This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Naya Stavridi
I’m Giota Stavridi, also known as Naya Stavridi, originating from the beautiful island of Lesvos in Greece, but currently residing and working in Athens. My professional background lies in the field of Informatics, specializing in Healthcare.
My passion for writing intertwines with my interests in psychology and video games, leading me to pen my debut work titled «Seven Deadly Questions» in 2018, followed by «The Melody of the Goldfish» in 2020, and «The Masks of Icesia» in 2024.
Painting has been my great love for about ten years now. I have attended courses in freehand and linear drawing, charcoal, sketching, and have participated in painting exhibitions in various cities.
On my website, you’ll find my paintings categorized into various genres, images created through image editing software, published literary works, as well as poetry.
Moreover, there’s a communication platform through which you can reach out to me and place orders. You can choose from my existing works or describe what you desire.
Reviewed by Scarlett Jensen for Readers' Favorite
In The Masks of Icesia, Naya Stavridi describes good and evil elements displayed in figures so different from each other. You see how the six characters, John, Maximus, Eve, Joanna, Antricio, and Katerina, demonstrate their interaction with life. They board a carriage, each one immersed in their daily routine. A seventh presence, The Narrator, stands apart from them, watching them on camera. One by one, he observes them taking off their masks and blindfold handkerchiefs. Some masks bring out hatred, anger, revenge, and falsehood. The characters hide what they deeply desire. So they wear a mask with a different façade for harmony and survival. The Beast of Icesia’s world manipulates life. The author structured a sound foundation to describe how each of these criminally-minded and malevolent persons operate with their agenda, taking cruel measures, like organ trafficking, to profit from the activity.
The theme of the story is the war against evil. Who wins or who loses is the question. Naya Stavridi’s writing style is clear, coherent, and somber in parts to show chaos, fear, and anxiety. In The Masks of Icesia, Naya describes fleeting terror in different surroundings to enhance the flow and suspense of the story. Her different characters show the variety of conditions and deceptive personalities that we all can fall victim to. You can also become a victim of your own doing. For me, this is a story of reflection of the different faces a mask or blindfold can hide and where pretense and violence become an art of living. It will be a pleasure to read a sequel where the criminals of reality begin and end. It is a highly recommended novel; a thoroughly entertaining and suspenseful thriller to ponder and enjoy, as I did.
