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Mask of Silence Series #1
Mask of Silence
They thought they’d lived through hell. Until it came calling from the grave…
Savannah has witnessed enough in her life. With a drug addict for a mother, she protects her younger brother and tries desperately to maintain a social life. But after a Halloween prank turns deadly, she's unsure she can conceal her friends' dark secret. And not even her close-knit group of friends can hold a stalking, demonic creature at bay forever…
Through years of suffering the fury of his father, Evan learned to keep his head down and his mouth shut. Counting on his band of misfits for moral support, the sins of their holiday mistake have come back to hunt them. And he's about to learn the hard way that they'll only pay for their secrets in screams.
Can Savannah and Evan battle a demon of their own creation or will their silence end with their slaughter?
Mask of Silence is the first book in a chilling two-part supernatural horror series. If you like damaged characters, psychological thrills, and gory action, then you’ll love Alex C. Gates’ edge-of-your-seat slasher.
Buy Mask of Silence to unleash a demonic terror today!
Savannah has witnessed enough in her life. With a drug addict for a mother, she protects her younger brother and tries desperately to maintain a social life. But after a Halloween prank turns deadly, she's unsure she can conceal her friends' dark secret. And not even her close-knit group of friends can hold a stalking, demonic creature at bay forever…
Through years of suffering the fury of his father, Evan learned to keep his head down and his mouth shut. Counting on his band of misfits for moral support, the sins of their holiday mistake have come back to hunt them. And he's about to learn the hard way that they'll only pay for their secrets in screams.
Can Savannah and Evan battle a demon of their own creation or will their silence end with their slaughter?
Mask of Silence is the first book in a chilling two-part supernatural horror series. If you like damaged characters, psychological thrills, and gory action, then you’ll love Alex C. Gates’ edge-of-your-seat slasher.
Buy Mask of Silence to unleash a demonic terror today!
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
276 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Alex Gates
38 books80 followersA product of Small Town, California, Alex Gates is a loving husband, skilled educator, true Gryffindor, dragon-slayer, wizard of the highest order, defender of the realm, Cowboys fan, and connoisseur of cheap beer. He spent four years at California State University, Sacramento studying literature, watching football, and day drinking before obtaining a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 9, 2025
This was one scary and spooky book!
Small backstory:
Five friends (Evan, Savannah, QP, Robert, and Tyler) all of them have some kind of problems in their life that they are dealing with, so they decide to get together and see if they can summon a demon for Halloween. Since all of them will probably be going their separate ways after high school, they want to do something epic for their last Halloween together. QP decides that he wants to do the summoning in a cemetery on Halloween night which the other friends are a little iffy on that, but they eventually all go along with the idea.
When they try to summon the demon, something does appear in the circle, but they find out it was just a prank as one of their other friends just wanted to mess with them as he appears to them wearing a mask. When one of the friends ends up dead is when everything takes a more serious turn and the friends find out the hard way that even trying to summon a demon is never a good thing. As time goes on, each friend is stalked by some kind of apparition wearing the mask.
What kind of demon did the friends summon? What or who is wearing the mask? Does anyone survive the demon's wrath? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
This was a spooky romp all the way to the end of the book as the more I became involved with the storyline, the more creeped out I became as I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next to the friends! Another author added to my horror book list. :)
There is a second book in the series that I will be checking out as well in the future. Giving this book five "Sinister & Spooky" stars!
Small backstory:
Five friends (Evan, Savannah, QP, Robert, and Tyler) all of them have some kind of problems in their life that they are dealing with, so they decide to get together and see if they can summon a demon for Halloween. Since all of them will probably be going their separate ways after high school, they want to do something epic for their last Halloween together. QP decides that he wants to do the summoning in a cemetery on Halloween night which the other friends are a little iffy on that, but they eventually all go along with the idea.
When they try to summon the demon, something does appear in the circle, but they find out it was just a prank as one of their other friends just wanted to mess with them as he appears to them wearing a mask. When one of the friends ends up dead is when everything takes a more serious turn and the friends find out the hard way that even trying to summon a demon is never a good thing. As time goes on, each friend is stalked by some kind of apparition wearing the mask.
What kind of demon did the friends summon? What or who is wearing the mask? Does anyone survive the demon's wrath? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
This was a spooky romp all the way to the end of the book as the more I became involved with the storyline, the more creeped out I became as I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next to the friends! Another author added to my horror book list. :)
There is a second book in the series that I will be checking out as well in the future. Giving this book five "Sinister & Spooky" stars!
