The Order of Masks by Australian author Alina Bellchambers is her debut fiction novel. It’s a work of fantasy, romance, action, and adventure subgenres.
Mira from the Elusive Isles has lived many lives on the run from strange criminals with her mother. By the time she had turned sixteen, all the roles she had played were blurred together. Now a circus performer her dream is to join one of the magical Royal Orders and declare herself a candidate to compete in the deadly Trials.
Princess Scarlett wants to carve out a place for herself in the Ravalian Court. In doing so she has to persevere with the attempts on her life by her half-brothers Roran who wants to seize power. Inheriting magical abilities from her mother she is ready to be taken seriously and compete in the games. When Scarlett meets Mira, she seizes the opportunity for an alliance. Will they both get what they want?
Author Alina Bellchambers has crafted a pacy, atmospheric, and highly riveting read that strikes a great balance between fantasy, romance, and the complexities of power and allegiance.
The narrative style is richly imaginative and detailed, offering vivid atmosphere and locations alongside swift plot twists that keep you engaged from beginning to end. Political intrigue where deception and ambition play pivotal roles, offering a deeply complex but well-paced adventure that never lets up on excitement.
One of the features that really impressed me was the many complex characters, all of whom are given a full treatment for unique dialogue styles, attitudes, and emotions so that they feel like real people we can be totally invested in. The character development is particularly compelling as they grapple with their roles in the unfolding conflict and seek to define their destinies.
Using a dual POV helped me understand the dynamics between the characters, building focus on the thoughts and feelings of Mira and Scarlett, and creating a sense of empathy with them. Mira was a character I adored and wanted her the greatest of success. I loved Scarlett’s determination to carve a place for herself. Whilst they had love interest it didn’t overpower the storyline which I valued.
The cover is beautiful and alluring with its rich detail, the colours and lettering strike a perfect balance and fit tremendously well with the book.
The Order of Masks sets up a lot of intriguing political and personal storylines for future exploration, promising a lavish and captivating epic for fantasy enthusiasts that will have plenty of thrilling places to take us next.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading The Order of Masks by Alina Bellchambers. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
My love of books started at a very young age. My mum has always been a reader and encouraged me to read, buying me endless book from classic fairy tales advancing to the world of Enid Blyton, CS Lewis, Louisa May Alcott, Kathryn Kenny, Carolyn Keene, Francine Pascal. In my adult years the list of authors is endless and every room in my house is filled with books.
One of my favourite novels is Narnia which has always has a special place in my heart. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1978 and when I was given this book to read it let me escape to another world where I felt like I was in the book with all the characters, it wasfun and exciting to escape from reality and eased the ups and downs of the disease at such a young age.
In books nothing is impossible and there is endless potential and hundreds of places to explore or being taken to places that are only made up from the authors’ great minds, the past and future to navigate, characters lives you step into taking you on an emotional rollercoaster ride or being scared out of your wits. I can experience things that I can’t in real life because they’re not possible or real. It challenges my perspective and mindset expanding my worldview.
I find joy, comfort and peace with books, many people may not get it, but I know bookworms like me truly understand. Reading makes my heart happy.
Mira doesn’t really know where her family is from, only that her and her mum relocate often and assume personalities as they go. Performers as such. But as she is now, Mira wants more, she wants to make her mum proud and aims to become a Mask, a warrior. Little does she realise the jeapardy she brings.
Scarlett is illegitimate child of the king, but he still allows her to be a princess, along with the kings two legitimate sons Roran and Cassius. Power struggle between these royals is real and viscious. Death attempts not uncommon, that is after all how Scarlett fo7nd her power, through the survival from death.
But when their paths all intertwine, who will become the allies, who will conquer, who will fall.
The read enticing and draws you in, whose side to pick? Thank you for the escape.