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The Bone Mask Cycle #1
City of Masks
A bitter mercenary. A naïve mask-carver. A city in peril.
Sofia is a failure. The sentient magical mask with the power to compel, the Greatmask, refuses to choose her as its successor. Without it, the mask-carver will never succeed her father or have the power to protect her city. When palace conspiracies place a tyrant on the throne and lead to her father’s disappearance, her only choice is to hide.
Notch wants revenge. After escaping imprisonment for a crime he didn’t commit, the grizzled old mercenary is more determined than ever to kill the king of Anaskar. It might have been impossible, until he stumbles across Sofia with her Greatmask and decides to protect her—his best shot at vengeance.
Taking Anaskar back from the tyrant is no simple task. With an uncooperative Greatmask and royal assassins hunting them down, staying alive is half the battle. Can they survive long enough to save their city, or will Sofia’s shortcomings and Notch’s need for retribution doom them all?
City of Masks is the first thrilling fantasy novel in the Bone Mask Cycle. If you love underdogs, perilous quests, and epic adventures, slip into City of Masks!
Sofia is a failure. The sentient magical mask with the power to compel, the Greatmask, refuses to choose her as its successor. Without it, the mask-carver will never succeed her father or have the power to protect her city. When palace conspiracies place a tyrant on the throne and lead to her father’s disappearance, her only choice is to hide.
Notch wants revenge. After escaping imprisonment for a crime he didn’t commit, the grizzled old mercenary is more determined than ever to kill the king of Anaskar. It might have been impossible, until he stumbles across Sofia with her Greatmask and decides to protect her—his best shot at vengeance.
Taking Anaskar back from the tyrant is no simple task. With an uncooperative Greatmask and royal assassins hunting them down, staying alive is half the battle. Can they survive long enough to save their city, or will Sofia’s shortcomings and Notch’s need for retribution doom them all?
City of Masks is the first thrilling fantasy novel in the Bone Mask Cycle. If you love underdogs, perilous quests, and epic adventures, slip into City of Masks!
487 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
917 people are currently reading
4033 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Capes
76 books577 followersAshley is a poet, novelist and ex-teacher living in Australia.
He taught English, Media and Music Production, played in a metal band, worked in an art gallery and slaved away at music retail. Aside from reading and writing, Ashley loves volleyball and Studio Ghibli – and Magnum PI, easily one of the greatest television shows ever made.
See poetry and fiction at http://ashleycapes.com/
He taught English, Media and Music Production, played in a metal band, worked in an art gallery and slaved away at music retail. Aside from reading and writing, Ashley loves volleyball and Studio Ghibli – and Magnum PI, easily one of the greatest television shows ever made.
See poetry and fiction at http://ashleycapes.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
May 3, 2020
💀 DNF at 25%.
Bored bored bored, skim skim skim, yawn yawn yawn, bye bye bye.
January 23, 2015
3.5★s.
My thanks to the author for giving me a copy of his book in return for my honest review.
"Awe through mystery, power through surprise." This is a description of the Mascare, the Anaskari law enforcement group in CITY OF MASKS, but it also goes a long way toward describing the impact of the book itself. Ashley Capes's debut novel is impressive and exciting, thanks to its mystery, magic, originality, and surprising twists and turns. Lovers of fantasy novels would be well advised to immerse themselves in this story and see if it grabs their attention as it did mine. There are admittedly a few small speed bumps along the way, but the journey is most certainly worth taking.
The book sets a cracking pace from the very beginning. There is only just enough time for the reader to begin to feel the ground under their feet, a few hints of the world they have entered, before the action begins. There quickly follows a torrent of information about the world and social structure of this story, which requires some concentration from the reader. However, it is pleasing and certainly intriguing to be drip-fed this information rather than be forced to try to swallow more than we can chew all at once, which some authors might demand. Although there is a lot to take in, it unfolds naturally, and it is also apparent that a lot more is being held back for disclosure later, making the pacing of the exposition challenging but exciting and not excessively taxing for the reader.
CITY OF MASKS contains surprises at every turn, the excitement building especially in the second half, culminating in more than one very satisfying and surprising twist, which I certainly did not see coming. Overall, the book's pacing is really quite impressive, especially in the second half, with a skillful intercutting of scenes creating a lot of suspense.
The narrative voice is succinct, practical, straightforward, and easy to read. It is very unobtrusive, letting the characters and action speak for themselves. At times it does feel a little workmanlike and does stumble over some occasional awkward phrasing, but this is not a major issue. The book's real, and not insignificant, strengths lie in its world-building, characters, magic systems, and engrossing plot.
In terms of their attitudes and situations, I found the characters in CITY OF MASKS faintly reminiscent of some of Brandon Sanderson's creations, including his superb Stormlight Archive and his Mistborn series. Capes has managed to emulate rather than imitate Sanderson in this regard, which is a very significant achievement indeed. I found the character of Notch to be perhaps a little too good to be true, but I empathized well with Sofia and enjoyed the color provided by characters like Flir and Seto.
It is very evident within the first few pages of CITY OF MASKS that class difference is a major sore point and will likely be a major theme throughout the book. While there is often distrust and contempt between the upper and lower classes, the story subtly points out that each class has its own fair share of strengths, weaknesses, and challenges to face. And when push comes to shove, people really have more similarities than differences.
The book contains many different and pleasingly original kinds of magic and magical beings, too. It was pleasing to see that the magic systems, though not hugely complex, fit very organically into the world of CITY OF MASKS, never feeling contrived or out of place. I found Pathfinding especially beguiling. The use and importance of masks in this world immediately set me to pondering the allegorical implications - how many different masks we wear ourselves, and how impermeable they can be. It was a little odd to find that the most powerful Greatmasks only have a significant presence at the beginning and end of the book, but the other magic systems that fill the middle of the story are just as enjoyable to engage with as are the Greatmasks.
It was also gratifying to find that in a fantasy novel such as this, good things never come to the characters TOO easily. Some fantasy books use the convenience of magic or other fantastical phenomena to give their characters too-easy ways out of tight spots. I was pleased to find that this was not the case in CITY OF MASKS. These characters have to work hard for any success, and their achievements come only through significant struggle. As with true love, the course of this book never does run smooth!
Like its magic systems, the different cultures included in the story are impressively unique in the world of fantasy fiction, and they draw particular attention to the way in which the natural environment shapes a people's religious beliefs. The differences between the different cultures, like the differences between the Anaskari classes, provide much of the story's necessary tension, and highlight the fact that life is not comprised of black and white but of many shades of gray. Indeed, I often found it difficult to decide whose side I was on!
CITY OF MASKS has many strengths and only a few relatively insignificant weaknesses. Its world-building, characters, magic systems, themes, and suspenseful plot make it an enjoyable and engaging read. Its ending is also fulfilling, while simultaneously setting the scene for the forthcoming second book in the trilogy. I know that I, for one, won't be able to resist getting my hands on that second book to see how this intriguing story continues to develop.
This review is also available on my blog at feelthepowerofstory.wordpress.com.
My thanks to the author for giving me a copy of his book in return for my honest review.
"Awe through mystery, power through surprise." This is a description of the Mascare, the Anaskari law enforcement group in CITY OF MASKS, but it also goes a long way toward describing the impact of the book itself. Ashley Capes's debut novel is impressive and exciting, thanks to its mystery, magic, originality, and surprising twists and turns. Lovers of fantasy novels would be well advised to immerse themselves in this story and see if it grabs their attention as it did mine. There are admittedly a few small speed bumps along the way, but the journey is most certainly worth taking.
The book sets a cracking pace from the very beginning. There is only just enough time for the reader to begin to feel the ground under their feet, a few hints of the world they have entered, before the action begins. There quickly follows a torrent of information about the world and social structure of this story, which requires some concentration from the reader. However, it is pleasing and certainly intriguing to be drip-fed this information rather than be forced to try to swallow more than we can chew all at once, which some authors might demand. Although there is a lot to take in, it unfolds naturally, and it is also apparent that a lot more is being held back for disclosure later, making the pacing of the exposition challenging but exciting and not excessively taxing for the reader.
CITY OF MASKS contains surprises at every turn, the excitement building especially in the second half, culminating in more than one very satisfying and surprising twist, which I certainly did not see coming. Overall, the book's pacing is really quite impressive, especially in the second half, with a skillful intercutting of scenes creating a lot of suspense.
The narrative voice is succinct, practical, straightforward, and easy to read. It is very unobtrusive, letting the characters and action speak for themselves. At times it does feel a little workmanlike and does stumble over some occasional awkward phrasing, but this is not a major issue. The book's real, and not insignificant, strengths lie in its world-building, characters, magic systems, and engrossing plot.
In terms of their attitudes and situations, I found the characters in CITY OF MASKS faintly reminiscent of some of Brandon Sanderson's creations, including his superb Stormlight Archive and his Mistborn series. Capes has managed to emulate rather than imitate Sanderson in this regard, which is a very significant achievement indeed. I found the character of Notch to be perhaps a little too good to be true, but I empathized well with Sofia and enjoyed the color provided by characters like Flir and Seto.
It is very evident within the first few pages of CITY OF MASKS that class difference is a major sore point and will likely be a major theme throughout the book. While there is often distrust and contempt between the upper and lower classes, the story subtly points out that each class has its own fair share of strengths, weaknesses, and challenges to face. And when push comes to shove, people really have more similarities than differences.
The book contains many different and pleasingly original kinds of magic and magical beings, too. It was pleasing to see that the magic systems, though not hugely complex, fit very organically into the world of CITY OF MASKS, never feeling contrived or out of place. I found Pathfinding especially beguiling. The use and importance of masks in this world immediately set me to pondering the allegorical implications - how many different masks we wear ourselves, and how impermeable they can be. It was a little odd to find that the most powerful Greatmasks only have a significant presence at the beginning and end of the book, but the other magic systems that fill the middle of the story are just as enjoyable to engage with as are the Greatmasks.
