Book Review – The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick

The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick (Rook and Rose #1)
Fantasy | Adult | 672 pages
Published on 21st January 2021 by Orbit

Synopsis

My rating:

Review

I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book I was hyped for as soon as I heard about it. Con woman, friends as family, political intrigue, masks and secret identities… what’s not to love?

This book does have some SUPER long chapters though, which made it hard to get into at first – I was enjoying it, but also struggling a little. Once I got used to that I was fully swept away by Ren and her charming ways.

The worldbuilding is so good – it’s subtle and builds as needed. It does give a little of a slow start while we establish Ren as a former street rat turned maid turned con artist in the city. But it’s a great way to establish the city, its influences and how it functions.

Also, I loved how much clothes play a part in this – especially as we get to see Tess create so many! From little things to reusing the fabrics and scraps, to the wonder of creating a truly epic-sounding ballgown. I want to see that dress in real life! It’s also a great introduction to the smaller magics, through imbuing. We don’t see a lot of fancy casting in this, and I loved that a lot of what we do see is the smaller parts.

Though that does bring me to the magics – there’s so much going on. From the imbuing I just mentioned, to more intricate circles and influencing to the tarot style card readings, magic is everywhere while not really being a central focus of the book. I think that was an element that really intrigued me and I definitely hope to see more of. I’m definitely dying to see more of the numinati in action and learn more about how they work. I also really enjoyed the aspects of the card patterning vs astrology – I definitely want more on that conflict.

The cons themselves were fascinating. Especially as we get a real mix – there’s a couple of longer cons, and lots of smaller ones in both personas. AND we get elements of Ren falling for her marks. I loved her relationship with all the Treamentis. This is not just a nod to Ren being a con woman, but the authors show us a lot of her actually being one, which is great. I could have happily had loads more of the political manoeuvring she must have done too, but I understand why that didn’t make it into this beast of a book!

There’s also great chosen family moments – seeing Tess and Ren as sisters and both working towards the goal is so lovely. Especially as we get a reveal later on which is SO heartwarming. And there’s a real risk in it – we see Ren go through so much! Plus a truly shocking moment about half way which threw me as I did NOT see it coming at all.

It’s also a hierarchical society but one with great moments of inclusion – the LGBTQ+ rep in particular is lovely. We see lots of instances of it throughout.

I want to finish by discussing Vargo, who I loved. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? WHO KNOWS? I love it. I am dying to know more about him. Bring on book 2, I’ll be here eagerly waiting for it.

4.5 stars.

Buy The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick from Waterstones.

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