Thank you for this ARC. The cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous.
I believe this book was requested in error. I don’t believe I read the description of this book well. It is definitely not for me. I didn’t try to read it and could not continue.

This book explored a lot of very complex topics within a unique framework and fantasy plot. I found it to be intriguing, captivating, and really well done and greatly look forward to the next book.

First off, I would love to applaud this book for how it is insanely inclusive and a wonderful LGBTQ fantasy book especially with trans characters. It is complex and nuanced and very well done. I think a lot of readers will be able to see themselves in the characters and will find bravery in the story.

Secondly, not a lot of people are talking about the disability representation in this book, which is less overtly discussed, but still present. I do think this could have been explored a lot more and hope that it makes a greater appearance in the second book beyond just the constant swapping of any bodies deemed less than optimal.

Third, this book touches on a lot of relevant topics from government secrets, anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans legislation, capitalism and its disproportionate effects for low income and marginalized communities, racism, and elitism within educational institutions. I also hope these topics get explored further in future novels.

Lastly, I just want to leave a small note on why I rated it 4/5 stars (in reality I give it 4.4/5). Personally, I really wish that the romance wasn’t included in the book at all because it wasn’t fully developed and felt out of place. This is likely because of current “romantasy” trends. The plot (and plot twists) in the book are so incredible and the romance was just not necessary and didn’t add anything. Honestly I think this would be a great book to feature an ace FMC.

Petra Lord’s Queen of Faces is a hypnotic, genre-bending triumph—a dazzling mix of myth, mystery, and emotional depth. From the opening lines, Lord pulls you into a world where identity is fluid, masks reveal more than they hide, and the line between power and vulnerability is constantly shifting.

The narrative is richly layered, with prose that feels both ancient and cutting-edge. Lord’s command of language is mesmerizing—every sentence thrums with poetic rhythm and hidden meaning. The characters, especially the enigmatic Queen herself, are unforgettable: fierce, complex, and deeply human beneath their many faces.

ARC Review ✨🖤
I just finished Queen of Faces and wow… this one is going to stay with me for a long time.
This YA fantasy is dark, original, and absolutely addictive with a magical academy, high-stakes choices, and a protagonist you’ll root for from page one.
📖 Queen of Faces
🗓 Expected release: Feb 3, 2026
💌 Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the e-ARC!
Annabelle Gage is trapped in a dying body that isn’t her own. Her only chance at survival? Win a place at Paragon Runic Academy or become an assassin for the elite.
What to expect:
✨ A unique magical system
✨ Multiple POVs + LGBTQ+ rep
✨ Twists, betrayal, and survival
✨ Enemies to lovers + dark academia energy
✨ A refreshing take on trans identity in fantasy
This story is layered, sharp, and filled with emotion. I’ll be talking about this book for months, and I truly can’t wait to hype it even more as the release gets closer.
📚 Add it to your TBR this one deserves all the buzz.

How do you feel about books with multiple POVs… love them or find them chaotic?

This book is perfect for romantasy fans who want strong LGBT representation, particularly an exploration of trans experiences. As a YA book, it will likely appeal to slightly younger audiences, but the twists, unique magic system, and complex moral issues make is a great pick for all readers!

Queen of Faces is a dark academia feast dressed up in rebellion, body swapping magic, and sharp social commentary. The halls of Paragon Academy are dripping with secrets, power, and a haunting sense that no one truly belongs there least of all Ana, our desperate, clever, beautifully flawed heroine.
The academic setting is more than just gothic towers and ritual exams; it’s a living, breathing beast that shapes people into weapons or breaks them entirely. The politics of the Academy are as treacherous as any spell, with students and teachers locked in a cold war of hidden motives and moral compromises. Watching Ana navigate this cutthroat world armed with illusion, grit, and a relentless will to survive was electric.
Petra Lord crafts a story that’s as intellectually sinister as it is emotionally raw. The lessons here aren’t just magical they’re about power, privilege, and the terrible bargains people make to fit into elite spaces that were never meant for them. If you love dark academia that feels like it might devour its own students, layered with questions of identity and the high cost of ambition, Queen of Faces is absolutely worth your time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Queen of Faces tells two stories: the wondrous and competitive academic life of the magical school of Paragon and the cutthroat illegal underworld of criminal gangs in the human (or Humdrum) world. This story is led by Anabelle Gage, a girl with dreams, magic, and the ticking clock of a body that is slowly decaying. This book offers a fully realized magic system and a truthful display of diversity and identity. While there were many beautifully executed elements, the overall story was a bit disjointed, and my issues with pacing, world development, and the main romance left me unable to be as invested as I’d hoped.

