Truth Behind the Mask by Lesley DavisMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’ve forgotten why that might or might not be important.
I’m not certain how I did it, but I seem to have managed to read the only, well no, one of the few stand-alone books the author has released. All the rest appear to be in one or another series. Vaguely annoying since this one seemed quite interesting and I wish to read more.
Right so -
The Writing
- this book is written in a certain way that the/a reader has to understand before they enter. Or at least pick up on quickly. Otherwise they might . . . not take it well. For the book, you see, is written in a kind of melodramatic, over-the-top way. Which is understandable, in its way, when you add in the part wherein this is a superhero book – and, while it is true not all superhero comics/films/tv shows are told in that style, but enough of them are for it to be something of a ‘trademark’ of the genre. And, so, yes, this book follows something of that style. This is the twenty-third superhero prose book that I’ve read (as in, everything is these wiggly words without any illustrations, as opposed to the something like 245 superhero comics I’ve read – gah, I just noticed that I accidentally included some of those superhero prose books on my superhero shelf so . . . something less than 245 superhero comics/graphic novels). Superhero prose books tend to have kind of goofy/over the top plots/dialogue. This one has more of a goofy/over the top dialogue/writing style while the plot has a certain more sanity to it.
The
Characters
- We were not directly told – an astute reader can pick this up . . . well, a reviewer after the fact attempting to work the math can spot that 19 years before the start of this book, the main character’s mother and father – the Osbornes (restaurant owners . . . and Sentinels (well, one was a Sentinel, other was a Sighted) – the people who act in a superhero like way in the city) were killed by the Phoenix gang. Two daughters were nearby (one being the main character). One was close to 18 (Melina), the other closer to . . . um, 4 (Pagen). The 18 year old had been dating a 20 year old named Rogue at the time of the assassination, had been for two years. Their relationship was pushed when the attack occurred – for Rogue moved in with Melina to help raise and be a guardian for Pagen.
The story opens (baring flashbacks), as noted, roughly 19 years later (though I got that from reading that Pagen was 4 at the time of the attack, and is now 23). Pagen is now working as a security specialist (or whatever title they gave her – she evaluates and installs security systems), and, secretly, a Sentinel (masked superheroes, though I do not think that specific word is ever used; the bad guys seem to like to call the Sentinels ‘freaks’, while the Sentinel’s call themselves vigilantes). Her sister Melina, 37, also works for the security company and as a Sighted (the watcher type who hangs back and watches lots of camera screens, and handles communication and stuff – easiest to just say that the Sighted operate basically like ‘Oracle’ did/does in the Batman universe, though you’d need to know that character . . .). Rogue fills the last spot in the trio – she’s 39 and, a Sentinel, Melina’s partner, Pagen’s mentor, and parent-figure.
The story mostly follows a specific path – Sentinel’s watch and guard the city of Chastilian, and there have been attacks occurring in the city by a new gang. One that leaves a mark linking it back to that Phoenix gang who had taken out the Osbornes. It couldn’t be Phoenix himself, since the reader learns early on that Phoenix was taken out of the ‘game’.
Meanwhile Pagen has bumped up against a specific woman. And before I continue down that path I forgot one specific thing – Pagen/Melina/Rogue are all something like 6’5’’ (well, maybe closer to 6 feet 3 inches). I mention that because the ‘specific woman’ that Pagen bumped into – at a job site – is Erith. Described as having very red hair, pale skin, kind of boney and malnourished looking, and about 5 feet flat (give or take 3 inches). I mention this ‘bumping into’, because both almost instantly grow attached to the other. Erith being that woman’s name. Erith Bailey (hopefully I have that last name right). Erith’s kind of like an excited puppy whenever Pagen turns up.
That paleness is important – because it is very obvious that Erith is being abused. Which becomes another plot line to follow – Pagen attempts to help her but is unsure how – beyond being outside her window at night. Sentinels ‘do not involve themselves with domestic disturbance situations, the police handle those’. Still . . . Pagen can’t let things stand as is. And, so, that plot line is followed.
Notes that got turned into babbling words:
(view spoiler)
Fun, exciting book. If I went the route of digging into things, as in – what fandom does this remind me of and therefore what could this be a fanfiction of – I’d note the Batman universe connections – the Oracle part; and while Batman likes swinging around on wires and the like, and it could very well be the model being used here, it really seemed more like I was picturing a bunch of Spider-women (Spiderman) swinging through the city. Oh, and the big villain guy reminded me of the Joker. If I had to think of someone for him to remind me of.
Pushed, I’d probably rate this somewhere around 4.4.
November 29 2016
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