It was also gratifying to find that in a fantasy novel such as this, good things never come to the characters TOO easily. Some fantasy books use the convenience of magic or other fantastical phenomena to give their characters too-easy ways out of tight spots. I was pleased to find that this was not the case in CITY OF MASKS. These characters have to work hard for any success, and their achievements come only through significant struggle. As with true love, the course of this book never does run smooth!
Like its magic systems, the different cultures included in the story are impressively unique in the world of fantasy fiction, and they draw particular attention to the way in which the natural environment shapes a people's religious beliefs. The differences between the different cultures, like the differences between the Anaskari classes, provide much of the story's necessary tension, and highlight the fact that life is not comprised of black and white but of many shades of gray. Indeed, I often found it difficult to decide whose side I was on!
CITY OF MASKS has many strengths and only a few relatively insignificant weaknesses. Its world-building, characters, magic systems, themes, and suspenseful plot make it an enjoyable and engaging read. Its ending is also fulfilling, while simultaneously setting the scene for the forthcoming second book in the trilogy. I know that I, for one, won't be able to resist getting my hands on that second book to see how this intriguing story continues to develop.
This review is also available on my blog at feelthepowerofstory.wordpress.com.
December 15, 2015
Really enjoyed this one, mind it kept putting to back of the pile as I was reading and finishing other books.
very well written very good character maturing in the book.
will be looking forwrd to reading more from this author.
very well written very good character maturing in the book.
will be looking forwrd to reading more from this author.
Read
October 27, 2025Every few months I notice that GR marks this for me as 'want to read' and I have to say that I have definitely read this one, more than a few times, now.
So, remember that surprise I had in mind for the 1 Year Anniversary? Well, here it is, a few months late but still enjoyable, I hope :)
Bone Mask Trilogy Map
Still working on that surprise - hopefully it can be revealed in December :)
Only a two months until the 1 year anniversary of City of Masks' release - stay tuned for a surprise to mark the occasion!
So, remember that surprise I had in mind for the 1 Year Anniversary? Well, here it is, a few months late but still enjoyable, I hope :)
Bone Mask Trilogy Map
Still working on that surprise - hopefully it can be revealed in December :)
Only a two months until the 1 year anniversary of City of Masks' release - stay tuned for a surprise to mark the occasion!
Want to read
December 12, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/12/2017)! 💝
December 17, 2014
City of Masks:
Ashley Capes
Note: The Author Visits received a copy of City of Masks for an honest review.
Review provided by Kristin Lundgren on behalf of The Author Visits
This truly epic work, the first of three, is a story complete unto itself, although allowing for further exploration of some threads. Capes, an Australian poet, has a great command of the English language, and his prose sings. This complex book unfolds like a Chinese puzzle box. There is so much depth to the people, places, and above all the masks, and Capes deftly allows them to slowly reveal their secrets. There is no "info dump," but a meticulous giving up its secrets, just as the story itself does.
The story is told from three POVs - first is Notch, a classic mercenary, a veteran and hero in the war against the Medah, and his companion Flir, a young woman of uncommon strength and on who's help Notch relies. We first meet Notch, waking up in prison, with the knowledge that he is accused of murdering a servant girl from one of the great houses. But he knows he is innocent, but has no recollection of the night, other than entering an inn, and drinking some ale. Just before he is about to be hanged for that murder - apparently trials aren't used, Flir enables him to escape and thus their journey begins. His part is much bigger than he would have ever thought. The way he is "charged" and the witness's "I think it's him, it could be shows the way the law is handled in Anaskar - quick, decisive, and not exactly fair.
The second POV is of Sofia of the House of Falco, who's mission is to protect the King. Sofia is a bone carver, carving the masks worn by the Mascare, the red-cloaked, neutral voiced secret police, who's identity is concealed by the use of the masks and training to speak in a neutral voice, so that they ll sound alike. After all, "Secrecy is Safety." The neutral voice also assures that the people see them as logical lawgivers, protecting "the city, the people, and it's history."
Sofia's father is the Protector of the King, and is the wearer of a Greatmask, Argeon, which has been in her family for centuries. It's power works with the wearer, to assist and guide in the rule of law, and protection of the royal family. Sofia's brother Tantos was the Successor, and protector of the Prince, Orson. Through a twist, Sofia is needed to become the successor, and eventually the protector. The ailing King approves, but the Prince, whom she is to protect, does not. He wants to marry her, to combine their families in a political marriage, but has no use for her as a protector, believing she is not up to the task. Her father, who wears a travel mask when out and about, wears an under-mask when at home, unless he is in private with his children, as secrecy is paramount. He has done something forbidden, something that will keep the Greatmask tied to their house, and of little use to others.
And the 3rd POV comes from the Pathfinder Ain, of the Medah, desert dwellers who once lived where the great city of Anaskar now is, but after a bloody war, they were cast out into the wilderness. They have one goal - to gain acces to the city, fulfill an ancient prophecy, and return the city back to them.
The city of Anaskar is a character unto itself. A city perched on the edge of the sea, surrounded on three sides by mountains, it is full of walls, secret passages, and tiers - levels of society. Like a walled castle city, the Lower Tier (equating with the outer sections) is where the ships come in, and the slums and factories reside. The Second Tier, to which you need a pass to gain entrance, is full of mansions, shops, gardens, while the First Tier, high on the hills, includes the vast, sprawling castle, with it's secrets, intrigues, and power. I wish there had been an illustration of the city, a map. When a place becomes a part of the story and takes on it's own "life," I like to at least see the general outlay, to better visualize it as I read about what happens in the various corners. I am partial to visual aids in books of complexity.
Minor characters could be beefed up, and given more backstory, although that may come in later volumes. Capes does a great job of doling out the information rather than just putting it all up front, but with so many names and titles for each character, their position and relationship to others, some "telling" would be useful to the reader. Like a cast of characters at the beginning, and the names and titles they go by, especially those integral to the plot twists. I got a little confused at each new name or title, trying to fit it in to the action on the page, and who I thought was there.
There is no great cliffhanger at the end, something that bothers many readers. The book could be read as a stand-alone, but there is so much more to the story, that a trilogy feels right. Capes is very descriptive - even the simple, basic things become alive - the smells, the tactile sensations. That ability shows that he is a sound writer, and harkens back to his poetry. However, it can be confusing at first when new characters or things are first encountered. For example - a man is referred to as a Shield, then later described as a palace guard. While a good way to disseminate information, it is also a tricky line to walk as you run the risk of confusing the reader too much.
The book twists and turns like the city itself, with plots, and underplots, backstabbing, and actual stabbing, and plenty of action to keep the reader hooked. This highly imaginative, fresh, truly epic/high fantasy is surprisingly good, and hopefully it will be a highly successful trilogy when finished. I look forward to the next two.
My rating: 5 "intriguing" stars
Enjoy our reviews at The Author Visits
Ashley Capes
Note: The Author Visits received a copy of City of Masks for an honest review.
Review provided by Kristin Lundgren on behalf of The Author Visits
This truly epic work, the first of three, is a story complete unto itself, although allowing for further exploration of some threads. Capes, an Australian poet, has a great command of the English language, and his prose sings. This complex book unfolds like a Chinese puzzle box. There is so much depth to the people, places, and above all the masks, and Capes deftly allows them to slowly reveal their secrets. There is no "info dump," but a meticulous giving up its secrets, just as the story itself does.
The story is told from three POVs - first is Notch, a classic mercenary, a veteran and hero in the war against the Medah, and his companion Flir, a young woman of uncommon strength and on who's help Notch relies. We first meet Notch, waking up in prison, with the knowledge that he is accused of murdering a servant girl from one of the great houses. But he knows he is innocent, but has no recollection of the night, other than entering an inn, and drinking some ale. Just before he is about to be hanged for that murder - apparently trials aren't used, Flir enables him to escape and thus their journey begins. His part is much bigger than he would have ever thought. The way he is "charged" and the witness's "I think it's him, it could be shows the way the law is handled in Anaskar - quick, decisive, and not exactly fair.
The second POV is of Sofia of the House of Falco, who's mission is to protect the King. Sofia is a bone carver, carving the masks worn by the Mascare, the red-cloaked, neutral voiced secret police, who's identity is concealed by the use of the masks and training to speak in a neutral voice, so that they ll sound alike. After all, "Secrecy is Safety." The neutral voice also assures that the people see them as logical lawgivers, protecting "the city, the people, and it's history."
Sofia's father is the Protector of the King, and is the wearer of a Greatmask, Argeon, which has been in her family for centuries. It's power works with the wearer, to assist and guide in the rule of law, and protection of the royal family. Sofia's brother Tantos was the Successor, and protector of the Prince, Orson. Through a twist, Sofia is needed to become the successor, and eventually the protector. The ailing King approves, but the Prince, whom she is to protect, does not. He wants to marry her, to combine their families in a political marriage, but has no use for her as a protector, believing she is not up to the task. Her father, who wears a travel mask when out and about, wears an under-mask when at home, unless he is in private with his children, as secrecy is paramount. He has done something forbidden, something that will keep the Greatmask tied to their house, and of little use to others.
And the 3rd POV comes from the Pathfinder Ain, of the Medah, desert dwellers who once lived where the great city of Anaskar now is, but after a bloody war, they were cast out into the wilderness. They have one goal - to gain acces to the city, fulfill an ancient prophecy, and return the city back to them.
