Customer Reviews

The Masquerade (de Warenne Dynasty)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I so enjoyed this book. It brought me feelings I rarely have when I read books. I love that there was no mad jealous villain after the heroine. Although the hero was engaged, the readers can sense she is really not a threat to the heroine. The real threat here was the social status that separates the main characters and family obligation. I felt the love Lizzie has for Tyrell. Ms. Brenda Joyce made sure the reader can not detached themselves from this story. I was moved when Tyrell was begging Lizzie not to leave him. I cried when Lizzie is force to make a decision to spare her family more shame. Not once did I doubt that Tyrell loves Lizzie. This book was written beautifully. I couldn't put it down, I read it until 2 am and woke up at 4:30a to read again. Now I have to go to work and I have a splitting headache. The funny thing is I'm just dying to read it again tonight after I come home from work. Thanks Ms. Joyce. I feel like 15 again when I first read my romance novel. Captivated.

"The Masquerade" is my first romance by Brenda Joyce but after only a few pages, I knew it would not be my last. I was instantly caught up in the story of how Lizzie, at the tender age of 10, first met Tyrell during an unfortunate tumble into a lake at a social event and the events that led up to the fateful masquerade ball. Great story! And then there was Anna's confession....and the story just went downhill for me there. Don't get me wrong! I loved the relationship between Lizzie and Tyrell. The sexual tension between them, the love scenes...hot! And there was no mistaking the love that either had for the other...very endearing. But I could not get pass the fact that Anna never received her comeuppance! Spare me the "cast the first stone" speech - Anna was a shallow, selfish (bleep)! Period! And I applaud Lizzie's efforts as sister to Anna, mother to Ned, and all...but dang! I was hoping she would eventually get tired of how everyone's lives were being destroyed by her sister's deceit and just put it all out there! She was far too forgiving and that, dear reader, was pretty unforgivable in my sight. I agree with another reader who commented that instead of coming across as kind-hearted and sacrificing, she just came across as a spineless twit to me. *shrug

Nevertheless, I will not hesitate to read another romance by Brenda Joyce and I look forward to hearing more about Rex, the crippled brother. In fact, I plan to order "The Prize" as soon as my review here is done. My advice is read the book and judge for yourself.

The plot is excellent and very original compared to most Regency/Historical novels, but the characters were poorly developed. I made myself finish the book because I wanted to see how the author maneuvered them out of their webs, but I didn't really care about the hero/heroine.

The heroine was unbelievably 'good' and the hero's redeeming qualities were never demonstrated. He rescues the heroine a couple times, and it seems like that's the only reason she loves him. We read, over and over again, that he is kind and noble and honest - really?? There's absolutely no evidence of that until the very last few pages and the expected happy ending.

Overall, I was impressed with the author attempting such a bold plotline, but the character development got left behind. This was my first Brenda Joyce book...and may or may not be my last.

Tyrell de Warenne rescued ten years old Lizzie Fitzgerald though he could not save the book she was reading. From that moment on, Lizzie worshiped the older boy.

In 1812 sixteen years old Lizzie attends the annual All Hallows Eve masque at the home of Tyrell's father the earl. Tyrell and Lizzie meet and agree to a tryst later in the evening. When her sibling Anna spills wine on her costume, she persuades Lizzie to change garb with her. Lizzie, believing she is ugly and unworthy of her hero, goes home while Anna meets with Tyrell. Nine months later at their aunt's isolated home, Anna gives birth to Ned who she intends to give away as she plans to marry her sweetheart, but Lizzie adopts him as hers though society condemns her as a fallen woman.

Her parents learn that Tyrell is Ned's father. They confront Tyrell and his parents, who agree, Ned is one of them. However, Tyrell does not believe he slept with Lizzie, but decides to go ahead with the game she is playing so he can uncover the truth. As Tyrell and Lizzie fall in love, he has first hand proof that she is not Ned's mother, but waits for her to confess; she wants to but she promised Anna she wouldn't.

THE MASQUERADE is a solid Regency romance that sub-genre fans will rejoice in reading due to the likable lead couple. Tyrell has everything going for him, but instead of being spoiled and pompous like much of the nobility, he is a nice person. Lizzie has issues about her self-worth, but her champion sees her courage and kindness as virtues. Though the secondary cast accepts Ned and the relationship between the heir and the bookworm too readily, historical romance readers will enjoy this fine tale.

Harriet Klausner

Is it wrong to want to know more about Rory and Georgie than Lizzie and Ty? Because that's what I found myself wanting. Lizzie has loved Ty since she was ten after he saved her from drowning. This was something she unable to keep secret from her family...her sisters in particular. Then on the night of the All Hallow's Eve ball her dreams come true when Ty seeks her out wants to rendevous with her but (and this where the story starts sucking for me)her sister Anna gets her costume ruined and trades with Lizzie.

Later it reveals that Anna is pregnant and finally tells that it's Ty's...I just don't get Lizzie's reaction. I would expect her to be much angrier than she was. Anna was spoiled and cared about nothing but herself and it showed. She didn't think about Lizzie's feelings and went so far as to say that her (Lizzie's) feeling for Ty would never be returned so could she forgive her...Ugh!

