Hello
everyone! Before today's review I wanted
to quickly mention that my giveaway for a SIGNED copy of The Rose Society by
Marie Lu is coming to a close and ends tomorrow (the 29th) so don't forget to
get your entries in here. That said today
I am reviewing a book I received as a digital ARC thanks to NetGalley and the
publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The book is, These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas and it
is out February 9th. I was first
interested in this book because of the cover, come on it has a masquerade mask
on it and I LOVE them. I have a minor
collection of them myself! So that drew
me in and the title combined I wanted to know more and was thrilled to be
granted a copy for early review.
Rating: 5 Stars
These
Vicious Masks is pitched as Jane Austen meets X-men in a paranormal romance
adventure in Victorian London. We follow
Evelyn who isn't really interested in society and it's rules but instead wishes
to travel. Her sister Rose, vanishes one
night under mysterious circumstances and against the wishes of her family she
travels to London to find her. She is
accompanied by her good friend Mr. Kent but along the way realize the reclusive
Mr. Braddock is as well, though he spins tales that they have healing
powers. She soon learns the man is not
as insane as she thought as she discovers a new world around her full of people
with extraordinary gifts, which means her sister is in even more danger than
she thought.
I
admit to never having read an Austen book myself but I do really enjoy the
movies and I love the X-men so I think it seems like a fit. I also felt like there was a bit of a Holmes
vibe as well as the search for her sister played out as well. I did enjoy Evelyn, and not just because of
her name. Evelyn is very candid with her
dislike for the way of things much rather wanting to go travel and see the
world than try to find a husband and be a perfect wife. She and her sister started nursing, but only
as a hobby as it was "unseemly" to have a true profession despite her
sisters complete love of it. I loved the
bond between sisters. Their bond was
very clear from the start and the way they talked together it brought that bond
out which was a real asset to the story as Evelyn goes in search of her.
The
other main characters, our two male leads as it were, Mr. Kent and Mr. Braddock
were delightful. From the start I enjoyed
the friendship between Evelyn and Mr. Kent and I could see the possibility for
more there. More I enjoyed the way they
acted around one another with such free banter allowing Evelyn to be
herself. Then you add in the mysterious
and stand-offish Mr. Braddock. He does
not make the best impression several times over and seems a bit insane but he
does help her not only in her search but in understanding her powers and
getting to know him bit by hard won bit was fascinating and he shared a
connection with Evelyn. Yes while there
was some romantic prospects about the story was more focused on the adventure
and mystery of it all. Finding
Rose. Finding her and discovering what
it is the man who took her wants and how to stop him.
These
Vicious Masks was a thrilling tale and I didn't want to put it down when I
started. I wanted to know what would
happen next not only in the search but between the characters and their
adventures. Oh and let us not forget
trying to do all of this and not ruin any reputations in polite society. I would not have survived in that era,
because frankly I'm of the mind that I don't care what anyone thinks of me, I
do me and you do you. But I will admit
the way for which people talked back then (from my limited knowledge of books
and movies) was portrayed in a way that always makes me smile! Just the right amount plus our modern and
stubborn female ahead of her times. The
story was full of plot on its own but the powers added that extra push to make
it awesome. I thought they were pretty
well thought out powers and I loved the diversity in them and how some were
great while others were more of a curse, not all gumdrops.
Overall
I really enjoyed the story and I can't wait for more. It had its moments of predictability but also
some twists you don't see coming keeping it nice and fresh. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this story
in the comments below. I have already read it but have also pre-ordered myself a physical copy to have on my shelf! Are you excited
for this book to come out next month, what part intrigues you most? Already read it, what did you think? Let's discuss below!
Until
next time…
