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papidoc's review against another edition
5.0
This was Briggs' first published novel, and it's a good one. Magic, shapeshifters (even into a mouse!), invisible beings, romance, and power struggles. Not a bad beginning...
angels_gp17's review against another edition
5.0
** Note: This novel is an updated edition of Patricia Briggs first book. It includes an introduction by the author herself explaining the updated edition. **
I’m a huge Briggs fan and wanted to try out her other works. I love her Urban Fantasy series Alpha & Omega along with Mercy Thompson. This is nothing like those series. This is high Fantasy. We are treated to action, intrigue, mercenaries, mages, wizards, shape-sifters and engaging characters. All of this made it a highly entertaining story to listen to and I can’t wait to pick up the next.
Masques is the first book in the Sianim series and the first in Aralorn.
Aralorn is a mercenary with a bit of magic, who rescued a Wolf. She’s got magical gifts that make her a great spy/mercenary. Her latest mission takes her to a powerful mages house to spy and learn of an attempted assassination, but what she discovers is much worse. So, Aralorn sets off on her adventure with a mysterious shape-shifting wolf and a young king who is impervious to magic to fight against the evil that wants to control the world. I enjoyed Aralorn. She cleaver, skilled, and compassionate. She has depth, courage, and is an engaging heroine. She likes to go her own way and work alone, but knows this time she is ill-equipped to do it alone.
Wolf is an interesting puzzles. Who is he? Is he a man, a wizard, or is he more? His past is not good and we learn about him and who he is. I loved Wolf. He’s so complexed. His past is slowly revealed and he must face it; before he can move on. He also must learn to trust.
WOW, the world is vast and in-depth. Their’s a lot of storytelling and information to digest. The lore and legend is beautifully weaved into the story and they play a strong role in helping Aralorn and her friends against the evil taking over the world.
I was captivated and devoured this novel from the first to the last word. The storytelling was wonderful, but also a bit overwhelming at times. Their is also a dose of romance, but the fantasy, action, and intrigue take up the story.
Narration: Katherine Kellgren did a fabulous job with her narration. The story is mainly in Aralorn’s view, but we do get Wolf and a few others. The storytelling was majestic and the fight scenes were great. The voices where nice and distinctive. I have to say I’m glad I listened. If I’d read I would have been to overwhelmed. Not saying I wasn’t, but I digested it better in this formate.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
I’m a huge Briggs fan and wanted to try out her other works. I love her Urban Fantasy series Alpha & Omega along with Mercy Thompson. This is nothing like those series. This is high Fantasy. We are treated to action, intrigue, mercenaries, mages, wizards, shape-sifters and engaging characters. All of this made it a highly entertaining story to listen to and I can’t wait to pick up the next.
Masques is the first book in the Sianim series and the first in Aralorn.
Aralorn is a mercenary with a bit of magic, who rescued a Wolf. She’s got magical gifts that make her a great spy/mercenary. Her latest mission takes her to a powerful mages house to spy and learn of an attempted assassination, but what she discovers is much worse. So, Aralorn sets off on her adventure with a mysterious shape-shifting wolf and a young king who is impervious to magic to fight against the evil that wants to control the world. I enjoyed Aralorn. She cleaver, skilled, and compassionate. She has depth, courage, and is an engaging heroine. She likes to go her own way and work alone, but knows this time she is ill-equipped to do it alone.
Wolf is an interesting puzzles. Who is he? Is he a man, a wizard, or is he more? His past is not good and we learn about him and who he is. I loved Wolf. He’s so complexed. His past is slowly revealed and he must face it; before he can move on. He also must learn to trust.
WOW, the world is vast and in-depth. Their’s a lot of storytelling and information to digest. The lore and legend is beautifully weaved into the story and they play a strong role in helping Aralorn and her friends against the evil taking over the world.
I was captivated and devoured this novel from the first to the last word. The storytelling was wonderful, but also a bit overwhelming at times. Their is also a dose of romance, but the fantasy, action, and intrigue take up the story.
Narration: Katherine Kellgren did a fabulous job with her narration. The story is mainly in Aralorn’s view, but we do get Wolf and a few others. The storytelling was majestic and the fight scenes were great. The voices where nice and distinctive. I have to say I’m glad I listened. If I’d read I would have been to overwhelmed. Not saying I wasn’t, but I digested it better in this formate.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
blodeuedd's review
3.0
I meant to write a review yesterday, oh well.
I did like this one more than Briggs' other old fantasy romance novels. But yes of course it could have been much better. It was also rushed and could have been dragged out to a thick trilogy. Sure there is a book 2, but this book ended with the bad guy beaten.
Aralorn was a cool kick-ass woman. Wolf was an enigma, and yes I wished the secret who he was would have been left longer. Now it was all, maybe, and aha. Ok that's it then.
There is action, danger, a bad guy and a king to be helped. A nice little book, the first she wrote (even if she did edit a bit later on). But still nice and I want to see what happens next. I did read the blurb and was all come on, told you so peeps.
I did like this one more than Briggs' other old fantasy romance novels. But yes of course it could have been much better. It was also rushed and could have been dragged out to a thick trilogy. Sure there is a book 2, but this book ended with the bad guy beaten.
Aralorn was a cool kick-ass woman. Wolf was an enigma, and yes I wished the secret who he was would have been left longer. Now it was all, maybe, and aha. Ok that's it then.
There is action, danger, a bad guy and a king to be helped. A nice little book, the first she wrote (even if she did edit a bit later on). But still nice and I want to see what happens next. I did read the blurb and was all come on, told you so peeps.
namaria's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! This was such a good read! I was hooked and was so disappointed I couldn't read it in one day. I can't imagine why the author doesn't like it. I think it's better than some of her more recent publications!
leabookjoy's review against another edition
5.0
First volume of a series that looks AMAZING ><
When Aralorn is sent to the castle of Geoffrey ae'Magi to prevent a plot that would aim him, she doesn't suspect for a moment that the famous ae' Magi that everyone loves is actually a sadistic and evil magician who threatens to engulf all kingdoms ... With the help of the mysterious Wolf and a brave prince, Aralorn will try everything to stop the darkness doesn't corrupt all those she loves ...
I've always loved books by Patricia Briggs, her style, her characters, her humor and it's been a while since I wanted to read her fantasy series but I hesitated because there were a lot of bad reviews about it ... But finally, it was a very good surprise =D
Of course, Masques is among the first books of Patricia Briggs so the writing is not as fluid as in the Mercy Thompson series but this is a very good book !! There's action, comedy, romance and intrigue and subplots are twisted and exciting (snaky and evil magic that makes you doubt all the time but also the identity of Wolf =D)
The universe she created with all this magic, the various kingdoms etc is awesome =D We're easily sucked into it ><
Ahhhhh and the characters are awesome !! I loved Aralorn who is one of these characters we love immediately : sassy, bold, funny and very human in her reactions and defects. Wolf is also a very interesting character: usually in this kind of book, the guy is a super badass and confident alpha while Wolf is rather discreet and mysterious, a little tortured but not too much, handsome but this is not really important and very human. I loved to follow his relationship with Aralorn and how it evolved >< It changes but in a good way =D Other secondary characters are great too and the big bad villain is AWESOME : very manipulative, sadistic and heartless x) (And the end ... We all know what no body means ... =D)
In short, if you like fantasy, you must read it but be careful if you're a fan of Mercy Thompson series, do not read it expecting a fantasy version of Mercy =)
When Aralorn is sent to the castle of Geoffrey ae'Magi to prevent a plot that would aim him, she doesn't suspect for a moment that the famous ae' Magi that everyone loves is actually a sadistic and evil magician who threatens to engulf all kingdoms ... With the help of the mysterious Wolf and a brave prince, Aralorn will try everything to stop the darkness doesn't corrupt all those she loves ...
I've always loved books by Patricia Briggs, her style, her characters, her humor and it's been a while since I wanted to read her fantasy series but I hesitated because there were a lot of bad reviews about it ... But finally, it was a very good surprise =D
Of course, Masques is among the first books of Patricia Briggs so the writing is not as fluid as in the Mercy Thompson series but this is a very good book !! There's action, comedy, romance and intrigue and subplots are twisted and exciting (snaky and evil magic that makes you doubt all the time but also the identity of Wolf =D)
The universe she created with all this magic, the various kingdoms etc is awesome =D We're easily sucked into it ><
Ahhhhh and the characters are awesome !! I loved Aralorn who is one of these characters we love immediately : sassy, bold, funny and very human in her reactions and defects. Wolf is also a very interesting character: usually in this kind of book, the guy is a super badass and confident alpha while Wolf is rather discreet and mysterious, a little tortured but not too much, handsome but this is not really important and very human. I loved to follow his relationship with Aralorn and how it evolved >< It changes but in a good way =D Other secondary characters are great too and the big bad villain is AWESOME : very manipulative, sadistic and heartless x) (And the end ... We all know what no body means ... =D)
In short, if you like fantasy, you must read it but be careful if you're a fan of Mercy Thompson series, do not read it expecting a fantasy version of Mercy =)
annettesbookbanter's review against another edition
3.0
Considering it was her first novel I really enjoyed it. The story somewhat reminded me of Thrown of Glass. Definitely not as good as her other novels I have read but still good enough to enjoy.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I have been a fan of Patricia Briggs for some time. I found this book, her very first published book, on a shelf in a favorite used bookstore. I had no idea of anything about it, just knew I could trust that Patricia Briggs writes a book that I would delightfully read and enjoy.
I was correct in my assessment. It is a wonderful story for all that it looks like it took forever for me to read and finish. This was my work bag book so I didn't always get a lot of reading time in.
This is fantasy with magic and mages, shapeshifters, good versus evil, just a really good tale all the way around. I am actively looking for the second book in the series and hope to find it soon in paperback so it can be my back patio or work bag book. If not there is always e-book.
I absolutely can recommend this book and author.
I was correct in my assessment. It is a wonderful story for all that it looks like it took forever for me to read and finish. This was my work bag book so I didn't always get a lot of reading time in.
This is fantasy with magic and mages, shapeshifters, good versus evil, just a really good tale all the way around. I am actively looking for the second book in the series and hope to find it soon in paperback so it can be my back patio or work bag book. If not there is always e-book.
I absolutely can recommend this book and author.
sharppointysticks's review
2.0
This is the first book by Briggs that I have read. It was alright. I am not going to be too judgmental as even the author knows this isn't her best book (she explains in the intro that she didn't know much about writing yet when she wrote it). It was the first book she wrote and it didn't do so well. I did not know this when I bought it (another Audible sale, always my downfall). Still, I can see potential with the storyline and will investigate more by this author.
danicamidlil's review
3.0
Liked it. Not as much as her later stuff, but that's to be expected. Still plan to read the sequel though.