Always Masked (The Masked Book 2)

The mercifully agonizingly slow development of a love triangle, with one side between a teacher and her intern. I have a great deal of respect for him. She's supposed to be a librarian who uses her resources before heading out on an adventure, except she doesn't here, because she has to rescue her friend, Kai. But instead she rushes off with absolutely no preparation, with her only gear a knife.

This is after we are told Kai is in a high-Chaos environment, which is anathema to the Librarians. She goes in with literally no plan, no idea where Kai is held or how, or how to get him out of that particular world. I get that this might add to the perception of suspense, but it really just makes Irene look dumb. Particularly when she needs rescuing later. How logical is she? When she tries to describe the power the Fae have, well, witness: Facts would be more use than losing her temper. Although I have never encountered any of the truly powerful ones myself.

That is because they usually inhabit the ends of reality, where chaos is the deepest. There, the Fae take over whole worlds and bind their power to the very fabric of these worlds. In your world we are in the shallow end I have never encountered any of the great powers of chaos, and I hope I never do. And, once again, a heroine that defies habit and training to rush into saving a friend: Compromising her entire career?

The existence of the Library? What the real problem is is a writer that prefers dramatic sentences over consistency. Thus in one conversation, we have Irene's blood draining from her cheeks, two blushes including one "crawling over her face" , a couple of head bows, loud breathing, a head shake, "something go cold in her stomach," blinks, "a stab of apprehension'' and "reminded of posture lessons from childhood. A good measure of a book's deliciousness is the amount of time it takes to finish.

You stalled around page one hundred or so, setting it down and taking your own dear sweet time picking it up again. It's even more annoying when it starts to shake apart. If it's annoying when Zelazny does it, it isn't going to go down any better when a YA writer does it.

The end was potentially the most interesting thing about the book. Since I'm writing this to myself, it's clearly not a spoiler, unless I forget and want to read it again, so don't read this. I want to know the end of The Ghost and the Rider tale. The face off between the dragon and Cordelia is bizarre and anti-climactic. The ornate writing will annoy during the adventures, and the development of the relationship issues is almost certain to become irritating. But I know you, and know that you will likely pick up the third, just to be sure. And just to see what happened for Irene's punishment it was a bit of a cliff-hanger there.

Just don't re-read this one, okay? Two and a half stars, rounding down because even writing this review is annoying me. View all 26 comments. Jan 17, Melindam rated it it was amazing Shelves: The review contains mild spoilers! The story picks up where it left off at the end of Book 1. When Irene's assistant, Kai incognito royal dragon, youngest son of the King of the Eastern Ocean is kidnapped by some Fae, it has far-reaching political consequences.

So she is willing to make a pact with the "devil" or in this case the notorious Fae of the alternate London, Lord Silver, who has his own agenda in assisting Irene. Thankfully, Irene remains the awesome MC she was in Book 1: We get a whole lot of information concerning The Library, the Dragons and The Fae, which is intriguing and you end up wanting to learn even more.

I have nothing against Kai, he is an awesome Dragon, it's just personal preference. My Review of The Invisible Library Jan 25, Bradley rated it liked it Shelves: I'm on the shelf about this one. It is what it intends to be. A spy novel with interdimensional librarians up against the forces of Order and Chaos in the shapes of the Fae and Dragons.

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There's a bit of romance, a lot of steampunk train-heist-y stuff, and talking. My only complaint is that there's not enough meat. I mean, the potential is there for some really wild and imaginative dive I'm on the shelf about this one. I mean, the potential is there for some really wild and imaginative diversions, but it sits in the box of mild spy fiction with costumes and mild victorian intrigue. Unfortunately, my wild expectations for something grand, grander, grandest, got in the way of what I was actually given, but that's my problem, not the book's problem.

It was entertaining as it was. It just wasn't as wildly entertaining as I had hoped. Nov 07, Phrynne rated it really liked it. I enjoyed this book every bit as much as I did the first in the series, The Invisible Library. This one moves away from the library itself and becomes a huge adventure in multiple worlds with some amazing magic! Irene's own magical skills are just wonderful and we also see a new aspect of Kai which makes him a much more interesting character.

I hope he features in a big way in future books: I loved the whole concept of the magical train, the Fae versus the Dragons, the chaos worlds and of cours I enjoyed this book every bit as much as I did the first in the series, The Invisible Library. I loved the whole concept of the magical train, the Fae versus the Dragons, the chaos worlds and of course the invisible library itself.

The Masked City is full on action from start to finish and as a result is very hard to put down. Now how long till the next one comes out? Nov 30, Wanda rated it really liked it Shelves: The Masked City is definitely more focused than The Invisible Library , which was seething with ideas, not all of which actually contributed to the plot line. This installment has fewer distractions and more Fae, which is always a good thing in my books.

Irene is faced with a lot of challenges in this book: And yet, she does what so many people have to do—she just keeps moving, keeps thinking, keeps doing, despite what life throws at her. May I say that if I could get the very cool Library tattoo, I would. I, who have steadfastly refused ink for 55 years.

Vale, the Sherlockian detective, and seeing where his restrained, Victorian admiration would take me. However, I must say that the ending of this volume was a bit abrupt in my opinion. It had a definite cliff-hanger element to it, shall we say, which disappointed me. That will teach me for being one of those people who never flips to the last page of the book before I actually get there. View all 7 comments. Their role is to visit alternate worlds through a network of Libraries and secretly bring back dangerous or vulnerable books to the Library for safe keeping.

The alternate worlds come in all forms of low and high tech, with magical beings such as the Fae and their enemies, the dragons infiltrating various worlds to different degrees. Fortunately the Library has its own magic to help protect its agents in the field and Irene also has a Sherlock-like detective, Vale who helps in her investigative work in her steampunk version of London.

In this second episode, Kai is captured by the Fae and Irene must travel to an alternate Venice to free him and bring him home before a war breaks out that will destroy worlds and millions of innocent human lives. Along the way she must talk to a dragon lord, combat powerful Fae, tell a fairytale and use all her wits and magic to survive.

All good fun and now I need to read book 3 to see what happens next! View all 6 comments. This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. This series has so many things going for it. There are dragons, the fae, werewolves, and librarian spies along with nearly non-stop action. This story started with a bang and kept me guessing until the very end. I love how unique this series really is and I enjoyed every part of this second installment. Kai is kidnapped early on in the book leaving Irene to figure out what to do to get him back.

When her normal This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life. When her normal methods of traveling to different dimensions won't work, she has to make plans to get to where Kai is being held. All of the great characters from the first book are back plus we meet some ones including member of Kai's family. Even the villains in this story are fun to read about! Not only is Kai's life in jeopardy, there is a threat of war if Irene isn't successful. She is on her own in a chaos filled Venice trying to figure out how to save her apprentice.

She relies on her quick thinking and ability to blend in as she works to rescue Kai. Her power of voice is pretty handy in quite a few situations as well. As the story progresses, the excitement builds and I couldn't wait to see how everything would work out. I would highly recommend this book to others. This is such a fun and fast paced series with wonderful characters. This is the second book in the series and I do think it is best to try to read this series in order so that you have all of the background information.

I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series! I received an advance reader edition of this book from Penguin Publishing Group - Roc via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review. Initial Thoughts Lots of excitement in this one!

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I love the whole concept of this series. After reading and loving the first and third book in this series was I thrilled to get my hands on book two. After reading book three, The Burning Page, did I know the outcome of this book, but I still really wanted to read more about the kidnapping of Kai. And, yes, this book was good, but I also felt that I had some serious problem with really getting into the story. The whole, it's not you, it's me kind of situation that one can have with books now and then. I really wanted to love this book, After reading and loving the first and third book in this series was I thrilled to get my hands on book two.

I really wanted to love this book, but I just couldn't. It's not a badly written book, it's just that the story was not to my liking completely. Now, this can be because I knew the storyline and some of the things that happened in the book in advance.

However, I do not think that the whole problem because I have read books in different order before and that has been OK. I'm pretty sure that the story in this book just didn't work out for in the same way as the other because the villains in this book just didn't rock my boat. I loved to once again read about Irene, Vale, and Kai, but my heart wasn't really in this story. But, I often felt that I lost the focus while I read, it got a bit better when Vale was introduced into the story again after being left behind when Irene traveled to Venice to find Kai.

I do think the best part of the book was in the beginning when Irene wasn't sure of whom had kidnapped Kai and had to visit his very dangerous relatives. Also, the other books I have read in this series was funnier and more engrossing than this was. The whole Venice part of the story, well it just didn't really work for me. I didn't feel it interested me, and as I wrote before did I missed Vale and thankfully the story got better when I showed up, at least a little better Still, The Masked City is not a bad book, it has its moments.

