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Review: The Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

The Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
Published by Indigo



Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.


***

Masque of the Red Death is a uniquely interesting read with a real gothic and steampunkesque feel to it.

I enjoyed several things about this book

Firstly I loved the feel of the book. The author builds up a real sense of a gothic world which is living in fear of another plague and in which the poor and rich live in very separate worlds based on who can afford to buy a mask to protect them from disease. The intense fear surrounding the people oozes out of the page as you read.

I enjoyed seeing the world through Araby's eyes and following her story. The political side of the story was really intriguing as you saw how the balance of power was so finely on a knifes edge and how the people was subject to the whim of those who controlled access to the masks.

The story itself is fast paced at times and kept me wanting to read to know what was going to happen next.

I enjoyed the love interest triangle between Elliot and Will and enjoyed seeing where it went and where it was left by the end of the book as secrets galore start to be unveiled. I cannot wait to see what happens next with it.

Comments

Thank you so much for the review. The book seems very intriguing. I'll look around for it and read it. xDD
Carina said…
MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH might not be my favorite book, but I definitely enjoyed it, too. And like you said, I can't wait for the second book either. :)

Carina
Fictional Distraction
I was so freaked out by the setting of this book-it was very dark for me and I found that too overwhelming. At this point I'm not sure I will continue with the series although I will keep an eye out for reviews of the second book as i may change my mind.
Glad you enjoyed it! I've had a copy turn up this week and I'm looking forward to reading it.