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Masquerade
Oceana is a hard-working, straight down the line indexer with an attitude.
Tristan is the millennia old executioner for the vampire council.
They meet when Tristan seeks her help on a case and she is unwillingly drawn into his twisted and violent world where nothing is as it seems on the surface. As she discovers through Tristan who and what she is, Oceana's life changes irrevocably and the only choice she believes she has left is whether or not to give her love to this charming, perplexing and dangerous man, but even that is twisted around her by the masquerade that is life amongst vampires...
Tristan is the millennia old executioner for the vampire council.
They meet when Tristan seeks her help on a case and she is unwillingly drawn into his twisted and violent world where nothing is as it seems on the surface. As she discovers through Tristan who and what she is, Oceana's life changes irrevocably and the only choice she believes she has left is whether or not to give her love to this charming, perplexing and dangerous man, but even that is twisted around her by the masquerade that is life amongst vampires...
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2012
1 person is currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 19, 2012
First off, I am quite happy to say that Masquerade is not your typical vampire novel, and that pleases me immensely! There were aspects of the personalities and how they lived that were similar to the vampire folklore, but it was the plot of the novel that really drew me in, and kept me wanting to read more.
I really enjoyed the characters and their personalities. There was one thing that happened with Ocean that to me really did seem way out of character for her that did turn me off of her a little, but I was able to get over it by the end. I really enjoyed Tristan as well, he had a perfect vampire personality for me, I don't like the "sensitive" vampire type, and he definitely is not. There are a lot of other characters in the novel as well, and I really like how they all interacted together, made this read even better for me.
I only had one other thing with this book that I was hoping had gone differently, there is a build up to a major event, and I just wish that there was more written on that event, more details provided, I feel like there was a lot of build up and that it just kinda flew by like it was not as big as the build up had made it to be, and if there was more of the event, then possibly the ending would have been a little different and a bit more of a cliff hanger which I really enjoy when it comes to being part of a series.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and am excited to read the next one in the series for sure, I give this a 3.5 out of 5!
I really enjoyed the characters and their personalities. There was one thing that happened with Ocean that to me really did seem way out of character for her that did turn me off of her a little, but I was able to get over it by the end. I really enjoyed Tristan as well, he had a perfect vampire personality for me, I don't like the "sensitive" vampire type, and he definitely is not. There are a lot of other characters in the novel as well, and I really like how they all interacted together, made this read even better for me.
I only had one other thing with this book that I was hoping had gone differently, there is a build up to a major event, and I just wish that there was more written on that event, more details provided, I feel like there was a lot of build up and that it just kinda flew by like it was not as big as the build up had made it to be, and if there was more of the event, then possibly the ending would have been a little different and a bit more of a cliff hanger which I really enjoy when it comes to being part of a series.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and am excited to read the next one in the series for sure, I give this a 3.5 out of 5!
June 27, 2012
It’s hard nowadays to read a vampire story that doesn’t sound like every other one out there on the market. This one, however, had a nice air of originality that made it a fun read.
What I liked the most was the heroine. Oceana has spunk. Her attitude makes her a strong character to follow and it becomes easy to keep turning the pages to see what else her life will throw at her. Tristan, the male protagonist, is great. He provides a nice foil for Oceana.
The story takes a bit to get going, but once it does, the pacing is handled well. There are very few moments when the plot line slows down, and the writer successfully avoids info-dumps which can get frustrating for the reader. I expected lots of overwhelming romantic scenes, but the book had a good balance to it, so that these scenes never got out of control or became repetitive. It was actually a rather tame book, for dealing with vampires.
Although you might be tempted to pass this one by because of the whole vampire story-line, there’s so much more in this book. I do recommend it and will look for future books by the author.
What I liked the most was the heroine. Oceana has spunk. Her attitude makes her a strong character to follow and it becomes easy to keep turning the pages to see what else her life will throw at her. Tristan, the male protagonist, is great. He provides a nice foil for Oceana.
The story takes a bit to get going, but once it does, the pacing is handled well. There are very few moments when the plot line slows down, and the writer successfully avoids info-dumps which can get frustrating for the reader. I expected lots of overwhelming romantic scenes, but the book had a good balance to it, so that these scenes never got out of control or became repetitive. It was actually a rather tame book, for dealing with vampires.
Although you might be tempted to pass this one by because of the whole vampire story-line, there’s so much more in this book. I do recommend it and will look for future books by the author.
May 23, 2012
Amazing! This one snuck up on me and before I knew it I had been reading all day. I seriously had trouble pulling myself away. I will be posting a full review and author interview on my blog sometime next week. http://wolfmajick.blogspot.com/
September 1, 2018
Please keep in mind that this is my opinion.
