From the Bookshelf of Dragons & Jetpacks…

The Mask of Mirrors (Rook & Rose, #1)

M.A. Carrick

Start date: May 1, 2025

Finish date: May 31, 2025

Discussion: BotM Discussion - FANTASY

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What Members Thought

Mar 10, 2025 Justine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2025

The Mask of Mirrors is a book that demands patience, but for the most part, it pays off. The world of Nadežra is lush and immersive, filled with political scheming, secret identities, and a magic system that’s as intricate as it is fascinating. Ren’s journey as a con artist infiltrating high society kept me hooked, and the slow-burn tension, whether in alliances, rivalries, or romance, added depth to the story.

That said, the pacing dragged at times, especially in the beginning, and the sheer amo ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

May 10, 2025 Lel rated it liked it · review of another edition

I found this to be a book of two halves. The first half is filled with characters and backgrounds and which factions they belong to, who they are plotting against and mainly setting up the story and it was a slog to get through. I found that much information at the beginning before I grew to care about the characters a weird choice. It made me very close to DNF'ing the book and the series. But past the 50% mark the story came to the forefront rather than the character building and I had a much b ...more

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May 08, 2022 Christina rated it liked it

Shelves: 2022, milestonne-vs-ultra-2022, finished-may-22

3.25 Stars

This book was kind of hard for me to rate. And admittedly the rating may improve if I ever get around to rereading it. I thought I would love this book a lot more than I did and, to be honest, there were moments in the earlier half of the book where I almost gave up. I am glad I persevered because I really enjoyed the second half of the book way more and I loved the ending. However, the first half was a lot of setup. A LOT of setup. And there were plot threads that we encountered at th 3.25 Stars

This book was kind of hard for me to rate. And admittedly the rating may improve if I ever get around to rereading it. I thought I would love this book a lot more than I did and, to be honest, there were moments in the earlier half of the book where I almost gave up. I am glad I persevered because I really enjoyed the second half of the book way more and I loved the ending. However, the first half was a lot of setup. A LOT of setup. And there were plot threads that we encountered at the beginning of the book that I had kind of forgotten about in the second half of the book and I had to really think about what was going on and, usually, I am good at keeping track of that kind of stuff. It meandered quite a bit I felt at the beginning. I think I am in a mindset right now that I lose patience easily if I feel like a book can be cut down by 200 pages and still be a good book.

At any rate, I am glad I kept going and I do think that I will give the second book a shot. This may end up being a 4-star read for me at some point. The world-building was incredible. It is a very well-written book although I would argue that the writing needs a little something towards the beginning half of the book. I can't quite put my finger on it. More dramatic tension, maybe? I am not sure. There was just something missing Also, I am reminded of a YouTube series I watch where when the guy that runs it talks about the trouble the main character gets themselves into, and the person he is talking to says something to the effect of, "wow, it is going to be hard to get out of that one!" And the reply is, "Not at all. It is going to be super easy. Barely an inconvenience". I kind of felt like that in this story, especially with Ren. She would get into quite the pickles and then two pages later she was completely fine and problem solved. Maybe that is just me being nitpicky.

Anyway, again a reread somewhere in the future may improve my rating and I am definitely still going to read the second book. I definitely liked where the story was going at the end! ...more

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May 08, 2025 Shawnie marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: dragons-jetpacks-bc, library, fantasy

Stopping at 58% - dnf. There is so much happening and absolutely nothing happening. I need to move on. :)

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May 27, 2025 Kimberly rated it really liked it

I actually read the whole thing, in spite of my earlier misgivings. So, think Victorian rogue with street urchin background with expertise in disguises, infiltrates rich family as made-up cousin only to discover that... and then the story happens. There are some pacing issues, and some visuals that may have needed better or different explanations but by the last half of the book, the plot is pretty straightforward and kind of fun at times.

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