Beneath the Mask

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

In Escape the Mask (2001), the initial book in a projected trilogy, a
group of abducted preteens used as slave workers or “diggers” had
escaped from the Spears, whose faces are masked by helmets. Beneath the
Mask continues the story, again focusing on 12-year-old Coriko (aka
Corki) and his female former cellmate, Pippa.

About to sail to freedom, the escapees are recaptured by the Spears.
However, instead of being returned to their old shard-digging tasks, the
diggers are separated by gender, with the males finding themselves being
trained in military arts so as to eventually become Spears. The former
slaves resist being transformed into their enemy, but Corki’s master,
Spear leader Marumuk, informs them that failure during training or a
mission means never seeing their female mates again. Corki, himself now
beneath the mask, is assigned to a raiding party, and, during the
attack, he not only kidnaps a young girl but also kills someone while
protecting Marumuk. Though happily reunited with Pippa, a remorseful
Corki confesses his “crimes,” and Pippa determines that they must
again escape and rescue the newly captured children. Ward adds an
interesting wrinkle when Tia, an older digger, confesses her love for
Marumuk and her intention to remain behind to try to change Spear
society from within. The story concludes with yet another escape from
the mask.

The absence of a catch-up chapter may initially make Beneath the
Mask’s opening section somewhat confusing for those new to the world
Ward has created. However, readers will quickly become engrossed in the
book’s action, while those familiar with Escape the Mask will find
that the present title answers questions raised by the opening volume.
Recommended.