Masquerade Read Along - week 2

Welcome, everyone, to week 2 of the Masquerade Read Along. I apologize for the lateness of my post to questions for chapters 8-16. I have hardly been home to do anything on the computer! But without further ado, this week's questions and my answers....

1. Sam is admittedly drawn to Heven before they even meet. Why do you think this is? Because I’ve read the entire book, I have two answers to this question. The first, I think it is because of what happens near the end of the book and what Sam and Heven end up meaning to each other. At this point in the book, though, I think it is simply because Heven is so pure and Sam… is not. He’s drawn to her goodness.

2. In an earlier chapter The Hope states that Sam must prove himself. During these chapters Sam does some things – bad things – (covering up murder, fighting, hiding a body, etc.) all to protect Heven and his true identity. Do you think he was right to do these things? I understand why Sam thinks he has to do these things; he’s protecting himself and to protect what was happening between him and Heven. Taking it in that context, yes, I think he did the right thing. That’s not to say I agree with what he did.

3. In chapter twelve Kimber says some things to Heven that make the reader wonder about their friendship. Do you think there is any truth to Kimber’s drunken confessions? If so where do you think Heven and Kimber’s friendship goes from here? I always think there is some truth to a drunken confession. Yes, I think Kimber meant what she said. I think those are things she is always thinking about Heven and, with her tongue loosed by alcohol, they all came spewing out. As for their friendship, I think it will take a lot of work, but I think they can work it out (if Kimber isn’t too self absorbed to apologize to Heven for what she said).

4. Heven is changing, becoming more confident. Do you think that after something like this (her accident and disfigurement) happens to someone that she can ever go back to the person she was before? Do you think she will want to? I think after any life changing event (especially one with physical repercussions), it is impossible to go back to the person you used to. With Heven, she let her scar define who she was after her accident, giving up practically everything from her life Before. But, I think after meeting Sam and the confidence and goodness he brings out in her, I don’t think she would ever want to go back to the person she used to.

5. Towards the end of these set of chapters, Heven finds out Sam’s secret, who he really is. She has a strong reaction. Do you think you would react the same way? Why or why not? I think Heven’s reaction is perfectly normal considering the circumstances. She’s in love with him, ready to confess it to him, and her world turns upside down when she finds out he’s not what she thought he was. She feels betrayed by him. Yes, I would feel the same way and react the same way she did to finding out the truth.