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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A big thanks to NetGalley and MacMillian for providing an eARC and an advance audio book in exchange for an honest review.
Loved the first book, maybe not so much this one.
Masquerade of the Heart by Katy Rose Pool is a YA fantasy novel following the events of Garden of the Cursed. Cursebreaker Marlow Briggs must deal with the aftermath of her fake romance with one of the most powerful nobles in the illustrious—and deadly—Evergarden society, all while uncovering the mystery behind her mother's disappearance. The city of Caraza sits poised on the edge of chaos—and cursebreaker Marlow Briggs is at the center of a deadly struggle for power. In the tragic aftermath of the Vale-Falcrest wedding, Marlow is spurned by Adrius, who refuses to speak to her and publicly vows to find a noble wife before the year is out. Despite her heartbreak, Marlow is still intent on breaking his compulsion curse. To do so, she’ll have to play loving daughter to the man who cast it—the man who’s hellbent on reshaping Caraza in his own image, no matter the cost. But the closer she gets to her long-lost father, the more Marlow starts to question if he’s really the villain she’s made him out to be. As the lines between enemy and ally blur, Marlow must decide if she’s willing to sacrifice her heart’s desire to save a city that wants her dead.
The main problem I had with this book, was there was so much hype surrounding it (and I blame most of it on how amazing the first one was). That it didn't really pay off. It was a good book, don't get me wrong. Just not what I was hoping for.
Loved the first book, maybe not so much this one.
Masquerade of the Heart by Katy Rose Pool is a YA fantasy novel following the events of Garden of the Cursed. Cursebreaker Marlow Briggs must deal with the aftermath of her fake romance with one of the most powerful nobles in the illustrious—and deadly—Evergarden society, all while uncovering the mystery behind her mother's disappearance. The city of Caraza sits poised on the edge of chaos—and cursebreaker Marlow Briggs is at the center of a deadly struggle for power. In the tragic aftermath of the Vale-Falcrest wedding, Marlow is spurned by Adrius, who refuses to speak to her and publicly vows to find a noble wife before the year is out. Despite her heartbreak, Marlow is still intent on breaking his compulsion curse. To do so, she’ll have to play loving daughter to the man who cast it—the man who’s hellbent on reshaping Caraza in his own image, no matter the cost. But the closer she gets to her long-lost father, the more Marlow starts to question if he’s really the villain she’s made him out to be. As the lines between enemy and ally blur, Marlow must decide if she’s willing to sacrifice her heart’s desire to save a city that wants her dead.
The main problem I had with this book, was there was so much hype surrounding it (and I blame most of it on how amazing the first one was). That it didn't really pay off. It was a good book, don't get me wrong. Just not what I was hoping for.
I want my Swift spinoff immediately, thanks. I would love a prequel story about him, hint hint.
Masquerade of the Heart was one of my most anticipated books of 2024 because Garden of the Cursed was quite frankly amazing and I wanted to finish Marlow and Adrius's story ASAP. And while I had my reservations in the first half...wow does the second half make up for it.
I think this was one of those cases where my expectations got the best of me. The part of the plot that I was most excited to see more of in book two (Adrius's curse) was resolved fairly early on, so I was a bit disappointed. Followed immediately by a ton of rich people drama, I had my doubts about the direction the plot was going. But there were several scenes that genuinely surprised me towards the end, and the action definitely picked up as the story progressed. The final scene was pretty good and, once again, there were a bunch of plot twists to keep me on my toes.
Our cast of important characters really expanded in this one, but I'll keep this short. Vale reminded me a little too much of Lehrer from The Fever King for my liking, and I hated him. Gemma reminded me a lot of Biana from Keeper of the Lost Cities and she grew on me. The same goes for Silvan and his little snake. Adrius got on my nerves a few times in this one, but I still think he's a really good book boy and Marlow is still one of my favorite main characters of all time. Swift, though, if you couldn't tell, is my favorite by far, and no, I don't take criticism.
Although I think I like the first book just a tad better, Masquerade of the Heart was definitely worth the wait and I'm so glad that I got to finish this amazing duology early.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.25/5
Masquerade of the Heart was one of my most anticipated books of 2024 because Garden of the Cursed was quite frankly amazing and I wanted to finish Marlow and Adrius's story ASAP. And while I had my reservations in the first half...wow does the second half make up for it.
I think this was one of those cases where my expectations got the best of me. The part of the plot that I was most excited to see more of in book two (Adrius's curse) was resolved fairly early on, so I was a bit disappointed. Followed immediately by a ton of rich people drama, I had my doubts about the direction the plot was going. But there were several scenes that genuinely surprised me towards the end, and the action definitely picked up as the story progressed. The final scene was pretty good and, once again, there were a bunch of plot twists to keep me on my toes.
Our cast of important characters really expanded in this one, but I'll keep this short. Vale reminded me a little too much of Lehrer from The Fever King for my liking, and I hated him. Gemma reminded me a lot of Biana from Keeper of the Lost Cities and she grew on me. The same goes for Silvan and his little snake. Adrius got on my nerves a few times in this one, but I still think he's a really good book boy and Marlow is still one of my favorite main characters of all time. Swift, though, if you couldn't tell, is my favorite by far, and no, I don't take criticism.
Although I think I like the first book just a tad better, Masquerade of the Heart was definitely worth the wait and I'm so glad that I got to finish this amazing duology early.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.25/5
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
In the first book, I thought the series had space to grow. It did not, in fact do that. The teenage angst got boring, because it was repeating the same thing so much time, and was so separate from the actions.
"He is worried about this, this and that, just like yesterday. He still does not do anything about it. She's wondering about this and that conviction. She does not change her course of action whatsoever." The cool stuff in this plot was done off page and not by the characters we are following... it fizzled out so bad! But, I did practise skimming! :)
"He is worried about this, this and that, just like yesterday. He still does not do anything about it. She's wondering about this and that conviction. She does not change her course of action whatsoever." The cool stuff in this plot was done off page and not by the characters we are following... it fizzled out so bad! But, I did practise skimming! :)
God Marlow, I know you have abandonment issues but can you give anyone the benefit of the doubt for even a second?
The second and final book in the duology, first is Garden of the Cursed. The first book is necessary before reading this one. It picks up right where book one left off, pacing similarly.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, our MCs, and the side characters. Not the traditional HEA but it was a HEA in its own way. I do love that the story was grounded in challenging social norms and ‘society’ aka the upper class.
I definitely recommend this for fans of YA dystopian/fantasy-mystery. I’ll be keeping my copies for my daughter when she is older, and will happily reread it with her.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, our MCs, and the side characters. Not the traditional HEA but it was a HEA in its own way. I do love that the story was grounded in challenging social norms and ‘society’ aka the upper class.
I definitely recommend this for fans of YA dystopian/fantasy-mystery. I’ll be keeping my copies for my daughter when she is older, and will happily reread it with her.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes