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Masqueraded: Act One
Being haunted by a sinister circus, ghosts and scary clowns wasn't unusual for the spunky 18-year-old girl, Estela Nannette Sinclair. Neither was the physical and emotional abuse that she faced from her adoptive parents.
But, one was just a dream and the other would resolve itself in two weeks upon her eighteenth birthday... or so she mistakenly presumed. Her life was a complex façade of lies that hid how deeply she was entangled with three powerhouses of dark magic. Had she been that ignorant of the masquerade before her? An ignorance that wasn't bliss. And an ignorance that meant her corpse would likely decorate an amusement attraction in a mere two weeks' time.
Masqueraded is a suspenseful and deliciously dark psychological thriller and the first chapter of an emotionally-charged YA paranormal series that features a strong female lead character, who is looking for answers to her troubled past, while discovering new depths of deviant dark magic lurking underneath the surface in the carnival where she escaped the domestic abuse of her youth. Join Estela, as she explores a hidden magical world of teleportation, scrying, and telekinesis.
But, one was just a dream and the other would resolve itself in two weeks upon her eighteenth birthday... or so she mistakenly presumed. Her life was a complex façade of lies that hid how deeply she was entangled with three powerhouses of dark magic. Had she been that ignorant of the masquerade before her? An ignorance that wasn't bliss. And an ignorance that meant her corpse would likely decorate an amusement attraction in a mere two weeks' time.
Masqueraded is a suspenseful and deliciously dark psychological thriller and the first chapter of an emotionally-charged YA paranormal series that features a strong female lead character, who is looking for answers to her troubled past, while discovering new depths of deviant dark magic lurking underneath the surface in the carnival where she escaped the domestic abuse of her youth. Join Estela, as she explores a hidden magical world of teleportation, scrying, and telekinesis.
260 pages, Hardcover
Published September 18, 2020
2 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 20, 2020
I mean Masqueraded Act One, is a dark and suspenseful psychological thriller that amalgamates the elements of fantasy and horror. It follows the journey of Estela as she her dreams are haunted by circuses, ghosts and clowns. It gave me a feeling of Night Circus as a started reading it but this book is SO MUCH MORE!! The plot is enticing and compelling to say the least. But what sets this book apart is its setting. The author has an impeccable hold over the world building and literally transports you to the place of action immediately. The characters are detailed and each has a distinct voice. The writing is very lucid but at a same time has a ring to it. I extremely enjoyed reading it. Definitely looking forward to the following books in the series.
January 1, 2021
A story like none other!
Masqueraded: Act One is simply redefining everything we know of the magical world. When I read the blurb, I mistakenly assumed that this will be a story like the Harry Potter series. But I was wrong. Masqueraded presents another level of story. More human and more realistic. Dark magic exists among us. Immortality and superpowers are real but they all come with a price. The price they have to pay to create a bond with it is their soul.
Estela is a soon to be 18-year-old girl, who is craving for her freedom like none other of her age. She is merely surviving with her abusive adoptive parents and dealing with constant nightmares every day. She has been associated with a traveling carnival for three years from now. This is the only place of freedom she has got. But what she doesn't know is the dark truth behind her friends and associates from the carnival. Finally, she uncovered the truth behind their inhuman tricks and it is not what she imagined at all.
The author has developed Estela's character very well throughout the story. Her transformation from a naive, innocent girl to a confident, fearless woman was smooth and convincing. She is vulnerable and fearless at the same time. Ignorance brings fear. The more she gained knowledge, the more fearless she become.
I really loved the climax of this story. The cunning and manipulative characters are unconventional heroes in the mainstream. But here they are justified and backed by situations.
Masqueraded: Act One is simply redefining everything we know of the magical world. When I read the blurb, I mistakenly assumed that this will be a story like the Harry Potter series. But I was wrong. Masqueraded presents another level of story. More human and more realistic. Dark magic exists among us. Immortality and superpowers are real but they all come with a price. The price they have to pay to create a bond with it is their soul.
Estela is a soon to be 18-year-old girl, who is craving for her freedom like none other of her age. She is merely surviving with her abusive adoptive parents and dealing with constant nightmares every day. She has been associated with a traveling carnival for three years from now. This is the only place of freedom she has got. But what she doesn't know is the dark truth behind her friends and associates from the carnival. Finally, she uncovered the truth behind their inhuman tricks and it is not what she imagined at all.
The author has developed Estela's character very well throughout the story. Her transformation from a naive, innocent girl to a confident, fearless woman was smooth and convincing. She is vulnerable and fearless at the same time. Ignorance brings fear. The more she gained knowledge, the more fearless she become.
I really loved the climax of this story. The cunning and manipulative characters are unconventional heroes in the mainstream. But here they are justified and backed by situations.
September 24, 2020
Alexis Dees created a thrilling fantasy book full of mystery and action. I really liked it! You keep connecting with all the characters which is not easy. It is very hard for an author to create empathy between the reader and the characters, but you can expect it in Masqueraded Act One.
I recommend Masqueraded Act One as it is a great fantasy book mixed with political issues and mystery for you to think about how sometimes we are pawns and we don’t even know it. Alexis did a wonderful job describing the many characters personalities and expressions. I truly enjoyed how her characters were real and important to the YA community.
Estela is definitely my favourite character ever; she is just like so many of my friends and that is why I felt a huge connection. If you are into psychological fantasy books, then this is the right book for you! Estela was abused and mistreated during her childhood which took its toll in her personality, but know she will be discovering the secrets of the dark powers and magic and she will never be weak or defenceless again.
I also enjoyed how this book is fast-paced, but at the same time it is not rushed as some dark fantasy novels tend to be. Alexis has also used the perfect amount of dialogue, so that we wouldn’t be bored with too many descriptive scenes, but at the same time we wouldn’t get to much information when the characters are interacting.
To me this book is a must for this fall. You can expect a roller coaster of emotions. Believe me when I tell you that it is addictive. You can expect so many great moments that I had to take a break from reading.
I recommend Masqueraded Act One as it is a great fantasy book mixed with political issues and mystery for you to think about how sometimes we are pawns and we don’t even know it. Alexis did a wonderful job describing the many characters personalities and expressions. I truly enjoyed how her characters were real and important to the YA community.
Estela is definitely my favourite character ever; she is just like so many of my friends and that is why I felt a huge connection. If you are into psychological fantasy books, then this is the right book for you! Estela was abused and mistreated during her childhood which took its toll in her personality, but know she will be discovering the secrets of the dark powers and magic and she will never be weak or defenceless again.
I also enjoyed how this book is fast-paced, but at the same time it is not rushed as some dark fantasy novels tend to be. Alexis has also used the perfect amount of dialogue, so that we wouldn’t be bored with too many descriptive scenes, but at the same time we wouldn’t get to much information when the characters are interacting.
To me this book is a must for this fall. You can expect a roller coaster of emotions. Believe me when I tell you that it is addictive. You can expect so many great moments that I had to take a break from reading.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews