MASQUERADE Read-Along:First Week's Questions

This is an interesting, fun event,

hosted by the blogs shown above!

To participate, just click on

the button in my sidebar, which will

take you to Cambria's blog,

where you can get all the rules.

You can join in anytime!!

 

For this first round of questions, 

the hosting blog is

Five Alarm Book Reviews!

Week 1: Chapters 1 - 8 Discussion Questions

1.) If you were disfigured like Heven (by some sort of accident), do you think you would have reacted the same way as her (loss of self-confidence, hiding yourself, etc.)?

This is a very traumatic situation.  I can certainly empathize with Heven!  I honestly think that my own reaction would have been even stronger than hers.  I would probably have needed some therapy, and months away from school, before being able to handle such a thing.  I feel so bad for poor Heven!  

Once I returned to school, I would definitely have tried to be as invisible as possible.  I don't know if I'd have been able to even look at a boy, let alone allow one to look at me...

2.) Do you think that Kimber's plan for revenge against Cole (for kissing another girl) is a good idea?

Well, I can certainly understand Kimber's feelings.   I've been cheated on, but it happened while I was married to my first husband; in Kimber's case, she's only dating Cole, although they do have an exclusive relationship.  My reaction?  Separation, and ultimately, divorce. Kimber thought that Cole had enough feelings for her that her little 'revenge' would work.  However, such things do have a tendency to backfire.  You have to weigh the risks and possible consequences, and most of the time, doing something like this is simply not worth it.  If a guy is a repeat cheater (as I found out mine was!), then the best solution is to break up or divorce, as the case may be.  Why try to hold on to someone who's not willing to respect you?  

Kimber took a huge risk!  Guys are not very forgiving in this area.  I really think she should have told Cole that she needed a break from him for a while (without involving another guy in the process), and made sure to stick to that.  I think that would really have made him reconsider his idiotic action, as well as the lame excuse he gave for it!

She should also have taken Sam's feelings into account.  She was using him!  No one, whether male or female, enjoys being used and manipulated.

3.) In the beginning chapters, Heven is very drawn to Sam, but won't admit it due to her own insecurities.  Kimber begins to 'date' Sam.  Do you think that Heven should have spoken up?  Do you think Kimber should have seen Heven's real feelings?

Yes, Heven should have spoken up, but it's entirely understandable that she didn't.  I would have done the very same thing.  As for Kimber, she should definitely have noticed that Heven felt attracted to Sam.  She's supposed to be Heven's best friend, after all!  The reason she didn't is that she was too wrapped  up in her little drama with Cole.  This is a normal human tendency -- when you're going through a difficult situation yourself, it's hard to see someone else's pain.  I think that maybe she should have been a little more perceptive and sensitive, but then again, she couldn't see past her own pain.  

4.) Masquerade is broken up into four separate POVs: Heven, Sam, The Hate, and The Hope.   Do you think that having multiple points of view adds depth to the story?  Why or why not?

Well, that really depends on how well the author can carry this off.  In this case, I think that Cambria did a great job!  Besides, this story needs this type of writing technique.  If we just had Heven's POV, we would be missing out on far too many clues.  

I love the contrast of Heven/Sam, as well as The Hate/The Hope.   Each of their viewpoints offer different takes on what's going on.

So yes, I do think doing this kind of thing adds depth to a novel.  Again, it depends on the plot, and how well the author handles the technique.  Cambria uses it to create suspense, as well as give further insights into the plot.  Kudos to her!!

5.) A great source of strength for Heven is her grandmother.  What do you think yours is/would be?

If I were in this situation, my greatest source of strength would most likely be God, although I imagine that, in the beginning, I'd be very bitter and furious at Him for allowing such a thing to happen to me.  In time, though, I'd make peace with Him, and lean on Him in order to make it through each day.  Of course, I'd also lean on loved ones -- my husband and family, as well as one or two good friends.

Since this is a blog hop, be sure to visit 

the other participating blogs

to see how they answered.

Also, I'd love to get your comments

on my own answers!