Review: These Vicious Masks (These Vicious Masks #1) by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas

These Vicious Masks

(These Vicious Masks #1)

by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas

February 9, 2016

352 pages
 

Goodreads  Indigo
 

Goodreads Summary:

Jane Austen meets X-­Men in this gripping and adventure-­filled paranormal romance set in Victorian London.

England, 1882. Evelyn is bored with society and its expectations. So when her beloved sister, Rose, mysteriously vanishes, she ignores her parents and travels to London to find her, accompanied by the dashing Mr. Kent. But they’re not the only ones looking for Rose. The reclusive, young gentleman Sebastian Braddock is also searching for her, claiming that both sisters have special healing powers. Evelyn is convinced that Sebastian must be mad, until she discovers that his strange tales of extraordinary people are true—and that her sister is in graver danger than she feared.
 

Review

I am going to try to control my gushy feelings for this book for this review but please excuse me if it turns all mushy and fangirly. I have been waiting for this book since forever and it was everything I wanted and hoped for. Well, maybe it needs just a bit more swoons but seriously, These Vicious Masks slayed! The captivating storyline, curious society and kickass characters with supernatural powers had me caught inside the world.

"We do not remain the same each minute to the next. Every word you hear, every sight you see, every smell, every thought you have, every moment-it all changes you. We keep putting on mask after mask, layers over layers. That's how one grows." (ARC, p.190). YES! This is utter perfection. It so fully encompasses humanity and captures how there is always more than meets the eye. We are all alike but so different at the same time.

I love Evelyn! Her sarcasm, her sense of humour is the best! She has the perfect balance of snark and wit to make every thing that comes out of her mouth interesting and funny. I just want her to keep talking! Not a particularly well-mannered lady but I think Evelyn's classy in a nonchalant way.  Her personality and demeanour doesn't make her a proper lady in society's eyes but she's totally my type of heroine. Evelyn uses her head and doesn't like anyone deter her from her goal: finding her sister. Willing to venture into less than tasteful places and putting herself in danger's way, her love for her sister is non-comparable. I admire all her qualities, especially the unladylike ones ;)

These Vicious Masks wouldn't be a swoon read if I didn't talk about Evelyn's two suitors. Not to be biased but let's start with my favourite!

1. Mr. Braddock is the tortured lone figure. He's broody but for all the right reasons. There's this electricity (for real) between him and Evelyn. I am 100% loving it. They're not very fond of each other at the beginning but really their animosity just added an extra layer of swoons for me. That theatre scene! It was kind of random and abrupt but I ate it up. *heart eyes* Mr. Braddock has some dark demons to fight but I am totally rooting for him to come out the winning side.

2. Mr. Kent is the perfect gentleman. (So far at least.) It's more than obvious he has his eyes set on Evelyn but he doesn't push or prod her into having any type of relationship with him. He's a little too charming for me to completely trust but his honest and sweet confession/declaration had me cheering a tiny bit for him. His dedication makes me feel there's hope yet for him.

The romance is a love triangle but one that seems to have direction. Evelyn does make it clear in her thoughts that she seems to have more feelings for one guy than the other. I will be anxiously awaiting to see how these feelings will blossom because they better bloom bright!

 

I really enjoyed the unique powers some of the characters possessed. It was surprising to find out who had powers and how these powers worked. Some were subtle but some were just outright extraordinary. The story has several gut-twisting moments so do prepare yourselves. While I wasn't particularly fond of some turnouts, the potential is endless as evidenced in the ending. The hint at something far more sinister has my skin crawling but boy am I ever excited!

 

I was very upset when the book ended. I just...I need moreeeeeee! With endless banter, constant action, These Vicious Masks did not disappoint! It has definitely made its way into my top favourites of 2016. I will be keeping a sharp eye out for any news on the sequel because These Vicious Masks deserves all the attention!

 

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way. All quotes were taken from the Advance Review Copy I received.