The Masquerade (Becoming Beka Series, Book 1)

Becoming Beka #1

by Sarah Anne Sumpolec

Since her mother's tragic death, Beka Madison's "good girl" image has been crumbling around her. She can't let her family discover she's not really a Christian, but her ragged emotions threaten to expose her. The Masquerade is an absorbing story of a teenage girl's struggle with self-discovery and the revelation that truth brings freedom.

Genres: Young Adult, Christian, Christian Fiction, Teen, High School, Contemporary, Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sarah Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written, engaging book. You empathise with Beka and cry when she cries (she struggles with depression, so beware that you’ll feel her pain). Lots of drama and a damsel in distress (Beka!). I particularly love the idea of her being trapped in a lie, where she pretends to be a Christian and then feels she can’t be honest with her family. I feel like this is a realistic scenario, which draws us in. Definitely would love to read this book again.

[Danae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Zizi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it. I really did. The beginning and middle were, to me, very dramatic, but in the end, it made me realize all the hardships and things that she was going through. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series soon!

[Sofia Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I swallowed the rest of my tears and pushed everything he said aside. I still had seven hours of school to get through. I adjusted my backpack, stuffed everything down inside, and walked into Bragg County High School determined to be okay. Whatever that meant."

Beka was there that day. Actually, she was driving the car. And now she doesn't know what to do and where to go with all the guilt and confusion she has after her mom's death. She can't talk with her family; they will never understand her. So she throws herself into school, auditioning for the musical and becoming friends with the most popular girl. But there is more to the story. She just hopes her secret never gets out.

"The Masquerade" was a very gripping and somewhat depressing book - at least at the start. Beka found herself trying to hold more and more of her feelings inside, and that played out on her relationships in the family. The turning movement at the end seemed too quick, and most of the Christian content is only at the end of the book. However, Beka's story of how opening up can bring healing is well needed in this world.

"The Masquerade" is the first in the Becoming Beka series. The others are "The Alliance", "The Passage", "The Reveal", and "The Encore".

~Review written by Sofia Marie of the Teens Live for Jesus blog~

[Camy Blaies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved how the author created a very detailed story of a teenager going through many trials in life. Being a teenager, this book was easy to relate to which made the plot even more interesting to me. I felt as if I was really in Beka's family with the way the author would describe the thoughts inside her head. This book was definitely a page turner and was very difficult to find a stopping point with each time I picked it up. Being able to actually feel nervous as if I was going on that first date with Mark, or the fear of making new friends just as Beka did made the book fantastic. There were times when I actually had tears from how great the author portrayed the emotions that Beka was feeling. I definitely recommend this book if you are someone who loves to read about the drama that goes with life. I can almost promise that there will be points of the book that make you cry and also experiences that make you literally laugh out loud. I personally have connected with many of the experiences that Beka went through such as depression and separating herself from her family. This book creates such a vivid image of each experience which makes for an overall amazing book for anyone.

[Andye.Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Masquerade was a very moving book that took me back to my high school years. The downward spiral that can become your life so quickly with just one lie is something a lot of teens can relate to. Beka's fear of being exposed as a fraud leads to a life of lying, partying, and eventually such despair that she's not sure if she wants to go on living. But Beka's family and a couple of really good friends, help her to see that there's more to life than what she's seeing now, and that God, and they, will forgive her no matter what she's done.

The Masquerade is a great read for anyone who is struggling with her faith, contemplating God, or just wants a good faith-based book. Thank you Sarah, for sharing your faith, and for being a light to girls who aren't sure about God, or if they can ever be forgiven.

Sarah has a fascinating story about how she became a Christian and a writer.

~Andye

Parents need to know: There is no sexual content, language, or violence in this book, but there is some partying/drinking and Beka has some thoughts about suicide. For more details, go to The Masquerade on http://ParentalBookReviews.com/

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I worried about the main character and whether she was going to make it in the end. The story was interesting and I felt like Beka's struggles were realistic. After I finished this book I wanted to read the rest of the series. I would recommend if you are interested in contemporary christian fiction that deals with heavy issues and yet, still portrays them from a spiritual perspective.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010...

[Regan.b · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Bekka is going through hard times after her mother dies. She is hiding a secret from everyone, and is trapped by the secret. Then all of a sudden, Gretchen, an enemy of hers, is being nice to her. Bekka agrees to a friendship with Gretchen, but is a little suspicious. A new girl named Lori comes to town, but Gretchen doesn't like her. Bekka has to choose if she would like to be friends with Lori or Gretchen. This is a very good book, an I would recommend it.

[Janelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book by the fifth chapter, and it was actually quite boring. All the main character did was complaining about everything. And personally, the main girl was way to goody for my liking. And I'm not a religious person at all, so I don't really enjoy reading a book about a total religious person.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balance between chicklit and christian faith for the younger teen.

[Erin Hartegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have any of you guys read this book?

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F SUM bb bk.1

[Jellybean · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thought at first that it was going to be very boring but it just kept getting better=D loved it!

[Andria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, good message, but got a little slow in the middle.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Why doesn't goodreads let you give half ratings? It's irritating!