January 8, 2020
Mask of silence made me literally fight to stay awake. You see I stayed up late to ring in the New Year, so I’m half awake. Wanting a big slice of horror in my life, I picked this one first. Why? Because the cover, duh. Thinking this would scare me awake, so I don’t miss out on normal amount of sleep tonight. Whatever normal sleep is.
I signed up for horror, guts and dead bodies. Maybe a bit of cannibalism tossed in for good measure. What I got was a bucket of teenage love plot, abusive parents, and a bunch of kids who most likely took too many drugs. I mean I’m all for drug use, and fucking around but I thought we were going to a deep dark place? Like the dark zone. Yea the dark zone of horror where the plots scare the shit out of me and leaves me contemplating the human psyche for weeks on end. What I got was life’s shit. People are shit. Can’t depend on anyone for anything. Blah, blah, insert life lessons here, blah. Also a spooky mask. Ooooh. Btw, RL Stein owns the rights to spooky mask books as far as I’m concerned, so just hand the man his dues.
In truth I really wanted to like this book. I enjoyed most of the writing style and it’s always exciting to find new books and authors. I think if your looking for a light spook feast with some blood sprinkled in the mix then this is the book for you. I’m more into torture, pain, psychology games, eating people like it’s a fucking sport... you know the good shit. Maybe bringing your cat back and letting it eat people. Zombies cats anyone?
I signed up for horror, guts and dead bodies. Maybe a bit of cannibalism tossed in for good measure. What I got was a bucket of teenage love plot, abusive parents, and a bunch of kids who most likely took too many drugs. I mean I’m all for drug use, and fucking around but I thought we were going to a deep dark place? Like the dark zone. Yea the dark zone of horror where the plots scare the shit out of me and leaves me contemplating the human psyche for weeks on end. What I got was life’s shit. People are shit. Can’t depend on anyone for anything. Blah, blah, insert life lessons here, blah. Also a spooky mask. Ooooh. Btw, RL Stein owns the rights to spooky mask books as far as I’m concerned, so just hand the man his dues.
In truth I really wanted to like this book. I enjoyed most of the writing style and it’s always exciting to find new books and authors. I think if your looking for a light spook feast with some blood sprinkled in the mix then this is the book for you. I’m more into torture, pain, psychology games, eating people like it’s a fucking sport... you know the good shit. Maybe bringing your cat back and letting it eat people. Zombies cats anyone?
January 3, 2020
I don't even know where to begin with this book. Aside from numerous grammatical errors and typos there were so many things that made absolutely no sense. One mistake, one dead body and they freak and don't call the cops. That I could believe. But they bury the guy and no one notices? The cop stops them on the way back from the cemetery but he didn't notice they had shovels? Or did they leave them there? After one dead body- let's say I buy it -but then not only do bodies start piling up and no one calls the cops but they also walk all over a crime scene, touch things and two of them puke? Not to mention a car drives by. Not the best way to keep a low profile. Then there is the disagreement between Savannah and Evan in the woods. In the dark with a puppy and a dead body. I think they could have come up with a better place for an argument. No one is going to stand in the woods in the middle of the night while a murderer is on the loose to have a discussion.
There are a few other things that I noticed as well. When Leo goes missing- no one reports it. The school and the addict mother both know he's missing. I didn't understand why she was at the school in the first place. It seems to me she wouldn't want them to get involved and possibly call the cops or cps. Later Savannah calls the cops but not about all the dead bodies- just about Evan's dad. I guess maybe she thought if he got locked up Evan could stop worrying about his mom but it didn't make a lot of sense. When she finally does find her brother the conversation makes him sound as if he is six years old. I remembered that he was supposed to be affiliated with "bad kids" so I had to skim back and he's supposed to be in middle school. The conversations with other characters didn't flow well either at times. For example at one point Robert says "he'll kill all of us Sava. What if we can't get the mask off Sava?" There were only a few people present so he needed to only say her name once for the reader to understand who he was speaking to.
All of these things added up to me finishing the story more annoyed that I wasted my time than satisfied. I was left feeling like I had run all over but never really got anywhere.
