Mask of Shadows

July 31, 2017
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.

Sallot Leon, a thief, steals a poster announcing open auditions for the Left Hand--the volunteers who function as the queen's assassins. Sal goes to the auditions, hoping to be able to join the group--but not to become an assassin. Sal wants revenge. Narrator Deryn Edwards credibly depicts Sal and the characters she encounters. A gender-fluid character, Sal has has had to be tough their whole life because of their horrible past. Edwards conveys the brutality of this novel in her narration but subtly projects Sal's vulnerability as well. This compelling story will pull listeners into its world and keep them wondering what will happen next. C.G. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine