Mira, a circus performer, wants to compete in the deadly Trials for a future in the Ravalian court. She wants to join one of the orders: Warriors, Artisans, or Masks. Princess Scarlett is dealing with life-threatening court politics in the battle for heirdom. When Mira's candidacy exposes her mother's past the Trials take on new meaning. They may be her salvation and revenge, something that is true for Scarlett also. Everything can change if she succeeds...

With the first two chapters, each one being like an introduction to our 2 protagonists and their POVs, intrigue and danger enter the scene and entrap our attention. Always love stories about outsiders trying to beat the odds and in this one, we have two of them. Scarlett may be the Ravalian princess but she is still the underdog in her fight. I really like how the worldbuilding is organic, felt like a continuation of the storytelling (no info-dumping here), shared with us in all-encompassing, emotionally charged, 1st person perspectives. We get to enjoy the sense of discovery and the foreshadowing is on point.

There are characters you cannot help but want to protect at all costs and despicable ones you want to slap upside the head or have worse happen to them. Warning: your feelings about some of them will change constantly. At this point, a special mention must be made for Cassius who is devilishly fun. You should hate him but you can't. When it comes to your protagonists you admire them both for their determination, though Scarlett is more hardened and ruthless due to the environment of her upbringing. But can they be considered bad, or just victims of their circumstances? Theirs is a battle of wills and agendas.

The deviousness in the Ravalian court is delicious as are the machinations which often prove gasp-worthy. This is a brutal, fantastical world where power is all that matters. Fast-paced, the action is so intense it proves often jarring and a little confusing (I had to read some parts twice). Also, it is like the supposed love interests are forgotten or just ornamental in large parts of the book, so then some really honest, blunt scenes with them are not the gut punch they could have been. Far from predictable, there is a lot going on and except for some confusing missteps in the beginning, when things get crazy we can follow the storyline quite clearly and with bated breath.

Here the autonomy of magic symbolizes liberty. It deals with the freedom of choice, volition and to be who you are. Is revenge a plate better served cold? Is it worth any price? Does the end justify the means?

This epic beginning to a new series is a perilous path to vengeance, a dance of moral challenges, with the future of an empire on the line.

Thank you to Hodderscape and Alina Bellchambers for granting me a digital ARC of The Order of Masks.

The Order of Masks is a story of secrets, betrayal, courtly politics, and the battle to survive when murder awaits at every turn. Set in a fantasy world of the empire of Ravalian, whose emperor is set on world dominion and his royal court full of subterfuge, royal sibling rivalry to be heir to the crown, and where alliance shifts like the desert sands—a place to watch your back, neck, and head. Worldbuilding is vast, with a number of locations and nations at play in the political scheming, shifting of loyalties, and magical powers.

Alina Bellchambers makes her debut with The Order of Masks. Her writing is very descriptive, full of lots of detail about the world, and very messy, complicated relationships between her characters told from the dual POV of her female protagonists, Mira and Scarlett. The pacing is a little slow to start the story, then at 25%, the plot twist races off into a fast-paced web of secrets, betrayal, and murder.

The character dynamics and tensions of this story were interesting. You can physically see the character development in the second half coming to life on the page and staring into the precipice of their life-changing choices. The female protagonists are strong, determined, and resourceful women who survived treachery and danger throughout their lives spent living with secrets. It’s given them both very different stabby tendencies and edges to their personality. Mira’s journey takes her to the cliff-edge, where she must decide if her revenge is worth more than her bonds to those she loves, her humanity, and her freedom. Scarlett is ruthless, power-hunger, and driven to revenge by the path set by birth by her mother, who is honing her and preparing her to seize her chance for the crown by any means necessary.

A fantasy full of twisty, twitchy treason, tempestuous alliances, murderous family bonds, and lots of backstabbing betrayals. I wouldn’t describe this as a romantasy or fantasy romance genre book as, for me, the romance was a low-key subplot. You’ll find plenty of morally grey and strong, stabby feminist vibes. If you enjoyed the Hurricane Wars or From Ash and Blood, this will sit nicely on your TBR.

[Rounded up from 3.5]

Ok, so this book took me a hot second to get into, but once I did, I was absolutely hooked! Steeped in lies, secrets, betrayal, deception, and a desire for revenge, this book is positively riveting from page to page. This book keeps you guessing in the best way, with lots of players on the board we can merely only read on as the story is shaped before our very eyes, and the puzzle pieces begin to slot into place.

Initially slow in terms of pace, this picks up as the book goes on, delivering sucker punch after sucker punch. The writing style is fabulous, with the twists and turns delivered through the usage of a dual POV. With a hefty dose of political intrigue and exceptional world building, it is a book designed to keel you enthralled, and it does just that.

I didn't realise it at the beginning, but it is so crucial that we experience Mira and Scarlett independently as characters before they collide. Both characters have their reasons for doing what they go on to do as the book progresses, and whether you feel that they are right or wrong the lines begin to blur when this is presented from one point of view or the other. Mira, at the beginning of the book, doesn't truly know who she is. Unbeknownst to being on the run with her mother, she lives a life through created characters. With her desire to live her own life, she tries to break out on her own, and from this point onward, her character development begins to fundamentally shift. Her story is one of self-discovery and understanding who she wants to be and what she wants to achieve. Scarlett after a life changing event is driven to play the game of court in order to survive, raised as she is and understanding there is no one she can trust her road is a lonely one despite those around her. You almost feel that when Mira comes into Scarlett's life, there is a point where the story can take two roads, especially in Scarlett's case, a tipping point if you will. I can't help but feel for them both. Granted, neither of them always make the decisions deemed to be the correct ones, but given our background knowledge, this allows for a level of understanding. Both girls play a key role in each others lives, and having the dual perspective allows for an understanding of how each action they take has an impact on the other.

Like I have said previously, the world building is exquisite, and the trial to become part of the orders is another aspect of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed. With three orders for us to explore, Alina presents us with trials to test Mira for the most elusive of the three, The Order of the Masks. Woven into this trial, we learn more about the magical system within this world and its uses, and especially for the case of Mira lending itself further to the deception the story is positively dripping in. I can't wait to explore more of the magical system and lore in the next book, I feel that there is plenty more left unsaid that we have coming for us.

In terms of the emotional weight of this book, it is balanced incredibly well with the story. A blend used in this way by Alina is so effective. There were points where I was frustrated, relieved, and sad. Emotionallu invoking as this book was it only lent itaelf further to an amazing story. The ending of this book absolutely shook me. All of the signs were there, but I didn't realise it was going to play out that way. I understand it fundamentally for the story and I haven't felt that betrayed by an author in a long time, I say that in the best kind of way, rip my heart out and keep me guessing. I cannot wait for the next book already!

Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early.

I was very pleasantly suprised!
While it starts off a bit slow, the twists and turns were delightful.

This book was a bit slow to start and I did struggle to get into it. Once it got going I did really get into it and ended up being pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed it in the end!

The Order of Masks is a twisty fantasy with a heavy focus on politics, which luckily I quite enjoy. Well written with strong characters, it was an excellent read!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

This book was gloriously captivating and genuinely surprising, I found that I just couldn't put it down. While it does take a little bit of time for the ball to start rolling and the plot to start gripping, this does allow Bellchambers to set up her intriguing characters and really placing a reader within Ravilia.
I loved the dual perspectives of Mira and Scarlett and I believe that switching between the two gave a satisfying view to the story's development. The stakes were high in a believable way, something which many romantasy books sometimes struggle with. I really appreciate the abject flaws of the two main characters as it made them feel more tangible and thus relatable.
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for the sequel!

Amazing balance between plot and character development throughout this book. The pacing of the book was just right so I didn’t feel held back at all after initially getting into it. But I feel I probably would’ve benefitted from more time to enjoy as I had a lot of drama going off around me which distracted me from my reading at the time.

The Order of the Masks is a wonderfully intriguing storyline with complicated relationships, family dynamics and some good old political challenges. All the characters have depth and good and bad about them all which makes you develop more emotional attachment to the story. Hey, we can't be perfect all the time right? The trials and the orders were so exciting and something quite different to anything I have read before which I found so refreshing.

If you want a bit of grit to your characters and a lot of plot twists this is for sure the book for you!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Order of Masks has been one of my highly anticipated releases of the year, and it certainly lived up to my expectations and hopes and so much more!! I literally don't understand why more people aren't talking about it because it's brilliant!

The Order of Masks is told by Mira's and Scarlet's povs. I have to say, it was so refreshing to tell a romantasy through the eyes of two ambitious, highly traumatized, and stabby female characters who have their own goals and desires! I loved this element! Now, do I have a favorite? Yes, I do, and it's Mira!

Mira makes a lot of mistakes but she learns from them, and to be honest, she isn't left with many choices every step of the way. She makes the best call she can, given the circumstances. She is a young woman who still learns the world, herself, her magic, her limits and her desires, and is torn between revenge and freedom. How can she be free if she still lives every second in the worst moment of her life? How can anyone not want revenge when everything is stolen from you? Mira is so humane, so relatable, and I rooted for her every step of the way!!

Scarlet was also a great main character! She also makes tons of mistakes, and I actually respected both girls for backtracking sometimes. They make a call, it doesn't give them results, so they choose a different way. She is a very resourceful young woman, and someone who has survived a lot. However, she allies herself with someone who is so rotten, and while she doesn't have any other ally to align herself with, she should at least recognize that she is rotten. That was my petpeeve with Scarlet. Not that she had many allies to pick, but at least, be honest with whom you align....

