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A review by vorpalblad
Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller
4.0
Sallot Leon wants out of a lifetime as a thief; their opportunity comes when the queen needs a new assassin. As you may guess, from this standard trope, they enter and they win.
Why this book is more than a Throne of Glass rehash:
1. Sal hasn't killed before they enter the competition to become Opal, one of four assassins of the queen, named for the stones in her rings, and collectively known as The Left Hand. As Sal shifts from thief to assassin, it is a difficult transition, with equal parts physical revulsion and guilt.
2. This novel continues well after the end of the competition, allowing us to see the political machinations and danger begin.
3. The world, especially the political background is established early and developed throughout the novel. The politics are key to this novel.
So, if you're looking for something character driven, you may not find this as engaging. I mean, I like Sal as a character. I especially like that Sal is genderfluid, and Miller doesn't back down from this, telling us about Sal's primary sexual characteristics. Sal is Sal. We know a lot about their background, and motivation, but Sal still feels somewhat shallow as a character. This doesn't bother me because this is an action novel all the way, with political intrigue tied closely to the action. I've already got the next one checked out and ready to go!
Why this book is more than a Throne of Glass rehash:
1. Sal hasn't killed before they enter the competition to become Opal, one of four assassins of the queen, named for the stones in her rings, and collectively known as The Left Hand. As Sal shifts from thief to assassin, it is a difficult transition, with equal parts physical revulsion and guilt.
2. This novel continues well after the end of the competition, allowing us to see the political machinations and danger begin.
3. The world, especially the political background is established early and developed throughout the novel. The politics are key to this novel.
So, if you're looking for something character driven, you may not find this as engaging. I mean, I like Sal as a character. I especially like that Sal is genderfluid, and Miller doesn't back down from this, telling us about Sal's primary sexual characteristics. Sal is Sal. We know a lot about their background, and motivation, but Sal still feels somewhat shallow as a character. This doesn't bother me because this is an action novel all the way, with political intrigue tied closely to the action. I've already got the next one checked out and ready to go!