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civilgurl83 's review for:
Masquerade of the Heart
by Katy Rose Pool
Ughhh this year for finale of anticipated series is killing me :(.
2.5 ⭐️
I'm sad that this one ended up being a disappointing read for me. The first book was one of my favorite reads of 2023. This second book was my most anticipated read for this year. I loved the first ones charm with the characters, world building, and romance. I had found it to be unique and absolutely loved Adrius and Marlow dynamics/relationship.
I'm not sure what the decision making process was to make this duology versus a trilogy. I think many of my next comments regarding what didn't work in this second book could be related to this being two books. Trying to force everything into this one book.
I noticed right away the pacing of the book was off. We left first book with Marlow breaking Adrius trust. It was very significant thing that she did that impacted his consent and autonomy. I was expecting in this second book there would a period of her rebuilding his trust for her and vice versa as he also broke hers the year before. That didn't really seem to ever be discussed and it just never really happened. I'm also really surprised to see the main topic of what was going on with Adrius was just simply tied up in a neat bow and just felt very like it didn't matter at all.
I think my biggest disappointment was the romance between Marlow and Adrius. The charm and chemistry just disappeared. I didn't understand their motives anymore or felt their feelings were genuine. It felt like we missed an entire book leading up to this.
Circling back I really wished this was either a longer second book or trilogy. The pacing seemed to be rushed to tie up all the plot lines. It would have been great to have the second book to truly resolve the first main curse, Adrius/Marlow work thru their trust issues with eachother, and get more information regarding the five families motives/goals.
Although I'm disappointed am really grateful for getting a chance to read these two books thru NetGalley. I don't think I would have discovered Katy Rose Pool for awhile otherwise. I'm very interested in reading more from her. I absolutely adored that first book. The romance and magic system was nothing I had ever read before. I am really looking forward to what else she writes in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.
2.5 ⭐️
I'm sad that this one ended up being a disappointing read for me. The first book was one of my favorite reads of 2023. This second book was my most anticipated read for this year. I loved the first ones charm with the characters, world building, and romance. I had found it to be unique and absolutely loved Adrius and Marlow dynamics/relationship.
I'm not sure what the decision making process was to make this duology versus a trilogy. I think many of my next comments regarding what didn't work in this second book could be related to this being two books. Trying to force everything into this one book.
I noticed right away the pacing of the book was off. We left first book with Marlow breaking Adrius trust. It was very significant thing that she did that impacted his consent and autonomy. I was expecting in this second book there would a period of her rebuilding his trust for her and vice versa as he also broke hers the year before. That didn't really seem to ever be discussed and it just never really happened. I'm also really surprised to see the main topic of what was going on with Adrius was just simply tied up in a neat bow and just felt very like it didn't matter at all.
I think my biggest disappointment was the romance between Marlow and Adrius. The charm and chemistry just disappeared. I didn't understand their motives anymore or felt their feelings were genuine. It felt like we missed an entire book leading up to this.
Circling back I really wished this was either a longer second book or trilogy. The pacing seemed to be rushed to tie up all the plot lines. It would have been great to have the second book to truly resolve the first main curse, Adrius/Marlow work thru their trust issues with eachother, and get more information regarding the five families motives/goals.
Although I'm disappointed am really grateful for getting a chance to read these two books thru NetGalley. I don't think I would have discovered Katy Rose Pool for awhile otherwise. I'm very interested in reading more from her. I absolutely adored that first book. The romance and magic system was nothing I had ever read before. I am really looking forward to what else she writes in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.