The below will be posted on my blog, The Crown of Books September 9th, 2017 around noon time EST.

I thought long and hard how to rate this, and I felt 4 stars was the perfect rating this book deserved. As I read this story, I enjoyed it more and more as I continued throughout the book. A story about a gender fluid thief could mean endless possibilities on what could happen, and what did happen, was intense and good.

In Mask of Shadows, a gender fluid thief, Sal auditions for the Left Hand to get a chance at revenge at people who destroyed their home. In a tough, mind-bending competition, we see Sal go through the journey as they attempt to become the next Left Hand member.

In the beginning, the writing was a little rocky. They were short and used with action, almost like a step by step on what was going happening. I thought the sentences could use my fluidity to make better writing. However, as the story progressed, I noticed that the writing somehow evolved and it was no longer step by step. It had more fluidity in the sentences and the flow became easier to continue. If you can get past the first few chapters, the writing style should not be a problem for many.

When this book came into my attention, I thought I could enjoy it. It was intense. When the main character came to the place of interest, it was clear that this "audition" was more of a battle of life and death and the remaining member becomes the next member of the Left Hand. So take this as a warning that death is involved and is described.

Everyone who showed up to audition usually have some kind of "noble" or "high status" background. The only one that didn't quite have that background is Sal and is shown that there is a major difference between Sal and the other members who want the spot. It would have been better if there was one or two more people with similar backgrounds. If memory serves me right, I do believe there was someone else that had a close enough of a status background, but the difference was still there.

In the competition, everyone is taking through rounds. Some of them are physical, some of them are mental, and some are just whatever the Left Hand can throw at them. They learn skills and vital information to help their chances, only if they can survive. Some of these rounds are intense and I just could not stop reading at that moment.

The characters in the show varies between likes and dislikes. Some of the characters you'll learn to love, and some you'll love to hate. Sal also continues to remind people what gender they are, and usually tells them direct them as to whatever they are currently wearing. Some people can be seen directing Sal as "him/she" and Sal usually makes the corrections. This does not happen often, but can be seen as point in the story. In some areas, I wished it could have been more of a driving force as I thought it could really create some interesting scenes. Also, Maud was a favorite of mine. I don't know what this story could be without her.

Overall, in the end, this story is fast paced and keeps your interests going to the point you cannot put it down and end up wanting more. Add this to your shelf and read it as soon as possible!

Great book. I felt like it was a cross between Throne of glass and Hunger Games. Loved the idea behind Sal's character. Can't wait to read the next one!

Perfect. Highly sophisticated political narrative, interwoven with language so tangible you can immerse yourself in the world.

Essentially, the protagonist is pitted against other auditioners for the role of a queen's assassin. It's brutal and bloody but also poetic and beautiful.

I also think I'm in love with Sal. As an aside.

The fact that the ending is not neatly tied together is pleasing and hints at a much-desired sequel. I think I've found a new favourite author.

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, and 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 especially 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?

Fast paced and set in a brutal competition, MASK OF SHADOWS offers action, romance, and intrigue. I'm a sucker for "fights to the death" stories. Think The Hunger Games, if it was voluntary, and all the killing took place during the training phase and not in an arena. Sal was an intriguing character and I enjoyed reading about them - I've never read a fantasy story featuring a genderfluid MC before, and I hope to read more!

A deadly audition to fill a vacancy for an assassin for the Queen and an opportunity to take revenge upon the nobles responsible for the destruction of the Nacean people is the focal point of Sal's life in Linsey Miller's Mask of Shadows.

Sallot Leon has a brutally tragic history that drove Sal toward a life of thievery and crime. The latest mark had an interesting note in her purse, indicating the upcoming auditions to become the new Opal for the Queen, one of four assassins to do her bidding. Intrigued by the opportunity to get closer to the nobles responsible for the destruction of Sal's native Nacea, Sal goes to audition to be able to exact revenge when the moment arises. In becoming auditioner Twenty-Three, Sal's identity is pushed to new limits in the attempt to win the competition and serve the Queen while gaining insight and skills to better exact revenge.