This book succeeds in exploring gender fluidity and makes a mark on the fantasy genre with a transgender lead in a world where the wealthy swap bodies like designer clothes. This concept instantly drew me in, and it led to many complex and unique situations throughout the book. Ana’s experience of being stuck in the body of a dying boy really stays with you, and I think Petra Lord has struck down the stereotypes of a typical YA heroine. Ana is gloriously flawed, and her journey into her own power is as inspiring as it is frustrating, reminding us that being the hero does not mean you are always right. Watching her balance her own morals with the vicious requirements of a criminal underworld was very enjoyable, even if you worried for her constantly.

The magic system featured book-specific language that made familiar powers feel completely unique. A key character could make a piece of paper cut like steel, while others conjured fire with rare properties, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Lord made it clear that magic was not as simple as snapping your fingers, which added an extra layer of intrigue around the mages powerful enough to wield it.

The academia of Paragon, a magical academy, and the criminal underworld below this floating school highly contrasted each other. While it did offer a very interesting set of challenges for the characters to face, at times the two storylines seemed at odds with each other. It was difficult to pinpoint the setting, since the world outside of Paragon was a jarring mix of magical, modern, retro and industrial elements. I felt that not enough time was spent integrating these two worlds of magic and mundane, so Ana’s journey through both felt very separate as she tries to balance a double life. I definitely felt that Paragon took a backseat to the rest of the world, and I wished we could have explored it more.

A large portion of Ana’s trials come from illegal jobs, hunting various criminals to gain information on a nefarious witch whose actions resulted in Ana’s entrapment in a boy’s body. These jobs have thrilling elements and introduce some key characters, but the pacing felt a little off. At times, it read like a video game, simply going through levels to get to the Big Boss without fully fleshing out the adversaries or the emotions of the characters as they struggle with the constant conflict.

While the author has a very strong lead in Ana, her romance with a roguish accomplice lacked the same spark. The choice to have the characters almost exclusively use a nickname to refer to each other got repetitive, and although it is enemies to something more, the chemistry between them was not strong enough to keep me invested. While Ana’s POV could almost always be counted on, her counterpart was strongest upon first introduction, and then after that quickly paled in comparison. I actually felt that the closer these two characters became, the weaker their personality traits. I think I would’ve liked a more sibling-like relationship for these two, since I felt the romance element did them both a disservice.

Overall, this book has plenty of great elements, but there were definitely aspects that could have been stronger for me personally. While I enjoyed the unique characteristics of the world of body swapping and the honesty of Ana’s journey, I think this book read more as a collection of faces rather than a complete and cohesive story. While I know this book will find readers who will sell their lives away to attend Paragon and risk the criminal underworld to uncover secret plots alongside Ana and her crew, I do not think I will continue for future books in this series.

That being said, I would certainly pick up another book by Petra Lord in her next literary universe.

Review: Queen of Faces by Petra Lord

This book was fierce, gritty, and unlike anything I’ve read in a while. Set in a brutal world where bodies are currency and magic is survival, Queen of Faces follows Ana, a trans girl running out of time—literally. Her body is failing, the system is rigged against her, and her only shot at survival is to steal what she was never meant to have.

Ana’s story is raw and intense. She’s flawed, desperate, and determined, and I was rooting for her every step of the way. The worldbuilding is dark and futuristic but still felt grounded in real emotions—class divides, identity, survival, and found family. I especially loved the rebellious crew she gets tangled up with—they’re messy, sharp, and impossible not to care about.

This one’s for readers who love morally grey choices, high-stakes magic, and complex, queer leads fighting their way through systems designed to erase them. Bold, emotional, and unapologetic—I couldn’t put it down.

Queen of Faces by Petra Lord is a gritty, high-stakes fantasy that pulls you in from the first page and refuses to let go. Set in a world where the magical elite can buy and trade bodies like fashion, the story follows Anabelle Gage, who’s stuck in a decaying body and running out of time. When she fails her one shot at a better life, she takes a huge risk—and gets caught. What follows is a fast-paced, twisty ride through a deadly academy, a brewing rebellion, and a cast of morally messy characters who are impossible not to love.
Ana is fierce, flawed, and totally unforgettable. The magic system is unique, the action scenes are intense, and the emotional moments really resonate. There’s so much tension and danger, but also a real heart beneath all the grit. If you like stories with sharp edges, found family vibes, and a heroine who’s ready to burn it all down for a shot at freedom, this one’s for you. I’m already counting down to book two.
Big thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of Queen of Faces in exchange for my review.

[Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan Children's Publishing Group) for making this title available for advanced review consideration.] In this fantasy, the first title in a planned trilogy, Lord imagines a world in which souls can switch bodies, but as in any society, wealth disparities determine who can acquire the better resources. Stuck in the body of a Gray (lower-class) chassis, the main character Annabelle Gage struggles with her body's deterioration and longs to be accepted into Paragon Academy, an elite school for mages. However, rejected again due to low exam scores, Gage is pushed to desperate acts. A mysterious meeting with the academy's headmaster presents a choice: live until her Gray chassis wears out, killing her, or serve the headmaster, in secret, as a mercenary. Thus begins a twisting plot in multiple perspectives, each one more vivid and suspenseful than the last. Filled with equal parts emotion and action, Lord has crafted a balanced tale that pulls the reader into this unique world. It is difficult to create a wholly original fantasy story, but somehow Lord has achieved it; while reading, I never felt like the story was a rewrite of literary cultural phenomena as I so often do with the fantasy genre. The vibrant cast of characters, magical and not, makes for a captivating, suspenseful tale that will surely make waves in the genre, in the best way. I ardently hope the trilogy becomes a reality, and I already look forward to learning what becomes of Gage and her companions. This novel is truly an outstanding addition to the fantasy genre and the literary industry at large!

This one is a 2.5 stars rounded up to three for me. This dark academia fantasy novel focuses on Ana failing her entrance exam to Paragon Academy and turning to mercenary work. Her quest is to obtain a new body before her male body gives out, as it is the poorest quality body but the best one her mother could afford to save her from the illness of her female body. Amid her personal journey is a rising rebellion in the country to which she has a personal connection, and honestly, PTSD.

The themes of this book include gender identity, social justice and class and race disparities. Unfortunately, none of them were fully developed and I continued to feel disappointed when the narrative would get close to going deep, and then there would be a gap to move the timeline rather than developing characters or the world. I hope the second book can integrate this feedback, as the premise is SO GOOD.

I was hooked by the unique worldbuilding and the thoughtful exploration of gender identity. In this magic-filled society, people can swap bodies like outfits, if they can afford it. The result? A brutal class divide, body politics, and magic-fueled chaos that kept me guessing at every turn. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story twisted again. I’m so ready for the next book, bring on more magic, more mess, and more of these incredible characters!

This is a great fantasy book! The story was very well written and full of great character plots. Highly recommend!

As I was browsing NetGalley, Queen of Faces immediately stood out to me as very interesting: it had magical students, a twisting plot, shapeshifting, and was compared to one of my favorite authors: Leigh Bardugo (her Six of Crows is one of if not my favorite novel!). Also, that cover looked incredible. I quickly requested an ARC, and I was lucky enough to get one!

I really, really liked Queen of Faces, especially in the second half of the novel. Consider this rating a very high 4 stars. For me, the beginning of the novel didn’t get me super invested in the characters, and I didn’t enjoy the descriptions of the settings as much as I did later. I felt pity for Ana, the protagonist, but her characterization and internal monologue didn’t especially make me root for her or care as much about her future as I did later in the novel. I found the beginning plot and descriptions about Ana’s situation very dour and hopeless, and I didn’t enjoy reading it as much; it put me in a bit of a slump for the book. The characters at the beginning were also prickly and slow to trust others, which makes sense given the world, but I also didn’t enjoy their first interactions for that reason. The plot at this point was focused more on survival than aspirational goals. This is a lot of personal preference, though; I just don’t enjoy reading tragedy or hopeless worlds. I’ll just say that the beginning (in terms of worldbuilding, not AT ALL plot or pacing) reminded me a bit of The Lies of Locke Lamora, which I really didn’t like because it was a very harsh world and I felt little hope for it to improve. But after the 40% mark, when the characters formed a (semi-)trusting team, the novel skyrocketed upwards in enjoyment for me. Like after that, it became five stars for me in every regard.

After the 40% mark or so, I absolutely loved Queen of Masks! My favorite aspects of this novel were the plot and description quality. Lord does an amazing job crafting and pacing plot, and I kept reading more and more after I ended a chapter and promised myself I’d take a break! The suspense throughout the piece was amazing. I also loved the beautiful descriptions of the Star Prophets’ ruins and the various places Ana and the team would visit. Lord is a master of using adjectives to bring her world to life. Finally, I also loved the characterization in this segment of the book. Everyone becomes so dynamic in terms of character development, and their conversations and banter are also very well done and genuinely fun to read. I loved seeing our main characters grow on the page. The more villainous characters were developed very well, too; I could picture them perfectly in my mind and enjoyed reading when they were on the page.

Another great aspect of Queen of Masks is the villain. This isn’t one of those novels where the villain is some random person you’ve never heard of or whose motives are just weak in comparison to the protagonists’. The villain in this novel is absolutely incredibly well-done (one of my favorites I’ve read in a while!): she has a compelling motive, a realistic way of seeing the world, and is very interesting to learn more about as the novel progresses. Lord does an amazing job at keeping mysteries hidden in Queen of Masks with intrigue; we get bits and pieces of the truth about various characters throughout the chapters, and I feel very invested in learning more about both the world and its characters.

Also, the author’s note was very fun to read and rewarding.

Overall, I recommend Queen of Masks as a great fantasy novel with incredible worldbuilding and a gripping concept of what a world where bodies could be sold and switched looks like. While I didn’t like the beginning as much, after a bit before the halfway point the novel really upped my interest in the characters, the plot, the world: everything. I connected a lot with the characters and enjoyed how they grew and interacted with one another, and I overall found the novel very suspenseful and fun to read. I’m looking forward to reading more in the series!

Note: While I'm still rating novels through these 3 ideals of a perfect book, their score in these three categories will now not relate or correlate to the 1-5 stars I give the novel in general.

Concept: 4.25 Stars [What the novel is supposed to be about.]

Writing Style: 4 Stars [How the author writes the novel, chooses words, and describes the story.]

Plot: 4 Stars [How the author executes the concept. What happens? How does the first sentence lead to the last?]

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Stars)

A big thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review! An especially big thank you as well for providing me with my first-ever ARC and trusting a reviewer with a 0% feedback ratio (hey, it was 0/0—I do review what I read!) This is a very special novel for me.

I adored this! Petra Lord's Queen of Faces is the perfect start to an epic series, and I loved how she explored gender, health/decay, and magic here. I loved the world - it was all so vivid in my mind! - and I also really liked how she subverted the dark academia elements. However, I will say the book does read as though the entire trilogy is one book, and book 1 is the first hundred pages of the 1000-page united trilogy. It doesn't really have the pacing of a book, but rather acts as set up for the rest of the series - which did bother me a bit! However, I will be tuning in for the next installment!

Queen of Faces is a fast-paced fantasy set in a dystopian futuristic world with rising sea levels and constant war. The shifting pronouns and gender fluidity of the characters are fairly easy to follow, but I did struggle to remember whose POV certain chapters were written it — more distinctive tone for each character’s narration would help this. Ana’s growth and the development of her powers nudge the narrative along, and strong side characters like Wes and Nima make this a fascinating ride! I loved the unique magic system, and the gray morality of some of the characters made for big surprises. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own. Looking forward to the rest of this trilogy!

I can honestly say that I have never read anything like this. It was a compelling story set against an interesting and unique backdrop. I really loved the exploration of identity, and I found the magic system incredibly intriguing. The overarching themes of identity, class, race, and oppression were masterfully woven into the character's relationships to one another. I would not recommend this to readers inexperienced in the realm of sci-fantasy. There is so much to grasp with regarding to the world and the magic and the characters that it felt a bit convoluted at times even as an experienced reader of both fantasy and sci-fi. For this reason, I only gave this book 4 stars, but I still really enjoyed it.

Queen of Faces dazzled me with its incredibly unique magic system and captivating worldbuilding, there’s truly nothing else quite like it. The premise had me hooked from the start, and the characters themselves were intriguing, each one brimming with potential.
While I personally found myself wishing for a deeper dive into the characters' relationships and emotional arcs, I could still appreciate the sparks of connection that flickered throughout the story. There were moments where I longed for more "in-between", the quieter, character-driven beats that really let relationships breathe, but the fast-paced plot kept things moving at a thrilling clip.
At times, the structure felt more like a detailed blueprint than a fully fleshed-out journey, but that’s also part of what gives it its distinctive tone. If you’re someone who loves expansive, imaginative worlds where a lot is happening and you don’t mind a more streamlined emotional lens, Queen of Faces will definitely keep you turning pages. It’s an inventive and original read with so much to offer!

Very unique premise! YA fantasy tends to have very similar concepts and magic systems, but this book was very original and fresh.

Unfortunately, I wasn't the biggest fan of the meandering plot. A lot of it comes down to personal taste, but the missions Ana and co went on just didn't do anything for me. It was boring, especially at around 60% when it got somewhat repetitive.

I liked Ana, but didn't care much for the other characters. This book was comped to [book:Six of Crows|23437156] so I was expecting that kind of tight knit ensemble cast, but nope. This book wasn't nearly as exciting or suspenseful.

The world building was confusing too. I was lost as to why Caimor was at war with Shenten and what exactly Khaiove's motivation was. Additionally, the magical academy felt veryyyyy Harry Potter esque. Like Headmaster Carriwith was very clearly a remixed Dumbledore. And Nell was giving me Draco vibes at first. I really wish s/he'd stop bringing up Samuel every few pages.

I liked the theme of gender exploration, but I wish it could have been pushed further. In a world where men and women swap bodies all the time, why does a gender binary exist? I would think there would be more common gender identities. Additionally, I wish we dived a little more into Ana's body dysmorphia. Her problem with being stuck in the chasis she was boiled down to it being sick, not necessarily because it was a boy's body.

The body swapping made me a little bit uncomfortable, I'm not going to lie. It's really gross that an old person can go inside a child's body whenever they want. It's also really uncomfortable that one can be "Ousted" from their body and stuck in a completely separate body that doesn't align with their gender whatsoever while a stranger occupies their original body. It gave me the ick.

Still, that ending was entertaining and I enjoyed Adam Weaver's (what is that name?) plot line. I might pick up the sequel, but we'll see.

Also, this copy contained a number of typos. Furthermore, the format was all messed up when I downloaded it to my kindle.

This book was intriguing, to say the least. I think it had some good bones, and some really interesting plot points and twists, but overall there was a lot of missed opportunities in my opinion.

What I Liked:
- I am a sucker for a cool, unique magic system, and Queen of Faces did not disappoint! The idea of each mage having their own, unique Codex that they developed through self realization was really interesting.
- There was a great found family element to this book...Ana made some really great friends along the way, and I loved her character development as she learned to trust and rely on her friends.
- It was often hard to tell who to like and who not to like, which kept me guessing at every turn!
- I loved the trans and mental health representation throughout the book.
- The last 15% of the book had some huge plot twists that I didn't see coming, and we're left on a pretty big cliffhanger!

What Wasn't My Favorite:
- In my opinion, the last 15% was the only truly engaging part of the book. The majority of the book was filled with a lot of lead up, but it was all glossed over so quickly that I didn't find myself invested in what happened.
- The world building was...confusing. There were two main elements going on: magical university, and a band of misfits hired as mercenaries. I think that the world development suffered from being split between these two big themes, because there wasn't enough time spent fleshing out either element, in my opinion.
- I think due to too much going on, things aren't developed enough...Ana is described as this big mastermind of the mercenary group, but we don't really get to see that because the missions are glossed over. She also makes such huge progress at Paragon, but again we don't really get to see any of it because there isn't enough time spent developing the plot points. I think the book would have benefited greatly from picking one or the other, and fleshing it out more fully.
- The (romantic?) relationships felt very weak. I know the book is YA, but the two kisses written seemed to happen without much build up, and then weren't really talked about or mentioned again. Were they even necessary? Couldn't they have just stayed friends?

Overall, I think the book has some good ideas, and I think it has huge potential to be a really interesting YA series! Unfortunately, I don't think it's for me, and I likely won't be keeping my eye out for book 2.