Masquerade Review & Sam Spotlight

Masquerade
Heven & Hell Series, #1
by Cambria Hebert
Published December 16, 2011
First Published by Otherworld Publications
(now published by Cambria)
Format Reviewed: eBook (purchased)

Synopsis:

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.

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My Thoughts:

After an incident that she can't remember, Heven is left emotionally battered and physically scarred. The only thing she remembers is leaving the library late...and then nothing. She awakens in the hospital and her life is forever changed. Everything she one loved, and the friends she had are all gone. All except for Kimber and Cole, who despite Heven's attempts at shutting herself away, have stayed by her side. Everyone else only sees her as a freak; the girl with the scars. Once a happy, fresh faced beauty, Heven now hides behind hoodies and is afraid of her own shadow. 

School is uneventful, save a few run-ins with resident mean girl Jenna who takes every chance she gets to remind Heven what a freak she is, until Sam arrives that is. Heven is immediately drawn to him and for some reason feels safe with him, but Kimber has her own agenda for Sam; to make Cole jealous and get back at him for his little indiscretion. But that doesn't last long because while Kimber is using Sam, Sam is using Kimber to get to Heven. He has always stayed in the shadows, but now is his chance to get to know her and protect her from what attacked her. You see, Sam knows exactly what happened to Heven and it is his fault. And he will do anything to make sure nothing like that ever happens again.

Heven is an ever changing character. I love that she continually learns to love herself and see the beauty she holds with or without her scars. She also finds her voice and uses it against those who try to push her around, namely her mother. I had a really hard time with Heven's mom. She is the epitome of the judgmental religious zealot that I can't stand to be around. I just can't believe that she thinks that Heven is evil and that her scars represent the evil within. I know she lost her husband, but this is her daughter! I loved Heven's grandmother though. She is loving and caring and actually listens to Heven and wants the best for her. She looks past outward appearances and sees within. Plus, she likes Sam and encourages the relationship because she can see how good he is for Heven.

Oh Sam, the beautiful yet dangerous boy who is in love with Heven. He is fiercely protective of her, but lets her be and make her own decisions and doesn't try to control her. Sam has some big secrets, secrets that could possibly be the end of him and Heven, but no matter what happens he will protect her with his life. Sam also is special; he isn't a normal human boy. He is something else and when you find out what, you will be blown away - I know I was. It is a completely different species than anything I have ever read. And because of what he is and what it means, his past is heartbreaking and shows you just how much he has been through to be the person he is now; to overcome what he could have been, to not take the easy road and let his anger and hurt destroy him. 

I love the way that Masquerade was written. The story is written from the first person point of view, but shifts from Heven and Sam. In addition, we get snippets from The Hate and The Hope and see that each action that Sam and Heven take has consequences, whether they are good or bad. I also really love the way the title not only is named after the dance in the book, but how each one of the characters hide something under a proverbial mask. The book is definitely intense and suspenseful and had me guessing throughout. There isn't anything about this book that I don't like. Finally, I have to say how much I love the cover. This is the most beautiful book cover I have ever seen; it is one of the reasons I bought the book in the first place. Total cover lust!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Book Trailer:

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Character Spotlight:

Sam

I pictured him so differently in my head. He was more Tyler-esque via. the Vampire Diaries in my mind. I love that he is into Bubble Tea; it is just another thing that makes him unique and not a typical guy. What do you love most about Sam? Is he your favorite male character? Or is he your favorite character overall?

Sam: 

18 -year- old Sam is new in town….or is he? He has golden good looks, a deep raspy voice and drives an old pick-up truck. He has an agenda that no one knows about; he knows things – see’s things that no one else has. He has to find a way to get close enough to Heven to keep her safe, yet stay far enough away because he has secrets….secrets that he doesn’t want anyone to know.

Sam’s STATS:

Eye color: Honey that sometimes streak with golden lightning

Favorite Drink: Bubble Tea – chocolate flavored

Favorite thing to read: Comic Books

Favorite Color: Blue

Job status: Employed with 2-3 jobs at any given time

Interesting Facts about Sam:

He is fire proof
He is water proof
He is emancipated from his parents

Some Favorite quotes by Sam:

“Hope you like dirt, you’re going to be eating a lot of it today.” ~ Sam

“If you cannot breathe, I will breathe for you.
If your heart will not beat, mine will beat harder.
If you do not live, neither will I.” ~ Sam

I kept my eyes on the water—how deceiving it could be. It appeared peaceful; it appeared beautiful. It was good at lying. ~ Sam

Have you heard of Bubble Tea? Want to learn how to make Sam's favorite drink? Well Cambria tried it out for us! Watch and see just what it takes to make this unique drink!