This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Published by Audible Studios
Released on September 2, 2010
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
The Delight
A newly updated edition of Patricia Briggs’ first book and the inclusion of an introduction by the author herself had me one-clicking on this audio edition. Fantasy world, action, intrigue, mages, shape-shifters, and engaging characters made this a highly entertaining story from start to finish.
Review
Masques is the first book in the Sianim series and the first in the Aralorn duology. It can be read standalone or one of several stories set in the same high fantasy world.
Aralorn is the shape-shifting, warrior daughter of a noble family. She has left the pampered life of wealth behind to train and become a mercenary and spy. Her latest assignment takes her to spy on the household of the most powerful mage in the land. She is meant to discover a possible assassination attempt, but instead discovers the mage himself is corrupt and using his power to entrap minds, enslave people, and kill for additional power. The mage must be stopped. She faces him with the help of a mysterious shape-shifting wolf, a young king who is impervious to magical influence, and some surprising help along the way, but they are up against a mage who has summoned the undead along with some of the most powerful magic users he has tricked.
Aralorn was an engaging heroine. She is clever, skilled, and compassionate. She also possesses mild magic that helps her disguise herself and resist mental manipulation. She is impetuous when her compassion is engaged which is why she rescues a wild wolf from a trap and ignores everyone including the wolf himself who tells her that he’s dangerous and possibly worse. Aralorn does like to go her own way and work alone, but knows she is woefully inadequate to face off with a powerful mage. This was an underdog situation and I do love those, but it was also a story of treachery and redemption. I found Aralorn something of a ‘too perfect’ character, but Wolf was much more complex. It is his story as much as Aralorn’s and gives the depth to this tale. His past is slowly revealed and he must face it before he can take on the mage. He must also learn to trust particularly the fierce woman who stands at his side.
I do love how the author weaves lore and legend into her stories so well. This is a fantasy so it has plenty already, but within the story lore and legend play a strong role in helping Aralorn and their friends against sheer magical might.
The narrator is one whom I’ve encountered before. Katherine Kellgren did well with this story mostly narrated by Aralorn, but also Wolf and a few others. She really told a good fight scene and had a nice repertoire of voices for characters and situations.
All in all, it was great to step into Patricia Brigg’s fantasy world and I look forward to the other stories in the series. If you enjoy fantasy that is carried by action and intrigue with a smaller dose of romance, try this one.
Challenges
Mt. TBR #20
Literary Pickers #44 alternate world
Audio #16
COYER Winter #70
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I’ve heard of these and am thrilled to get your review on one. So it’s fantasy romance with only 1 flame? I guess it has to start somewhere. Lots of fantasy is low on the romance, especially in the first book. Excellent review!
Yes, only one flame because the romance doesn’t come on until really late in the story and they didn’t even kiss. I’m guessing the second book in the duology will give more attention to the relationship.
Oh yes, it is true high fantasy stuff with lots of movement and action. You can tell its her first book, too, but it is still good.
Oh, I should try these. I love Patricia Briggs but I’ve only read books in the Mercyverse. I would love to try other stuff and have been meaning to for years. Maybe I’ll grab this one. Great review.
It’s very different from the Mercy stories, of course, and its also her first book. But, that said, you can sense the similarities in writing style and appreciate the action and development of the story in the same way.
Oooo to the TBR pile!
Oh yes, its one for the pile. 🙂
I grabbed this one when Audible did their first in a series sale. I’ve lessoned and loved it. The narrator did a fabulous job. I liked the fantasy, lore, and legends. It was very in-depth. I will say it’s complete different from her MT series or Alpha and Omega. Very different. I’m going to pick up the next one that has these two characters in it. Great review. Thank’s for sharing.
Yay a fellow fan. I’m glad you loved it, too. This one is straight fantasies and her latest two series are urban fantasy so that is definitely different.
I’ve got the next book in ebook version. Hope we like it, Angela. 🙂
I’m so happy to read your review. Thank you for introducing me to this book!
Sure thing, Nasreen! Happy to make the intros. 🙂
I have seen these other books by Briggs but haven’t had a chance to try them out. I always worry about fantasy because I never seem to get my romance fix. I will have to get to these though. I love Briggs and don’t want to miss out on her work!
Yeah, the romance is really subtle in this one. It comes on late after a long friendship and secrets revealed. Now, maybe the second book in the duology gets there. 🙂 But, yes, worth it for Briggs’ writing. 🙂
Oh I liked this series. I did read it a while ago when it was translated in French
That is great. I’m just starting it and can’t wait to get the other three books. 🙂
I love Patricia Briggs!!! How do I not know about this series? I’m clicking over to check it out now. 🙂
I think its her very oldest. I look forward to reading the rest of them.
ohhh! I like this and may have to check it out. I love her Mercy Thompson series.
It was very cool to read her first book and see how far she has come and also see hints of style and magic that show up later in the Mercy Thompson series.
I like the sound of the main character and how she has some subtle magic. And underdog situations can be great to read. The wolf sounds interesting too. The world building sounds well done too. Great review!
Yes, it was a winner all around for me. I think you’d enjoy it, Lola. 🙂
Aralorn sounds like a great female lead! I love that she’s clever, compassionate and impulsive when she feels her compassion. I also like that she has magical power. This sounds like it was very engaging. I love stories of legend and lore! Wonderful Review Sophia!
I’m picky about my heroines, but I loved Aralorn. Tough to believe that this was a first writing effort. 🙂