Book: Masquerade of Mirrors by Samantha Hartwood
Reviewed by Michelles_Cosy_Booknook
Rating: 4/5
Taera has always known the desert as a place of loss—harsh, unforgiving, and never to be trusted. So when Nikolai, a guy who embodies everything she fears, saves her life and brings her to the mysterious Hall of Mirrors, she has no choice but to enter a world she instinctively rejects.
The Hall of Mirrors is no sanctuary. It’s a place of power, secrets, and shifting truths—and Nikolai stands at its centre. He is controlled, guarded, and hiding far more than he lets on. Yet somehow, he may also be the key to Taera’s survival… and to something far greater.
Taera is a compelling heroine—strong, determined, yet deeply isolated. Even surrounded by others, her loneliness is all too real, and it adds a quiet emotional weight that runs throughout the story. In contrast, Nikolai is layered with deception, guilt, and pain, making him an intriguing and often unpredictable counterpart. Someone I equal parts liked and wanted to shake.
One of the standout elements for me was the magic system. It felt fresh, well thought out, and seamlessly woven into the world, adding depth without distracting from the story.
What really kept me hooked, though, was the constant sense of uncertainty. I found myself questioning every character and every motive—never quite sure who to trust. That tension is a testament to how well Samantha Hartwood has crafted the world and its players.
Blending fantasy, academia, and enemies-to-lovers tension, Masquerade of Mirrors delivers a story full of emotion, suspicion, and slow-burning intrigue.
I’m very curious to see where this series goes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Samantha Hartwood for this ARC. All opinions are my own.