This is our book review for Masquerade of Mirrors by Samantha Hartwood.
At the time of publishing this guide, this story is available on Kindle Unlimited.
Star rating
Pepper rating (find our Pepper scale here)
Book Review:
Like the title suggests, a Masquerade of Mirrors by Samantha Hartwood is both hiding in plain sight some of the most delicious magical surprises, while reflecting back exactly what one would expect from a modern romantasy story. The magical world that Taera, our FMC and Nikolai, our MMC, are inhabiting is different from almost any book I’ve read. I love Hartwood for creating a new world to get lost in that has differences from so many fantasy and romantasy novels before it. It was that difference that drew me in and had me turning the pages from the first instance, when the map page is missing but its lack is explained with an ominous proclamation.
This strong start is supported by just enough world building to draw you in, without spending pages and pages setting up the world, and decent writing that you want to keep reading. Taera, who lives in a village on the edge of the desert, cares for her grandfather and brother. She gives up an apprenticeship to provide for her family and makes ends meet while feeling a pull to the dangerous desert beyond. Nikolai, a magician, is brought to Taera by the desert, saves her and – to keep her hidden and safe – spirits her away into the desert to the Halls of Glass, an academy for “conduits” (Nikolai) and “sources” (Taera) to learn about their magic.
And what magic it is. I love the juxtaposition and connection between the sand and the glass within the desert, the madness and patience required of the magicians, and constantly walking that line of illusion and reality. It also explores the lure, danger, and relief that can come from imagining yourself into who you truly are versus who you want to be.
Where this book’s strength lies in the creation of a world and magical system, it loses something with its storytelling. I was able to guess a few key plot points early on and was only genuinely surprised once by the storyline. That being said, the predictable (read: becoming overused) tropes of “only one bed” or “fake relationship” were at least built believably into the story, which is more than I can say for many modern spicy books. The story isn’t built on those tropes; they are merely a means to an end for some of our characters’ actions, which I appreciated. But it doesn’t change the fact that what actually kept me interested wasn’t our characters’ development, but the world around them.
I think that’s partly because this book might’ve benefited from being a duology or a slightly longer standalone, which is what it’s marketed as. I would encourage Hartwood to take a page from Taera, in my favorite line from the entire book: “I’d rather be a courageous fool than let my fear control me.” Be courageous with your characters and give us more. More development between our main characters because it’s not entirely clear what Taera really sees in Nikolai, more explanations about why certain things matter – like her being “19” instead of her actual age, and more about her only friend and what happened. Just more.
Except baths. They can all take fewer baths.
Despite this being marketed as a standalone, it’s obvious that we can expect more mysteries to come from the desert sands if this first work is successful. And I truly hope it is because it’s a solid start for this author. It’s for this reason, I’ve rated it at 3.5 stars in my heart and on my website, but 4 stars on all the major reviewing platforms. Unfortunately most rating systems don’t allow ½ star ratings and if I have to choose between an average, 3 stars “I liked it” and an above average 4 stars “I really liked it”, then I lean towards that 4 star rating in good conscience.
I will disagree with the related bumf I received that it’s a 3 pepper read – I rate it as 2 peppers (a proper open door romance). For me a 3 pepper read has spice as a major feature of the plot and that isn’t the case in a Masquerade of Mirrors. There’s flirting, teasing, some titillation, one somewhat explicit scene, and one explicit scene but that’s it – at least until I receive the steamy bonus scene after its release. This is my first time receiving an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing and appreciate the author’s PR team giving me a chance since I don’t have a huge online reputation (yet) for my immaculate reviews. A review for this ARC was not expected but appreciated.
Masquerade of Mirrors by Samantha Hartwood is a great introductory, romantasy novel, and I plan to read more from her in the future.
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