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Emily thought magic only existed in the books she read as a child. When a handsome stranger enlists her help to uncover who tried to kill the princess of another world, she learns those books were more than just stories. She discovers the Four Regions - a realm where magical creatures fled to escape human persecution. It is there Emily finds the power, passion, and friendships she had always secretly craved.
The determined demon who guides her.
The irresistible vampire who entices her.
The excitable demoness who supports her.
The quiet elf who understands her.
Now Emily must unmask a murderer while wearing a mask herself, resisting a growing temptation that could ruin her newfound family.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2020

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Andrea Fink

3 books36 followers

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5 stars
57 (45%)
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46 (36%)
3 stars
15 (11%)
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6 (4%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Laura.
1,137 reviews51 followers
February 2, 2021
Emily thought magic only existed in the books she read as a child. But when she finds herself abducted by a stranger and dragged into a completely different world, she may have to reconsider everything she knew about not only magic as a concept but also herself.

Trapped in the Four Regions, a realm where magical creatures fled to escape human persecution, Emily is supposed to trust the stranger who had brought her there and try her best to unmask a murderer and save her sister. A sister she hadn't even known about. And she must do it all while impersonating her sister and most importantly, do what she's told.

But Emily is not one to blindly take orders and she's sure as hell not used to being talked down.
"You will not speak to me like I'm a child. I am a grown-ass woman who is doing you a favor and I will not be taking shit from you. Do I make myself clear?"
So her abductor and may be a bit forced to change plans. :D

Alongside four companions, one more exotic than the other, Emily sets out to unmask the murderer while wearing a mask herself. And the clock is ticking for the sister left behind. Intrigue, betrayal and danger stalk Emily's every step, while unexpected friendship and passion bloom.

Mask is a fast-paced fantasy tale about magic, choices and sacrifices. Light and well written, with nicely fleshed out characters, a unique naming system and great magic, this is one of those books that you just have to keep reading to find out how it will all end.

The only things I'll grumble about are the end that felt a little too abrupt, and the too easy way our MC came into her powers. I personally expect some fumbling at the first tries of using magic, especially when the concept is absolutely new. And Emily got it all straight too fast and easy for me. But then, this is a personal preference of mine and it may not feel the same for other readers out there.

All in all, Mask was a truly enjoyable read that I highly recommend to any and all YA fantasy fans out there.
Profile Image for Megan Danielle.
330 reviews14 followers
June 20, 2021
From the beginning, this book had me hooked. The magic system in this book (especially with regards to the sun/moon/stars) is amazing. I love the twist on regular lore, specifically revolving around the vampires. The time of the fae is now over. Hot girl summer is in for demons, demons and more hot demons.

The characters in this book were written flawlessly. Not only was the MC so relatable and genuinely interesting to read about, the cast of the found family band of misfits she gathers (aka the side characters) are just to die for. The audiobook is narrated by the author, which I loved! There were a few times where some of the sentences sounded a bit redundant, but I think for Fink's first novel, she hit it out of the park.

She led me through happiness, anger, revulsion, hopelessness, despair, love and so many more emotions. The will they/won't they of the romantic subplot was just the type of tension I needed in this book. I kept finding myself hoping something would happen, and then it did. The author did a great job of writing a story that really impressed me and gave me so much satisfaction. I wanted something else for the ending, but the second I read it, I said to myself, "no, this is infinitely better than what I had in mind."

There's intrigue, mystery, action, love, heartbreak and hot demons, What more could you need from a book? This story does a great job of avoiding the super cheesy way a lot of authors execute paranormal/supernatural books. I was thoroughly enthralled and ate this book up and begged for more. Bought the second one the instant I finished the first. Can't wait for my next trip to the Four Regions.
Profile Image for Liz DiBenedetto.
206 reviews9 followers
June 24, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had a unique magic system along with slight different takes on the creatures of the night. I related a lot to Emily and her fiesty tenacity. Daughter of Brawn was probably the best side character ive read in awhile. The ending was kinda a shocker because I didn't think it was fair but got to act fast when it comes to curses or poisons.

