Escape the Mask

by David Ward

Book Overview

Now in paperback In Grassland the only hope of freedom is to go beyond the reach of sinister, silent masters, and the only family you know are your fellow captives. Coriko has never known a world beyond his cell and the fields where he toils all day. He does what he's told and tries not to anger the Spears, the cruel, masked jailers who guard him and the other child slaves. If he gathers baskets of shards and keeps quiet and orderly, then he can spend...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 081097990X
• ISBN13: 9780810979901
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Amulet Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Wonderful start to a new series for Young Adults

Coriko and his partner Pippa are slaves to the Spears. The children are Twosies, who have lived in the grasslands and worked at finding the shards that the Spears want mined from the sands for many years. Coriko, who doesn't remember a life outside of captivity, relies on Pippa for friendship and support as they struggle through each day trying to meet the gather quotas and keep from angering the Spear guards and the punishment that comes afterwards. However, they find their life changing slowly when two newcomers, who speak the same language as Pippa and Coriko, are captured and brought to the grasslands. They bring news of unrest in the outside world, and the possibility of war. When the Spears suddenly start changing their gathering totals for the day, and are attacked by enemy archers inside the grasslands, the four friends team together with two other slave children to try and survive. The violence towards the Spears increases and the children find themselves looking for ways to free the other slaves, escape from the cave complex that they are kept in, and get past both the Spears and the attacking soldiers. Escape the Mask is the first book in The Grasslands Trilogy. The story explores the idea of freedom. Coriko and his friends find themselves free from the torture and cruelty of their captors, and are faced with freedom from the slavery that was the life they were accustomed to. After they find freedom, each child has the opportunity to discover more about themselves, and who they are. They grow from slaves with no identity to individuals with very distinct strengths and weaknesses. I found the story engaging. I enjoyed watching the six children grow as they found strength together to break free from imprisonment and discover they each are. This is a great introduction to a new series, and I am looking forward to reading the next book when it is published. Armchair Interviews says: Another good Young Adult read.

Creative and Original

'Escape of the Mask' is the first book written by David Ward. It is a wonderful story of suspense and intruige, and can keep even the worst of readers hooked! It follows the story of a boy in a seemingly ancient land, where he is held captive by masked men, and forced to work endlessly. It is a place where every man (or boy) fends for himself, and few care about the well being of others. The story slowly unfolds over a period of time, and will keep you guessing to the end. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, satisfying read, that won't keep you reading for days on end.