A review by smiley7245
Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I listened to this audiobook in two days. I looked for any excuse to turn it on because I was obsessed. It was very Throne of Glass (the book not the series).

Sal is non-binary and I don't know enough about that to know if this was a good representation or not, and truthfully the story could have worked if Sal was gender conforming, but it did make it easier for them to be underestimated and go unnoticed. So, Sal is a thief and they rob a carriage carrying a a noble lady, Elise. I knew she was going to be important, but I was expecting her to be one of the other members of the Queen's Left Hand. Instead, she is the daughter of one of the people who helped wipe out Sal's entire people. And she is the person that Sal falls in love with. That her father ends up using her in his schemes is a great set up for book two. Anyway, Sal is one of the 23 people who makes the audition to become the newest member of the Queen's Left Hand, the Opal. They compete in the challenges, learn new things, do a bit of revenge on the side, and impress the other three members of the Left Hand. So much so that they are the person who is named the new Opal. Sal gets a bit smart with the Queen but she allows it, once, because it was at a funeral for Ruby, who was killed by Elise's father on the night of Opal being officially named. Maude was great and I liked the friendship that developed between her and Sal.

There was action, adventure, intrigue, some romance, and revenge. This set up book 2 nicely. I cannot wait to listen to it!