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Catalysts of Chaos #1
Mistress of Masks
An ancient evil has awakened in Earth Realm. The dead are rising, the oracles haven fallen silent, and foul creatures are devastating the baselands. When the dark sorcerer, Rathnakar, escapes his tomb, the First Mother chooses three champions to become the saviors of their time.
The hopeful adherent, Eydis, wants nothing more than to lead a life of solitary devotion within the sheltered walls of a seclusionary. But when her pilgrimage to a sacred grove ends in a vision of the end of the world, she realizes the Mother requires a more dangerous service from her. Seeking the catalysts prophecy says can overcome chaos, she aligns herself with a notorious traitor, Orrick of Kroad, and Geveral, a dryad mage who has yet to tame his powers. Together, can the three unlikely heroes thwart Rathnakar and the wave of darkness threatening to devour their world?
The hopeful adherent, Eydis, wants nothing more than to lead a life of solitary devotion within the sheltered walls of a seclusionary. But when her pilgrimage to a sacred grove ends in a vision of the end of the world, she realizes the Mother requires a more dangerous service from her. Seeking the catalysts prophecy says can overcome chaos, she aligns herself with a notorious traitor, Orrick of Kroad, and Geveral, a dryad mage who has yet to tame his powers. Together, can the three unlikely heroes thwart Rathnakar and the wave of darkness threatening to devour their world?
278 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2014
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956 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 3, 2015
I received an electronic copy of this book as part of the EPIC: Fourteen Books Of Fantasy boxed set in exchange for an honest review.
This story underwhelmed me. The characters and plot barely sparked my interest. I liked the bit in the beginning where the heroine nearly drowns while having a vision, but that was one of the few interesting things she did. And the business with the scholar/janitor who clearly knows that taking the key is a bad idea and takes it and uses it anyway! Why oh why did he do that? Far better had he been written as someone greedy to see what the key unlocked, not both smart and stupid. There's more of this smart and stupid stuff going on throughout the whole book. The plot's made up of amazing coincidences and help coming out of nowhere. It's just..,. really poor fantasy. And it commits the cardinal sin of first books in a series -- it just ends. It isn't a proper book at all so much an introduction to the series.
I found this book easy to read, but not at all worth the time or trouble.
This story underwhelmed me. The characters and plot barely sparked my interest. I liked the bit in the beginning where the heroine nearly drowns while having a vision, but that was one of the few interesting things she did. And the business with the scholar/janitor who clearly knows that taking the key is a bad idea and takes it and uses it anyway! Why oh why did he do that? Far better had he been written as someone greedy to see what the key unlocked, not both smart and stupid. There's more of this smart and stupid stuff going on throughout the whole book. The plot's made up of amazing coincidences and help coming out of nowhere. It's just..,. really poor fantasy. And it commits the cardinal sin of first books in a series -- it just ends. It isn't a proper book at all so much an introduction to the series.
I found this book easy to read, but not at all worth the time or trouble.
October 31, 2019
Well, this was a rather entertaining book, all in all. It was fast moving and the plot kept me hooked from the start. I liked the characters, I especially liked the fact I didn't love them straight away but was very intrigued by them and wanted to follow their story. I did wish there was a bit more backstory to the book and a lot more world building, but still, this didn't deter from my enjoyment while reading it.
February 22, 2017
I really didnt enjoy this book, it was weak and meandering. The characters were very flat, without depth and not very consistent.
June 1, 2019
Decent read of someone else’s D&D campaign.
June 30, 2019
I debated over giving this book two stars instead of three. Ultimately decided to give it 2.5 and rounded up.
Let me start off by saying: This book wasn't bad.
It wasn't!
It was just lacking in a few key areas. One being character development. They just seemed to fall flat and the sense of urgency for their quest was lost somewhere.
Another was coincidences/easy outs. There was one particular scene where they are in a cave and get surrounded by spiders. Right before this they travel with fire to keep them away. In a moment, that should have made me gasp, the light gets smothered. Now, to me, this is a close call type moment but not once did I feel these characters panic. Instead one of the travelers (Orrik) feels a breeze, investigates, realizes he's just big enough to fit through the crack, climbs through, and calls his companions to safety. All while battling spiders? Yeeaahhh. It just doesn't seem likely.
I don't like leaving reviews without some positivity because a lot of thought and effort goes into writing a book and I don't like knocking someone's hard work. And I will say that the start of this book was actually really good. We get introduced to these interesting characters(pool guardian, oracle). Eydis (our main gal) has a unique skill to put on a mask. To make herself (and others) appear to be someone they're not. It really was neat!
Now, around the 75% mark I did grow bored and started skimming. There's a lot being built up in this book and it's easy to see how there's quite a few others in this series. Unfortunately this first book wasn't enough to hook me and I won't be finishing the rest of them.
Let me start off by saying: This book wasn't bad.
It wasn't!
It was just lacking in a few key areas. One being character development. They just seemed to fall flat and the sense of urgency for their quest was lost somewhere.
Another was coincidences/easy outs. There was one particular scene where they are in a cave and get surrounded by spiders. Right before this they travel with fire to keep them away. In a moment, that should have made me gasp, the light gets smothered. Now, to me, this is a close call type moment but not once did I feel these characters panic. Instead one of the travelers (Orrik) feels a breeze, investigates, realizes he's just big enough to fit through the crack, climbs through, and calls his companions to safety. All while battling spiders? Yeeaahhh. It just doesn't seem likely.
I don't like leaving reviews without some positivity because a lot of thought and effort goes into writing a book and I don't like knocking someone's hard work. And I will say that the start of this book was actually really good. We get introduced to these interesting characters(pool guardian, oracle). Eydis (our main gal) has a unique skill to put on a mask. To make herself (and others) appear to be someone they're not. It really was neat!
Now, around the 75% mark I did grow bored and started skimming. There's a lot being built up in this book and it's easy to see how there's quite a few others in this series. Unfortunately this first book wasn't enough to hook me and I won't be finishing the rest of them.
March 23, 2020
Once in a while, especially during tough times, I’m drawn to books that take me out of the real world and into something quite different. Such is the case with Mistress of Masks, a sword and sorcery story with three reluctant heroes and a powerful enemy who wants them stopped.
As is common in fantasy novels, the protagonist Eydis Ironmonger is unaware of her powerful and unique gifts until an unexpected event causes her awakening. The same is true for one of her sidekicks, Geveral, a dryad mage who is trying to learn magical skills and failing spectacularly.
The quest to save the world from a powerful evil sorcerer forces them to encounter all sorts of enemies. In this first installment, Eydis needs to save a seclusionary in the city of Asincourt before it is completely destroyed. The plot’s straightforward and a bit predictable, yet still enjoyable. For me, the story’s greatest strength is in the imaginative characters and uneasy alliance between Eydis, Geveral, and Orrick, who’ve been thrown together under unusual circumstances.
Mistress of Masks is fast-paced read and as the saga continues, the trio will undoubtedly face even greater danger and challenges in the next installment. Fans of sword and sorcery stories will likely enjoy this one.
As is common in fantasy novels, the protagonist Eydis Ironmonger is unaware of her powerful and unique gifts until an unexpected event causes her awakening. The same is true for one of her sidekicks, Geveral, a dryad mage who is trying to learn magical skills and failing spectacularly.
The quest to save the world from a powerful evil sorcerer forces them to encounter all sorts of enemies. In this first installment, Eydis needs to save a seclusionary in the city of Asincourt before it is completely destroyed. The plot’s straightforward and a bit predictable, yet still enjoyable. For me, the story’s greatest strength is in the imaginative characters and uneasy alliance between Eydis, Geveral, and Orrick, who’ve been thrown together under unusual circumstances.
Mistress of Masks is fast-paced read and as the saga continues, the trio will undoubtedly face even greater danger and challenges in the next installment. Fans of sword and sorcery stories will likely enjoy this one.
March 29, 2017
I became a fan of this author through the Dimmingwood series and this new one is just as compelling...so, of course, I have already bought the others.
The story is filled with action, great characters, magic and plot, with wonderful world building, so to evolve authenticity and sense of place.
The characters are an excellent mix of good and bad, and those that could be either.
I don't give spoilers but will stay that this well-written fantasy should hook you from the start.
Highly recommended.
The story is filled with action, great characters, magic and plot, with wonderful world building, so to evolve authenticity and sense of place.
The characters are an excellent mix of good and bad, and those that could be either.
I don't give spoilers but will stay that this well-written fantasy should hook you from the start.
Highly recommended.
November 7, 2017
My Disclaimer:
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…
Rathnakar, the dark sorcerer, has escaped his tomb.
The First Mother chooses three champions. Eydis wants to live a contemplative life quietly tucked away in a convent. Orrick of Kroad is known as the traitor of his people. Geveral is a dryad mage who has little control of his seemingly small powers and no training.
This is Eydis’ story.
Technical Tidbits…
The cover is done by Michael Gauss and is wonderful artwork, as the author chose for her Legends of Dimmingwood series.