The story moves rather quickly and is quite engrossing and enjoyable to read; however, there was a bit of a slow down toward the middle of the narrative while auditions were taking place and it became more of a waiting game for the competition to be killed off. I thought that the romantic entanglement with Elise wasn't entirely needed (apart from moving the plot forward) and it happened a bit too fortuitously for my preferences to be believable. I was excited about the inclusion of a gender fluid protagonist, and although it appeared to be very simplistically portrayed, it was easy to grasp and greatly appreciated as it wasn't the only defining feature about Sal--plus it worked toward building the malleability needed in a successful assassin.

Overall, I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

"Mask of Shadows" is an intriguing YA fantasy about Sal, a gender fluid thief who wants revenge on Erlend for the destruction of Nacea carried out by Shadows (which destroy people horrifically). Sal may be the only surviving Nacean. While robbing some royalty, Sal finds a flier which advertises auditions for Opal, one of Our Queen's Left Hand members who recently died. Although Sal does not have an invitation, Sal decides to try to bring an appropriate invitation by killing the man who makes children rob for him (and cuts off their fingers if they keep anything from him).

Sal is soon Twenty-three and in the horrific competition to become Opal with 22 other killers. The competition is fierce and more complex than expected. Not to mention Sal's ultimate interest in getting back at the Erlend nobles who left the people of Nacea to die by the Shadows and the burgeoning friendships and love interest Sal has picked up along the way.

Overall, it's a really intense and intricate plot- one that becomes hard to follow if you look away for too long. The beginning and ending are very intense, and in the middle, it becomes a little less so as they work on character building/romance. I wasn't really sure how much I bought the romance, and I felt like there was so much else going on that it really detracted from Sal's missions of becoming Opal and bringing justice to the Erlend nobles. It felt a bit like a plot point/a little forced. However, it did give a reprieve from the fear/thriller aspects of the competition to the death that each contestant was facing 24 hours a day. This is an intense book with some dark themes of murder and death.

I think it was a promising start to the series and did read all the way to the end. I think the beginning and the character of Sal were really strong and then felt like it faded a bit by the end- however, I am very curious to see where this will go in the future! Regarding the gender fluidity, I felt like this was not the definition of who Sal is and was treated appropriately! It was a nice change of pace from the typical, and Sal was a fantastic character (motivated by a need for justice but not just death and patient/caring in Sal's own way)! Now I will just have (hopefully not too long) to wait until the next book in this interesting series...

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

4-4.5*
SAL. Omg, i loved Sal. I really enjoyed this one. The world building and the history was incredibly thought out and impressive. Highly rec this to fans of Sarah J Maas.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this. Lengthier review to come.

This was the first book I’ve ever read with a gender fluid character and I thought Linsey Miller did a good job of capturing Sal’s identity as they were so much more than just what gender they identified with. I felt the author handled this aspect of Sal’s character with some sensitivity.

The story will get under your skin with its action packed plot line that engages the senses making you want more. Miller created a realistic world rich and vibrant in detail that included countries, cultures, politics, and a whole background of historical plot lines. It also has a layer of darkness that will grip you making you unable to put it down as you’re pulled deeper into the story. Thankfully there are moments of humor sprinkled about so you can get an emotional break.

The author’s characters that surround Sal become the kind that you can really dig into and would want as friends.

Miller not only has the ability to entertain but for all those who want to write themselves someday take not of her style because you can learn a thing or two.

Thank you, Netgalley for an ARC of this book. My views are entirely my own.

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!

Absolutely loved it. Was just what I needed for a read right now. Will have a more in-depth review when I can put together more of a thought than just pure excitement.

I was really interested in this one by the book description... The book wasn't even long, but it sure felt like it! Some parts were good and others were a big pile of cliches.