Masques

The one for readers who prefer swords over car engines. Masques is Briggs’ debut novel and her only traditional high fantasy series starter.

Why Start Here

Aralorn is a shapeshifting spy working for the mercenary nation of Sianim. She is sent to investigate Geoffrey ae’Magi, a sorcerer beloved by everyone who meets him, which is exactly what makes him dangerous. With her enigmatic companion Wolf, she joins a growing rebellion against a man whose charm is literally magical.

Originally published in 1993, the book was revised and expanded in 2010 to match the quality of Briggs’ later work. For readers who love secondary-world fantasy and want nothing to do with urban settings, this is the natural starting point. It shows that Briggs’ talent for tight plotting, memorable characters, and worlds that feel lived-in was there from the beginning.

What to Expect

Classic high fantasy with a Briggs twist: the heroine is clever rather than powerful, the villain is charismatic rather than menacing, and the magic system rewards cunning over brute force. The page count refers to the 2010 revised edition, which is the one to read.