Masquerade

Techromancy Scrolls #3

by Erik Schubach

Almost three thousand years after an extinction level event on Earth, mankind seeks to regain its former glory, in a new world where magic and technology collide.


Laney Herder finds herself thrust into an adventure not of her choosing as Prince George asks for her assistance, in her role as a Sora of the Mountain Gypsies. She is tasked to uncover a plot to sow unrest between Highland Reach and the Lower Ten realms.


As the shadow of Civil War looms over the lands of Sparo, Laney and Celeste must navigate the twists and turns of a sedition that runs deep through all the realms, orchestrated by a familiar foe.


Can Laney stop the treasonous plan from coming to fruition as she attends the Capitol for the Royal Masquerade?

Genres: Fantasy, Lesbian, Audiobook, LGBT, Romance, Science Fiction, Fiction

449 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2016

About the author

International bestselling author of #lesfic f/f romance, scifi, urban fantasy, paranormal & more. Consummate geek & sarcasm connoisseur. Any pronouns are fine.

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Reviews

[Heather Henkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition

I really enjoy reading this series. I like the mix of magic and lost technology and rediscovery that are all mixed together. And of course I love the adventure and badass women.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant!!! Need I say more...

[Jennifer Reaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I "read" this book via AUDIBLE. Once again Hollie Jackson does a wonderful job narrating the story. I enjoyed the story but it took a bit to get going. There is quite a bit of build up to have one plot point be resolved quickly to have the action follow for the rest of the book. I really enjoy these characters and it has been a fun ride watching them grow. As I have gotten them via AUDIBLE, I did not realize there were 5 parts total. Unfortunately, I have to wait for the next parts to be produced. I could (and may) "read" these with my Kindle's text to speech function, but with Ms Jackson reading the story thus far, it just would not be quite the same. I have really enjoyed all of the books I have read by Mr. Schubach and I am waiting for the next part in several of his other story lines. The Techromancy Scrolls have been an interesting take on crossing post apocalyptic and fantasy and I really like the strong female characters all through his books.

[Dide · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diminishing returns seems to be playing against this series for me. I felt and read lots of repetitions and that got me skipping pages just to justify my need to finish the book.
At this junction I think it's wise I take a break...look for other distracting and hopefully come back to read the next in series with appreciation

[Tammy Ulm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good Adventure/Fantasy Series

I found book 3 of the Techromancy Scrolls to be a very enjoyable read. The beginning was a little slow in places, especially compared to books 1 and 2, but once the action picks up it is fantastic! This book provides more insight into the good and bad, that drives both main characters. I especially liked seeing the growth of Laney, as she comes to a greater understanding and acceptance of herself.

One thing I find refreshing about this series in general, is that both main character's are driven to use their power to do what is right and to protect and help those less fortunate. Perhaps it is little idealistic at times, but it makes for a nice world to escape to - for a few hours anyway. The one thing I like about book 3 over the other two books, is that Laney and Celeste are more demonstrative of their deepening love for each other. I hope that trend continues.

Overall, this is a very good book in a great series and I recommend it. (4.5 Stars)

[Marissa Shortt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been doing a great job continuing the events of the preceding books. Continuity is big to me so to see a series keep it is wonderful. The newest developments in Laney Herders life just keep getting more and more dangerous. Someone is threatening the kingdoms from within and doing so in an insidious fashion. The Masquerade is the great event for all the royalty and Laney is tasked in finding out who and why. Representing the Lupei family as a Sora or Princess, she is granted access to places otherwise suspicious for others to learn who it is that is truly behind these plots. The battles without are the same as the battles within, as Laney still works to allow her inner battle to resolve so both her magics can work together. I can't wait to read the next one.

[KJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great adventure with Lanie and Celeste. I am enjoying this series quite a bit. It is easy to read and very entertaining.

[L E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wait what!!! Templar? Okay... this is getting interesting. What can I say our fearless Misty :-) I know there are still couple more books in this series but if nothing else, spin off with Misty. I'm just saying.

Bex!!! My hero!!! his wife will be so proud as we are all. Truly amazing story, it sucks you in... I still wish that Laney got a break and I'm still hopeful for the next couple of books.

[Skip Maslan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

What a wonderful, fascinating story! Laney & Celeste once again face off against overwhelming odds and manage to salvage a victory from the flames. Gripping drama, wonderful insights and an exciting story. I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one!

Absolutely loved it. This series is one of my favorites.
I can not wait for more in this series. The characters seem more like long lost friends then just fictional beings.

Eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

[AJ Sneed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

Omg erik writes with such passion for his characters. They are engaging and relatable. I loved this story but could really do without any more cliffhangers...

[Gwyndolyn Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth it.

Sometimes I struggle to get into a book through no fault of the author. That was the case with Masquerade. I love this series so much but I could not get pas the first few pages. I finally did it and oh my goddess I'm so happy I did. This book is so worthy of Lainey and Celeste. Relationships are deepened, adventures are had, and we learn more about little Misty who I dearly hope gets her own book at some point. I love it. Thank you so much Erik for writing books that give me so much pleasure.

[DH VDL · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

Recommend reading this whole series. Honestly this book, this series can easily stand up there with the classics of Fantasy, both contemporary and recent. It intertwines modern sensibilities with history and fantasy in a way few others are able to with main characters that are both likable and heroic. Well described action and magic easily come forth in the readers imagination, while pain and blood is understood as a consequence. If it wasn’t for the stigma many still hold today this would probably be held up there with Jordan and others.

[Doke Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the weakest of the three books so far. The plot is simplistic. The mystery is obvious. The dialog is filled with repeditive​ phrases. Much of it feels like padding. This really needed an editor, and a proofreader.

[jr weightman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay .....

Ok so book three..... Kinda started slow, sorta of. Then kicked into gear. So over all a pretty damn good book.

So go ahead and take a chance. You won't be disappointed !

jrwii

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly repetitive but good story

[T A P]

Hire an EDITOR

Nice story and humor harmed by misspellings, vocabulary errors, gender inconsistencies, poor word order, sentence fragments. It is a shame.

[Nh Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book of the series and it's as good as the first two

I've now read the first three of the series and I can see that I'm going to have to buy the next one soon 😁

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again an amazing book in the Techromancy Scrolls series.

So i begin my Review with the grammar.
Most errors are displaced or missing characters, which doesn't hurt to much.
The only error i can think which disturbed my reading flow was,a double usage of the word "defiantly", i think the second "defiantly" kept stuck at reworking the passage/sentence. Here the part of the sentence in Chapter 22.
"her arms crossed defiantly across her chest defiantly".

But to be honest who looks on the grammar if the story is great.

So to the important part story:
What do i have to say, the characters are lovely as the last time you read about them, especially with the addition of Misty. Though i think i can write nothing more without spoiler tags.

I don't go over the story but fine points i think are important for me.
First is the heavy leaning on the theme of the Valkyrie series near the end of the Book. Speaking of sins they have to shoulder(Laney and Celeste) through killing and it helps them knowing that they protect the innocent and do it for the right.
Also the refusing from Laney to let Sylvia heal the Scars away(Like Kara in the Valkyrie Series whish she could have scars) for being reminded of what they pay for the peace and to protect others.
Another fine point i find interesting is mother Udele referring to the "mistakes of those who came before us" in stark contrast to the rest of the Rest of the people who have a more Romantic Picture of the before.
But also the thinking of how their Progress can be turned into military usage. With the revealing of the outrider there Laney thinks of Exploration usage of the Airship but Celeste of the military usage.
Which in put together with Udele's sentence show's an development of the changing mindset regarding new Technologies. Like if Celeste thinks like this, there a other's who also thinks this way.

The plot itself, with the growing distrust between Highland and the Lower Ten is interesting, also the change in the interaction of the characters toward Highland was very well written. (Animosity between George and Fred, the near fight between Wexbury Knights and Highland Knights at the Revealing in the same situation as in the last book, there everyone was more relaxed)
Also that the evil Duchess come Rouge make's a reappearing as the big evil Antagonist, was expected but the way how she appears and plot's all the things is unexpected, also how far she could reach into the inner Circle of Highland.

The Technological progress is also on the move, through Bexington. With his Air ship, there i anticipate a much heavier usage of it and story aboard it, in the light of Laney's last vision. And that in the Visions are a Assembly of tanks, which they in some way have to face.

The Characters:
I don't say much to the main cast.
Laney is Laney, but her Character Development at the end of the book is really god. There she come's to a peace with herself and who she is.

On Celleste part, correct me if i'm wrong but i hadn't seen that much character development for her. Or i have over read something important. The only thing new is the description of her as a killing machine, who fight for what is right and for those who can't fight and this with lethality, and how she is trying to be a person who Laney could respect, since they met.
Because i never thought of her like this, but this goes with the theme of the Valkyries series, as i wrote earlier, like with Kara and Kate.

But for Misty i think she is a fine addition as a main protagonist. And how she has Laney and every one else around her little finger. She also give's a humorous component, "besting" 3 Highland Knights.


Puh sorry for the wall of text.
So to summon this up, read it, it's definitely worth your time and i can't wait for the next book in the Serie. And also the 5th book.

[Dave Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stays good, gets a touch better
Absolutely will not disappoint if you've love it up to here.

EDIT 8 / 2020: Does not stand up to rereading as well as books 1 & 2. My two complaints are that elements of this book is Homogeneous and Repetitive. Homogeneous because the main character Laney seems to have the exact same relationship with everyone from king to sister in law. Repetitive because the first have of the book is people teasing Laney about her height and her shaking a fist darkly muttering "one of these days...". That teasing / muttering pattern repeats over and over and over with the exact same wording like it was copy pasted from chapter one.
I still like this book and these characters, but it seems like the author is putting in less effort here.

[Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read of the New Year. This was an amazing book. As I have said in the past, I love Laney, she's an awesome character... and I really enjoyed seeing her evolve more.

And that ending *glares at Erik*.... I sincerely hope the next book isn't too long in coming! :)

[Sascha Broich · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is captivating, only the many typos disturb the excellent book.

[MangoLoverReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5 — Listened on audiobook. Enjoyed listening. More of the same. Simplistic & fun; it’s a bit ‘cutsie’ but I still enjoy it. Think this is the last of the series on Audible.