Masks is a YA Sci-Fi Fantasy graphic novel. The story centres three main characters from three different locations and it switches POVs. Each MC has their own issues and situations that lead them to coming into contact with a mask which has superpowers. I really liked the animation style and colour scheme, beautifully drawn!

I really liked the lore behind the masks! Quite dark and I love the funky little guys that made them. Each mask has their own power and they choose who can use them and who can’t. I’m excited for the next book to see what other masks there are and what powers they have. I loved that the author included character profiles for the masks at the end of the book giving background details and origins etc. 

The book has a really diverse cast. We first meet Hector who is Mexican, living in Veracruz. Then we meet Siera who is black, from Burbuto but living in France as a refugee. Lastly, we meet Al who is trans FTM from Belgium. It switches back and forth between the stories and different dates until they all meet eachother. It sounds confusing but it doesn’t read like that! 

As with many stories that have the “group of teenagers finding superpowers” trope, this also has a knowledge expert. In this story it’s Al’s father and he helps bring the group together and teaches them about the masks. There is another member of the group of teens but he doesn’t get his own POV and we don’t find out about him until the climax of the book. 

This character is called Gunawan and we don’t really get any background info on him but maybe that’ll be in the next instalment of the series. It does annoy me that the only fat character is also the abnoxious I likeable character. The book discusses themes of loss, body image, transphobia, and immigration. It also briefly mentions female genital mutilation (FGM). 

Overall, I had fun reading this, I like the plot and the characters, and I’m excited to continue the series. I think the author does a good job of keeping the book fun and adventurous while also discussing sociopolitical issues. I think this series will be very interesting and I’d recommend it to teens and upwards. 

If you are a person who enjoys books/film media such as Percy Jackson or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, I think you’ll love this series too! Thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for allowing me this eARC. I would definitely purchase this for myself and will be looking forward to future releases. 

Representation - Black (Siera); Refugee (Siera); Trans FTM (Al); Fat (Gunawan); POC (Hector)

TWs/CWs - Blood; Body dysmorphia; Child Abuse; Child death; Death of a loved one; Domestic Violence; Emotional blackmail; FGM; Gun Violence; Kidnapping; Mind control; Misgendering; Trafficking; Violence