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izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
Oh my gosh! I- this- this was so much better then the first book! I loved the adventure and the action! The plot itself reminded me of X men which I loved so much. I can’t wait to read the next book!
Oh my gosh! I- this- this was so much better then the first book! I loved the adventure and the action! The plot itself reminded me of X men which I loved so much. I can’t wait to read the next book!
marjogal's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
While I enjoyed the underlying premise of this series, I find the main characters to be naive and impulsive when making decisions. I wanted to just grab them and shake them sometimes when they were astounded that their assumptions were wrong or their plans didn't work out.
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Still recovering from the loss of her sister, Evelyn Wyndham has thrown herself even more into the task of finding and helping other people with power. On one such mission Evelyn and her collaborators are hijacked by The Society of Aberrations, who tout the recruitment and protection for those with power. Having the same mission statement as Evelyn and her friends, they quickly throw themselves in with the Society. At first, Evelyn’s orders of healing the sick and wounded are just what she’s wanted to do with her powers. However, as she’s sent on recruitment missions that quickly turn dangerous, Evelyn can’t help but feel there’s something more sinister going on beneath the surface of the Society. She, along with her stalwart suitors Mr. Kent and Mr. Braddock, will risk everything to uncover the truth.
Where These Vicious Masks deals with the discovery of new powers and the awesomeness thereof, These Ruthless Deeds kind of looks at the drawbacks of what some of these powers can actually do. The possible danger, as with Sebastian Braddock’s power that pretty much sucks the life out of those too near to him, which he’s unable to control. The sometimes burden of what it means to have powers gives this book a more somber view than its predecessor.
That’s not to say that These Ruthless Deeds did not showcase some great wit and wile, it certainly did, but I found it to be more veiled and unexpected. Which, honestly, made the moments of levity all the more humorous and endearing.
The love triangle is still ever-present, but like the first book, it didn’t particularly annoy me. I think it’s because Evelyn has so many other things to put her focus on that, despite what Evelyn’s mother might have to say about it, her looking for a love interest is secondary. For those of you out there who despise the love triangle, worry not. We do get more closure on that aspect of the story by the end.
The pacing was a bit slower to start. I mean, we know from just reading the book blurb that there’s shenanigans going on—or at least they’re suspected by Evelyn—with the Society, it just takes a bit too long to actually unravel the main mystery of the book, which turns out to be finding the anonymous leader of the Society.
The slower pacing does do the great service of allowing the showcasing of more powers, which made me extremely happy. From the more widely known telekinesis to a girl that can demolish anything just by looking at the object for too long, and much more in between. I mean really, what is a superhero book without the superpowers? I liked, beyond seeing their powers, meeting the characters behind the powers and learning a little about their lives.
What the slower start also accomplishes is somewhat lulling the reader into a sense of complacency. That’s why I was completely unprepared for the final climatic moments. Moments that will be the basis for driving the story and the characters in the conclusion of the trilogy.
Still recovering from the loss of her sister, Evelyn Wyndham has thrown herself even more into the task of finding and helping other people with power. On one such mission Evelyn and her collaborators are hijacked by The Society of Aberrations, who tout the recruitment and protection for those with power. Having the same mission statement as Evelyn and her friends, they quickly throw themselves in with the Society. At first, Evelyn’s orders of healing the sick and wounded are just what she’s wanted to do with her powers. However, as she’s sent on recruitment missions that quickly turn dangerous, Evelyn can’t help but feel there’s something more sinister going on beneath the surface of the Society. She, along with her stalwart suitors Mr. Kent and Mr. Braddock, will risk everything to uncover the truth.
Where These Vicious Masks deals with the discovery of new powers and the awesomeness thereof, These Ruthless Deeds kind of looks at the drawbacks of what some of these powers can actually do. The possible danger, as with Sebastian Braddock’s power that pretty much sucks the life out of those too near to him, which he’s unable to control. The sometimes burden of what it means to have powers gives this book a more somber view than its predecessor.
That’s not to say that These Ruthless Deeds did not showcase some great wit and wile, it certainly did, but I found it to be more veiled and unexpected. Which, honestly, made the moments of levity all the more humorous and endearing.
The love triangle is still ever-present, but like the first book, it didn’t particularly annoy me. I think it’s because Evelyn has so many other things to put her focus on that, despite what Evelyn’s mother might have to say about it, her looking for a love interest is secondary. For those of you out there who despise the love triangle, worry not. We do get more closure on that aspect of the story by the end.
The pacing was a bit slower to start. I mean, we know from just reading the book blurb that there’s shenanigans going on—or at least they’re suspected by Evelyn—with the Society, it just takes a bit too long to actually unravel the main mystery of the book, which turns out to be finding the anonymous leader of the Society.
The slower pacing does do the great service of allowing the showcasing of more powers, which made me extremely happy. From the more widely known telekinesis to a girl that can demolish anything just by looking at the object for too long, and much more in between. I mean really, what is a superhero book without the superpowers? I liked, beyond seeing their powers, meeting the characters behind the powers and learning a little about their lives.
What the slower start also accomplishes is somewhat lulling the reader into a sense of complacency. That’s why I was completely unprepared for the final climatic moments. Moments that will be the basis for driving the story and the characters in the conclusion of the trilogy.
meg_sm's review against another edition
4.0
This started off slow for me, but got better and better as it went along...culminating in what might be the most whirlwind, plot-twist-y, horrifying, delightful, A+ ending I have read in all my days. At times the plot felt a little overly complicated and/or confusing but maybe that was just a side effect of my intense obsession with how awesome the characters are. I <3 YOU FOREVER, EVELYN.
jam143's review against another edition
3.0
The protagonist is an idiot. I read the first book so many years ago that I had to refresh my memory on the story, but I do not recall being this annoyed by her back then. I figured out one of the major plot twists early on and am disappointed by the overall story. Anyways, I think Mr. Kent should have been the main character. The book would have been way more enjoyable. I will not be reading the last book.
erinarkin20's review against another edition
4.0
These Ruthless Deeds is the second book in the These Vicious Masks series and if you like your fantasy/paranormal mixed into a historical YA, definitely check this series out. I myself have been on a bit of a kick lately trying to read more historical YA and this one was a great second book. If you haven’t read this series yet, think Jane Austen meets X-Men…do I have your attention?
Evelyn suffered a pretty big loss in book one and this book pulls us right back into her story. As she works through the pain of her loss, she is also faced with the Society of Aberrations. While she tries to figure out who she can trust and what her purpose is, things start to change for Evelyn.
Overall I liked this book almost as much as book one. I will say the ending upped the rating for me as there is plenty of action and quite a few surprises. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book for these characters.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
Evelyn suffered a pretty big loss in book one and this book pulls us right back into her story. As she works through the pain of her loss, she is also faced with the Society of Aberrations. While she tries to figure out who she can trust and what her purpose is, things start to change for Evelyn.
Overall I liked this book almost as much as book one. I will say the ending upped the rating for me as there is plenty of action and quite a few surprises. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book for these characters.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
ioana313's review against another edition
5.0
I reached the last 100 pages a while ago and just couldn't bring myself to finish it. I love this book, I love this series, and I find myself falling for Evelyn every time I think of this book. I'm glad I picked this series up again. Amazing to think even after so long since I read the first book, it was still on my mind.