Beneath the Mask

The Grassland Trilogy #2

by David Ward

Coriko and the rest of the escaped Diggers try to flee Grassland, but are recaptured by the Spears. If Coriko does not agree to become one of them, a wearer of the Mask and so continue the terrible cycle of oppression, he will be separated from the only person in the world he cares for. To keep his beloved Pippa alive, Coriko is forced to steal their children and make them diggers – the very fate he and Pippa spent their lives trying to escape. Wracked by guilt, he and the others plot to flee… and take the new slaves with them.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

David Ward was born in Montreal and grew up in Vancouver. He was an elementary school teacher for eleven years before completing his master's degree. He is the author of the Grassland trilogy and is a writer and university instructor in children's literature. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and their three children.

Reviews

[Kiopu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good boook

[nimrodiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneath the Mask picks up after the events in Escape the Mask. Coriko, Pippa and their friends have found life after escaping the Spears to be not quite what they had imagined. They have spent their days working on a way to escape the Grassland. However, their nights are filled with trying to avoid falling into the grasps of the Strays – the escaped children who have become wild and feral in their freedom. The night they attempt to escape the grasslands once and for all, they find their plans thwarted. The Spears, whom they thought all dead are in fact not.

Once again captured, the four friends face the trial of Separation. Coriko, separated from his love Pippa finds exactly who is underneath the masks of the Spears. The life he is forced into leaves Coriko cold. In order to protect Pippa and keep her alive, he must do unspeakable deeds. But by doing these things, he runs the risk of losing Pippa’s love and trust. Coriko is faced with a challenge. He needs to find out what he truly values in his life, and find a way to make that happen. Even if it means finally getting free of the Grassland.

I loved having the world we were introduced to in Escape the Mask expanded. Beneath the Mask shows us who the Spears are as a culture. The book delved deeper into the struggles that Pippa Coriko, Bran, and Tia find themselves thrown into. Where the first book showed us the changes happening in the lives of the children, this book focuses on the struggles they have to make the correct choice for their continued happiness. In Beneath the Mask author David Ward has strengthened the story of Coriko, Pippa and their friends. I look forward to the third book and seeing where their adventures lead them to, and if they will finally find a home of their own.

Beneath the Mask is an adventure packed, action filled journey of discovery that once again brings some very weighty topics to the reader’s attention.

[Aj Avery · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book wasn't very good probably because, I started on the second but, most of the story just didn't make any sense. This book would be recommended for someone who likes an adventure that's long and would like a long adventure were the main characters are on a quest to the sivir's in which if coriko doesn't wear a mask then the person he loves will die. But, if he wears the mask then the person that he's trying to save will hate him forever.

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in this trilogy is quite satisfying. I can't wait to read the conclusion. Good import!

[Hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was very interesting because it about slaves (kinda like underground to canada) but it was in medevil times

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and trilogy so much! so much action.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

good but to short.

[Adam Comstock · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I try to change up the books I read, this book caught my attention. It takes a more fantasy side and as i read I found it to a well thought out book. This book would be good for students who like romance, or enjoy reading books that deal with moral dilemmas.

This book could be used to help students with fictional writing. The moral themes in the book can give a great topic for class discussion with questions such as “Would you do what Coriko did for someone you love?” The themes in this book may be better suited for high school students.

Warnings:
Sex: While not discussed in the book, each person in this society has a “mate.” 1/10
Violence: This book does contain violence as the narrator is chosen to become a warrior and ordered to go on raids. If he refuses, the one person he loves would be put to death. There is a tone of war in this book. 4/10