This is a spoiler-filled review of The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick, the first book in the Rook and Rose trilogy. THIS INCLUDES MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING.

The Mask of Mirrors took me a long time to get into, it wasn’t until around the 75% mark that I was getting intrigued by it. While I usually enjoy slower-paced novels, this one struggled to hold my interest, and I’m still not entirely sure why.

The setting, with its rivers, masks, and social divides, gave off strong Venetian vibes. It is atmospheric and well-described.

The magic system was one of the more unique aspects. Tarot cards, for example, can be used to read the pattern. However, it felt underdeveloped in book 1. Key concepts are left vague, and magic mostly appears when it serves the plot (no groundwork). I would have appreciated more structure and explanation, especially about how the magic systems could interact.

The political conflict between the Liganti (noble houses) and the Vrazenians (indigenous people) added a complex layer. Ren, a Vrazenian herself, tries to con her way into nobility for survival and security while confronting the oppression of her people. This complexity was handled well, in my opinion.

The LGBTQ+ representation was seamlessly integrated into the world. These characters were treated as natural parts of society, neither singled out nor portrayed as extraordinary.

When it comes to the characters, I found them interesting but not emotionally engaging. I didn’t feel particularly attached to any of them.

Ren is a con artist who takes on several identities. Her story relies too heavily on coincidences; she overhears useful information at the exact right time far too often, which strains believability.

Parallel to Ren’s storyline is an investigation involving child kidnappings and a mysterious sleeplessness, which is pursued by Grey, a city officer and friend of House Traementis. Grey lost his brother in a fire incident involving the Rook, a legendary vigilante said to have operated in Nadežra for over 200 years.

Vargo stood out as the most intriguing character for me. A former thug turned cunning merchant, he interacts with a mysterious being called Alsius. We get a glimpse of that connection near the end, but it raises more questions than it answers. I’d love to see Vargo get more focus in the sequels.

However, the reveal that Grey is the Rook fell flat for me. It felt abrupt and unearned. I had hoped for a more surprising twist or a deeper explanation of what the Rook truly is and how the identity passes (assuming it does). The end also reveals ties to the trilogy title The Rook and Rose, with Ren presumably being the Rose. This hints at a future dynamic between the two.

In the end, I’m torn. I’m not very invested in the story or characters, but the unanswered questions and potential of the world make me hesitant to abandon the series completely. For now, I’ll set it aside and prioritise series I feel more connected to, but I might return out of curiosity.