The storyline is a bit weak with the characters playing through it like puppets controlled by a puppetmaster rather than characters in a story.
The characters strings are all too visible. They are too obviously being controlled by the hand of a greater power.
The pace is pretty fast. As usual, Ms. Greenwood’s characters go swiftly from crisis to crisis.
The tension is the type you feel when someone just keeps pulling on the connection to keep things going and keeping things tight. You know you are rushing towards something significant, so you can’t help but be caught up in the strain of it.
And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰✰
There is such a difference between The Legends of Dimmingwood series and this one, that I immediately classified this as a YA book. It was just written in simpler language. There is an innocence about it. But such a contradiction, it is longer than most of the other books in either series!
Even though this is Eydis’ story, we actually get to know very little about her. Well, she had planned on a life almost like that of a nun. A quiet life, withdrawn from society, a disciplined life. Now, she has the gift of life and creates masks on peoples faces. Once out of the box, can you really go back? I think not. And neither does Eydis. She has this gift, the gift of life, that she feels she should use. But she wants to learn about it and there just isn’t a whole lot of time to do that. How will she know how to use it or when to use it if no one tells her or trains her? Why do they always say, “You’ll know when the time comes”?
And this ability to mask people is fun and really cool. She can mask herself. Or she can mask someone else. And leaves decorative lines all over their faces to show that the masks have been there. They’re very subtle so not just anyone can see them.
And, it seemed that at one point, Eydis could see someone’s death. When she created the mask for Fenric at their parting, she saw his death by stabbing. She had never had such a vision before. It was the only such vision she had in the book. It was not explained, nor was it really discussed with anyone who could explain it. I’m hoping that at some point Eydis runs into someone who can answer some of her questions. And mine. Or that the First Mother continues to communicate with her.
The best part of the whole book was when we first meet Eydis. She has come to the Pool of Tears to receive guidance from the First Mother. Eydis steps into the pool with a clear mind and open heart and is first transported to speak with the Head Hearer of the seclusionary that she wanted to join. Then she is witness to a conversation between the Raven King and his functionary. Next, she is drowning. But she isn’t. She is listening to a voice. A voice she hears in her head that is telling her the secrets of life and death and the whole universe. The voice of the First Mother. Suddenly the Guardians of the pool are grasping her and breathing into her because she really is drowning. But Eydis needs to share what she has been told by the voice of the First Mother with the Oracle because the First Mother told her about the end of the world. And Eeydis had to stop it. This takes two chapters to cover and it is the primo part of the book. The writing in these two chapters is fabulous and you feel everything along with Eydis.
The fact that this is Eydis’ story doesn’t mean that she is the only one we meet. We actually meet all three of the catalysts here. But we delve into her magic more and see more of her journey in this book. She is the one that gathers the other two and starts them all on their great task. And we see more through her eyes.
But who is this puppetmaster? Who is the one guiding them and what is it he is ultimately after? The treasury of stones Eydis carries from the defeated seclusionary. What is their significance? What will they really lead the sorcerer to?
And while this book has almost 300 pages in it, the rest of the books all have less than 200 pages each. I’m not a fan of short stories. I like big books. Really. I’d rather sit and read 400-500 pages of riveting fantasy than four separate short books that to me are more like novellas. When I look at books in a store, I look for covers and size. Then I read the synopsis. After that, I open the book and read some of the dialogue anywhere in the book to see if it’s intelligent. I need to get better about checking out those things when I buy e-books. My suggestion for this series is to sell it in a bundle. And I notice that Amazon has done just that.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…
Rathnakar, the dark sorcerer, has escaped his tomb.
The First Mother chooses three champions. Eydis wants to live a contemplative life quietly tucked away in a convent. Orrick of Kroad is known as the traitor of his people. Geveral is a dryad mage who has little control of his seemingly small powers and no training.
This is Eydis’ story.
Technical Tidbits…
The cover is done by Michael Gauss and is wonderful artwork, as the author chose for her Legends of Dimmingwood series.
The storyline is a bit weak with the characters playing through it like puppets controlled by a puppetmaster rather than characters in a story.
The characters strings are all too visible. They are too obviously being controlled by the hand of a greater power.
The pace is pretty fast. As usual, Ms. Greenwood’s characters go swiftly from crisis to crisis.
The tension is the type you feel when someone just keeps pulling on the connection to keep things going and keeping things tight. You know you are rushing towards something significant, so you can’t help but be caught up in the strain of it.
And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰✰
There is such a difference between The Legends of Dimmingwood series and this one, that I immediately classified this as a YA book. It was just written in simpler language. There is an innocence about it. But such a contradiction, it is longer than most of the other books in either series!
Even though this is Eydis’ story, we actually get to know very little about her. Well, she had planned on a life almost like that of a nun. A quiet life, withdrawn from society, a disciplined life. Now, she has the gift of life and creates masks on peoples faces. Once out of the box, can you really go back? I think not. And neither does Eydis. She has this gift, the gift of life, that she feels she should use. But she wants to learn about it and there just isn’t a whole lot of time to do that. How will she know how to use it or when to use it if no one tells her or trains her? Why do they always say, “You’ll know when the time comes”?
And this ability to mask people is fun and really cool. She can mask herself. Or she can mask someone else. And leaves decorative lines all over their faces to show that the masks have been there. They’re very subtle so not just anyone can see them.
And, it seemed that at one point, Eydis could see someone’s death. When she created the mask for Fenric at their parting, she saw his death by stabbing. She had never had such a vision before. It was the only such vision she had in the book. It was not explained, nor was it really discussed with anyone who could explain it. I’m hoping that at some point Eydis runs into someone who can answer some of her questions. And mine. Or that the First Mother continues to communicate with her.
The best part of the whole book was when we first meet Eydis. She has come to the Pool of Tears to receive guidance from the First Mother. Eydis steps into the pool with a clear mind and open heart and is first transported to speak with the Head Hearer of the seclusionary that she wanted to join. Then she is witness to a conversation between the Raven King and his functionary. Next, she is drowning. But she isn’t. She is listening to a voice. A voice she hears in her head that is telling her the secrets of life and death and the whole universe. The voice of the First Mother. Suddenly the Guardians of the pool are grasping her and breathing into her because she really is drowning. But Eydis needs to share what she has been told by the voice of the First Mother with the Oracle because the First Mother told her about the end of the world. And Eeydis had to stop it. This takes two chapters to cover and it is the primo part of the book. The writing in these two chapters is fabulous and you feel everything along with Eydis.
The fact that this is Eydis’ story doesn’t mean that she is the only one we meet. We actually meet all three of the catalysts here. But we delve into her magic more and see more of her journey in this book. She is the one that gathers the other two and starts them all on their great task. And we see more through her eyes.
But who is this puppetmaster? Who is the one guiding them and what is it he is ultimately after? The treasury of stones Eydis carries from the defeated seclusionary. What is their significance? What will they really lead the sorcerer to?
And while this book has almost 300 pages in it, the rest of the books all have less than 200 pages each. I’m not a fan of short stories. I like big books. Really. I’d rather sit and read 400-500 pages of riveting fantasy than four separate short books that to me are more like novellas. When I look at books in a store, I look for covers and size. Then I read the synopsis. After that, I open the book and read some of the dialogue anywhere in the book to see if it’s intelligent. I need to get better about checking out those things when I buy e-books. My suggestion for this series is to sell it in a bundle. And I notice that Amazon has done just that.
December 4, 2017
I found this to be a good story, not a great story.
This was my first encounter with Ms Greenwood. I think i can safely say it wont be my last.
I found this tale to be good enough to move on to book two of the series.
the one thing i found lacking in a swords and sorcery tale was the minimal action.
I would have liked to see more swords and sorcery. Maybe book 2 will pick up the action.
The main characters are engaging with a good amount of mystery surrounding them.
All in all not a bad story and hopefully book two addresses my need for more action.
This was my first encounter with Ms Greenwood. I think i can safely say it wont be my last.
I found this tale to be good enough to move on to book two of the series.
the one thing i found lacking in a swords and sorcery tale was the minimal action.
I would have liked to see more swords and sorcery. Maybe book 2 will pick up the action.
The main characters are engaging with a good amount of mystery surrounding them.
All in all not a bad story and hopefully book two addresses my need for more action.
June 29, 2019
Excellent Fantasy Story!
I got this book as a free purchase. I was amazed. It's a decent intro to a book series. The author wrote it very well. The characters were good and introduced well. I gave this book 5 stars because of this. I Will definitely read the further books in the series. It was an amazing fantasy story involving swords and magic and the characters engulfing on a quest to save the world.
I got this book as a free purchase. I was amazed. It's a decent intro to a book series. The author wrote it very well. The characters were good and introduced well. I gave this book 5 stars because of this. I Will definitely read the further books in the series. It was an amazing fantasy story involving swords and magic and the characters engulfing on a quest to save the world.
June 12, 2017
This started out with me hating the book at the start but by the 3rd or 4th chapter, the story grabbed a hold of me, making it so I couldn't put it down. I believe this will also happen to you. Great story and characters will keep you reading it and then going and getting the next book. Great Reading Everyone!!!!!!
