Masquerade of the Heart

By Katy Rose Pool

Book Overview

Cursebreaker Marlow Briggs must deal with the aftermath of her fake romance with one of the most powerful nobles in the illustrious--and deadly--Evergarden society, all while uncovering the mystery behind her mother's disappearance.

The city of Caraza sits poised on the edge of chaos--and cursebreaker Marlow Briggs is at the center of a deadly struggle for power. In the tragic aftermath of the Vale-Falcrest wedding, Marlow is spurned by Adrius, who refuses to speak to her and publicly vows to find a noble wife before the year is out. Despite her heartbreak, Marlow is still intent on breaking his compulsion curse. To do so, she'll have to play loving daughter to the man who cast it--the man who's hellbent on reshaping Caraza in his own image, no matter the cost.

But the closer she gets to her long-lost father, the more Marlow starts to question if he's really the villain she's made him out to be. As the lines between enemy and ally blur, Marlow must decide if she's willing to sacrifice her heart's desire to save a city that wants her dead. This edge-of-your-seat finale is perfect for fans of Veronica Mars, These Violent Delights, and Chain of Iron.

"Nothing short of genius." --Jennifer Lynn Barnes, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Inheritance Games series, on Garden of the Cursed

"A delicious read full of swoony romance." --Tricia Levenseller, New York Times-bestselling author of Blade of Secrets, on Garden of the Cursed

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250846684
• ISBN13: 9781250846686
• Release Date: June 2024
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 14 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 9 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Hex cards galore!

Just as one issue gets solved, another bigger problem falls into Marlow's lap. Not only is she being charged for the murder of Adrius's father, her own newly revealed father has even greater plans for the future of Evergarden and the Marsh. Good thing Marlow has plenty of grit, determination, and hex cards to go around. She has a really good friend in Swift (with his side story it was cute and he deseves it after all the pain he went through with being coerced to work for the Copperheads) and others play a bigger part, from Silvan, to Gemma, and the useful Fisher. I definitely would want her on my side, even if sometimes she should be paying more attention instead of sneaking off to meet Adrius (though they still have their issues). But I mean since they are both eighteen, I guess that makes sense. And she really is quite mature in most respects (especially with that decision at the end!) Many curses in this book and of course the Grimoire plays a big part because it has more than just compelling people spells. It was a great sequel (picking up right where the first book ended) and a satisfying conclusion that does not include the destruction of the city, corrupt though it may be. And I really enjoyed reading it (no slow parts in this book!)