#ma carrick

[linovadraws]

"It'll be all right. We'll fix it." Somehow.

Labyrinth's Heart by M.A. Carrick is wall to wall great moments, but spider-dad and his crime lord son have me in a chokehold.

[jetwhenitsmidnight]

HOLY SHIT

[alychelms]

Thrown together costume from what I had in my closet... I'm a stitch-witch of Ganllech!

[checkoutmybookshelf]

Who's is That Face in the Mask?

So, it's rare when I pick up a book on the strength of a YouTube video, and honestly even rarer that I enjoy books selected based on that criteria. However, since Marie Brennan is one half of MA Carrick and the book is often described via *that* quote from The Princess Bride (and no, I'm not specifying even though Princess Bride is all *that* quote depending on context), I had hope. After all, I loved the Lady Trent memoirs and The Princess Bride. And folks, this book did not disappoint. Let's talk The Mask of Mirrors.

What do you get when hundreds of years of colonization mixes with a rogue vigilante for the oppressed population and a con woman who sets out for money but comes up with found family? Youu get some stunningly well written characters, intrigue that I frankly preferred to A Song of Ice and Fire, and just beautifully nuanced worldbuilding.

Ren--or Renata Viraudax or Arenza, depending on the day and location--grew up as a dirt-poor half-Vrazenian kid who was completely disconnected from her mother's people in a city colonized by the Liganti. She was a gang member under the objectively abusive Ondrakja until she watched Ondrakja beat her brother to death. Next thing we know, Ren has poisoned her Fagin and made off for another country with her sister, Tess. They end up serving in the household of Letilia--a disgraced member of House Traemantis.

Fast forward a few years, and Letilia being an absolutely irredeemable human gives Ren the idea to con the remaining members of House Traemantis in Nadezera. Mother and daughter are sufficiently estranged that Letilia won't out Ren, but other actors in the city might.

Those actors include Grey Serrado, captain of the Vigil (read police force) and Vrazenian slip-knot (read traitor to his people because he assimilated into Liganti society. He is running himself ragged trying to sort out why street kids keep dying of insomnia, track down the mysterious Rook, and running petty errands for the Liganti nobility. He does not get help from the rampant vanity and nepotism in the Vigil ranks, nor the racism of most Liganti hawks. Add to that his deep grief for his brother's recent murder and Grey needs a hug and a paid vacation.

Then there is Vargo Derossi, crime lord extraordinaire with an eye toward becoming too powerful to be ignored and choosing to pretend to go legitimate to achieve the dream. He is charming and deadly all at once, has someone else in his head, has a pet spider named Peabody, and some serious germophobia. Whether he is caught in Ren's con or she is caught in his web is an open question for most of this book. Vargo is 100% unanswered questions, and every single one is dangerous to ask and even more dangerous not to know the answer to. Especially since he is also SUSPICIOUSLY competent at numinatria...

We of course cannot neglect Donaia, Leato, and Giuna Tremantis. This remnant of a once proud family are an unusual bunch, but they're also different enough that watching their personalities mesh and clas ended up being one of my favorite things about this book.

Beyond the character work, the worldbuilding in this book is first-class. The Vrazenians and Liganti are culturally and visually distinct at a glance, and then for those who care to stay and look harder, there is depth and nuance. Both cultures feel real and vibrant, which makes the all-too-clear harms of oppression and colonization, as well as the messiness of navigating mixed-heritage identities, all the sharper.

It also highlights the different magic systems, religions, and ways of knowing and relating to your community based on those cultural differences. Patterning and numinatria are both valid, but neither quite likes the other and thy don't cross cultural lines. The Rook is a folk hero to the Vrazenians and a half-mythical, pain-in-the-ass vigilante to the Liganti. Even fashion is sharply divided.

Overall, the Princess Bride comparison is apt, but perhaps also mixed with some Leverage and some Batman. I loved this book, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next two.

[arcadialedger]

Looking for a series with a good Mardi Gras vibe, and has anyone read the Rook and Rose books? Are they any good?

[kazz-brekker]

my fellow kaz brekker fans while waiting for sab renewal/soc spinoff announcement i IMPLORE you to go read the rook & rose trilogy by m.a. carrick. the first book is called the mask of mirrors and among other things (swashbuckling masked vigilantes, secret societies up to no good, long cons to infiltrate the rich and steal all their money) it also features my other favorite crime lord, derossi vargo, well-dressed possessor of both a sword cane and a pet spider, who is literally always scheming and double-crossing people and is also very tightly wound and secretive and has hidden childhood trauma around disease

[artemisandhersilverbow]

Master Peabody you will always be famous

[fyeahsmokinhot]

Took me 4 days of cancelling ALL my plans, & pretending to work, but finally finished both books of The Rook and The Rose.

The Liars Knot especially, was so engaging, I literally couldn't put it down! DEFINITELY the right decision to give Vargo more story.

Now, I have a single prayer: Can I have more Iascat??!! I mean him&Vargo, SHIP IT, but also just him as a character....that scene on the barge was sooo 😍 cute, I just want more of his babyboyness, but also him being badASS!!!

Could I also have more Giuna and Tess? And OH-MY-GODD Varuni!!!!!! ❤️

[questwithambition]

The Grad Life - day 42/50 (05/10/23)

I do love weekends where you don’t have to worry about uni work! Slow start to the Sunday, washed my hair and made a delicious brunch, before tacking items on my weekend to do list: I create a note of things that come up during the week that make me think “I must do that!” so that when the weekend rolls around I know what needs to be done. Have completed most of it, so I’m enjoying the last of the sunlight, reading in bed ���

[glorianiii]

53% done now and fucking leato died?????

[keytoyourhearts]

Review of The Mask of Mirrors by M. A. Carrick (2021), 1st book of the Rook & Rose series

SYNOPSIS:

Ren goes by many names: Alta Renata Viraudax, Arenza Lenskaya, Renyi.  Though she wears many masks, the face of Ren below them all is the same: a con artist.  Her latest con is to infiltrate the noble House Traementis, posing as a long-lost cousin, to steal a cut of their fortune.  Fate has other plans for her, as she is swiftly swept up in the political intrigue of Nadezra, a city colonized and lorded over by the Laganti while the founding Vraszenians are left to fight over their scraps.  Along the way, she meets Derossi Vargo, a “reformed” crime lord; Grey Serrado, a Vraszenian Captain in the city Vigil; and the Rook, a masked vigilante fighting against the corruption that runs rampant among the city’s elite.  All is not what it seems, however, as an unknown force threatens it all, harnessing the power of dreams and nightmares.

See my full review and rating below the cut!

RATING: 5/5 STARS

MY THOUGHTS:

The Mask of Mirrors is an impressively and intricately woven tale of intrigue with many mysteries to be had.  The author team, made up of Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms, had such a strong hold of my attention, I could barely put it down.  After I was able to tear myself away, I was so enraptured that I found myself puzzling through this novel even when I was not reading it!  I cannot wait to get my hands on the second one.

TAGS: fantasy, political/court intrigue, magic & alchemy

CW: graphic depiction of injury & death, violence, drug-use, drugging, colonialism, discrimination, rioting & police brutality, sexual content, pseudo-incest (fake cousins), mentions of SA, infantilization of someone with a disability

RECOMMENDATION: I would recommend this book to any reader with an interest in fantasy and intrigue who would like a solid introduction into something with more mystery.  This novel has it all; there’s even a little sprinkle of romance!

THE GOOD:

The mysteries strewn throughout the pages are numerous and interwoven in such a way that, while I had no issue keeping them straight, I found that I had the desire to stop and write out my thoughts and predictions regarding their solutions.  And I was pleasantly surprised to be incorrect with each one!  Looking back on them having finished reading, I distinctly remember small details that foreshadow revelations being sprinkled throughout.

The character of the Rook was just plain fun, and I loved every second of every scene they were a part of.  I found myself falling for each trick the authors used to lead me into guessing the identity of the Rook, and I knew that I was.  The reveal was a shock to me, but it made complete sense; the hints were all there.

The ending was so satisfying, everything was wrapped up in a neat bow…until the true source of conflict was revealed, effectively setting up the overarching plot for the remaining books in the series.

I also loved how the cadence of dialogue changed between accents and languages.  I found it to be a clever way to show the language had changed, without the actual text needing to (italicized, etc.).

THE BAD:

First, a small nitpick.  What day is it?  What time is it??  There was no explanation I could find for the calendar system until the glossary…at the end of the book.  Even then, I’m still not sure I completely understand it without it being in context.

Here’s another common critique: Ren is a Mary-Sue.  She has a tragic backstory, she is always being described as pretty and charismatic, she never seems to fail at anything, she is incredibly clever, and everyone seems to forgive her for everything so easily.  In all honesty, I did not mind it that much, but it was pretty blatant.

My biggest gripe with this book is the “cousins” romance plot.  Sure, Ren is not actually related to Leato and is only pretending, but everyone believes them to be cousins and even plays matchmaker between them.  It’s even stated that if two characters who swore a familial bond were to sleep together, it would be considered incestuous but not cousins?  What?

Lastly, a character dubbed as a “dawn child” was introduced briefly near the end.  From the context and physical description, I believe she is meant to be a girl with Down syndrome.  Unfortunately, she is immediately infantilized for it, and I believe it carries on into the next book, if not further.  In a book with such incredible diversity and representation throughout, I was disappointed to read this.

[crow-with-too-many-books]

Here's the end of Sep and all of Oct reads! (Except for the last one) Sorry for the glare! (And the fuzziness, I need a new phone :P mines got a thin crack on the cam lens)

The Rook and Rose series was one I read back in 2022 and LOVED and wanted to reread it because the 3rd book came out August of this year! I've been excited for it because of the cliffhanger excerpt in the end of the 2nd, so I finally got around to reading it.

I only started Labyrinth's Heart like last week (only 40 pages because I've been busy with work and writing instead. Oops)

But I'd definitely reccomend this series (if you dont mind end book having 650+ pages lol)

[fightfil]

To celebrate making it through 2022, I thought I'd go over a few of the books and media that I enjoyed the most this year, so that others might be able to enjoy them in the next. A round-up of sorts, and a chance to reflect as well.

We can start with books, since we all love them. I've been driving a lot more in 2022 than I had in previous years, since I go to activities that are all a 30 minute drive away, and audiobooks have been what's let me eat up those highway miles.

I read 27 books (all fiction) this year, totalling 14,000 pages! That's more than I would have thought, reflecting back, but I think I enjoyed almost all of them.

I'll start with some honorable mentions, books that I really enjoyed, but aren't superlative enough for me to laud them unreservedly.

For series:

I have a few honorable mention series:

The Bone Witch is a trilogy by Rin Chupeco about a geisha-like society of mages, the politics of nations, and undead 3-headed dragons. Told in a twin narrative of present and past, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Emily Woo Zeller is one of the narrators, and I love her style, so it was a fun romp! There even is representation with a trans secondary character and a queer couple of sidekicks.

The Stormlight Archive: Brandon Sanderson's ginormous sprawling fantasy epic was a good way to let my audible credits catch up when I was finishing shorter books too quickly. There's so much going on in his worlds. I don't think I can give any real synopsis of the books without that taking over this post, so I won't even try.

The First Sister Trilogy by Linden A. Lewis: A very queer space series with post-apocalyptic humanity that's spread out in the inner solar system, with creepy religions, cybernetic dystopias and a looming AI. It's world-building was knocked out of the park.

And for single books, the honorable mentions are:

The City of Dusk, by Tara Sim: Technically this is also a series, but only the first book is out. The four heirs (and some younger siblings) of the magic houses in an isolated realm fight their gods. I read it back in May, so I don't remember it perfectly, but it was very fun.

Ocean's Echo, by Everina Maxwell: A gay disaster failson learns to become competent at the edge of a sword, and uncovers space mysteries while being infected by alien tech, fighting of a coup, and falling madly in love with a soldier.

Two one-off books (or firsts in series) that I really enjoyed, and are superlatively well-crafted are:

Iron Widow, by Xiran Jay Zhao:

Mecha Sci-Fi with a deep re-imagining of Chinese History and Mythology creates a great backdrop for a power fantasy gone-wrong. A ruthless girl who's mental fortitude is her greatest strength starts with a quest for revenge on the mech pilot who killed her sister by over-taxing her mind in a battle.

As she undermines the misogynistic dynamics of their society, she has to amass a powerbase and acquires a ride-or-die OT3. This is probably the single most fun book of the year. Definitely a lot of cackling with glee while listening to it in the car.

The Unbroken, by C.L. Clark:

A dark post-colonial story about a soldier who was conscripted by the colonizing nation and only now returning to her homeland for the first time as an adult. When she stops an assassination attack on the princess by a member of the local resistance, all hell breaks loose. As she and the princess navigate the fractured landscape and their even more fraught ties to their families, we get a very intimate and visceral view at the brutality of empire.

There are magics at the outskirts of the world, and the dueling powers of civilization and the arcane is just one of the many fronts in this war.

To me, this story has one of the pinnacles of a well-executed enemies-to-lovers arcs. I whole-heartedly recommend it. If not for the series I'll talk about next, this would have been my favorite book of 2022.

My two superlative series are:

Rook & Rose (starting with The Mask of Mirrors), by M.A. Carrick:

I've talked about these ones at length. They've probably become my favorite books of all time. M.A. Carrick is the pen name for a duo of writers: Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms. Infused with many magics, the city-state of Nadežra provides a gloriously tense backdrop for a colonial conflict, a long con, intrigue and masquerade parties.

Pulling off a main character with dual identities is no mean feat, but it's done exceedingly well, and I just cannot emphasize enough how much you all just have to read these books if they sound like they might float your boat.

The Serpent Gates (starting with The Unspoken Name), by A.K. Larkwood:

This is another series I've not been able to suppress my urge to recommend. I'll include my previous recommendation blurb, because I don't think I can top that now:

A story about someone raised to be a sacrifice to their god, breaking free from their programming and learning to have a life of her own, it's really well done and the prose, while a little odd at first, really helps sell it as it subtly changes throughout the book.

Alchemical airships link dying worlds across a labyrinthine realm and connect different fantasy races with their own gods, cultures and magics.

The writer is in a writing group with Tamsyn Muir, the author of the The Locked Tomb books, and there are definitely some underpinnings that bring them together.

[checkoutmybookshelf]

...Ok. Here's the thing. Your girl does not like spiders. At All. And yet, as I get further into Mask of Mirrors, I have just met Peabody. Who is extremely a spider. A big, colorful, puppydog of a spider.

I have such mixed feelings on a spider begging for belly rubs, you guys.

[kazz-brekker]

anyway the height of romance is when the main character of a story has a double life as a masked vigilante and their love interest discovers this but, despite having an obligation to report this information to their superiors, keeps it to themselves not just because they’re in love but also because they secretly support the vigilante’s actions.

[jerzwriter]

It's Kiss-mas! A Carrick Family Holiday

Once again, @/artbyainna (IG) hits it out of the park! I have not done many commissions lately, but I wanted something special for my OTP for the holidays, and she delivered! Look at my babies with their babies!!! ❤️I'm simply in love with this!

I wrote a story to accompany it below.

Book: Open Heart (Post-Series) Pairing: Tobias x Casey Carrick (F!MC) Featuring: The Carrick Girls: Samantha, Brooke & Kayla Rating: General Words: 1,300 Summary: The Carrick family has opted to have a quiet Thanksgiving at home, and the girls have unknowingly started some new traditions.

Thanksgiving Morning

Thanksgiving morning was finally here, and the Carrick household was buzzing with activity. Tobias and Casey were in the kitchen perfecting their holiday meal while their daughters were in the adjoining family room. Toys were scattered about as Samantha read a poem about being thankful, Brooke busily colored decorations at the coffee table, and little Kayla sat nearby, babbling with delight. Casey watched the peaceful scene with a full heart; this was exactly the kind of holiday she had hoped for.

A short time later, Kayla’s sweet babbling stopped, and she waddled toward the kitchen with her dark curls bouncing and the look of joy that could only be found on a child’s face this time of year in place.  

“It’s Kiss-mas!” she announced triumphantly, beaming as she raised her arms in the air.

Samantha, who remained on the couch, rolled her eyes in true big-sister fashion. “It’s not Christmas, Kayla. Today’s Thanksgiving.”

Brooke looked up from her coloring, her brow slightly furrowed. Ever the peacemaker, she wanted to settle things quickly. “It is Thanksgiving,” she agreed. “But we can start celebrating Christmas today, too.”

Kayla’s tiny body appeared to tremble with glee. “Kiss-mas!”

Tobias scooped his youngest into his arms, pressing a kiss onto her chubby cheek. “You know what, sweetheart. We can start celebrating the Christmas season today.”

“Really?” Brooke gasped, her eyes wide. She had been trying to broker peace before but never imagined they’d get this lucky. “Does that mean we can put up the tree today?”

Casey joined the conversation, a soft smile on her lips. “We don’t have big plans,” she reminded Tobias. “Just us and the girls. So I think we could start decorating, don’t you?”

Tobias turned to her, Kayla wriggling happily in his arms. “I don't see why now. After dinner, we’ll make it happen. Tree, stockings, the works!”

“Yey!!!” Brooke squealed as she danced around the living room. Even Samantha couldn’t help but smile as Kayla happily declared, “It’s Kiss-mas!” once more.

Dinner Time

The house was filled with the aroma of roasting turkey. Samantha helped Tobias set the table, and Brooke and Casey were finishing up in the kitchen as Kayla chased the family cat, Pietro, all around the room. While Tobias and Casey were eager to dig into the delicious meal, the girls were more focused on the promise of Christmas decorating to come.

Samantha was the first to push her plate forward. “I’m done!” she announced with a broad grin.

“Done?” Tobias asked with a raised brow. “You barely touched your food, hon. You’ve gotta eat more than that.”

“Daddy’s right,” Brooke chimed in, clutching a dinner roll. “We need energy for decorating!”

Casey laughed softly, sharing an amused glance with Tobias. “We do need energy,” she agreed. “But there will be no decorating until after we have the pumpkin pie. That’s non-negotiable.”

Kayla sat tall in her high chair, clapping her hands. “Pie! Pie!” she giggled, pointing to the dessert on the counter.

“You can have pie, sweetie,” Casey promised. “As soon as you finish that turkey.”

Despite the older girl’s minds already being set on the tree, the meal was filled with tender moments, especially when they shared what they were most thankful for. Samantha had a long list prepared, covering everything from her family to her books and dolls. Brooke quickly added Mommy’s bedtime stories and Daddy’s pancakes as Tobias playfully whispered into his wife's ear, “Note, it’s not your food,” he laughed. Kayla’s contribution was a little less cohesive—“Cat! Turkey! Kiss-mas!” She yelled as Tobias grinned and told her that was a perfect list.

Decorating the Tree

The girls had barely cleared their plates before they asked their father to get the tree. Almost as eager as they were, he needed little prodding. He returned from the basement with plastic storage bins containing their decorations before Casey finished clearing the table. The girls squealed when he placed them next to the fireplace, where their stockings would soon hang.

Casey knelt beside one of the bins and pulled out their beloved angel tree topper, holding it up with a smile. “Remember this?” she asked Tobias, gently taking his hand. “We bought it our first Christmas together.”

“Before you had us?” Samantha asked, seemingly shocked that her parents had a life before she and her sisters entered it.

“Yep,” Tobias laughed. “Mommy and Daddy actually did things before you were all born, too, you know.”

“But I’m sure they weren’t as fun!” Brooke giggled as she pulled their stockings from another bin.

“Daddy, you have to start with the lights!” Samantha called out, already wrestling with a tangled string. Casey chuckled as Tobias groaned. She knew this was his least favorite part, but Samantha had already assigned the job to him.

The room quickly filled with laughter as holiday music played softly in the background. Brooke worked diligently on the lower branches while, with Tobias’s help, Samantha worked on the higher ones. Casey watched with a smile as she kept Kayla occupied, and they both kept Pietro away from the tree.

“Can we do the stockings next?” Brooke asked eagerly.

“Of course,” Tobias replied, then he helped Brooke hang them carefully along the mantle while Casey added the finishing touches to the tree.

With everything finally in place, they stepped back to admire their work - their faces aglow from the tree’s twinkling lights. It felt like magic. Tobias wrapped his arm around Casey, placing a kiss on her head. “This is perfection,” he whispered, and nearby, Kayla apparently agreed. “It’s Kiss-mas!” she yelled, bouncing up and down with delight.

The End of the Night

“What can we do next?” Samantha asked, hands on her hips.

Tobias exchanged a look with his exhausted wife. “I say we watch some Christmas movies,” he suggested, settling back into the couch.

“Can we have popcorn?” Brooke asked, though her tone left little room for negotiation.

“There’s no other way to do it,” Casey laughed, and as the girls piled onto the couch, Tobias joined her in the kitchen to make popcorn. With the quiet hum of the microwave filling the space, he slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

“Do I tell you how thankful I am for you often enough?” he asked, his voice low and filled with emotion.

She tilted her head to meet his gaze, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “You tell me quite often,” she replied. “Do I do the same for you?”

“Yes,” he smirked. “But feel free to lay it on me more often. My ego isn’t as big as you think.”

Casey’s laughter filled the room as she gently smacked his chest. “Oh, please. Your ego couldn’t possibly get any bigger.”

They glanced into the living room, where the girls were snuggled under a blanket. Samantha and Brooke already bickering over what to watch first, while Kayla, nestled between them, looked completely unphased by the commotion.

“Our lives have sure changed since our first Thanksgiving together,” Casey said, leaning into Tobias’s chest.

He nodded, his voice full of reverence. “You can say that again, and they just keep getting better.”

“I love you,” she murmured.

“I love you too,” he replied, pressing a kiss to her temple before they carried the popcorn into the living room.

Settling onto the couch, Tobias announced, “All right! It’s Kayla’s turn to pick!” The toddler squealed, pointing at the screen. “Kiss-mas show!”

“Well, that narrows it down,” Casey laughed.

“Don’t worry, girls,” Tobias assured. “We’ll watch all of our favorites tonight.”

A gentle snow began to fall outside as Rudolph appeared on the television screen. Snuggled under the blanket with their daughters on their laps, Tobias and Casey’s hearts couldn’t have been more full. They shared a quick kiss before they turned back to the TV, basking in the glow of their tree and the simple joy of being together.

It was the perfect Thanksgiving, after all.

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @openheartfanart

@choicesholidays New Traditions, Cuddling by the Fireplace @choicesmonthlychallengenov2024 thankful, television, pies, happiness

Tagging others separately.