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iam's review against another edition
5.0
Audiobook reread August 2020: I still love this book to pieces. It's exciting and fun, but has depth with the characters, their casual queerness and themes of trauma, intrigue and revenge.
The audiobook is available on Spotify.
As usual with audio, I struggled with the names and keeping direct speech and internal monologue apart. The narrator kept voices distinct, however, so I could at least always tell who was talking.
Read the full review from my first read in October 2019 on the blog!
Content warnings include: violence and gore, trauma and PTSD, murder and death, misgendering, ritualistic self-harm, poisoning, skinning; mentions of: genocide, death of parents and siblings.
The audiobook is available on Spotify.
As usual with audio, I struggled with the names and keeping direct speech and internal monologue apart. The narrator kept voices distinct, however, so I could at least always tell who was talking.
Read the full review from my first read in October 2019 on the blog!
Content warnings include: violence and gore, trauma and PTSD, murder and death, misgendering, ritualistic self-harm, poisoning, skinning; mentions of: genocide, death of parents and siblings.
mstaino4's review against another edition
2.0
You’re thrown right into the thick of things with this story. It was a little confusing at first to figure out the hierarchy and logistics of the fantasy realm. It almost felt like this book was a sequel because I was missing so much back story. I got half way through and was still confused by the history and politics. I wish more background was sprinkled in to give me a better concept. It’s hard to keep track of the characters because each is a number with no other identifying features. You really can’t get attached to anyone because you don’t know enough about them. I did enjoy the relationships of Sal, Elise and Maud. Their person connections helped break up the fighting and gave the story a more personal connection. There is a timeline at the end but it added to my confusion and didn’t clear anything up. Overall this book has major hunger game vibes but is missing the background information and character development.
librarian_barbie's review against another edition
4.0
My bf got this for me bc I'm trying to get more into fantasy. The problem for me with fantasy as a genre is the world building is confusing and boring, but this was good at balancing/blending the exposition and action. I really loved it!
z_bookfluencer's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
The cover itself is generic yet aesthetically pleasing. The pages are very soft.
I was entertained by the book, for it held my attention. Mask of Shadows is filled with bloodthirstiness, political intrigue, and some romance.
Most characters have a backstory and most fall into the grey area, and maybe even on the dark side.
Our main character, Sal, is filled with revenge, and does their best to claim their chance to inact it, when opportunity calls. They do not question emotions or morals when it comes to killing, they just do it and follow no personal code. The main characters makes Allies along the way, learning to trust others in a world that never gave them a reason to trust others. Frankly, I didn't really like the main character. I don't know if maybe I needed a little bit more character development for Sal, or if the severe bloodthirstiness and intense hate was too much for my personal tastes.
The Left Hand are very smart and observant. They hear and see everything, and challenge Sal at every turn, forging them into a potential blade for the Queen.
The romance was not heavy, just there.
The world within is still recovering from war that happened less than a decade ago, and some things are shown from this (Sal's illiteracy and intense fear of the grotesque Shadows), while others are just told (informed of events during war through dialogue and internal monologue).
The competition is slightly suspenseful.
There were a couple of twists with the plot I didn't see coming, mainly pertaining to the true identity/personalities of certain characters.
Overall, Mask of Shadows was an okay read. I do not think I will reread this book but I would like to read book two of this Duology, Ruin of Stars, to know how the story ends.
The cover itself is generic yet aesthetically pleasing. The pages are very soft.
I was entertained by the book, for it held my attention. Mask of Shadows is filled with bloodthirstiness, political intrigue, and some romance.
Most characters have a backstory and most fall into the grey area, and maybe even on the dark side.
Our main character, Sal, is filled with revenge, and does their best to claim their chance to inact it, when opportunity calls. They do not question emotions or morals when it comes to killing, they just do it and follow no personal code. The main characters makes Allies along the way, learning to trust others in a world that never gave them a reason to trust others. Frankly, I didn't really like the main character. I don't know if maybe I needed a little bit more character development for Sal, or if the severe bloodthirstiness and intense hate was too much for my personal tastes.
The Left Hand are very smart and observant. They hear and see everything, and challenge Sal at every turn, forging them into a potential blade for the Queen.
The romance was not heavy, just there.
The world within is still recovering from war that happened less than a decade ago, and some things are shown from this (Sal's illiteracy and intense fear of the grotesque Shadows), while others are just told (informed of events during war through dialogue and internal monologue).
The competition is slightly suspenseful.
There were a couple of twists with the plot I didn't see coming, mainly pertaining to the true identity/personalities of certain characters.
Overall, Mask of Shadows was an okay read. I do not think I will reread this book but I would like to read book two of this Duology, Ruin of Stars, to know how the story ends.
dsylexa's review against another edition
4.0
Mask of Shadows is a thrilling fantasy novel featuring Sal's quest to become the next Opal assassin for the Queen. It's a gripping story for fans of assassins, packed with intrigue and action. Sal's gender fluidity is an important part of the narrative, offering refreshing and natural representation. The budding romance with Elise, a character from a rival nation, adds depth to the story, challenging prejudices. The book delivers emotional punches and vivid descriptions, although some may find the world-building complex. Overall, it's a fantastic fantasy read that pushes for more diversity in literature.
singerchick1569's review
3.0
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The first few chapters were extremely confusing and almost made me give up on this book. It didn't get really good until about the 7th or 8th chapter and there were still areas further on that were confusing. I still found this book to be worth reading and am interested in any subsequent books.
I've seen several reviews compare this to a bad version of The Hunger Games but I personally find that to be a poor comparison. A fight to the death scenario isn't unique to The Hunger Games and the setting and premise of this book is entirely different.
Read my full review here: http://eightfulllives.com/index.php/2017/05/14/review-mask-of-shadows-by-linsey-miller/
The first few chapters were extremely confusing and almost made me give up on this book. It didn't get really good until about the 7th or 8th chapter and there were still areas further on that were confusing. I still found this book to be worth reading and am interested in any subsequent books.
I've seen several reviews compare this to a bad version of The Hunger Games but I personally find that to be a poor comparison. A fight to the death scenario isn't unique to The Hunger Games and the setting and premise of this book is entirely different.
Read my full review here: http://eightfulllives.com/index.php/2017/05/14/review-mask-of-shadows-by-linsey-miller/
sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the world and the characters for the most part. I did find Sal to be annoying and frustrating at times and there wasn't as much personal growth as I would have liked. However, I am curious to know what happens next.
inez_hunter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chestofbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Well that was painfully boring. What a shame, it sounded so cool!
zarahzoe's review against another edition
2.0
Rambly review because I can't find the energy to put my thoughts in order:
Hm... This was a bit like every other competition to the death story I've read. Very Hunger games-esque. I enjoyed the ease in which Sal's gender fluidity was handled, but it was a tad illogical, I guess, that they were so apprehensive of everyone while they seemed to be accepted by everone without secon thought. The love story was also a bit weird, felt rushed.
The different religious aspects were a nice touch.
I liked Maude and Elise and Amethyst a lot.
Hm... This was a bit like every other competition to the death story I've read. Very Hunger games-esque. I enjoyed the ease in which Sal's gender fluidity was handled, but it was a tad illogical, I guess, that they were so apprehensive of everyone while they seemed to be accepted by everone without secon thought. The love story was also a bit weird, felt rushed.
The different religious aspects were a nice touch.
I liked Maude and Elise and Amethyst a lot.