There are a few other things that I noticed as well. When Leo goes missing- no one reports it. The school and the addict mother both know he's missing. I didn't understand why she was at the school in the first place. It seems to me she wouldn't want them to get involved and possibly call the cops or cps. Later Savannah calls the cops but not about all the dead bodies- just about Evan's dad. I guess maybe she thought if he got locked up Evan could stop worrying about his mom but it didn't make a lot of sense. When she finally does find her brother the conversation makes him sound as if he is six years old. I remembered that he was supposed to be affiliated with "bad kids" so I had to skim back and he's supposed to be in middle school. The conversations with other characters didn't flow well either at times. For example at one point Robert says "he'll kill all of us Sava. What if we can't get the mask off Sava?" There were only a few people present so he needed to only say her name once for the reader to understand who he was speaking to.
All of these things added up to me finishing the story more annoyed that I wasted my time than satisfied. I was left feeling like I had run all over but never really got anywhere.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2020
Very well writen, rivetting till the end, but for a teen age audience.
January 2, 2019
This book has a great story and the characters are like regular people with normal problems. Except for the mask. I read this in one day because i didn't want to stop until I found out the end
I got this ARC from Booksprout and this is my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I got this ARC from Booksprout and this is my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2019
I really loved this book and found it difficult to put down once I started reading. Most of the characters are very relatable. This really is a fantastic horror story that shall keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat to the very end! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 19, 2019
A terrifying demon. Shocking secrets. And enough suspense to leave you guessing. Overall a fantastic horror novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 10, 2024
When a Halloween prank goes wrong in the worst way a group of childhood friends find themselves hunted by a dark figure wearing the very mask one of their number had died in. The very mask he had been wearing when they murdered him. One by one it goes after them. One by one they fail to break their silence when doing so might just buy their survival.
Alex Gates’ Mask of Silence is very much a slasher movie story line in book form. This leads to some interesting opportunities for character building and some interesting issues with character presentation.
The first several chapters are dedicated to introducing the cast and giving us a slice of their home lives. This starts the reader with a handful of characters who are not terribly sympathetic even as their home lives are varying levels and types of bad. I almost started making a list of who I figured would die first based on this initial characterization. Part of this list might have been who I wanted to see killed off, but that is neither here nor there. The thing is, once the story got its feet under it, the characters were given room to grow past that initial impression and to become more three dimensional. They became more fun and much easier to care about, much less fodder for the slasher. It was well done.
I did find myself wishing that we got more about the slasher itself, more about its rules for lack of a better term. I was certain that I knew what they would need to do to escape, but then it looks like I was wrong and I find myself a little lost on what needed to have been different for it to work. I think I would have also liked to have seen more of the characters trying to figure out the slasher rather than going after a red herring. The way the book was written the red herring being a red herring will be obvious to the reader, which lead to some frustration for me when the characters kept coming back to the idea that it had to be that character.
All of that said, the only real complaints I had were that it occasionally felt like it dipped a little too hard into the characters’ home lives being terrible, that got to just super dramatic levels a couple of times, and that there were a few places with pretty bad grammatical errors. Not bad enough to effect my score, but bad enough that I noticed it and was taken out of the story by it. Another pass through with the editor might have been good.
Overall, I enjoyed Mask of Silence. It was a fun quick read that was more or less exactly what I was looking for when I started it. The characters developed nicely. There was the mystery as to who the killer was. There was unnecessary drama that left the characters vulnerable but also feeling very much like the scared teens they were supposed to be. With the little bit of frustration I felt with parts of it, I feel like Mask of Silence earns a four out of five.
Review was previously posted at https://tympestbooks.wordpress.com/20...
Alex Gates’ Mask of Silence is very much a slasher movie story line in book form. This leads to some interesting opportunities for character building and some interesting issues with character presentation.
The first several chapters are dedicated to introducing the cast and giving us a slice of their home lives. This starts the reader with a handful of characters who are not terribly sympathetic even as their home lives are varying levels and types of bad. I almost started making a list of who I figured would die first based on this initial characterization. Part of this list might have been who I wanted to see killed off, but that is neither here nor there. The thing is, once the story got its feet under it, the characters were given room to grow past that initial impression and to become more three dimensional. They became more fun and much easier to care about, much less fodder for the slasher. It was well done.
