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Masks #2
Raven
Avari Terran wants nothing more than to live as normal of a college life as possible with his boyfriend, Chayton, despite having wings and superpowers, being an ex-supervillain, and dating his former superhero rival.
His plans of flying under the radar are jeopardized when a fan of Raven threatens to reveal his identity, unless he agrees to a forced friendship, of all things. Kaiden is over-the-top, hyper, and capricious, and Avari is fed up with him and his blackmail threats from the moment they meet.
When strange monsters start appearing in the area that only him and Kaiden can see, blackmail becomes the least of Avari's problems. These monsters seem to have their sights set on him, leaving Avari no choice but to take up his persona as Raven yet again and fight back, along with Kaiden's help. Will his secret identity, and his relationship with Chayton survive through all this?
Raven is a urban fantasy supervillain/hero new adult novella with a gay protagonist, and is the second installment in the Masks series.
His plans of flying under the radar are jeopardized when a fan of Raven threatens to reveal his identity, unless he agrees to a forced friendship, of all things. Kaiden is over-the-top, hyper, and capricious, and Avari is fed up with him and his blackmail threats from the moment they meet.
When strange monsters start appearing in the area that only him and Kaiden can see, blackmail becomes the least of Avari's problems. These monsters seem to have their sights set on him, leaving Avari no choice but to take up his persona as Raven yet again and fight back, along with Kaiden's help. Will his secret identity, and his relationship with Chayton survive through all this?
Raven is a urban fantasy supervillain/hero new adult novella with a gay protagonist, and is the second installment in the Masks series.
- GenresYoung Adult
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2019
About the author
Amara Lynn
46 books58 followersAmara Lynn has always been a quiet daydreamer. Coming up with characters and worlds since childhood, Amara eventually found an outlet in writing. Amara loves anything to do with pirates, villains and superheroes, angels and demons.
They were born and raised in the Midwest USA, where they remain stuck with their spouse and two cats. They love to write about soft monsters and cryptids, grumpy enbies, and forever will be weak for the grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one trope. When not writing, they are usually watching anime, playing games, and obsessing over their out of control music playlists.
They were born and raised in the Midwest USA, where they remain stuck with their spouse and two cats. They love to write about soft monsters and cryptids, grumpy enbies, and forever will be weak for the grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one trope. When not writing, they are usually watching anime, playing games, and obsessing over their out of control music playlists.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 10, 2019
((Note: I received an advanced review copy (ARC) in exchange for a review, and I have to admit that I am glad I did.))
"Raven" picks up not long after "Masks" left off, and we're once again in the familiar (if sometimes dark) space of Avari's perspective. This is one thing I love about novellas, especially ones written in a series: they can lend themselves to being episodic, and feeling very much like coming back to your favorite television show for a new episode. What's going to happen next? What does this episode have in store for us?
Avari is the same flawed, sort of well-meaning protagonist (anti-hero?) that we’ve come to know and love, and the characters he interacts with continue to baffle, confuse, and even delight him in ways that are fun to experience along with him. Of course, we’re also with him as he finds himself in hotter water than he had expected, in so many different ways. I’m not sure about other readers, but I found it difficult not to be protective of the former-villain as he tried to deal with the challenges his less-than-heroic past brought forward.
Chayton is ever the bastion of understanding and empathy, and the chemistry between him and Avari is both palpable and sweet. He grows and changes with Avari, as significant others should really do (as we all grow and change) and takes his emotions and reactions into account. His insistence on requesting consent is another (HUGE) point in his favor, and offers a stark contrast to Kaiden, who seems less about consent and more about blackmail when we first meet him. He also develops, in a manner that truly surprised and impressed me, but you will have to read it for yourself to find out how and why!
Overall, the author’s prose has improved between the first and second novellas (and really, all writers/authors know that they always keep improving). It’s easier to slip into Avari’s perspective and experience the world through his eyes. The pacing improved as well, though there were places where the English Lit. major in me wanted to see more of the characters, the events, and the interactions. All in all, though, I would recommend this installment of the "Masks" series to fans of sweet romance, superhero-esque adventure, and a taste of the unknowable. I know I really enjoyed it, and I look forward to the next one.
"Raven" picks up not long after "Masks" left off, and we're once again in the familiar (if sometimes dark) space of Avari's perspective. This is one thing I love about novellas, especially ones written in a series: they can lend themselves to being episodic, and feeling very much like coming back to your favorite television show for a new episode. What's going to happen next? What does this episode have in store for us?
Avari is the same flawed, sort of well-meaning protagonist (anti-hero?) that we’ve come to know and love, and the characters he interacts with continue to baffle, confuse, and even delight him in ways that are fun to experience along with him. Of course, we’re also with him as he finds himself in hotter water than he had expected, in so many different ways. I’m not sure about other readers, but I found it difficult not to be protective of the former-villain as he tried to deal with the challenges his less-than-heroic past brought forward.
Chayton is ever the bastion of understanding and empathy, and the chemistry between him and Avari is both palpable and sweet. He grows and changes with Avari, as significant others should really do (as we all grow and change) and takes his emotions and reactions into account. His insistence on requesting consent is another (HUGE) point in his favor, and offers a stark contrast to Kaiden, who seems less about consent and more about blackmail when we first meet him. He also develops, in a manner that truly surprised and impressed me, but you will have to read it for yourself to find out how and why!
Overall, the author’s prose has improved between the first and second novellas (and really, all writers/authors know that they always keep improving). It’s easier to slip into Avari’s perspective and experience the world through his eyes. The pacing improved as well, though there were places where the English Lit. major in me wanted to see more of the characters, the events, and the interactions. All in all, though, I would recommend this installment of the "Masks" series to fans of sweet romance, superhero-esque adventure, and a taste of the unknowable. I know I really enjoyed it, and I look forward to the next one.
May 19, 2019
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Raven (Masks #2) by Amara Lynn
★★★★★
154 Pages
POV: 1st person, one character POV
Content Warning: mild violence, stalking, mentions of past self-harm and mental health issues
Raven is an urban fantasy novella continuing on from the events of Book 1: Masks. Raven ventures into the delicacies of friendship, love and family, while the main character, Avari, deals with the consequences of hiding his secret identity and moving beyond his time as Raven. Juggling college, life, and his powers, the last thing Avari is prepared for is pushy fanboy Kaiden.
The story picked up shortly after the event of Book 1, which is great, because the relationship between Avari and Chayton is still so tentative and uncertain. With Avari having given up his place as Raven, the last thing he expects is for a random human to approach and blackmail him – be Kaiden's friend, or he'll reveal that Avari is Raven to the world. It seems like such a strange concept and one that shouldn't work, but it actually does.
Kaiden is pushy, sure, but he also has a delicate side that is both vulnerable and a little bloodthirsty, too. It's that side of him that allowed me to actually like and appreciate his character. Before the big revelation of his deeper personality, he was a little too stereotypical for me, but that all made sense once we knew the truth of his past.
At first, I didn't understand why Avari gave in to Kaiden's blackmail. After all, there was no way to prove that he was Raven, because he controlled his wings and couldn't be forced to show them. But, at the same time, Chayton admitted in book 1 that his mask wasn't much of a disguise, so there is some leeway to show that he wouldn't be that hard to identify.
I still loved Chayton, but he was a little more emotional and less strong and 'hero-esque' than the previous book. I liked him better in book 1, but he didn't have a big hard here, so it wasn't so clear that he was a little more vulnerable and unsure about himself here.
Overall, Raven doesn't have that Emo feel that book 1 had, but it's a bit more serious, with Avari being aware of the consequences of his actions and the dangers of his powers. Though he's still a little reckless, he wouldn't be Avari if he wasn't, so it was good to see the continuity of his characterisation. They slow burn between Avari and Chayton was lovely and the slow-growth of friendship between Avari and Kaiden was sweet. I loved how gradual and natural the developments were, throughout.
I'd love to see another book/story in the series, especially if it showed more of Kaiden. I really grew to love him, after a while. I'd love to see more of his story, and see Avari and Chayton working together as a team, rather than against each other.
~
Favourite Quotes
“Chayton made me feel like I had a place. He felt like home. Which was a feeling I'd never experienced before.”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Raven (Masks #2) by Amara Lynn
★★★★★
154 Pages
POV: 1st person, one character POV
Content Warning: mild violence, stalking, mentions of past self-harm and mental health issues
Raven is an urban fantasy novella continuing on from the events of Book 1: Masks. Raven ventures into the delicacies of friendship, love and family, while the main character, Avari, deals with the consequences of hiding his secret identity and moving beyond his time as Raven. Juggling college, life, and his powers, the last thing Avari is prepared for is pushy fanboy Kaiden.
The story picked up shortly after the event of Book 1, which is great, because the relationship between Avari and Chayton is still so tentative and uncertain. With Avari having given up his place as Raven, the last thing he expects is for a random human to approach and blackmail him – be Kaiden's friend, or he'll reveal that Avari is Raven to the world. It seems like such a strange concept and one that shouldn't work, but it actually does.
Kaiden is pushy, sure, but he also has a delicate side that is both vulnerable and a little bloodthirsty, too. It's that side of him that allowed me to actually like and appreciate his character. Before the big revelation of his deeper personality, he was a little too stereotypical for me, but that all made sense once we knew the truth of his past.
At first, I didn't understand why Avari gave in to Kaiden's blackmail. After all, there was no way to prove that he was Raven, because he controlled his wings and couldn't be forced to show them. But, at the same time, Chayton admitted in book 1 that his mask wasn't much of a disguise, so there is some leeway to show that he wouldn't be that hard to identify.
I still loved Chayton, but he was a little more emotional and less strong and 'hero-esque' than the previous book. I liked him better in book 1, but he didn't have a big hard here, so it wasn't so clear that he was a little more vulnerable and unsure about himself here.
Overall, Raven doesn't have that Emo feel that book 1 had, but it's a bit more serious, with Avari being aware of the consequences of his actions and the dangers of his powers. Though he's still a little reckless, he wouldn't be Avari if he wasn't, so it was good to see the continuity of his characterisation. They slow burn between Avari and Chayton was lovely and the slow-growth of friendship between Avari and Kaiden was sweet. I loved how gradual and natural the developments were, throughout.
I'd love to see another book/story in the series, especially if it showed more of Kaiden. I really grew to love him, after a while. I'd love to see more of his story, and see Avari and Chayton working together as a team, rather than against each other.
~
Favourite Quotes
“Chayton made me feel like I had a place. He felt like home. Which was a feeling I'd never experienced before.”
May 15, 2019
This is the first book I have read in this series but it will definitely not be the last. I am now hooked and cannot wait to see what the future books hold for not only Chayton and Avari but also to Avari’s new little side kick Kaiden. This was not a really long book but it definitely had just enough in it to catch my attention and keep me wanting more.
Avari has a secret identity, Raven. A part of Avari is different then other humans because he has wings for one but he also can conjure fire as well. Avari did not always use his powers for good. He actually used them as a way to release his anger of not knowing his true identity or his mother that died at child birth or his father that has never been around at all. He does not even know his name. So he has a lot of anger in him and he did things that he now regrets. This regret comes from meeting his once arch nemesis, Chayton.
Chayton has his own secret. He has his own set of wings that was activated by an amulet from his tribe. He is pure good and tries to help those that need it. As Falcon, Chayton is able to do that. When Falcon and Raven met they was enemies but now things are different. Chayton was able to help Avari to become a better him and now Avari does not let Raven out. But that is about to change.
Avari has a fan that has discovered his identity and he wants to be friends with Avari or he is going to tell his secret to all that will listen. This person is Kaiden. Kaiden is hyper and does not shut up. He says whatever comes to his mind without thinking first. Avari is not keen on them being friends but what can he do. So now he is stuck with Kaiden and neither Avari or Chayton are all to thrilled about it.
When weird things start happening around Avari and Kaiden, Avari knows he has to get to the bottom of it. And Kaiden is determined to help. What will happen when the truth comes out? How is Chayton going to feel about Avari spending so much time with Kaiden and going behind Chayton’s back? What motivates Kaiden to blackmail Avari to be his friend?
This was a great book. I am left wanting to know what is going to come out in the next book. This book was an exciting read with twists that I did not see coming. I cannot wait to see what will happen next.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Avari has a secret identity, Raven. A part of Avari is different then other humans because he has wings for one but he also can conjure fire as well. Avari did not always use his powers for good. He actually used them as a way to release his anger of not knowing his true identity or his mother that died at child birth or his father that has never been around at all. He does not even know his name. So he has a lot of anger in him and he did things that he now regrets. This regret comes from meeting his once arch nemesis, Chayton.
Chayton has his own secret. He has his own set of wings that was activated by an amulet from his tribe. He is pure good and tries to help those that need it. As Falcon, Chayton is able to do that. When Falcon and Raven met they was enemies but now things are different. Chayton was able to help Avari to become a better him and now Avari does not let Raven out. But that is about to change.
Avari has a fan that has discovered his identity and he wants to be friends with Avari or he is going to tell his secret to all that will listen. This person is Kaiden. Kaiden is hyper and does not shut up. He says whatever comes to his mind without thinking first. Avari is not keen on them being friends but what can he do. So now he is stuck with Kaiden and neither Avari or Chayton are all to thrilled about it.
When weird things start happening around Avari and Kaiden, Avari knows he has to get to the bottom of it. And Kaiden is determined to help. What will happen when the truth comes out? How is Chayton going to feel about Avari spending so much time with Kaiden and going behind Chayton’s back? What motivates Kaiden to blackmail Avari to be his friend?
This was a great book. I am left wanting to know what is going to come out in the next book. This book was an exciting read with twists that I did not see coming. I cannot wait to see what will happen next.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
May 19, 2019
This a short novella (I typically dislike novellas, but this one is the exception) that picks up right where book 1 ( Masks), ended.
We're immediately introduced to Kaiden, a quicksilver character who's deadly with a knife, quirky, and not what he seems.
We're also meet a very important piece of Ava's past.
I absolutely loved this book - sure hope there's a book three in the works!
We're immediately introduced to Kaiden, a quicksilver character who's deadly with a knife, quirky, and not what he seems.
We're also meet a very important piece of Ava's past.
I absolutely loved this book - sure hope there's a book three in the works!
May 20, 2019
I loved this novella! Fun and fast-paced, with a supernatural twist. The romance feels so authentic and the fluffy moments between Avari and Chayton are adorable. Avari goes through some crazy new adventures in this one, and you get to learn more about who he is, which surprised me in a good way. I’m excited to see where this series goes next!
May 20, 2019
I love this series!
We got to see more development when it came to Ava and Chayton’s relationship and were introduced to his new relationship with Kaiden, his hyper-blackmailing sidekick.
I still love Ava’s personality, just a gives no shits about it, while Chayton is the balm to his frostiness.
Can’t wait to see what comes next from Ms. Lynn, I’m super excited.
We got to see more development when it came to Ava and Chayton’s relationship and were introduced to his new relationship with Kaiden, his hyper-blackmailing sidekick.
I still love Ava’s personality, just a gives no shits about it, while Chayton is the balm to his frostiness.
Can’t wait to see what comes next from Ms. Lynn, I’m super excited.
November 7, 2019
I'd hoped that the sequel would be a little better than the first, due to the author having more experience writing, but that wasn't the case. The characters became even more juvenile, to the point where sometimes they read like children in middle school, not college-age adults. In addition, the same problems of the first persisted.
June 13, 2022
It was an okay read. I didn't find it too engrossing but it was decent.
mm-ok-bx
August 22, 2025Bx,Rokp
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews