Heven and Hell BLOG TOUR: Masquerade by Cambria Hebert (Review + Giveaway)

Genre:	Young Adult, Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Publication.Date	December 16th 2011
Pages:	310
Published By:	Otherworld Publications  |
Website	Cambria Hebert |
	Masquerade - Goodreads
My review copy:	Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Where to get:	Barnes and Noble | Amazon |

     Before. Everything was so much better Before. I wasn’t haunted by nightmares, my place at school was secure and my face was flawless. Now, I’m a freak and everything has changed. The worst part is that I can’t remember the night I was sentenced to the shadows. The memory has been stolen from me and I just can’t shake the feeling that someone, something is out there -watching.

Just when I think I have my life handled, Sam, with his intimidating golden stare and shiver inducing voice, makes me realize that I don’t know anything. He makes me see that my scars don’t matter. That they never mattered. I can’t help but fall for him, completely unknowing that he knows exactly how I got this way. Not knowing he was involved.

***

Heven has no idea how closely death stalks her. She has no idea what I have done to keep her alive. I fear the day she learns my secrets, finds out what I really am. But even then I cannot stop, I vow to make things right. Finally her hunter will be hunted, Heaven and Hell, faith and sin will battle, and we will be victorious. But first, Heven must learn to be what she never imagined. I know her strength is there – I feel it. If we are to overcome all odds, she must push past her flaws - her frailties - to become much more.(goodreads.com)

I shouldn't feel safe.  I never felt safe around anyone new, but his presence was like a blanket to my shivering insides, whatever he projected reached out and wrapped around me, keeping my fear at bay.

     His eyes shone like the summer sun with a hint of surprise.

  I learned a long time ago a person's appearance is only a disguise for who they truly are.

   

     May I illustrate with a picture???

     This book could not have been more perfect. Cambria Hebert hit the jackpot, she created an unforgettable, magical, insanely gripping and astoundingly beautiful story. Fast paced plot that drips with tension and thick, mysterious atmosphere. Richly developed, swoon-worthy characters that you'll instantly connect with. Totally unpredictable twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat non-stop. All that and so much more... this book will blow your mind!

They tried not to stare, but they couldn't keep their eyes away. I was a freak now. I made people uncomfortable and not necessarily because of my scars-but because what my scars represented. Danger, fear, and the unknown. Something had had happened to me, something not even I could remember. They all probably thought that I was crazy, that I somehow did this to myself. I couldn't blame them. ow could I? They might be right.

    Heven used to be beautiful and very popular at school. A perfect teenage girl. She had it all: cheer squad membership, closet full of latest fashion items, a group of loyal followers and admirers, beaming confidence and charm - you name it. But all that was Before. Before the night of the accident, before her face was scarred and permanently disfigured, completely changing her life forever. She can't even remember what happened. Was she attacked? Was this an accident? A wild animal? Did she do it herself? It's a mystery. She's never been the same ever since. She's a freak now, everyone stares at her and whispers behind her back. She stopped caring about her wardrobe and make-up, trading her designer clothes for baggy t-shirt and hoodies that can at least partly hide her hideous face. All that's left from her "Before" life is the ever-supportive and loyal friend, Kimber, and Kimber's boyfriend, Cole. At least until a mysterious new guy shows up in town. Not to mention that he's insanely hot, steamy and gorgeous-looking (Awww, please, can I go for a Bubble-Tea with Sam?!). Heven is about to get into some serious trouble. She'll discover that what she thought to be her over-reactive imagination and silliness, was in truth her instinct trying to warn her about the evil thing lurking in the dark, observing her, waiting for the right moment to strike again. This time, though, it won't go for her face. This time it will go for the kill...

"I'll make sure she gets home safe." Sam husky voice made me shiver, and then he touched me. It was a simple, insignificant brush of his hand as he took the keys from my palm, but I would remember that one second contact with him like it was my first kiss.
Every single nerve in my arm tingled, and my skin burned. Every coherent thought I might have had completely faded away. I stared at him, entranced by his hazel stare, caught by the golden highlights that sparked through his eyes "Uh..."

