Synopses & Reviews
In
Masks, Mara Holdfast's life changed forever. As the daughter of the Autarchs Master Maskmaker, she had a clearly defined future: a quiet, ordered life in the capital, making Masks with her father and doing work important to the ruling Autarch. But when her Mask, specially made by her own father, cracked and fell to pieces during her Masking ceremony, Mara was exiled from everything she once knew.
Now she has become part of an underground rebellion, rejecting the unjust rules of a Masked society. She must try to understand her unprecedented ability to use all types of magicand to tear magic from the living bodies of those around her. But Mara has yet to discover just how horrifying her power can be
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Review
“
Brilliant worldbuilding combined with cant-put-down storytelling,
Masks reveals its dark truths through the eyes of a girl who must learn to wield unthinkable power or watch her people succumb to evil. Bring on the next in this highly original series!”
—Julie E. Czerneda, author of A Turn of Light
“Sharp characterization, a fast-moving plot, and a steady unraveling of a bigger picture make this a welcome addition to the genre.”
—Publishers Weekly
"The characters are complex and relatable and grow throughout the story, and the storyline itself is fresh and never predictable. Masks is simply impossible to put down and will leave readers begging for the last two books in the trilogy.”
—RT Book Reviews
"Blake brings his fantastic world to life through offbeat links between magic, nature, and human behavior in a caste-ridden society."
—Locus
"A deeply interesting new imagining of the workings of magic."
—VOYA
“With an intriguing setting and a suspenseful story line that will hook readers, Masks is the first of a promising new series.”
—School Library Journal Review
Review
"Maras personal growth is a delight to follow.
Sharp characterization, a fast-moving plot, and a steady unveiling of a bigger picture make this a welcome addition to the genre."
—Publishers Weekly (for Masks)
"Masks grabs the readers attention on the first page and holds it until the last.... The characters are complex and relatable and grow throughout the story, and the storyline itself is fresh and never predictable. Masks is simply impossible to put down and will leave readers begging for the last two books in the trilogy."
—RT Reviews (for Masks)
"Blake brings his fantastic world to life through offbeat links between magic, nature, and human behavior in a caste-ridden society."
—Locus (for Masks)
Synopsis
Final novel in EC Blake's dystopian fantasy trilogy, The Masks of Aygrima
The Masks of Aygrima is set in a land where people are forced to wear spell-imbued Masks that reveal any traitorous thoughts they have about their ruler, the Autarch.
Mara Holdfast is a young woman gifted with the ability to see and use all the colors of magic. Two other people share this talent: the Autarch, who draws upon the very life-force of his subjects to fuel his existence and retain his control over the kingdom; and the legendary Lady of Pain and Fire, the only person who has ever truly challenged the Autarch s despotic reign.
After a devastating battle that takes a dreadful toll on both the rebel unMasked Army and the forces of Prince Chell, their ally from across the sea, Mara and her fellow survivors have no one to turn to for help but the Lady of Pain and Fire.
As the Lady leads them to her haven beyond the mountain borders of the kingdom, Mara feels that she has found the one person who truly understands her, a mentor who can teach her to control and use her power for the greater good. Together, they may be able to at last free Agryma from the Autarch s rule.
Living within the Lady s castle, cut off from her friends in the village far below, Mara immerses herself in her training. Still, she can t entirely escape from hearing dark hints about the Lady, rumors that the Lady may, in her own way, be as ruthless as the Autarch himself.
Yet it is not until they begin their campaign against the Autarch that Mara discovers where the real danger lies. Driven by the Lady s thirst for revenge, will Mara and all her friends fall victim in a duel to the death between two masters of magic?
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Synopsis
Faces is the final installment of E.C. Blakes gripping Masks of Aygrima fantasy trilogy.
About the Author
E.C. Blake