Stravaganza: City of Masks (2002)

Love. So much love. STRAVAGANZA: CITY OF MASKS was such a surprise. I read the summary, and was like “yea, it sounds good”, but oh man…it was so much more than good. This book had me trapped in its story from the first word and I was so content by the end of the epilogue. Happy little sigh and clutching the book to my chest? Yupp, that was me.

Basically, our main character Lucien is bedridden from chemo treatments to try and cure his brain cancer. His father gives him a book, and suddenly when he sleeps, he finds himself in an alternate Italy (called Talia) in a different time period. When he sleeps in Talia, he’s back in his own modern England. In Talia, Lucien is swept up in court intrigue – politics, murder plots, long buried secrets and kidnappings. The stuff adventures are made out of.

While I’m still not quite 100% sure I understand exactly how the Stravagation (moving back and forth in place and time) in the book is supposed to work, I don’t even care. The exact science is not needed when it is a part of a story that encompasses so much detail, emotion and wonderful characterization. The Talia that our main character Lucien Stravagates too is so alive – I felt like I knew its canals, its islands, buildings and peoples. I could picture the fireworks, see the outfits and masks, the bright colours and the architecture – such amazing worldbuilding. I was emotionally invested in this place and the people. The Duchessa who loves her city and will do anything for it, Arianna who wants only to be a mandolier (rows the boats in the canals) but finds so much more waiting for her in the city of Bellezza, and Rodolfo who takes in, cares for and teaches our main character Lucien, unwittingly signing up for more adventure than he could ever want.

I loved Lucien. I wanted to just hug him and tell him everything is going to be ok. He is so strong. Not only is he dealing with cancer in his own world and time, he fully immerses himself in Talia and does everything he can to help out his friends there. By the epic climax, my heart was breaking for him. Lucien has his choice taken away from him, and it’s just…I was so sad for him, and yet so happy at the same time. I don’t know, it’s hard to explain without giving it all away.

STRAVAGANZA: CITY OF MASKS is full to the brim of the stuff that good stories are made out of – mystery, intrigue, royals, a hero, dimension hopping, alternate worlds, characters you can fall in love with and ones you want to be best friends with, amazing detail in the world-building and writing that just pulls you in and wrenches every emotion it can out of you. Though it’s the first book in a series, it stands so well on its own and the ending was just – everything I could have hoped for. Highly recommended!

Originally posted: http://thekams.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/stravaganza-city-of-masks-by-mary-hoffma... ( )

An enjoyable read for everyone. ( )

I first read this book back in February 2007 and enjoyed it very much. At the time, it was the first in a trilogy and I went on to read all three. Recently, I found out that the series had been extended to contain 7 books which made me rather pleased as I'd felt that it had ended rather prematurely. As it had been such a long time since I read the first three, I decided to reread them to familiarise myself with the story again. Unfortunately, I was only able to get the first and third book.

As soon as I started to read it, I was reminded what a great series this is. It's set partly in modern day Britain and partly in 16th century Talia, an alternate version of Italy. The descriptions of the city of Bellezza are vivid and breathtaking, and it made me want to visit Venice a great deal! The main character Lucien is a 16 year old boy who is suffering from leukemia and is given a notebook by his father so that he can write in it when he is unable to talk. He soon discovers that if he falls asleep while holding the book and thinking of the place it came from, he is transported there. This is Bellezza. He soon finds other travellers, known as Stravagante and becomes highly involved in the city and makes friends with several of the people there, namely a young girl called Arianna.

It really is a most enjoyable read. The characters are all likeable, although perhaps a bit too perfect, and the descriptions of Bellezza are vivid and detailed, making it seem a breathtaking place. There is a section where Lucien visits Venice with his family and the differences and similarities with Bellezza are pointed out. Venice does not do so well as Bellezza out of it! The customs and traditions of Talia are all included which help bring the world more to life. A lot of the book seems to be a little too perfect, even with threats on the Duchessa's life, it's all just taken as par for the course. However, the ending did actually take me by surprise initially and I can't say as I can think of many books, certainly not the first in a series, that would kill off a major character. Even if it does set them up for the rest of the series. I highly recommend this book, and the series. It's a combination of science fiction and fantasy, which makes it a little unusual as is the fact that it's set in Italy. ( )

Lucien is dying of cancer. His father gives him a notebook which becomes a talisman for Lucien to transport back in time to Venice in the 16th Century. In Venice at this time things are not going well the Duchessa knows her life is in danger. All girls over 16 must wear a mask so it is easy for the Duchess to foil plans. Excelllent read ( )

This book is a very exciting fantasy romance set in the parallel world of Italy. It is beautifully written and Mary Hoffman did an amazing job of keeping us hooked cover to cover. Very suspenseful. I also enjoyed reading about the relationship between characters.