The Emperor's Mask

Magebreakers series, Book 2

By: Ben S. Dobson

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

A killer walks among the rich and powerful. Who can the Magebreakers trust? Someone is killing the non-magical members of Senate houses - those who might one day be named Protector of the Realm. And that same someone is leaving behind messages for the Magebreakers beside symbols of the shadowy organization known as the Knights of the Emperor.

Under suspicion from the constabulary, Tane and Kadka are drawn into the investigation to prove their innocence. What they find is that Audish politics are as dangerous as any Porthaven back alley. Suddenly, they're surrounded by the most powerful figures in the realm, everyone with a different agenda. Telling allies from enemies has never been harder, but Tane and Kadka will have to find someone to trust if they're going to bring the killer to justice. Their lives - and the future of the Protectorate - depend on it.

©2017 Ben S. Dobson (P)2018 Tantor

Saw the ending coming far in advance

It was a very good book but unfortunately for a mystery if you can see the ending well before the actual end of the book it can be a little disappointing. I look forward to the next one.

Meh

Very obvious twists which failed to surprise me. Not a bad story but not nearly as good as the first in the series.

Great Sequel!!

this was a great follow-up to the first book! Caught on to the killer early, but was nearly thrown off with each turn, wow

Fun but short

As with the first book in the series; good story and well performed but rather short at just over 6 hours.

Setting up the big bad

Pacing was improved slightly over the first one. Setting up the big bad is never easy but this pulls it off.

They should have given Tane an honorary degree by now. It sounded like he did all the course work but they hated his final dissertation and expelled him for it. Time to give back what he was owed even if he doesn’t need it at this point of his career.

another fun story

Another fun tale read by Travis Baldree. There was a good balance between suspense and action that moved the story forward. There were a few bits that dragged on, like when Kadka is literally dragged through the sewers, of Tane dragged himself to another estate via train, but these scenes were minor and quickly went back to something interesting.
My only concern moving forward is the change in narrators. Travis has done an excellent job, and I've already seen the comments to what's coming next. That said. Magebreaker series has been entertaining this far, maybe it won't be so bad.

great.

would love a sequel please.
my kids really enjoyed this.
story was good.
couldn't stop listening
thank you.

well written fun story

this was a well written story. the fantasy races are familiar with a few new takes in the magic system. the story and plot are well crafted with very likable characters. I love the fact that the two main characters don't have any magic and don't have some overpowered compensating ability like immunity to magic.

the narrator is pretty good. all the characters have distinct voices and there was nothing annoying on his performance.

I would highly recommend this book

Still fun, but very predictable

A good continuation from the first book, and the MC has a bit more sense this time around. Like other reviews, I agree that identifying the antagonist and figuring out the mystery was painfully obvious. I hope that future books are more subtle, otherwise this series may just be suitable for children/young adults

Sucessful sequel

I will admit that the story is not without its flaws and openness to obvious plot points, but I must say it actually took them “obviously”telling me who it was for me to figure it out. I like this book series a lot and recommend it to all who like fantasy tales.