The Red Queen’s Last Mask
Born to rule a game that she can never escape, Sara's only way to win is to risk everything. But when she is betrayed by her own leaders, this driven young champion gambles all that she's ever won to save her imprisoned city from the once-noble Game that now controls everything.
Until the Game is won, the gates of Masq are sealed. No one may enter, and the only way out is to lose. But losing means facing deadly exile in the wilds beyond the walls. Thus it has been for centuries.
Meanwhile, Blackjack, an exiled outcast who has hit the very bottom of the Game after twenty years of playing, will do anything to find his way back in. Soon, each will meet a stranger beyond the walls. In time, each will be offered a choice. One chance.
But who is this mysterious "Chief"? And what does he really want?
Michael Somerville
The Tales of the Broken Realm began as stories that I told my own daughters. Now, this world is one that I am eager to share with you and your family. Clean, tween fantasy that can be read aloud and enjoyed by the whole family is what I love to write, and I have loved writing this.
What People Are Saying
"One of the best books I've read this year... a fast-paced, thought-provoking, clean, allegorical EPIC fantasy!"
Camden (age 13)"I could hardly wait to continue each time I had to put it down."
"Your ability to 'show' not tell... and ending chapters so that one wants to turn the page is a true gift of a great author."
Lucy (age 67)It was fabulous! … A wonderful balance... easily drawn into the world you made."
Rebekah (age 30)Key Characters from The Red Queen’s Last Mask
Sara MacQuinn
Born into the nobility of the Red Faction of Masq, Sara has always dreamed of winning eternal glory in the great Game. Committed and dedicated to her training, she has earned the nickname of “Steel Sara”, rising through the ranks of players.
At the beginning of the events described in The Red Queen’s Last Mask, Sara - already an airmistress windshaper - has been named the Champion of her faction and is responsible for leading the Reds in all formal Game events. Sara will do anything to help her team win - except put her own score at risk.
She dreams of earning a perfect score someday. Perhaps, if she does, the Lost King will return and the Game will be restored to its former glory so that it can be played anew.
Blackjack Urthshift
In every pile, for everyone who stands at the top, there is someone at the very bottom, crushed by the weight of those above them. In Masq, this is Blackjack. As an untalented earthshaper, his days are full of menial, backbreaking labor.
But while his days are uneventful, he hones a different set of skills by night. Life in Masq has shown Blackjack the path of the assasin - the unmasker. As the go-to agent of Blue Faction covert operations, Blackjack has tracked, exposed, and unmasked dozens of high-ranking Red Faction players over the decades.
As the Season begins, his shadowy handler has given him a new target. The risks are unmatched, as is the danger. But what choice does he have? He is but a few bad days away from failure, condemnation, and exile from the walled city.
Tricks
Sara rules the pinnacle of the Game of Masq, while Blackjack scrapes by along the bottom of the Game’s rankings. But outside of the Game entirely - slipping through shadows and rippling along the banks of the river - are the Irregulars.
Tricks is one of them. A homeless tween castoff, she trusts no grownup in a mask. With her boots and her trusty slingshooter, she’ll make her own maskless way through life, helping anyone that she thinks is worthy of her aid.
From the Back Cover
Born to dominate in a Game of masks, Sara’s greatest ambition is a perfect score. Indeed, this she must attain - even if it costs her everything. For the underlying law of Masq is unyielding. “To Each as they Earn.” Surely, only a perfect score could ever restore the Lost King or rescue her imprisoned city.
But when - betrayed by her own - the young champion is exiled, Sara faces a choice. Dare she risk all that she has ever won on a foolish fantasy? Dare she dream to discover some other way to triumph over the never-ending Game of masks that has controlled her people and kept the gates locked for centuries?
One thing alone is certain. Until the Game is won, the city's gates are sealed. None may enter. Defeat and deadly exile beyond the high walls is the only way out. Thus it must ever be whilst the Lost King's seat of judgment sits empty.
Facing exile, Sara must choose - protect her own near-perfect score or claim the Red Throne that is her birthright? This may be a deadly decision. For the Game has aready claimed many victims, including Blackjack, an outcast from the city, who will still do anything - anything! - to get back in the Game.
In the wilds beyond the walls, both Blackjack and Sara will meet the same stranger. Who is he and what does he want? Can they believe his offer?
Together, can they defeat the shadowy schemes of the Blue King?
Together, can they deliver their long-imprisoned city of Masq?
For they both know that the King is lost. The Gate is locked.
The Game is everything. Isn't it?
Tropes found in The Red Queen’s Last Mask
The Red Queen’s Last Mask is a fresh take on the high fantasy genre with dystopian and game elements. True character growth takes place in a magical world of broken beauty - as if The Chronicles of Narnia were blended with The Last Airbender. Savvy readers of this type of story will recognize many familiar tropes, albeit blended into a new tale that is full of old truths.
Character:
Prodigy Hero. A young, exceptionally skilled protagonist rises quickly through ranks, driven by ambition and a desire for perfection.
Anti-Hero's Redemption Arc. A cynical, self-serving rogue shows vulnerability, hinting at potential growth through unexpected kindness.
Cunning Antagonist. A shrewd villain manipulates events from the shadows, using proxies to undermine heroes without direct confrontation.
Stealthy Thief. A rogue operative uses cunning, tools, and minor magic to infiltrate high-security areas for illicit gains.
The Lost King. A legendary figure's perfect legacy looms over the present, inspiring awe and unattainable goals.
Plot:
The Game controls everything. A competitive "game" structures society, where performance determines status, survival, and expulsion, blending sport, politics, and magic.
Failed Assassination. An attempt on the hero's life or status backfires, leading to the assassin's capture and the hero's empowerment.
Exile and Survival. A disgraced character is cast out into a hostile wilderness, forcing adaptation and self-discovery.
Shadowy Conspiracy. Hidden alliances and betrayals among elites undermine public facades of honor.
Fall from Grace. A low-status character risks everything in a desperate bid, leading to total downfall
Setting:
Rival Elemental Factions. Two opposing groups aligned by magic types (fire/air vs. water/earth) create balanced rivalries. Reds and Blues compete in a high-stakes game, with deep animosity driving conflict between leaders.
Dystopian Meritocracy. The Game rewards skill and punishes failure harshly, with expulsion as the ultimate deterrent.
World Beyond the Wall. A sheltered society discovers (or is thrust into) a dangerous, untamed exterior world.
Magical Proxies. Characters wield elemental magic (air, water, earth) as extensions of personality and faction identity.
Prophecy. Ancient lore hints at greater destinies, like reclaiming lost authority.
Maps of the Broken Realm
“If there’s one thing that I love, it’s a good map. Stories happen in places, and I can’t tell the story until I can imagine the place.” - Michael Somerville
The City of Masq
The Surrounding Wilds
Peria - The Broken Realm
Art Gallery for The Red Queen’s Last Mask
“A picture is worth a thousand words. Through pen and pencil, I can bring unseen places near so that others can discover them.” - Michael Somerville
Champion’s Flight
Outcast’s Beginning
Copyright Page Information:
Copyright Notice: Copyright (C) 2027 by Michael Somerville
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: [000-0-0000000-0-0] (Paperback)
ISBN: [000-0-0000000-0-0] (Ebook)
Cover illustration by Michael Somerville. Cover design and interior formatting by Michael Somerville
Printed in the United States of America
Title: The Red Queen’s Last Mask
Author: Michael Somerville
Publisher: Inksmith LLC
Publication Date: February 2, 2027
BISAC Categories:
JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy / Epic
JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / General
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Values & Virtues