I especially liked the last chapter where Irene listed her five favorite book-heist tales.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review! Nov 24, Liz Barnsley rated it it was amazing Shelves: The follow up — The Masked City — if anything is even better. We know the eclectic and highly entertaining cast of characters and due to the mythology Genevieve Cogman can do with them as she likes — and she does! Kai was one of my favourites from The Invisible Library and this time he is in peril, Irene is determined to go to his rescue no matter the cost and it is a rich gallop of a tale that absorbs you into a magical yet often brutally realistic world and engages you utterly.

Irene is a kick ass super heroine when it comes to the books and she is not too shabby when it comes to the physical either, she has a great depth to her character and as such is the perfect anchor for such a mystical and fun tale. All the various factions and interactions are really well done, we fairly race along to an ending that had me absolutely desperate for more. Jul 08, Althea Ann rated it liked it. A very enjoyable sequel to 'The Invisible Library. I would recommend starting with the first however - they're quick reads. Kai was under her tutelage, and was her responsibility, so she feels it's up to her to get him back.

Raising the stakes is the fact that Kai is the scion of a notable, and immensely powerfu A very enjoyable sequel to 'The Invisible Library. Raising the stakes is the fact that Kai is the scion of a notable, and immensely powerful family of shapeshifting dragons. They could hold the Library to blame. Even if Irene's theory is correct, and Kai was kidnapped by the Fae, this abduction could spark a war between Fae and dragonkind which could lay innocent worlds waste in its wake.

Plenty of twisty action ensues. I liked how the setting moved from the faux-Victorian steampunk-style world of the first book to a faux Venetian-carnival world; it mixes it up a bit. I see that there are already three more sequels in this series planned - and I'd be happy to read them. Many thanks to Roc and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.

The Masked City is another fantastic adventure chronicling the exploits of Irene Winters, a secret agent for an interdimensional library. I literally cannot find anything to dislike about the last part of that sentence. Still, it meant we got to see our protagonist grow into her role and develop further as a character, and I was happy to see this sequel tap into the same fun adventurous vein which provided the drive for The Invisible Library.

When the story begins, Irene is a Librarian-in-Residence, having earned her position as an agent in the alternate version of London that we saw from the first book. She is in the middle of working on an assignment when all of a sudden, her apprentice Kai is kidnapped. With the help of her detective friend Vale, Irene is determined to uncover the mystery of who took Kai and why, unaware of the dangerous path this will set them on.

For time immemorial, forces of Order and Chaos have remained locked in conflict. The mighty dragons representing the former are always at odds with the Fae which represent the latter, fighting for control over the many worlds that exist in the multiverse. However, some worlds are inherently high in Order or Chaos, naturally predisposing them to one faction or the other. Irene has reason to suspect that Kai has been taken by Fae to one of their worlds, which would mean disastrous consequences for her apprentice if he is not recovered soon. Deep in the heart of Fae territory where Chaos is so thick that even the great Library cannot help her, Irene has only her own skills to rely on to find and rescue Kai.

In The Masked City, our heroine goes full-on secret Library spy, using all her knowledge of Language and subterfuge to survive a cutthroat world where the Fae are manipulative and merciless. We get to see her gain confidence and set aside the doubts that plagued her in the first book, where she constantly worried about her competition or questioned whether she deserved such a high profile assignment when she was only a junior Libarian.

The story continues to be fast-paced and entertaining. The books in this series make for light, fun popcorn reads, and this sequel once again delivered exactly what was promised. Cogman further develops the world, expanding upon the role of the Library. She also fleshes out the conflict between the Dragons and Fae, and delves deeper into the lore of both sides. More importantly, we get to learn more about the motivations of these factions, whereas we only got to scratch the surface in the first book. Some questions are answered, and more mysteries are also introduced. However, these are just minor issues based on my personal preferences; beyond them, it was difficult to find much fault with this sequel.

I really enjoy the characters, the story, and the concepts. The idea of this series is compulsively readable to me. The experience of reading Author Cogman's thoughts about books, reading, stories and their effects and affects is addictive. But this second entry into the series suffers from Real Rating: But this second entry into the series suffers from a common sophomore slump in high-concept book series: The established characters have to get from one set-piece to the next somehow, and when the whole point of the story is that the core group is separated by Vast, Malign Forces, the danger of the story devolving into something that closely resembles the ghastly experience of staring into a fishtank at a rodent desperately clawing for freedom on a squeaking wheel while never making an inch of headway is very real.

That particular alternate is the one that was introduced in the first book, The Invisible Library , which also introduced the Fae beings of chaos and the aforementioned dragons beings of order. Humans fit somewhere on the fringes, the vast horde of us existing as bit players in the dramatic tales of the Fae or obedient supernumeraries in the operas of the dragons. Except, of course, for the Librarians. The Library is a human institution that, in some kinda way, allows us mere mortals access to the Great Game played between the ancient enemies across the many, infinitely numerous in fact, alternate Earths.

Since the many-worlds interpretation of quantum physics is eminently sensible to me, agreeing with my innate sense of the Universe's functioning, I totally buy in to stories with multiverses. These bits of shorthand are most useful. What is less appealing to me is the eternal barely-undeclared war between these camps. The idea of the multiverse as a continuum of highly ordered worlds to highly chaotic worlds again suits my perception of the reality of existence being a set of interlocking continua.

But the Grand Conflict of Order and Chaos isn't that simple once humans get their little hineys off the chess board and into the ranks of players. There is no three-person chess, and there is no element of chance in chess; thus the multiverse is transformed into a game of Risk. I think that damned game has ended more friendships than anything except sexual jealousy.

And that's where the problems with this tale begin. Alliances form along predictable lines. They're never seriously challenged. In Risk, alliance shift and bonds rupture; here, the end game is the same as the initial conditions, the same players in the same configuration, and somehow a mere human and a girl human at that! This is a series set in a multiverse that requires conflict to exist. That's not served by this resolution to this book's peripatetic-but-pointless dashings from pillar to post.

This is a significant letdown in a series so fascinatingly conceived. You should know that more than anybody. They want their lives to have meaning. They want to be part of something greater than themselves. They want the story that they know. I'm down for rough bits if the smooth is this far into my own personal story. Aug 05, Skyler Autumn rated it it was ok Shelves: Great concept - poorly executed. I thought the first novel for a urban fantasy series at least was usually exposition city then the books following ease off the info dumping so you can enjoy the characters and storyline.

The Masked City revolved around Dragons and Fae so numerous chapters were just designated to describing the intricate politics of those two creatures. That'd be fine if I found these two creatures the least bit interesting but spoiler alert I do not!! The Fae's whole deal is that they gain their power from being within stories and playing a part and electing others to become archetypes within these dramatic storyline that may or may not play out for their benefit or detriment it was confusing to figure out how Irene was using the story aspect for her benefit.

I found their motivation for being villains and capturing Kai to be as dull as their characters. They were crap villains and I found myself not caring for the protagonists either because honestly the protagonists were not much better. Vale decided to up his annoyance from the first novel by now being a whiney undermining bitch, Kai was non-existent almost the entire book which sucked cause he's the only character I liked, Irene whose suppose to be this badass Librarian spy just kept have long info-dumping conversation with people or getting beat up.

I just found everyone to be a one note wonder character-wise and to be deeply unlikeable. AND I know complain city this book was set in a alternative Venice and at no point do I want to buy a trip to Venice because this book did nothing to bring you into the city. There was no vivid descriptions and picturesque scenery. If you are going to pick a setting so unique for your story you better make the environment like another character in the novel.

This book was surface, the storyline was dull, and the background information was too much. So maybe I'm not in the best head space to read this book but I can't help comparing to some great novels I've read lately and this has been found lacking!

The Masked City (The Invisible Library, #2) by Genevieve Cogman

The major change I feel is a subtle shift in tone. There is less skulking in secret passages and imagining the carved faces of the Mascare, more dealing with the management of a dead and poisonous Sea Beast and preparing for open war. Flir and Luik are employed in devising a plan for ridding the city of the Sea Beast carcass which is poisoning the bay and the populace , and preparing for an imminent invasion.

The trouble caused by Venezi simmers and the truth behind the Greatmasks grows steadily more apparent. Seto, now King, realizes a long held ambition only to come face to mask with what that ambition is going to cost him. I did enjoy book one for its fantasy cloak and dagger - the atmosphere created by the culture of the Mascare. Like a good second book it broadens our understanding of the world and increases the stakes. Unlike City of Masks, The Lost Mask finishes on a cliff hanger of sorts and leads us into what will be an interesting conclusion in the final book.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and hoped that we might see this series make a mark in the Aurealis or the Ditmars. Nevertheless if you like well paced fantasy with originality of concept, check this series out. This review is based on an early eArc provided by the author. Book 2 of the Bone Mask Trilogy Wow! Let me just preface this by saying that I was delightfully surprised by just how deep The Lost Mask took me.

Thankfully, it lived up to all of my expectations. Seto is now king, but has so many irons in the fire that it is inevitable that something will fail eventually.

