Scan barcode
bekkz27's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book was nothing to write home about. It was fine and a really interesting magic system. However, it turned out the magic was super commonplace. That made it seem boring.
narteest's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
A nice change from the supposedly witty and dry academic readings I've been doing lately, but I feel that this could have been so much more detailed. In saying that, it was a light, action packed, while historical-like, didn't always feel much like a historical.
Anyway, more detail later on!
A nice change from the supposedly witty and dry academic readings I've been doing lately, but I feel that this could have been so much more detailed. In saying that, it was a light, action packed, while historical-like, didn't always feel much like a historical.
Anyway, more detail later on!
ckreads28's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
X-Men meets the victorian era, mixed with mysteries and plot twists. I loved the action and settings but it was hard to keep track of all the characters by last name only. I may need to reread a later time to do a more thorough review.
tiffani_reads's review
I’ve read too many books like this recently and this one was not bringing anything new to keep me wanting to read.
ashurq's review against another edition
4.0
Evelyn’s sister, Rose, has been kidnapped–only, no one believes her. There is the little detail of Rose’s goodbye/apology/”I’m running away from home” note…but Evelyn knows that it’s actually a clue left for her by Rose. The only thing left for Evelyn to do is to follow Rose to London and try to bring her sister back home herself. If only that annoyingly Byronic Mr. Braddock would stop talking about her and Rose’s “special powers” and let her search in peace!
I saw this book advertised as “X-Men meets Jane Austen”. I thought to myself, “I like both of those things. I guess I’ll give this book a try…” Honestly, I didn’t expect much–I thought it would be a dud. Boy, was I wrong. This book really delivered on that initial promise! Everything that I love about X-Men and everything that I love about Jane Austen were combined in an utterly believable way. At first I was worried that the characters’ powers would be lame or wouldn’t make much sense in the context, but I thought they were all interesting and unique.
I thought Evelyn was a spunky main character and I really enjoyed viewing the world through her eyes. At the same time, her sister Rose is a great compliment and they’re both portrayed as strong women which was just great to see. A warning to readers: there is a love triangle in this book. With that being said, I was legitimately torn between our two suitors which usually doesn’t happen. Typically I pick a favorite pretty early on and stick with it, but with this book I kept switching between the two. Mr. Braddock and Mr. Kent are very different from each other in nearly every way which is an interesting and fun contrast. Overall, the love triangle felt a tad forced perhaps and didn’t seem overwhelmingly necessary, but I’m willing to overlook that.
The pace of this book was a little slow at times, but the characters and the world created were so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. There are a lot of times throughout the book when Evelyn is forced to pause in her search for Rose so she can participate in Society in order to maintain her reputation. This creates some downtime for the reader as well since the story is only told from Evelyn’s point of view. It’s interesting though, because the reader is also left wondering where Rose is and what’s happening to her–but can’t answer those questions because we’re forced to watch a play along with Evelyn.
I thought the ending was very interesting…I won’t go into any detail, but I liked it. I don’t think everyone will, but I thought it was a bold choice that I honestly did not see coming. My only complaint is that the last chapter seemed a little too much like X-Men. We have one person who has the ability to find other “mutants” and one person who has a demonstrable ability to convince their fellows to join with them. We’ll see how this series progresses, but I for one am excited to see what they come up with next.
Overall Rating: 4
Language: Mild
Violence: Heavy
Sexual Content: Moderate
Smoking/Drinking: Moderate
Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I saw this book advertised as “X-Men meets Jane Austen”. I thought to myself, “I like both of those things. I guess I’ll give this book a try…” Honestly, I didn’t expect much–I thought it would be a dud. Boy, was I wrong. This book really delivered on that initial promise! Everything that I love about X-Men and everything that I love about Jane Austen were combined in an utterly believable way. At first I was worried that the characters’ powers would be lame or wouldn’t make much sense in the context, but I thought they were all interesting and unique.
I thought Evelyn was a spunky main character and I really enjoyed viewing the world through her eyes. At the same time, her sister Rose is a great compliment and they’re both portrayed as strong women which was just great to see. A warning to readers: there is a love triangle in this book. With that being said, I was legitimately torn between our two suitors which usually doesn’t happen. Typically I pick a favorite pretty early on and stick with it, but with this book I kept switching between the two. Mr. Braddock and Mr. Kent are very different from each other in nearly every way which is an interesting and fun contrast. Overall, the love triangle felt a tad forced perhaps and didn’t seem overwhelmingly necessary, but I’m willing to overlook that.
The pace of this book was a little slow at times, but the characters and the world created were so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. There are a lot of times throughout the book when Evelyn is forced to pause in her search for Rose so she can participate in Society in order to maintain her reputation. This creates some downtime for the reader as well since the story is only told from Evelyn’s point of view. It’s interesting though, because the reader is also left wondering where Rose is and what’s happening to her–but can’t answer those questions because we’re forced to watch a play along with Evelyn.
I thought the ending was very interesting…I won’t go into any detail, but I liked it. I don’t think everyone will, but I thought it was a bold choice that I honestly did not see coming. My only complaint is that the last chapter seemed a little too much like X-Men. We have one person who has the ability to find other “mutants” and one person who has a demonstrable ability to convince their fellows to join with them. We’ll see how this series progresses, but I for one am excited to see what they come up with next.
Overall Rating: 4
Language: Mild
Violence: Heavy
Sexual Content: Moderate
Smoking/Drinking: Moderate
Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
thebookberrie's review against another edition
4.0
These Vicious Masks is a perfect mix of historical and paranormal, with a swoon (heh) worthy romance to boot.
In 1882, Evelyn Windham is bored of society and it's strict rules and expectations. When her sister Rose disappears mysteriously, Evelyn is quick to ignore her family and travel to London to find her, with the help of Mr. Kent and his detective skills. In London, it turns out that Evelyn isn't the only one looking for her sister. Mysterious Sebastian Braddock is also looking and says that Rose and Evelyn have the power to heal. At first Evelyn doesn't believe him until it seems that people with extraordinary powers are actually real, and Evelyn is one of them.
The powers were awesome, even if they weren't explained that well. You can't just throw in one little line about your theory about where they came from and then never mention it ever again. Why do so many people have powers? I don't know and neither do they! It just sort of happens to some people.
But mostly, the ending. THE ENDING. Even so, I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel.
In 1882, Evelyn Windham is bored of society and it's strict rules and expectations. When her sister Rose disappears mysteriously, Evelyn is quick to ignore her family and travel to London to find her, with the help of Mr. Kent and his detective skills. In London, it turns out that Evelyn isn't the only one looking for her sister. Mysterious Sebastian Braddock is also looking and says that Rose and Evelyn have the power to heal. At first Evelyn doesn't believe him until it seems that people with extraordinary powers are actually real, and Evelyn is one of them.
"When one door closes, another slightly more inconvenient, out-of-the-way one opens."This book was pretty much everything I wanted it to be. Awesome powers? Check. Victorian society with its balls, parties, and fancy dresses? (But not too much of it where it overcomes the rest of the plot!) Check. Dashing romance with no insta-love with an interesting love interest? Check. Honestly, there was even a bit of a love triangle but it was pretty well done so I had no problem with it. Both guys were complex and fleshed out. Seriously though, every single time Evelyn and Sebastian talked was gold:
“Why don’t—” He stopped abruptly and took a breath. “Normally I’m good at being polite, but with you, I have to try very hard.”Evelyn is a great protagonist. She doesn't give much of a damn about her reputation, something so important to her world. Her sister is in danger and she's not going to sit around and wait while the men find her. She's the one getting down into the gutters in her search.
“Were you trying very hard the two times you’ve compared me to a prostitute today?”
The powers were awesome, even if they weren't explained that well. You can't just throw in one little line about your theory about where they came from and then never mention it ever again. Why do so many people have powers? I don't know and neither do they! It just sort of happens to some people.
But mostly, the ending. THE ENDING.
Spoiler
Just when you think it's going to get a happy save of Rose, SHE DIES by accident and it's Sebastian's fault. Doesn't that suck?signebrum's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
So, I’ll start off this review with the things I liked.
I think the idea of this world and the story is great! The cast of characters is based on a good idea, and I am actually quite intrigued by the different abilities they have.
However, something is missing in the story. The characters fall a little flat, the main character is kinda annoying, just doing things without the reader really following her decisions. The dialogue becomes a little repetitive at times, and I found the book to ‘telling,’ which ruined the pace slightly. And because I care about writing styles etc., I cannot give the book a higher rating, as it read almost like a first draft. The idea was there, but that was about it. A few rounds of edits, and it would have been spot on!
Now, there were some lovely quotes hidden every now and then, however, not enough to lift the story up, which honestly just sums up this review of the book. The idea was great. The execution was lacking.
I think the idea of this world and the story is great! The cast of characters is based on a good idea, and I am actually quite intrigued by the different abilities they have.
However, something is missing in the story. The characters fall a little flat, the main character is kinda annoying, just doing things without the reader really following her decisions. The dialogue becomes a little repetitive at times, and I found the book to ‘telling,’ which ruined the pace slightly. And because I care about writing styles etc., I cannot give the book a higher rating, as it read almost like a first draft. The idea was there, but that was about it. A few rounds of edits, and it would have been spot on!
Now, there were some lovely quotes hidden every now and then, however, not enough to lift the story up, which honestly just sums up this review of the book. The idea was great. The execution was lacking.
sarastella's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0