The city of Anaskar is a character unto itself. A city perched on the edge of the sea, surrounded on three sides by mountains, it is full of walls, secret passages, and tiers - levels of society. Like a walled castle city, the Lower Tier (equating with the outer sections) is where the ships come in, and the slums and factories reside. The Second Tier, to which you need a pass to gain entrance, is full of mansions, shops, gardens, while the First Tier, high on the hills, includes the vast, sprawling castle, with it's secrets, intrigues, and power. I wish there had been an illustration of the city, a map. When a place becomes a part of the story and takes on it's own "life," I like to at least see the general outlay, to better visualize it as I read about what happens in the various corners. I am partial to visual aids in books of complexity.
Minor characters could be beefed up, and given more backstory, although that may come in later volumes. Capes does a great job of doling out the information rather than just putting it all up front, but with so many names and titles for each character, their position and relationship to others, some "telling" would be useful to the reader. Like a cast of characters at the beginning, and the names and titles they go by, especially those integral to the plot twists. I got a little confused at each new name or title, trying to fit it in to the action on the page, and who I thought was there.
There is no great cliffhanger at the end, something that bothers many readers. The book could be read as a stand-alone, but there is so much more to the story, that a trilogy feels right. Capes is very descriptive - even the simple, basic things become alive - the smells, the tactile sensations. That ability shows that he is a sound writer, and harkens back to his poetry. However, it can be confusing at first when new characters or things are first encountered. For example - a man is referred to as a Shield, then later described as a palace guard. While a good way to disseminate information, it is also a tricky line to walk as you run the risk of confusing the reader too much.
The book twists and turns like the city itself, with plots, and underplots, backstabbing, and actual stabbing, and plenty of action to keep the reader hooked. This highly imaginative, fresh, truly epic/high fantasy is surprisingly good, and hopefully it will be a highly successful trilogy when finished. I look forward to the next two.
My rating: 5 "intriguing" stars
Enjoy our reviews at The Author Visits
February 7, 2016
I started reading City of Masks as a prospect for the monthly giveaway at our company, Insanitek. I was supposed to stay objective, aloof, and really judge this book to see if my community would love it.
I think they will appreciate the fun, twisted thrill of it. City of Masks is the first book in a series, and this is a set up for what appears is going to be a very, very interesting adventure. However, unlike most books that are a ramp up to the good stuff, City of Masks is good stuff in and of itself.
Story summary
It starts with intrigue, betrayal, and the normal changes of life. Sophia Falco is a daughter of a very powerful house, and when her brother is proclaimed dead at sea, she is thrust into his roll as Protector to the heir to the throne.
Except the heir to the throne is an asshole that plots against her house as well as the current king. You know the story, the son is in a hurry to take over the throne, so he plots against things. How much is his role, other than being a general spoilt dandy, isn't clear. It seems there are a lot of people that want House Falco to fall and the new king to take the throne, so he has a lot of help.
But there are other things happening on than just that. An old enemy from the deserts are trying to retake their ancestral lands, enemies from the sea are coming for an invasion, and there is a very powerful enemy from within the city that is also causing havoc for his own whims and madness.
Sophia, a mercenary with a love of action over thought (Notch), a super-human strengthed female fighter (Flir), a powerful merchant (Seto), and a host of supporting characters have their paths laid together while things are sorted out. Sophia is on the run from the palace, Notch wants his name cleared from a murder he didn't commit, Flir is Notch's loyal friend, and Seto seems to be the one in charge of leading this mismatched group of people to solve the mysteries that are unravelling in the palace.
Characters
The primary characters are not exactly forgettable. They each have their own thoughts, emotions, motivation, and desired outcomes. While they are varied outcomes that reflect each character's upbringing and current situation, it does not seemed forced or contrived as story plot designs.
I have to admit, I was annoyed with the Damsel in Distress of Sophia Falco for a majority of the book. However, it ties into the ending quite well. Besides, you can't expect a pampered lady to be good at defending herself when all she's been brought up to do is carve masks for her entire training. She'd only been training as a fighter for a couple weeks or so before all the shit hit the fan and she had to run for her life.
Notch is by far my favourite for his "typical" mercenary attitude with a definite undercurrent of things tugging at him from his past. His actions and thoughts throughout are a combination of nobility and humility, anger and revenge. He's entirely human, and that's what makes him loveable.
Flir is an enigma. While her character is somewhat developed in that you get a sense of who she is, you don't actually know who she is. Yet, it flows together somewhat well. There are a few points where yo'd likely roll your eyes at the undeveloped nature, but towards the end you realise it's a designed mystery for the reader so that the story has interesting twists.
Seto... well, I'm not going to say much about Seto other than he's a leader of the group, wields quite a bit of influence in all manner of places, and is just as much as an enigma as Flir at first. Then there is a big twist that sort of leaves you thinking you should have seen that coming. Thankfully, Capes manages to stay away from most trite clichés so you are somewhat blind-sided by the character development.
Thoughts
The story was decently paced, and the characters stayed with me for a time after I put the book down. Always a good sign. I can't help but think there was a bit of work to do with the over all presentation of it. It was more than just my annoyance at the Damsel in Distress, the slight ex machinas that seemed to pop up throughout -- only to be tied into the twists that appear at the end. It seemed as if there were so many near misses of the heroes saving Sophia as she was carted around by the enemies that it was just too contrived for my tastes.
My favourite part, though, is that Capes does not even hint at the identity of the mad man behind the internal problems until it's time for the big reveal. It was a blow at first since there weren't any breadcrumbs to make the reader feel smug about the situation.
Will my community enjoy this book as much as I did? We'll find out. A copy of the e-book will be March's giveaway.
I think they will appreciate the fun, twisted thrill of it. City of Masks is the first book in a series, and this is a set up for what appears is going to be a very, very interesting adventure. However, unlike most books that are a ramp up to the good stuff, City of Masks is good stuff in and of itself.
Story summary
It starts with intrigue, betrayal, and the normal changes of life. Sophia Falco is a daughter of a very powerful house, and when her brother is proclaimed dead at sea, she is thrust into his roll as Protector to the heir to the throne.
Except the heir to the throne is an asshole that plots against her house as well as the current king. You know the story, the son is in a hurry to take over the throne, so he plots against things. How much is his role, other than being a general spoilt dandy, isn't clear. It seems there are a lot of people that want House Falco to fall and the new king to take the throne, so he has a lot of help.
But there are other things happening on than just that. An old enemy from the deserts are trying to retake their ancestral lands, enemies from the sea are coming for an invasion, and there is a very powerful enemy from within the city that is also causing havoc for his own whims and madness.
Sophia, a mercenary with a love of action over thought (Notch), a super-human strengthed female fighter (Flir), a powerful merchant (Seto), and a host of supporting characters have their paths laid together while things are sorted out. Sophia is on the run from the palace, Notch wants his name cleared from a murder he didn't commit, Flir is Notch's loyal friend, and Seto seems to be the one in charge of leading this mismatched group of people to solve the mysteries that are unravelling in the palace.
Characters
The primary characters are not exactly forgettable. They each have their own thoughts, emotions, motivation, and desired outcomes. While they are varied outcomes that reflect each character's upbringing and current situation, it does not seemed forced or contrived as story plot designs.
I have to admit, I was annoyed with the Damsel in Distress of Sophia Falco for a majority of the book. However, it ties into the ending quite well. Besides, you can't expect a pampered lady to be good at defending herself when all she's been brought up to do is carve masks for her entire training. She'd only been training as a fighter for a couple weeks or so before all the shit hit the fan and she had to run for her life.
Notch is by far my favourite for his "typical" mercenary attitude with a definite undercurrent of things tugging at him from his past. His actions and thoughts throughout are a combination of nobility and humility, anger and revenge. He's entirely human, and that's what makes him loveable.
Flir is an enigma. While her character is somewhat developed in that you get a sense of who she is, you don't actually know who she is. Yet, it flows together somewhat well. There are a few points where yo'd likely roll your eyes at the undeveloped nature, but towards the end you realise it's a designed mystery for the reader so that the story has interesting twists.
Seto... well, I'm not going to say much about Seto other than he's a leader of the group, wields quite a bit of influence in all manner of places, and is just as much as an enigma as Flir at first. Then there is a big twist that sort of leaves you thinking you should have seen that coming. Thankfully, Capes manages to stay away from most trite clichés so you are somewhat blind-sided by the character development.
Thoughts
The story was decently paced, and the characters stayed with me for a time after I put the book down. Always a good sign. I can't help but think there was a bit of work to do with the over all presentation of it. It was more than just my annoyance at the Damsel in Distress, the slight ex machinas that seemed to pop up throughout -- only to be tied into the twists that appear at the end. It seemed as if there were so many near misses of the heroes saving Sophia as she was carted around by the enemies that it was just too contrived for my tastes.
My favourite part, though, is that Capes does not even hint at the identity of the mad man behind the internal problems until it's time for the big reveal. It was a blow at first since there weren't any breadcrumbs to make the reader feel smug about the situation.
Will my community enjoy this book as much as I did? We'll find out. A copy of the e-book will be March's giveaway.
November 19, 2017
I reviewed this as one of the SPFBO (Self Published Fantasy Blog off) contest judges.
City of Masks is the first book in the Bone Masks trilogy by Ashley Capes.
Told from three different third-person POVs, everyone started separately with seemingly different backgrounds and stories. Notch, who’s trying to clear his name, after being accused of killing a girl, Sofia, who’s been tasked to be the first female Protector of the Monarchy in a hundred years and has to learn how to use the legendary sentient Greatmasks named Argeon, and, finally, Ain, who is on a quest of revenge against Anaskar, the city Sofia is trying to protect. The plot started and ended strongly, fast paced, lots of actions, and there’s always something going on within each page, plus the last sequences also turned out to be quite a culmination of every plot thread prepared since the beginning.
However, this is also where one of the main problems I had with the book existed. The middle sections of this book ended up being quite boring for me to go through because there isn’t enough character development that should make me care about them and their fate. Oh believe me these characters always ended up in trouble, especially Sofia, but like I said, I can’t feel the tensions that were supposed to be there because I just can't connect myself with the characters. This is especially true for the side characters, there are so many side characters appearing without a stop at the beginning, but aside from two or three characters, they all sounded the same because they don’t have the proper background and necessary personality given to them so they will have their own voices.
Notch’s and Sofia’s story began and ended strong, no doubt about it, but for Ain, I can’t help but feel his story can be cut down almost completely and it won’t matter. Throughout the entire book, Ain’s story felt completely disjointed from Notch and Sofia. Yes, they all do meet up and intertwined eventually but by that point, it was too late for Ain to fully implement his presence into the story of the other protagonists. It made me feel like I was reading two different books within one.
The world-building is quite praiseworthy. Filled with history and great description of the city of Anaskar, I never had any trouble imagining the settings and background of the world. Also, part of the reason why the beginning and ending of this book were really strong is because it truly revolves around Agreon, the sentient, bizarre Greatmask that could grant powers and knowledge to the user. Maybe Capes is saving it for future sequels, but I wish there were more of it because it’s definitely the strongest part of the book.
The prose is simple and easy to read but there are some phrases that sound a bit awkward that made me lose my immersion. One thing to note, there's only one typo I found throughout the entire book, which is something quite rare to find from my experience in reading Indie books.
Overall, as an installment, City of Masks is an okay book, it could be better, but as a trilogy, it’s a good start because although the main plot started and ended within one book, we can feel that there’s still a lot of mystery and intrigues that the author saved for the sequels.
You can find this and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy & Sci-Fi reviews at BookNest
City of Masks is the first book in the Bone Masks trilogy by Ashley Capes.
Told from three different third-person POVs, everyone started separately with seemingly different backgrounds and stories. Notch, who’s trying to clear his name, after being accused of killing a girl, Sofia, who’s been tasked to be the first female Protector of the Monarchy in a hundred years and has to learn how to use the legendary sentient Greatmasks named Argeon, and, finally, Ain, who is on a quest of revenge against Anaskar, the city Sofia is trying to protect. The plot started and ended strongly, fast paced, lots of actions, and there’s always something going on within each page, plus the last sequences also turned out to be quite a culmination of every plot thread prepared since the beginning.
However, this is also where one of the main problems I had with the book existed. The middle sections of this book ended up being quite boring for me to go through because there isn’t enough character development that should make me care about them and their fate. Oh believe me these characters always ended up in trouble, especially Sofia, but like I said, I can’t feel the tensions that were supposed to be there because I just can't connect myself with the characters. This is especially true for the side characters, there are so many side characters appearing without a stop at the beginning, but aside from two or three characters, they all sounded the same because they don’t have the proper background and necessary personality given to them so they will have their own voices.
Notch’s and Sofia’s story began and ended strong, no doubt about it, but for Ain, I can’t help but feel his story can be cut down almost completely and it won’t matter. Throughout the entire book, Ain’s story felt completely disjointed from Notch and Sofia. Yes, they all do meet up and intertwined eventually but by that point, it was too late for Ain to fully implement his presence into the story of the other protagonists. It made me feel like I was reading two different books within one.
The world-building is quite praiseworthy. Filled with history and great description of the city of Anaskar, I never had any trouble imagining the settings and background of the world. Also, part of the reason why the beginning and ending of this book were really strong is because it truly revolves around Agreon, the sentient, bizarre Greatmask that could grant powers and knowledge to the user. Maybe Capes is saving it for future sequels, but I wish there were more of it because it’s definitely the strongest part of the book.
The prose is simple and easy to read but there are some phrases that sound a bit awkward that made me lose my immersion. One thing to note, there's only one typo I found throughout the entire book, which is something quite rare to find from my experience in reading Indie books.
Overall, as an installment, City of Masks is an okay book, it could be better, but as a trilogy, it’s a good start because although the main plot started and ended within one book, we can feel that there’s still a lot of mystery and intrigues that the author saved for the sequels.
You can find this and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy & Sci-Fi reviews at BookNest
February 6, 2015
City of Masks by Ashley Capes is an exceptional book! I read the synopsis a while ago but I was put off by the cover so I didn't read it right away. I know what you're thinking: "Never judge a book by it's cover" and in this case you would be absolutely right. Luckily, a friend recommended that I read this book and as I trust her opinion I put aside my misgivings and jumped right in. I'm writing this review in the hopes that you don't make the same mistake that I did because the lack luster cover is the ONLY thing wrong with this book!
The writing was fantastic!
The characters were expertly developed and they kept me turning the pages. The only things better than the characters were the unique world that Capes created, and the intriguing plot that tied it all together. I LOVED how I was made to empathize with the two factions that were at odds with each other. I found myself rooting for whichever party I was currently reading about.
After I finished the novel I came to the conclusion that had Capes omitted every aspect of the novel that made it a fantasy, it would still have been a very good story. With that being said, I actually LOVED all of the elements of the novel that made it a fantasy. It was so refreshing to come across a fantasy novel with completely original and novel ideas.
I very much look forward to the next book in the series!
I would strongly recommend this book to fantasy and adventure lovers. I would also recommend this book to aspiring writers because City of Masks is what good fiction looks like.
Update: City of Masks has just gotten a fabulous makeover; the beautiful art is now more reflective of the brilliant writing found beneath its cover!
The writing was fantastic!
The characters were expertly developed and they kept me turning the pages. The only things better than the characters were the unique world that Capes created, and the intriguing plot that tied it all together. I LOVED how I was made to empathize with the two factions that were at odds with each other. I found myself rooting for whichever party I was currently reading about.
After I finished the novel I came to the conclusion that had Capes omitted every aspect of the novel that made it a fantasy, it would still have been a very good story. With that being said, I actually LOVED all of the elements of the novel that made it a fantasy. It was so refreshing to come across a fantasy novel with completely original and novel ideas.
I very much look forward to the next book in the series!
I would strongly recommend this book to fantasy and adventure lovers. I would also recommend this book to aspiring writers because City of Masks is what good fiction looks like.
Update: City of Masks has just gotten a fabulous makeover; the beautiful art is now more reflective of the brilliant writing found beneath its cover!
October 3, 2018
I have been a big fan of fantasy fiction since I was a kid, but, over the years, I've noticed a particular trend occurring in the genre that has made me leery to involve myself in new fantasy stories, particularly serial stories. I'm referring to writers who feel compelled to inject and painstakingly detail political elements in their stories.
Now, don't get me wrong, I have no problem with a certain degree of political intrigue between different kingdoms and/or peoples in fantasy fiction. That's fine and even expected as a means to propel conflict. But, just don't dwell on all manner of political minutiae and call it world-building, OK?
Personally, I get into fantasy fiction mainly for the adventure. Give me some interesting characters, throw them into perilous situations in wondrous, well-imagined lands, add a few cool monsters, and I am hooked!
CITY OF MASKS, the first volume in the Bone Mask Trilogy is MY kind of fantasy story, and I freaking loved it! Nope, I'm not gonna reveal much of the story, but I will say that the characters were engaging, the plot was original and fast-paced, and the world created by Ashley Capes really came to life for me. This first volume in the trilogy moves a bit slower than the next two volumes, but it serves quite well as an exciting introduction to the series.
I really dug this trilogy and Ashley Capes has won a new fan. ME!
Now, don't get me wrong, I have no problem with a certain degree of political intrigue between different kingdoms and/or peoples in fantasy fiction. That's fine and even expected as a means to propel conflict. But, just don't dwell on all manner of political minutiae and call it world-building, OK?
Personally, I get into fantasy fiction mainly for the adventure. Give me some interesting characters, throw them into perilous situations in wondrous, well-imagined lands, add a few cool monsters, and I am hooked!
CITY OF MASKS, the first volume in the Bone Mask Trilogy is MY kind of fantasy story, and I freaking loved it! Nope, I'm not gonna reveal much of the story, but I will say that the characters were engaging, the plot was original and fast-paced, and the world created by Ashley Capes really came to life for me. This first volume in the trilogy moves a bit slower than the next two volumes, but it serves quite well as an exciting introduction to the series.
I really dug this trilogy and Ashley Capes has won a new fan. ME!
February 16, 2016
This was a fun read full of subterfuge and twists. The characters were all presented well, even the antagonists, creating a story where the protagonist-antagonist rift is not necessarily one of good and evil, but simply of conflicting nations and their wants and desires. Our heroes are all flawed, each with a "dark past" that isn't just a collection of cliches, but believably haunting histories born of a normal life. Some of them have fantastic powers that aren't fully explained, but this just makes them all the more interesting.
The story is well-constructed, utilizing intersecting, separate storylines to make sure the reader is presented with a good picture of the overall plot, and yet it still leaves a lot of room for twists and surprises. Many of the twists were very well done, and I didn't see a few of them coming. All in all, the story is believable, the conclusion is believable, and nothing happened in this book that made me roll my eyes and think "Oh, of COURSE that happened." Even with the fantastical and magical elements, the story is completely plausible and works very well.
All in all, "City of Masks" is a rousing success and a great cloak-and-dagger adventure. The end resolves the major plotlines, but there are enough threads to lead perfectly into the second volume.
- I was given a free copy of City of Masks in exchange for an honest review.
The story is well-constructed, utilizing intersecting, separate storylines to make sure the reader is presented with a good picture of the overall plot, and yet it still leaves a lot of room for twists and surprises. Many of the twists were very well done, and I didn't see a few of them coming. All in all, the story is believable, the conclusion is believable, and nothing happened in this book that made me roll my eyes and think "Oh, of COURSE that happened." Even with the fantastical and magical elements, the story is completely plausible and works very well.
All in all, "City of Masks" is a rousing success and a great cloak-and-dagger adventure. The end resolves the major plotlines, but there are enough threads to lead perfectly into the second volume.
- I was given a free copy of City of Masks in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2015
Whenever I see the words "book one" or "first in a series" on the cover of a book, I'm always a little leery about whether or not it's going to end on a cliff-hanger. There's a difference between a trilogy that's essentially just one story divided into three parts, and a trilogy that's composed of three relatively self-contained tales.
As the first in THE BONE MASK TRILOGY by Australian poet Ashley Capes, City of Masks is enough of its own story to leave you satisfied, with just enough plot-threads left over for the next book to continue. So if you're like me and have an aversion to cliff-hanger endings, rest assured that you won't find one here.
In keeping with the trifold theme, there are three major POV characters at work in City of Masks, each with their own distinct storyline. Though two of these ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
As the first in THE BONE MASK TRILOGY by Australian poet Ashley Capes, City of Masks is enough of its own story to leave you satisfied, with just enough plot-threads left over for the next book to continue. So if you're like me and have an aversion to cliff-hanger endings, rest assured that you won't find one here.
In keeping with the trifold theme, there are three major POV characters at work in City of Masks, each with their own distinct storyline. Though two of these ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
June 27, 2021
Excellent surprise
Admittedly, I was not expecting much from this novel when I picked it up. I thought it would be good, don't get me wrong :-) But my expectations were just for an easy and simple!e story. Glad I was wrong on all accounts! This first of the Bone Mask cycle is absolutely fantastic and set up a world that has a lot to deliver. The plot seemed pretty straightforward at first but quickly got more intricate as the story moved forward. The characters are all very well.approached with the right complexity. Okay maybe Sofia could have had a little more strength or a richer approach to her personality/role.in this volume... I'll let that slide to discover more in volume 2. I enjoyed the fact that most characters have a strong past laying in the dark, in one form or another. You get hints throughout the story in ways that promise excellent development moving forward. And the story of Ain... I did not think this would would surprise me as much when we follow him to his interaction with the bell. Well done, well done...
Admittedly, I was not expecting much from this novel when I picked it up. I thought it would be good, don't get me wrong :-) But my expectations were just for an easy and simple!e story. Glad I was wrong on all accounts! This first of the Bone Mask cycle is absolutely fantastic and set up a world that has a lot to deliver. The plot seemed pretty straightforward at first but quickly got more intricate as the story moved forward. The characters are all very well.approached with the right complexity. Okay maybe Sofia could have had a little more strength or a richer approach to her personality/role.in this volume... I'll let that slide to discover more in volume 2. I enjoyed the fact that most characters have a strong past laying in the dark, in one form or another. You get hints throughout the story in ways that promise excellent development moving forward. And the story of Ain... I did not think this would would surprise me as much when we follow him to his interaction with the bell. Well done, well done...
June 25, 2019
This is the first book to stab me in the back, I almost threw my kindle across the room with how absolutely devastating the plot twist was. I personally felt the betrayal. This is an amazing author. This book has so many layers, the world building is richer than most fantasy novels I read, and there are many threads unsolved while still leaving a satisfying ending. I love Notch, Flir, Seto, Luik,and Sofia. I don't know if I could pick a favorite. Recommend for fantasy lovers!
July 10, 2014
I have reviewed Capes’ work previously, notably his free verse collection Stepping Over Seasons. I also admire his skill in the Japanese forms of Haibun and Haiku. And it’s not just me, one of his poems was selected by John Tranter for The Best Australian Poems 2012.
He’s a skilled poet.
City of Masks isn’t poetry though, it’s not even realist/literary fiction. It is, however, a damn good example of fantasy fiction and a great first novel.
So what does a debut novelist(or any novelist) want to do with a fantasy novel? Entertain us, give us a mix of something new as well as giving us something familiar and entice us back for more. On the first count Capes is good, City of Masks is a slick read, a mixture of political intrigue and thriller paced action. The main cast of characters is wrong footed from beginning to end and Capes drip feeds the clues to the mysteries at the right points to allow the reader to keep slightly ahead of the characters.
So structurally, for a first time novel, I think it beats some more established writers.
Warm light fell on a large writing desk and chairs arranged before crackling flames in the fireplace. Above the mantle, set in a specially crafted setting, rested her father’s Greatmask. Argeon’s ancient face of bone stared down at her and she shivered. Impossible not to think of the mask as watching her. He was not a typical mask by any stretch. A presence, a life, lurked within Argeon’s dark sockets.
On the choice of setting, Capes gives us a port city settled by the Anaskari, a vaguely Italian/Venetian culture whose secret police, the Mascare, wear carved bone masks and ominous red cloaks. It’s a place ripe for secrecy and political manoeuvring. Several noble families jostle around an increasingly infirm King for favour and power. So yes, robed secret police, politicking and vaguely Venetian settings have been done before but I was intrigued about the Greatmasks; bone masks of power passed down through families that are imprinted with the wearer’s thoughts and personalities.
I also like the addition of a dispossessed people, the Medah, a desert people who used to occupy the land the city was built upon. They were defeated in a war with the Anaskari and consigned to a nomadic lifestyle in the desert wastes. They yearn for revenge and to oust the invaders. It will be interesting where Capes takes this plot thread as they are presented not unsympathetically.
Capes balances this familiar setting, with cool additions with likeable and well rounded characters. There are two chief protagonists, with a secondary cast backing them up. Sofia, is a scion of House Falco who are charged with the protection of the crown. Sofia’s father will, however, be succeeded by her elder brother and she is resigned (not entirely enthusiastically) to carving Mascare masks and eventually producing more of the Falco line.
Until certain events place her at the centre of things.
Now as one of the main protagonists I did feel at times that she lacked agency, though to be fair she was faced with older and more skilled opponents at almost every turn, so my discomfort is perhaps more one of annoyance at a central figure being constantly frustrated in their efforts, than her being a damsel in distress. I hope that we will see her grow in competence as the tale progresses. I think Capes is walking fine line between pushing against suspension of disbelief and having a kick arse central character. He got me invested, I just wanted to see her get some runs on the board.
The second main protagonist is Notch, a veteran and hero of the war against the Medah. We are introduced to him first, imprisoned on account of a murder he can’t remember. He’s slightly worn, a little jaded and cares little for subtlety. He’s not stupid but he tends to want to act before thinking - a failing that probably curbs any advantage of experience he might have held over Sofia, as even he is outclassed by the villains of the tale. Major supporting roles are filled by Flir, the fair skinned Renovar woman who wields inhuman strength, Seto a mysterious crime lord who bank rolls much of their response and Luik the cook.
The Medah, represented by Ain the pathfinder, charged with finding a way through the desert wastes to the homeland of his people and to destroy the Anaskari invaders, pilots a secondary plot for much of this tale and while his actions do influence the action in the city, I feel he will become a much larger part of book two.
I hate cliff-hangers in trilogies and thankfully City of Masks doesn’t have one. The novel has a satisfactory resolution but leaves some plot threads open for us to pick up on in book two. Capes has sketched a compelling world, given us two likeable leading characters and kept me entertained for the entire and engaged the entire novel.
A very successful first outing, I am surprised that he wasn’t picked up by one of our large local publishing houses but has been instead snapped up by Snapping Turtle out of New Zealand who publish Jennifer Fallon's books.
This e-arc was provided by the author. Quotes may not reflect the final text of the novel.
He’s a skilled poet.
City of Masks isn’t poetry though, it’s not even realist/literary fiction. It is, however, a damn good example of fantasy fiction and a great first novel.
So what does a debut novelist(or any novelist) want to do with a fantasy novel? Entertain us, give us a mix of something new as well as giving us something familiar and entice us back for more. On the first count Capes is good, City of Masks is a slick read, a mixture of political intrigue and thriller paced action. The main cast of characters is wrong footed from beginning to end and Capes drip feeds the clues to the mysteries at the right points to allow the reader to keep slightly ahead of the characters.
So structurally, for a first time novel, I think it beats some more established writers.
Warm light fell on a large writing desk and chairs arranged before crackling flames in the fireplace. Above the mantle, set in a specially crafted setting, rested her father’s Greatmask. Argeon’s ancient face of bone stared down at her and she shivered. Impossible not to think of the mask as watching her. He was not a typical mask by any stretch. A presence, a life, lurked within Argeon’s dark sockets.
On the choice of setting, Capes gives us a port city settled by the Anaskari, a vaguely Italian/Venetian culture whose secret police, the Mascare, wear carved bone masks and ominous red cloaks. It’s a place ripe for secrecy and political manoeuvring. Several noble families jostle around an increasingly infirm King for favour and power. So yes, robed secret police, politicking and vaguely Venetian settings have been done before but I was intrigued about the Greatmasks; bone masks of power passed down through families that are imprinted with the wearer’s thoughts and personalities.
I also like the addition of a dispossessed people, the Medah, a desert people who used to occupy the land the city was built upon. They were defeated in a war with the Anaskari and consigned to a nomadic lifestyle in the desert wastes. They yearn for revenge and to oust the invaders. It will be interesting where Capes takes this plot thread as they are presented not unsympathetically.
Capes balances this familiar setting, with cool additions with likeable and well rounded characters. There are two chief protagonists, with a secondary cast backing them up. Sofia, is a scion of House Falco who are charged with the protection of the crown. Sofia’s father will, however, be succeeded by her elder brother and she is resigned (not entirely enthusiastically) to carving Mascare masks and eventually producing more of the Falco line.
Until certain events place her at the centre of things.
Now as one of the main protagonists I did feel at times that she lacked agency, though to be fair she was faced with older and more skilled opponents at almost every turn, so my discomfort is perhaps more one of annoyance at a central figure being constantly frustrated in their efforts, than her being a damsel in distress. I hope that we will see her grow in competence as the tale progresses. I think Capes is walking fine line between pushing against suspension of disbelief and having a kick arse central character. He got me invested, I just wanted to see her get some runs on the board.
The second main protagonist is Notch, a veteran and hero of the war against the Medah. We are introduced to him first, imprisoned on account of a murder he can’t remember. He’s slightly worn, a little jaded and cares little for subtlety. He’s not stupid but he tends to want to act before thinking - a failing that probably curbs any advantage of experience he might have held over Sofia, as even he is outclassed by the villains of the tale. Major supporting roles are filled by Flir, the fair skinned Renovar woman who wields inhuman strength, Seto a mysterious crime lord who bank rolls much of their response and Luik the cook.
The Medah, represented by Ain the pathfinder, charged with finding a way through the desert wastes to the homeland of his people and to destroy the Anaskari invaders, pilots a secondary plot for much of this tale and while his actions do influence the action in the city, I feel he will become a much larger part of book two.
I hate cliff-hangers in trilogies and thankfully City of Masks doesn’t have one. The novel has a satisfactory resolution but leaves some plot threads open for us to pick up on in book two. Capes has sketched a compelling world, given us two likeable leading characters and kept me entertained for the entire and engaged the entire novel.
A very successful first outing, I am surprised that he wasn’t picked up by one of our large local publishing houses but has been instead snapped up by Snapping Turtle out of New Zealand who publish Jennifer Fallon's books.
This e-arc was provided by the author. Quotes may not reflect the final text of the novel.
February 2, 2015
"City of Masks" is a thrilling fantasy that begins when Notch, falsely accused of murdering the servant of a noble House escapes Anaskar prison. With the help of his friends he's drawn into an adventure that not only has him protecting Sophia Falco against a conspiracy that threatens the young female Protector and her noble House but is also involved in a race against time to save the city from the internal strife that endangers the Throne.
As Notch and his companions struggle against a deadly plot and murderous foes, Ain, a young Mekar Pathfinder, the warrior Schan and their Engineer brave the harshness of the desert landscape in a hunt to find the Sea Shine and the key to driving out the Anaskars from their conquered city. Driven by vengeance their quest will bring a confrontation with Sophia and Notch whose duty is to protect the kingdom.
Reminiscent of the creative imagination and world-building fantasy's of Jennifer Fallon and Terry Brooks, Ashley Capes sets the stage for a gripping thrill ride in the city of Anaskar, captured after the defeat of the Mekar during the Glass War. Wealth and power determines hierarchy in this multi-tiered city webbed by underground tunnels and dark alleys. Each of the ruling Houses of Anaskar once owned a powerful sentient mask carved from bone but only two are known to still exist - Argeon and Osani. House Falco possesses Argeon but with the death of her brother Tanos and allegations of treason against her father, Sophia is the successor to the title of Protector and will inherit the mask, its conscience linked only to one with Falco blood. When an obsession to control the masks generates political intrigue that rocks the kingdom, centuries of loyalty is undermined and the sphere of authority begins to crack. With vivid imagery the author draws us into a world filled with conspiracies , secret police and a dispossessed people all who clamor for power, control and vengeance
The threads of this fascinating plot not only follow Notch's rescue from a death sentence to work for Seto the enigmatic Water Rat,to recover the mask, protect the Falco successor and uncover the motive for the attacks on Anaskar, as well as Sophia's struggle to expose a plot to overthrow the King and Ain's quest to find the Sea Shrine and destroy his people's enemy. Fast-paced and action-packed the plot vibrates with tension and suspense as Ashley Capes merges the strands into an explosive and shocking climax that begs for a sequel. The atmosphere of this well-developed story is enveloped in fear, violence and death only to be diluted by daring actions and brave hearts who never give up.
Among a score of memorable and complex characters that add power, drama and excitement to this intricately woven fantasy are Notch the tough but honest mercenary who hides a heroic past; Sophia the tenacious, brave and somewhat naive mask carver; Seto the Water Rat , a smart, arrogant and resourceful planner who hides a powerful secret; and Ain the skilled, capable and clever Pathfinder. The Mascare with their bone masks and crimson robes that symbolize their office enhance the plot with their mystery, secrecy and dark foreboding while personalities like Vinezi and Lupo with their self-importance, arrogance and lack of moral integrity add a chilling threat and danger.
I loved the glimmer of magic, mystery and intrigue that embodies a fantasy with multiple twists and turns that is captivating from the first to last page. The "City of Masks" is a highly intoxicating adventure that I highly recommend, and I can't wait to read the next chapter in the adventure.
As Notch and his companions struggle against a deadly plot and murderous foes, Ain, a young Mekar Pathfinder, the warrior Schan and their Engineer brave the harshness of the desert landscape in a hunt to find the Sea Shine and the key to driving out the Anaskars from their conquered city. Driven by vengeance their quest will bring a confrontation with Sophia and Notch whose duty is to protect the kingdom.
Reminiscent of the creative imagination and world-building fantasy's of Jennifer Fallon and Terry Brooks, Ashley Capes sets the stage for a gripping thrill ride in the city of Anaskar, captured after the defeat of the Mekar during the Glass War. Wealth and power determines hierarchy in this multi-tiered city webbed by underground tunnels and dark alleys. Each of the ruling Houses of Anaskar once owned a powerful sentient mask carved from bone but only two are known to still exist - Argeon and Osani. House Falco possesses Argeon but with the death of her brother Tanos and allegations of treason against her father, Sophia is the successor to the title of Protector and will inherit the mask, its conscience linked only to one with Falco blood. When an obsession to control the masks generates political intrigue that rocks the kingdom, centuries of loyalty is undermined and the sphere of authority begins to crack. With vivid imagery the author draws us into a world filled with conspiracies , secret police and a dispossessed people all who clamor for power, control and vengeance
The threads of this fascinating plot not only follow Notch's rescue from a death sentence to work for Seto the enigmatic Water Rat,to recover the mask, protect the Falco successor and uncover the motive for the attacks on Anaskar, as well as Sophia's struggle to expose a plot to overthrow the King and Ain's quest to find the Sea Shrine and destroy his people's enemy. Fast-paced and action-packed the plot vibrates with tension and suspense as Ashley Capes merges the strands into an explosive and shocking climax that begs for a sequel. The atmosphere of this well-developed story is enveloped in fear, violence and death only to be diluted by daring actions and brave hearts who never give up.
Among a score of memorable and complex characters that add power, drama and excitement to this intricately woven fantasy are Notch the tough but honest mercenary who hides a heroic past; Sophia the tenacious, brave and somewhat naive mask carver; Seto the Water Rat , a smart, arrogant and resourceful planner who hides a powerful secret; and Ain the skilled, capable and clever Pathfinder. The Mascare with their bone masks and crimson robes that symbolize their office enhance the plot with their mystery, secrecy and dark foreboding while personalities like Vinezi and Lupo with their self-importance, arrogance and lack of moral integrity add a chilling threat and danger.
I loved the glimmer of magic, mystery and intrigue that embodies a fantasy with multiple twists and turns that is captivating from the first to last page. The "City of Masks" is a highly intoxicating adventure that I highly recommend, and I can't wait to read the next chapter in the adventure.
December 26, 2014
City of Masks by Ashley Capes is the first in an epic fantasy series and the author's debut novel. Before I get to the review part, I'd like to draw your attention to the cover. I did not notice the city in the eye and nose holes until just now. How cool does that look? It's also more pertinent to the story since the skull (/mask) by itself struck me as horror or dark fantasy, which is not what the book is, in my opinion.
I tend to approach fantasy books by new authors (and new to me authors) with some degree of trepidation. I'm very particular about what kind of fantasy I enjoy and there are a lot of ways in which a fantasy book can disappoint me. Luckily, I need not have worried when it came to City of Masks. It's an entertaining read which kept me interested and turning pages. I would go so far as to say that it's the best début fantasy I read this year.
There are two and a half storylines running through City of Masks. There are the events in the titular city including a youngish noblewoman on the run after a coup and a group of (ex-) mercenaries (sort of). Sofia, the noblewoman, was a strong character who kept fighting back as much as she could and didn't make any stupid mistakes (a pet peeve of mine). Notch and Flir, two of the mercenary types were enjoyable to read about. Flir particularly struck me as a good character. I suspect we're going to learn more about her in future books, but for now an almost inhumanly strong female character was sufficiently interesting to really add something to the group dynamic of the mercenaries. For example, she was always the one to do the heavy lifting etc. There are other elements of city life which are a bit unusual, like monsters appearing in the sewers, and which are only partially addressed in this first book. Again, I think this is something which will be explored further in sequels which I look forward to reading.
The other, almost entirely separate, storyline is about the desert people and, specifically, Ain a "Pathfinder" who can sense paths where other people have been before (a useful skill in the desert with shifting sands). He is sent on a mission to find a sacred temple outside of the desert. His story is quite separate from the other characters' until the very end when they converge amusingly and a bit unusually. Quite where his story is going in future books I'm not sure, but I look forward to finding out.
City of Masks was an entertaining read that I would recommend to all fantasy readers. Unfortunately it's only available in paper and Kindle formats from Amazon at the moment (the author sent me a special version for review), but if that doesn't present a problem to you, I would definitely recommend giving it a go. Hopefully this will change soon and, in any case, I look forward to reading the second book when it becomes available.
4 / 5 stars
Read more reviews on my blog.
I tend to approach fantasy books by new authors (and new to me authors) with some degree of trepidation. I'm very particular about what kind of fantasy I enjoy and there are a lot of ways in which a fantasy book can disappoint me. Luckily, I need not have worried when it came to City of Masks. It's an entertaining read which kept me interested and turning pages. I would go so far as to say that it's the best début fantasy I read this year.
There are two and a half storylines running through City of Masks. There are the events in the titular city including a youngish noblewoman on the run after a coup and a group of (ex-) mercenaries (sort of). Sofia, the noblewoman, was a strong character who kept fighting back as much as she could and didn't make any stupid mistakes (a pet peeve of mine). Notch and Flir, two of the mercenary types were enjoyable to read about. Flir particularly struck me as a good character. I suspect we're going to learn more about her in future books, but for now an almost inhumanly strong female character was sufficiently interesting to really add something to the group dynamic of the mercenaries. For example, she was always the one to do the heavy lifting etc. There are other elements of city life which are a bit unusual, like monsters appearing in the sewers, and which are only partially addressed in this first book. Again, I think this is something which will be explored further in sequels which I look forward to reading.
The other, almost entirely separate, storyline is about the desert people and, specifically, Ain a "Pathfinder" who can sense paths where other people have been before (a useful skill in the desert with shifting sands). He is sent on a mission to find a sacred temple outside of the desert. His story is quite separate from the other characters' until the very end when they converge amusingly and a bit unusually. Quite where his story is going in future books I'm not sure, but I look forward to finding out.
City of Masks was an entertaining read that I would recommend to all fantasy readers. Unfortunately it's only available in paper and Kindle formats from Amazon at the moment (the author sent me a special version for review), but if that doesn't present a problem to you, I would definitely recommend giving it a go. Hopefully this will change soon and, in any case, I look forward to reading the second book when it becomes available.
4 / 5 stars
Read more reviews on my blog.
January 23, 2016
Sundry heroic types defend the city from invading desert tribes, foreign terrorists, sea monsters, and fiendish political plots in this epic fantasy.
The story gets off to an engaging start with a mercenary, Notch, in jail awaiting execution for a murder he didn’t commit. Of course, he promptly escapes. While he’s doing that, we bounce to a new character: Sofia, a young noble who’s about to be embroiled in politics of the life-and-death sort.
Shuttling between three different point-of-view characters whose plot threads don’t intersect until later gives a rather disjointed feel to the start, but all the characters are good and their individual stories interesting.
The plot has a lot going on (possibly a bit too much) which combined with brisk pacing, ensures it’s certainly never dull. I would have liked a bit more time spent on fleshing out the setting. For example, it’s a major plot point that some people wear masks to keep their identity secret, but exactly why this necessary is never really explained.
The writing is very readable throughout with few editing errors.
This is the first book of a projected trilogy. It works pretty well as a standalone story, though there are a lot of loose ends left for the follow-up.
The story gets off to an engaging start with a mercenary, Notch, in jail awaiting execution for a murder he didn’t commit. Of course, he promptly escapes. While he’s doing that, we bounce to a new character: Sofia, a young noble who’s about to be embroiled in politics of the life-and-death sort.
Shuttling between three different point-of-view characters whose plot threads don’t intersect until later gives a rather disjointed feel to the start, but all the characters are good and their individual stories interesting.
The plot has a lot going on (possibly a bit too much) which combined with brisk pacing, ensures it’s certainly never dull. I would have liked a bit more time spent on fleshing out the setting. For example, it’s a major plot point that some people wear masks to keep their identity secret, but exactly why this necessary is never really explained.
The writing is very readable throughout with few editing errors.
This is the first book of a projected trilogy. It works pretty well as a standalone story, though there are a lot of loose ends left for the follow-up.
December 2, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's an endlessly enthralling romp through a world of mystery and adventure, with a stress (for me) on the mystery. What drew me in most were the strange seeds planted early in the story...I wanted to know of these enigmatic, sentient masks...wanted to know about the weird bones and runes in the desert...wanted to know about the young, dead girl found by our hero's side, and many other things. The world building is a real highlight for me in this book.
The Mascare masks, to me, were probably the most interesting aspect of the book. I also felt connected to many of the characters, who were fleshed out very realistically and with human depth.
In the interest of not ruining the mysteries for later readers, I'll leave it at that and avoid spoilers.
This is one of the most enjoyable fantasy reads I've come across in a while.
The Mascare masks, to me, were probably the most interesting aspect of the book. I also felt connected to many of the characters, who were fleshed out very realistically and with human depth.
In the interest of not ruining the mysteries for later readers, I'll leave it at that and avoid spoilers.
This is one of the most enjoyable fantasy reads I've come across in a while.
January 30, 2016
Any time I get a book of this length, I take a deep breath. I am expecting to spend almost a week reading it so I mentally prepare myself to potentially be bored. However.....that was not the case in this book. Not only did I finish it in record time for a book of this length, I NEVER got bored! Ashley keeps the reader intrigued by giving us characters we want to follow and action to keep us interested. I really like Sophia, that's my kind of gal but to say she was the only character I enjoyed I would be lying, I really enjoyed most of the characters...even the bad guys. A long read but worth it. If you love fantasy mixed with action/adventure you will love this book.
February 20, 2016
I really enjoyed this novel. It gripped me from the start. Lots of characters, complicated subplots, an unfamiliar world and yet the author juggles everything with ease so that the reader can relax and enjoy the ride through this engaging and engrossing landscape. Some really unexpected twists and turns added to the experience, as did the wide range of 'real' characters that you could seriously get behind.
I have questions ... Luckily Book 2 is already published.
A few editing niggles, but the story was too good for them to make this anything but 5 stars.
I have questions ... Luckily Book 2 is already published.
A few editing niggles, but the story was too good for them to make this anything but 5 stars.
June 30, 2015
This is such a creative story. It was slow for me in the beginning. But it was well worth it. The story definitely grabs you and holds on. He tells the story in such a way that I could here how I imagined the deep voices would sound. Truly amazing writing. When is book 2 coming out? I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. (I legally had to put that last sentence...I totally would've given a review had I purchased the book)
August 26, 2016
I am not a fan of books with multiple points of view; City of Masks may have finally showed me why. Multiple points of view mean more characters to become attached to, leading to more suffering when bad things happen. City of Masks is an impressive, enthralling work of fantasy. I read the sample and was hooked. The pace is frantic with betrayal lurking around every corner. The ultimate betrayal came as a total, shocking surprise. I highly recommend City of Masks.
May 31, 2014
I can't recommend this book enough. Ashley Capes is now one of my favourite writers. Great characters, who get under your skin and make you cheer them on. Great writing that has you right there in the middle of everything. A fantastic read. I can't wait for the sequel.
November 14, 2016
While I admit that I had some difficulty with the back and forth of characters without any explanation once I got about 3/4 of the way in I was yep this is good. I am glad that I persevered and even better I already have book 2!
November 15, 2016
Great story. I really enjoyed this book. The plot moved along well, the characters were well developed and the world building was awesome (but sometimes complicated and confusing). I can't wait to start the next book in the series.
April 4, 2017
I'm overwhelmed, still shivering, so many clever and frightening twists, exciting, I'm satisfied with the conclusions. That was really very good!
October 11, 2014
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
A thoroughly enjoyable book, the kind that grabs your attention from page one and never lets go: the author has a great sense of pacing and rhythm, and his cunning switches in point of view between the main three characters, effected in moments of maximum tension, have the added benefit of keeping the readers going on at a fast clip while they wonder how these intermediate cliffhangers are going to be resolved.
The world is a fascinating one: while it possesses many of the "classical" characteristics of a fantasy background, it also sports several interesting details that are purposely not completely explained, leaving the readers wondering about the past events that shaped this world. To me, this is a positive feature: I don't like to be "spoon fed" with a lot of footnotes and, still more important, those hints about the past are quite fascinating because of their indeterminate nature, and the chance for speculation that they offer. It's possible that some of those mysteries will be explained in the following books, but for now it's been fun to wonder about them...
The city of Anaskar, the principal location of the book, is in itself a player in the story: a multi-tiered seafront city whose structure is arranged by social standing. The city is rife with political intrigue and shady dealings, and its twisting alleys and cobbled streets - described in a vivid manner - are the perfect background for the novel.
As I said, there are three main points of view: the first we encounter is mercenary Notch, a man with a troubled past that we discover bit by bit in the course of the book. In the very first chapter he's in a cell waiting to be executed for a heinous murder he did not commit: it's clear from the start that this is a person who has lost a great deal, and yet manages to find some cause to carry him forward, to overcome the sadness and rage of loss in favor of something higher. His character is highlighted mostly by the interaction with his comrade Flir, a small, unprepossessing woman gifted with extraordinary strength and a wry sense of humor: the exchanges between the two, the glimpses about their shared past, are among my favorite sections of the story.
Then there is Sofia Falco: a young woman thrown by circumstances into an unexpected role, one she has no preparation for, one that will require her to go against preconceived social notions and the intricacies of court politics. Through Sofia we learn about one of those interesting details I mentioned above: the rule of the land is partly based on the interaction with the titular masks, that are carved from bone and worn by specially trained people who are able to come into contact with the mask's own... spirit, for want of a better word. The death of her older brother forces Sofia to take on the role of Protector and interact with the old mask Argeon: from what I could gather it's a sort of symbiotic relationship that allows the Protector to tap knowledge from the past and thus offer solid advice.
And last is Pathfinder Ain: he belongs to the Medah, desert dwellers that once inhabited Anaskar and were driven away to live in the wilderness after a bloody war. The role of Pathfinders is to find access to the city and fulfill the ancient prophecy of vanquishing the old foes and regaining what was lost: Ain's journey requires him to rely on old scrolls that seem based more on legend than fact, and on his skills as Pathfinder - a very fascinating notion about being able to feel the pathways of previous travelers on the very ground they trod on. The Medah culture is an intriguing one, and I found myself quite drawn by its descriptions: hopefully more will be explained about them in the following books, especially in consideration of some tantalizing detail that seems to hint (unless I read it the wrong way...) to a more technologically advanced past.
I'd like to spend a few more words on Sofia Falco: when I was contacted by the author about reading and reviewing his book, he asked about the "warning" on YA themes and characters contained in my submission guidelines, since Sofia is indeed a teenager and he was concerned that this might color my opinion. Let me say up front that there was no reason for concern: when I admit I don't enjoy YA-themed stories, I mean that I prefer when this kind of character is explored in an adult way. For example, Harry Potter is a young boy whose life story is handled in an adult way; Paul Atreides from "Dune" is a teenager painted in an adult way. In other words, these characters act and are described without recurring to forced angst and constant whiny complaint about the unfairness of it all, as so many of them unfortunately are in recent YA literature.
Sofia Falco avoids this danger completely: she is young, yes, and inexperienced; when she is pushed into a role she's not prepared for, both practically and mentally, her world falls out of kilter, and she struggles for the greater part of the book with situations that are too big for her, often forcing her to be a pawn rather than a player in the unfolding events. She's no spunky heroine who manages to overcome huge obstacles overnight, on the contrary she learns painfully how to adapt and to deal with frustration and powerlessness: only through struggle and terrible loss does she come into her own, gaining the maturity (and hardness) needed to fulfill the role she must undertake. This kind of journey is not just totally believable, it also turns her into a fully-rounded character I can empathize with and root for.
In short, a well-crafted first novel and a great start to what looks like a promising series. Highly recommended.
http://spaceandsorcery.wordpress.com/...
A thoroughly enjoyable book, the kind that grabs your attention from page one and never lets go: the author has a great sense of pacing and rhythm, and his cunning switches in point of view between the main three characters, effected in moments of maximum tension, have the added benefit of keeping the readers going on at a fast clip while they wonder how these intermediate cliffhangers are going to be resolved.
The world is a fascinating one: while it possesses many of the "classical" characteristics of a fantasy background, it also sports several interesting details that are purposely not completely explained, leaving the readers wondering about the past events that shaped this world. To me, this is a positive feature: I don't like to be "spoon fed" with a lot of footnotes and, still more important, those hints about the past are quite fascinating because of their indeterminate nature, and the chance for speculation that they offer. It's possible that some of those mysteries will be explained in the following books, but for now it's been fun to wonder about them...
The city of Anaskar, the principal location of the book, is in itself a player in the story: a multi-tiered seafront city whose structure is arranged by social standing. The city is rife with political intrigue and shady dealings, and its twisting alleys and cobbled streets - described in a vivid manner - are the perfect background for the novel.
As I said, there are three main points of view: the first we encounter is mercenary Notch, a man with a troubled past that we discover bit by bit in the course of the book. In the very first chapter he's in a cell waiting to be executed for a heinous murder he did not commit: it's clear from the start that this is a person who has lost a great deal, and yet manages to find some cause to carry him forward, to overcome the sadness and rage of loss in favor of something higher. His character is highlighted mostly by the interaction with his comrade Flir, a small, unprepossessing woman gifted with extraordinary strength and a wry sense of humor: the exchanges between the two, the glimpses about their shared past, are among my favorite sections of the story.
Then there is Sofia Falco: a young woman thrown by circumstances into an unexpected role, one she has no preparation for, one that will require her to go against preconceived social notions and the intricacies of court politics. Through Sofia we learn about one of those interesting details I mentioned above: the rule of the land is partly based on the interaction with the titular masks, that are carved from bone and worn by specially trained people who are able to come into contact with the mask's own... spirit, for want of a better word. The death of her older brother forces Sofia to take on the role of Protector and interact with the old mask Argeon: from what I could gather it's a sort of symbiotic relationship that allows the Protector to tap knowledge from the past and thus offer solid advice.
And last is Pathfinder Ain: he belongs to the Medah, desert dwellers that once inhabited Anaskar and were driven away to live in the wilderness after a bloody war. The role of Pathfinders is to find access to the city and fulfill the ancient prophecy of vanquishing the old foes and regaining what was lost: Ain's journey requires him to rely on old scrolls that seem based more on legend than fact, and on his skills as Pathfinder - a very fascinating notion about being able to feel the pathways of previous travelers on the very ground they trod on. The Medah culture is an intriguing one, and I found myself quite drawn by its descriptions: hopefully more will be explained about them in the following books, especially in consideration of some tantalizing detail that seems to hint (unless I read it the wrong way...) to a more technologically advanced past.
I'd like to spend a few more words on Sofia Falco: when I was contacted by the author about reading and reviewing his book, he asked about the "warning" on YA themes and characters contained in my submission guidelines, since Sofia is indeed a teenager and he was concerned that this might color my opinion. Let me say up front that there was no reason for concern: when I admit I don't enjoy YA-themed stories, I mean that I prefer when this kind of character is explored in an adult way. For example, Harry Potter is a young boy whose life story is handled in an adult way; Paul Atreides from "Dune" is a teenager painted in an adult way. In other words, these characters act and are described without recurring to forced angst and constant whiny complaint about the unfairness of it all, as so many of them unfortunately are in recent YA literature.
Sofia Falco avoids this danger completely: she is young, yes, and inexperienced; when she is pushed into a role she's not prepared for, both practically and mentally, her world falls out of kilter, and she struggles for the greater part of the book with situations that are too big for her, often forcing her to be a pawn rather than a player in the unfolding events. She's no spunky heroine who manages to overcome huge obstacles overnight, on the contrary she learns painfully how to adapt and to deal with frustration and powerlessness: only through struggle and terrible loss does she come into her own, gaining the maturity (and hardness) needed to fulfill the role she must undertake. This kind of journey is not just totally believable, it also turns her into a fully-rounded character I can empathize with and root for.
In short, a well-crafted first novel and a great start to what looks like a promising series. Highly recommended.
http://spaceandsorcery.wordpress.com/...
March 14, 2015
First a thank you to the author, Ashley Capes for sending me a copy to read in return for my honest review.
City of Masks is an intriguing book that throws you straight in to the story from page one and it never lets up from there till the end. The pace of the book is intense and pulls you on from one action packed event to the next without letting up. This keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what could possibly happen next to our main characters.
The story is told from multiple points of view, but the main focus is on three characters in particular, Notch, Sofia and Ain. Each character has their own distinct voice and you get pulled into their stories quickly. As I said before, the pacing of the book is very fast and is almost non-stop action, which makes for an entertaining read. However, I personally felt that due to this, as a reader I did not get to see as much character development and did not get quite so emotionally attached to the characters in the story. This I understand is obviously very different for each reader, depending on what you like to get out of a book.
I liked the use by the author of the flashback sequences, this helped to learn more background about some of the characters and give you tantalising hints into past events and how they have influenced them. I would like to see more of these in subsequent books.
This is obviously the first book in a trilogy, but can be read as a separate book in its own right as the ending is resolved, yet there are some story threads that did not get resolved and lots of questions left unanswered for future books.
The world created by the author is a rich magical one, which has lots of interesting creatures, cultures, people and magical elements that point to a well thought out world, that is quite large in scale, and you feel that this book has only been the tip of the iceberg.
I will definitely be reading the next two books in the series and would recommend them to anyone looking for a fun read.
3.5 stars
City of Masks is an intriguing book that throws you straight in to the story from page one and it never lets up from there till the end. The pace of the book is intense and pulls you on from one action packed event to the next without letting up. This keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what could possibly happen next to our main characters.
The story is told from multiple points of view, but the main focus is on three characters in particular, Notch, Sofia and Ain. Each character has their own distinct voice and you get pulled into their stories quickly. As I said before, the pacing of the book is very fast and is almost non-stop action, which makes for an entertaining read. However, I personally felt that due to this, as a reader I did not get to see as much character development and did not get quite so emotionally attached to the characters in the story. This I understand is obviously very different for each reader, depending on what you like to get out of a book.
I liked the use by the author of the flashback sequences, this helped to learn more background about some of the characters and give you tantalising hints into past events and how they have influenced them. I would like to see more of these in subsequent books.
This is obviously the first book in a trilogy, but can be read as a separate book in its own right as the ending is resolved, yet there are some story threads that did not get resolved and lots of questions left unanswered for future books.
The world created by the author is a rich magical one, which has lots of interesting creatures, cultures, people and magical elements that point to a well thought out world, that is quite large in scale, and you feel that this book has only been the tip of the iceberg.
I will definitely be reading the next two books in the series and would recommend them to anyone looking for a fun read.
3.5 stars
February 28, 2016
From the cover: Waking in Anaskar Prison, covered in blood and accused of murder, nobody will listen to Notch’s claims of innocence until he meets the future Protector of the Monarchy, Sofia Falco. But Sofia has her own burdens. The first female Protector in a hundred years, her House is under threat from enemies within, the prince has made it clear he does not want her services and worst of all, she cannot communicate with her father’s sentient mask of bone, the centuries-old Argeon. Without the bone mask she cannot help anyone — not herself, and certainly not a mercenary with no powerful House to protect him. Meanwhile, far across the western desert, Ain, a young Pathfinder, is thrust into the role of Seeker. Before winter storms close the way, he must leave his home on a quest to locate the Sea Shrine and take revenge on the people who drove his ancestors from Anaskar, the city ruled by the prince Sofia and Notch are sworn to protect, whether he wants their help or not.
I really liked this book. I wasn’t certain at the beginning-I don’t read a lot of fantasies, but I’m impressed with this one.
The characters are well developed and the story keeps moving. Three main characters and their story lines come together so they can save their city. The tiered seaside city/life is intriguing (there are three tiers). This book has it all for readers of fantasies: great characters you want to cheer on; magic; unusual creatures; and many plot twists. I highly recommend it.
I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I really liked this book. I wasn’t certain at the beginning-I don’t read a lot of fantasies, but I’m impressed with this one.
The characters are well developed and the story keeps moving. Three main characters and their story lines come together so they can save their city. The tiered seaside city/life is intriguing (there are three tiers). This book has it all for readers of fantasies: great characters you want to cheer on; magic; unusual creatures; and many plot twists. I highly recommend it.
I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews