Review: Masquerades by Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb

Masquerades by Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb released in 1995 as book ten of The Harpers, its more accurately a sequel to the Finder’s Stone Trilogy. It is set ten years after Song of the Saurials, and follows Olive Ruskettle, Dragonbait, and Alias now residing in Westgate. The year is 1368 DR. 

These are some of my favorite Forgotten Realms characters and it was so nice being back with them. An awesome artificial swordswoman and her dragon like companion that speaks in scents and some high pitched clicks the human ear cannot hear. He is also a Paladin. Alias has the azure tattoos of her once magical bonds that made her an assassin, but she is now her own woman though copies of her are out there. She also remembers a childhood didn’t actually happen. She’s kind of like a fantasy Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell. I should say that both her and Alias was a big influence on my own book.

This novel focuses on dealing with the Night Masks gang, which also features in the Cleric Quintet and “Another Name for Dawn” by Paul S. Kemp.  This guild is headed by a being called The Faceless, and the Night Masters serve under him.

But the story starts with Alias looking at two youngsters falling in love in a crowded street. They are looking for the sage Mintassan to give him a staff sent with them by Grypht, the Lost Vale saurial mage, in exchange for a scrying device. 

The action begins after, only a couple pages in, and it gets intense swiftly. We learn more about the making of Alias by Finder Wyvernspur. We get quite some surprises and action. I would recommend reading Finder’s Stone first, which starts with Azure Bonds. 

A big focus is cutting down the Night Masks to size as they have free rein over the city, but not everyone likes this, including the leader of the city. 

Jamal is another character, along with the Faceless leader of the Night Masks and the Croamarkh of Westgate, and the young charismatic noble Victor Dhostar; all are great characters and neat version of a party paired with an antagonist. 

Alias faces different challenges this time. This is less adventure and more of a job in the city. The versimilitude this time around elevates it higher than being simple game fiction, and I like that. Alias is still fierce and wildly capable but must face corruption along with gangsters and magic. Within this journey smoke powder makes an appearance as a competitor to magic. I’m pretty sure in places like Cormyr this is banned, since it can make magic somewhat obsolete and give those with ill intentions great strength with ease. But for those wondering why guns are not really a thing in the Realms, this novel touches on that subject. 

There is a nice mystery element as far the leadership of the Night Masks too. I was having fun trying to figure out the identities. There’s also a joke about common people voting for the leaders and the plight of poverty.  I appreciated the nobility of the young noble Victor as well as his thirst for finding lost treasure too. He wants to use it to help the city, so his romantic speeches tell us.  

Overall, there’s a fun plot, setting, and cast. I’m happy with it, and even enjoyed the romance that was thrown in. And it works well on its own and as a sequel with some familiar sights to the earlier adventures of Alias and Dragonbait. I think counting what it's attached to, it is easily a Exceptional read, I tore through it. And Grubb and Novak add so many tidbits I highlighted. Definitely will finish up their scant Realms writing and will have to cherish it with rereads.

"We weren't meant to fit into society. We must be 

what we are, and let society fit around us." 

--

You can track my current progress here.