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Masquerade (Heven and Hell, #1)

Cambria Hebert

Start date: November 15, 2011

Finish date: November 30, 2011

Discussion: Read With Me!

Discussion leader: Cambria

Why we're reading this: Reading and reviewing Masquerade, by a group member, during the second half of November, along with Cambr…more
[close] Reading and reviewing Masquerade, by a group member, during the second half of November, along with Cambria's Before and Whiteout

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Read With Me!

* Wanna Buddy Read?
By Anagha Uppal · 117 posts · 79 views

last updated Oct 18, 2012 10:49AM

Masquerade&Before - BR Discussion
By Anagha Uppal · 589 posts · 68 views

last updated Mar 25, 2012 09:29AM

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What Members Thought

Nov 09, 2011 Giselle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, ebook

Dark, twisted, full of unexpected turns- Masquerade does not lack in originality! You go in this expecting certain developments when all of a sudden, the rug gets swept out from under your feet you get thrown into a completely unconventional story. To be honest - I freaking loved it!!

Masquerade is told in alternative perspectives between Heven and Sam. After Heven's attack - by who or what, she doesn't remember - she has these horrible scars covering the left side of her face which has completel Dark, twisted, full of unexpected turns- Masquerade does not lack in originality! You go in this expecting certain developments when all of a sudden, the rug gets swept out from under your feet you get thrown into a completely unconventional story. To be honest - I freaking loved it!!

Masquerade is told in alternative perspectives between Heven and Sam. After Heven's attack - by who or what, she doesn't remember - she has these horrible scars covering the left side of her face which has completely changed her world. That is, until she meets Sam. Gorgeous, incredibly sweet Sam who makes her feel as beautiful as before. But Sam has some deep dark secrets. Secrets that are bound to transform Heven's life all over again. This is a story where you'll love going over theories in your head and trying - and failing - to figure it all out. Getting a glance at both POVs keeps the mystery thick and the romance alive. We also get a peek at the villain's perspective. I didn't enjoy this one as much, however. It reminded me of the cheesy scenes in comics where you get a glimpse of the villain muttering empty threats. Fortunately, they are far and few - the focus is kept on Heven's story.

Expect a lot of twists and turns in Masquerade! And believe me, you will not see them coming. My assumptions were completely thrown off track. It starts as a simple enough - even seemingly contemporary - story. But by the end, you won't even know what hit you! Cambria does not shy away from eccentric plot developments for which I have to applaud. It wasn't at all what I expected; nevertheless, I was not disappointed in the least. The romance, however, does leave a little to be desired. There is definite passion and steamy scenes, but the relationship develops very quickly which didn't give me the chance to really feel their connection from the beginning.

All in all, Cambria gives us a peculiar tale with tons of surprises and great personalities. If you're looking for something unique, Masquerade is the book to pick up! ...more

25 likes · Like · see review

Nov 17, 2011 Natshane rated it it was amazing

One of the best debut novel of the year!

Before, the prequel of Masquerade had already tied me up in knots, and Masquerade didn't disappoint! Reading Masquerade was a walk down the memory lane, it has been too long since I read a story dedicated to only werewolves and shifters, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until Masquerade. And to say, Masquerade took the term Shifters to a whole new level! I never even thought that it was possible, so I have to award a good 10 points on the creativi ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 06, 2011 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-book-read

I absolutely adored Cambria's prequel to Masquerade, Before, (review can be found here: http://myguiltyobsession.blogspot.com... ) it left me in suspense over what would happen next and I just couldn't wait to find out all about Sam and the mystery of the Hate and Hope and even Heven, so I just knew I would really Masquerade and I wasn't wrong.

What I didn't know and wasn't expecting was just how much more I was going to fall in love with this series. And let me tell you, my expectations for thi ...more

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Oct 27, 2011 Tricia Kristufek rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviews, recommended

Everything was so much better Before.

Heven lead a charmed life Before. After that night that changed everything, Heven cannot remember what happened and is left with visible and invisible scars. Convinced she's now a freak, Heven seeks to hide herself, though nothing could hide her from Sam. Mysterious and compelling, Sam forces his way to Heven's side and shows her she is still beautiful.

But there is darkness watching over both Heven and Sam. As Sam fights to protect Heven, his secret is revea ...more

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Nov 02, 2011 Ottilie rated it liked it

Masquerade is the debuting Young adult novel by the lovely Cambria Hebert. Masquerade is about Heven a teenage girl was who attacked and is physically scared causing her to internally withdraw from the world, and who she was. She hides in her sweatshirt and uses her hair as a curtain with her only two friends being Kimber and Cole. Who even then she suspects there are problems. With junior year of high school Heven is still so uncomfortable in her skin and her world continues to spin in circles. ...more

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Nov 23, 2011 Jessi rated it really liked it

Heven was an incredibly sympathetic character--I was drawn to her struggle instantly. She's constantly hiding away behind her scars and fears that others won't accept her with her scares. I was always grateful for Kimber's presence and continued friendship for Heven, although at times I wished Heven would see that others would accept her if she would stop hiding. I mean, damn, I loved this girl but show the world how tough you really are and stand up to your at times bitchy best friend! By the e ...more

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Dec 27, 2011 Michelle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: review-on-blog, kindle

I really loved this book! Masquerade is told in a few different POVs. It has the normal split POV between the main girl and the main guy. I love this style, and what I really liked about it were the proportions. Heven had a little more than double the amount of chapters as Sam did. It worked out really well. But in addition to these two know POVs, there were also some sporadic mysterious POVs. These were such an awesome addition! I kept trying to figure out who they were. I didn't even know if t I really loved this book! Masquerade is told in a few different POVs. It has the normal split POV between the main girl and the main guy. I love this style, and what I really liked about it were the proportions. Heven had a little more than double the amount of chapters as Sam did. It worked out really well. But in addition to these two know POVs, there were also some sporadic mysterious POVs. These were such an awesome addition! I kept trying to figure out who they were. I didn't even know if they were characters that we had already met in the story or not. I like that you are kept in the dark about their identities but it doesn't leave you totally confused for the story. I am just super impressed with Cambria and her writing style. Everything worked so well.

Heven is smart, nice, popular and pretty and then something awful happens to her. I felt so bad for her because she is such a good person. And then as I was reading the story, instead of feeling bad for her, I just started feeling very proud of her. And then her mom would open her mouth and I started getting so defensive of Heven. I got pretty attached to Heven. :) I honestly just wanted to punch her mom and give Heven a hug.

The other characters are all well developed too and they all evoked emotions in me. I love Sam, I really like Cole, I hate Heven's mom, and Kimber leaves me a little indifferent. On one hand, I think she is a good friend but there is just something about her. Her jealousy bugs me. But I like that there is a pretty large cast of characters that play a significant role in the story.

I don't want to give too much of the story away because experiencing the story for the first time was awesome for me. I think that if I had read a lot of spoilers about Masquerade, some of the excitment and appeal of it would have been lost for me while reading it. It is just one of those books that you have to experience for yourself to get the full effect of it. I am so excited to start Charade right now, that I don't even want to finish writing my review. I just want to pick up Charade and start reading. This is a great book for fans of the paranormal. I can't wait to read the rest of Cambria's books! ...more

1 like · Like · see review