Sinister sorcery. Gallows humor. A queer romance so glorious it could be right out of fae legend itself. Master of One is a fantasy unlike any other.
Rags the thief has never met a pocket he couldn’t pick, but when he’s captured by a sorcerer with world-ending plans, he realizes even he is in over his head. Forced to use his finely honed skills to nab pieces of an ancient fae relic, Rags is … of an ancient fae relic, Rags is stunned to discover that those “relics” just happen to be people:
A distractingly handsome Fae prince,
A too-honorable Queensguard deserter,
A scrappy daughter of a disgraced noble family,
A deceptively sweet-natured prince,
A bona fide member of the Resistance,
And him. Rags.
They may all be captives in the sorcerer’s terrible scheme, but that won’t stop them from fighting back. And, sure, six unexpected allies against one wicked enemy doesn’t make for generous odds, but lucky for him, Rag’s not generous—he’s smart. And he has a plan that just might get them out of this alive.
With the heist and intrigue of Six of Crows and the dark fairy tale feel of The Cruel Prince, this young adult fantasy debut will have readers rooting for a pair of reluctant heroes as they take on a world-ending fae prophecy, a malicious royal plot, and, most dangerously of all, their feelings for each other.
more
Let’s face it: this was probably not a five-star read. It’s more like 4 stars, but I enjoyed this so much that I don’t even care and I’m giving it all five stars.
Despite its slow start, Master of One was fun and snarky and humourous. Not without its darker moments or sadness, for sure, but for the most part this was a long adventure story. We’re treated to five POV characters, though some we get more of than others, and it’s never confusing because each character is so, so distinct in their voice and backgrounds, and each one is loveable in their own right. The story itself is interesting, with ups and downs and twists and turns. And because a large chunk of this 530-page novel is told from Rags’s POV, it’s never boring because he brings a snarky reluctant hero’s humour to the mix.
Just loved it!
This is not what it portrays to be in the slightest. The heist was a very small part and whilst reading it I could feel myself drift off. It is so unnecessarily long. A lot of this could have been cut and we wouldn’t have missed it. Really disappointed.
An excellent novel, Master of One, explores identity in an impactful way that resonates with the reader, raising the stakes one trial at a time.
Simply Amazing
What makes Master of One stand out are the characters. There is much representation in the novel not only with the buildup of an M/M relationship but there is also a transgender character and a disabled character as well. It is refreshing to see such a diverse cast of characters because they are there for the audience. They give these groups of people a voice desperately needed in literature.
Moreover, the authors made it work by giving the characters distinct voices and personalities.
Rags is a thief who grew up on the streets before being sucked into this plot of Morien the Last, and evil sorcerer who Shining Talon properly refers to as Lying One and the evil Queen. He is such a scruffy character who deals with stress by laughing and it is so believable and relatable his narrative. Despite trying so hard not to be likable, the reader can relate to him and appreciates his development throughout the story.
Somhailre is also notable because of his disability. He was born with what seems like muscular dystrophy affecting the right side of his body. His life has been a struggle even though he is a prince because he is not perfect like all his other older brothers. Nevertheless, Somhairle does not let this limit him. He knows his limitations, but he is intelligent. He uses his disability as a cover to manipulate people into revealing information to him out of pity and the like. He is also thoughtful and precise with a gentle heart. It fits that his familiar would take an Owl’s shape, a common symbol of wisdom attributed to Athena.
These are just two of the masterful characters the authors have thrown together. There are also Cab, Inis and Einan, each with their inner demons to contend with and passions. They are all so different, but they balance each other out in a great team of reluctant heroes.
Honestly, it is like reading a great Dungeons and Dragons campaign. The reader sees the love and passion the authors have imbued in the story.
Final Thoughts
Master of One is a story that works. Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett did a fantastic job conducting this story. There is a lot that happens, but the pacing is spot on. It does not drag or risk losing the reader because the characterization is there and the rising tension. There is also this mystery of this ancient Fae world-ending device everyone is on the lookout for. A lot is going on here, but it flows. There is passion and precision that went into the storytelling. There are also unique details, such as Somhairle’s owl, that highlight the authors’ skill.
I hope there will be a sequel.