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
banishing magic and its
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.The plot follows a young thief named Sallot “Sal” Leon, who secretly plots to murder the lords of Erlend who left Sal’s
homeland of Nacea to be destroyed during the final years of the war. After robbing a young Erlend lady, Sal discovers that the Queen’s Left Hand are holding “auditions” for one of their positions, and they
gladly seize the chance to leave their lowly thieving life behind to try and rise to the role of Opal. Sal and twenty-two other auditioners are made to compete in a deadly game, where only one can succeed and become a member of the Left Hand.
This work contains examples of the following tropes:
- The Alibi: When Sal is 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 getting the person who framed them to recant their accusation.
- Beneath Notice: In order to avoid being murdered after being put on probation, Sal steals servant’s clothes and uses them to get around the areas of the palace the other auditioners frequent. It’s also how they get close enough during the second test to poison Four.
- Booby Trap: one of the ways Eleven tries to kill the other contestants, with a rather nasty poison.
- Broken Pedestal: 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.
- Call-Back: 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. In the climax, Ruby, already mortally wounded, tells Sal to “improvise” in order to block a sword blow.
- Combat Pragmatist: Sal knows they’re unlikely to win a fair fight with anyone, so why bother being fair?
- Doomed Hometown: 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.
- Femme Fatalons: Of the non-villainous, dangerous variety: Emerald glues fake metal nails over her natural ones. Some of the nobles have tried to copy her, to very little success and several lost nails.
- 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.
- Emerald only has one eye, but is still an excellent marksman with a bow.
- The High Queen: Marianna da Ignasi, Our Queen of the Eastern Spires.
- Lady of War: 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.
- Subverted with Queen Marianna, whose harnessing of the power of the gods has left her physical body incredibly frail and weak.
- The Ojou: Lady Elise de Farone of Erlend.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: Sal’s full name is Sallot Leon, but they go by Sal to help hide where they’re originally from.
- During the audtion for the position of Opal, all auditioners go by the numbers they are assigned. We only get to learn a few of their true names.
- The Left Hand are all named after gemstones, specifically those set into the rings the Queen wears on her left hand.
- Playing Sick: Turns out, Elise’s father is only pretending to be slowly dying.
- Poison and Cure Gambit: The method Sal uses to gain testimony that proves their innocence in the murder of Six after being framed for it by Four.
- Power Tattoo: Mages used to mark themselves with runes that let them control certain powers. Magic may be gone, but the marks remain, showing what roll any mage may have played.
- The Reveal: Ruby is Rodolfo da Abreu, brother to Isidora and former mage.
- 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.
- Revenge Before Reason: Averted. In the final test, Sal encounters a man they have a vendetta against, but killing him then and there would mean their own failure. They frame him for the murder they came to commit instead, making sure they still get some kind of revenge against him as well as insuring they pass the test.
- Rock Theme Naming: Emerald, Ruby, Amethyst, and Opal are all named after the four gemstone rings the Queen wears.
- You Are Number 6: All those in the auditions go by the numbers they are given at the start, rather than their own name. Sal is Twenty-Three.
