The Artist Masquerade Chronicles of Tournai Book 2 edition by Antonia Aquilante Romance eBooks
Download As PDF : The Artist Masquerade Chronicles of Tournai Book 2 edition by Antonia Aquilante Romance eBooks 
A Tale of Tournai
As the first-born son of the Duke of Tournai and cousin to the prince, Cathal has always tried to fulfill his duty to family and country, including following through with an arranged marriage to Velia, cousin to the emperor of Ardunn. But it’s Velia’s companion, Flavia, who fascinates Cathal. Cathal doesn’t know that Flavia is really Flavian, a man masquerading as a woman to escape Ardunn, a restrictive place in which Flavian’s preference for men is forbidden.
Even when Cathal discovers Flavian’s true gender, he cannot fight his attraction to him. Flavian is intrigued by Cathal, but Cathal is still betrothed to Velia, and Flavian worries Cathal is more taken with his feminine illusion than the man beneath it. While both men battle their longings for each other, spies from Ardunn infiltrate the capital, attempting to uncover Tournai’s weaknesses. They are also searching for Flavian, who possesses a magical Talent that allows him to see the truth of a person just by painting their portrait—a skill invaluable to Ardunn’s emperor.
The Artist Masquerade Chronicles of Tournai Book 2 edition by Antonia Aquilante Romance eBooks
Although I liked this book, the storyline of having to marry for duty and to produce an heir is getting a little old, especially as it seems the next book will be using that feature but in the background more. I’d like to see some more imagination. I did like the characters, especially prickly Flavian. The plot had a storyline running alongside the marrying for duty line that was more interesting, though I guessed who the spy was long before the reveal. As a series, I’d like to see some more originality, but individually, this was a good book and I’ll likely buy the next one.Product details
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The Artist Masquerade Chronicles of Tournai Book 2 edition by Antonia Aquilante Romance eBooks Reviews
Book – The Artist's Masquerade (Chronicles of Tournai #2)
Author – Antonia Aquilante
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 300
Cover – Stunning!
POV – 3rd person, past tense, multiple POV (Predominantly Cathal and Flavian, which small instances of Philip, Amory)
Would I read it again – Yes.
Genre – LGBT, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Honestly, I was surprised that this story came before Etan's. At the end of book 1, we didn't leave Cathal in a good place. We'd been asked to doubt, mistrust and dislike him for most of the book, while having no real explanation of his actions. He hadn't vindicated himself, while I'd spent a lot of book 1 really looking forward to reading Etan's story. However, despite it feeling out of place, at first – thus taking me longer to fall into the story – I do understand why it happened that way.
~
Once again, the characters were phenomenal. I really liked Cathal back in the early pages of book 1, until he disappeared from the story and Etan took his place. I'd been looking forward to reading Etan's story but believed, because Cathal had been a ladies man, that we wouldn't be seeing his. I was surprised that we did and how it was done.
I was quite surprised that Amory and Philip's POV's were included. Other that two very short conversations they held in private, I'm not entirely sure they were needed, but I do love that they were included. I absolutely love them – both when I read book 1 and here, in book 2.
What I also really loved was that Etan was still quite a prominent fixture. I really grew to love him in book 1, but there was a much more tender, open side of him in this story that makes me excited to carry on into book 3, where we get his story. I also really missed Tristan, who I'm looking forward to seeing more of in the next book.
Sadly, because of the disconnect I mentioned at the beginning, it took me until 23% of the book to warm up to Cathal again. He had that same stiff upper lip attitude from the latter part of book 1 and it took me a while to forgive him for everything. But, it wasn't until he talked to Etan that I began to understand his motivation, his real personality and warmed right up to him. Normally, I would find this too late to introduce us or make us connect with a main character, but I could understand why and the real purpose behind it. It actually really helped show Cathal in a much better light – to show that unquestioning loyalty to his father, from book 1, while slowly, gradually introducing the much more playful, fun person that he could be with the right encouragement.
Personally, I really loved Flavian. He was much feistier than Amory and in a situation that he didn't particularly like, nor made him a pleasing companion. Despite how many times he snapped or grumbled, he remained a loveable, sweet character that I really enjoyed reading about. He was artistic, which made me hope that he and Amory could have a friendship together – though I understood why that never happened during this story – but he was also smart, with a Talent that was intriguing, and he was open to a whole new life to the one he knew. No matter how shocking or surprising the revelations might be.
The royalty and commoner theme wasn't like others I've read, where their stations in life have kept them so obviously from each other. The introductions of the idea, in book 1, of a royal openly taking a lover, eliminated this, which was so refreshing. At the same time, it meant that the shift of the focus on the relationship could centre on feelings, danger and politics.
The relationship that unfolded between him and Cathal was more uncertain. The risks they faced, the challenges between them and the progression were much more intense than book 1, where we knew that Philip would never let anything stop him from being with Amory. This time, with Cathal even unsure of his own feelings, it was much more uncertain as to where the story would lead, what would happen to the couple and whether Flavian would be safe enough for them to take the risk to have a relationship with each other. The challenge of Flavian's disguise was another uncertainty that had me sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting to find out what would happen.
~
Overall, I really loved it. Though it took me a while to warm up to Cathal, that only gave me more time to fall in love with Flavian and his feisty attitude. And the glimpses of Amory and Philip, together with baby Julien, were perfect!
I can't wait to delve into the next book, to read more.
~
Favourite Quote
This quote is from Etan, because I was too engrossed in reading to mark out any more that might have come along later. I don't find that a fault, since that just shows how good the story is.
“I thought we'd have time. I haven't even kissed him. Now I never will. I wish I'd kissed him, just once. I wish I had.”
No comment
A quick read that I found I couldn't put down! I continue to be pulled into this fantasy world and the characters. Great writing that makes you feel for the characters and cheer them on.
I hope there are more! I loved the first book and this one was equally well written. It's different with surprises woven in. I won't spoil it for those who haven't read them yet but I encourage you to read both books.
I love this world. This couple wasn't quite as sweet as the one in the first book but they were hotter. The sex was really well written and it had depth and emotion as well as heat. I liked the conflict and the dilemmas the heroes had to deal with.
Great story.
Highly recommended to any fan of MM romance. Or fans of fantasy romance.
I liked this one better than the first. Is more of a 3.5 star. Like the first in this series this is very much a solid romance. A lot like all those romances I read in my early teens about some young girl hiding on board a pirate ship pretending to be a boy. This is very much that in reverse. Again a very light and fluffy romance. So if you're not looking for something heavy and you want classic romance, this is the book for you.
Probably more of a 4.5 stars
I liked the first book in the series (You really need to read them in order or things just won't make sense) and liked this one even more. I didn't expect to like it much because I'm not usually interested in men disguising themselves as women.
This is not a story about a man who prefers to dress as a woman which can be fun.
The good
Interesting world building that is well thought out and consistent.
Characters are generally likable and and the relationships that develop make sense.
No "insta-love"
The less good
Pacing is bit slow through the middle of the book.
All in all I look forward to the next book in the series.
Although I liked this book, the storyline of having to marry for duty and to produce an heir is getting a little old, especially as it seems the next book will be using that feature but in the background more. I’d like to see some more imagination. I did like the characters, especially prickly Flavian. The plot had a storyline running alongside the marrying for duty line that was more interesting, though I guessed who the spy was long before the reveal. As a series, I’d like to see some more originality, but individually, this was a good book and I’ll likely buy the next one.
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