I did find myself wishing that we got more about the slasher itself, more about its rules for lack of a better term. I was certain that I knew what they would need to do to escape, but then it looks like I was wrong and I find myself a little lost on what needed to have been different for it to work. I think I would have also liked to have seen more of the characters trying to figure out the slasher rather than going after a red herring. The way the book was written the red herring being a red herring will be obvious to the reader, which lead to some frustration for me when the characters kept coming back to the idea that it had to be that character.
All of that said, the only real complaints I had were that it occasionally felt like it dipped a little too hard into the characters’ home lives being terrible, that got to just super dramatic levels a couple of times, and that there were a few places with pretty bad grammatical errors. Not bad enough to effect my score, but bad enough that I noticed it and was taken out of the story by it. Another pass through with the editor might have been good.
Overall, I enjoyed Mask of Silence. It was a fun quick read that was more or less exactly what I was looking for when I started it. The characters developed nicely. There was the mystery as to who the killer was. There was unnecessary drama that left the characters vulnerable but also feeling very much like the scared teens they were supposed to be. With the little bit of frustration I felt with parts of it, I feel like Mask of Silence earns a four out of five.
Review was previously posted at https://tympestbooks.wordpress.com/20...
December 13, 2019
Mask of Silence tells the tale of a group of teens that unknowingly summon a demon on Halloween after accidentally killing a fellow classmate.
What is more terrifying, telling the truth and dealing with the consequences or remaining silent and dealing with a demon's idea of consequences?
A short read under 3 hours that pretty much moves fast. It manages to give the reader a little bit of background on each main character, just enough to make you feel for them. I wish it would have given a little more info on the demon itself and the group before them who accidentally summoned the demon. It felt a little rushed, but seeing as it is a novella under 300 pages, not much can be helped. The book could do well being a bit more fleshed out and expanded to put a bit more suspense in between the kill/action scene, but overall, not a bad horror story.
What is more terrifying, telling the truth and dealing with the consequences or remaining silent and dealing with a demon's idea of consequences?
A short read under 3 hours that pretty much moves fast. It manages to give the reader a little bit of background on each main character, just enough to make you feel for them. I wish it would have given a little more info on the demon itself and the group before them who accidentally summoned the demon. It felt a little rushed, but seeing as it is a novella under 300 pages, not much can be helped. The book could do well being a bit more fleshed out and expanded to put a bit more suspense in between the kill/action scene, but overall, not a bad horror story.
September 15, 2022
For a long time during this book I just couldn’t get into and I’m not sure why. It just wasn’t holding my attention. It definitely took me a lot longer to finish because of that. The only reason I kept reading was because it’s so short and I thought that a story about a group of people getting stalked and killed by a demon had to get interesting at some point! It definitely did but it was well past the halfway mark. Some parts i liked and some parts dragged but overall it was a pretty alright book. I downloaded the second book because it was a free download at the end of this one, not sure if I’ll pick it up or not though.
January 25, 2021
It just didn't work for me. Like others who have already left reviews I was lured in by the cover expecting a nice creepy demon novel. Unfortunately all I got was super generic characters with not much life or substance, a plot that was just filled with plot holes and then a rushed ending in order to tie things up. The demon felt really weak and the opposite of creepy and not remotely scary. I dont think ill check out the sequel to see if it improves sadly.
July 21, 2020
I read this book so fast - it held my attention from page 1. I loved the character interactions, several of which made me laugh out loud. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because there were two details that I question and I guessed the big mystery before it was revealed - no spoilers though. It didn't ruin the story for me and I will definitely read the second book in the series!
September 6, 2020
It Was Bland
I wish the demon was more powerful and did more then get Justice for the silence. I won't go into details because I don't give spoilers . Basically it dragged and not my cup of tea. I gave 53% of this book until I got fed up with it. This is just my opinion but you may like it. 1 demon out of 5
I wish the demon was more powerful and did more then get Justice for the silence. I won't go into details because I don't give spoilers . Basically it dragged and not my cup of tea. I gave 53% of this book until I got fed up with it. This is just my opinion but you may like it. 1 demon out of 5
October 18, 2020
Not As Scary As The Cover’s Picture.
I was expecting the story to be terrifying. The picture on the cover sold me immediately. But what I got was a slow, eventual arrival to a so-so horror story. It wasn’t a bad story, but it just never grabbed me. I found myself surface reading just to skip ahead. It was just ok to me.
I was expecting the story to be terrifying. The picture on the cover sold me immediately. But what I got was a slow, eventual arrival to a so-so horror story. It wasn’t a bad story, but it just never grabbed me. I found myself surface reading just to skip ahead. It was just ok to me.
January 4, 2021
Good Thrill Ride of a Book
Considering I only paid like a buck for it, I can't really complain. That being said, I am a bit of a book snob and it seems as though the author became sloppy with the editing towards the end. Otherwise, I highly enjoyed the book and will likely be buying the sequel.
Considering I only paid like a buck for it, I can't really complain. That being said, I am a bit of a book snob and it seems as though the author became sloppy with the editing towards the end. Otherwise, I highly enjoyed the book and will likely be buying the sequel.
March 14, 2024
Not what ideas expecting
Love Alex gates books but these wasn't what ideas expecting, found them a little disturbing and when daisy came into the book I nearly didn't finish but I did, not sure I enjoyed the book but it was well written as always, probably a bit dark for me nowadays
Love Alex gates books but these wasn't what ideas expecting, found them a little disturbing and when daisy came into the book I nearly didn't finish but I did, not sure I enjoyed the book but it was well written as always, probably a bit dark for me nowadays
November 20, 2024
I was surprised by this book because the other books I've read by him were more like cozy mysteries in his Blue Moon series. This one is a horror story and I was a bit put off by the characters and the gory death scenes. However, Mr. Gates draws you into the story and makes it hard to stop reading. (TW: child abuse, domestic violence, graphic violence.) Recommended with caution.
July 19, 2020
For any lover of horror
This was a horror joy for me and I reccomend it to anyone who loves a good scary tale. The characters are so easy to get to know and the choices they have to make are felt deeply. I am happily about to start the second book in this series.
This was a horror joy for me and I reccomend it to anyone who loves a good scary tale. The characters are so easy to get to know and the choices they have to make are felt deeply. I am happily about to start the second book in this series.
July 23, 2020
Really good and fast paced...
I really enjoyed reading this book and thought it was very good and very fast paced as well. I can't wait to read the next book. There are some typos, but other than that, this was an excellent book. 💀 👻
I really enjoyed reading this book and thought it was very good and very fast paced as well. I can't wait to read the next book. There are some typos, but other than that, this was an excellent book. 💀 👻
October 20, 2020
Better than expected, I can't always appreciate another fan of Stephan King. Only complaint is I wished the kids were a little more fleshed out, they were all sterotypes and remained that way for the whole story.
Read
July 11, 2023Mixed Feelings
I Enjoyed the book I thought it had the makings of a really great horror story but I thought it lost its way and became predictable in the end not sure if I will read the second instalment
I Enjoyed the book I thought it had the makings of a really great horror story but I thought it lost its way and became predictable in the end not sure if I will read the second instalment
July 20, 2020
Page Turner
This was a good story about a demon. I did feel the ending was a little forced at the end.
This was a good story about a demon. I did feel the ending was a little forced at the end.
July 22, 2020
Immense
This is a fabulous read. Great story that keeps you enthralled and wondering what is going to happen next. Brilliant
This is a fabulous read. Great story that keeps you enthralled and wondering what is going to happen next. Brilliant
July 23, 2020
Thrill ride
Would make a great horror movie. This book keeps you reading well into the night then you are too scared to go to bed. Loved it!
Would make a great horror movie. This book keeps you reading well into the night then you are too scared to go to bed. Loved it!
July 25, 2020
5his was a perfectly creepy thriller.
July 30, 2020
Great Read
First time reading Alex Gates. You can tell from his imagination that he is a horror fan. Looking forward to the sequel.
First time reading Alex Gates. You can tell from his imagination that he is a horror fan. Looking forward to the sequel.
July 31, 2020
it's the secrets you keep that can hurt you the most
the ride was swift, the read enjoyable!
the ride was swift, the read enjoyable!
August 29, 2020
Just meh 🤷♀️It was free, I was bored. Save your time for something more worthy.
November 26, 2022
Great coming of age story
I am glad that I got my library to purchase a copy of this book. I enjoyed this coming of age story.
I am glad that I got my library to purchase a copy of this book. I enjoyed this coming of age story.
October 10, 2020
What starts out as a Halloween prank degenerates into a real horror story as an ancient mask is used in the prank but causes the death of those who stay silent after witnessing a killing but stay silent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews