City of Masks

[Mark Robson]

Half way through and totally hooked.

Rodolfo - what a great character! I sense you like him very much, Mary. I look forward to seeing how his role in the story develops. The whole world you've created is very richly painted (as I would expect having read The Falconer's Knot). Am thoroughly enjoying what little reading time I'm managing to grab.

[Mary Hoffman]

Mark, how kind! Yes, Rodolfo is a sort of idealised version of my husband and Silvia the Duchessa is how I would like to be - tall, beautiful, intelligent and utterly ruthless!

I have just finished the Dreamweaver Legacy sequence, by the way, and wondered if I was going to have to read Imperial Spy all over again now I knew the background!

But a bit of judicious dipping has answered my questiions and I can go on to Imperial assassin when I have got through the next batch of "work" books.

Mary

[Mark Robson]

Ah! I'm glad I know those things now, as it offers an interesting insight into the story on a whole new level. I progressed to about two thirds of the way through tonight. It's a wonderful world you've created, Mary. I can see I'm going to really enjoy my time there.

I'd love to know where the whole 'Dreamweaver' thing has come from. Everyone seems to refer to my series as Dreamweaver - my printing company even printed it on the boxes of one of the print runs of books. The series is the Darkweaver Legacy, (but don't worry, I'm not in the slightest put out by your mistaking it.) I've clearly overlapped with something else that infiltrates peoples' minds on a subtle level and leaves the with Dreamweaver. The school I was at today announced me as the author of the Dreamweaver Legacy as well - I've got to the point where I rarely correct it any more. I suppose I could google Dreamweaver and see where it comes from, but I'm too tired tonight - maybe another time.

[JDP]

Dreamweaver is (amongst other things, I guess) a web design application by Macromedia

[Mary Hoffman]

OOps, sorry Mark. People also refer to Stravaganza as Extravaganza or say they've read Stravaganza when they mean City of Masks.

I suppose this is something we have to put up with and I'm sure I was thinking of the Mac thing.
Mary

[Mark Robson]

Finished City of Masks last night - great book, Mary. I've now put City of Stars by my bed and look forwards to making a start on it this week.

I particularly liked how you took Lucien to Venice to show the comparisons between the Italian city and Bellezza. The subtle link that he seems to have with the other world city whilst there was particularly nice. I imagine I'm going to see more of Enrico in subsequent books, though I'm not asking for spoilers.

Your explanations of stravagation and how it works are most interesting, though they leave me wondering if anyone can stravagate with a suitable talisman - I assume they can, or the Di Chimici family would not be so keen to get hold of one ... unless they are also studying 'science' in parallel?

[TigerLilly]

Aw man. I keep wanting to read it but never seem to get round to it xD Coursework is killing all my time for reading and writing! It's like school doesn't want me to be creative I really do want to read it.

[Mary Hoffman]

I hope you'll find the time soon, Tigerlilly.

And glad you liked it Mark. Without giving spoilers I can safely say that Enrico does show up in every book so far! And yes, anyone who has a talisman AND KNOWS HOW TO USE IT could stravagate - theoretically.

The di Chimici would rather steal a talisman than learn anything about Rodolfo and Dethrtidge's kind of "science" which, paradoxically, they fear as occult and dangerous knowledge.

I hope you enjoy City of Stars too.

Mary

[Mark Robson]

Potential Spoiler alert:






































I'm not trying to trap you, or to be 'clever', but if anyone can stravagate why did Lucien not take a talisman to his parents at the end so they could visit at will? I appreciate this would have dulled the bitter-sweet ending, but I'm trying to think of a reason why Rodolfo might forbid this.

[Mary Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

Potential Spoiler alert:















I'm not trying to trap you, or to be 'clever', but if anyone can stravagate why did Lucien not take a talisman to his parents at the end so they could visit at will? I appreciate this would have dulled the bitter-sweet ending, but I'm trying to think of a reason why Rodolfo might forbid this.

Only a trained adept Stravagante can visit the other world (ours) and take talismans to make new Stravaganti. And it takes ages for Lucien to master travelling back to his own world after his death. He manages only short trips at first and can't initially talk to his parents. This comes out more in later books.

Also the Stravagnti from our world to Talia have so far obnly been teenagers who are unhappy. While Vicky and David Mulholland certainly count as unhappy, they aren't teenagers. After City of Stars their situation eases a bit but I can't tell you why, because it would be a spolier!

Glad you are still thinking about the book.

Mary

[TigerLilly]

Got City Of Masks out today, should have it read by thursday

[silvia_duchessa]

Originally Posted by Mary Hoffman

Mark, how kind! Yes, Rodolfo is a sort of idealised version of my husband and Silvia the Duchessa is how I would like to be - tall, beautiful, intelligent and utterly ruthless!

Hahaha, I was thinking that too. Rodolpho really is lovely - he's confident and self-assured, but he's not arrogant, and adores the Duchessa so much.

I remember reading something in your FAQ's on the Stravaganza website, that the whole thing started when you came up with the idea of the Duchessa. So, did you dream up an idealistic version of yourself? Or did she just pop into your head?!

Also, seeing as this is my first post here, and i'm also totally psyched by being able to talk to the author of my favourite book (joint with 'Journey to the River Sea' by Eva Ibbotson), i'm gonna totally gush and say WOW I just LOVE your books! City Of Masks, especially - I mean, i just put it down, and didn't want to read anything else again! I had to keep re-reading it because i just loved the MAGICAL vibe of it.

And also, because i'm sorry, but Silvia Bellini is one of the coolest people ever. Seriously. I can see why you like her.

[Mary Hoffman]

Originally Posted by silvia_duchessa

I remember reading something in your FAQ's on the Stravaganza website, that the whole thing started when you came up with the idea of the Duchessa. So, did you dream up an idealistic version of yourself? Or did she just pop into your head?!

Yes, there's a full answer on the website Stravaganza in the FAQs. It all started with a less than fabulously attractive gondolier on a day trip to Venice. (I can't write out the whole thing again here).

Also, seeing as this is my first post here, and i'm also totally psyched by being able to talk to the author of my favourite book (joint with 'Journey to the River Sea' by Eva Ibbotson), i'm gonna totally gush and say WOW I just LOVE your books! City Of Masks, especially - I mean, i just put it down, and didn't want to read anything else again! I had to keep re-reading it because i just loved the MAGICAL vibe of it.

I answered your second post first! I'm so glad you have found your way here. It's a great forum for interacting with fellow-readers and authors and I'm sure you'll pick up tips for other books you'd like to read from like-minded members.

Yes, Silvia Bellini is cool, I must admit.

Mary

[falling2slow]

i just love city of masks! i have read atleast five times now and it gets better each and every time. it really makes me want to go to italy but i fear that when i do go i will be lucien and find the "real" venice a let down to the beauty of bellezza.

[Mary Hoffman]

Originally Posted by falling2slow

i just love city of masks! i have read atleast five times now and it gets better each and every time. it really makes me want to go to italy but i fear that when i do go i will be lucien and find the "real" venice a let down to the beauty of bellezza.

Oh, I do hope not! But Venice can be an acquired taste. Try Siena first, which is still the mediaeval and Renaissance city you find in City of Stars.

Thanks for your kind words - so glad you like it.

Mary