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A review by bubblewombat
Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
One of the best books of the year (and decade) so far for sure! I'm in awe at the world and characters O.O. Sangoyomi has created. This book was everything I was hoping it would be, and yet it still managed to surprise me at every turn. I really love it to bits.
I know it's been promoted as a Hades x Persephone story, and while I can see it here and there, it's not a huge part of the book. So if anyone thinks "oh this is just another retelling" STOP RIGHT NOW!! It's not, it's so much better. PLEASE GIVE IT A CHANCE, IT'LL BLOW YOU AWAY!
It's also not much of a fantasy, so I hope anyone won't be disappointed going into this thinking that it is. It's more along the lines of historical fiction, but even if you mainly read fantasy I think you could still have a really good time with Masquerade.
The world is so vivid and easy to imagine, the beautiful writing contributes to this. I often felt like I was inside the book myself, walking or attending lessons with Òdòdó, running and collecting gossip with the twins, marching into battle, checking out the stables, attending meetings with the generals...
Naturally, I loved being in Òdòdó’s head as well, the whole book is told from her PoV, which was actually refreshing. I know someone probably would've preferred to have, for example, Dígí's PoV or even the Aláàfin's, but for me hers was more than enough.
Masquerade was really easy to get into, I was hooked from the very first page and loved the whole storyline, especially the ending.
THE ENDING!!! I was not expecting it to go that way, but I'm so glad it did. This is actually how I was hoping The Wrath and the Dawn would end, but it didn't, so I finally got my wish in the form of a different and better book. Yayyyy!!! No one is happier than I am in this moment.
I'd also love to see a sequel. Though, this book does stand on its own very well. I feel like, with the themes explored here, the next book could be even more exiting, so fingers crossed we get one.
As for the romance...listen...I like me a little toxic romance here and there, and I did ship them, but there was someone near the end I shipped Òdòdó with even more, WHICH I WILL NOT BE CONFESSING!! Mayhaps if we get another book, I will.
I loved how the Aláàfin picked Òdòdó out, and how much he seemed to genuinely love her, the many gifts he gave her etc. But at the same time he could be controlling, not allowing her to have any contact with her past life, not wanting her to have any political positions because why would she need them...so it's a complicated relationship for sure.
One of my favourite things is that, despite the control of everyone around her, Òdòdó still managed to find her power. And I will support her no matter what.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I know it's been promoted as a Hades x Persephone story, and while I can see it here and there, it's not a huge part of the book. So if anyone thinks "oh this is just another retelling" STOP RIGHT NOW!! It's not, it's so much better. PLEASE GIVE IT A CHANCE, IT'LL BLOW YOU AWAY!
It's also not much of a fantasy, so I hope anyone won't be disappointed going into this thinking that it is. It's more along the lines of historical fiction, but even if you mainly read fantasy I think you could still have a really good time with Masquerade.
The world is so vivid and easy to imagine, the beautiful writing contributes to this. I often felt like I was inside the book myself, walking or attending lessons with Òdòdó, running and collecting gossip with the twins, marching into battle, checking out the stables, attending meetings with the generals...
Naturally, I loved being in Òdòdó’s head as well, the whole book is told from her PoV, which was actually refreshing. I know someone probably would've preferred to have, for example, Dígí's PoV or even the Aláàfin's, but for me hers was more than enough.
Masquerade was really easy to get into, I was hooked from the very first page and loved the whole storyline, especially the ending.
THE ENDING!!! I was not expecting it to go that way, but I'm so glad it did. This is actually how I was hoping The Wrath and the Dawn would end, but it didn't, so I finally got my wish in the form of a different and better book. Yayyyy!!! No one is happier than I am in this moment.
I'd also love to see a sequel. Though, this book does stand on its own very well. I feel like, with the themes explored here, the next book could be even more exiting, so fingers crossed we get one.
As for the romance...listen...I like me a little toxic romance here and there, and I did ship them, but there was someone near the end I shipped Òdòdó with even more, WHICH I WILL NOT BE CONFESSING!! Mayhaps if we get another book, I will.
I loved how the Aláàfin picked Òdòdó out, and how much he seemed to genuinely love her, the many gifts he gave her etc. But at the same time he could be controlling, not allowing her to have any contact with her past life, not wanting her to have any political positions because why would she need them...so it's a complicated relationship for sure.
One of my favourite things is that, despite the control of everyone around her, Òdòdó still managed to find her power. And I will support her no matter what.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*