      SWOON~!
      Noah Shaw, wherever you are, know that you have a formidable rival to the title of the 2011 Most Swoon-Worthy! *Deep sigh* ahhh, Sam! Where do I begin? He is so painfully hot! Mysterious, brave, tough, handsome (handsome?! he is drop-dead gorgeous!). He was so amazingly protective of Heven, so deeply in love with her and at the same time so.. wild and dangerous, and all sorts of wicked awesome! OMG! And for the most part of the book you don't even begin to suspect who (or what) he is, what's his reason for being there... Of course, me being a total sucker for mysterious, hot guys, I fell totally in love with Sam and got goose-bumps every time he worked his charms on Heven. Sparkles were flying, tension was overwhelming, and the chemistry between these two.. OMG! Dear Santa, can I have Sam wrapped (or not:P) and placed under my Christmas Tree? Please??? 

It was a clear night, and there were a million stars nestled in the sky, twinkling brightly alongside the moon. I was nearly home, my street just yards away. The night was quiet, exaggerating the sound my heels were making on the pavement. Usually, I liked the clicking sound, it made me feel womanly, and it announced my arrival. However, at this moment, it seemed I shouldn't announce my presence. I slowed slightly, gentling my steps and glanced to my right at a wooded, overgrown lot. I imagined something hiding in the bush, watching/ O laughed a little at my silliness, but quickened my pace. This time, allowing my heels to slap loudly on the pavement, hoping the sound would ward off any animals that might be around. Behind me I sensed movement and whirled around to confront it.

   OK, that was more of an excerpt than a quote, I know, guilty as charged! But can you see how wonderfully descriptive and captivating Cambria's writing is? And that's just a quote from the first page! It only gets better as you read. It's definitely one of those books that you can easily devour in one sitting. Maybe not so much "can" but "have to", cause I bet you, you won't be able to put it down until you find out what's going on! From the very beginning there are many questions and mysteries, and very little answers. The title is so adequate! It's like a big masquerade, where nothing is what it seemed, there's a thick web of lies and pretending. You will be biting your nails and wrecking your brain, begging for some answers! So intense!

The road ahead holds many tests challenging everything she ever believed. I whispered a prayer for her inner strength to guide her on her path. She was going to need it.

      Four words: Multiple Point of Views! Yeah, baby! So well done and thoroughly executed, with clear marks as to whose head you're poking around at the particular moment. I loved it. It was such a great idea, not only because it gave us precious insight about characters' thoughts and motivations, but also because it was convincing. Every character was different. You got the story from Heven's perspective (most of the time), but you also got it from Sam's. And then you also got the POVs of two, um.. creatures? The Hope and The Hate! How wicked cool is that?!

"I'm hideous"
"You could never be hideous"
"Forget it" I wanted this conversation over.
"I can't forget it," Gran said, not giving up so easily. "I don't like to hear you talk about yourself that way. Your scars do not define you, young lady. Your action do."

      I feel extremely grateful for this book. It's not only a wild thrill ride with a great, unique plot and sparkly characters, but also quite an eye-opener and profound life lesson. It's entertaining, but it also teaches you something about how the world works. How appearance is only that, an appearance. And everything that truly matters lies underneath. How easily is to forget that your face, clothes, hairstyle, and all those silly little things don't define you. How you can shape your life and change the way things are if only you give it a try. You choose who you are. No one else. It's a wonderful and deep story, and I am really glad I had the pleasure to read it.

      Cambria Hebert is a super talented author and I'm 100% sure that she will shake up the YA world with her brilliance. Her writing is expressive, graceful and insanely pleasant to read. She's a born writer, a hidden gem among the Indies. Expect to hear a lot about her in the coming years! 

Now, can I have the next part, please???

 

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This review is posted as part of the Heven and Hell Blog Tour!

I LOVED this book so much, I am giving away one Book Depository paperback copy to one lucky INTERNATIONAL winner.

Ends: January 15th

enter through Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

Evie is the Blogger behind Bookish. She enjoys reading many different genres, especially YA, Paranormal, Contemporary Fiction and Fantasy.

She loves talking to authors and is always happy to welcome them for interviews, and guest posts. She also likes spreading the love for awesome books and  chatting with fellow book-worms.

You can find Evie here: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Shelfari | The Library Thing