Masquerade by Cambria Hebert Review

Masquerade by Cambria Hebert

★★★☆☆

Heven had everything before she was attacked and her face was disfigured. She was popular and a cheerleader and always stood out. After she was attacked, everything changed; she had become a freak with only one friend, Kimber, and now, when she was noticed, it was because of her face. If that wasn’t bad enough, what made it worse was the fact that she didn’t remember the night her life changed.

Heven hid until she met Sam, who thought she was beautiful even with the disfiguration.  Sam seemed perfect, but he had demons of his own, and some of them were still after Heven.

The premise of this story really interested me. I had heard some great things about this book and, as far as the story line goes, it was very good. The story kept me interested and I really wanted to see where it went. I really enjoyed the story line. I also generally like seeing different points of views. I think it would have been better if the book only used Heven’s and Sam’s point of view, though. The Hope and Hate stuff just added confusion and I didn’t care for it. I think the book would have been stronger without those parts.

The author did a great job with creating an interesting world but I did have an issue with the writing. I’m not terribly picky when it comes to typos and errors, but there were too many in this book. If the book was well-edited, it could easily be a four- to five-star book; there were just too many editing issues for me to ignore in my review. It made some parts confusing and I had to re-read some parts multiple times.

In all, it was a good story and I really enjoyed the world. With work, it could be a much stronger story.

I received this book from the author for the Masquerade read along and for review.

Masquerade Read Along: Chapters 24-31

Chapters 24-31

Final discussion questions

1. Heven develops a new “supernatural power”. She remarks that it isn’t that exciting of a power. Is this a power you would like to have, if not what kind of supernatural power would you like to have?
The power or auras would probably drive me nuts especially if I couldn't turn it off.  I'm not entirely sure what kind of power I would like, maybe to read minds or something like that.

2. Which character do you think makes the biggest internal change throughout the course of this book?  Is there a situation in your life that you can reflect back on as an experience that changed your life for the better?
I think Heven probably had the biggest internal change. It wasn't huge but she did begin to have more courage and hid less as time went on. She also learned what it meant to love someone and care about them more than herself.

3. Who is your favorite character and why?
Sam for the most part because he does everything he can to protect Heven. He also thinks she is beautiful with or without the scars and wasn't embarrassed to be with her like others may have.

4. When the book ends the reader has an idea of what the next book will involve. Do you think the book ended in the appropriate place? 
The end was a little weird but I think it ended in a good spot. 

5. Do you have any predictions for the next book in the series, Charade?
I think that we will find out a lot more about Sam's brother and whether Heven is right to be apprehensive about him. We will also probably find out more about Heven's destiny and possibly more powers she will acquire. I don't have any specific expectations or scenes I'm looking for.

6. Did you enjoy participating in this read along?  Will you join in future read alongs? 
Yes because it made me think more critically about the book and also made me think about things I wouldn't have without having to answer the questions.

Masquerade Read Along: Chapters 16-24

Chapters 16-24

5 Discussion Questions

1. Heven’s mother has definite ideas about Heven and her scars – what they mean – and their relationship is strained. Do you think their relationship can be saved?


I'm not sure, Heven's mom is a bit ridiculous and I can't believe she thinks her daughter is evil. Her mom needs to be willing to listen but instead she is stubborn and harsh. I think it is good Heven can go to her grandmother's house to get away. Maybe spending some time apart will give them time to work thought things.

 2. Sam tells Heven about how he came to be living on his own, how his parents kicked him out after he became what he is. He doesn’t seem angry though, he seems to accept it. Would you be angry? Do you think he should be?


I think it is good that Sam isn't angry anymore. I would be extremely angry and probably hold that anger. That isn't a good thing but it is something I tend to do. Anger is tiring and after a certain amount of time you should just let it go because its wasting your time and energy. I'll be the first to say this is easier said than done, that is why I admire that sam has accepted it and moved on.

 3. During these chapters, Heven and Sam visit the Inbetween and meet Airis (aka The Hope). Were you surprised by this series of events? Do you think a place like the InBetween really exists?


I was surprised that Heven died but of course she had to come back to life. I'm not sure what I believe about death and heaven and InBetween places. I guess to me the InBetween place could be when you are close to death or giving up the fight, I'm not sure about after you already die especially being able to bring someone back to life unless its by the hands of medics using measures like the paddles, so in that case I suppose they are technically dead and could be in that InBetween place. I really have no idea :-p

 4. When Heven’s scars are no longer a part of her and she says “she no longer recognizes herself” – do you think that the absence of her scar will change her once more?


I don't think she will ever go back to how she was before but I think things might change for her as she gets used to not having the scar anymore.

 5. Gran is very accepting of Heven and of Sam. Do you think that she understands more – knows more than she lets on about Heven’s life or do you think her love is just unconditional?

