What readers are saying about Death Mask...
“A memorable and enjoyable read.”
"Page turner - This book is a bit like The Mummy, The Mask, and a romance had a baby."
"Nora Delzelle’s fast paced thriller had my heart pounding as I turned pages to see how it would end."
Who knew placing a bid on eBay could be so deadly? The moment Alex Kincaid wins the auction for an ancient artifact, her life was in peril. Can she survive a feud between warring titans?
Ghosts, gods, and cursed relics are at the heart of this thrilling story. Death Mask is a modern re-imagining of the battles between ancient Egyptian deities representing order and chaos. The story is about a young woman, Alex Kincaid, who gets caught in a deadly conflict by winning an eBay auction for a golden mask . This relic confers protection and ageless power to its owner. Alex has to contend with vengeful gods, prophetic dreams, and ghostly guides imparting knowledge to discover that ancients still walk among us. If Alex can survive, there is a steep price for her new-found power... her soul!
“Order is not inherently good, just as chaos is not inherently evil.”
What readers are saying about Death Mask...
“A memorable and enjoyable read.”
"Page turner - This book is a bit like The Mummy, The Mask, and a romance had a baby."
"Nora Delzelle’s fast paced thriller had my heart pounding as I turned pages to see how it would end."
Who knew placing a bid on eBay could be so deadly? The moment Alex Kincaid wins the auction for an ancient artifact, her life was in peril. Can she survive a feud between warring titans?
Ghosts, gods, and cursed relics are at the heart of this thrilling story. Death Mask is a modern re-imagining of the battles between ancient Egyptian deities representing order and chaos. The story is about a young woman, Alex Kincaid, who gets caught in a deadly conflict by winning an eBay auction for a golden mask . This relic confers protection and ageless power to its owner. Alex has to contend with vengeful gods, prophetic dreams, and ghostly guides imparting knowledge to discover that ancients still walk among us. If Alex can survive, there is a steep price for her new-found power... her soul!
“Order is not inherently good, just as chaos is not inherently evil.”
circa 2500 B.C.
I am in some cell located outside the city. Did that happen yesterday? As I wait for what comes next, I notice an unpleasant background noise, reminiscent of the cry of a hawk. No matter what I do to drown it out, the sound is there. I wondered if I stop breathing, would I finally get relief from that dreadful din? What stops me is the thought that I am not sure what comes after this life, if I’d ever get to see you again. Even with all our vast knowledge, we still don’t know. So... that noise goes on, and I am left with only memories. I am a coward.
This is a tale of vengeance. It did not start out that way. At first when we arrived here there was only hope, wonder, and joy. This place was an unexpected oasis that was teaming with so many varied and wondrous things. We were naive in our belief of superiority, and confident in what we had to offer.
After about one-hundred years I saw the error in that belief, a blink of an eye. I came to realize the inhabitants were not in need of our guidance. They had minds, opinions, and beliefs that were different, yes, but no less valid than ours. Why were we trying to subjugate them?
One person alone did not send us down this path. It was the majority opinion of the Ennead council, but the ideas seemed to emanate from Osiris alone. After all, we had to follow his plan and his rules. Only he knew how to establish and maintain order. His was the only correct way, and all must conform. As I sit here now, I realize he was not alone in those beliefs, but that does not make him any less accountable.
I was never good at conforming. Almost from the start I had to go my own way. is that why extraordinary measures were finally taken to bring me into line? Can you hear that piercing sound? It reminds me of a wailing child…
My rebellion started small at first. Arguing for a little latitude here and there. Proposing alternatives that both sides could embrace. I told myself that change takes time, and that I was making a difference. I would have been content to go on that way, if I had not met you.
I know - crazy? Right? An ancient soul like myself loving a mortal. But that is what happened. I discovered a kindred spirit in you, a soul mate, and I realized we were all the same underneath our shells. We all have similar hopes, desires, and fears. All it took was some perspective and mutual appreciation.
I knew my ideas were risky and dangerous. I never thought my people would react in such a violent and barbaric way. I misjudged the situation. Only now do I realize that we were always doomed to end in death and tragedy.