The plot along with strong characterization were probably the best elements of the book. So many characters were ambitious and ruthless, and yet so desirable and likeable (to different degrees!), and most of them were the definition of STABBY. I never knew who was going to betray whom! Would x betray y, or would y betray x, or would they betray each other, or would they see the light of not betraying anyone lmao? I never knew what was going to happen, and it was so thrilling!!!!

Readers are definitely in for a wild, bumpy, and stabby ride that also happens to have some spice! The Order of Masks has a sexy, alluring vibe, and I loved it!!

I loved The Order of Masks, and I can't wait for the sequel!!!

I confess that I picked this up with medium expectations. I think the blurb might have also been a little misleading - I've come across a handful of people saying they're giving this a pass because they don't really like circus/carnival settings. I'm also not particularly partial to this setting but regardless, it's such a minimal part of the plot, it made me wonder why it was mentioned in the blurb at all. There are so many other, far more important, elements and events to liken it to and it ultimately really surprised me by how gripping and nicely thought out this whole book was - it is definitely one I see myself recommending to friends.

I really enjoyed the world building and this was quite a court intrigue and politics heavy book. There is the Ravalian Empire that has invaded and taken control of most of its neighbours - on the surface, it looks as though the different cultures have been absorbed and integrated in a way that makes it look like a peaceful rule, but the Emperor is ruthless and rebels are quickly taken care of. This is where the dual POV becomes interesting; we have two main characters from different sides and there are so many dynamics around this shared narration.

Mira, although an ordinary girl, has spent her life on the run with her mother and they largely get by with performing arts. She decides to compete in the trials that could allow her to join one of the empires three orders, elite fighters, which she hopes would grant her mother safety and stability in her own life. On the other end, we have Scarlett, illegitimate Princess of Ravalia. She grew up with her ever scheming brothers who try to get rid of her as much as anyone else. She also grew up under her mother's teachings who is determined to see Scarlett on the throne as well as awaken her potential for magic.

Both Mira and Scarlett have spent their life fighting for safety and control despite their different backgrounds and motivations. But as things start to go wrong, both find themselves in a position where their goals - or rather their desire for revenge - align. This leaves so much room for them to either become rivals or enemies, and there is so much back and forth throughout the novel, it makes it hard to decide who to cheer for. I found both Scarlett and Mira likeable main characters and I'd love to see both succeed but it always seems to come at the others cost. Both along with the majority of the cast dip into morally grey territory as both do what they must to survive. There is so much betrayal, mistrust and just outplaying each other, I was at times rather reminded of Game of Thrones.

I want to add that this is a very, very solid four star rating which I might bump higher depending on where the sequel takes us. What hasn't quite convinced me yet is the romance, and this is by no means due to a lack of writing. There are multiple options as to how this series could turn out romance wise and I find that none of the potential pairings were strong enough for me to guess how the author wants to wrap this up. The initial love interests are quite obvious from the start but with all the betrayals, I feel like anything still goes. The two initial love interest combinations were a little boring to me, so romance wise I felt more invested once other options started to look like a possibility.

This first instalment ends on a strong note, but one that leaves anything resembling relationships - romance and otherwise - in shatters. Regardless of which characters end up together, there's going to have to be a lot of mending before anything can happen. I know which outcomes I'd like, both in terms of romance and friendships, but I am not confident in any direction. As such, I am indeed looking forward to seeing what the sequel as in store. I would argue that the focus is more on politics and fantasy than on the romance, so even if my preferred romance options don't come to pass, I would still consider this a very strong book.

Title: The Order Masks
Author: Alina Bellchambers
Pages: 498
Rating: 3/5

Publish date - 12th December 2024

"𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒚. 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄. 𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆.

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐭-𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭, 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫. 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧: 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞."

The description had me hooked and I had to read it!!

This was a very heavy, intense read. Exciting, descriptive and emotive.

I sometimes struggle with morally grey characters so I found myself not rooting for anyone in particular. However, I loved reading the manipulation, the betrayal and twist and turns of the storyline.

The politics was so intense! This is definitely a high stake read, so if you're fancying my usual cosy chick lit fantasies then this is not the read for you.


I was sad when it ended so abruptly and I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
You'll love this book if you like
- morally grey main characters
- politically charged fantasy
- court politics
- young adult fantasy
- trials
- high stake fantasy

Tropes : High stakes, court politics and intrigue, multiple POV, multi morally grey characters, high stakes.

The Order of Masks by Alina Bellchambers had me completely captivated; once I was reading I couldn’t put it down. It's been a while since I encountered a story filled with court politics and political intrigue where I genuinely questioned whom to trust at every turn. The first half of the book does a fantastic job of establishing the characters, making the stakes feel incredibly high when the exposition unfolds in the second half. Even though I anticipated the betrayal revealed in the cliffhanger, the way the story is written makes you truly feel the weight of the loss.

Every character we encounter is deeply and morally grey, which enhances the story's high-stakes atmosphere with added complexity and depth. With each chapter, I found myself reflecting on the characters, constantly shifting my opinions on whether I liked or disliked them. While this might pose an issue for some readers, I truly appreciated this aspect in this book. The romance in the book serves more as a background element rather than the main focus, which I believe fits this story perfectly. At this stage, I can genuinely say that Mira could end up with either of her options or choose none at all, and I wouldn’t be too bothered by it. Although, if the Prince is the end-goal I want an entire books worth of grovelling.

The world-building and magic system were crafted exceptionally well, with a perfect pace throughout. After finishing this book, I can't help but feel that there is so much more to look forward to in the sequel!

Overall, I feel as if this is such an easy to read Fantasy fuelled with genuine High Stakes and complex, morally grey characters that keeps you guessing until the final pages. I can’t wait to read book two and see where our characters end up!

I tried, but the rotating POVs and jumping timelines just didn't suit me. There are readers out there who will love this, but sadly I'm not them. I will recommend this to readers of fantasy adventure and it will find its home.

The Order of Masks by Alina Bellchambers is the start of a new fantasy series, and the characters must choose between duty and desire.
 
In this book we follow two different women who come from different worlds. Mira grew up on the go and as a trickster and she is barely making ends meet when she gets the opportunity to compete in a competition that would change her life. She takes this chance and m makes the best of it and that’s what I loved about her. She is a chameleon and bon vivant and I was always intrigued to read her chapters.
 
The other heroine is Princess Scarlett who is sick of the royal court and its politics. She is strong and intelligent and greatly underestimated and that was quite sad to see but Scarlett keeps her chin up and that’s what I liked about her. She becomes a supporter of Mira and sees the opportunity to change things for the better.
 
I loved how we followed two strong and determined women and they had to face a lot of obstacles and danger and the plot was very suspenseful and I couldn’t put this book down. The combination of court intrigue, secrets, and forbidden romance with a dash of magic made a wonderful combination and this was such an enjoyable read. I can’t wait for the sequel and to dive more into the magic system.
 
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel with high stakes and strong female characters, check out this one. 4 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, particularly the trial aspect, which set up an intriguing premise. The world-building was clear and easy to follow, and the characters had strong initial foundations. However, as the story unfolded, I found myself disconnecting from both Mira and Scarlett. Neither of their romantic arcs captured my interest, and by the end, I wasn’t invested in either of them.

With Scarlett, I could understand her need to be guarded because of her family, but instead of growing or finding a way to move beyond her circumstances, she seemed to dive deeper into a dark, almost villainous path that felt a bit overdone. Mira had more potential for redemption, but her character didn’t receive enough development to fully shift my opinion of her.

I did appreciate the two different perspectives and how the plot wove their stories together. The character dynamics were interesting, and the way their journeys connected was well done. That said, the beginning felt a bit overwhelming due to the sheer amount of characters and information introduced at once. Once the story settled into a more manageable pace, it was easier to follow.

Unfortunately, the writing style didn’t quite resonate with me, though I think others might enjoy it more. The book's unusual formatting was also a bit distracting at times, pulling me out of the story. Despite these issues, I see a lot of potential in the series, and I’m still interested in reading book 2 to see how things develop.

Thank you SO much for my e-ARC!

Unfortunately, I was not hooked at all by the writing. However, that is just a personal thing and I believe others would love this book.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Wow what a page turner! I absolutely devoured this!what a great read! Loved the writing and the multidimensional characters!this was my first book but can't wait to read more! Definitely recommend!

The Order of Masks by Alina Bellchambers dives into a world of intense courtly drama and dangerous secrets. Mira, a circus performer, and Scarlett, a princess, are pulled together by deadly Trials that reveal dark truths and plot twists around every corner. The dual perspectives bring depth to both women as they navigate power struggles and family betrayals, with a refreshing focus on their growth and resilience rather than just the Trials.

This book captivated me with its layered characters and clever political games. If you’re a fan of fantasy with complex plots, morally ambiguous players, and a dash of romance, this one is for you!

Smooth multi-character fantasy, though the story revolves around two females in particular. A tale of table turning political intrigue. Nice character mix, good use of magic to pull the story along. I found the beginning a little unbelievable and somewhat rushed. But the main part of the story was entertaining reading. Who will remain to rule? Choose your friends wisely and don’t believe everything you are told. Because some people can’t be trusted to look out for anyone’s interests except their own. Then again others maybe can. And between these two, well there are a story lies. There is definitely more of the story to come in a future book. I look forward to that. Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.