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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
You'd think a review for a 4 star book would be easy! What's not to like? Story, good; characters, good; ending goooood (thank you Friends).
Book 2 was appropriately different from book 1, but while I found Marlow empowered and in the midst of a good mystery in the first book - I found Marlow more selfish (which she's aware of and actually calls out towards the end) and there were no AHA moments in this book, which made me sad.
Don't get me wrong, it was a good story, it earned these stars, it was just missing an element that book 1 had on lock.
Book 2 was appropriately different from book 1, but while I found Marlow empowered and in the midst of a good mystery in the first book - I found Marlow more selfish (which she's aware of and actually calls out towards the end) and there were no AHA moments in this book, which made me sad.
Don't get me wrong, it was a good story, it earned these stars, it was just missing an element that book 1 had on lock.
I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, engaging, and worrying in all the right ways. Marlow was a fantastic main character, definitely 17 and in way over her head, but she was never the Super Special Girl. She's just a girl who is handling the life she's been dealt, while also staying true to herself. Unfortunately for her, that combination leads her into constant messes and trouble. Lucky for me, that makes for a really fun read.
I'm looking forward to reading Katy Rose Pool's previous trilogy, and she's definitely being added to my list of authors to keep an eye on for the future.
Also, the bonus letters for the Owlcrate special edition were a wonderful addition to the story. Loved getting those extra details and charming moments.
I'm looking forward to reading Katy Rose Pool's previous trilogy, and she's definitely being added to my list of authors to keep an eye on for the future.
Also, the bonus letters for the Owlcrate special edition were a wonderful addition to the story. Loved getting those extra details and charming moments.
✨ Masquerade of the Heart by Katy Rose Pool ✨
Following the exciting first book in this series, Garden of the Cursed, I had very high expectations. I did like this book, but it didn’t quite hit the same as the first. The first had such a fun premise following a kind of gender-bent Ella Enchanted and Veronica Mars-style mystery. And by the end it got very big picture, so clearly the second book had to adapt to that bigger picture and higher stakes and that’s when things typically falter for me. Everything wrapped up as I needed it to, but it just wasn’t as engaging overall. Still a fun duology.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Following the exciting first book in this series, Garden of the Cursed, I had very high expectations. I did like this book, but it didn’t quite hit the same as the first. The first had such a fun premise following a kind of gender-bent Ella Enchanted and Veronica Mars-style mystery. And by the end it got very big picture, so clearly the second book had to adapt to that bigger picture and higher stakes and that’s when things typically falter for me. Everything wrapped up as I needed it to, but it just wasn’t as engaging overall. Still a fun duology.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Upon reflection this is more a 3.5 rather than a 4.
This was definitely weaker than the first book. I found the pacing to be off and the whole book felt kind of rushed. There was a certain plot point in the first book that kind of just resolved itself which was interesting considering it was one of the big questions at the end of the second book.
I also found Adrius & Marlow's relationship in this book not as compelling as the first book. I think this book could have benefited from being longer or even turning the duology into a trilogy.
This was definitely weaker than the first book. I found the pacing to be off and the whole book felt kind of rushed. There was a certain plot point in the first book that kind of just resolved itself which was interesting considering it was one of the big questions at the end of the second book.
I also found Adrius & Marlow's relationship in this book not as compelling as the first book. I think this book could have benefited from being longer or even turning the duology into a trilogy.
🌶 Spice Level 1/5
I read it quickly and easily, but I just wanted to finish it faster. Yes, it was interesting to follow the story, but the book didn’t really grab me. I'm glad everything ended well. I can't point to anything specifically bad. The characters were good and acted logically. I just don’t understand why her mother was brought back only to disappear again. Yes, she helped with the spell, but that could’ve been done in another way. Her return felt unnecessary. Personally, I didn’t care at all.
But everything else, also the first book, was great. There was nothing bad. The romance was good. The stakes were high. The side characters were solid too.
I’m just not sure what happened with Amara. Even after finding out her brother killed their father, she still wanted the main character in prison. She was shouting, totally unhinged. And she’s married to someone she doesn’t love. Her character wasn’t fully explored. But honestly, that’s not a big issue for me. The book was good. I just wanted to be done with it.
I think maybe I just don’t like magic—at least reading about it. I’m fine watching anime with magic, but in books it just doesn’t work for me. If it’s not that, then I don’t know what the reason is for not enjoying it more.
I read it quickly and easily, but I just wanted to finish it faster. Yes, it was interesting to follow the story, but the book didn’t really grab me. I'm glad everything ended well. I can't point to anything specifically bad. The characters were good and acted logically.
But everything else, also the first book, was great. There was nothing bad. The romance was good. The stakes were high. The side characters were solid too.
I think maybe I just don’t like magic—at least reading about it. I’m fine watching anime with magic, but in books it just doesn’t work for me. If it’s not that, then I don’t know what the reason is for not enjoying it more.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I don’t know … this one felt too messy. Too many things going on at once and it was all over the place for me.
That and the ending was not nearly satisfying enough as i would have liked. Sadness.
That and the ending was not nearly satisfying enough as i would have liked. Sadness.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc!
*4.5 rounded up*
After the ending of the first book, I couldn't wait to jump back into the world of Caraza and see what awaited Marlow and Adrius. Like the first book, we follow Marlow's POV, but we also get a few Adrius chapters sprinkled in this time too. I enjoyed reading from his POV and thought it added an extra layer of depth to his character.
Masquerade of the Heart picks up right after the end of The Garden of the Cursed. From there, this book is full of action and tension making it very hard to put down! I loved that we got to learn more about the spellwrights in this book, although I wouldn't have minded seeing even more of it!
I loved reading about Marlow and following her journey throughout the entire duology. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful conclusion to this duology and look forward to reading the author's future works.
*4.5 rounded up*
After the ending of the first book, I couldn't wait to jump back into the world of Caraza and see what awaited Marlow and Adrius. Like the first book, we follow Marlow's POV, but we also get a few Adrius chapters sprinkled in this time too. I enjoyed reading from his POV and thought it added an extra layer of depth to his character.
Masquerade of the Heart picks up right after the end of The Garden of the Cursed. From there, this book is full of action and tension making it very hard to put down! I loved that we got to learn more about the spellwrights in this book, although I wouldn't have minded seeing even more of it!
I loved reading about Marlow and following her journey throughout the entire duology. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful conclusion to this duology and look forward to reading the author's future works.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced