Ad, since it’s an ARC. These are my honest opinions.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a ride!
(One horse trope incoming.)
This first book of the series had me hooked for the story and I wish I had the whole series already on my shelf.
If you’re looking for tropes like:
– who did this to you
– shadow daddies
– touch her and become his piñata
… then this is for you!
You should read the trigger warning before starting this book.
“Traumance” is the right description of what’s going on.
We follow the story of Alora, a fae with powers in a world where these “Marked Ones” are hunted for what they are. And even though she seems protected, her life is a living hell that she tries to escape from, without being outed as one of the people the High King wants to wipe from this earth.
But when everything seems to be crashing down, she is (literally) picked up by the Savage Prince, whose reputation might be worse than her nightmares. He won’t be killing her, but is the offer he’s making her just trading one hell for another?
(Personal note: And why is he so damn hot!?)
My thoughts:
What Lies Within Masks and Shadows is such a well-executed first book of a series!
It had all the things that drove me crazy when reading the intro book of a series – it made me laugh and growl in frustration. The characters sometimes annoyed me to death simply because they weren’t ready for things I wished would happen. And that’s part of a real journey that makes them even more realistic characters.
I was introduced to a world I left with more questions than answers, and in the end, I can’t wait for the sequel to finally get these answers (and more delicious steamy scenes).
It was all about healing and understanding themselves, but also learning to be empathetic to the problems and traumas of others.
And how pretty is the hardback cover!?
