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A review by the_novel_approach
Beneath This Mask by Victoria Sue
5.0
Third times a charm goes the saying, and it couldn’t be more apt with this latest book in Victoria Sue’s Enhanced World series, Beneath this Mask. We veer away from Finn and Talon to begin focusing on the stories of the other enhanced members of the task force. We also get a taste of what’s in store for the group as the director in charge introduces another non-enhanced human to partner to the group, this time with Gael. Gael’s abilities are rather interesting, as they combine armor-like skin that can deflect bullets with the ability to instantly assimilate and understand any language, including nonverbal ones such as sign language. That is going to come in handy when the team is called out on the case of a mute, autistic boy who is accused of hurting other students at his school.
Talon met Gael when he discovered him living on the docks where Talon worked. Homeless, hungry and badly scarred from an attempt by his drunken father to burn off the unique facial mark that suddenly appears when a child comes into their powers, Gael is wary of interacting with others. Gael had been his father’s punching bag in order to protect his younger brother, Wyatt, after their mother had disappeared, leaving the boys behind. Gael had always kept Wyatt safe, often denying his own basic needs in order to put his brother through school. When the team found out that they would be getting human partners, and Gael’s turn was next, the shock as to who the new guy was going to be could not be more profound.
Jake Riley was part of the enemy in most of the team’s view. A former SWAT member, his last gig was with the ENu—a tactical team that responds to any threats by an enhanced human. Known for using brute force and tranquilizers that are way too strong, the team has an apparent dislike for any person they deem irregular. Jake has a secret—one that forced him to leave the SWAT team behind and attempt to bury his painful past. He knows Talon is aware of the circumstances of his leaving his former job, and that he joined the ENu as a way to make amends, unware that the ENu was so hard on the enhanced. Jake knows he should inform the rest of the team of the reason he left the SWAT team, particularly since his previous partners at ENu have found out and are determined to make his life a living hell for joining forces with the enhanced team they despise.
Unfortunately, before he can come clean, his attraction to Gael spikes, and their one moment of unguarded intimacy allows Gael to hope that he and Jake can be more than just partners. Then Gael discovers Jake’s secret and is absolutely gutted, deciding he was a fool to trust the other man. He asks to have a new partner, and Talon reluctantly agrees, giving Jake to Vance and allowing Drew to temporarily join their team to work with Gael. Those who have read the series thus far will remember that Drew has ambitions to join the FBI’s BAU unit and is waiting to hear back from them while being assigned initially to help Finn assimilate to the enhanced team. With Drew now annoyingly partnering with Gael, and Jake trying to persuade the man to give him another chance, Gael finds himself drawn deeply into the life of an orphaned autistic boy who holds the key to the identity of the serial killer currently murdering enhanced adults. Little does Gael know he will be the killer’s next target.
I think this was the best book in the series to date. The depth to which Gael’s and Jake’s pasts were discussed gave such life to these characters. The things Gael had to deal with emotionally and physically from an early age just broke my heart. His sensitivity and gentle attitude toward little Derrick was a real indicator as to what type of man Gael was—a protector, loyal and kind. While Jake was similar, he was the stronger of the two, and as such he became the one to pursue Gael in the story.
There were several storylines running simultaneously through this novel, and the way in which the author tied them all together and created an incredibly well executed murder mystery was just outstanding. First, there was the serial killer who was going after adult enhanced victims. There seemed to be no common thread to the killer’s decision as to who he tortured and murdered next. When we get to the end of this story and see the killer in action, it is incredibly disturbing and for some might be triggering—just a warning to those who cannot handle torture and abuse. Then, we meet two new characters—one the autistic child, Derrick, who finds a unique way to communicate with Gael. I love that authors are becoming more inclusive in their characterizations, this being the second novel in as many weeks to include an autistic individual in a key way. The second person we meet is Angel, and how he figures into the story and what he turns out to be is just delightful. I am betting he and Vance will be the next story we get from this author.
Along with the serial killer plot, we revisit the “mole” thread that was introduced in book two. Finally, we are made privy as to who the person is and their motivation in playing a key role in trying to bring the enhanced/human task force to its knees. They were most decidedly hell-bent on destroying these men, and the coldblooded way in which the mole used the team and turned on them was cleverly developed and well written.
In so many ways I think the author really hit her stride with this third book. I felt that the story was more cohesive, more action packed and well balanced between the mystery and suspense elements and the romance thread. I look forward to the next chapter in this series with great excitement!
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach
Talon met Gael when he discovered him living on the docks where Talon worked. Homeless, hungry and badly scarred from an attempt by his drunken father to burn off the unique facial mark that suddenly appears when a child comes into their powers, Gael is wary of interacting with others. Gael had been his father’s punching bag in order to protect his younger brother, Wyatt, after their mother had disappeared, leaving the boys behind. Gael had always kept Wyatt safe, often denying his own basic needs in order to put his brother through school. When the team found out that they would be getting human partners, and Gael’s turn was next, the shock as to who the new guy was going to be could not be more profound.
Jake Riley was part of the enemy in most of the team’s view. A former SWAT member, his last gig was with the ENu—a tactical team that responds to any threats by an enhanced human. Known for using brute force and tranquilizers that are way too strong, the team has an apparent dislike for any person they deem irregular. Jake has a secret—one that forced him to leave the SWAT team behind and attempt to bury his painful past. He knows Talon is aware of the circumstances of his leaving his former job, and that he joined the ENu as a way to make amends, unware that the ENu was so hard on the enhanced. Jake knows he should inform the rest of the team of the reason he left the SWAT team, particularly since his previous partners at ENu have found out and are determined to make his life a living hell for joining forces with the enhanced team they despise.
Unfortunately, before he can come clean, his attraction to Gael spikes, and their one moment of unguarded intimacy allows Gael to hope that he and Jake can be more than just partners. Then Gael discovers Jake’s secret and is absolutely gutted, deciding he was a fool to trust the other man. He asks to have a new partner, and Talon reluctantly agrees, giving Jake to Vance and allowing Drew to temporarily join their team to work with Gael. Those who have read the series thus far will remember that Drew has ambitions to join the FBI’s BAU unit and is waiting to hear back from them while being assigned initially to help Finn assimilate to the enhanced team. With Drew now annoyingly partnering with Gael, and Jake trying to persuade the man to give him another chance, Gael finds himself drawn deeply into the life of an orphaned autistic boy who holds the key to the identity of the serial killer currently murdering enhanced adults. Little does Gael know he will be the killer’s next target.
I think this was the best book in the series to date. The depth to which Gael’s and Jake’s pasts were discussed gave such life to these characters. The things Gael had to deal with emotionally and physically from an early age just broke my heart. His sensitivity and gentle attitude toward little Derrick was a real indicator as to what type of man Gael was—a protector, loyal and kind. While Jake was similar, he was the stronger of the two, and as such he became the one to pursue Gael in the story.
There were several storylines running simultaneously through this novel, and the way in which the author tied them all together and created an incredibly well executed murder mystery was just outstanding. First, there was the serial killer who was going after adult enhanced victims. There seemed to be no common thread to the killer’s decision as to who he tortured and murdered next. When we get to the end of this story and see the killer in action, it is incredibly disturbing and for some might be triggering—just a warning to those who cannot handle torture and abuse. Then, we meet two new characters—one the autistic child, Derrick, who finds a unique way to communicate with Gael. I love that authors are becoming more inclusive in their characterizations, this being the second novel in as many weeks to include an autistic individual in a key way. The second person we meet is Angel, and how he figures into the story and what he turns out to be is just delightful. I am betting he and Vance will be the next story we get from this author.
Along with the serial killer plot, we revisit the “mole” thread that was introduced in book two. Finally, we are made privy as to who the person is and their motivation in playing a key role in trying to bring the enhanced/human task force to its knees. They were most decidedly hell-bent on destroying these men, and the coldblooded way in which the mole used the team and turned on them was cleverly developed and well written.
In so many ways I think the author really hit her stride with this third book. I felt that the story was more cohesive, more action packed and well balanced between the mystery and suspense elements and the romance thread. I look forward to the next chapter in this series with great excitement!
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach