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The Bone Mask Cycle #2
The Lost Mask
The enormous corpse of the Sea Beast has breached the walls and an invasion from across the sea is threatening. Cut off from the mysterious golden egg and bereft of the hope of ever seeing his family again, Ain remains in prison, at the mercy of the new king who obviously wants something from him. Meanwhile, Flir and Luik struggle to contain the illness spreading from the Beast, as Notch and Sofia begin their desperate search for her father. Charged with hunting down Vinezi, Flir and Luik find themselves thwarted at every turn while Notch and Sofia discover twisted magic is at work in the Bloodwood where the strange Sap-Born may prove to be the worst threat they have encountered yet.
- GenresFantasyEpic Fantasy
526 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2015
96 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Capes
76 books576 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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August 27, 2016UPDATE: Dec 7th
You can now preview Greatmask via Notch's first two chapters :)
Greatmask - Opening
UPDATE: Dec 1st
Print edition is now available!
Print Edition< is in the works, should be less than two weeks away!
>UPDATE: August 23
And the ebook is now live at Amazon! Very happy to let folks know, you can now check it out via KU or buy it outright for kindle.
Print version to follow in the coming weeks :)
UPDATE: August 17
New cover! Better resolution coming on the website in a few mins, very excited to share this cover!
UPDATE: August 14
The blurb is up! New cover should be ready to share soon too!
UPDATE: June
Very happy to report that The Lost Mask should be out this August!
UPDATE: May
There's a bit of a delay with the release so fingers crossed for a late July date - in the meantime you can check out the first 3 chapters below:
The Lost Mask - Chapters 1-3
They should be close to final versions and they will have spoilers for City of Masks.
April:
Just posting a quick update about The Lost Mask - the final edit is nearing completion and new cover art is underway.
You can now preview Greatmask via Notch's first two chapters :)
Greatmask - Opening
UPDATE: Dec 1st
Print edition is now available!
Print Edition< is in the works, should be less than two weeks away!
>UPDATE: August 23
And the ebook is now live at Amazon! Very happy to let folks know, you can now check it out via KU or buy it outright for kindle.
Print version to follow in the coming weeks :)
UPDATE: August 17
New cover! Better resolution coming on the website in a few mins, very excited to share this cover!
UPDATE: August 14
The blurb is up! New cover should be ready to share soon too!
UPDATE: June
Very happy to report that The Lost Mask should be out this August!
UPDATE: May
There's a bit of a delay with the release so fingers crossed for a late July date - in the meantime you can check out the first 3 chapters below:
The Lost Mask - Chapters 1-3
They should be close to final versions and they will have spoilers for City of Masks.
April:
Just posting a quick update about The Lost Mask - the final edit is nearing completion and new cover art is underway.
February 23, 2015
I read approximately 70 books last year and the one that I enjoyed the most was City Of Masks by Ashley Capes so when I got my hands on The Lost Mask, which is the second book of his Bone Mask Trilogy, I was extremely excited! I LOVED how ORIGINAL the first book in the series was and how Capes made me care about his characters and the struggles that they faced. The Lost Mask affected me in much the same way, except more so; I was amazed by the plot twists, enthralled by the character development and delighted by the unexpectedly dark depths of the writer's imagination! WOW!!!!
Reading Fantasy has long been one of my guilty pleasures but Ashley Capes has alleviated me of that guilt simply because his novels are so beautifully written! I LOVED that his second novel superseded my already high expectations! The Lost Mask continues right where City Of Masks left off and can best be described as EPIC fantasy ,but his work will be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates action, adventure, coming of age stories, magic systems, KICK-ASS HEROINES, ORIGINALITY and well crafted stories!
The Lost Mask will be available to the public shortly, which gives you just enough time to read City Of Masks; if you haven't already done so add it to your TBR list NOW, and you can thank me later ;)
Reading Fantasy has long been one of my guilty pleasures but Ashley Capes has alleviated me of that guilt simply because his novels are so beautifully written! I LOVED that his second novel superseded my already high expectations! The Lost Mask continues right where City Of Masks left off and can best be described as EPIC fantasy ,but his work will be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates action, adventure, coming of age stories, magic systems, KICK-ASS HEROINES, ORIGINALITY and well crafted stories!
The Lost Mask will be available to the public shortly, which gives you just enough time to read City Of Masks; if you haven't already done so add it to your TBR list NOW, and you can thank me later ;)
March 13, 2016
The Lost Mask is book two of THE BONE MASK TRILOGY by Ashley Capes, set in a world that has as its most notable feature the existence of sacred bone masks that allow the wearer to communicate with mysterious god-like entities. From them derives the trilogy's name, and it makes for an intriguing concept that provides a doorway between the material and spiritual realms; worldly politics and numinous mystery.
As in the previous book, City of Masks, the story is spread across three distinct plot-strands, though unlike its predecessor, the scope of The Lost Mask expands to include more subplots, locations and characters.
King Oseto has assumed the throne, but difficulties loom on the horizon: not only the ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
As in the previous book, City of Masks, the story is spread across three distinct plot-strands, though unlike its predecessor, the scope of The Lost Mask expands to include more subplots, locations and characters.
King Oseto has assumed the throne, but difficulties loom on the horizon: not only the ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
October 3, 2018
THE LOST MASK (the second volume in the outstanding Bone Mask Trilogy) picks up where CITY OF MASKS left off and really ratchets up the action and excitement.
Once again, I'm not gonna get into details about the story, suffice it to say that this one is much faster paced as it introduces new allies and enemies to our heroes. The action sequences were skillfully written and riveting and they kept me madly turning those pages!
THE LOST MASK was a blast and a fantastic continuation of this great series.
Once again, I'm not gonna get into details about the story, suffice it to say that this one is much faster paced as it introduces new allies and enemies to our heroes. The action sequences were skillfully written and riveting and they kept me madly turning those pages!
THE LOST MASK was a blast and a fantastic continuation of this great series.
July 13, 2021
Keeps getting better
Excellent continuation of the story started in volume 1. All characters are still accounted for, the plot thickens now and then, and things are turning to chaos! Quite a lot of fun to read, really. My only wish is that Sofia would be a stronger character and not someone who falls victim of shortcomings all the time (the usual self doubts, family ties that begets honor before anything, etc etc... Meh...). Also the story of Ain was full for a moment before picking back up again toward the end. Excited to see what's gonna happen in volume three :-)
Excellent continuation of the story started in volume 1. All characters are still accounted for, the plot thickens now and then, and things are turning to chaos! Quite a lot of fun to read, really. My only wish is that Sofia would be a stronger character and not someone who falls victim of shortcomings all the time (the usual self doubts, family ties that begets honor before anything, etc etc... Meh...). Also the story of Ain was full for a moment before picking back up again toward the end. Excited to see what's gonna happen in volume three :-)
December 1, 2016
More great adventures and intrigue in this imaginative world. Going on to the 3rd book (when I should be in bed) because I can't wait to see how it ends.
December 22, 2015
I received this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
The first book in this fantasy trilogy, City of Masks, was one of last year’s best discoveries, featuring a fascinating fantasy world in which different cultures co-exist (though not exactly peacefully) and interesting characters move in a well-crafted background. So naturally I was thrilled when author Ashley Capes contacted me with the request of reading and reviewing the ARC for the second book: my expectations were well-founded, because The Lost Mask builds from those premises and widens the scope of the narrative, bringing it to a new level.
