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sad_samantha 's review for:
What Lies Within Masks & Shadows
by Nicolle May
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars
Wow Traumantasy
May contain minor spoilers- tried to keep it not very spoilery. Nothing big is revealed. Just basic story set up really.
The story focuses on Alora, a resourceful "captive"/ fiance to the overseer of the city. Years Alora has been the subject of his jealousy and possessiveness, forced to live by his rules and withstand his violence. But Alora has a secret and her husband-to-be knows it, putting them both in danger of the Kings wrath and at the mercy of the Savage Prince.
Without giving too much away, Alora ends up in a different place with a new set of captives. We meet a band of friends and colleagues all testing the Kings trust to right as many wrongs as possible.
If you ask anyone I know what I love most in my books it's a broken fictional man. Well thats what I got and I didn't even realise that's what I was signing up for with this one. I want to fix all Garriks problems and slaughter all his enemies, immediately.
The brooding dark soul, Garrik, takes the weight of the world on his shoulders, good job he has shadow powers to help him with that
This book contains found family, a strong female lead, and even stornger male lead, regret, trauma, character growth and a need for vengeance, plus also magic.
With traumantasy comes healing and these character all need and deserve that. Looking forward to the sequal when it comes out 😊
50/ 50 -plot/ romance -Romance is not the only theme of this fantasy book but does push the plot along often. You will be eating it up along the way with the new found friendships, self healing and growth. Make no mistake though, this definitely has a slow burn romance which is only halted in its growth by the traumas of the individuals.
Does this book have spicy? No not really, but it does most definitely have the promise of spice to come, and my gut tells me once we have more healing we will get a lot more from certain individuals.
This book's covers heavy topics which the author has covered well with trigger warnings and even has a link to lists per chapter for those who would need it.
Nicolle has added all the good stuff we want in our new fantasy book, in the front we have a playlist, pronunciation guide (an amusing one), a world map, and a list of the kingdoms plus basic info about them, note from the author and plenty of information on triggers warning pages.
Wow Traumantasy
May contain minor spoilers- tried to keep it not very spoilery. Nothing big is revealed. Just basic story set up really.
The story focuses on Alora, a resourceful "captive"/ fiance to the overseer of the city. Years Alora has been the subject of his jealousy and possessiveness, forced to live by his rules and withstand his violence. But Alora has a secret and her husband-to-be knows it, putting them both in danger of the Kings wrath and at the mercy of the Savage Prince.
Without giving too much away, Alora ends up in a different place with a new set of captives. We meet a band of friends and colleagues all testing the Kings trust to right as many wrongs as possible.
If you ask anyone I know what I love most in my books it's a broken fictional man. Well thats what I got and I didn't even realise that's what I was signing up for with this one. I want to fix all Garriks problems and slaughter all his enemies, immediately.
The brooding dark soul, Garrik, takes the weight of the world on his shoulders, good job he has shadow powers to help him with that
This book contains found family, a strong female lead, and even stornger male lead, regret, trauma, character growth and a need for vengeance, plus also magic.
With traumantasy comes healing and these character all need and deserve that. Looking forward to the sequal when it comes out 😊
50/ 50 -plot/ romance -Romance is not the only theme of this fantasy book but does push the plot along often. You will be eating it up along the way with the new found friendships, self healing and growth. Make no mistake though, this definitely has a slow burn romance which is only halted in its growth by the traumas of the individuals.
Does this book have spicy? No not really, but it does most definitely have the promise of spice to come, and my gut tells me once we have more healing we will get a lot more from certain individuals.
This book's covers heavy topics which the author has covered well with trigger warnings and even has a link to lists per chapter for those who would need it.
Nicolle has added all the good stuff we want in our new fantasy book, in the front we have a playlist, pronunciation guide (an amusing one), a world map, and a list of the kingdoms plus basic info about them, note from the author and plenty of information on triggers warning pages.