India, April 15 -- There's an old adage: protagonism is best left to teens and the insane. It may well explain the enduring popularity of young adult dystopian fantasy, a genre teeming with tales of fairies, dragons, witches and other fantastical beings on intrepid adventures. Entering this already crowded space is Petra Lord's Queen of Faces. Set in Caimor, where magic is real, the novel imagines the rich as people who can buy and trade bodies, or 'chassis', like clothes, changing appearances and even outrunning illness. At first glance, the story follows teenagers competing for a coveted spot at the elite magic school, Paragon, open only to select magic-wielders. But beneath this familiar premise lie weightier concerns: body dysmorphia, poverty, mental health, chronic illness, queer love and birthright. At a time when conversations around identity are gaining urgency, the novel offers a poignant lens into what it means to feel trapped in the 'wrong body'. At the centre are Anabelle Gage and Nell-turned-Wes. One is a girl bound by illness, living in a frail boy's chassis; the other, shaped by a riches-to-rags arc, finds uneasy freedom in the body of a beautiful boy. Around them unfolds a dense world of political unrest, social hierarchies and layered magic systems. The lore can feel overwhelming. There are multiple regions within Caimor, merit-based exclusions, and an intricate system where mages wield personalised Codexes. Add to this the envious Humdrums, rogue forces, and the looming threat of Khaiove, the Black Wraith, a formidable mage with a fractured sense of self. All of this is packed into 420 pages. While the narrative moves quickly, its scale can feel disorienting for readers who prefer quieter storytelling. Lord has reportedly condensed the book from a much longer draft, and while the breadth remains intact, some emotional beats feel rushed and the climax resolves a little too neatly, setting up a sequel. Still, the story rests on a striking idea: not all caterpillars emerge as butterflies; some remain casualties, not heroes. If that resonates, Queen of Faces is worth the effort. If not, the YA shelves offer easier escapes. Title: Queen of Faces Author: Petra Lord Publisher: HarperCollins Price: Rs.899...