Faces: Masks of Aygrima, Book 3

This book was a thrilling conclusion to a fascinating trilogy. While I did not always agree with the choices of the main character, I understood why she acted the way she did excusing some because of her age. With great power, comes great responsibility. These stories tell what happens when one fails in that responsibility or simply the fear that one might fail.This may not be the happy feel-good story you are looking for but it will keep you in thrall to the very end.I can't wait to hear what happens next and hope the author continues on with Mara's tale in a new series.

The final book in E. C. Blake's trilogy (Masks, Shadows, Faces) brings the characters into their own as unexpected twists move the reader to outcomes that couldn't have been anticipated in the first book. The society has some growing pains, as do the characters. I was satisfied that no complexity was sacrificed to a fairy tale style ending.

The door is definitely open for books beyond this and I really hope the author takes it. If not you might as well not read the series because all the pain and growth of the protagonist comes to zero as she is once again a powerless little girl tidily tucked away by wilier adults who gave used her for their own purposes before discarding her, and she is surprisingly okay with it, making all that's passed before irrelevant. If this is the end of Masks if Aygrima, then it's a sorry silly end.

Really a good read!awesome ending, wish the story kept going!

Good enough

Previously Published at TheQwillery.comE.C. Blake's Faces, the third book in the Masks of Aygrima series, closes out a spectacular story arc. I believe this won't be the last time I read a story with Mara as the protagonist, which is a wonderful prospect.Blake has done a marvelous job of creating a very sympathetic protagonist in Mara, a teenage girl discovering she has the power within her to overturn the villainous ruler of a small nation. The onlyproblem is her gift seems to do more harm than good to the people she cares about. In the third book she finally learns to control her power, but with the control comes a darker problem. The supporting characters are all fully fleshed.My one and only complaint with this series is never resolved, as I never get to truly know or understand the villain. He remains a mystery and frankly a very minor role in the series. A second villain, that from the start of the series seemed minor at best, takes on a more prominent role in this book, which was nice. I would have preferred if the main antagonist was treated in the same way. It would have made the ending more powerful.The world building, like the characters, is pretty much established with little to no new developments or details added to strengthen the world. I felt this could have been improved on as it would only add to strengthen future books. It is however understandable as the majority of the story was spent resolving issues and revealing secrets.I felt satisfied with how the story was resolved. There are still minor things left unexplained, but in no way did it hinder the overall story. It gives the story a realistic feel, by leaving some mystery. I particularly enjoy how Blake set up a possible future for the series.Blake's Faces is a wonderful story with some great characters and world-building. I was completely satisfied with how Faces ended and can honestly say I hope Mara returns. There are descriptive acts of violence, minor language and minor sexual situations, so I'd recommend it to older teens and adults. Anyone who started the series or have been waiting to see how it ends needs to finish it. You won't regret it. Fans of realistic heroines will love Mara.

In Faces, Blake produces a nice strong continuation of a fantasy aimed at teens. While there are some immediately recognizable elements here, I find what I enjoy most is that the book (and series) focuses on the individual characters more. By this I mean that while they obviously interact with each other less emphasis is placed on particular romantic couplings. Growth and responsibility seem much more the key. The characters are strong due to their own achievements, not the weird old fashioned but incredibly prevalent trend to have female characters seem to be strong role models and yet still have the over riding plot be about which boy she chooses. And there always so many to choose from!Instead Blake builds a world that is engrossing. He writes characters that are true individuals and ones that seek to be better but often find the consequences are unexpected and even unwanted. There is a grand struggle here. But even the "villains" are intriguing and have a nice amount of layering. Nothing is too black and white or cut and dried in terms of motivation. Which I find can encourage a reader to think and appreciate the choices made and the responses to them. Basically for me this is a strong addition to an already smart series.

Faces is the third and final novel in the The Masks of Aygrima series. The majority of the story is about Mara learning everything she can from the Lady and how she begins to distance herself from her friends, and unknowingly becoming more like the Lady despite her refusal to become a villain. The pacing picks up later in the story as the resistance begins to attack the Watchers and mines. And Mara begins to learn who the Lady really is.The conclusion of this fantastic trilogy does not disappoint. From Mara’s inner turmoil and relationships with those around her to the final battle – it’s suspenseful and full of surprises. Don’t miss this intriguing world of magic and masks. It’s a dark fantasy trilogy with incredible world-building, interesting characters, and a heroic story.

I thought Faces was the best book of the Mask trilogy. Unlike most series I've read that have gotten weaker with each book, Masks started off strong and got better and better with each passing release. The action moves at a fast pace in the book. There are plenty of plot twists and turns before coming to a surprising climax.