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redentrapy's review
2.0
This book was anticlimactic just like the last one. It was slow. Had too much information which made most of it explanation instead of characterization. The characters were a little shallow. The plot was interesting though I figured it out pretty quickly. The plot was a little shaky in places but for her first series Patricia Briggs did a very good job. Aralorn didn't grow at all or seem to learn anything and was a little annoying. Wolf though was an interesting character in this one and you got to understand a little more about him. This book was more geared towards him learning who he really was. Almost all the characters in this book bugged me for one reason or another which made it hard for me to read because I didn't have a character that I liked.
amym84's review
4.0
I liked this book. I thought that it was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed going back to the characters. I'm sure that fans of the first book Masques were excited when this book was announced. I know if a book that I liked and thought was only going to be a standalone and then the author says they ar finally releasing the sequel. I would be estatic.
One thing, I wished there would have been more focus on the developing relationship between Wolf and Aralorn. You can see that they care about each other, but sometimes they seemed so distant from each other. I think the fact that they were at Aralorn's father's house and they kept their relationship quiet from the rest of the family they could really be seen together except when they were alone and that's why they seemed distant.
The conflict of the story was, at times, a little confusing. They were fighting the same villain from the first book but not in the flesh really. I guess I just don't understand how it all came about. This could do for a re-read.
I think that the end kind of left it to where Briggs could revisit these characters sometime if she chose. I have no idea if she has plans to but it's nice that there might be a possibility in there.
One thing, I wished there would have been more focus on the developing relationship between Wolf and Aralorn. You can see that they care about each other, but sometimes they seemed so distant from each other. I think the fact that they were at Aralorn's father's house and they kept their relationship quiet from the rest of the family they could really be seen together except when they were alone and that's why they seemed distant.
The conflict of the story was, at times, a little confusing. They were fighting the same villain from the first book but not in the flesh really. I guess I just don't understand how it all came about. This could do for a re-read.
I think that the end kind of left it to where Briggs could revisit these characters sometime if she chose. I have no idea if she has plans to but it's nice that there might be a possibility in there.
twstdtink's review
2.0
I read this with the understanding that it was a sequel, but that I wouldn't need the first book to understand the story. Unfortunately, I didn't find that to be true. I was pretty lost in the beginning and later, still felt as if I were missing out on some inaugural part of the plot. I'm a huge Briggs fan. Maybe that's why I found this early work so lacking. :(
angels_gp17's review
5.0
** Note: This novel starts with an introduction by the author herself explaining the updated edition. **
I finished listening to Masques and just had to dive into Aralorn and Wolf’s next story, Wolfsbane. Their are two other titles before Wolfsbane in the Sianim series, I have yet to listen to them, but plan too, and this is the second in the Aralorn series. I’m so glad I grabbed this one next.
I’m in heaven. Briggs did an stunning job with this novel. The storytelling is magical, vivid, and just all-around outstanding. You are pulled into the story from the moment it starts and each additional moment keeps you in rapture.
When we start Aralon is on her way home for her father, the Lion of Lions Guard’s, funeral. Wolf is not with her. He has just up and disappeared. He's been doing this a lot throughout the years that they have been together. It’s his way of not getting attached, but we know and so does Aralon that both are attached.
I adored getting to see Aralon’s family. We meet her father’s family as well as the shape shifters side. Many don’t like Aralon and some even fear her. It was sad to see this, but Aralon new that she didn’t really belong and did the right thing in leaving even if some of her family missed her. Things would not have been good if she stayed.
Briggs weaves a story full of adventure and we learn fast that it’s a trap for both Wolf and Aralon. We get to meet a Death Goddess, Aralon’s family, some of the shape shifters, and who knows; the A Majie may not be gone as they thought.
It’s an epic fantasy full of twists, turns, and stories inside stories. I can’t stop thinking about this world and characters and what might come next for them. It’s one mind-blowing listen.
Narration: Katherine Kellgren did an exceptional job with her narration. The storytelling was striking and the magical fight scenes were extraordinary. All the voices where distinctive, pleasant, and nice. I have to say I’m oh so glad I listened. I highly recommend the audiobook for Aralorn’s stories.
