thebookedunicorn's review
3.0
really OK..i just expected better ending..it was really enjoyable and fun to read. i had no pity for her father though.
soodleth's review
4.0
I’ve read The Girl In The Mask a dozen times. It’s exciting, fast paced and I love the characters. Sophia is interesting and as someone who also loves reading and dislikes the feminine expectations of me, I related to her a lot. (I also have a cousin close to my age called Jack!). Mr Charleston fascinates me and also really like Mr Allen. The story ends on a high note and is also perfectly set up for future adventure... (Not that the author has said anything about considering that but I would enjoy it if she did.) I did love how romance wasn’t the be all and end all of the plot. There may be romance between two of the characters in the future, or there may not.
salmaab's review
3.0
A book about a young girl living in a patriarchal society: where her every action and thought is controlled in order to make off a fine lady. Sophia's father after four years, returns from his trip, announcing that she will make her societal debut and Sophia is made to leave her country estate. A father without any fatherly love, whom is also physically and mentally abusive deciding her every thought and action.
The book was slow, and it seemed as if there wasn't any fixed plot, but only the crazy adventurous of a young noble girl. I did put it down once, not expecting much - and the only thing which i enjoyed was the interaction between Sophia and Sir Charlton; which kept me going. Though when the plot gear kicked in, i was rendered unable to put it down; as i wanted to know everything.
On another note, whilst the story probably wasn't meant to focus on the romance part - it was quite disappointing on how it ended. The romance plot slowly but surely built up, up until that one scene where they kissed , but then abruptly ended without any further enquires of what was to be made of their story. Though, their chemistry was amazing and interactions even better. I do completely understand why Sophia refuses to marry and how it also won't work for Charlton, but it couldn't stop me from hoping for some more.
It also felt quite misleading with "theif by night" description as there wasn't much theiving, and most of the story didn't necessarily revolve around it. If anything, it was more about a young noble girl not desiring the doll life of a noble woman in a patriarchal - under constant control of men in her life.
The story felt like it was lacking something. While it was good and i enjoyed the read - it didnt have that element or... that extra feeling to it.
The book was slow, and it seemed as if there wasn't any fixed plot, but only the crazy adventurous of a young noble girl. I did put it down once, not expecting much - and the only thing which i enjoyed was the interaction between Sophia and Sir Charlton; which kept me going. Though when the plot gear kicked in, i was rendered unable to put it down; as i wanted to know everything.
On another note, whilst the story probably wasn't meant to focus on the romance part - it was quite disappointing on how it ended. The romance plot slowly but surely built up, up until that one scene where they kissed , but then abruptly ended without any further enquires of what was to be made of their story. Though, their chemistry was amazing and interactions even better. I do completely understand why Sophia refuses to marry and how it also won't work for Charlton, but it couldn't stop me from hoping for some more.
It also felt quite misleading with "theif by night" description as there wasn't much theiving, and most of the story didn't necessarily revolve around it. If anything, it was more about a young noble girl not desiring the doll life of a noble woman in a patriarchal - under constant control of men in her life.
The story felt like it was lacking something. While it was good and i enjoyed the read - it didnt have that element or... that extra feeling to it.
booksareamood's review
4.0
This wasn't quite as good as I was expecting, but it was still great nonetheless! It was written well, and I really enjoyed the story, but I found it too similar to her previous book, The Lady in the Tower.
However, it has got 4 stars for the story and excellent writing - loss of one for repetition.
However, it has got 4 stars for the story and excellent writing - loss of one for repetition.
goldluula's review
4.0
Well, it wasn't that amazing, but it was good enough that I stayed up about a quarter of the night to finish it.
So, thanks again Kindle! Where would I be without you to supply me with cheapish books in your sales :D
Okay. So we have Sophia, rich young lady, been living for years with her cousin Jack. We have Jack, seems like a nice guy for the 5 minutes we get to know him in, and then we have Sophia's father. And he is one mean guy.
Sophia's father has just returned from a four year journey to the West Indies. From this point onwards, Sophia knows that her life as it has been will now come to a close. No longer will she be able to live freely, without any of the social necessities that have been shoved upon her since birth. She will now be expected to become a young lady, settle down and find a husband.
