Alisa Bidwell's Reviews > Masquerade of the Heart

Dropping this down by one star shouldn't really merit a disclaimer, but I need the people to know that I love this duology with all my heart so please read it and don't let this deter you in any way.

That being said I have to be fully honest that there's a plot twist/reveal in the 3rd act of this book that was such a fumble that I couldn't in good faith keep it at the full five stars. I adore all the characters in this duology, especially Marlow, and I think the balance of world building with both romance and plot is extremely well done. It's one of the best and most enjoyable YA fantasies I've read in a long time and I doubt anyone will regret giving it a try, but I did want to be fully honest in wishing that this one plot point had been more thought out. It was so out of left field and just lazy, which is so uncharacteristic of every other piece of this series.

Marlow is such a refreshing female lead in how she gives equal weight to her friendships and relationships, while balancing moral dilemmas beyond her years in a way that doesn't feel uncharacteristic to a teenager. She has real flaws and makes real mistakes, but you respect her for the moral code that she does her best to stick to. I will be recommending this series until the end of time, and I was unbelievably grateful to have had this book be my first ARC! I can't wait to buy my own physical copy when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for a honest review!