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patchworkbunny's review
4.0
After a long gap between books, a recap is required. If you don’t have the time to re-read, never fear, Anisa starts off the book telling the story so far in her own way. Anisa has spent much of the story inside a Vestige so is as much an observer as the reader.
Masquerade manages to be rather topical despite being a gaslight fantasy. The Foresters are a movement wanting a better life for the working classes of Ellada. Whilst the royal family appear to be living a life of luxury, many are living in poverty, exploited by their employers. The people feel disillusioned by the lack of progress made by the Foresters and a splinter group has emerged, one who thinks you can get more done with violence.
As the crowds are riled up, blaming people who are different for their problems, it’s hard not to compare it to world events happening right now. The chimaera are the immigrants here, feared by some or just a convenient scape goat for others. The revolutionary tension is felt throughout the book and Micah can see both sides; once part of a noble family, now living in the poorest part of the city.
At the end of Shadowplay, Micah is left with a fever, supposedly his chimaera powers getting out of hand. He starts taking a potion from Doctor Pozzi, a mix of Lerium and Vestige. I was a bit frustrated that Micah was so trusting, whilst at the same time suspicious. Lerium is a highly addictive drug, one that Drystan was once in grip of, and who knows what else dangerous is in it. Yet he allows himself to become dependent on the doctor and the drug, thinking it is his only choice.
There was a satisfying conclusion to many threads. We find out why the chimaera have returned after so long and whilst families may not be reunited as such, there is closure on several fronts. We meet a few old friends along the way too as well as a few new characters.
Review copy provided by publisher.
Masquerade manages to be rather topical despite being a gaslight fantasy. The Foresters are a movement wanting a better life for the working classes of Ellada. Whilst the royal family appear to be living a life of luxury, many are living in poverty, exploited by their employers. The people feel disillusioned by the lack of progress made by the Foresters and a splinter group has emerged, one who thinks you can get more done with violence.
As the crowds are riled up, blaming people who are different for their problems, it’s hard not to compare it to world events happening right now. The chimaera are the immigrants here, feared by some or just a convenient scape goat for others. The revolutionary tension is felt throughout the book and Micah can see both sides; once part of a noble family, now living in the poorest part of the city.
At the end of Shadowplay, Micah is left with a fever, supposedly his chimaera powers getting out of hand. He starts taking a potion from Doctor Pozzi, a mix of Lerium and Vestige. I was a bit frustrated that Micah was so trusting, whilst at the same time suspicious. Lerium is a highly addictive drug, one that Drystan was once in grip of, and who knows what else dangerous is in it. Yet he allows himself to become dependent on the doctor and the drug, thinking it is his only choice.
There was a satisfying conclusion to many threads. We find out why the chimaera have returned after so long and whilst families may not be reunited as such, there is closure on several fronts. We meet a few old friends along the way too as well as a few new characters.
Review copy provided by publisher.
sophiedavenport's review against another edition
4.0
THE best fantasy I've read in a very long time.
daffz's review against another edition
4.0
It has been nearly three years since I read the first two books in this series, which means it was kind of tough for me to remember what exactly had happened in those books. But thankfully, there was a short summary at the start which really helped me get into the book. It still took me a little bit to get into it, but once I was I really enjoyed the story. I'm glad to now have read the final part of Micah's story, which really expanded the world into something interesting and unique. I think sometimes there was a little too much exposition, but since I had forgotten so much about this universe it wasn't too out of place for me. I thought the end was also perhaps a tad rushed, but it did leave me satisfied. All in all, a really nice end to a series I had left unfinished for too long.
ancsanna's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jade's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookshop_b's review
1.0
I really enjoyed the first two of this series so naturally I was keen for the finale. But this finale did not live up to the series, I didn't even bother finishing it even though I only had 50 pages to go...
I started reading this series because it was set in a circus and I continued to read the second one because they became magicians. But in this one they just bumbled around until information about the plot hit them in the head.
And it was primarily about a revolution.
Which I' pretty sick of tbh.
And was about magic people who I didn't care about.
With problems I didn't acre about.
And characters I lost interest in.
So all in all, this book was a letdown to the magic of the first two.
I mean, I literally had 50 pages to go and found I couldn't care less about what happened to them.
I started reading this series because it was set in a circus and I continued to read the second one because they became magicians. But in this one they just bumbled around until information about the plot hit them in the head.
And it was primarily about a revolution.
Which I' pretty sick of tbh.
And was about magic people who I didn't care about.
With problems I didn't acre about.
And characters I lost interest in.
So all in all, this book was a letdown to the magic of the first two.
I mean, I literally had 50 pages to go and found I couldn't care less about what happened to them.
mothreadsbookssometimes's review
3.25
I’m just generally disappointed in the trilogy. It’s not as good as I remember it being, and it really falls flat in a lot of areas.
quinnyquinnquinn's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Ableism, Drug use, Kidnapping, Addiction, Transphobia, and Drug abuse
Minor: Xenophobia, Deadnaming, Adult/minor relationship, and Police brutality
i657's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25