This was such a delightful read! I sped through QUEEN OF FACES in one desperate weekend, dare I say the quickest I’ve read a fantasy novel in years. Spanning an expansive world in which people can swap bodies and mages exist, the book follows Anabelle Gage: a young mage trapped in a decaying male body. her last chance to escape her decay is an acceptance letter to the magic academy of Paragon, where she’ll be able to obtain a new (ideally female!) chassis. Of course, it’s terribly difficult to get into Paragon, and Ana quickly finds herself turned into a witch of the coin, and things all go downhill from there…

This book is the craziest rollercoaster I’ve read in a while, in the best way. Lord’s plots are inventive, her characters quippy yet tender at once, her worldbuilding astonishingly sharp. The prose is inviting: lighthearted at times and heart-wrenchingly poignant at others. And content-wise, QUEEN OF FACES is full of excitement! Dark academia, heists, magic battles, and all the identity intrigue that comes from a body-swapping world… needless to say, my speculative-loving heart was beating out of my chest.

As an industrial fantasy, this book is strongly reminiscent of SIX OF CROWS, while also touching on the asian politics & academic atmosphere of THE POPPY WAR. Truly cinematic, unabashedly queer and trans, and refreshingly critical, QUEEN OF FACES is a read i won’t be forgetting soon, and I would highly recommend this to other readers.

Queen of Faces is a very thrilling, dark fantasy that explores so many themes from that of identity, betrayal, and survival.

The world building was 10/10. Absolutely loved the uniqueness of the magic system being tied to different kinds of intelligence.

The writing was fantastic. Petra Lord has a WAY with words, that keeps you hungry and coming back for more. So many chances for emotional ruin.

It has twists, intricate plot, characters layered as tastefully as a cake, and there's no forced romance or typical romantasy elements. Such a fresh take!

Will I recommend this? Without a doubt. If you haven't pre-ordered it yet, do it now.

Wow—Queen of Faces completely pulled me out of my reading slump. I devoured this book and am already eagerly awaiting the next one!

The story follows Annabelle Gage, a 17-year-old who has been fighting for survival in a world where people can transfer their souls into new bodies. After a traumatic childhood event, Annabelle is stuck in a male chassis body, slowly dying, and has failed to gain entry into the prestigious Paragon Runic Academy multiple times. But she’s determined to make it, and her journey takes unexpected and dangerous turns.

In this world, people can develop magic, and Annabelle has her own unique Codex—a magical ability that lets her create illusions so realistic, they blur the line between reality and perception. This power gives her an edge as she navigates a world full of intrigue and dark forces.

The stakes are raised when Annabelle makes a dangerous decision that leads her to work with Carriwitch, the headmaster of Paragon Academy. He offers her a choice: work for him or die. In exchange for her life, Annabelle becomes a mercenary tasked with tracking down a former student turned villain, all while trying to stay one step ahead of her own inner turmoil.

What I loved about this book is how it shifts between different perspectives, including that of the villain. This multiple-POV structure really adds depth to the story and keeps the reader guessing. The twists and turns are relentless, and the worldbuilding is rich and immersive. The magic system is unique, and the complex relationships between the characters kept me hooked from start to finish.

Queen of Faces is a thrilling, dark fantasy that explores themes of identity, betrayal, and survival. It’s full of twists, layered characters, and an intricate plot that will leave you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

I so desperately wanted to absolutely love Queen of Faces. The premise was everything I was looking for—dark academia, body magic, rebellion, and a trans protagonist at the center of it all. It’s bold, imaginative, and tackles identity in a way that’s both literal and deeply metaphorical. The world of Caimor is grimy, dangerous, and driven by ruthless systems of power, blending dystopian decay with high fantasy ambition.

Paragon Academy, where much of the story takes place, is a brutal, elite training ground, and the concept of floating islands and body-swapping as a form of currency is genuinely fascinating. But while the ideas are strong, the world never quite felt fully realized on the page—I wanted more texture, more atmosphere, more grounding in the space Ana was fighting to survive in.

Ana was by far the most compelling part of the book. Her voice is sharp, complex, and emotionally charged, and the trans representation is both meaningful and central to the story. Her desperation and moral ambiguity made her chapters stand out. Unfortunately, I didn’t find the other POV characters nearly as engaging, and I often felt the momentum slow whenever the focus shifted away from Ana.

The pacing overall felt uneven, with emotional moments sometimes getting lost in the constant plot developments. I also would’ve liked more time for relationships and character dynamics to develop between all the action.

Still, Queen of Faces is a bold and ambitious story with a lot to say. I think readers who enjoy dystopian fantasy, queer leads, and messy survival stories will find plenty to sink their teeth into.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.