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Title: The Girl in the Mask (you can Buy on Amazon here)
Author: Marie-Louise Jensen
Published: 16th February 2012
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Genre: Romance, Historical Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: E-Book
Rating: ***** (5 Stars)
About: Set in Georgian England, fifteen-year-old Sophia is trapped by the limitations of living in a man’s world. Forced by her father to give up everything she loves, Sophia is ordered to make a new life in Bath. By day, she is trapped in the social whirl of balls and masquerades. By night, she secretly swaps her ball gowns for breeches, and turns to highway robbery to get her revenge . . .
When one man begins to take a keen interest in her, Sophia must keep her distance, or risk unmasking her secret life.
Review: This book is highly entertaining right from the very start. I read it in one sitting, as I could not put it down. I mean it didn’t take me very long to read it anyway, but I loved the story idea behind it.
Marie-Louise Jensen is excellent when it comes to writing historical books, she never fails to make me smile when I read her books.
However, I felt like this one was a little different to her others, as I didn’t see as much romance and in fact, I did get a bit annoyed by the ending. Even though, it did actually fit better with the story line. Sophia had been working hard not to get married, so the fact that she didn’t, was actually the correct ending to have.
I loved Sophia’s character. She’s so rebellious and brave. She never gives up even when she knows that her actions will mean that her father punishes her.
I felt so bad for her cousin Jack as well, even though we didn’t get to read much about him. I did feel really bad for him when he was saying goodbye to Sophia through the door. Her father really was horrible.
Now as for the lovely Sophia robbing at night? I loved it. I mean it doesn’t send out the best message for people, but it was the perfect act of rebellion for Sophia. Particular, when she got her revenge on her father.
Sophia clearly has a lot of guts, particularly when you look at the people that she robs from. Then there’s the lovely Mr. Charleton, some political scandal and a moment where it seems like all is lost. This book does not follow the rules and you will be pleasantly surprised by how things turn out. that will keep you turning the pages until you reach the end.
One thing I did notice is that the ending has one similar theme to another of Jensen’s book and that is that the love interest doesn’t reveal his first name (or his Christian name as it is put in the book) until the very end. Just a little observation and nothing really to worry about.
BUT this book is definitely one that will keep you turning the pages until you reach the end.
CastlesandTurrets 