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Masques by Patricia Briggs Narrator: Katherine Kellgren
Series: Sianim #1, Aralorn #1
Published by Audible Studios on September 28, 2010
Genres: Fantasy Romance, High Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Length: 9 hours and 42 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Bought
Purchase Links: Amazon*Libro*Kobo
Goodreads
Before #1 New York Times best-selling author Patricia Briggs created her two hugely successful urban fantasy series, Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega, she wrote her debut fantasy epic, Masques. Newly revised and expanded, and available in audio for the first time, Masques arrives in our store just in time, with the fourth book in this series, Wolfsbane, coming soon.
After an upbringing of proper behavior and oppressive expectations, Aralorn fled her noble birthright for a life of adventure as a mercenary spy. Her latest mission involves spying on the increasingly powerful sorcerer Geoffrey ae'Magi. But in a war against an enemy armed with the powers of illusion, how do you know who the true enemy is – or where he will strike next?
Katherine Kellgren (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), one of Audible's favorite narrators and one of the premier voices of science fiction and fantasy, sweeps listeners away on this engrossing adventure.
BONUS AUDIO: Includes an introduction written and read by author Patricia Briggs.
Also in this series: Wolfsbane, Steal the Dragon, When Demons Walk
** Note: This novel is an updated edition of Patricia Briggs first book. It includes an introduction by the author herself explaining the updated edition. **
I’m a huge Briggs fan and wanted to try out her other works. I love her Urban Fantasy series Alpha & Omega along with Mercy Thompson. This is nothing like those series. This is high Fantasy. We are treated to action, intrigue, mercenaries, mages, wizards, shape-sifters and engaging characters. All of this made it a highly entertaining story to listen to and I can’t wait to pick up the next.
Masques is the first book in the Sianim series and the first in Aralorn.
Aralorn is a mercenary with a bit of magic, who rescued a Wolf. She’s got magical gifts that make her a great spy/mercenary. Her latest mission takes her to a powerful mages house to spy and learn of an attempted assassination, but what she discovers is much worse. So, Aralorn sets off on her adventure with a mysterious shape-shifting wolf and a young king who is impervious to magic to fight against the evil that wants to control the world. I enjoyed Aralorn. She cleaver, skilled, and compassionate. She has depth, courage, and is an engaging heroine. She likes to go her own way and work alone, but knows this time she is ill-equipped to do it alone.
Wolf is an interesting puzzles. Who is he? Is he a man, a wizard, or is he more? His past is not good and we learn about him and who he is. I loved Wolf. He’s so complexed. His past is slowly revealed and he must face it; before he can move on. He also must learn to trust.
WOW, the world is vast and in-depth. Their’s a lot of storytelling and information to digest. The lore and legend is beautifully weaved into the story and they play a strong role in helping Aralorn and her friends against the evil taking over the world.
I was captivated and devoured this novel from the first to the last word. The storytelling was wonderful, but also a bit overwhelming at times. Their is also a dose of romance, but the fantasy, action, and intrigue take up the story.
Narration: Katherine Kellgren did a fabulous job with her narration. The story is mainly in Aralorn’s view, but we do get Wolf and a few others. The storytelling was majestic and the fight scenes were great. The voices where nice and distinctive. I have to say I’m glad I listened. If I’d read I would have been to overwhelmed. Not saying I wasn’t, but I digested it better in this formate.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!
Challenges (2018):
Ends June 30th, 2019: One (1) lucky winner will receive 3 Months on Audible (3 credits, plus monthly Audible Originals a $45 US value). “If you are already a member-great! Instead of a monthly membership, you’ll get all the credits upfront. Your current plan will not be extended or interrupted.”
About Patricia Briggs
Patricia is the #1 New York Times best selling author of the Mercy Thompson series and has written twenty four novels to date; she is currently writing novel number twenty five. She has short stories in several anthologies, as well as a series of comic books and graphic novels based on her Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega series. Patty began her career writing traditional high fantasy novels in 1993, and shifted gears in 2006 to write urban fantasy. Moon Called was the first of her signature series about Mercy; the non-stop adventure left readers wanting more and word of this exciting new urban fantasy series about a shape-shifting mechanic spread quickly. The series has continued to grow in popularity with the release of each book. Patty also writes the Alpha and Omega series, which are set in the same world as the Mercy Thompson novels; what began as a novella expanded into a full new series, all of which debuted on the NY Times bestsellers list as well.
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I jumped to Aralorn’s next book and will be going back to book two in the Sianim series now. I wanted more of Aralorn and Wolf. Loved them to pieces. ^_^ Glad you enjoyed!
I had a great time with this book too. I can’t wait to get some questions answered in the next book.
It’s quite interesting and very different. I’m enjoying Aralorn and I’ve also picked up the others in this series to listen too. The world is fascinating and so epic fantasy. I hope you enjoy!
I need to try this. Thanks for the reviews. I’m so interested to see what life was like before Mercy! haha.
Yes it’s one of her first works, but has been finished out more and revised some. I really loved the audio. It brought out so much in the fantasy world and storytelling. Enjoy!
Excellent review! I think this is one of her early works. I plan to listen to it sometime. I believe I settle into fantasy better in audio format too.
I don’t really remember much about this series, however, I do know i liked it.
Thank’s for stopping in. Have a great week!
I’ve not read any of this fantasy series, even though I love Patricia’s Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega books. I really need to do so!
I love Mercy and Alpha & Omega. I thought it was time to give some of there other work a try and I’m happy with how intense and spectacular this story was. Thank’s for visiting!
Oh yes I had a good time with this one!
Thank’s for stopping in. Glad you enjoyed!
I have this one on my print tbr shelf. I need to try it out. I’ve stayed with her regular series and one standalone that was very different, too. Good to see she rocked it yet again!
I like the revised version that we get here in the audio… It’s so different from the Mercy series, but just as intense and interesting. I was captivated. I hope you enjoy. Thank’s for stopping in!
Fabulous review Angela!!! Sounds good!! Shared on my socials!!??
Thank you, Kathy!
I’ve been curious about Briggs’ high fantasy works. I’m not a big fantasy reader because the worlds sometimes just overwhelm me, but I love her writing. I’m glad you enjoyed this!
I think if I read this I might have been overwhelmed. The audio made it easier to enjoy the story inside the storytelling. . Aralorn the character is a master storyteller. It’s deep and mirrored in stories inside the stories. It was so different from what I’m use to from her, but so amazingly good. I hope you enjoy!