Set in Talia, a parallel world very similar to 16th-century Italy, the narrative follows Lucien, who in our world is very ill. Given a marbled notebook to use as a diary, the notebook is the unexpected means that transports Lucien to this dangerous new world; a world that thrills to the delight of political intrigue and where a life can be snuffed out with a flash of a merlino blade. The city of Bellezza (Venice in our world) is astonishingly evoked, with a filmic eye to detail, from the sensuousness of silks and velvets, to the thrill and danger of assassination attempts both and foiled and successful. The world of Talia is unforgettably and convincingly real.
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`The writing has a rich, lyrical quality and the plot is hugely imaginative'
-- Waterstone's Guide to Kid's Books, February 2009
-- Waterstone's Guide to Kid's Books, February 2009
About the Author
Mary Hoffman is a bestselling children's author and reviewer. She is the author of the picture book Amazing Grace, which is an international bestseller. She is a complete aficionado of Italy - all her love for Italy has been infused into this series. Mary is also the editor of Armadillo, a children's review magazine. She has three grown-up children and lives with her husband in West Oxfordshire.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Mikaela
Format:Paperback
City of Masks is the first in Mary Hoffman's thrilling stravaganza series. Lucien, a boy suffering from cancer gets a strange note-book. This notebook takes him back in time to the City of Masks, (Venice) in Talia (Italy). Lucien is soon wrapped up in the city's thrall of magic, madness, mysteries, death and excitment with friendship that will last lifetimes.
This is a very enjoyable book, which leads on to a fantastic series, so if you are wondering what to read-this will keep and get you hooked, time and time again. I would recommend this for any between 8 (at the very youngest, and definitely an 'advanced' reader) and 18yrs old, boys and girls both. I would say that this is moreso a young adult book, but would be okay for younger readers.
Mary Hoffman has a lovely touch, making the fantasy real-a lovely book to escape to, that I would recommend to all my friends, and wouldn't be embarrassed to explain to my parents.
A must read. Brilliant.
Mikaela
This is a very enjoyable book, which leads on to a fantastic series, so if you are wondering what to read-this will keep and get you hooked, time and time again. I would recommend this for any between 8 (at the very youngest, and definitely an 'advanced' reader) and 18yrs old, boys and girls both. I would say that this is moreso a young adult book, but would be okay for younger readers.
Mary Hoffman has a lovely touch, making the fantasy real-a lovely book to escape to, that I would recommend to all my friends, and wouldn't be embarrassed to explain to my parents.
A must read. Brilliant.
Mikaela
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Booklover
Format:Paperback
You remember how Lyra's Oxford in Northern Lights was like our Oxford, but a little different? And how Will slipped from the modern world and met her in her world? Well, City of Masks will remind you of that, and is in its own way just as effective and enjoyable as Philip Pullman's books. Lucien steps from his difficult everyday life in north London into Bellezza in the 16th century, a city that is very like Venice, but subtly different. He meets a beautiful girl, and finds himself caught up in a dangerous web of political intrigue. It's a gripping and romantic adventure story, ideal reading for young teenage girls.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Bopperdingy
Format:Paperback
Excellent book - Mary Hoffman is a great author. I am 10 years old and I think I was the perfect age for this book.
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