Spoilers below
Okay, so bits of this just plain pissed me off. I mean, we have Jack at the beginning, and Sophia spends a great deal of the book mooning over him, and complaining about how it's so unfair, blah blah blah. But then we never hear from him again, until the end of the book where it's found out that he's been shipped off. I mean, could we not have had more information?
And Bill. What happened to Bill in the end?
Mr. Allen... Did he ever have a first name, and what happened to him?
Also, did Mr Carleton and Sophia ever get together... I mean, there was this whole big romance blossoming between them, and then nothing. Nada. Zilch. Love doesn't go away that quickly...
So, thanks again Kindle! Where would I be without you to supply me with cheapish books in your sales :D
Okay. So we have Sophia, rich young lady, been living for years with her cousin Jack. We have Jack, seems like a nice guy for the 5 minutes we get to know him in, and then we have Sophia's father. And he is one mean guy.
Sophia's father has just returned from a four year journey to the West Indies. From this point onwards, Sophia knows that her life as it has been will now come to a close. No longer will she be able to live freely, without any of the social necessities that have been shoved upon her since birth. She will now be expected to become a young lady, settle down and find a husband.
Spoilers below
Okay, so bits of this just plain pissed me off. I mean, we have Jack at the beginning, and Sophia spends a great deal of the book mooning over him, and complaining about how it's so unfair, blah blah blah. But then we never hear from him again, until the end of the book where it's found out that he's been shipped off. I mean, could we not have had more information?
And Bill. What happened to Bill in the end?
Mr. Allen... Did he ever have a first name, and what happened to him?
Also, did Mr Carleton and Sophia ever get together... I mean, there was this whole big romance blossoming between them, and then nothing. Nada. Zilch. Love doesn't go away that quickly...
daphne2000's review
4.0
It was really good...except for the ending. It was missing something . But overall it is a good book. Does anyone know about another book like this? Peferably one with a better ending (If you've read the book and my spoiler than you will know what I mean)
Spoiler
ummm the whole Sophia/Peter romance thing!!!!lucyp21's review
3.0
I think I got this book on my Kindle when I first got my Kindle ten years ago and I haven't read it since. Now, with the Mad Hatter reading challenge, I actually picked it up and read it in one sitting. This was an easy book to read.
Sophia lives in Georgian England and the story kicks off with her father returning home and dragging her back into society. Not only is Sophia against this, her father is also emotionally and physically abusive. She leaves her country estate to go with her father and aunt to Bath and gets caught up in politics at the same time as she is trying to organise a marriage arranged by her father.
There were so many ways I enjoyed this book but most of the time it just missed the mark. I loved Sophia struggling to express herself against her family's restrictions (no privacy, chaperoned everywhere, starved and locked away when she disagrees) and her chatting to everyone she met, like postmasters and waiters. However, I think I would have liked a little more depth in Sophia, though I think this has to do with the writing style. There was a point where Sophia was looking at marriage to a cruel man or her father killing her or selling her into slavery and I would have liked to have seen more desperation from her, rather than her thinking and acting the same way she did at the start of the book. I also would have loved to have seen more of her friendship with Jenny.
Another thing which I think missed the mark was the love interest. I liked him at the start of the book and then I had a sudden downswing in my opinion of him. I think it was the way he interfered with Sophia and didn't listen to what she was saying and was never brought up for it at the end. Don't get me wrong, I did find it hilarious the way he did not seem to get that Sophia just did not care about who was on the throne of England, since she would either be trapped or dead either way, but I would have liked to have seen more of him apologising for her, especially when he stole her money (and her escape route). Sophia is also much younger than him and she reads like that, while historically accurate, it still gave a vibe when he insisted on treating her alternately like an adult and then a child.
One thing I did enjoy was how it was a historical romance but it had the correct fashions, such as wigs, powders and beauty marks, as well as how politics and monarchy would be affecting the upper classes in Bath. The author said they had based it around the time of the failed rebellion and it was lovely to have that historical context. The writing style was quite simple but this made it easy to read.
3 stars!
Sophia lives in Georgian England and the story kicks off with her father returning home and dragging her back into society. Not only is Sophia against this, her father is also emotionally and physically abusive. She leaves her country estate to go with her father and aunt to Bath and gets caught up in politics at the same time as she is trying to organise a marriage arranged by her father.
There were so many ways I enjoyed this book but most of the time it just missed the mark. I loved Sophia struggling to express herself against her family's restrictions (no privacy, chaperoned everywhere, starved and locked away when she disagrees) and her chatting to everyone she met, like postmasters and waiters. However, I think I would have liked a little more depth in Sophia, though I think this has to do with the writing style. There was a point where Sophia was looking at marriage to a cruel man or her father killing her or selling her into slavery and I would have liked to have seen more desperation from her, rather than her thinking and acting the same way she did at the start of the book. I also would have loved to have seen more of her friendship with Jenny.
Another thing which I think missed the mark was the love interest. I liked him at the start of the book and then I had a sudden downswing in my opinion of him. I think it was the way he interfered with Sophia and didn't listen to what she was saying and was never brought up for it at the end. Don't get me wrong, I did find it hilarious the way he did not seem to get that Sophia just did not care about who was on the throne of England, since she would either be trapped or dead either way, but I would have liked to have seen more of him apologising for her, especially when he stole her money (and her escape route). Sophia is also much younger than him and she reads like that, while historically accurate, it still gave a vibe when he insisted on treating her alternately like an adult and then a child.
One thing I did enjoy was how it was a historical romance but it had the correct fashions, such as wigs, powders and beauty marks, as well as how politics and monarchy would be affecting the upper classes in Bath. The author said they had based it around the time of the failed rebellion and it was lovely to have that historical context. The writing style was quite simple but this made it easy to read.
3 stars!
salmaab's review against another edition
3.0
A book about a young girl living in a patriarchal society: where her every action and thought is controlled in order to make off a fine lady. Sophia's father after four years, returns from his trip, announcing that she will make her societal debut and Sophia is made to leave her country estate. A father without any fatherly love, whom is also physically and mentally abusive deciding her every thought and action.
The book was slow, and it seemed as if there wasn't any fixed plot, but only the crazy adventurous of a young noble girl. I did put it down once, not expecting much - and the only thing which i enjoyed was the interaction between Sophia and Sir Charlton; which kept me going. Though when the plot gear kicked in, i was rendered unable to put it down; as i wanted to know everything.
On another note, whilst the story probably wasn't meant to focus on the romance part - it was quite disappointing on how it ended. The romance plot slowly but surely built up, up until that one scene where they kissed , but then abruptly ended without any further enquires of what was to be made of their story. Though, their chemistry was amazing and interactions even better. I do completely understand why Sophia refuses to marry and how it also won't work for Charlton, but it couldn't stop me from hoping for some more.
It also felt quite misleading with "theif by night" description as there wasn't much theiving, and most of the story didn't necessarily revolve around it. If anything, it was more about a young noble girl not desiring the doll life of a noble woman in a patriarchal - under constant control of men in her life.
The story felt like it was lacking something. While it was good and i enjoyed the read - it didnt have that element or... that extra feeling to it.
The book was slow, and it seemed as if there wasn't any fixed plot, but only the crazy adventurous of a young noble girl. I did put it down once, not expecting much - and the only thing which i enjoyed was the interaction between Sophia and Sir Charlton; which kept me going. Though when the plot gear kicked in, i was rendered unable to put it down; as i wanted to know everything.
On another note, whilst the story probably wasn't meant to focus on the romance part - it was quite disappointing on how it ended. The romance plot slowly but surely built up, up until that one scene where they kissed , but then abruptly ended without any further enquires of what was to be made of their story. Though, their chemistry was amazing and interactions even better. I do completely understand why Sophia refuses to marry and how it also won't work for Charlton, but it couldn't stop me from hoping for some more.
It also felt quite misleading with "theif by night" description as there wasn't much theiving, and most of the story didn't necessarily revolve around it. If anything, it was more about a young noble girl not desiring the doll life of a noble woman in a patriarchal - under constant control of men in her life.
The story felt like it was lacking something. While it was good and i enjoyed the read - it didnt have that element or... that extra feeling to it.