What happened in the throne room was my fault. In my arrogance I grew bold. I spoke for the rights of all beings for self-determination. I grew reckless in my rhetoric. At first it was only meant as a peaceful demonstration, until the first clash occurred. What is that terrible saying? “The Lord of the sky shatters will and seizes the hearts of the gods.” Oh, how true that was. I know what I did was right. It needed said, but I did not count the cost.
Yesterday they brought me before the council, and I thought it was only to plead my case. When I saw you standing to the side of the throne, under guard, I still did not appreciate the full extent of the danger. After all we had strict rules and protocols to protect life above everything. I addressed my remarks to the gallery, putting all my passion and persuasion into my speech. I imagined I saw appreciative nods from the council. I thought we had won.
I was wrong, so wrong. I had underestimated the need for control that had taken hold of my people. It had only taken them a brief one-hundred years to throw off the shackles of respect for all life. My last words were still echoing around the chamber when Osiris asked a question. “Is that your final word, Set?”
I felt apprehensive, but still was flush with excitement over my perceived victory. How could he dispute the facts? How could he persist in this madness? “Yes, that is my final word.” I stared into your eyes trying to convey reassurance and the love that I felt for you in that moment. It would be alright. This had to work.
Osiris nodded to the flanking guards. One took out a wicked looking knife and in a shockingly quick movement sliced your throat. I watched in horror as you fell to the ground still clutching your neck as if you could mend the cut. My world shattered. I can still see your eyes widened in surprise and your lips parted in shock. It was a mirror to my own horrified expression. I will never forget that sight. You did not suffer long or make the slightest sound. Yet that noise was there, that terrible noise that haunts me still. It was coming from me. I must have cried out to you, roared your name because suddenly there were many guards holding me back. I struggled against their grip, but they held me in place as you took your last breath. My world dimmed forever as the light left your eyes.
You were gone and I remained, and everything magical about this place left with you. It leaked out from your body like some hideous red bloom. “All pharaoh’s enemies will end up at his feet, one way or the other.” the Vizier intoned.
“You are dead, Osiris! You and yours are dead forever and ever!” I choked out that vow through clenched jaws, as they dragged me from that hideous scene. Now I sit in the corner of my cell. My eyes are closed. Did that happen or was it a twisted nightmare? Scenes from our life together flash by in my mind. We were so happy. Now everything that gave my life meaning has been cut from me. A sharp pain cuts through my chest, and I feel close to madness. My hands are shaking with grief and rage. Tears coat my face and neck. Yet, there will never be enough tears to bring you back. A plan forms, and I keep thinking, “You should have killed me when you had the chance.”
I always knew eBay was trouble. Nora Delzelle just confirms my suspicions in her debut novel, Death Mask. Chemist and cat-mom Alex stumbles upon a beautiful artifact for auction and becomes the proud owner of the rare ancient Egyptian mask. Unfortunately, finding this mask brings a whole slew of danger and mystery into Alex's life. Soon her dreams are being haunted by mysterious warriors, and her waking hours are not much better. With the help of a friend, she searches for the answers to stop history from repeating itself.
I could go on and on about how original and unique this storyline is. But I won't because I refuse to spoil it. All I can say the way the story unfolds will have readers frantically flipping through pages to find out where it's going next. Even though it's a contemporary novel, Death Mask chronicles several stories throughout time and space. Our main protagonist, Alex, will be relatable to readers because she's just a regular person who hits terrible luck. And then fantastic luck. And then horrible. With the help of her friends, she searches for answers to prevent history from repeating.
While the storyline and twists are so incredible, the fine details didn't match that standard. There's a lot of telling instead of showing. The most glaring example of this is when Alex is introduced. Her entire life story is summed up into one paragraph, listed almost like bullet points. While these details are vital, they would have flowed better had they been laid out more gradually. While the story is incredible, it doesn't flow together organically. It also has grammatical errors, spelling issues, missing words, and dialogue that doesn't line up. Usually, those issues wouldn't cause the rating of a novel to change for me. However, these are continuous enough that it takes away from the enjoyment of the story.
With all the listed above, I rate Death Mask three out of five stars. The plotline is so complex and intriguing, with so many elements involved that somehow work together. But the fine details in the narration don't offer the support the story requires.
As there's no mature adult content, and the violence is very mild, I would recommend this novel to readers in the younger YA range. It would be perfect for those interested in Egyptian mythology, layered magic systems, and unraveling mysteries.