I gave it 3.5 for the story and .5 for the narration. Andrea herself narrates her book and she did such a great job. I cant wait to listen to the others.
Profile Image for Jennifer Perry.
47 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2021
I liked this book and got it free for my review from the author! I won’t give any spoilers but did want to say sorry to the author! I got busy with school! It was a wonderful book and I loved the world and the characters and it’s definitely a book I’d buy once it comes out!
Profile Image for Stephanie B.  Whitfield.
Author 8 books77 followers
February 21, 2021
If you love fantasy, vampires, demons, elves and magic you will love this read. This was a hard one to put down for me. Love this Magical world that the author created, looking forward to reading the next one. This one is clean.
Profile Image for Dan Kenner.
Author 5 books104 followers
April 26, 2021
Mask is an incredible story. Pair that with Andrea’s extremely good writing skills, and you have a book that everyone will enjoy. I was having an inkling for some good fantasy and this definitely sated that. I’m only left with the feeling of wanting more. Well done, Andrea.
178 reviews23 followers
February 24, 2021
Mask by Andrea Fink was like being pulled into a fairy tale from hell, where everything is going wrong and you’re there against your will. I. Loved. It!

5/5 stars

Emily wakes up in a field with a handsome stranger only to find out she’s replacing the sister she never knew about while the sister is ill. First of all, I loved Emily. Her reaction was very understandable, considering the situation and it was very real.

The world building in this book was fascinating. No one actually has a real name until they’ve gone through a trial. It got to be a bit much, but I actually enjoyed that aspect as it was super unique to this series. The actual world and outline of what we found out about it was super fascinating. I would read every book written set in this world because I enjoyed it.

The overall plot and plot twists were absolute fire. I didn’t see any of it coming. I was on the edge of my seat, tore through this entire book because I just wanted to know what was happening!

This book is only a little over 200 pages so it is a very quick read. You will get through it very fast, and personally it was super enjoyable!
Profile Image for Lisa Hesse.
13 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2020
While I do enjoy YA novels, fantasy is not my usual genre. However, this is a story that will be enjoyed by those who are better read in fiction of this type. It is well-written with a storyline that continuously advances and keeps the reader interested and looking forward to more.

The story has many features common in YA novels: a protagonist who has felt her life to be unremarkable but suddenly called upon to do the unexpected; a love triangle; a decision that will change the directions of the lives of many. But it is refreshingly lacking in many of the things that drag on in YA novels. The protagonist, while viewing herself to be unremarkable, is confident and open and does not obsess over her minor flaws. There are few “adults” meddling in the story and telling the protagonist and her comrades all the ways they will fail. Instead, we are left with a cast of characters who recognize the ways they can help each other and the strengths from working together, which is a nice reminder for readers of all ages.
1 review9 followers
July 15, 2020
I would recommend The Mask for anyone who enjoys fun, light-hearted fantasy novels. The story-line is unique and surprising while incorporating familiar fantasy themes. I really enjoyed reading The Mask and am looking forward to reading more books by this author! Pick it up if you are looking for a fun beach read or a break from the craziness of the world. I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Elexis Bell.
Author 12 books92 followers
November 18, 2020
*This review contains spoilers, but I've placed them at the end with a warning before them.*

An interesting world with likable characters. This book puts a new spin on "things that go bump in the night."
The naming system was incredibly unique.
Emily is freaking awesome and has a few lines of dialogue that really brought this book home and made her super relatable.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and only had a couple of problems with it.
First, if someone is in a magically-induced sleep and realistic things like starvation are going to kill them, thirst would take them first. They'd only survive about three days without water, not the 2 or 3 weeks they would survive without food.
But magic, so whatever.
Now, the big thing that bothered me.
Here come the spoilers. Avert your eyes if you wish.
Just know that regardless of the problem I'm about to mention (which is purely personal preference), I would still highly recommend this book.
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We still don't know who wanted the sister dead. Yeah, we know who was a part of it, but not the main person.
More importantly, there was the potential for a PERFECT ending. Once a vampire, the sister could've gone back and married Bell, rendering herself unable to take the throne because she couldn't produce an heir, thereby eliminating the need for other agents to kill Emily to put Daughter of Champion on the throne. Then, she could've had her happily ever after, still having magic and being in the magical world with her family, while Emily could have ended up taking the throne with Will, having magic and a family. There just would've been a missing girl in the human realm, but really, what's new there?
But that didn't happen, and I was disappointed by that.

*I received a free audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed within this review are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Leona Loftis.
142 reviews2 followers
March 7, 2022
What an absolutely fun and intriguing read. Emily gets thrown into the world of magic and fae and has to learn quickly how to survive.
Profile Image for Erica Hose.
3 reviews
July 25, 2020
Mask took me to a world unlike any that I have encountered before, one that I look forward to exploring further. Emily is a very relatable character that you cannot help rooting for, even if you end up questioning some of her decisions. Let's hope that this is the first of many books.

I received an Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
September 1, 2020
I enjoyed the heck out of this book! Perfect quick read and I cannot wait for the sequel! Perfect blend of fantasy and a little sci-fi-ish ness! The characters were well developed and the plot was quick and kept me turning the pages!
Profile Image for Lisab_reads.
87 reviews6 followers
June 10, 2021
Love the magical world this author created. I may want to live there too! Strong female lead. Found family. Mystery. There are vampires (not the Edward kind), demons, elves, and humans. What’s not to like!!! It’s a very fast read. I read it in one day.
July 24, 2020
I received an Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. That being said, this is an AMAZING book. I am and always have been a huge fan of YA and fantasy and really truly enjoyed this story. It was a quick read, but had me wanting to read more of the story and the other regions. I can't wait till the rest of the books come out and I can continue to read and immerse myself in this world.
Profile Image for Melina Lobo.
745 reviews85 followers
July 4, 2020
Deep inside you. This feeling is where your power will come from. It is strong, but controllable.
🦄🦄🦄
When Emily gets pulled into another world by a stranger, she finds herself leaving her life behind to save a Princess.
Now orphaned after the death of her mother, Emily envelopes her new person a in magic while trying to find out who hurt the Princess.
In a world where demons, vampires, elves thrive, Emily must become a part of them while wearing a mask.
🦄🦄🦄
Mask is a fantasy novel by Andrea Fink.
I'm a huge fantasy nut and this was an exceptionally good read.
A normal girl gets thrown into the world of magic where she learns do many things about her own family that she wasn't aware of is my weakness because it's that sliver of hope that one day I'll find myself in a world just like these.
Emily has difficult choices to make, (or rather these choices are made for her) and even though she's not sure of her own self confidence in handling the predicament she's in I think she handled it quite well.
I was a little underwhelmed by the 'climax' of the book and was expecting more however there is still a major question to be answered so there is still hope.
I was expecting more from the story in general in terms of fantasy and mystery but it was giving me more contemporary vibes because if what majority of the book entails.
The ending had me stumped because never in a million years would I have expected that to happen and I'm hopeful that there will be a sequel because I would love to know what happens next and especially everyone's reactions to the events that transpired.
Everything else in this book was perfect, smooth flow in writing, a perfect balanced world created, vivid and distinct characters so it still holds its ground as a good book.
🦄🦄🦄
The book comes out on August 11th and the ebook can be pre-ordered from Amazon.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 8/10
Melina L.
Profile Image for Ashling.
145 reviews37 followers
April 8, 2021
"Highness, it may not be the ideal fantasyland," Wit smirked, "but it is home."

This book was a fun, easy read!! I bought this book as the cover was just gorgeous, but then I read the synopsis, and I could not wait to delve in. This was a book I read as a 'buddy read' with my friend Sophie, and it was fun to think about things and talk about the book from different perspectives.

Let's talk about the first 50 pages first.

The depth of detail that Andrea has gone through with creating the world is beautiful. I think this is a definite strong point of hers, and it shows throughout. I love the imagery and the imagination behind the world that Andrea has created! The creation of the magic system was also incredibly unique and interesting to read about!

The only small dislike for the first 50 pages was that I found Emily to be emotionless and lacking in some areas. I felt that Emily had no emotion or inner monologue, which was a huge letdown. I will admit that reading; further, I understood it was almost 'dreamlike' to her, and she saw that she had nothing to lose, but I would have loved a bit more inner dialogue in those first 50 pages.

Now from page 50 onwards, I found myself enjoying the book and the story a lot more.

Every little girl grew up wanting to be a Princess. Wanting to be swept off their feet by a tall, handsome character.


Throughout the book's middle section, I loved how we got to see a lot more of Emily's inner monologue. She finally became a character that I felt I could connect with. But I mentioned that before, so why don't I share what other things I loved about the middle section of this book?

The side characters!!! I loved Empath and Daughter of Brawn to the point where I'd probably read a book solely about them. I found that they were both really well-written characters with many struggles still to face, particularly together! I loved their overall dynamic and connection; they were fun to read about and incredibly easy to love.

As a whole, the book was enjoyable, I expected the outcome, but the journey was fun.

I feel this book would be ideal for those of the following:
- Searching for an easy, fun read that is heavily plot-driven.
- Visual readers (This book contained a lot of in-depth but beautiful world/scene building)
- Straight to the point, readers.
Profile Image for Sandi.
641 reviews43 followers
May 17, 2021
Overall, this was a good book. The beginning third, probably, is a lot of world building that just feels like an info dump. But pressing on beyond that, when the story really gets moving and then we get to the climax and conclusion, it’s much better developed as an overall tale.

Emily is whisked away from the human realm by someone claiming he needs her help to save her sister, who she never knew she had. She is taken to this fairytale realm, full of demons, vampires, dwarves, and all kinds of other fantastical creatures that she never knew were real, only to learn that she herself is not fully human, and has magic of her own. But humans aren’t welcome in this realm, which was created to protect magical creatures from humans in the first place, so Emily feels less than welcome, and finds it difficult to feel motivated to help, especially for a sister she never even knew she had. Meanwhile, she finds herself drawn to her sister’s fiance, as well as the mysterious vampire that he has helping him in this endeavor.

Emily didn’t have much in her life in the human world. Her mother passed away from cancer a few years prior, and she didn’t have any really close friends or family to speak of otherwise. So as she develops friendships and feelings for those trying to help her save her sister, the thought of returning home becomes less and less appealing. But the fae laws only allow one child to stay, while the second is usually “disposed of”, since they were twins, so staying doesn’t seem to be an option for her. Despite that, she is determined to save her sister. As the mysteries are revealed, there are a few unexpected twists, and the story is able to keep you on your toes and guessing a bit through to the end. There are a few loose ends left open for a continuing story, but for these characters, there is some level of resolution, a happy for now that will lead them onto the next book.
Profile Image for Amanda de Geus.
19 reviews1 follower
August 13, 2020
An amazing first book to the series, I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC.

Mask jumps right into a fantastical world full of mystery, romance, creatures, and adventure. The characters are well fleshed out and have a wonderful depth to them. This book truly is a doorway to another world.

As with any fantasy book, it is easy to fall into cliches and I think Fink did a phenomenal job bringing her own unique brand to this genre. I am excited to see what she does next!
Profile Image for Amber.
469 reviews8 followers
June 24, 2021
I really enjoyed the world building! I can't wait to explore more of the four realms! The side characters are so good! I love found family! Looking forward to learning more about the magic system and the world!
Profile Image for Annmarie Wise.
17 reviews
August 20, 2020
Mask of Originality

I enjoyed the original take on a new fantasy world. I look forward to seeing more of this world developed and explored.
Profile Image for Sanjasbestshelf.
160 reviews4 followers
December 4, 2021
What a fun quick read! I really enjoyed this book. The ending leaves me wanting more! I feel really bad for one of the sisters 😭 highly recommend this fantasy indie book!
Profile Image for Allison.
58 reviews
April 22, 2021
I just finished reading this for the second time--wanted to refresh my memory before starting the next in the series.

This book has all the elements of a great YA fantasy: a surprise twin, a hidden world full of demons, vampires, and elves, two hunky love interests, and a realllly good ending. I can't wait to read the next book to learn more about the world of the Four Regions and what will happen next!
1 review
Read
July 21, 2020
First of all, I received an Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. That being said, here is my non-spoiler review.

Mask jumps right into action on the get-go, with a quick introduction to their world of magic and the creatures that inhabit it. The main character, Emily, is very easy to relate to as she learns to navigate this new world she has been suddenly thrust into. I enjoyed this new take on magic, and the contrast between a world full of it, and our world. And while I found some of the dialogue a little flat, and some of the relationship dynamics confusing, this book definitely makes up for these shortfalls with a stellar plot. There is so much plot in fact, that sometimes it feels a little rushed. Like I would have loved to learn more about the main city and its inhabitants/political structure/history/different magics (the list goes on). So I can't wait for the next book, so we can get more info about the four regions!
22 reviews
July 16, 2020
I'm a bit torn about the book . There were things that I loved and then there were things that I didn't like that much. I love Emily's past and the lore of the world

At the same time I didn't really like the naming system and I found it difficult to connect with characters who were named after their qualities. I liked the idea of a trial to determine the names but I didn't like that the names were Champion,Brawn etc.

I'm also unsure about the ending and what her sister will do now. I also didn't like that she was turned into a vampire and that she had to choose between becoming human and losing her powers for good.

However the world is intriguing and I would like to know more about it so I probably will carry on reading the series.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Musing of Souls.
65 reviews12 followers
February 21, 2021
Now, if we are talking about books in another world, this is a whole new concept and I totally love it.
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Synopsis:
Someone has taken Emily to a different world and there are no choices in front of her except to trust the one who has abducted her. There are secrets and there are creatures who do not want Emily around. Will the deathly stench of this human survive in a region full of demons, vampires, elves, and what not?
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Fink has done a beautiful job of writing this book. The characters are so unreal and yet while your eyes run through the words, you feel so alive in this world. If you are someone who likes a world with lots of magical creatures and elements, go around and have a chilling weekend with this beauty.

I do not think the book is either plot-driven or character-driven, there is a fine balance of both in this. We find enough about the characters throughout the book and there is a substantial amount of pace which surrounds the world around as well, so I guess it is a good mix.

It has its elements of romance which are okay-ish for me. Not because they are poorly written or anything. Well, I am not a fan of romance that much, and the book is not dipped into romance elements, there are a few here and there and just fine! But for anyone who likes to read fantasy with sprinkles and sparkles of romance, it would be a nice read, to be honest.

This was actually the very first book I read by Andrea Fink as well as one which had magical creatures like demons and vampires and stuff like that. When I started reading this one, I thought I would not like it but as I moved forward in this one, I just kept loving more and more of it.

(Thank you so much Andrea for the ARC. :) )
Profile Image for Brandann Hill-Mann.
Author 3 books79 followers
August 11, 2020
I snagged an ARC of this book from the author. This is my honest review.

The premise of MASK includes some well-loved tropes: Secret Princess, In Love With the Monster, Trapped in Another World, Masquerade (a fave of mine), Powers in the First Episode, and Interspecies Romance/Hybrid Offspring to name a few. Fink has a solid grasp of these tropes, and puts them all to good use with a spin of her own.

In telling Emily’s story, Fink has pulled off some plot elements that impressed and entertained me in a richly layered world, with intricate rules and politics. I had many questions by the end, which is good since Fink plans to continue this into a series.

MASK uses a little too much tell vs. show for my taste, the plot lingered in places that did not work for me, and some ends were tied up in a way that was too convenient to satisfy me, which is why I gave it only four stars. In the end, Fink has hooked me enough that I’m likely to go on into her series and see where she grows as an author, and where the story goes, including if some of the consequences I was hoping for come into play.
June 28, 2020
I was lucky to be an advanced reader of this book. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read! I love the fresh story and the departure from dystopian novels that have been dominating the young adult genre. It was so different than anything else I’ve read. The author’s style ended each chapter with an “I wonder what’s going to happen next” feeling that kept me hooked—It was hard to put down! There was a little bit of everything in this story; romance, adventure, danger, levity. It was definitely one to get lost in.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to see what the author writes next!
Profile Image for Rutuja Ramteke.
1,716 reviews76 followers
July 14, 2020

🍷Mask🍷
Mask by Andrea Fink is the first book in the "Four Regions" series and is definitely one of my favorite fantasy reads with a blend of drama and romance. The story revolves around Emily, Emily thought magic only existed in the books she read as a child. When a handsome stranger enlists her help to uncover who tried to kill the princess of another world, she learns those books were more than just stories. She discovers the Four Regions - a realm where magical creatures fled to escape human persecution.
The determined demon who guides her.
The irresistible vampire who entices her.
The excitable demoness who supports her.
The quiet elf who understands her.
Now Emily must unmask a murderer while wearing a mask herself, resisting a growing temptation that could ruin her newfound family.
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🍷The book was so gripping right from the very beginning, the plot is a blend of romance, drama, adventure, thrill and more of all fantasy, if you are an avid reader and enjoy suspenseful reads then this book is a treat for you. Firstly, I am in love with the amalgamation of various themes and concepts, Fink's imaginations takes the reader to a land one has been never before and introduces to characters and concepts which are still undiscovered. One of my favorite thing about the story is the way it's brought out and the way it's narrated, the central character Emily is so well crafted that after each chapter I went more curious to know about her story and where her destiny takes her. I am love with the theme of taking the central character into another world which is completely different from out world, it has so many creatures, my favorite: Elves as well! The mystery gets darker as the book proceeds, but honestly it leaves the track at times.
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The way it ended, makes me think more about it. But for sure it was so satisfying to things merge in a beautiful way, I am really excited to read more books by the author. I will surely recommend this, mostly to people who are new to fantasy and wants more of a light fantasy read!
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Rating: 4🌟
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