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owlyreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
I had been hearing many things about this novel, mainly how much it resembles The Hunger Games. Even though there were many similarities such as a group of skilled fighters battling in a game to the death, one main person at the forefront of it all (instead of President Snow, it's the Queen of the Eastern Spires), Mask of Shadows had its differences and made for a good read.
There were many characters that filled this book, several of them went by numbers instead of names. I'm not sure if that was done in order to keep them all from creating bonds in the auditions, but as the reader I would have preferred if they did have names to those faces. Several of their expertise were deadly, but the main character Sal was not quite like any of them, having learned their (will be using they/their instead of all three he/she/they) trade on the streets as a thief.
Sal is one of those characters that keeps this novel interesting and the reader invested in it. Sal wants to be the champion of the auditions in order to fulfill their revenge upon all of those who allowed the bloodshed that happened in Nacea, doing nothing to protect or save any of them from the Shadows and everything that wreaked havoc upon them. Sal is not the type to give up or go down without a fight, being aggressive when required of them and a true friend when needed.
I really liked how the author built up this world, the descriptions of the places they would be among, the people that were part of this book, those partaking in the auditions; the shadows that were the most feared, how they were created, what led to all of it. Even though there were similarities to other dystopian worlds, this had its own stories to tell, its own way of dealing with battles. There were rules to follow or disqualification would happen, you will have to read to find out what all those are.
As I neared the last chapters it all became more twisted and not all as it had seemed. There were characters that had secrets to tell, a betrayal that cut deeper than any of the others, Sal having to deal with all of it and keep proving himself just to reach the sought out Opal position. I found myself more taken in as I read through those last chapters and all that was coming to light, answers that Sal was finally getting even if they weren't what they'd hoped for. Mask of Shadows had its many captivating moments and very much worth the read.
***I received this copy from Sourcebooks FIre via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
There were many characters that filled this book, several of them went by numbers instead of names. I'm not sure if that was done in order to keep them all from creating bonds in the auditions, but as the reader I would have preferred if they did have names to those faces. Several of their expertise were deadly, but the main character Sal was not quite like any of them, having learned their (will be using they/their instead of all three he/she/they) trade on the streets as a thief.
Sal is one of those characters that keeps this novel interesting and the reader invested in it. Sal wants to be the champion of the auditions in order to fulfill their revenge upon all of those who allowed the bloodshed that happened in Nacea, doing nothing to protect or save any of them from the Shadows and everything that wreaked havoc upon them. Sal is not the type to give up or go down without a fight, being aggressive when required of them and a true friend when needed.
I really liked how the author built up this world, the descriptions of the places they would be among, the people that were part of this book, those partaking in the auditions; the shadows that were the most feared, how they were created, what led to all of it. Even though there were similarities to other dystopian worlds, this had its own stories to tell, its own way of dealing with battles. There were rules to follow or disqualification would happen, you will have to read to find out what all those are.
As I neared the last chapters it all became more twisted and not all as it had seemed. There were characters that had secrets to tell, a betrayal that cut deeper than any of the others, Sal having to deal with all of it and keep proving himself just to reach the sought out Opal position. I found myself more taken in as I read through those last chapters and all that was coming to light, answers that Sal was finally getting even if they weren't what they'd hoped for. Mask of Shadows had its many captivating moments and very much worth the read.
***I received this copy from Sourcebooks FIre via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
jewbitche's review
4.0
*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Honestly this book is next level, I adore it.
Its not perfect its really not, the prose slipped at times, it was occasionally predictable, but I wouldn't change it. I wouldn't change a thing because its wonderful.
Sal is amazing, I couldn't have asked for a better protagonist. The perfect mix of seething anger and revenge mixed with idealism and pain. They made mistakes, huge mistakes but you didn't scream at them not too because you understood! You mourned with them for their country.
Four, Two, Elise, Maud and Ruby were some of my favourite characters ever, I also hope Rath reappears.
The world building was superb and I love everything about the world created.
I lived for Sal falling out off love with Our Queen.
But the stand out for me was the end, lesser books would have finished several chapters earlier and started the second book with these last chapters but, this book didn't and was all the better for it!
ammbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I loved Ms. Miller's approach to the "fluid gender". The storytelling was promising and as she becomes a more experience writer I will hope to see her ability to set the scene grow. I am glad I read it. It would be extremely unjust to compare it to Maas or Bishop.
lilyjoyner's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed this in the beginning but towards the end of the book I was so confused. The writing diminished after you know who became opal and it was hard to read after that lmao.
erinld2005's review against another edition
1.0
Dnf.
I received this in a giveaway on instagram thanks to sourcebooksfire!
Unfortunately, I did have to dnf this one. It could have been a very good book, but it was driving me crazy. The Sarah J. Maas/Leigh Bardugo comparisons are very accurate which should have made me love the book. However, there are just a few things that were driving me nuts and I had to DNF because they were keeping me from getting into the story.
I received this in a giveaway on instagram thanks to sourcebooksfire!
Unfortunately, I did have to dnf this one. It could have been a very good book, but it was driving me crazy. The Sarah J. Maas/Leigh Bardugo comparisons are very accurate which should have made me love the book. However, there are just a few things that were driving me nuts and I had to DNF because they were keeping me from getting into the story.
bhrtng's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, the reviews for Mask of Shadows aren't stellar and yes, there are some valid criticisms, but overall I really enjoyed reading this one! The premise is formulaic, a contest to become the Queen's assassin. It's Throne of Glass y'all. Except, the protagonist, Sal, is genderfluid! They're disenchanted with their life as a petty thief and this contest seems like the perfect chance to gain the kind of influence and power that would let them exact revenge on their enemies. Everything basically goes as expected and things just so happen to conveniently work out for Sal. But that's every YA fantasy! I do wish there was more time spent developing Sal, they didn't seem complex to me. I wanted to feel the pain they felt over Nacea! Without that depth their rage and revenge fantasies felt shallow and short-sighted at times. I liked the other members of the Left Hand and the glimpses we got into the other contestants, even if keeping track of the numbers was a challenge haha. And while I love the genderfluid rep, and don't believe that queer rep should always have to come with persecution or explanations, I wish there was more time spent with it than what we see on the page. Regardless, the constant action was compelling and there was a small twist at the end (not super surprising, but still!). This was an enjoyable read overall and sometimes it's nice to pick up a fantasy that doesn't require too much from the reader. It's not that deep, it was just entertaining!
silverbear's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
fsmeurinne's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting YA fantasy, it covers a genderfluid person trying to become an assassin. Sal, who is quite interesting as he/she changes however he/she wants to be. Sal enters a contest to become the new Opal, a queen assassin. While training Sal has a bit of a romance with a girl that was his tutor. I wished there was more into it that killings but it was a different story of what I usually read.
lolacep124's review against another edition
3.0
When you get an email from NetGalley about an upcoming title, you get excited to request a galley. (This excitement can be shattered if the title isn't available to request--then why the heck did you send out this email, NetGalley?!--or you request a galley and get an email later saying your request was denied).
When you get an email later from NetGalley with a review from Tamora Pierce saying "Read This!", you get on that like white on rice. When you request a galley and are granted a galley, you thank the gods and read that galley ASAP. Don't take bathroom breaks, food breaks, family wedding breaks--the Queen has spoken and you MUST read this book.
When the book opened with Sal hiding in the trees, waiting for a carriage to rob, I got some serious Robin Hood vibes--maybe because I miss seeing Robin on Once Upon A Time. After Sal robs the carriage, and has a lovely encounter with the carriage passenger Elise, and returns to the city to visit her crime boss, I got some Six of Crows vibes. Leigh Bardugo is a powerhouse, so I was so excited for some possible Six of Crows resemblance. As the book progressed, I stopped comparing MoS to other books. MoS is its own work. A gender-fluid thief, in a world now devoid of magic, who trains to be an assassin for the Queen? Hells yeah.
The number system for the assassin hopefuls was not great, but that could be because I struggle with numbers daily.
The world building felt more tell than show, and that made it difficult for me to keep track of everything and everyone.
Maud was my favorite person, followed closely by sass-master Ruby.
The ending sets up a second book, I believe this will be a duology, and I will read the second book--when I get around to it.
Overall, I was entertained but would have liked more show and less tell. That would have made the book so much stronger and would have landed it a place on my favorites shelf, next to Tamora Pierce.
When you get an email later from NetGalley with a review from Tamora Pierce saying "Read This!", you get on that like white on rice. When you request a galley and are granted a galley, you thank the gods and read that galley ASAP. Don't take bathroom breaks, food breaks, family wedding breaks--the Queen has spoken and you MUST read this book.
When the book opened with Sal hiding in the trees, waiting for a carriage to rob, I got some serious Robin Hood vibes--maybe because I miss seeing Robin on Once Upon A Time. After Sal robs the carriage, and has a lovely encounter with the carriage passenger Elise, and returns to the city to visit her crime boss, I got some Six of Crows vibes. Leigh Bardugo is a powerhouse, so I was so excited for some possible Six of Crows resemblance. As the book progressed, I stopped comparing MoS to other books. MoS is its own work. A gender-fluid thief, in a world now devoid of magic, who trains to be an assassin for the Queen? Hells yeah.
The number system for the assassin hopefuls was not great, but that could be because I struggle with numbers daily.
The world building felt more tell than show, and that made it difficult for me to keep track of everything and everyone.
Maud was my favorite person, followed closely by sass-master Ruby.
The ending sets up a second book, I believe this will be a duology, and I will read the second book--when I get around to it.
Overall, I was entertained but would have liked more show and less tell. That would have made the book so much stronger and would have landed it a place on my favorites shelf, next to Tamora Pierce.