Once upon a time, a handsome prince asked the academy wallflower to the ball. She was blinded by the stars in her own eyes and the pitter-patter of her lonely heart. Little did she know this prince was no prince at all, but a villain disguised behind a charming smile.EllaThere are no such things as fairy tales or happily ever afters. Not in my world. My reality is riddled with pain and loss and … is riddled with pain and loss and immense hatred.
Until him.
Trayton Nacht, the new transfer student at Darlington Academy.
Something about his darkness calls to me. The way his eyes glimmer in the night and the cruelty of his handsome smile.
With a single glance, he turned my world inside out. And now I can’t get enough.
But what if he’s just like the rest of them? What if this is all just another masquerade?
Tray
She stole my heart, once upon a time. Three years ago in an alley where she left me with a pair of sodden blue slippers.
Her life had been mine for the taking, until I discovered the fae magic lurking beneath her skin. Now it’s time to recruit her, to take her to her fate.
But first, we’ll play a little game.
One that will end in destruction.
Because f*ck fairy godmothers.
What Ella needs is a Dark Fae.
One who can help her burn Darlington Academy to the ground.
A Dark Fae like me.
Author Note: This is a dark Cinderella retelling with strong bully elements. This M/F PNR features a happily ever after ending and is also the prequel to the Midnight Fae Academy Why Choose Trilogy. Tray and Ella are important characters throughout the series.
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I feel like I’m late to a bandwagon I should have jumped on long ago.
If Lexi C. Foss has a fan club, I want to know the dues to join such an elite membership! Ella’s Masquerade is the second novel of hers that I read.
I am SO in love.
Retellings are hit and miss. Sometimes they rock some socks; sometimes they are plain rubbish. Success is not guaranteed, so I hesitate to pick them up.
I urge you to grab this. One-click it now!
Why?
Isabella Cinder is the butt of jokes and the object of scorn. But she doesn’t take this lying down. She isn’t a whipping girl, and she’s honed skills of sarcasm and clap-back. The light at the end of the tunnel is in sight. Her abuse soon to stop. She is graduating and GTFOing this torturous high school life.
Then comes Trayton Nacht; possible tormentor?
No! Because he’s come to deliver vengeance. For Ella. Because the Dark Fae’s charging a high cost for sins against his Princess, and Darlington Academy is genuinely in debt.
Tray is fat with charm. This guy is the alt of the best of bad boys. Who doesn’t love an antihero on a mission for the right reasons?
And Lexi C. Foss is a freaking goddess when she is creating these heroes. I don’t know who her muse is, but her inspiration works overtime. I love Cain and Kat from Andorra Sector Lexi C. Foss’s last book, and Tray and Ella are just as well written.
This book is what I consider Mature YA/NA. Ella’s Masquerade is a high school bully book; the sex scenes are mature and graphic; not recommended for the younger audience.
Midnight Fae Academy is a trilogy, and this is the first novel. The next book will feature Tray’s brother, the heir to the realm, Prince Kolstov, and is to be a Reverse Harem. There is a sneak peek at the end of Ella’s Masquerade to tempt you further.
If you aren’t interested in YA/NA story, try Andorra Sector, which is an Adult Dystopian novel set in the Omegaverse.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary advance copy of this book.
Andorra Sector
This book is a paranormal, bully, academy style romance done fantastically using a new twist on the Cinderella theme. We get to revisit the world of Fae realms created by the author previously in the Elemental Fae Academy books, however instead of the Elementals we fell in love with before, this book is the prequel and introduction to the Midnight Fae realm where dark magic rules. Ella is strong, witty, and totally relatable and Trayton (or Tray as he prefers) is the perfect match for her.
I’m not usually a huge fan of “academy” style romances but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Lexi’s take on the genre. Excited to see where the Midnight Fae will take her! If you’re looking for a good read in these genres dive in and enjoy!!
I am often stunned by the intricacies of the worlds that come out of the mind of Lexi C. Foss, and this introduction to the world of the Midnight Fae is no exception. This book introduces the world with a Cinderella-like story. Ella is a feisty heroine who is learning about her new abilities, while Tray is the super hot, strong willed man who is teaching her. Their chemistry is off the charts hotter than hot, and the taste of the other characters we see in this story is a tantalizing glimpse that makes me eager for the rest of the series to be released. Read this one now, and come into the world of the Midnight Fae!!!
This book is the prequel to a new series that is set in the same world as Claire and her men from Elementary Fae Academy. It is well-written and a great twist on the Cinderella tale. I loved that it doesn’t drag out or leave you guessing for the whole book how Tray feels. It was great on its own, but it also leaves you wanting more and excited for the rest of the series. A great prequel!
I loved this paranormal spin on Cinderella. Very dark and raw with characters exuding strong/heavy emotions of love and/or hate. Tray and Ella has such great chemistry together and their dance scene was heart pounding and hot! Also a “bully beware” element to this story that made me stand up and cheer; and a very sexy HEA. Great new world Lexi C Foss has created and she never disappoints.
This is a spin-off full-length novel to the Elemental Academy series but though set in the same world its a standalone read.
It’s kind of loosely based around the fairytale Cinderella, intertwined with the fae and initially had undertones of a bully romance, very swiftly evolving into something else entirely.
Ella herself is a halfling: half midnight fae and half-human, Tray is Midnight Fae royalty here to ease Ella into her new reality and assist in awakening her dormant magic.
Initially, his efforts and way he went about this task sucked big-time, he across as a complete brain-dead dumb-ass who needed a quick kick where the sun don’t shine.
I wanted to biotch-slap him just so badly.
Luckily after everything went tits-up and Ella’s eyes were wide open in regard to his origins and most importantly her own he reevaluated his methods and ceased his idiotic reasonings, working with Ella and not keeping her in the dark, top points there Tray there’s hope for you yet.
So Trey’s contrite redemption and caring loyalty made up for his initial idiotic stupidy.
Yeh, his reasoning were flawed but his intentions were mostly pure and by the time I was past the 30% mark, I was most definitely team Tray all the way and I just adored the building dynamic and tension between these two potential mates.
So once again this author managed to pull me into the unfolding narrative with such ease and I read this in one single sitting.
This was just so deeply and incredibly intense especially when these two finally consummate there connection and bond as true mates.
I could feel the deep emotions, feelings and sizzle between them both and I really wasn’t expecting that level of intensity here especially with me not being Tray’s biggest fan at the start of this.
He totally managed to do a 360 on me his attentive and loving behaviour certainly making up for his initial bad first impression.
Finally, that finish was just so delicious and I just love it when those that totally deserve it get served there just desserts, feels fantastic.
I also loved the surprising turnaround on one person’s part wasn’t expecting that one at all.
Tray and Ella make such a fantastic Pair and I loved being a part of there special journey.
I also will look forward to bumping into them again in future books in this series.
This was such a great read and I enjoyed it a lot I definitely recommend this series and author she never lets me down.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Ella’s Masquerade.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
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Cinderella wonderfully re-imagined!
Welcome to the halls of Darlington Academy home of Cindersoot
“I do hope you want to stay and play for a while.”
I didn’t want to leave Ella and Tray.
This is the first episode in the Midnight Fae series. kind of an intro into the midnight fae world if you will via our darling Ella’s tale.
This is not your normal bully romance nor is it your run of the mill fairy tale redo
No – This is pure magic cast out to ensnare and engage the audience
I was laughing, cringing, battling down my anger and cuddling my kitten when things got rough.
Tray and Ella were perfect together
Their chemistry
Her stubborn nature
Tray’s unending patience
Her strength
His need for bloodshed ( seriously he would rather kill them all quickly and be done with it. Kind of sexy)
Then there are the hall’s reigning monarchs
Charlie – Ewwww – I think Tray had the right idea here
Dash – prince charming needs a personality makeover
Ryan – the vilest of stepsisters
Carmen – the airhead step sister
From beginning to end an enchanting read that only left me wanting more.
Just how did I go from hating Tray to thinking he’s the best thing since sliced bread?
This author’s work never disappoints me. Her stories hold me spellbound, her characters step of the page and become my friends and her imagination just wows me. I really, really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the Midnight Fae series.
At first I thought Tray was a real ass, particularly with his talk of “games” and his plans for Ella. However he soon realised that would never be the correct way to introduce her to her future and I soon found myself genuinely liking him. He continued to tease and torment Ella but he also treated her with respect and love. He really is a swoon-worthy hero. Ella is an amazing heroine, snarky, strong and spectacular as all hell. She’s really got the rough end of the stick but Tray offers her a future she never even dreamed existed.
I totally believed in their connection, they have a chemistry and passion that explodes of the page, leading to some very, VERY, steamy moments. The story is set mainly in the human realm, and involved some significant time jumps. Not only were all clearly labelled but they didn’t affect the flow of the story either, instead they allowed the pace to be maintained and avoided any tedious “fluff and filler”.
This is a wonderful story, one I’m only too happy to recommend, and a great introduction to a new Fae realm. You don’t need to have read any prior books that are linked to the series, and as a stand alone it’s ideal for sampling both a taste of this authors amazing writing and getting to know the wonderful universe she has created.
Well isn’t Tray a charmer, “spying on me, dove?” I waggled my brows. “All you need to do is ask for my time and it’s all yours.” The man is easily offended over certain things, “I’m a man, not a boy,” he clarified. “And what’s wrong with that? *** is fun.” Tray tends to think of only one thing at certain times, “hey, this is a whole new entity. Who knows how this will impact our *** life?” He nuzzled my neck.” I liked this book, I loved Tray.
A fantastic first foray into the Young Adult genre for Lexi C. Foss.
I was instantly drawn into the action. I laughed and gasped and even cried at one point.
And while I love Ella, who is strong and fierce, I absolutely adore Tray. He’s ruthless, dominant and supportive. If I could have a Tray for myself, I would be the happiest girl ever.
This was an exceptional introduction to the Dark Fae world and I can’t wait for Aflora’s trilogy.
Must read prequel to Midnight Fae Academy
Ella’s masquerade is a must read prequel to the new series coming out by Lexi called Midnight Fae AcademyElla has been bullied by her stepsisters for ages and she’s counting down the time until she leaves and can graduate. However, a new person transfers in to the school and she bides her time, thinking he’s going to be another tormentor but actually turns out to be a Fairy Guardian….Tray
A not to be missed story as it lays the foundation for Midnight Fae and also gives us a bit of insight into the different Fae
Thank you to Lexi for my advanced copy for which I voluntarily leave my honest review
Ella’s Masquerade is an excellent start into the Midnight Fae Realm! Lexi C. Foss has me so damn excited for this series! I loved the Midnight Fae Realm! Different from the Elemental Fae Realm, but still just as intriguing.
You are going to fall head over heels for Ella and Tray! These two . Ella has been beat down by everyone her entire life, yet she has a strong backbone. She never escaped inside herself, instead she turned sassy. Enter Tray, he acts like the bullies but he also seems to have different motives. Now I’m not going full blown into it, cause you need to read it.
Perfectly written, flawless characters, and dark notes threaded throughout make Ella’s Masquerade a must read!
As a fairy tale retelling, this one ticks all the boxes for keeping to the original story and making it its own at the same time.
Ella is living in the h3ll her step-mother and step-sisters have created for her. The kids at school seem to revel in beating her down almost as much as the twin step-monsters.
Tray is a dark fae, Midnight Fae as he revels in reminding Ella. Filled with magic and with a penchant for drinking blood, he is not the teen he appears to be.
When Ella literally runs into him one night he is intrigued. Three years later he meets her in earnest and tries to awaken the fighting spirit he sees within. First, though, he must get through the cynical armor Ella has wrapped herself in.
Can he help bring this “princess” out of her shell and help her get not only her life back but a semblance of revenge against her tormenters? Or will cynicism and reticence keep Ella from believing in the love and affection Tray seems to offer?
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this story. I look forward to what is to come with Midnight Fae Academy!