On more than one occasion I felt like DNF this book but desided to follow it through.
Ok, I have several issues with this book. While reading it I was having flash backs : " Oh, I have seen something like this in that book and sometimes like this in another book ", so while some of the ideas were original there was also familiarity in delivery.
Another thing is a non - conformance to 'My idea of vampire ' ( and no, they do not sparkle ) . But they also do not keep subservient 'pets ' as a food source and being an ' old dude ' do not use phrases like ' whatever ', ' clever little pumpkin ' and ' come to papa' . Oh, and they also do not freely walk in sunshine and go grocery shopping.
The speed with which Oceania transitions front ' I am just an ordinary human ' to supernatural was a bit too fast - suddenly she just knows how to make powerful wards?
And the kicker at the end? I really don't know how to take this one.
Will I read next book if it comes out? No
On more than one occasion I felt like DNF this book but desided to follow it through.
Ok, I have several issues with this book. While reading it I was having flash backs : " Oh, I have seen something like this in that book and sometimes like this in another book ", so while some of the ideas were original there was also familiarity in delivery.
Another thing is a non - conformance to 'My idea of vampire ' ( and no, they do not sparkle ) . But they also do not keep subservient 'pets ' as a food source and being an ' old dude ' do not use phrases like ' whatever ', ' clever little pumpkin ' and ' come to papa' . Oh, and they also do not freely walk in sunshine and go grocery shopping.
The speed with which Oceania transitions front ' I am just an ordinary human ' to supernatural was a bit too fast - suddenly she just knows how to make powerful wards?
And the kicker at the end? I really don't know how to take this one.
Will I read next book if it comes out? No
February 7, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book. I do like strong female leads ;-) but ever the romantic in me loves to engage in a story about the frequent turbulent road to love.
June 6, 2012
Oceana has her life sorted. She works for the police as an indexer - helping to solve gruesome crimes with her special brand of intelligence. Off-duty she designs and makes exquisite masks. She needs that relaxation to snap her out of the day job. What she doesn't need is Tristan - a vampire in search of love.
Haven't vampire stories been done to death? It seems not. In Oceana, Tristan bites off more than he can chew (I know that's a cliché, but it works for this reader).
Rivka's heroine is a tough cookie and her indifference towards the Master just sucks him in more. Within a few chapters she has him under her spell - Oceana is no mere mortal.
I found the narrative weaved around Oceana's powers a welcome antidote to the vampires' venom. Rivka created a powerful story that surprised and entertained this reader.
As the story develops, it isn't just the personal battle that keeps the pace and plot racing along. Not all vampires are bad, some are evil. Tristan is caught in the middle - but will his love for Oceana save him or kill her?
When you finish reading Masquerade, do what I did and re-read the prologue. The emotion of those words brings the whole relationship between Oceana and Tristan into clear focus, I found it terribly moving.
Haven't vampire stories been done to death? It seems not. In Oceana, Tristan bites off more than he can chew (I know that's a cliché, but it works for this reader).
Rivka's heroine is a tough cookie and her indifference towards the Master just sucks him in more. Within a few chapters she has him under her spell - Oceana is no mere mortal.
I found the narrative weaved around Oceana's powers a welcome antidote to the vampires' venom. Rivka created a powerful story that surprised and entertained this reader.
As the story develops, it isn't just the personal battle that keeps the pace and plot racing along. Not all vampires are bad, some are evil. Tristan is caught in the middle - but will his love for Oceana save him or kill her?
When you finish reading Masquerade, do what I did and re-read the prologue. The emotion of those words brings the whole relationship between Oceana and Tristan into clear focus, I found it terribly moving.
March 21, 2016
Love love LOVE this book
I love the characters, Oceana and Tris and Will, Jo...All of them!!! The story was incredible so much action and romance. I got concerned as I got close to the end because there was so much going on I couldn't imagine how Rivka was going to tie everything up... Standing Ovation for you Rivka Spicer you not only tied everything up but you also get the prize for instant tears one second I was fine the next I was gone! As with all Rivka's books I highly recommend!
I love the characters, Oceana and Tris and Will, Jo...All of them!!! The story was incredible so much action and romance. I got concerned as I got close to the end because there was so much going on I couldn't imagine how Rivka was going to tie everything up... Standing Ovation for you Rivka Spicer you not only tied everything up but you also get the prize for instant tears one second I was fine the next I was gone! As with all Rivka's books I highly recommend!
July 24, 2012
Please read my full review here! http://remarkablereads-sandra.blogspo...
Lia's rating: 7.5/10 stars
Lia's rating: 7.5/10 stars
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews