These Vicious Masks

DNF PG 48

Why?

I actually tried reading this book twice. The first time, I made nearly forty pages, the next time, barely ten. There is just something about this book that makes it impossible for me to get involved in it. Which is a shame because I love the premise and it starts off with a bang. (A bang that quick whimpers off.) If I had to say where my problem is, I think it's with the characters. And, I will admit, I skipped ahead and perused some of the later writing, trying to convince myself that things improve. However, for me, they most certainly don't.

The main girl - who gets on my nerves thoroughly in not even fifty pages for her ‘hoyden' personality (even the narration/MC calls herself that) - has not one (1) but two (2) arrogant love interests. One is the dark, mysterious McBroody and the other is the kind soul that has a dark secret (™). Honestly, I am so done with that rubbish.

Meh. Clever, stylish concept and no lack of action, but by 20% through, the two-dimensional characters eroded my willingness to put up with narrative weakness. Is the story missing sentences? The sentences that would have set up major character qualities or plot events? Characters will do things that haven't been set up in the plot (let's check out the inn, randomly–ah! we've discovered something to advance the plot! but, why di we go to the inn? because..a deus came out of the machina of the author's mind and nudged us there? Um...). Not impressed. A shame.

Look, guys. I am absolutely done with books set in the Victorian era, especially if they have love triangles where the heroine chooses the brooding, sulky dude instead of the smart & witty one.

Also, I swear to god, if I have to read one more book about a Classic White Feminist™ who can't stop talking about how terribly boring balls are & how much she despises arranged marriages, I will throw myself off a cliff.

I ran across this book the other day and just knew I was going to pick it up! First, because that cover is awesome, and second because it is billed as...

Jane Austen meets X-Men

So really, I had no choice but ti buy it!



This was a thoroughly delightful read! The plot was engaging and kept me interested. The characters, both main, and secondary were well written, and intriguing. Evelyn was funny, and feisty. Sebastian was broody, and mysterious. Nicholas was charming and also mysterious.

This book is set in 1882 London, and Rose, Evelyn's sister has gone missing. Evelyn leaves home and with the help of Mr. Kent (Nicolas) and Sebastian Braddock, she sets about trying to find out what happened to her. Of course during all this she discovers she and others around her have these secret supernatural powers.

Overall I really enjoyed this one. My only small complaint was the ending. I assume that there will be a book two, but I was hoping for more of a resolution with the romance, slight love triangle, plot but I have my fingers crossed I will get that closure in the next book (if there indeed is one)

Just read this is going to be a trilogy!!