume you’re the only one and show other people at least as much respect as you ask of them, friend!) and to have it cohere with Sal’s identity a least a tiny bit – as it would do were they a man or woman. That’s just how life works. Hey, maybe it’s just me. And, like I said, that wouldn’t have bothered me so much were Sal to have more of a personality of their own – the sum total of Sal’s identity seemed to be a) desires revenge b) can steal things c) is occasionally funny.

Secondly, the world building, which got off to a really good start – two countries that were once separate and have now been melded into a single entity. What a cool idea! Let’s get into that! But, again, it was sadly very surface level and apart from the Erlend lords being rich a-holes and the Alona are . . . I honestly don’t know. Poor? But there’s no sense of cultural identity and no nuance there. Am I asking too much from a book for teenagers? Probably.

And then we get to the plot. I don’t know what to say here really. I mean, you know when you’re listening to the radio and a song comes on, and you like it, you do, but there’s something about it that seems terribly familiar and it’s not quite as punchy as the other songs it reminds you of, so it ends feeling sort of . . . flat? Yeah. That.

There’s nothing wrong with the plot. Sal is a thief who dreams of a better life and getting revenge on the people who took her family from her. So far, so familiar, but I can work with that given that there’s only, what, seven plot lines (apparently) in the world. So Sal competes to become Opal, one of the Queen’s defenders and assassins. Again. Familiar. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. Except that when you’re writing a book that is basically a rehash of some other very successful novels from the last five years (ahem, please see Jay Kristoff’s Nevernight, Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass, Robin La Fevers’s Grave Mercy – not a competition, but still an assassin training scheme – Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone, the list goes on and on) you have got to be doing something special to make it stand out from the crowd. And, unfortunately, this wasn’t something special. Or it wasn’t that special.

However, if I haven’t put you off by now (and this is why I delayed writing the review, because I knew I would be this negative and I really don’t like it), here are the pros: Mask of Shadows is super easy to read. The prose is fluid, the humour is on point much of the time, it’s fast and furious and full of action. The characters are shallow but likeable and the romance is . . . well, bland, but definitely something you could root for. If you’re looking to turn your brain off for an evening and romp through a new world without having to put my effort in, my friends, this book is one for you.

The bottom line: despite generally being a good ol’ YA fantasy romp, Mask of Shadows similarities to other, more successfully handled, books means that it never quite takes off.

I wanted to read this book because it was compared to the works of Sarah J Maas and Leigh Bardugo. I'm not sure either of these are fair comparisons, though, and ultimately led to major disappointment.

The plot is straightforward, thief named Sal joins competition to the death to be the Queen's right hand guard.

Two elements of this story that kept me engaged: The amount of action and the gender fluid main character, Sal. The premise of the plot sounded nice in theory but I feel it fell short in more than one manner. Firstly, gender fluidity is hardly explained. The book expects you to already know what it is and all the rules, if any at all. Sal prefers to be called he/she/they depending on the clothing. Maybe I didn't understand it because I'm not gender fluid, I don't know. I had to look it up because I'd never heard about it.

Secondly, there was far too much action and dialogue but not enough reflection for me. Reading it was a blur because too much was happening and being said but not enough downtime to reflect on any new details was given.

It reminded me of hunger games, of the kill or be killed kind of tone but I couldn't connect with the characters because I needed those reflective moments to see inside them and I didn't get that. I liked the overall idea, the unique main character, Sal, and the fights to the death but it really does feel like I've read this same book dozens of times.

This is just my opinion, though. Someone else might enjoy it more than I have and if so, that's great but I found it was too fast paced for me.

What first intrigued me about this book was it’s gorgeous cover. As soon as I read that Sal was a thief, I knew I needed to read this, because I love books about thieves. I also was interested to read a book with a gender fluid MC.

As mixed reviews started flooding in on GoodReads, I was hesitant to pick it up. It seemed like a book that people either loved or hated. After reading it, I can say that I found myself somewhere in the middle. I enjoyed reading it, but I have a lot of mixed feelings on some aspects.

We’re going to start off with the things that I really enjoyed. One of the best things that this book has going for it was it’s action packed plot. There was so much action in here that it kept me engaged. Also, it completely delivers on the whole audition to be an assassin thing. While this plot line is nothing new, Miller does not hold back with the violence and brutality that comes with trying out to be an assassin. In a way it felt fresh, because when I usually read these types of books the violence can be romanticized. I liked how how harsh it was at times, because it showed how brutal of a world these characters were living in.

Speaking of the characters, there were a few that really stood out to me. Sal, our main character, was certainly one of them. Their revenge plot line was interesting and I enjoyed the character growth in this book. I thought Miller did an excellent job handling that. I also liked that Sal was not good at everything instantly and we saw them become more skilled over time. It felt more realistic and showed us Sal’s vulnerabilities.

Two other characters that I really loved were Maud and Ruby. I felt that they were both standouts and couldn’t help but get excited every time they appeared on the page. I especially loved Maud, she was probably my favorite character. She was an atypical strong female character, which I appreciated, and I really loved her backstory.

I also really appreciated the representation that was in this book. I’ve never read a book with a gender fluid character before, so this representation was new to me. However, I thought Miller did a great job at explaining Sal’s identity without making it a big plot point. I loved the fact that the book doesn’t focus on it and it’s just a part of who Sal is. It was so refreshing, because often times I feel like books that try to represent different kinds of people are about what makes them different. This was just about a character who auditioned to be an assassin and is trying to get revenge. If your curious to read a review from an own voices reviewer, check out this one. I should also mention that there is some bisexual rep in here as well!

While I really enjoyed all of these things, I did have some problems with this book. All of my problems really stem from one thing and that is the writing. There were many areas that the writing could have been stronger. In terms of the plot, I thought that it could have been paced better. The pacing honestly was just all over the place. Also, I thought the ending was strange. It almost felt like the book had two endings, and because of that I thought that it was a little too long.

Even though I thought that it was too long, there was so much that I wish was expanded on. Like the world that Miller created was interesting, but it was developed in such a funky way that it took me so long to figure out all of the political details and magical elements. I get that she was trying to tie all of this info in when it was relevant to the plot, but I could have used more exposition in the beginning. Also, the book could have done a better job at handling the characters. There was a ginormous cast, but the only characters that I really felt like I knew were Sal, Maud, Elise, and the members of the Left Hand. I could differentiate between the more prominent auditioners, but I wish there were better descriptions of all the rest of the characters. They all sort of seemed to blur together.

Honestly, I just wish this book had been better executed. It had so much going for it, but the writing really effect the impact. I really did enjoy the plot and certain characters, but the writing held this back from being a 4 or 5 star book for me. That being said, I did enjoy reading it. The action packed plot really was fun to read. I have a feeling that the next book in this series will be even better, as this is Miller’s debut novel. Also with the way that it ended, there is just a lot of different ways Miller can go. There is a lot of potential there.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

My copy of Mask of Shadows expired when I was almost done! I could see the finish line!

What I do know:
If you like The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) or The Testing (Joelle Charbonneau), you’ll probably like Mask of Shadows. All three have a select group of people competing to be the best, even to the (usually violent) death.

The difference with Mask of Shadows is that these competitors choose to come, some working very hard to earn a place. I’m also pretty sure they could choose to leave if they wanted.

They don’t have to die!!!! Novel idea, I know! Unlike Hunger Games and The Testing, this isn’t necessarily a kill or die scenario. Some are disqualified for breaking the rules or getting caught in a kill. It’s okay to kill, but if someone sees you, then you’re not good enough.

Also, this one has more of a spy feel to it. It’s about what Sal can learn, what others’ weaknesses are, etiquette and the written word and poisons, etc., etc. Each morning they meet with their trainers for updates and instructions. It’s a real test and there are classes to build the skills they need for the ultimate goal.

The job/ultimate goal: There are 23 people competing for the honour of serving their queen as one of her top four assassins. Privilege, money, power, fear. Whatever you want, you’ll get it as Opal.

Sal is a common thief. A good one. She is one of the few survivors of her nation. One of the few who actually saw the Shadows slaughter her people. A decade later, he wants revenge on those responsible for creating the Shadows and abandoning them in his country to save themselves. As Opal, he could hunt them down. If he’s lucky, it will all be part of the job.

How it turns out: I can’t say what I don’t know and I won’t say what I do. Other than she gets a girlfriend who I DO NOT TRUST! Elise turns too quickly from distantly crushing on Sal being all over her. Of course, now I’ll never know what happens. Also, NOT EVERYBODY DIES. Which is nice. Leaves room for more revenge in a future book. Unless they actually do all die in the last 20 pages…

A different Sci-Fi Fantasy story.
If you like sci fi fantasy with drama action you would like this book.
It had good drama and action and suspense.

"I would make Erlend remember"!

An engaging new novel ripe with assassins, political intrigue, the pale remnants of dark magic, and the need for vengeance.
Sallot Leon is a thief with a shattering history who wants to be more. And that more happens the day they (I say they because Sal is apparently gender fluid, although it took me a while to realize this) hold up a coach, steal a ring from a young woman, and find in her purse a flyer inviting those who might, to audition for the role of one of the Queen's left hand assasins--Opal.
Sal decides to audition, an audition that includes taking evidence of their abilities and suitability.
Sal has a future ambition nourished in the darkness of their situation.. To pay back the nobles who caused her homeland of Nacea to be decimated, all slain without mercy or notice by the dreaded Mage created shadows. They would be the "perfect soldiers [but] ... couldn’t be called back. The shadows had no bodies and no minds, only broken souls." They searched for their bodies killing all before them.
Sal gaining admission to the auditions is the beginning of no holds barred training that includes the right to kill off the opposition.
Sal's quest, their search for meaning and information about those who betrayed their homeland also comes to the fore, adding a certain piquancy to the trials and upping the ante.
The plot is not an unfamiliar one, although obviously the march towards resolution is unique. I couldn't put this down. Whilst some aspects come to fruition, the future for Sal holds more questions to be asked and answered and more diabolical plots and mysteries to be unraveled.

A NetGalley ARC
(August 2017)

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a hard one to review. Linsey Miller’s debut novel truly did have a lot of potential, and I do believe that the following installments will be much better than this first book that was laying the groundwork for this world. Unfortunately, this book read very slow and it makes the story in general feel very underwhelming.

Trigger Warnings for: misgendering, violence, and gore.

In this world, Queen Ignasi ended the civil war between Erlend and Alona and combined them into Igna. The Queen also banished the land of magic, and the shadows that very painfully and cruelly kill people. And the Queen has four personal guards at all times, that match the gemmed rings she wears on her fingers: Ruby, Emerald, Opal, and Amethyst. But one of the positions just opened up.

This book starts with a very unconventional robbery, where the thief’s life is changed forever. After the robbery, the thief finds a letter that gives all the information about the Queen’s position that just opened up.

The three other personal guards are holding an audition to join their ranks, and you have to be personally invited to audition or to bring something worthy enough to grant you an invitation. And our main character, Sal, brings something worthy enough.

Sal is then thrown into this tournament like audition, which is very reminiscent of Hunger Games and Red Rising, where it is basically a fight to the death and everyone is trying to kill and backstab everyone else. All the participants wear mask to hide their identity and they all go by the number on their masks. Our dear Sal becomes Twenty-Three, where I had to force myself to stop picturing Michael Jordan constantly.

And even though Sal states at the start of the book how difficult they find killing, they get over it extremely unrealistically fast, yet the tournament narrows down extremely long-windedly. Basically, I really enjoyed the start and the end of this book, but the middle section that stars the auditions themselves was too slow.

Sal also has a very tragic backstory, that explains why they was never able to learn how to read and write, but the information does come across as info-dumping. It’s hard to sympathize and grow attachments to them, when we learn about Sal being forced to grow up an orphan just randomly distributed throughout the book once every 100 pages.

We also have a few good side characters. One becomes a romance interest, and teaches Sal how to read and write. You guys know I love when books have a relationship that blossoms over one of the love interests teaching the other how to read. So, I actually really shipped and enjoyed their romance, and their study sessions just enhanced their relationship in my eyes.

My favorite character in the whole book was probably Sal’s personal servant, Maud. During the auditions, all of the contestants are given a personal servant, and Sal lucked out getting Maud. I loved her back story, I loved how she helped Sal constantly, and I love that she never lost sight of her selfless end goal. She was a really great character.

The reason I requested this ARC was because of the gender fluid main character. Now, it is very important to note that I am a cis-woman and this review is not coming at you from an own voices perspective, so I feel uncomfortable and not educated enough to discuss the representation in this novel. But here is my favorite voice on Booktube, who also happens to be non-cis, and is one of the voices that should be heard while talking about the representation of this gender fluid main character: Adriana, from perpetualpages

(If you guys are, or know anyone who is, an own voices reviewer of this book, please do not hesitate to link your reviews down below. I would love to add them to my review.)

For me, Mask of Shadows just read like generic YA fantasy. I didn’t hate this, I just didn’t really enjoy it either. I for sure did enjoy some parts, and a few of the side characters, but I felt the story was too tedious for me to ever fully immerse myself and to simply let myself just enjoy it. Again, I do think the next installment in this series will be much better, and I do want to cut the author some slack for this being their debut novel. Plus, as Adriana states in her book talk, we need more stories that focus on queer characters’ storylines, instead of just focusing on queer characters being queer.

Did not finish. Struggled to get into it. Apologies. What I did read was well written but I couldn't connect to the characters.

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. I think the author did a fantastic job of making me see Sal as both genders depending on how they felt that day. The Queen has 4 assassins called the Left Hand and each assassin is called by the gem the queen wears on her left hand. Theres Ruby, Emerald, Amethyst and Opal. Since Opal died the Queen is holding a competition to replace her.

I enjoyed Sals relationship with their servant Maud and some of the other auditoners, like Four and Two. I also liked the dash of romance. Elise was a sweet character with a sharp wit. 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 since 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 fast pace books, 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. If you're dealing with a Throne of Glass hangover I suggest giving this a try.

PS: This review was being featured on August 30th/31st

This was the first book that I have read with a gender fluid character. I think that the author did an excellent job working this into the story without beating the reader over the head with it.

The action, the intrigue and the dangerous magic all come together into great blend of a book. This could be a great book for a book club at a school to read and discuss together.

A compelling story made even more interesting with a gender fluid character. Sal is complex even in their singular thirst for revenge against those nobles responsible for the destruction of their homeland. Full of adventure, intrigue, combat, assassination attempts, and a little bit of romance, I'd recommend this to fans of Tamora Pierce or Sarah J Maas.

I usually shy away from new authors in the YA fantasy genre. My go to's are usually leigh Bardugo and Jodi Meadows. I feel comfortable and safe with their reads, but I've been craving something new. I was a bit hesitant, but first paragraph alone on this one had me hooked from the get go.

I was halfway through the book before I realized just how much I had really read in such a short amount of time. I loved the world building and plot. The characters....Well, the MC had a few instances of really annoying me and going but, ughhhhh, whhhhyyy? But overall, this is a true page turner, and kept my attention.

This author will definitely be on my radar for future reads, and I am very curious for the next book.

Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller is a fantasy drama full of twists, turns and surprises. In this book we are introduced to Sal. Sal is a thief and a wanting more. Sal wants revenge for the lives lost when the shadows ravaged the lands and the country was left unprotected while the nobles withdrew the troops to defend their own, leaving many to die undefended. Sal learns of the trials to become the Queen’s new Opal while robbing a carriage. Sal is determined to become the next Opal. It won’t be an easy task and the trials will be brutal, but if successful it will mean greater access to those who must pay. The most important task of all will be…not to fail.
Mask of Shadows is an engaging novel that pulls you in right from the beginning. Sal wants to be more than just a thief scraping by under Grell. Grell is a street thug who has a bounty on his head and that will come in handy when Sal steals a flyer about the auditions for the Queen’s new Opal. Anyone can audition but those who are invited are preferred. Sal is up against some serious competition from circus performers, accomplished apothecary to ex-soldiers who have more blood on their hands than the others. Nothing is what it seems and danger is all around them. The object of the trials to become Opal is simple…kill your competition and the target assigned without getting caught and being implicated in the kill. Sal doesn’t expect to come to care for any of the others but yet he finds that being the case. Darkness is encroaching and evil is at work in the shadows. Who will come out on top in the end?
This is the first book that I have read by Linsey Miller and I found this book to be truly engaging. There is some world building and establishing the storyline but where some find this off putting I found this to be truly interesting. It’s a new world that we are being introduced to and I love the fact that the author takes the time to go back and fill us in on the horrors that have happened. Sal has moments of reflection and remembering what he has witness. Sal is a gender fluid main character who wishes to stay anonymous to the other auditioners to keep them from learning any weaknesses that can be used against him. He is full of a lot of anger and rage based on what he has been through. He idolizes the Queen but all of that will be put to the test.
There is nothing that I didn’t like about this book. It flows really well and kept me engaged from beginning to end. I love the different characters and how they each are unique. The boundaries are tested in several instances with some of the characters but I absolutely loved it. I can't wait for the next book in this series. This is a really great read.
I'm rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. I didn't want to put it down and I definitely didn't want it to end. I just wanted to keep going and learning more about what was going to happen next. If you are into unique worlds, dark pasts and a future in jeopardy then this is the book to pick up and check out. There is world building and reflecting so if you don't like that then keep on going. I absolutely love this book and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I received a copy in exchange for a review.

Let's see.. where do I start? I typically don't read other people's reviews before writing mine but was really curious when at a quick glance I saw so many 2 stars. So I went to reading a few and here's my thoughts. It's been a while since I've read anything fantasy and really looked forward to this read. Is it on par with Maas and Bardugo? No, but I'm also tired of marketing telling people a book is like THIS or like THAT or people saying it's not as good so therefore must suck.

I also saw a lot of comparisons to Hunger Games and I don't get it. Yes, it's a group of people thrown into a competition to the (possible) death... but in this book, they volunteer for it, knowingly going in with the possibility of dying and even though there's one clear "winner" not everyone else has to die to make it happen. Also, they're in this competition while they're training.. so yeah, I am just not seeing what most other people are for some reason.

The world building could definitely have been better. It did get confusing at times but over all, I was entertained and I liked the basic concept. The gender fluidity of the main character, Sal, was a refreshing take... and especially so as no one around him/her seemed to care. I did find it interesting though, that even in this case, the only time Sal was offended or irritated was when they called him/her a "she" or a "girl" when he/she was clearly in a dress. **scratches head**

All the "auditioners" for the Left Hand of the Queen (Opal) have their names stripped and instead went by numbers. At the beginning, there were a few paragraphs with these numbers thrown around and immediately my mind went to that episode of Friends where Monica is showing Chandler how to please a woman.. "a one and a two, four, one, three, two, two, five, six, three, two... seven, seven, seven, SEVEN!" (not an exact quote but you get the gist).. but I did find it got less confusing as the book went along.
Was this the best fantasy book I've ever read? No. Did it have some unique aspects to it? Sure. Was it cliched in certain areas? Absolutely. But was I entertained? Yes, I definitely was.