Maybe I am just spoiled on certain plots but I just couldn't enjoy the story knowing that Anna slept with Ty and had his baby. I found myself hoping that the baby wasn't his just because it put such a damper on the story....it may be someone else cup of tea but not mine. I'm afraid this will be my last book from this author...thank god I only paid 49 cents for it or else I would have really felt cheated.

The heroine's sister seducing the hero, knowing that he thinks she's the heroine, just leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. Then she leaves her sister to raise the hero's baby! A boy, his heir, nonetheless! This completely ruins the book. On top of that the whorish sister is allowed to get off free and clear and marry the man she loves, and her husband remains blissfully unaware. Meanwhile, the heroine settles for her sister's seconds. It's disgusing. She's a complete doormat. There's no way around it.

I'm on page 150... and yes I'm more curious about Rory and Georgie. When do they meet dang it!!!

Further more by page 150 Lizzie has decided to adopt Anna's and Ty's baby. And when Ned calls Lizzie MaMa her reply is "My darling boy you're clever just like your father" Lizzie has really had very little interaction with Ty at this point. Except for the kind of interaction that you would expect from a psychotic stalker. I'm going to keep reading but quite frankly I'm a little disturbed by Lizzie's obsession. Obsession =/= romance.

The Masquerade possesses everything for a good, satisfying read. This book is sharp and fast-moving. Filled with Lovable characters, exciting and twists. Lots of laugh out-loud scenes and oh so plenty of heart warming moments. If you long to be swept into the lives of two enchanting people, I highly recommend this one. The love scenes are ample & steamy, and the plot is a good one. The relationship between Lizzy and Tyrell sizzles. Page after page I just got sucked in deeper until I closed the book with a happy sigh. Wonderful love story, great characters with an emotionally scarred hero and vulnerable heroine, unique setting, intriguing plot, heart-tugging emotion, excellent writing, intense sensual love scenes, and a superb ending. The Masquerade is witty, romantic, with good strong characters and an unexpected ending. Drama Drama Drama and more Drama.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The plot was detailed and unique enough that it kept me turning pages, and I had a hard time putting it down.

Why only 3 1/2 stars then? I guess after I finished the book, I didn't have the usual sense of satisfaction I get from a really great romance. All of the makings and potential was there, but somehow it didn't ring true.

First, the plot while being very intricate, seemed to have a few holes. I don't need my romances to be overly realistic, but in this one I had a hard time buying many of the characters' actions; particularly the heroine, Lizzie. I think that in Brenda Joyce's effort to write an original plot, she sacrificed credibility in order to explore new material.

Also, I found the hero to be lacking. True, he said "all the right things," and it was touching to see his obvious emotion for the heroine. But, I don't think the author gave us enough time with him. We only see him through others' eyes in the first several chapters of the book, and by the time we actually get inside his head, the plot is fairly well developed. Too often it seemed that all of my perceptions of Tyrell came from other characters discussion of him. We encounter nearly every secondary character mentioning the hero's loyalty, goodness, steadiness, etc. But we rarely see him BEING any of those things. Also, his commitment to his "duty" was unrealistic in that his motivations were never explored. I didn't dislike the hero, I just thought that we were forced to accept him at face value. This was especially disappointing in a Brenda Joyce novel - her heroes are usually much stronger.

In fairness, however, I did appreciate Tyrell's seeming kindness and ability to look beneath the rather ordinary appearance of the heroine. I think Joyce was trying to expand her genre by creating a hero who was attracted to a sweet but plain heroine. I actually found that quite refreshing; but I think I'm mostly partial to my "tougher" alpha males.

The heroine was extremely good and kind without being sickly sweet, but at times I found her tendency to be a martyr a little over the top. I understand making sacrifices for those we love, but in Lizzie's case, it sometimes just came across as an inability to stand up for herself even when she was treated unfairly by those closest to her. I find that romance heroines sometimes walk the fine line between being sweet/generous and being a doormat. Lizzie primarily falls into the "sweet" category, but every so often I thought she needed to stand up for herself a bit more. True, she was quite admirable, but without spoiling any plot detail, I sometimes wished she was just a little bit stronger in defending herself.

Overall, the book was highly entertaining, filled with plenty of sensuality and sweet romance, but I just thought something was missing. The plot was intricate, but in hindsight I can't really figure out why the characters acted the way they did. They seemed largely scripted around obvious plot devices. Too much author "manipulative creativity" and not enough character development. We were told the characters developed and how, but we never actually SAW it happen.

Great for a fun read, and long and detailed enough so it actually lasts longer than an afternoon. But as far as a romance that touched my heart in order to be truly memorable, this one fell a little short.

I've read this book at least 3 times over, and I still love it. What affects me the most about this story is that Lizzie is completely devoid of any knowledge pertaining to the fact that De Warenne has loved her for a long time. Her innocence and inexperience are endearing-Not to mention her kindness- and I have seldom felt any connection with a fictional character such as this. De Warenne is unquestionably obsessed with Lizzie to the point of creating a scandal at the cost of the entire De Warenne family's character, being that he's already betrothed. Though with Lizzie already "ruined" he has no care for her reputation.
Needless to say that this romance is anything but boring! An incredibly enjoyable read!!! Also recommend The Prize.