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From the beginning, he seems even more political that in The Lost Mask: From the beginning, he seems even more political that in book 1, and there were many times that I began to question as to whether he was a good guy or bad guy. Seto plays his cards close to his sleeve, and when he finally does show his hand, you will be shocked beyond belief.

Flir is amazing as always, but even she has some skeletons in her closet. How they will affect the course of events remains to be seen. Sophia and Notch are on a quest of their own. Sophia has escaped with not one, but two Greatmasks, and Notch has designated himself as her protector for the time being.

Their adventures are many, and very difficult. Along the way, Sophia must learn to work with Argeon, amidst a growing addiction to the pull of the mask. Ain plays a much smaller part in this story, and will have to decide if he can withstand the temptation that the Great Bird offers. In the midst of all of the political machinations, there are invaders to deal with, and a mysterious illness that is sweeping the city, causing massive unrest.

Of course, Vinezi is still there, and plays a larger role than we ever realized. And there are some secrets that only the Greatmasks can reveal, secrets that will change everything. There are many of our old friends still here, and several new ones. Above all, this story answers a few questions, and asks many more. I was beyond tense at the end of this book and could not believe that there was not another chapter. Talk about a major cliffhanger! I immediately looked on Amazon to see if it has come out yet, but alas, it appears I have to wait.

Kudos to the author! Great job, Ashley Capes! I received a free copy in return for a honest review. TLM has all my favourite characters from the original especially the mercenary, Much, and the girl he protects, Sofia and others to build the cast. Seto, the newly crowned King of Anaskar is as rounded a character as any Royal in literature. And doesn't he have a load on his plate, what with an imminent attack, an uncooperative God who's soul lives in the eponymous mask , traitors, fifth columnists, the rotti Excellent stuff.

And doesn't he have a load on his plate, what with an imminent attack, an uncooperative God who's soul lives in the eponymous mask , traitors, fifth columnists, the rotting carcase of a sea monster at the gates, whose flesh is poisonous and That's it, I'm giving too much away. Capes weaves spectacular fight scenes, sorcery, intrigue, a battle on land and sea for the richest city in the known world, masks, prophecies, mythical and mystical creatures, with the skill of a master.

There's plenty going on here for fans of Sword and Sorcery, and the promise of more to come - at least that's my prediction. All aboard for the next instalment. Nice one, Mr Capes. I loved the first book City of Masks and am happy to write that I also liked the second book. The author kept the same main characters and added more.

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The author did an excellent job of developing all the characters and getting the reader to care or identify with them. The second book continues where the first one ended. The author did not have lots of repeats from the first book to explain what was happening in the second. I really did like that all the repeats as other authors do was not in this book. I was amazed at how quickly I read this book.

I did go back and re-read it a second time. The book is very fast paced and keeps you turning and twisting from one plot to another. The end of the book keeps you wanting and wondering when the third book will be finished. This is an excellent series and I recommend it to anyone. I enjoyed the first book of the trilogy City of Masks: Familiar characters from book one are here as well as some new ones. This book has less intrigue and more adventure.

It's fast-paced and quickly switches from one setting to another. You do really need to read City of Masks to get the best from this book, but unlike book one this one ends in a cliffhanger. Ashley Capes sent me an ecopy in return for an honest review. I really like this series immensely!

Ashley Capes has created a unique fantasy world and as much as I liked the first book, City of Masks, I think I just might like the second book even more! In The Lost Mask, Capes has further elaborated on the plot of the first book, and the characters are like old friends that you've been wondering and worrying about. This is a well written saga and I am waiting excitedly for the next book in the series!

I recommend this book to all lovers of Wonderfully Unique! I recommend this book to all lovers of fantasy. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The story seems to have evolved and taken on a life of its own. Ashley Capes has such an amazing gift. His writing draws you in. I hope it won't take long for the last book to come out. Great Job, Ashley Capes. I absolutely loved it. Very enjoyable and exciting, many surprising twist, much fantasy, awesome descriptions of the nature of this world.

Yet sometimes shockingly cruel and violent. I felt very much for the characters or against them, some scenes really got me upset. Also much to laugh. Yes, this book has everything I could wish. The sequel to this is a must for me! May 16, N. The Lost Mask is one of those books that is fresh, exciting and makes you sad when it ends.

I loved everything about it from the action to the characters. Well written and kept me turning the pages. Dec 21, Mary rated it it was amazing. Perfection This is what epic fantasies are all about. Think wheel of time series, but condensed. I am so on to the next book!

May 08, Ruthanne Taylor rated it it was amazing.