I decided to request this book despite knowing it would be a very likely I wouldn't be the good reader for it. The concept sounded cool, and I hoped to be engrossed in the story.
Unfortunately, I wasn't. The concepts are still interesting but the execution didn't work for me. Things go quickly, I couldn't manage to have grip on any of the characters. Being a reader who feels the story like textures or tactile input, this one felt to oily, sliding away before I could really sink in it. Which is sad, because there is a good deal of complexity and good ideas in there. Somehow, The story is set in a grim world, but I couldn't see enough contrast, only making me want to not come back to the story (I got to the 25% mark).
Probably a case of the wrong book at the wrong time. I still salute the author's ideas and the mix of dark academia, rebellion and queerness. Maybe I'll come back to it at a more suitable time.

Petra Lord provides twist after twist in this dark academy fantasy novel. The setting feels gritty, and in my own imagination, slightly steam=punk. Her use of body-swapping (introducing chassis as a thing that can be traded, stolen, and or bought at a high price) creates a dynamic from the start of the haves-and the have=nots. So, aside from magic, we also have the very real pressure of an expiration date of decomposing bodies tied to some heavy-blackmail that prompts our main character (Anabelle Gage) into an assassin role, with the hopes of landing a new body and a place in a magical school that she has been unable to place into, despite numerous attempts via memory-wipe placement exams.

The use of body-swapping, illusion, and gender as very fluid throughout the book feels not only ingenious, but also like a tribute to transgender people who are fighting to survive in our own society. Lord's dedication at the end is striking, and deserves a read as well .

What I loved about the book: It feels action-packed and pulled me along (as if I was running beside the main characters to keep up). The twists just kept coming and every time I thought I knew where things were headed, she introduced a new idea, or totally pivoted, providing another POV that was worth exploring. The essence of the story boils down to: What makes a person? We also are called to question: What makes a hero, or a villain? Who do you choose to trust and why (examining their motivation).

Queen of Faces is worth a read; do yourself a favor and check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide feedback on the advanced reader's copy. #QueenofFacesBook1 #NetGalley

Rating 3.25

Rating 3.25

A story of transition and self discovery.

Annabelle is trapped in an failing male body in a world where bodies can be swapped like changing your outfit if you can afford it. She needs a new one but she does not have the income. Paragon Academy provides new bodies if you can gain entrance. Annabelle does not so with nothing but self-determination, she does the only thing she can think to do. She will steal one.

This is a very unique story concept and the magic system is peculiar and fascinating. I enjoyed the ideas in this but thought the follow through needed more. There are plot holes too obvious to ignore and I am not one that looks for them. So they where that pronounced. Another issue I had was character interaction development. I want to see more emotional development between the characters. Maybe it was the pacing that through some of this off for me. IN some places the novel slows and I loose interest but then a plot twist will occur and I am back in.

Overall the ideas in this novel are amazing and unique so I will be giving book 2 a read but it needed more world building and character relationship development. Crafting more authentic and meaningful connections.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

A magical fantasy, dark-academia book with multiple PoV's, enemies-to-lovers, and strong LGBTQ+ themes? If I was a betting man, I'd put $10 that this is going to blow up. What a fascinating concept as well. Being able to physically change your identity by switching bodies keeps readers on their toes and the main character, Anabelle's power (being able to directly alter other character's senses) means you're always thinking "Who is this? Is this real?" In a very literal sense, what you see on the outside does not reflect the real person on the inside. It gives the platform to explore questions of gender identity, loyalty and betrayal.

Queen of Faces is a snappy, exciting, fast paced read that jumps from scene to scene - there isn't a dull moment while reading the story. Anabelle's personality and struggles with her own identity and self worth were the most compelling part of the novel for me. Where it falls somewhat flat was in the characterization of her other companions, namely her rival Wes. I was hoping for a more in-depth exploration of how being Ousted mentally effected him - the inner battle of enjoying his newfound freedom versus his comfortable life was mentioned multiple times, but I never got the feeling that I knew what he was thinking. Really any time the focus wasn't on Ana's PoV, I found myself less interested and waiting to get back to her and her struggles.

Overall, a fresh take on the dark academia genre and a win for trans representation. If the summary appeals to you, you're going to enjoy it!

I adored this book. It beautifully illustrates how our identity isn’t wrapped up in what we look like or our physical appearance. The books was engaging and such a fun read. I’m sad that now I have to wait so long for the rest of the series! I

OMG! This was a wild ride and I loved it. The magical world created by Petra Lord is amazing. This book was an epic read but it flew past. The characters were rich and had complicated backgrounds. The "chassis" swapping made for an interesting twist on the whodunnit. It is hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys when people are not who they seem. Alliances swap as quickly as the bodies in this thriller. I can't wait for the next book to see what happens.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I think this is a fascinating novel and concept. There’s so much about this that is just singing. The gender/body switching felt compelling and kept me engaged. I also appreciate the twist on a magic system.

Because this is a first in a series it does suffer from some of the same set up pacing issues that are unavoidable. But there’s enough action (reader be wary) to move past that.

I think some of the characters were stronger than others but that’s also to be expected with a massive world building project!

I also think this book did a good job of having its own villains, while building toward a larger world villain. There’s still more to come, but there was also resolution here.

I don’t know that I’ll be continuing with the series because I’m not in a place in my life where I can commit to a series this invested BUT I do think people who like dark academia and trans representation will LOVE this.

Thank you to Netgalley for the gifted copy

Wow, this is definitely a different kind of dark academia style storyline. I absolutely enjoyed it. It's definitely got that Hunger Games and Red Rising style going for it, but it's different in its own way. It's much darker. Ana is trans, and this storyline takes place in a dystopian world where bodies are pretty much disposable. Ana is put in a position where she is either killed or be killed, and has to make a tough decision. However, she's also in a position where she's able to fight, barter, and lie for what she wants. I love that magical, whimsical, dark elements of this book. There is so much going on and it takes you for a ride. This is such a good story that I could see it either becoming such a good show or movie! There should be more fantasies written like this! I didn't get bored one bit reading it.

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.