Masques (Sianim Book 1) (edição 2010)

Years ago, when I read a bunch of Briggs’ novels, I couldn’t find this one. Last year I found it in a charity shop for a dollar. Even though this edition was revised years after Masques was first published, it’s still very obviously Briggs’ first novel. Clichéd and, in many ways, clumsy.

Yet in spite of the book’s many imperfections, I liked Aralorn (the illegitimate daughter of a lord and a shapeshifter who left home to become a mercenary-turned-spy) and her enigmatic friend Wolf (who spends his time as a talking wolf or a masked magician). I liked individual scenes, even if some transitions and connections between them were not as strong as the scenes themselves, and there was enough tension to keep me turning pages. ( )

I will admit to being a huge Patricia Briggs fan and for that reason I am trying to read all her works. So I decided that I would start reading her older Sianim series. I will admit that reading Masques was hard at the start. There was not much in the way of world setup, character development, or thematic significance. The plot was pretty straightforward and was simple, nothing that wowed me or drew me in.

What I did like about the story was Aralorn and Wolf’s relationship. Their association with each other was first built on trust and developed over time. It took Wolf years before he even spoke to Aralorn. There was a deep, weighty partnership between these characters and that added much significance to their interactions.

By the end of Masques I was looking forward to more adventures with Aralorn and Wolf. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that I read this book over twenty years after it came out because I didn’t have to wait the seventeen years that everyone else did to read the sequel, Wolfsbane. Overall, If you like simple fantasy then Masques would be a book you would enjoy. ( )

Not bad of a story. Interested to see if she ends up turning it into a series or not. ( )

I love Ms. Briggs ability to write female and male characters that are equally strong and independent. This her first book had such wonderful leads, Aralorn and Wolf. She is a smart, independent, smart arse, nobel turned savior. The Wolf, an heir, damaged and hated by his father. The two of them dance back and forth developing into a sweet story. Their relationship or lack of one really carries the story the evil king and his minions didn't matter much to me. They are there, evil, ok really evil, with zombies, ghosts, dragons.... It was a really good story and nice escape and a wonderful first book from a fantastic author. ( )

Hmmm. Not as different from the 2010 edition as I was expecting - OK, I've been warped by King Kobold. I need to reread the 2010 edition (soon!) and see if I can spot differences, but the story seems pretty close to the same. I recognized the events, and a few of the phrases (important statements made by one or another character). So - still a very rich story, in an extremely complex world. It starts in media res, and the action really doesn't slow down for long - at least for us, Aralorn has some boring times but the story skips over them. Shifters and magic and betrayal from above, undead monsters and living ones...rereading the later edition will be no penance. And then I'll want to reread the next book... I'm not sure I'll keep this - it depends on whether I do notice differences enough to make this interesting. But I'm glad I've read it. ( )