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Fate's Inmate #2

The Masked Victor

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HOPE IS A LIE WITH BRAVADO.

Victor-27, the 17-year-old inmate sentenced to execution at Predvoi Prison, has escaped! With plummeting temperatures and guards on the prowl, his only chance of survival lies within Khizmit Enclave.

Determined and desperate, he navigates the unforgiving streets and the elaborate lie he’s crafted to conceal his identity. Khizmit Enclave is far from the utopia he’s always imagined it to be and he doesn’t know a soul outside of prison.

Or does he?

334 pages, ebook

First published May 6, 2024

2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read

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L. Blaise Hues

13 books38 followers

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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Adilah Almas.
211 reviews2 followers
April 21, 2024
4.5 ⭐️.

The Masked Victor by L. Blaise Hughes narrated by Caleb Hafen.

Thank you to L. Blaise Huges & Stag Beetle Books for providing me with an advanced listener’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Masked Victor is the second book in the Fate’s Inmate Trilogy and is scheduled to be released on the 6th of May, 2024.

This series is a young adult dystopian fiction and story in The Masked Victor picks up straight after where the first book, Victor-27, ended.

What I loved about this sequel is that we were able to see Victor-27 in a different environment. His behaviour, emotions, and reactions are so different in this, so much more human and relatable. I loved seeing his insecurities and his hesitations as he assessed emotions he hadn’t encountered before. We saw such a different side of him in the first book, because he had to be that person to survive. But I loved seeing this other side!

Some of the characters from the first book were present in this as well – Lockbox, Roman, Markos – along with a few new characters. I was glad to see these familiar faces! I quite liked Roman from the first book and he is very likeable in this book too. And we also get to see a bit more of Markos!

I will share my review of Victor-27 from last year in my stories as I gave a more detailed explanation of the world in which the story is set.

I am really enjoying my read of this series and I have been provided with an advanced copy of the third book as well so I will be diving into that soon! The audiobook for this was fantastic and the narrator did an excellent job giving a voice to the characters, especially Victor-27. I 100% recommend checking this series out! It’s an easy and engaging read.
3 reviews
May 12, 2024
This one is even better than the previous one. I listened to it as an audiobook (narrator is probably the best one I’ve ever heard, he can do so many different accents) which was a completely different experience.
I laughed, I cried, I listened with in suspense and most importantly, I enjoyed it so much!!!
The love story is so sweet and innocent, but also so tragic it made me scream into my pillow a few times.
Victor is such a cutie (who can kill you lol), but his decision are still reminding us that he is just a hurt teenage boy.
The cliffhanger at the end definitely sets out for a great third book. Blaise Hues definitely knows how to write a good book.
Profile Image for Jessica Teabooksandbunnies.
16 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2024
Disclaimer: L. Blaise Hues sent me an eArc/audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are entirely my own.

The Masked Victor was a fascinating continuation to this series. I found it to be really gripping and heart wrenching, but in a different way to the first. The plot is a lot more character focused in this book, and while it did have some really exciting moments, I found the focus to be mainly on Victor's development. We see a lot of his trauma play out in his inner monologue and how he works through his blueprint of what people are like, forged through a childhood in prison. I really empathised with the challenges he faced with those ideas being countered, and his process of learning to have real relationships. I thought that this was the most powerful aspect of the story.

I don't want to spoil anything about the series, but I loved seeing more of some of the side characters from Victor-27, and also meeting a few new ones! They were particularly compelling.

Overall, I think it does lose some points with that middle book syndrome. The storyline doesn't flow as seamlessly, but it does appear to be building up to the main climax of the series. I'm excited to continue readind with The Final Victor.

The audiobook, narrated by Caleb Hafen, was very good so I would recommend listening along.

Trigger warnings: see review of book 1
3 reviews
May 12, 2024
Woah this book left me crying!!! Victor finally left the prison and went out to explore the outside world and it was…just as you would expect from a teenage boy who had spent his whole life in prison. He finally meets a girl (🙊🙊🙊) and sets out on an exciting journey full of plot twists. L. Blaise Hues didn’t disappoint and delivered AGAIN. The cliffhanger makes me wanna write to her to publish The Final Victor right now!!!
Profile Image for Mrs LIR Linda.
391 reviews13 followers
April 21, 2024
I confess I read this book which is book 2 in the Victor Series as soon as I finished the first book as I really wanted to know what is going to happen to Victor 27 in the second camp that he has ended up in.

The story ramps up in this book as Victor is incarcerated with an Oscar whose genetical change makes him remember everything he reads or experiences - in other words a living encyclopaedia who is constantly learning more. Victor and Oscar story of how they endure the new prison camp is harrowing. This is their story of Victor's escape and what then happens………….. read both books in the correct order to fully enjoy this story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
6 reviews
April 27, 2024
Loved this book! Very well crafted and engrossing story. I loved the developing relationships and description of holidays and traditions. And wow, the cliffhanger has me looking forward to the next book!

I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and review.
Profile Image for Dan Kenner.
Author 12 books110 followers
April 24, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! The main character is gripping and so full of complicated emotions that you just have to love him. The ending made me wish I could read the next one right away!
8 reviews
April 12, 2024
Wow! Wow! Wow! This story gripped me tighter than that that time Victor strangled Lockbox in the prison yard. I wasn’t sure it would be a book I’d enjoy and I didn’t enjoy it : I ADORED it!!
Profile Image for Dan D. Shaw.
1 review
June 8, 2024
Surprise, surprise!!!

I am most definitely not a young adult, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Without the language and sex one finds in so many books these days, The Masked Victor has proven to be much better than most of the books I have read recently. What I initially thought was going to be a straight forward and so.e what slower read turned out to be a genuine page-turner. Excitement, drama and even a little romance, I would most heartily recommend this book to every one of any age, with the exception being anyone who needs their sleep. A quick warning, pick this book up only when you have some time because you won't be able to put it down. Ms. Hues, I expect you to be tireless in finishing the final book in thks trilogy. Great Book, now get to work!
3 reviews
May 7, 2024
I listened to the audio book version of both “Victor 27” and “The Masked Victor” and thoroughly enjoyed them. The reader does a fabulous job portraying the various characters with their different voices. **There is only one negative (in my opinion; obviously not everyone would agree) thing I can say about them but which I feel that parents should be aware of for their kids, and that is that there is some use of the A word in this series. That aside, I understand why it was used, given the nature of the characters’ backgrounds and the storyline, so its use is fitting and makes sense. It did not keep me from immersing myself into the story completely, as the author did a fantastic job of keeping me involved.
The author has created characters that draw you into their story, and the storyline is interesting, engaging, and entertaining. The first book left me anxious for more, and this second book did not disappoint. I really enjoyed how, unlike the first book, “The Masked Victor” also has some romance, though it doesn’t take over the whole story. You get a great blend of action and romance. Plot twists are neither too predictable nor shocking—just the right amount of build up to prepare you and then keep your interest. I can’t wait for book 3!
Profile Image for GAmom26.
30 reviews
August 30, 2025
A Thrilling Leap Forward in Victor’s Saga!
The Masked Victor, the second book in L. Blaise Hues’ Fate’s Inmate trilogy, is an electrifying continuation that had me glued to every page! Victor’s journey of staying true to himself while navigating a treacherous web of distrust is heart-pounding and deeply moving. The dystopian setting ramps up the stakes, painting a vivid, dangerous world that feels alive with tension and intrigue.
I was captivated by how Hues deepens Victor’s internal struggle, blending raw emotion with high-stakes action. The battles—both physical and psychological—are gripping, and the constant question of who to trust kept me second-guessing alongside Victor. The pacing is relentless, weaving a story that’s as emotionally resonant as it is thrilling. This sequel builds beautifully on Victor-27, raising the bar for the trilogy’s finale. If you’re hooked on dystopian sagas with complex characters and pulse-pounding stakes, The Masked Victor is an absolute must-read! I’m already itching for the next book to see where Victor’s path leads!
143 reviews
May 5, 2024
In a world dominated by female lead characters, Luka is the male lead character we have been waiting for. Luka is an orphan like Harry Potter who was never able to meet his parents. He is young, vulnerable, imperfect, handsome, lovable, and strong. Books are all about the characters in my opinion and "The Masked Victor" delivers in that area. Luka, Ember, and Markos (to name just a few) are complex characters that make you want to read more and get to know them more. Besides, Luka reminds me of a Wolverine with his strength and ability to heal. I am a sucker for a strong hero who doesn't give up.

This action-packed book is a worthy sequel to Victor 27 and leaves me looking forward to the third book in the series.
Profile Image for Tereza Kendrova.
20 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2024
This was an AMAZING book! Somehow even better than the first book. The previous book left us with a cliffhanger and this one handled it perfectly. The pace is great, it makes us engaged with the book and leaves us with no time to be bored. The world building is so immersive, L. Blaise Hues crafted an immersive culture with dark, but also happy parts. The characters are deep and relatable. The reader gets to see Victor (or is that his name?;)) as something else than just an inmate in a prison and we get to know so many amazing new characters. I have audibly gasped many times while reading the plot twists and jaw-dropping scenes. I cannot wait to read the final book and I recommend the Fate’s Inmate series to everyone!!!
Profile Image for Madeleine Bodily.
8 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2024
This book was definitely worth the wait! I loved the character development of Victor, he was so loveable! His thoughts and emotions associated with the self-discovery of his identity outside of prison felt very believable of those that would belong to a 17 year old boy. Surprising details about other characters were tactfully revealed and the pacing of the book had just the right amount of suspense! I really liked the detail given to the traditions of Khizmit, it moved the plot along in an intriguing way. I listened to the audio version of this book, Caleb Hafen is an excellent narrator. I am excited to see what transpires in the next book, especially considering that this book ended in an unexpected way!
Profile Image for Natascha Limpt.
Author 41 books90 followers
September 3, 2024
‘Victor-27’ was one of the best books I read in 2023, so I was very curious about the sequel. And it did not disappoint! Although the first part was more mysterious, I still couldn’t predict how the story would unfold. There were a few pleasant surprises. It was slightly less suspenseful, though, and this book seemed a resting point. A pleasant one, since I was happy the MC could catch his breath and prepare for what promises to be an exciting finale. I also loved reading about the traditions and beliefs, it gave the story much depth.
13 reviews
May 10, 2024
I enjoyed reading this story and immersing myself in the world the author has created. Victor's story really tugs at the heartstrings and you can't help but root for him. The build up was a little slow, and I could have used more focus on Victor struggling to achieve his goals, but it ends with a bang and has some great plot twists.
Profile Image for Eric B.
8 reviews
July 16, 2024
This sequel did not disappoint in the slightest! I loved the first book and the Masked Victor just kept the story moving and kept me guessing. I love the introduction of a specific new character that I won’t spoil and the surprises this book brings with it. Such a thrilling story that keeps me wanting more. I can’t wait for the 3rd book! I highly recommend!!!
Profile Image for L. Hues.
Author 13 books38 followers
April 1, 2024
If you liked book one, you're gonna love this one!
Enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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