Every year several books are released and there are some that receive more attention than others. This doesn’t mean these other books are not worth reading. On the contrary, many of them are underrated titles that deserve to be read. A book that fell victim to this is The Mask of Mirrors—the first book in the Rook & Rose trilogy—by M. A. Carrick—the joint pen name of both Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms—and it is one of the most underrated fantasy books of the year.
There are three protagonists. The first is Arenza Lenskaya, a.k.a. Ren, a thief and a con artist. After killing her boss, Ondrakja, for murdering her brother, Sedge, both she and her sister, Tess, flee their home of Nadežra. Five years later, they return with a plan: con a noble family into securing some of their fortune for themselves. Their target is House Traementis—a noble house that has fallen on difficult times—who are about to meet Alta Renata Viraudax, a close “relative” of theirs, along with her “handmaiden,” Tess.
The pair slowly work their way into the lives and the hearts of Era Donaia Traementis—the head of the House—and her children, Leato and Giuna. In order to keep up with the charade, Alta Renata introduces herself to the members of the other noble houses. Soon, Renata is approached by a known crime lord who has a proposition for her and for House Traementis.
The second protagonist is crime lord/businessman Derossi Vargo. Vargo has built his reputation on knowing everything going on in Nadežra. In fact, he is willing to help Alta Renata obtain what she wants as long as she is willing to return the favor. Meanwhile, Vargo continues operating his enterprises, some of which involve other noble houses. However, an accident at one of his businesses places his reputation alongside the outlaw known as The Rook. Vargo must cooperate with the Vigil—Nadežra’s police force—while sending his crew—consisting of Nikory, Pavlin Ranieri, and someone from Ren and Tess’ past—to investigate who is trying to sabotage him and his business.
The third protagonist is Captain Grey Serrado of the Vigil. He takes his job very seriously to the point where he is willing to investigate the cause of missing and dead children—with the help from Arkady Bones, the boss of the largest street gang—a mysterious new drug that causes hallucinations amongst the users, and whatever caused the accident at Vargo’s business, which led to the death of his brother, Kolya. On top of all of that, Captain Grey is trying to determine whether or not The Rook is involved with any of these crimes.
All three protagonists and their comrades find themselves caught in the web of Nadežra where all of its denizens are about to fall victim to a new criminal. Is the criminal from a noble house or from a street gang? Is The Rook involved, or is he trying to save the city? Will each protagonist gain what they seek?
There are two things in The Mask of Mirrors that will enrapture readers. First is the worldbuilding. The layout of all of the locations from Traementis Manor to the Vigil to Nadežra’s sewers makes it feel like you’re actually there. Not to mention the calendar, which helps keep track of what is happening on a particular day. Second is the magic system. There are two forms that are used by a few characters. The first is based on sacred geometry in which the user channels power from a godhead. The second is reminiscent of tarot cards, but with a deeper connection to an individual’s multiple selves.
One of the most enjoyable things about this story is the pacing of the plots. While the story never lags, one may begin to wonder if the narrative is moving in a familiar direction, before it takes off in a different direction with new conflicts to go with it. After this, more is revealed about Nadežra and why all of the characters start scrambling amongst themselves to halt whatever is happening before more people suffer the consequences.
One can argue this story is about an individual’s struggle between their façade and their persona—not quite like the video game series, but very similar. The protagonists and the other characters move back-and-forth amongst their various identities, when they must play the role expected of them. The implication that such behavior is practiced amongst all of the dramatis personae regardless of their class and their circumstances, demonstrates the reality within the fiction, which is a sad, yet common, truth.
The Mask of Mirrors is a balance of fantasy and mystery with an intricate magic system set in a world that reflects an urban fantasy. Fans of the Chimera trilogy by Cate Glass and the Poison Wars series by Sam Hawke will enjoy this book the most. And the revelations revealed towards the end of the book will make fans eager to read the next book in the series, The Liar’s Knot.
The Mask of Mirrors is a blend of urban fantasy and mystery set within a world of nobles, vigilantes, magic users, and thieves. It is one of the most underrated fantasy books of the year, but that doesn’t mean it deserves to be overlooked by fantasy fans and readers. Be ready to fall under the magic of this book.
Jennie Ivins