Rated: 5 Star
I finished listening to Masques and just had to dive into Aralorn and Wolf’s next story, Wolfsbane. Their are two other titles before Wolfsbane in the Sianim series, I have yet to listen to them, but plan too, and this is the second in the Aralorn series. I’m so glad I grabbed this one next.
I’m in heaven. Briggs did an stunning job with this novel. The storytelling is magical, vivid, and just all-around outstanding. You are pulled into the story from the moment it starts and each additional moment keeps you in rapture.
When we start Aralon is on her way home for her father, the Lion of Lions Guard’s, funeral. Wolf is not with her. He has just up and disappeared. He's been doing this a lot throughout the years that they have been together. It’s his way of not getting attached, but we know and so does Aralon that both are attached.
I adored getting to see Aralon’s family. We meet her father’s family as well as the shape shifters side. Many don’t like Aralon and some even fear her. It was sad to see this, but Aralon new that she didn’t really belong and did the right thing in leaving even if some of her family missed her. Things would not have been good if she stayed.
Briggs weaves a story full of adventure and we learn fast that it’s a trap for both Wolf and Aralon. We get to meet a Death Goddess, Aralon’s family, some of the shape shifters, and who knows; the A Majie may not be gone as they thought.
It’s an epic fantasy full of twists, turns, and stories inside stories. I can’t stop thinking about this world and characters and what might come next for them. It’s one mind-blowing listen.
Narration: Katherine Kellgren did an exceptional job with her narration. The storytelling was striking and the magical fight scenes were extraordinary. All the voices where distinctive, pleasant, and nice. I have to say I’m oh so glad I listened. I highly recommend the audiobook for Aralorn’s stories.
Rated: 5 Star
blodeuedd's review
3.0
Yay Briggs, soon, soon I will be finished with her entire backlist.
Right, Aralorn is back home, something is wrong and she must fix it. Wolf/Cain is with her, they are in love, but there is the whole my dad was evil, everyone think I am evil cloud over them.
I think I actually will manage to keep this short. I find myself not with a lot to say. Not in a bad way mind you, just..not much to say.
A nice little story that is better read after you have read book 1 ;) As things went down in that one. I quite like Brigg's light fantasy stories. They are set in an interesting world. Too bad I only got 2 more about another character and then no more fantasy :/
For the Briggs fan, or anyone who likes light fantasy
Right, Aralorn is back home, something is wrong and she must fix it. Wolf/Cain is with her, they are in love, but there is the whole my dad was evil, everyone think I am evil cloud over them.
I think I actually will manage to keep this short. I find myself not with a lot to say. Not in a bad way mind you, just..not much to say.
A nice little story that is better read after you have read book 1 ;) As things went down in that one. I quite like Brigg's light fantasy stories. They are set in an interesting world. Too bad I only got 2 more about another character and then no more fantasy :/
For the Briggs fan, or anyone who likes light fantasy
leabookjoy's review
4.0
4,75 stars
French & English reviews
Ohhh j'ai lu le premier livre de Aralorn il y a des années et j'avais bien aimé mais j'avais trouvé le style pas assez fluide ... Or ici, avec un livre écrit plusieurs années après, Patricia Briggs a définitivement muri et le livre en est d'autant plus savoureux =)
Je dois avouer que je ne me rappelais plus de tous les détails mais je me suis rapidement remis tous les personnages, leurs particularités etc.
Le gros point fort de ce livre ce sont les deux personnages principaux : ils sont très forts, très attachants, loin d'être parfaits, complexes et absolument trop mignons ensemble ><
Je n'ai pas mis 5 étoiles uniquement parce que j'aurais voulu que le livre fasse le double de pages et qu'il y ait de "vraies" scènes de sex un peu comme dans Mercy Thompson ><
Bref, peut-être pas pour tous les fans de Mercy Thompson mais définitivement pour les fans de high fantasy =D J'aurais ADORE avoir une suite <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ohhh I read the first book of the Aralorn series years ago and I liked it but I found the style not fluid enough ... But here, with a book written several years later, Patricia Briggs has definitely matured and the book is all the more flavorful =)
I must confess that I couldn't remember all the details but I quickly remembered all the characters, their peculiarities and so on.
The main strength of this book are the two main characters : they are very strong, very endearing, far from perfect, complex and absolutely too cute together ><
I didn't put 5 stars only because I would have liked the book to be twice longer and that there were "real" scenes of sex a bit like in the Mercy Thompson series ><
In short, perhaps not for all the fans of Mercy Thompson but definitely for fans of high fantasy =D I would have LOVE to have another book <3
French & English reviews
Ohhh j'ai lu le premier livre de Aralorn il y a des années et j'avais bien aimé mais j'avais trouvé le style pas assez fluide ... Or ici, avec un livre écrit plusieurs années après, Patricia Briggs a définitivement muri et le livre en est d'autant plus savoureux =)
Je dois avouer que je ne me rappelais plus de tous les détails mais je me suis rapidement remis tous les personnages, leurs particularités etc.
Le gros point fort de ce livre ce sont les deux personnages principaux : ils sont très forts, très attachants, loin d'être parfaits, complexes et absolument trop mignons ensemble ><
Je n'ai pas mis 5 étoiles uniquement parce que j'aurais voulu que le livre fasse le double de pages et qu'il y ait de "vraies" scènes de sex un peu comme dans Mercy Thompson ><
Bref, peut-être pas pour tous les fans de Mercy Thompson mais définitivement pour les fans de high fantasy =D J'aurais ADORE avoir une suite <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ohhh I read the first book of the Aralorn series years ago and I liked it but I found the style not fluid enough ... But here, with a book written several years later, Patricia Briggs has definitely matured and the book is all the more flavorful =)
I must confess that I couldn't remember all the details but I quickly remembered all the characters, their peculiarities and so on.
The main strength of this book are the two main characters : they are very strong, very endearing, far from perfect, complex and absolutely too cute together ><
I didn't put 5 stars only because I would have liked the book to be twice longer and that there were "real" scenes of sex a bit like in the Mercy Thompson series ><
In short, perhaps not for all the fans of Mercy Thompson but definitely for fans of high fantasy =D I would have LOVE to have another book <3
sharppointysticks's review
3.0
Bought this book on sale... Then realized there were 3 books in the series before it. The two in the middle are in the same "universe" so to speak as this one, but really only the first one (Masques) is connected to the story line.
I didn't hate the series, but it wasn't my favorite either. Though it was the authors very early work, and she admittedly did not think this book would ever get published. I see the potential in her characters and might at some point try another one of her series.
I didn't hate the series, but it wasn't my favorite either. Though it was the authors very early work, and she admittedly did not think this book would ever get published. I see the potential in her characters and might at some point try another one of her series.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review
5.0
Another wonderful book! Aralorn is such a good story-teller, on top of being strong, loyal and funny.
lynseyisreading's review
2.0
I hate it when this happens, but sometimes you come across a book that you really thought you would like, because your friends and fellow readers/reviewers liked it, but for whatever reason, it just leaves you cold.
This was one such book.
Nothing happened! Maybe it's a case of bad timing- I am also in the middle of reading the Hunger Games trilogy and was listening to this in audio format while at work- and for anyone else who's read the Hunger Games, you'll know it's very exciting and fast paced, etc. Which only served to make this seem even more slow and plodding.
The plot is essentially wrapped up in the blurb. Aralorn hears her father is dead, returns home to find he isn't dead but ensorcelled, then 8 more hours of audiobook go by and the situation is pretty much the same as it was after the first 30 minutes. And it kills me because Aralorn and wolf are two fantastic characters. I really loved them in MASQUES. Wolf with his damaged soul, tortured by memories of what he's done and what's been done to him. And Aralorn, a rather plain-looking but witty and intelligent shapeshifter/mercenary that you can't help but like. I just feel like they were wasted in this story. All the magic they can do between the two of them should have made them a formidable team, if anything in the plot actually required them to use it at any point.
Sigh. It sucks too because I love Patricia Briggs and hate to give her a low star rating. I even listened to the last couple of hours of audio on double speed just to get through it....that's not good.
The only positive I found was the progress Wolf made in his ability to be with Aralorn without running from his feelings as he's always done in the past. I thought they had a couple of sweet moments.
"It took you, who had nothing to compare it to, rather longer to figure it out, to understand what is between us. But even when you did not understand or recognize it—it was always love."
But that wasn't enough to make it enjoyable overall. It all boils down to one thing: I was bored. And I don't like wasting my reading time on boring books, so it's only 2 stars from me.