A review by thebooklovingpanda
Master of One by Dani Bennett, Jaida Jones

4.0

"What does it mean?" the fae asked... "'Pissing balls of f***ing fire'? Is it your name?"

This got off to a walloping start with a shockingly violent prologue (think 'Game of Thrones' level) opening up for a Chapter One full of sass, gallows humour and a protagonist (Rags the thief) who simply leaps off the page.

Rags was my favourite character, especially when we learn a little more about his past. There were some unexpectedly heartwarming and wholesome moments too, especially near the end. The other characters were interesting too all with distinct narratives leading up to when their lives irrevocably merge together. I really liked (the human) Prince Somhairle in particular! I wish we'd gotten a POV from the fae prince himself...perhaps in the sequel? (Please.) I'd love to read him recollecting his first encounter with Rags. Absolutely iconic scene and one of my favourite human/fae meetings I've read.

I'd say that the blurb's comparison to 'Six of Crows' is fair. You've got definite found family dynamics, grudging alliances, sarcastic humour and an epic heist sequence full of booby traps and close calls. Very Indiana Jones.

I really liked the high fantasy world, especially the names of the royal and noble houses. I'm intrigued - is there a specific reason why there are only (human) queens reigning, or is this whole society a matrilineal one? There's a whole variety of POV characters (gay, trans and disability rep), with a couple of characters of colour, though I'm pretty sure the vast majority of characters here are white. The fae I'm not sure about though!

The first 50% was super bingeable, flagged a bit in the middle as the POVs increased and the plot grew more complex, but it soon picked up again. I did sometimes get a little confused when the different POV chapters split focus during conflict scenes, as well as by the ever-growing cast, but overall it didn't really bother me.

There's less romance than I was expecting but I still shipped the main couple so much! Their budding relationship is sweet and earnest in a world full of nastiness, and peppered with cute and funny moments. I also really liked the platonic love in this. I don't want to spoil anything, so suffice to say that I had Eragon nostalgia and absolutely adored that aspect of this story.

Overall this was a fun, refreshing high fantasy romp and I'm really hoping for a sequel!

Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours, HarperTeen and NetGalley for an eARC for an honest review.