I never thought about Gran possibly knowing about Heven's destiny, so I had just assumed she just loved her unconditionally. Seeing that question I think it could be a possibility she knows more than she lets on. I'm really not sure and on the edge now that I read this question and have that idea in my head. Either way I think Gran is a loving person.

Masquerade Read Along: Chapters 8-16

Chapters 8-16 Discussion Questions

1. Sam is admittedly drawn to Heven before they even meet. Why do think this is?


He says she just seemed peaceful and happy. I guess sometimes you can just be drawn to someone and I'm sure the fact that she was pretty didn't hurt. I don't really have a great answer for this though.

2. In an earlier chapter The Hope states that Sam must prove himself. During these chapters Sam does some things – bad things – (covering up murder, fighting, hiding a body, etc.) all to protect Heven and his true identity. Do you think he was right to do these things?


I understand protecting Heven and trying to conceal his true identity but I don't think he should have covered up murder/ hid the body. He didn't kill her and it wasn't his fault so I'm not sure why he would be questioned if he just found her. The girls family and friends deserved to know what happened to her instead she was being reported as a run away. I don't think that is right but I can also see why he did it and him being afraid.

3. In chapter twelve Kimber says some thing’s to Heven that make the reader wonder about their friendship. Do you think there is any truth Kimber’s drunken confessions? If so where do you think Heven and Kimber’s friendship goes from here?


I agree with what Heven says about drinking just makes the truth come out. I'm not sure if Kimber is a real friend or not or if she was just frustrated and angry. She is a girl that loves the spotlight and didn't want it taken away.  I think her outburst was mean and selfish. I feel as Heven gets closer to Sam that her "friendship" with Kimber gets weaker.

4. Heven is changing, becoming more confident. Do you think that after something like this (her accident and disfigurement) happens to someone that she can ever go back to the person she was before? Do you think she will want to?


I think it depends on the person, I can see she is getting more confident but not as much as she could be. I think she would like to be the person she was before but I think once someone goes through something like that you can't really ever go back to how it was before.

5. Toward the end of these set of chapters, Heven finds out Sam’s secret, who he really is. She has a strong reaction. Do you think you would react the same way? Why or why not?


If I loved them the way she says she loves Sam then I think I would have handled it a little better and tried to listen instead of shutting him down. I probably would have freaked out also, I won't deny that. I wouldn't have tried to jump off of a balcony to get away from him though. I think he had already proved that he wasn't going to hurt her, if he wanted her dead she would have been dead already.

Masquerade Read Along: Chapters 1-8

5 discussion questions:

1. If you were disfigured like Heven (by some sort of accident) do you think you would have reacted the same way as her? (loss of self confidence, hiding yourself, etc)

I think that depends on when it happened to me. I think I would have handled it differently than Heven either way but if I was still in High School I would have been more affected than if it happened now. High School is hard and people are mean so I probably would have tried to hide the disfiguration also but I would have stood up for myself. Heven just lets them taunt her and says nothing which is frustrating to me. I have been picked on before and I have always spoken up and stood up for myself, never letting anyone walk all over me. I know I would have less confidence if it happened in high school than now but I believe I would have handles it better than Heven. 

2. Do you think that Kimber’s plan for revenge against Cole (for kissing another girl) is a good idea?

No, I thought that was a terrible idea and figured it would back fire especially if she wanted to get him back. She is also blind to the fact that she is hurting her friend, but of course it doesn't help that Heven doesn't speak up.

3. In the beginning chapters, Heven is very drawn to Sam but won’t admit it due to her own insecurities. Kimber begins to “date” Sam… do you think that Heven should have spoken up? Do think Kimber should have seen Heven’s real feelings?

Heven seems to have no self esteem and doesn't believe she has any worth and is too afraid of losing her only real friend left to tell her how she feels. Heven should have told her best friend that she liked Sam and how she felt. If Kimber didn't understand then she isn't a real friend and isn't worth her time.

4. Masquerade is broken in four separate POV’s: Heven, Sam, The Hate and The Hope. Do you think having multiple POV’s adds depth to the story? Why or why not?

I like seeing different perspectives because I do think it adds to the story and helps you understand other characters. The Hate and The Hope confuse me at this point but I hope it all comes together more as the story continues.

5. A great source of strength for Heven is her grandmother. Who do you think yours is/would be?

I don't have a specific person that gives me strength. The things that I have been through in life have made me a stronger person. I'm a strong person in general and I feel that I have a lot of strength.  I think people can help and having friends and people to talk to is helpful to gain strength and build confidence which Heven needs to do.

Tell Me Something Tuesday (8)

Welcome to Cambria Hebert’s weekly meme Tell Me Something Tuesday where she asks you something and you tell her the answer!! It’s as simple as that!



Question: Have you ever participated in a Book club, buddy read or Read along?

I have not participated in any of those yet but am planning to do a buddy read with Michele from A Belle's Tales for Clockwork Prince and I'm also going to be doing a read along for Masquerade by Cambria Hebert. I'm excited to do both of these and see how it goes!