Masks

The Masks of Aygrima, Book 1

By: E. C. Blake

Narrated by: Elizabeth Morton

Masks, the first novel in a mesmerizing new fantasy series, draws listeners into a world in which cataclysmic events have left the Autarchy of Aygrima - the one land blessed with magical resources - cut off from its former trading partners across the waters, not knowing if any of those distant peoples still live. Yet under the rule of the Autarch, Aygrima survives. And thanks to the creation of the Masks and the vigilance of the Autarch’s Watchers, no one can threaten the security of the empire. In Aygrima, magic is a Gift possessed from birth by a very small percentage of the population, with the Autarch himself the most powerful magic worker of all. Only the long-vanquished Lady of Pain and Fire had been able to challenge his rule.

©2013 E. C. Blake (P)2014 Recorded Books

world-building

The story itself was great. The main character was annoying throughout but I give grace for age. When I saw the book in a book store and looked it up quickly, I didn't expect it to be geared towards kids. I wouldn't let my grade school/middle schooler read it. I think the emphasis on the main characters body was weird and excessive. I looked up the author...anyway, it could have been toned down. Apart from that it was a good read. I don't know how to feel about the narrator. I thought the main character would grow up and the voice would change, but alas, it didn't happen. But, in a way it fit if you expect children to read it(they should not). I am going to move on in the series. Good read.

I loved wish there was more

I really wish that the other books were on here. I was disappointed when it could not finish the series:-(

Immersion

I love the concept of the story, since I have had a fascination with masks all my life and don’t like the government.. but I have 3 gripes. In descending order of least bad to most bad critiques.(There’s a bit of a bell curve)

1. The dialogue is oddly repetitive and flat.

2. The voice acting is god awful. She’s got a great voice and is easily understood, but she’s got the acting chops of a middle school class play.(Huge miss.)

3. There’s an alarming amount of references to looking up the skirt of, nudity, sex, body development, implying rape, etc of minors.. like, I enjoy exploring dark concepts for the sake of hypothetical drama, but it is CONSTANT barrage of describing young girls being abused, objectified, or creeped on.. but not even at the parts they were being “dark” for.. like, why was it necessary to mention how flat chested the main character is 3 times in the same chapter, in 3 separate interactions, with completely different people.. while also talking about a kid looking up the same girls skirt through a creepy mask added nothing of value to the story and kinda made me question the author’s internet history.