The Liar's Knot by M. A. Carrick

Fans of The Mask of Mirrors, the first book in the Rook and Rose fantasy series, will be thrilled with the next installment. Ren must keep up all the personas that she has created, juggling from one personality to the next. As an official member of House Traementis, she must look after the family affairs, while desperately trying to uncover the source of the family curse, and as Renata, she reads patterns to discover pathways. Grey Serrado continues in his quest to look after his city and Vargo, now a member of the nobility, strives to fit in while searching for the murderer of his friend. The Rook looms large helping the impoverished people and determined to unmask the secret society that is using magic for evil.

The authors, Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms, writing as Carrick, deftly collaborate to bring another dimension to their wonderful world building. Nadezra is threatened by an ancient power that is controlled by a secret society and Ren, Grey and Vargo are forced to work together as they uncover what is happening. And what a web of deception it is!

The liar’s knot is driven by complex character development as Ren, Grey and Vargo’s motivations and backgrounds are gradually revealed. Minor characters like Sedge and Tess also play an important part in the story.

Lies unravel, masks are removed, and secrets revealed in this fascinating and complicated world and fans of the series will be eagerly waiting for the final in the trilogy.

Themes: Fantasy, Magic, Criminals, Secret Societies.

Pat Pledger