Escape the Mask (The Grassland Trilogy, Book 1)

By David Ward
Amulet, $15.95, 195 pages

Coriko is a slave. He spends his days gathering shards from the beaches in Grassland in the company of his cellmate Pippa, trying to avoid angering their captors, the menacing Spears. They are surrounded by other Diggers, young children that also gather shards, who have been stolen from all over and speak different languages. Coriko has been captive since he was five and remembers nothing of the outside world. Pippa remembers a little more, but she, too, knows little beyond their sheltered caged life. But life begins to change when two new captives are brought in. Tia and Bran are siblings, and they speak the same language as Coriko and Pippa. The Spears start acting strangely, requiring that more shards be gathered each day and seemingly preoccupied with other things – almost afraid of something unknown. Something is coming, and it could mean big changes for the enslaved children…but what is it?

With Escape the Mask, David Ward has begun an exciting new fantasy series for tweens. The simple life of the Diggers is interesting and almost inviting, drawing the reader in with ease. Coriko is spirited, as is Pippa, but both are cunning and possess the necessary intelligence not to stray outside of circumstance and to keep themselves safe however possible. Their bond is strong and touching, and it will be exciting to watch as their love develops and matures. The Spears are mysterious, as is the entire world of Grassland; hopefully this will all get further developed in the next book in the series. Altogether, Escape the Mask is a strong start to a promising trilogy.

Reviewed by Holly Scudero