History Literature / MaskOfShadows

* TheAlibi: When Sal is [[spoiler: framed for the murder of one of the other auditioners at a time when no one is meant to be killing anyone else, they must provide an alibi to prove their innocence, something they can’t properly do as they were off murdering someone ‘’else’’ at the time.]] The best they can manage is [[spoiler: getting the person who framed them to recant their accusation.]]
* AmbiguousGender: Sal is genderfluid, and presents as male, female, or neither depending on the day and how they feel.

* YouAreNumber6: All those in the auditions go by the numbers they are given at the start, rather than their own name. Sal is Twenty-Three.

* {{Transgender}}: Sal is genderfluid, and presents as male, female, or neither depending on the day and how they feel.

* BiTheWay: Sal themself, as well as Elise – who demonstrates that she is clearly attracted to Sal no matter which gender they present as.

* OnlyKnownbyTheirNickname: Sal’s full name is Sallot Leon, but they go by Sal to help hide where they’re originally from.

** During the competition for the position of Opal, all contestants go by the numbers they are assigned. We only get to learn a few of their true names.

* CallBack: At one time, Sal ‘improvises’ and uses Ruby as a body shield when a pitcher of water gets thrown their way, much to his annoyance. [[spoilers: In the climax, Ruby, already mortally wounded, tells Sal to “improvise” in order to block a sword blow.]]

* Handicapped Badass: After witnessing the brutal effects of the Shadows, and being the only known survivor of their country after it was obliterated, Sal is deeply affected by PTSD in the form of nightmares, as well as hallucinations when triggered. Other characters are also mentioned as being affected by similar.

** The Left Hand are all named after gemstones, specifically those set into the rings the queen wears on her left hand.

* [[Revenge]]: One of Sal’s biggest motivations; if they manage to win the competition, it will be much, much easier for them to go after the people responsible for the destruction of their country.

* Transgender: Sal is genderfluid, and presents as male, female, or neither depending on the day and how they feel.

** BiTheWay: Sal themself, as well as Elise – who demonstrates that she is clearly attracted to Sal no matter which gender they present as.
** BrokenPedestal: [[spoiler: Sal adores the Queen of Igna, and their idolisation of her is a large part of the reason why they want to join the Left Hand and aid her in bringing peace to the land. However, by the time Sal finally meets her, they’ve discovered that she knew the truth of who had allowed Nacea to be destroyed, and are suitably hurt and betrayed by the realisation that the Queen they idolised seemingly did nothing to bring justice to them. Sal’s love for Queen Marianna is slowly replaced by a growing resentment.]]
** DoomedHometown: Nacea, for Sal. The destruction of their homeland, leaving them as the only survivor, leads them to plot revenge against the noblemen of Erlend who thought Nacea was worth sacrificing.
** TheHighQueen: Marianna da Ignasi, Our Queen of the Eastern Spires.
** LadyOfWar: As the members of the Left Hand are considered to be on even higher footing than nobility, the women of the Left Hand fall into this trope – namely Amethyst and Emerald.

** TheOjou: Lady Elise de Farone of Erlend.
** TheReveal: Ruby is [[spoiler: Rodolfo da Abreu, brother to Isidora and former mage]].
** Transgender: Sal, who presents as male, female, or neither depending on the day.

‘’Mask of Shadows’’ and its sequel ‘’Ruin of Stars’’ are a pair of fantasy novels written by Lindsey Miller. The story is set in the newly-founded nation of Igna, ruled over by Queen Marianna de Ignasi, who united the warring nations of Erlend and Alona by completely [[TheMagicGoesAway banishing magic]] and its [[EldritchAbomination horrific creations]] from the land. The proud nation of Erlend, instigators of the war that ravaged the land, plot to undermine Igna and its Queen, and are held in check largely by the threat of the Queen’s Left Hand – a quartet of ruthless assassins and spies who carry out her will.