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A review by z_bookfluencer
Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller
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.