The Masked Truth

This was amazing book that truly deserves more attention than what it’s currently receiving. Why isn’t everyone reading this book?! Honestly, it’s a total must read. It’s not an easy read due to all of the unpredictable twists and turns that happen right from the very start, but it is definitely a worthwhile journey in the end of it all. I’ve never read any of Kelley Armstrong’s books before, but I’m certainly intrigued in her work now. There isn’t much that I can say about the storyline and all my thoughts about the book because it’ll ruin everything. I will let you guys know that nothing is what it seems. It’s better to just lay back and read through it, it’s not easy to guess all the details in The Masked Truth. Alright, I already feel as if I’ve given too much information away. A safer territory is talking a little bit about the characters. I loved both Riley and Max as our two main characters. They both have sad pasts and struggle with their own respective mental illnesses. Riley is suffering from PTSD due to the fact that she saw the parents of the kid she was babysitting get murdered. Max has a serious mental illness of his own that he is hesitant to tell others about. I’m not going to get into it although it isn’t exactly a secret. It isn’t revealed in the description, so I’m going to avoid it as well. I will say that you’ll feel for both of these characters as they struggle with figuring out their place in this world. This is a hopelessly vague review that I’m sure you got very little out of. I’m sorry for that, but this is just one of those that you have to figure out as you go along. Before I read it, I had read reviews that other bloggers had written about it talking about how swoony Max is and the relationship is in general. Initially, I wasn’t sure how that was going to work considering the fact that it has so much plot going on that it seems to not have much time for any romance at all. Somehow Armstrong manages to work it into the story in such a natural way that seems so effortless. I loved her writing and the unique storytelling. This was such a creative story that was so intense and made me feel as if I was going to die if I didn’t find out how the story was going to end. I’m glad that I managed to somehow survive through it without jumping to the ending first. I can’t recommend this one enough to anyone who enjoyed books similar to Gone Girl or We Were Liars! Review originally posted on my blog Go Read A Book http://goreadabook.org/2015/10/the-masked-truth-review/

From my blog I saw this book on a few Top Ten lists and thought I would try it. I haven't read a Kelley Armstrong book before so I didn't know what to expect. A thriller, yes, it had me on the edge of my seat at times, completely engaged. I am not a YA fan and didn't realize it was but the author did a great job in my favourite genre of choice, thriller. A great way to end the year of reading. The book started with a BAM and I couldn't think how is this going to be executed, obviously it is way more to it than the summary, the thrill starts early. Riley is babysitting when killers come in and murder the child's parents. She is now going to therapy to deal with the anxiety, survivors guilt they also call it. She then goes to an overnight camp for a few teenagers to do joint therapy. Well before they get started masked men come in to overtake the therapy session as a hostage overnighter, it all turns deadly, bloody, scary, quickly with everyone running around an old building for survival. Max, another teenager grabs hold of Riley and forces her to run with him. Teenagers in therapy now watching each other get injured and dying, really feels like a mind game of madness, how could some be going through this kind of thing again. Max has found a way to calm himself, he is a little bit of a wordsmith. Always has words in his head, coming up with their meanings. Gregarious: fond of company. Convivial: cheerful and friendly; jovial. Gregarious but not too convivial. Yes, there was a difference. Max realized this also distracted him from focusing and making him wonder if he is in control of his thoughts or not. I am not sure if it is because I do not read YA often but I loved Max and Riley. They become partners to watch over each other. They reminded me of Hazel and Augustus in the Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Just something special about them. You are only half way done in the book it looks like a glimmer of hope and then the whole book changes. Who is the unreliable character, Riley or Max or is the author manipulating you to think the way she wants you to. Brilliant execution, really well done, I didn't know where she was going with the story but I can't say anymore but the Masked Truth is revealed. A remarkable thriller, I wish it was an adult thriller but not a deal breaker. I enjoyed the ending overall also, not all tidy, real life.

Whilst this is YA in character age, I would point out that it is dark and violent. And utterly brilliant. This is quite a change from any other Kelley Armstrong novel, but I knew from when I first read the blurb for it, that it would still be excellent and I very much wanted to read it. I wasn't disappointed. Riley and Max are two of several teenagers spending a weekend at a therapy camp. Each one of them has different issues. Riley was present when two people were murdered, and while everyone else calls her a hero, she can't stop feeling like a coward. Max has always been quiet in group therapy, when it comes to talking about his issues, he does not want to share. Always happy to spout a snarky comment on others though. But when the weekend goes horribly wrong, they need to rely on each other to get out. I was captivated by this book from page one. Riley is just an ordinary girl, and then suddenly her life is forever altered. The tension and fear you can feel from the start is intense. And rarely does it let up. Whilst I figured out a couple of the little twists, there were some big shocks involved as well. And, rather cleverly, the odd smile and laugh, from little bits of banter. The kind that keeps you sane in tough situations. In some ways this is, to me, a typical Kelley Armstrong book, in that it's well paced, very well written, and emotive. It's the subject matter that's so different. This is not a book with a sub-plot of mental illness. This is entirely about mental illness. Yes, it's done in a dramatic, thriller storyline, but actually that's the cover. As someone who's struggled with depression and anxiety (and whilst now doing very well, is still on medication), I've found it difficult to read books around the subject because it's too close to home. But I had little difficulty with this one. Don't get me wrong, it's a dark book, with some disturbing realities at times which may be extreme, but do reflect feelings people have (I'm talking more about the reasons behind the hostage taking that are revealed at the very end with this). But somehow, this book is about opening up about mental illness and the impact it has on people. At no point did I feel sorry for the characters. I hurt for them, but I didn't pity them. It doesn't try to explain the conditions dealt with to get sympathy. It's more real than that. It's about understanding, and maybe more about the inability to understand if you haven't got a particular condition. But that it's ok to not understand, and important still to care. To be there. In whatever form that takes. And I suspect I'm rambling a bit and gone off on a tangent. Simply, if you want an excellent, dark YA thriller, this is one. If you want something that has deals with the difficult and delicate nature of mental illness with care and sometimes brutal honesty, this is it. And if it sounds too much? I still think this is worth a try.

This book has been sitting in my TBR for way too long. I finally started it tonight and could not put it down. This is such a fresh storyline, and the characters are so completely human and dare I say relatable? I highly recommend this book, even if you have to function on 3 hours of sleep the next day.

Once again a very amazing book by Kelley Armstrong. I have enjoyed all her books I have read so far ! These also include the Darkest Powers and Darkness Rising trilogys and the Cainsville series I am currently reading :)

A different direction for Kelley Armstrong but enough twists and turns to keep reading. A good novel for young adults - and some interesting 'language lessons', courtesy of the British protagonist (see - there's another one!)

This was a great read! Filled with tension and suspense, it really had me hooked the whole way through. I really like how the subject of mental illness was handled and the prejudices surrounding it. It really is worth a read, it's fast paced with great characters and a couple of really good twists in the story!