Review & Giveaway: The Masked Baron by Anneka R. Walker

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Andalin is accustomed to her father’s frequent travels—and to being left behind. So when he returns home and instructs her to pack her belongings, she is bewildered—but there is no time for questions as she is whisked away on a mysterious journey under the cover of night. When their tense flight leads them into the forbidding Black Forest, the pair quickly finds themselves in great peril. With little hope of escape, father and daughter are spared when rescue appears in the form of the mysterious Dark Rider, a notorious deadly highwayman feared by all he meets. But his assistance does not come without a price: he is taking Andalin with him. Now her fate rests in the hands of the enigmatic masked man whose secrets are inescapably tied to the beautiful young woman now in his charge.

My Review

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales, especially for retellings! This book definitely brought the moodiness and uncertainty to life as Andalin's small world is upended and she comes to live at the neglected estate of a reclusive masked baron. I enjoyed the details that made the story its own, including the Regency setting that grounded the fantasy-like feeling and the mystery behind the Black Forest and Ellis' family. It didn't feel predictable or cliché. I especially enjoyed watching Andalin and Ellis warm up to each other and begin to understand the nuances of their personalities. There were a few things that didn't quite add up for me, and some scenes where I thought more development would have been beneficial, but overall it was an intriguing story with a cast of characters that were vibrant and memorable. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Giveaway

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