The Destiny Mask (The Structure Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: two mourst, other mourst, mourst guard, Martin Sketchley, The Destiny Mask, Oracle Entuzo (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this labored sequel to The Affinity Trap (2005), Sketchley tries to bring a cinematic sense of scale and action to his tale of twin half-humans vying for an alien throne. Alexander Delgado, the betrayed agent who raised Cascari, his son by the Seriatt royal breeder Vourniass Lycern, leads the typically ragtag, if well-equipped, rebels against the Earth dictator, Gen. William Myson. When Delgado learns that Seriatt is on the verge of creating a time machine, Delgado strives to get Cascari to Seriatt ahead of Myson's son, Michael. Numerous unfriendlies, terran and alien, stand in their way. Sketchley seeks to undermine some of the clichés of action-adventure SF, particularly the too-perfect heroes. The narrative is driven mainly by the failures of his characters, who belch, break wind and pick their teeth. Unfortunately, Delgado is saddled with a disregard for sentient life that would make a video-game figure ashamed, and the attempt at realism via foibles leads only to greater disbelief at his survival. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Action packed …" -- SFX

"Sketchley knows what he is doing, and he’s starting to do it very well..." -- Cheryl Morgan, Emerald City

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 365 pages
• Publisher: Pyr (April 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591024390
• ISBN-13: 978-1591024392
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,473,382 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying high drama., January 4, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Marin Sketchley's second book of his 'Structure' series, THE DESTINY MASK, is a pick for prior fans of THE AFFINITY TRAP and offers a new space opera story telling of twin sons who have grown up ignorant of their parentage, raised apart - and both believing they're the rightful heir to a royal household. Politics and controversy erupt when the inevitable happens, changing a world in a sweeping epic of satisfying high drama.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong military sci fi thriller, April 29, 2006

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Then Military Intelligence Officer Alexander Delgado failed to complete his escort mission intended to forge an alliance between Earth's dictator General William Myson and the Seriattic Royal Household. Instead royal child-bearer Vourniass Lycern became Alexander's lover and gave birth to his twin sons (see THE AFFINITY TRAP). The boys were separated with Myson raising Michael while Delgado, an outlawed insurgent considered a terrorist raising Cascari.

Two decades later Michael and Cascari each believes they are the legal heir to the Monosiell head of Seriatt's Royal Household. The current Monosiell, Delgado and Myson push to place their "son" in the position of power that would make the dictator invincible or insure that the terrorist has a real chance at success in the struggle between them. Neither Michael nor Cascari know that they are siblings let alone twins. Meanwhile besides the strategic importance of the Seriatts' location near the M4 wormhole, the royals believe they are on the verge of a time travel breakthrough that will change the balance of power through THE DESTINY MASK. Delgado and Myson want ownership.

This sequel is an exciting science fiction thriller that can be read without perusing the previous novel (THE AFFINITY TRAP) though the experience is enhanced with back to back reads as that explains the heated rivalry between the antagonists. The story line is action-packed and incredibly fast-paced (no time outs) but somehow driven by the enmity between Myson and Delgado as nurtured by them as part of their imprint on their respective sons. However what makes the tale real is the terrorists are disorganized and badly trained as they are under constant pressure by the more powerful dictatorship. Readers will appreciate this strong military sci fi thriller.

Harriet Klausner