May 9, 2020
Before Eydis can join the seclusionary, she has to go on a pilgrimage. Her journey ends with her receiving messages from the First Mother - the world is in danger.
It is up to Eydis and others that she meets along the way to stop the evil Raven King from killing and destroying.
An entertaining mix of personal growth and battles. The fight is not finished.
It is up to Eydis and others that she meets along the way to stop the evil Raven King from killing and destroying.
An entertaining mix of personal growth and battles. The fight is not finished.
December 22, 2023
I think I'll pass on the other books
Too much like other tales of all-powerful evil wizard-gods with hoards of warriors who somehow get defeated by the powers of Good. Not a particularly different feel to this one. I'd kind of like to know how one of the characters progresses, a nice ordinary (mostly) boy, but it's not enough to bother investing in the rest of the series.
Too much like other tales of all-powerful evil wizard-gods with hoards of warriors who somehow get defeated by the powers of Good. Not a particularly different feel to this one. I'd kind of like to know how one of the characters progresses, a nice ordinary (mostly) boy, but it's not enough to bother investing in the rest of the series.
May 9, 2017
C Greenwood does it again
Awesome & delightful read though too short of a book. Then comes the series which sucks as you belong to Kindle unlimited access but only for the first book. This sucks when you are on a limited income.
Awesome & delightful read though too short of a book. Then comes the series which sucks as you belong to Kindle unlimited access but only for the first book. This sucks when you are on a limited income.
September 14, 2017
There is very little that is original here, very much in the classic fantasy vein of D&D-in-book-form, complete with Evil Overlord who is Evil to be Evil....
And I liked it for that very reason, it was comforting fantasy brain candy.
And I liked it for that very reason, it was comforting fantasy brain candy.
December 18, 2017
Excellent Read!😊
This is a well written, easy read! Wonderful if unlikely heroes. I am not much for book reviews but this is worth reading. I put this series in my top 10 list of favorite reads. Two thumbs way way up.
This is a well written, easy read! Wonderful if unlikely heroes. I am not much for book reviews but this is worth reading. I put this series in my top 10 list of favorite reads. Two thumbs way way up.
February 26, 2019
Although I have read and thoroughly enjoyed reading many of C. Greenwood's books, this one fails to capture my interest - - and I have tried a few times. Not sure why except it jumped around too much and was tedious to sort out.
April 9, 2019
Intricately wrought sweeping saga.
Caught me up in discovery of a new world. Earth magic, sorcerors and deities plotting to save the world. Evil trying to destroy the good mother and first father. Book 1 left me eager to purchase book 2!
Caught me up in discovery of a new world. Earth magic, sorcerors and deities plotting to save the world. Evil trying to destroy the good mother and first father. Book 1 left me eager to purchase book 2!
December 27, 2016
This series reminds me of the lord of the rings books, but not as good. Although, also not as long winded, thankfully. I finished the entire series even though it got a bit boring towards the end.
August 13, 2018
Rather genetic fantasy quest stuff, but competently written.
December 1, 2018
I did not continue this series. I was annoyed at the end and did not want to go further.
March 24, 2019
This book has fairly likable characters, good world building, and an interesting plot. While there are some misses, it's a good read.
April 11, 2019
Enjoyed it lots of action.
April 17, 2019
Another great read
I loved the pace of this book. It started off fast and never really slowed down. I can hardly wait to read the sequel.
I loved the pace of this book. It started off fast and never really slowed down. I can hardly wait to read the sequel.
May 2, 2019
Definitely an interesting read
While convoluted, it does have a plot and it thickens the further you get in. All is not as it seems
While convoluted, it does have a plot and it thickens the further you get in. All is not as it seems
May 31, 2019
Set against the rest of the books in my eternal fantasy bundle, this one is not bad. I'm not crazy about books that spend 95% of the time leading up to a second book though.
December 30, 2019
Mistress of Masks
Masks are just the begining of her powers. A book with a great plot, and a whole lot more. Great read.
Masks are just the begining of her powers. A book with a great plot, and a whole lot more. Great read.
January 10, 2022
Predictable plot. Shallow character development. Good enough to finish.
April 12, 2022
Silly !
This story was made for 8 year olds a simplistic take that is predictable from the ridiculous situations the main characters the author puts them in to ending .
This story was made for 8 year olds a simplistic take that is predictable from the ridiculous situations the main characters the author puts them in to ending .
March 2, 2023
Was having problems getting into it but it picked up. A enjoyable quest adventure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews