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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.
lyraggs's review against another edition
3.0
Bien, para inicio de saga no es lo mejor y deja mucho que desear.
Con una curiosa estructura de gobierno, basado en los asesinos que están solo atrás de la soberana reinante y estos se llamen así mismos como piedras preciosas hizo que me interesara pero cada vez que leí un capitulo mis expectativas fueron bajando.
Sal y Elise no son lo mas romántico y tampoco se juraron amor eterno. Como personajes individuales igual dejan mucho que desear y el resto de los personajes están bien, e incluso llaman mas la atención que la prota.
Ahora las pruebas, el camino para volverse el asesino "Opalo" dejan que desear.
Seguiré leyéndola pero esta ves no me haré tantas expectativas.
Con una curiosa estructura de gobierno, basado en los asesinos que están solo atrás de la soberana reinante y estos se llamen así mismos como piedras preciosas hizo que me interesara pero cada vez que leí un capitulo mis expectativas fueron bajando.
Sal y Elise no son lo mas romántico y tampoco se juraron amor eterno. Como personajes individuales igual dejan mucho que desear y el resto de los personajes están bien, e incluso llaman mas la atención que la prota.
Ahora las pruebas, el camino para volverse el asesino "Opalo" dejan que desear.
Seguiré leyéndola pero esta ves no me haré tantas expectativas.
jenpaul13's review against another edition
4.0
A deadly audition to fill a vacancy for an assassin for the Queen and an opportunity to take revenge upon the nobles responsible for the destruction of the Nacean people is the focal point of Sal's life in Linsey Miller's Mask of Shadows.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Sallot Leon has a brutally tragic history that drove Sal toward a life of thievery and crime. The latest mark had an interesting note in her purse, indicating the upcoming auditions to become the new Opal for the Queen, one of four assassins to do her bidding. Intrigued by the opportunity to get closer to the nobles responsible for the destruction of Sal's native Nacea, Sal goes to audition to be able to exact revenge when the moment arises. In becoming auditioner Twenty-Three, Sal's identity is pushed to new limits in the attempt to win the competition and serve the Queen while gaining insight and skills to better exact revenge.
The story moves rather quickly and is quite engrossing and enjoyable to read; however, there was a bit of a slow down toward the middle of the narrative while auditions were taking place and it became more of a waiting game for the competition to be killed off. I thought that the romantic entanglement with Elise wasn't entirely needed (apart from moving the plot forward) and it happened a bit too fortuitously for my preferences to be believable. I was excited about the inclusion of a gender fluid protagonist, and although it appeared to be very simplistically portrayed, it was easy to grasp and greatly appreciated as it wasn't the only defining feature about Sal--plus it worked toward building the malleability needed in a successful assassin.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Sallot Leon has a brutally tragic history that drove Sal toward a life of thievery and crime. The latest mark had an interesting note in her purse, indicating the upcoming auditions to become the new Opal for the Queen, one of four assassins to do her bidding. Intrigued by the opportunity to get closer to the nobles responsible for the destruction of Sal's native Nacea, Sal goes to audition to be able to exact revenge when the moment arises. In becoming auditioner Twenty-Three, Sal's identity is pushed to new limits in the attempt to win the competition and serve the Queen while gaining insight and skills to better exact revenge.
The story moves rather quickly and is quite engrossing and enjoyable to read; however, there was a bit of a slow down toward the middle of the narrative while auditions were taking place and it became more of a waiting game for the competition to be killed off. I thought that the romantic entanglement with Elise wasn't entirely needed (apart from moving the plot forward) and it happened a bit too fortuitously for my preferences to be believable. I was excited about the inclusion of a gender fluid protagonist, and although it appeared to be very simplistically portrayed, it was easy to grasp and greatly appreciated as it wasn't the only defining feature about Sal--plus it worked toward building the malleability needed in a successful assassin.
megsbookishtwins's review against another edition
4.0
Sallot Leon is an orphan and a thief. However, Sallot wants to escape that life as a highway robber living on the outskirts of society. Sal wants to get close to the nobles that destroyed their family and their home. During a robbery, Sal comes across a piece of paper that features an audition to become a member of the Left Hand - the Queens elite and personal assassins. And Sal plans for the perfect infiltration to get revenge.
Mask of Shadows was a well-written high fantasy novel. There were instances of info-dumping and places where the plot became slow paced but it is an impressive debut. Mask of Shadows was an action-packed assassin in-training novel. Sal was taking part in a competition to become an elite assassin for the Queen. The competition itself was full of high-stakes and it was very smart and detailed. Each competitor had to kill their opponents - without getting caught, and it made it an original and compelling read.
Mask of Shadows also featured a genderfluid protagonist, Sal. Sal liked to be referred to specific pronouns depending on how they dressed. I can't speak for the rep, but I feel like Sal being gender-fluid was handled respectfully. I really liked Sal - they were motivated, daring, and funny.
I also loved the secondary characters. I was sometimes a little confused between who was who when the competitors were numbered - except for the main five. But I guess that held up the secrecy a little more and added to the atmosphere. I also really liked Ruby, Emerald, and Amethyst. I also found it really interesting how they were all named as well. I also really liked the subtle romance between Elise and Sal - definitely a highlight of the book.
I've seen this compared to Throne of Glass quite a lot, and while there are similarities there are also a lot of differences. Mask of Shadows has a much more developed and logical assassin competition and is much more diverse.
Overall, Mask of Shadows is an exciting and action-packed high fantasy that I would highly recommend.
Mask of Shadows was a well-written high fantasy novel. There were instances of info-dumping and places where the plot became slow paced but it is an impressive debut. Mask of Shadows was an action-packed assassin in-training novel. Sal was taking part in a competition to become an elite assassin for the Queen. The competition itself was full of high-stakes and it was very smart and detailed. Each competitor had to kill their opponents - without getting caught, and it made it an original and compelling read.
Mask of Shadows also featured a genderfluid protagonist, Sal. Sal liked to be referred to specific pronouns depending on how they dressed. I can't speak for the rep, but I feel like Sal being gender-fluid was handled respectfully. I really liked Sal - they were motivated, daring, and funny.
I also loved the secondary characters. I was sometimes a little confused between who was who when the competitors were numbered - except for the main five. But I guess that held up the secrecy a little more and added to the atmosphere. I also really liked Ruby, Emerald, and Amethyst. I also found it really interesting how they were all named as well. I also really liked the subtle romance between Elise and Sal - definitely a highlight of the book.
I've seen this compared to Throne of Glass quite a lot, and while there are similarities there are also a lot of differences. Mask of Shadows has a much more developed and logical assassin competition and is much more diverse.
Overall, Mask of Shadows is an exciting and action-packed high fantasy that I would highly recommend.
annineamundsen's review against another edition
4.0
Genderfluid main character. Hunger games type competition.
Pretty action-packed, though the romance, and the friendship between Sal and Maud were my favourite parts.
Some of the background history and politics were difficult to follow occasionally, but I genuinely liked Sal's bitter descriptions and sarcastic humour.
Pretty action-packed, though the romance, and the friendship between Sal and Maud were my favourite parts.
Some of the background history and politics were difficult to follow occasionally, but I genuinely liked Sal's bitter descriptions and sarcastic humour.
katiew221's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Wonderful. Will read the second
bee324's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
spookystitch8's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
helenamt's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75