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Masks of Aygrima #3
Faces
The spellbinding third novel of The Masks of Aygrima is set in a land where people are forced to wear spell-imbued Masks that reveal any traitorous thoughts they have about their ruler, the Autarch.
Mara Holdfast is a young woman gifted with the ability to see and use all the colors of magic. Two other people share this talent: the Autarch, who draws upon the very life-force of his subjects to fuel his existence and retain his control over the kingdom; and the legendary Lady of Pain and Fire, the only person who has ever truly challenged the Autarch’s despotic reign.
After a devastating battle that takes a dreadful toll on both the rebel unMasked Army and the forces of Prince Chell, their ally from across the sea, Mara and her fellow survivors have no one to turn to for help but the Lady of Pain and Fire.
As the Lady leads them to her haven beyond the mountain borders of the kingdom, Mara feels that she has found the one person who truly understands her, a mentor who can teach her to control and use her power for the greater good. Together, they may be able to at last free Agryma from the Autarch’s rule.
Living within the Lady’s castle, cut off from her friends in the village far below, Mara immerses herself in her training. Still, she can’t entirely escape from hearing dark hints about the Lady, rumors that the Lady may, in her own way, be as ruthless as the Autarch himself.
Yet it is not until they begin their campaign against the Autarch that Mara discovers where the real danger lies. Driven by the Lady’s thirst for revenge, will Mara and all her friends fall victim in a duel to the death between two masters of magic?
Mara Holdfast is a young woman gifted with the ability to see and use all the colors of magic. Two other people share this talent: the Autarch, who draws upon the very life-force of his subjects to fuel his existence and retain his control over the kingdom; and the legendary Lady of Pain and Fire, the only person who has ever truly challenged the Autarch’s despotic reign.
After a devastating battle that takes a dreadful toll on both the rebel unMasked Army and the forces of Prince Chell, their ally from across the sea, Mara and her fellow survivors have no one to turn to for help but the Lady of Pain and Fire.
As the Lady leads them to her haven beyond the mountain borders of the kingdom, Mara feels that she has found the one person who truly understands her, a mentor who can teach her to control and use her power for the greater good. Together, they may be able to at last free Agryma from the Autarch’s rule.
Living within the Lady’s castle, cut off from her friends in the village far below, Mara immerses herself in her training. Still, she can’t entirely escape from hearing dark hints about the Lady, rumors that the Lady may, in her own way, be as ruthless as the Autarch himself.
Yet it is not until they begin their campaign against the Autarch that Mara discovers where the real danger lies. Driven by the Lady’s thirst for revenge, will Mara and all her friends fall victim in a duel to the death between two masters of magic?
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
336 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2015
8 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
E.C. Blake
6 books60 followersE.C. Blake was born in New Mexico, “Land of Enchantment,” and the state’s nickname seems to have rubbed off: he started writing fantastical stories in elementary school and wrote his first fantasy novel in high school. He’s been a newspaper reporter and editorial cartoonist, a magazine editor, a writing instructor and a professional actor, and has written (under another name) more than 30 works of nonfiction, ranging from biographies to science books to history books, but his first love has always been fantasy. He now lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, with his wife and a daughter whose favorite stories all involve “sword-fighting princesses.” Come to think of it, so do his.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 23, 2015
3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/07/23/b...
Faces is book three of the Masks of Aygrima, a series about a magically gifted young woman living in a land ruled by the all-powerful Autarch who controls his empire by requiring all its citizens to wear special, magic-infused masks. I talked about this in my review of the last book, but I think it bears mentioning again that this series reads like Young Adult, even though the covers, description or imprint may not strongly indicate that. I just hope this is helpful information for others to know what to expect.
This third and I think final book picks up right from the end of book two, Shadows. Mara Holdfast and the survivors of the now broken unMasked army have been saved the Lady of Pain and Fire, the legendary sorceress who is said to be the only person ever to have challenged the Autarch. And now she has been found.
The Lady takes Mara under her wing, and Mara immediately feels a kindred toward her, since both of them possess the rare gift of being able to see all colors of magic. The Lady offers to train her so that the two of them can work together to bring down the Autarch, but Mara spending all her time with the Lady also means being cut off from her friends Keltan, the boy she has started to grow close to, and Chell, the prince from across the seas. As time goes on, Mara starts to suspect that not all is right. The Lady is driven by revenge, and some her methods start to seem as bad as the Autarch’s. Mara herself also grows increasingly troubled by her own feelings of anger, which seem to get stronger and more uncontrollable each day.
In fact, Faces features Mara at her most angsty. Regrettably, even though her emotions are not entirely her fault, this makes her very exasperating for the first half of the novel. That said though, Mara is also a fascinating character because of all the changes she has gone through over the course of this series: first naïve and idealistic in Masks, then imprudent and foolish in Shadows, and now finally frustrated and angry in Faces. The evolution of her personality has been shaped by the events in her life since the day her mask shattered and she went on the run, and many are experiences that were harsh, brutal and traumatic. In this book, she is also facing hostility from all sides, and while it may be obvious to the reader who is friend and who is foe, to Mara it feels like everyone is out to use her or harm her.
In many ways though, Faces feels like a book with two story arcs. After all, there are two obstacles Mara has to overcome, first the Lady of Pain and Fire and then the Autarch. With so much that needs to happen in this concluding volume, the pacing feels a bit rushed in certain sections. Still, I was impressed with how the plot was able to link both conflicts, and make them play off each other so that I was never sure of how all the problems will resolve. The final results were unpredictable and more than once I was surprised at how things concluded.
That brings me to the ending – which I did not expect at all. It’s a bittersweet one, which are the toughest for me to handle; sometimes they’re great and sometimes I’m left wanting. I’m still unsure how to feel about the one in Faces, because at once I am satisfied but also feeling a little indignant for the fate of our protagonist. Even though I know in my heart that it makes sense, some part of me still wishes for something else.
However, I will say that it is a good lead-in for a sequel series. This chapter of Mara Holdfast’s life has ended, but will there be more adventures for her in the future? The ending of Faces strongly hints that her story is not over, that there those who still need her help which only her powers can provide. Who knows what new places Mara will visit next, or the new characters she will meet if a new series is on the horizon? I’m definitely open to finding out, if that happens.
Faces is book three of the Masks of Aygrima, a series about a magically gifted young woman living in a land ruled by the all-powerful Autarch who controls his empire by requiring all its citizens to wear special, magic-infused masks. I talked about this in my review of the last book, but I think it bears mentioning again that this series reads like Young Adult, even though the covers, description or imprint may not strongly indicate that. I just hope this is helpful information for others to know what to expect.
This third and I think final book picks up right from the end of book two, Shadows. Mara Holdfast and the survivors of the now broken unMasked army have been saved the Lady of Pain and Fire, the legendary sorceress who is said to be the only person ever to have challenged the Autarch. And now she has been found.
The Lady takes Mara under her wing, and Mara immediately feels a kindred toward her, since both of them possess the rare gift of being able to see all colors of magic. The Lady offers to train her so that the two of them can work together to bring down the Autarch, but Mara spending all her time with the Lady also means being cut off from her friends Keltan, the boy she has started to grow close to, and Chell, the prince from across the seas. As time goes on, Mara starts to suspect that not all is right. The Lady is driven by revenge, and some her methods start to seem as bad as the Autarch’s. Mara herself also grows increasingly troubled by her own feelings of anger, which seem to get stronger and more uncontrollable each day.
In fact, Faces features Mara at her most angsty. Regrettably, even though her emotions are not entirely her fault, this makes her very exasperating for the first half of the novel. That said though, Mara is also a fascinating character because of all the changes she has gone through over the course of this series: first naïve and idealistic in Masks, then imprudent and foolish in Shadows, and now finally frustrated and angry in Faces. The evolution of her personality has been shaped by the events in her life since the day her mask shattered and she went on the run, and many are experiences that were harsh, brutal and traumatic. In this book, she is also facing hostility from all sides, and while it may be obvious to the reader who is friend and who is foe, to Mara it feels like everyone is out to use her or harm her.
In many ways though, Faces feels like a book with two story arcs. After all, there are two obstacles Mara has to overcome, first the Lady of Pain and Fire and then the Autarch. With so much that needs to happen in this concluding volume, the pacing feels a bit rushed in certain sections. Still, I was impressed with how the plot was able to link both conflicts, and make them play off each other so that I was never sure of how all the problems will resolve. The final results were unpredictable and more than once I was surprised at how things concluded.
That brings me to the ending – which I did not expect at all. It’s a bittersweet one, which are the toughest for me to handle; sometimes they’re great and sometimes I’m left wanting. I’m still unsure how to feel about the one in Faces, because at once I am satisfied but also feeling a little indignant for the fate of our protagonist. Even though I know in my heart that it makes sense, some part of me still wishes for something else.
However, I will say that it is a good lead-in for a sequel series. This chapter of Mara Holdfast’s life has ended, but will there be more adventures for her in the future? The ending of Faces strongly hints that her story is not over, that there those who still need her help which only her powers can provide. Who knows what new places Mara will visit next, or the new characters she will meet if a new series is on the horizon? I’m definitely open to finding out, if that happens.
July 17, 2015
The wrapping up of a successful trilogy, such as the Masks of Aygrima by E.C. Blake can be met with a wide variety of feelings ranging anywhere from being happy, sad, possessing feelings of frustration, or embracing satisfaction when it is well-deserved, by knowing that in the end, everything worked out exactly the way it was supposed to. I can honestly say that although Mara Holdfast might be at her lowest point in this novel, she still has the uncanny ability to grow and expand exponentially while exploring the vast lands around her in very believable, yet often unpredictable ways.
The character growth for Mara was astounding, as well as with the Lady of Pain and Fire. It isn’t too hard to notice that there is more to this mysterious persona because she is almost too good to be true, and even though she professes to be the perfect solution for Aygrima, she could by chance, be anything but a savior… Mara has pushed away everyone who loves or cares about her and is shunned by those who blame her for the destruction of the Secret City, and the life of peace away from the tyranny of the Autarch they once knew.
E.C. Blake has done a magnificent job with this trilogy, which seems to have gone unnoticed by a significant number of readers of fantasy. I truly hope that this is a success and that Blake returns to Aygrima in the near future with more epic feats amongst tyrants, villains, heroes, and heroines. Join Mara on her final quest to vanquish any foes of Aygrima that get in her way, and discover whether or not she in turn has become a foe of Aygrima, as well.
The character growth for Mara was astounding, as well as with the Lady of Pain and Fire. It isn’t too hard to notice that there is more to this mysterious persona because she is almost too good to be true, and even though she professes to be the perfect solution for Aygrima, she could by chance, be anything but a savior… Mara has pushed away everyone who loves or cares about her and is shunned by those who blame her for the destruction of the Secret City, and the life of peace away from the tyranny of the Autarch they once knew.
E.C. Blake has done a magnificent job with this trilogy, which seems to have gone unnoticed by a significant number of readers of fantasy. I truly hope that this is a success and that Blake returns to Aygrima in the near future with more epic feats amongst tyrants, villains, heroes, and heroines. Join Mara on her final quest to vanquish any foes of Aygrima that get in her way, and discover whether or not she in turn has become a foe of Aygrima, as well.
August 27, 2015
Previously Published at TheQwillery.com
E.C. Blake's Faces, the third book in the Masks of Aygrima series, closes out a spectacular story arc. I believe this won't be the last time I read a story with Mara as the protagonist, which is a wonderful prospect.
Blake has done a marvelous job of creating a very sympathetic protagonist in Mara, a teenage girl discovering she has the power within her to overturn the villainous ruler of a small nation. The only
problem is her gift seems to do more harm than good to the people she cares about. In the third book she finally learns to control her power, but with the control comes a darker problem. The supporting characters are all fully fleshed.
My one and only complaint with this series is never resolved, as I never get to truly know or understand the villain. He remains a mystery and frankly a very minor role in the series. A second villain, that from the start of the series seemed minor at best, takes on a more prominent role in this book, which was nice. I would have preferred if the main antagonist was treated in the same way. It would have made the ending more powerful.
The world building, like the characters, is pretty much established with little to no new developments or details added to strengthen the world. I felt this could have been improved on as it would only add to strengthen future books. It is however understandable as the majority of the story was spent resolving issues and revealing secrets.
I felt satisfied with how the story was resolved. There are still minor things left unexplained, but in no way did it hinder the overall story. It gives the story a realistic feel, by leaving some mystery. I particularly enjoy how Blake set up a possible future for the series.
Blake's Faces is a wonderful story with some great characters and world-building. I was completely satisfied with how Faces ended and can honestly say I hope Mara returns. There are descriptive acts of violence, minor language and minor sexual situations, so I'd recommend it to older teens and adults. Anyone who started the series or have been waiting to see how it ends needs to finish it. You won't regret it. Fans of realistic heroines will love Mara.
E.C. Blake's Faces, the third book in the Masks of Aygrima series, closes out a spectacular story arc. I believe this won't be the last time I read a story with Mara as the protagonist, which is a wonderful prospect.
Blake has done a marvelous job of creating a very sympathetic protagonist in Mara, a teenage girl discovering she has the power within her to overturn the villainous ruler of a small nation. The only
problem is her gift seems to do more harm than good to the people she cares about. In the third book she finally learns to control her power, but with the control comes a darker problem. The supporting characters are all fully fleshed.
My one and only complaint with this series is never resolved, as I never get to truly know or understand the villain. He remains a mystery and frankly a very minor role in the series. A second villain, that from the start of the series seemed minor at best, takes on a more prominent role in this book, which was nice. I would have preferred if the main antagonist was treated in the same way. It would have made the ending more powerful.
The world building, like the characters, is pretty much established with little to no new developments or details added to strengthen the world. I felt this could have been improved on as it would only add to strengthen future books. It is however understandable as the majority of the story was spent resolving issues and revealing secrets.
I felt satisfied with how the story was resolved. There are still minor things left unexplained, but in no way did it hinder the overall story. It gives the story a realistic feel, by leaving some mystery. I particularly enjoy how Blake set up a possible future for the series.
Blake's Faces is a wonderful story with some great characters and world-building. I was completely satisfied with how Faces ended and can honestly say I hope Mara returns. There are descriptive acts of violence, minor language and minor sexual situations, so I'd recommend it to older teens and adults. Anyone who started the series or have been waiting to see how it ends needs to finish it. You won't regret it. Fans of realistic heroines will love Mara.
July 25, 2018
Old bitch exiles hero due to prejudice. Plot threads are left unanswered and forgotten because who cares. Teenage hero continues to be an oblivious idiot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2020
i tried liking this trilogy, but the story build was just too... wrong I guess. Mara could have been a great character but there are just a lot of unanswered questions and story loopholes so.. nope.
January 13, 2017
For more reviews, visit 100 Story Reviews.
With the last book in The Masks of Aygrima series, E.C. Blake had a lot of loose ends that still needed tying. But by the last page, Faces is well-concluded, bringing a satisfying ending to the numerous characters Blake developed so well over the three books.
Certain aspects of the book comes across as predictable — very much unlike the rest of the series, which surprises the reader at almost every turn. Yet the predictability rarely diminishes the impact. Blake wonderfully uses magic and the state of the book’s society to weave in issues of power, abuse, and loss. He isn’t afraid to show the darker sides of humanity. This series delves deeply into pain and self-discovery — especially with the intricate portrayal of Mara both internally and externally — making this incredibly fantastical world feel real. While the first half of Faces feels a bit slow, and there are times when the actions of an antagonist or the events of a mission unfold predictably, the journey itself is an enjoyable read. Blake does not disappoint in his conclusion to The Masks of Aygrima series.
Read the full review at 100 Story Reviews.
With the last book in The Masks of Aygrima series, E.C. Blake had a lot of loose ends that still needed tying. But by the last page, Faces is well-concluded, bringing a satisfying ending to the numerous characters Blake developed so well over the three books.
Certain aspects of the book comes across as predictable — very much unlike the rest of the series, which surprises the reader at almost every turn. Yet the predictability rarely diminishes the impact. Blake wonderfully uses magic and the state of the book’s society to weave in issues of power, abuse, and loss. He isn’t afraid to show the darker sides of humanity. This series delves deeply into pain and self-discovery — especially with the intricate portrayal of Mara both internally and externally — making this incredibly fantastical world feel real. While the first half of Faces feels a bit slow, and there are times when the actions of an antagonist or the events of a mission unfold predictably, the journey itself is an enjoyable read. Blake does not disappoint in his conclusion to The Masks of Aygrima series.
Read the full review at 100 Story Reviews.
June 3, 2017
Faces is the final book in the Masks of Aygrima trilogy, and it seemed like a fitting ending to the story of Mara Holdfast.
To me, Faces felt like it was in two arcs - facing off against the Lady of Pain and fire, and facing off against the Autarch, who had been the overall big bad throughout the entire series. Both arcs were interesting, as they both presented Mara with similar but also unique challenges for her to accomplish her ultimate goal, which was to free Aygrima from the masks.
The story line and writing throughout Faces was probably the strongest out of all three books, with it probably going Faces > Masks > Shadows, for me.
As far as the ending was concerned, it was bittersweet, but maybe very fitting for the journey that Mara had experienced. She grew on me, even if she had initially suffered a lot from being a typical young adult protagonist (she even got herself a loyal pet wolf this time around, which is one of the most basic of YA animal companions), but she definitely grew on me. Secretly, I'm proud of her. Don't tell anyone that.
The Masks of Aygrima series will never be the best of YA series, and it was never remarkable, but it's still good. I'm glad I got to read through the whole thing.
To me, Faces felt like it was in two arcs - facing off against the Lady of Pain and fire, and facing off against the Autarch, who had been the overall big bad throughout the entire series. Both arcs were interesting, as they both presented Mara with similar but also unique challenges for her to accomplish her ultimate goal, which was to free Aygrima from the masks.
The story line and writing throughout Faces was probably the strongest out of all three books, with it probably going Faces > Masks > Shadows, for me.
As far as the ending was concerned, it was bittersweet, but maybe very fitting for the journey that Mara had experienced. She grew on me, even if she had initially suffered a lot from being a typical young adult protagonist (she even got herself a loyal pet wolf this time around, which is one of the most basic of YA animal companions), but she definitely grew on me. Secretly, I'm proud of her. Don't tell anyone that.
The Masks of Aygrima series will never be the best of YA series, and it was never remarkable, but it's still good. I'm glad I got to read through the whole thing.
April 6, 2022
An easy and quick world building with a generic representation of Magic. No other races, no specializations or classifications. Just a simple "Magical" journey of a young girl finding herself in the midst of a civil war in a fictional land called Aygrima. With mentions of a stone used as an object of power, the main depiction of magic is mainly visual textures and bodily sensations. With shifting polarities of life, death, and pain, it leaves the reader wondering if the magic is to anyone's benefit or not. Gets the thinker space to consider that. With a couple good depictions of farm, suburban, and medievalish landscapes. Mara's journey goes on after many conflicting stretches between two, give or take parent figures (The Lady, and The King); left to her deep loneliness, she might find some hope carrying on with her journey after all the agony.
December 23, 2025
This one really fell flat in comparison to the other 2 :( I found myself getting annoyed every time I was reading it. I didn’t want to finish, but I pushed myself to. If you loved book 1 and 2, maybe don’t read this one.
November 7, 2022
I liked the ending much more than I thought I would. It is an ending full of hope after a lot of fear and destruction.
August 20, 2015
E. C. Blake concludes his trilogy about Mara, a sixteen-year-old who has the rare power to see all the colors of magic and to take magic from living creatures. Only two others share her powers; the Autarch who has been stealing magic from his people to keep himself from aging; and the Lady of Pain and Fire who was exiled from Aygrima. With the surviving troops of the army of the unmasked, takes refuge with the Lady and helps her cross the magical barrier to confront the Autarch. Corruption of power, magical power in this case. As Mara grows older will she use her power to make people slaves like the Autarch? Faces (hard from DAW) makes that choice something to care about. Mr. Blake has a short answer at the end, leaving room for a second trilogy Fun.Review printed by Philadelphia Weekly Press
February 22, 2016
Mara seems to be the master of making bad decisions, and she continues that tradition in the third book in the Masks of Aygrima series. Only now, she's more aware of herself and her fatal flaw, and while she does not entirely overcome it, she does finally grow into her magical abilities and own them. While I've never warmed up to Mara as much as I feel the story wants me to, the book does offer a satisfying conclusion to the series, and leaves the ending open for the reader to imagine what might happen later -- or for a fourth book, which I would most definitely read.
August 18, 2016
Mara Holdfast returns in book three of this YA-ish fantasy trilogy. I liked how Mara finally learned how to control her magical Gift and her new wolf, Whiteblaze. Since book one set up a despot--the Autarch--book three was all about taking him down and shattering the tyranny of the Masks. I liked the way the action still stayed very personally tied to Mara instead of large-scale battles.
Quibble: Mara was a bit willfully blind in the first 100 pages IMO
Quibble: Mara was a bit willfully blind in the first 100 pages IMO
November 29, 2022
First time with this author and series. I really enjoyed this, despite not having read the previous two books. The world building is solid and there's enough backstory/foundation that I wasn't lost in the least. The story line is unique and intriguing.
Excellent.
Excellent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2016
Definitely room for further adventures...
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews