A review by readwithzayy
Masks by Sydney Ashcroft

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

Maria, the badass female protagonist, skillfully balances her dual identities as a socialite and the fearless vigilante Balestra, which adds an exciting layer of depth to her character. Her close-knit bond with her best friend Gayle and the warmth of her family relationships provide a heartwarming counterpoint to her daring nighttime pursuits.

The MMC Tomas is a charming and intriguing character, which sets the stage for a passionate yet complicated relationship with Maria. What starts as a casual, physical connection (sex) between the two soon turns into a strong emotional bond. Yet, neither of them is ready to admit or express their growing feelings, choosing instead to keep things purely physical.

Skanda is another character who is also a superhero who becomes deeply intertwined in Maria/Balestra's life. At times, she finds herself torn between Skanda and Tomas, just as she grapples with her dual identities as Maria and Balestra.

However, the book could have benefited from deeper character exploration. Specifically, a more in-depth look into the dynamics and backgrounds of Maria's family would have added richer layers to her motivations and relationships. Similarly, delving further into Tomas's family, especially his relationship with his father, could have provided valuable insights into his character.
The central romance between Maria and Tomas, while physically charged, often lacked obvious emotional chemistry beyond their sexual encounters. Additional scenes showcasing their attraction and emotional connections behind their growing affections would have made their romantic involvement more convincing and invested for readers. I just didn't feel the chemistry between them.

However, there was one particular scene that made me want to stop reading. *SPOILER ALERT* Which was when Maria/Balestra and Skanda kissed!! Now when this happened, Maria was already sleeping with Tomas and it might be just me overreacting, but I just see that as cheating. I understand Tomas and Maria were not officially together but she was developing some feelings for him but then again that's just my opinion seeing this as cheating as I don't enjoy the main characters being intimate with someone else while they are together even if it's not official. But then we find out Skanda is Tomas (which was so obvious from the start 🤦🏽‍♀️), so technically it's not cheating but they didn't know each other's identities. If they had handled that scene differently or just skipped it altogether, I think I would have enjoyed the book more.

Despite these criticisms, the premise of a badass female superhero navigating her dual identities and a complex romantic entanglement remains intriguing and could have been improved with more complex character development and emotional depth in the central relationships and without that specific scene happening.