The story starts with a leisurely pace, picking up the threads of the previous book and stepping up the rhythm as it progresses: it was quite easy to slip back into this world and I experienced no difficulty at all in reconnecting with the characters. The situation in the multi-tiered city of Anaskar is far from settled: King Oseto, having reclaimed his right to the throne, sits uneasily on it, since the threats from his enemies, led by the slippery Vinezi and his explosive-handling accomplices, now walk hand in hand with a possible invasion from nearby Renovar, whose ships are moving closer with their deadly cargo of acor, the explosive powder that already made so many victims. The Sea Beast’s carcass is being harvested for the precious bones that will be turned into masks, but its remains are polluting the water and the fish, so that a mysterious illness, at times deadly, hits the populace and breeds dangerous unrest. Sofia and Notch have left the city in pursuit of Sofia’s father and find themselves in hostile territory, discovering further threats to the realm and a treacherous conspiracy, while Pathfinder Ain starts the journey back to his people, with a peace envoy from King Oseto, but encounters deadly obstacles. In short, more than enough to keep this reader quite engrossed…
Where Book 1 focused mainly on three characters – Sofia, Notch and Ain – Book 2 takes a more choral approach to the story, as is only fitting, since the reader’s view of the background expands considerably here. King Oseto is one of the figures that gain from this deeper perspective: he’s a very unusual king, since he prefers a hands-on approach to rule, which is hardly surprising considering his past life, and indeed some of the humorous highlights in the story come from his attitude and his courtiers’ dismay in Oseto’s wish to be at the center of every situation instead of handing orders down the chain of command. There are many problems troubling him and I felt his frustration quite keenly: he wants to be a good king and a just one, as opposed to his father, and unlike the majority of rulers he knows intimately the life conditions of his subjects, but the situation is such that wherever he turns he’s met with frustrating complications and dead ends that make it almost impossible to act as he wants. It’s through Oseto, and his attempts at connecting with the old mask Chelona (the titular lost mask) that we discover a terrible secret tied to these mysterious artifacts, a secret handed down through generations and one that throws a sinister light on them and their use.
Flir, the Renovar woman we met as Notch’s friend and ally, is also explored to greater depth: her dedication to Oseto and Anaskar is deep and knows no limits, so that she often puts her life on the line to catch dangerous Vinezi or to put a stop to his threats. There are several hints about her past and concerning some dramatic events that must have shaped her present attitude, yet none of them explain much about her apart from these tantalizing details, but I greatly enjoyed the mix of superhuman strength and gentleness, of single-minded focus and compassion that make her such a fascinating person. One I hope to get to know better in the next installment.
As for Notch and Sofia, they have created an interesting alliance: I was glad the author chose not to go down the path of a romantic relationship for them but rather decided to turn them into comrades-at-arms who know well each other’s strengths and weaknesses and can use that knowledge to create an effective team. Notch is indeed the rock from which Sofia can draw strength when fighting her addiction or overcoming her understandable shortcomings, and this certainty helps her discover the secrets of wielding the mask Argeon: Sofia is forced to grow beyond her years in this new book, needing to become hardened to the necessities of her role and of their shared mission, and only Notch’s support, his understanding of what it means to fight, of the price one has to pay for it, helps Sofia to set aside her guilt and the despair that comes with the territory. Having lost her brother and missing the emotional support of her father, Sofia seems to have transferred those feelings on Notch who, in my opinion, is a far more deserving person than her blood relatives…
All these elements come together into a story whose pace increases exponentially: in the previous book, the author followed the main characters in alternating chapters, while here he shifts to the various situations in quick “flashes” that keep the tension at the highest level and make for compulsive reading. This is particularly true from the middle of the book onwards, culminating in the cliff-hanger ending that literally left me suspended in mid-air (and in dire need of some oxygen, as well…): every single character is last seen at some crucible while a new, unexpected player comes to the fore, and the unexpressed but clearly visible “to be continued” is one of most frustrating experiences I can recall – in a good sense, of course, but still… when does the next book come out????
https://spaceandsorcery.wordpress.com...
The first book in this fantasy trilogy, City of Masks, was one of last year’s best discoveries, featuring a fascinating fantasy world in which different cultures co-exist (though not exactly peacefully) and interesting characters move in a well-crafted background. So naturally I was thrilled when author Ashley Capes contacted me with the request of reading and reviewing the ARC for the second book: my expectations were well-founded, because The Lost Mask builds from those premises and widens the scope of the narrative, bringing it to a new level.
The story starts with a leisurely pace, picking up the threads of the previous book and stepping up the rhythm as it progresses: it was quite easy to slip back into this world and I experienced no difficulty at all in reconnecting with the characters. The situation in the multi-tiered city of Anaskar is far from settled: King Oseto, having reclaimed his right to the throne, sits uneasily on it, since the threats from his enemies, led by the slippery Vinezi and his explosive-handling accomplices, now walk hand in hand with a possible invasion from nearby Renovar, whose ships are moving closer with their deadly cargo of acor, the explosive powder that already made so many victims. The Sea Beast’s carcass is being harvested for the precious bones that will be turned into masks, but its remains are polluting the water and the fish, so that a mysterious illness, at times deadly, hits the populace and breeds dangerous unrest. Sofia and Notch have left the city in pursuit of Sofia’s father and find themselves in hostile territory, discovering further threats to the realm and a treacherous conspiracy, while Pathfinder Ain starts the journey back to his people, with a peace envoy from King Oseto, but encounters deadly obstacles. In short, more than enough to keep this reader quite engrossed…
Where Book 1 focused mainly on three characters – Sofia, Notch and Ain – Book 2 takes a more choral approach to the story, as is only fitting, since the reader’s view of the background expands considerably here. King Oseto is one of the figures that gain from this deeper perspective: he’s a very unusual king, since he prefers a hands-on approach to rule, which is hardly surprising considering his past life, and indeed some of the humorous highlights in the story come from his attitude and his courtiers’ dismay in Oseto’s wish to be at the center of every situation instead of handing orders down the chain of command. There are many problems troubling him and I felt his frustration quite keenly: he wants to be a good king and a just one, as opposed to his father, and unlike the majority of rulers he knows intimately the life conditions of his subjects, but the situation is such that wherever he turns he’s met with frustrating complications and dead ends that make it almost impossible to act as he wants. It’s through Oseto, and his attempts at connecting with the old mask Chelona (the titular lost mask) that we discover a terrible secret tied to these mysterious artifacts, a secret handed down through generations and one that throws a sinister light on them and their use.
Flir, the Renovar woman we met as Notch’s friend and ally, is also explored to greater depth: her dedication to Oseto and Anaskar is deep and knows no limits, so that she often puts her life on the line to catch dangerous Vinezi or to put a stop to his threats. There are several hints about her past and concerning some dramatic events that must have shaped her present attitude, yet none of them explain much about her apart from these tantalizing details, but I greatly enjoyed the mix of superhuman strength and gentleness, of single-minded focus and compassion that make her such a fascinating person. One I hope to get to know better in the next installment.
As for Notch and Sofia, they have created an interesting alliance: I was glad the author chose not to go down the path of a romantic relationship for them but rather decided to turn them into comrades-at-arms who know well each other’s strengths and weaknesses and can use that knowledge to create an effective team. Notch is indeed the rock from which Sofia can draw strength when fighting her addiction or overcoming her understandable shortcomings, and this certainty helps her discover the secrets of wielding the mask Argeon: Sofia is forced to grow beyond her years in this new book, needing to become hardened to the necessities of her role and of their shared mission, and only Notch’s support, his understanding of what it means to fight, of the price one has to pay for it, helps Sofia to set aside her guilt and the despair that comes with the territory. Having lost her brother and missing the emotional support of her father, Sofia seems to have transferred those feelings on Notch who, in my opinion, is a far more deserving person than her blood relatives…
All these elements come together into a story whose pace increases exponentially: in the previous book, the author followed the main characters in alternating chapters, while here he shifts to the various situations in quick “flashes” that keep the tension at the highest level and make for compulsive reading. This is particularly true from the middle of the book onwards, culminating in the cliff-hanger ending that literally left me suspended in mid-air (and in dire need of some oxygen, as well…): every single character is last seen at some crucible while a new, unexpected player comes to the fore, and the unexpressed but clearly visible “to be continued” is one of most frustrating experiences I can recall – in a good sense, of course, but still… when does the next book come out????
https://spaceandsorcery.wordpress.com...
December 5, 2022
I'm just as conflicted by this book as I was the first in the series. While a synopsis at the start would have helped matters, I soon managed to remember enough of the major players and their motivations to be able to fall into the story again, but it just seemed to drag. The author is very clearly gearing up for everything to be solved in the final book in the series, and as a consequence, everything happened very late, with only a very short climax and even less of a resolution. However, even with the problems I'm having with this series I still think I need to finish it.
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March 26, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/26/2020)! 🎁
April 12, 2015
I was really delighted and surprised by Ashley Capes debut in the fantasy genre (see my review of Book 1). I felt that for a debut novel, City of Masks, showed considerable polish. I think Capes has backed up well with The Lost Mask, all of our favourite characters and villains are here and there’s some interesting developments in world building that further expand on the world of City of Masks.
In many ways The Lost Mask is a typical book two in a trilogy, you will need to have read book one. Capes is sparse on the info dumping paragraphs some authors/publishers include to bring readers up to speed( indeed I hesitantly suggest he hasn’t included any) and considering it’s only a year since book one was released fans shouldn’t need a reminder of who Vinezi or Ain are.
The major change I feel is a subtle shift in tone. With The Lost Mask, I feel we have moved from a intrigue/thriller to adventure fantasy. We still have the same set of beloved characters, but plot lines have crossed and so this book feels much more like King Oseto’s story to me. There is less skulking in secret passages and imagining the carved faces of the Mascare, more dealing with the management of a dead and poisonous Sea Beast and preparing for open war.
In The Lost Mask, Sophia and Notch have teamed up in search of Sophia’s father who has fled to the Bloodwood. Flir and Luik are employed in devising a plan for ridding the city of the Sea Beast carcass( which is poisoning the bay and the populace), and preparing for an imminent invasion. The trouble caused by Venezi simmers and the truth behind the Greatmasks grows steadily more apparent. Seto, now King, realizes a long held ambition only to come face to mask with what that ambition is going to cost him.
I did enjoy book one for its fantasy cloak and dagger - the atmosphere created by the culture of the Mascare. I felt that this element was missing in The Lost Mask (hence my comment about tone) but what the reader gets in exchange broadens the concept and the history behind the masks and the power of the Sea Beast’s bones. Like a good second book it broadens our understanding of the world and increases the stakes.
Unlike City of Masks, The Lost Mask finishes on a cliff hanger of sorts and leads us into what will be an interesting conclusion in the final book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hoped that we might see this series make a mark in the Aurealis or the Ditmars. Nevertheless if you like well paced fantasy with originality of concept, check this series out.
This review is based on an early eArc provided by the author.
In many ways The Lost Mask is a typical book two in a trilogy, you will need to have read book one. Capes is sparse on the info dumping paragraphs some authors/publishers include to bring readers up to speed( indeed I hesitantly suggest he hasn’t included any) and considering it’s only a year since book one was released fans shouldn’t need a reminder of who Vinezi or Ain are.
The major change I feel is a subtle shift in tone. With The Lost Mask, I feel we have moved from a intrigue/thriller to adventure fantasy. We still have the same set of beloved characters, but plot lines have crossed and so this book feels much more like King Oseto’s story to me. There is less skulking in secret passages and imagining the carved faces of the Mascare, more dealing with the management of a dead and poisonous Sea Beast and preparing for open war.
In The Lost Mask, Sophia and Notch have teamed up in search of Sophia’s father who has fled to the Bloodwood. Flir and Luik are employed in devising a plan for ridding the city of the Sea Beast carcass( which is poisoning the bay and the populace), and preparing for an imminent invasion. The trouble caused by Venezi simmers and the truth behind the Greatmasks grows steadily more apparent. Seto, now King, realizes a long held ambition only to come face to mask with what that ambition is going to cost him.
I did enjoy book one for its fantasy cloak and dagger - the atmosphere created by the culture of the Mascare. I felt that this element was missing in The Lost Mask (hence my comment about tone) but what the reader gets in exchange broadens the concept and the history behind the masks and the power of the Sea Beast’s bones. Like a good second book it broadens our understanding of the world and increases the stakes.
Unlike City of Masks, The Lost Mask finishes on a cliff hanger of sorts and leads us into what will be an interesting conclusion in the final book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hoped that we might see this series make a mark in the Aurealis or the Ditmars. Nevertheless if you like well paced fantasy with originality of concept, check this series out.
This review is based on an early eArc provided by the author.
July 8, 2016
The Lost Mask: Book 2 of the Bone Mask Trilogy
Wow! Let me just preface this by saying that I was delightfully surprised by just how deep The Lost Mask took me.
Book 1 was amazing and I was curious to see if book 2 would fall into the trap that so many “2nd books” tend to fall into. Thankfully, it lived up to all of my expectations.
Seto is now king, but has so many irons in the fire that it is inevitable that something will fail eventually. From the beginning, he seems even more political that in book 1, and there were many times that I began to question as to whether he was a good guy or bad guy. Seto plays his cards close to his sleeve, and when he finally does show his hand, you will be shocked beyond belief.
Flir is amazing as always, but even she has some skeletons in her closet. How they will affect the course of events remains to be seen.
Sophia and Notch are on a quest of their own. Sophia has escaped with not one, but two Greatmasks, and Notch has designated himself as her protector for the time being. Their adventures are many, and very difficult. Along the way, Sophia must learn to work with Argeon, amidst a growing addiction to the pull of the mask.
Ain plays a much smaller part in this story, and will have to decide if he can withstand the temptation that the Great Bird offers.
In the midst of all of the political machinations, there are invaders to deal with, and a mysterious illness that is sweeping the city, causing massive unrest. Of course, Vinezi is still there, and plays a larger role than we ever realized. And there are some secrets that only the Greatmasks can reveal, secrets that will change everything.
There are many of our old friends still here, and several new ones. Above all, this story answers a few questions, and asks many more. I was beyond tense at the end of this book and could not believe that there was not another chapter. Talk about a major cliffhanger! I can’t wait to find out what happens in book 3. I immediately looked on Amazon to see if it has come out yet, but alas, it appears I have to wait.
Kudos to the author! Great job, Ashley Capes!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in return for a honest review.
Wow! Let me just preface this by saying that I was delightfully surprised by just how deep The Lost Mask took me.
Book 1 was amazing and I was curious to see if book 2 would fall into the trap that so many “2nd books” tend to fall into. Thankfully, it lived up to all of my expectations.
Seto is now king, but has so many irons in the fire that it is inevitable that something will fail eventually. From the beginning, he seems even more political that in book 1, and there were many times that I began to question as to whether he was a good guy or bad guy. Seto plays his cards close to his sleeve, and when he finally does show his hand, you will be shocked beyond belief.
Flir is amazing as always, but even she has some skeletons in her closet. How they will affect the course of events remains to be seen.
Sophia and Notch are on a quest of their own. Sophia has escaped with not one, but two Greatmasks, and Notch has designated himself as her protector for the time being. Their adventures are many, and very difficult. Along the way, Sophia must learn to work with Argeon, amidst a growing addiction to the pull of the mask.
Ain plays a much smaller part in this story, and will have to decide if he can withstand the temptation that the Great Bird offers.
In the midst of all of the political machinations, there are invaders to deal with, and a mysterious illness that is sweeping the city, causing massive unrest. Of course, Vinezi is still there, and plays a larger role than we ever realized. And there are some secrets that only the Greatmasks can reveal, secrets that will change everything.
There are many of our old friends still here, and several new ones. Above all, this story answers a few questions, and asks many more. I was beyond tense at the end of this book and could not believe that there was not another chapter. Talk about a major cliffhanger! I can’t wait to find out what happens in book 3. I immediately looked on Amazon to see if it has come out yet, but alas, it appears I have to wait.
Kudos to the author! Great job, Ashley Capes!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in return for a honest review.
September 8, 2015
Excellent stuff. I read City of Masks and loved it, and The Lost Mask is just as good.
TLM has all my favourite characters from the original (especially the mercenary, Much, and the girl he protects, Sofia) and others to build the cast.
Seto, the newly crowned King of Anaskar is as rounded a character as any Royal in literature. And doesn't he have a load on his plate, what with an imminent attack, an uncooperative God (who's soul lives in the eponymous mask), traitors, fifth columnists, the rotting carcase of a sea monster at the gates, whose flesh is poisonous and ...
That's it, I'm giving too much away.
Capes weaves spectacular fight scenes, sorcery, intrigue, a battle (on land and sea) for the richest city in the known world, masks, prophecies, mythical and mystical creatures, with the skill of a master. There's plenty going on here for fans of Sword and Sorcery, and the promise of more to come - at least that's my prediction.
Although is helps to read City of Masks first, The Lost Mask can be read as a standalone novel.
All aboard for the next instalment.
Nice one, Mr Capes.
TLM has all my favourite characters from the original (especially the mercenary, Much, and the girl he protects, Sofia) and others to build the cast.
Seto, the newly crowned King of Anaskar is as rounded a character as any Royal in literature. And doesn't he have a load on his plate, what with an imminent attack, an uncooperative God (who's soul lives in the eponymous mask), traitors, fifth columnists, the rotting carcase of a sea monster at the gates, whose flesh is poisonous and ...
That's it, I'm giving too much away.
Capes weaves spectacular fight scenes, sorcery, intrigue, a battle (on land and sea) for the richest city in the known world, masks, prophecies, mythical and mystical creatures, with the skill of a master. There's plenty going on here for fans of Sword and Sorcery, and the promise of more to come - at least that's my prediction.
Although is helps to read City of Masks first, The Lost Mask can be read as a standalone novel.
All aboard for the next instalment.
Nice one, Mr Capes.
July 5, 2015
The Lost Mask is part 2 of The Bone Mask Trilogy. I loved the first book City of Masks and am happy to write that I also liked the second book. The author kept the same main characters and added more. The author did an excellent job of developing all the characters and getting the reader to care or identify with them. The second book continues where the first one ended. The author did not have lots of repeats from the first book to explain what was happening in the second. (I really did like that all the repeats as other authors do was not in this book.)
I was amazed at how quickly I read this book. I did go back and re-read it a second time. The book is very fast paced and keeps you turning and twisting from one plot to another. The end of the book keeps you wanting and wondering when the third book will be finished.
This is an excellent series and I recommend it to anyone.
I was amazed at how quickly I read this book. I did go back and re-read it a second time. The book is very fast paced and keeps you turning and twisting from one plot to another. The end of the book keeps you wanting and wondering when the third book will be finished.
This is an excellent series and I recommend it to anyone.
August 31, 2015
I enjoyed the first book of the trilogy City of Masks: and am happy to say that the second book is just as good.
Familiar characters from book one are here as well as some new ones.
This book has less intrigue and more adventure. It's fast-paced and quickly switches from one setting to another.
You do really need to read City of Masks to get the best from this book, but unlike book one this one ends in a cliffhanger.
Ashley Capes sent me an ecopy in return for an honest review.
Familiar characters from book one are here as well as some new ones.
This book has less intrigue and more adventure. It's fast-paced and quickly switches from one setting to another.
You do really need to read City of Masks to get the best from this book, but unlike book one this one ends in a cliffhanger.
Ashley Capes sent me an ecopy in return for an honest review.
September 12, 2015
Wonderfully Unique!
I really like this series immensely!
Ashley Capes has created a unique fantasy world and as much as I liked the first book, City of Masks, I think I just might like the second book even more!
In The Lost Mask, Capes has further elaborated on the plot of the first book, and the characters are like old friends that you've been wondering and worrying about.
This is a well written saga and I am waiting excitedly for the next book in the series! I recommend this book to all lovers of fantasy.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really like this series immensely!
Ashley Capes has created a unique fantasy world and as much as I liked the first book, City of Masks, I think I just might like the second book even more!
In The Lost Mask, Capes has further elaborated on the plot of the first book, and the characters are like old friends that you've been wondering and worrying about.
This is a well written saga and I am waiting excitedly for the next book in the series! I recommend this book to all lovers of fantasy.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2015
The 2nd book in the Bone Mask Trilogy was better than City Of Masks (The first book). The story seems to have evolved and taken on a life of its own. Ashley Capes has such an amazing gift. His writing draws you in. I hope it won't take long for the last book to come out. Great Job, Ashley Capes. I absolutely loved it.
May 5, 2017
Very enjoyable and exciting, many surprising twist, much fantasy, awesome descriptions of the nature of this world. Yet sometimes shockingly cruel and violent. But that's war. I felt very much for the characters or against them, some scenes really got me upset. Also much to laugh. Yes, this book has everything I could wish. The sequel to this is a must for me!
January 12, 2019
A very intricate tale with Anaskar being threatened from both land and sea, the sea monster proving dangerous even now that it is dead, causing deaths and strange afflictions in Anaskar especially in the lower tier enraging the populace and leading to rioting, and poor King Oseto going out of his mind trying to save his people and his city! Good thing he has the support of a good loyal team of friends to watch his back. The world building in this novel is very good especially that of the Bloodwoods and the characters especially of Flir, Sofia and Nia are very powerful with Flir being a real kick-ass heroine who I really enjoy reading about. The plots become more intricate with so many outsiders having an interest in Anaskar especially in the bones from the sea monster and in the powers of the Greatmasks and the variety of magic users is very interesting. This series makes for compelling reading and I am dying to start reading the third book in this series.
September 1, 2020
Another great installment in the work of Ashley Capes. It was awesome to get a deeper dive into some of these characters and their back stories as well as seeing the over-arcing story grow to a monumental degree. My only particular complaint here is that some of the stories didn't wrap up as completely as I'd like them to. I know the story continues, but some arcs like Notch's felt like they could have used just one more chapter. It didn't really take all that much enjoyment away from the story, I just felt like they needed just a tad more here instead of pushing it to the next book. I'm really excited to keep going though!
October 10, 2023
Like the first book, the story was captivating and I continued to like the characters. However, the book felt unnecessarily long so the pacing felt sluggish. The story felt stalled until it finally picked up towards the end. The first book felt more fast paced, but I still really enjoyed the story when it did progress.
May 16, 2017
The Lost Mask is one of those books that is fresh, exciting and makes you sad when it ends. I loved everything about it from the action to the characters. Well written and kept me turning the pages.
My Rating: 5 stars
My Rating: 5 stars
May 28, 2019
Interesting
I read another book by the same author and like the style of writing. It’s a fun adventure in another type of world. The “main” character always has a different name, in this book it’s Notch. If you want a quick interesting adventurous read, this is it.
I read another book by the same author and like the style of writing. It’s a fun adventure in another type of world. The “main” character always has a different name, in this book it’s Notch. If you want a quick interesting adventurous read, this is it.
May 16, 2017
Book 2
I enjoyed the second book more than the first. The 2nd book is well written and the characters still improve and develop.
I enjoyed the second book more than the first. The 2nd book is well written and the characters still improve and develop.
December 22, 2017
Perfection
This is what epic fantasies are all about. Think wheel of time series, but condensed. I am so on to the next book!
This is what epic fantasies are all about. Think wheel of time series, but condensed. I am so on to the next book!
May 9, 2018
I loved the first book, The City of Masks, like the second, Lost Mask, even better & will read the third, Great Mask, shortly. Highly recommend.
May 5, 2021
Two books in and finally the majority of the storylines are coalescing, but I won't be continuing with the series.
December 25, 2016
review to come
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