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Summary
Summary
"I love every aspect of this amazing book--a genderfluid hero, a deadly contest, and vicious courtly intrigue. Get! Read! Now!" --Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author
I needed to win. They needed to die.
Sallot Leon is a thief, and a good one at that. But gender fluid Sal wants nothing more than to escape the drudgery of life as a highway robber and get closer to the upper-class--and the nobles who destroyed their home.
When Sal steals a flyer for an audition to become a member of The Left Hand--the Queen's personal assassins, named after the rings she wears--Sal jumps at the chance to infiltrate the court and get revenge.
But the audition is a fight to the death filled with clever circus acrobats, lethal apothecaries, and vicious ex-soldiers. A childhood as a common criminal hardly prepared Sal for the trials. And as Sal succeeds in the competition, and wins the heart of Elise, an intriguing scribe at court, they start to dream of a new life and a different future, but one that Sal can have only if they survive.
This heart-pounding YA story of magic, danger, and revenge is perfect for readers looking for:
epic books for tweens and teens gay and lesbian fantasy and science fiction gripping stories with queer and gay magic and sorcery gender fluid representation and gender diversity dazzling world-building and relatable charactersPraise for Mask of Shadows:
A Bustle Most Anticipated YA of 2017!
"Compelling and relatable characters, a fascinating world with dangerous magic, and a dash of political intrigue: Mask of Shadows completely delivered. Fantasy fans will love this book."--Jodi Meadows, New York Times bestselling coauthor of My Lady Jane
"An intriguing world and a fantastically compelling main character make for a can't-miss debut. Miller's Mask of Shadows will make you glad you're not an assassin--and even gladder Sal is."--Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling author of And I Darken and Now I Rise
"It is fabulous. Go forth and read the Hunger Games-like craftiness and intensity, Kaz Brekker-ish determination and moral questionability, and utterly charming romance." -- LGBTQ Reads
"Uber bloody and action packed, Mask of Shadows is the book for anyone who loves a heavy dose of grit and gore with their fantasy." -- TeenVogue.com
Don't miss the highly anticipated second book in the Mask of Shadows duology, Ruin of Stars, and Linsey Miller's standalone YA fantasy Belle Révolte, both available now!
Author Notes
A wayward biologist from Arkansas, Linsey previously worked as a crime lab intern, neuroscience lab assistant, and pharmacy technician. She can be found writing about science and magic anywhere there's coffee. She is the author of the Mask of Shadows duology, Belle Revolte, and What We Devour. Visit her online at linseymiller.com.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-Sal is a gender-fluid war orphan living as a thief until they hear about auditions for their Queen's assassination squad. Sal survives deadly weapons training, sneak attacks, and mortal combat as "auditioners" compete to the death for the honored post. Sal's former robbery victim, Elise, now their language tutor and crush, offers Sal additional incentive to win because love among the Queen's favored is less likely to be judged unseemly. Sal's competition, known only by their assigned numbers, are driven by bloodlust and have various levels of expertise in violence. Sal's assigned servant, Maud, serves as the novel's comic relief as she and Sal banter about Sal's slim chances of success. In their kingdom left vulnerable by brutal wars, Sal seeks vengeance, love, and acceptance. The main character's gender-fluidity is well intentioned but is ultimately an awkward fit in this unsuccessful fantasy adventure. Determined readers may need to take notes to keep track of the countless fallen territories, the auditioners' numeric labels, and the veteran assassins' gemstone identities. The incomprehensible political history of Sal's world also hinders this ambitious series opener. VERDICT A laudable but disjointed attempt at teen genre fiction featuring a strong gender-fluid main -character. Strictly for patient fans of complicated, gory sagas.-Elaine Fultz, Madison Jr. Sr. High School, Middletown, OH © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Sallot "Sal" Leon, a genderfluid highway thief, has spent 10 years vowing revenge against the nobles who allowed shadows born of magic to kill their family and slaughter their people. When Sal discovers that the queen is holding auditions for a new Opal (one of four private assassins/guards), Sal decides to compete, but it won't be easy. The other assassins-Ruby, Amethyst, and Emerald-won't accept anything but the best, the competitors can try to kill each other at almost any time, and they'll be tested mightily in the many ways of dealing death. The competition offers the opportunity to get close to some of the names on Sal's kill list, but matters are complicated when Sal falls for tutor Elise de Farone. Miller's gritty, lightning-paced debut features a rough-and-tumble yet movingly vulnerable protagonist: Sal is uncompromising in their convictions, and doesn't hesitate to kill when necessary but wishes to be more than just a weapon of vengeance. A complex but intriguing start to this planned duology. Ages 14-up. Agent: Rachel Brooks, L. Perkins Agency. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Thief Sal auditions to become one of the four assassins serving the queen. Winning the deadly competition will allow Sal to then seek revenge on the nobles who destroyed Sal's homeland. Miller's tale, the first in a planned duology, is easy to read, though overly violent at times; notably, Sal's gender fluidity is presented in a clear manner (Sal's clothing choice dictates which pronoun Sal prefers). (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A scarred street thief competes to become an elite assassin.Sal comes from Nacea, a country and people obliterated in a war between other countries. After years living under an unsavory gang leader, robbing and fighting just to survive, Salwho's genderfluid and signals by that day's clothing whether they want to be called "he," "she," or "they"sees the perfect chance to get revenge for Nacea. The Queen's Left Hand, which is "her collection of assassins and personal guards named for the rings she w[ears]Ruby, Emerald, Opal, and Amethyst," needs a new Opal. As Opal, Sal would have access to the wealthy lords responsible for the Nacean genocide. The trials for the new Opal unfold bloodily, with three rules: kill the competition, don't harm anyone else, and don't get caught. Both Auditioners and the Left Hand wear masks throughout. Sal has brown skin, trauma, a set of skills, and a heady crush on a noblewoman. Political exposition reads messily, and some microflaws in the logic feel sloppy (for example, Sal bathes and eats in their room before nailing the door shut against the other murderous aspirants). However, the killing games and court intriguewhich may or may not involve magical specters previously used for torturing and killing Naceansare breathless and terrifying. Gory, well-plotted, suspenseful on every page, and poised for the sequel. (Fantasy. 14-adult) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Sal has one goal revenge on those who destroyed the country of Nacea. And to achieve that goal, he/she/they (depending on the day) will need to become part of the Left Hand, the queen's personal assassins in the country of Igna. But the auditions for the position of Opal in the Left Hand are fights to the death, and Sal, a lowly thief and street fighter, may not have the skills to survive the other auditioners. Miller's first novel features a unique character in a blandly familiar setting. Sal, who is gender-fluid, is everything an assassin needs to be: quick-witted, street-savvy, and unafraid of and unapologetic for killing. The political intrigue, though, doesn't have enough spice to season the plot, and the romance is a bit too rushed to bring much heat. Miller's setting is vividly drawn, however, which helps bring Sal's world to life. While this might be an alternative purchase for fantasy collections, it's a solid addition for libraries hoping to expand the gender diversity of their shelves.--Wildsmith, Snow Copyright 2017 Booklist
