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City of Masks (Stravaganza)
 
 
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City of Masks (Stravaganza) (Hardcover)

by Mary Hoffman (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

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8 new from £3.00 102 used from £0.01 26 collectible from £1.20
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (2 Sep 2002)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0747555338
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747555339
  • Product Dimensions: 20.2 x 13.2 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 380,296 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

Mary Hoffman has in Stravaganza: City of Masks produced a fine, complex time-slip novel filled with a love, passion and intrigue that crosses boundaries between past and present with an undeniable eloquence and sophistication.

Lucien, a 21st century boy, is dying of cancer. As he drifts in and out of consciousness in his hospital bed during a particularly difficult course of treatment, he finds himself wandering the streets of Bellezza, a beautiful city similar to Venice and filled with riches and danger.

As he fights the disease that is eating away at his young life, becoming stronger at first, but then weakening as his cancer begins to take a serious hold, his new life in Bellezza becomes increasingly more real and he finds himself at the centre of an age old battle between good an evil on the streets of the city ruled by the mysterious Duchessa. In the midst of Lucien's confusion he encounters Arianna, a wilful girl intent on breaking all the rules. And as their friendship turns slowly to love, and their relationship becomes an integral part of Bellezza's complex history, Lucien realises that he may have no choice about whether to stay in the city, or return to his own life and the parents he adores.

Beautifully written and spilling over with rich, diverse images of an elegant, lush city bathed in history and tradition, Mary Hoffman cleverly switches between the harsh, clinical reality of Lucien's 21st century illness and the sumptuous views of an opulent culture languishing somewhere in time. Clever, alluring and with a moving and unexpected ending that will leave the satisfied reader breathless, this stunning book cries out for a sequel. Age 11-14.--Susan Harrison.



Review

'City of Masks is a poignant, touching and exciting novel, difficult to put down. This is one of the best time slip stories that I have read in recent years. Without doubt a masterwork of contemporary children's literature' Edgardo Zaghini, Children's Literature Officer, Booktrust
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Customer Reviews

24 Reviews
5 star:
 (13)
4 star:
 (9)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars very very good, 19 Nov 2002
I really enjoy reading any type of fantasy, so when I saw this book at half price in a boookshop I thought I'd try it. I wasn't sure if it would be particularly good at first; I wasn't sure if the story line would appeaal to me.(I generally like books such as Tamora Pierce's and Robin McKinley's 'The Hero and the Crown-war books set in the past). However I found myself really getting into this story even though half of it is set in modern day Britain.
The book is about a teenage boy who is dying of cancer. When his father gives him a notepad to write things down on (some days he hasn't got the energy to speak) he finds himself travelling to Bellezza, while he is unconscious, a city very similar to Venice, whose ruler is a Duchessa rather than a Doge. There he meets a girl called Arianna who is determined to get the law changed so that girls can be gondoliers. Besides becoming very good friends with her, his name is changed to Luciano, and he also finds out that he is a Stravagante-a person who can travel between worlds-and is a very powerful magician. I won't say any more or I will ruin the story but there is a murder plot involved...
I did not give this book five stars because I don't think the character development is as good as it could be, and also, the storyline could have been slightly better, although it was very good. There was also not enough said about the relationship between Luciano and Arianna. However, if there are sequels, this may be sorted out. I would certainly recommend reading this book anyway-it is definitely worth your while.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A magical masterpiece!, 10 Sep 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: City of Masks (Stravaganza) (Paperback)
Within the first ten minutes of opening this fantastic book's cover I was hooked! Every moment had me interested and Mary Hoffmans portrayal of the strangely familar town of 'Bellezza' is truly wonderful!
We first meet Lucien (one of the main characters) in his bed at home. He has cancer and, as a relatively modern issue, this shows us the stark contrast between his own world and that of sixteenth century 'Talia.'
Lucien is transported, whilst sleeping, to this beautiful and tangible world where he meets a native, by the name of Arianna.
I will say nothing more of the plot, but I would recommend anyone who loves adventure and fantasy to delve into this magical and intriguing world which Mary Hoffman has created!
It contains a terrific blend of intrigue, murder, romance and, of course, magic!
You won't want to stop reading!
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Stravaganza, 20 Jan 2003
By Lukas May (Cambridge, England) - See all my reviews
Lucien lives in London and has been restricted to his bed by a life threatening illness.
One day, when clutching a notebook given to him by his Dad, he falls asleep and is transported to a Venice-like city, 500 years ago. The countries and places are similar to those in 16th Century England with some differences in culture, history, technology and religion.
He discovers that he is a Stravagante - someone who can "teleport" from our world to theirs and vice-versa.
How will he cope in a strange country? How will he know how to get back to London, and when faced by death from risky escapades in an unknown world, how will he get back to his real home in London?
Belleza, the name for the alternate Venice, is full of treachery, murder and romance - and that's just the politics...
Mary Hoffman sculpts Belezza with the care and quality of a master craftsman down to each detail of ceremony and tradition. A thrilling read with unexpected twists throughout the book. This masterpiece rivals even Lord of the Rings in imagination and creation.
This book will thrill the current generation and many more to come.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars one of my favourite books
I first read this book when I was 12 and I've been hooked ever since. Hoffman creates the fantasy universe in such a way that it makes you wish that you could Stravagate too and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ms. M. Patel

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!!!
you have to love this!!

when i first started reading it i was 11 and i found it hard to get into (short attention span) but then a few months on i picked it up and... Read more
Published 17 months ago by K. Hanlon

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
This is my favourite book of all time...
i've been trying to get my friends to read this book since its release in 2002 and urge you to do the same! Read more
Published 17 months ago by Teresa Potts

4.0 out of 5 stars A PLEASANT READ
Stravaganza: City Of Masks is the first in a trilogy. It is very well written but I fear the political plot and plethora of characters will make this hard going for younger... Read more
Published 21 months ago by getjiggy28

5.0 out of 5 stars A surprise find worth finding
This was one of those books I picked up on the off chance and to be honest I'm very glad I did.

The story is focussed around Lucien, a teenage boy who finds himself... Read more
Published on 15 Jul 2007 by Random As Ever

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Alternate worlds, likable personalities, dangerous adventures, and a captivating writing style. What more could one possible want from a children's fantasy book? Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2006 by Wrecky World

5.0 out of 5 stars stravaganza: city of masks
This book entrances you with the mysterious first page. It was hard to put it down. I loved the way that the story was told, making it seem as if you were looking at the city. Read more
Published on 3 Jul 2006 by helen the melon

5.0 out of 5 stars City of Masks
Lucien Mulholland is ill with cancer. The slightest thing tires him out and his throat hurts when he speaks. Read more
Published on 18 May 2006 by Trixy

5.0 out of 5 stars Stravaganza: City of Masks
When I read this book a few years ago, recommended to me by a friend, the book grabbed me immediately; just from looking at the cover! Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2005 by Gabi

4.0 out of 5 stars A time travel adventure.
As an adult, I don't usually read teen books. I was looking for a fantasy style read for my son after he finished the latest Harry Potter. Read more
Published on 28 Jul 2005 by MaryAnne

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