Author: Bethany Griffin
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: April 2012
Source: Purchased
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 around them.
So what does Araby Worth have to live for?
Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery makeup . . . 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 is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.
And Araby may find not just something to live for, but something to fight for--no matter what it costs her.
Masque of the Read Death is doom and gloom. It's a quick, easy read that is beautifully written. I believe this is my first "steam punk" book and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
We become acquainted to a rather large group of characters, with Araby being our main girl. In our Read-a-long, we discussed Araby being a tragic story. She lost her twin brother at a young age. Her mother left them for 2 years. Her father kept Araby and her brother locked away to protect them from the plague. She was contemplating suicide when she met her best friend, April. A best friend that introduces her to the Debauchery Club. A place they go to escape reality. Drugs, alcohol and random men. Now if that's not tragic, then I'm not sure what is!
I'm not sure that I really loved any of the characters involved in this story. Araby was ok, but I sometimes found myself being like, "O.M.G. you are so dramatic." April seems a bit shallow and only concerned with herself. But she does redeem herself a bit before the end of the book. Araby also finds herself in a sort of love triangle with Elliot (April's brother) and Will (a bouncer of sorts at the Club). I have to say that I despise Elliot. He's controlling, violent and untrustworthy. In one instance, he's telling Araby that he loves her and then the next he's threatening her life. Will, on the other hand, seems perfect. Seems. He still has his own demons to deal with and some of them are shocking, but understandable. I feel as tho I could grow to love his character.
I would highly recommend Masque of the Red Death to anyone! This is a gorgeous story that is surrounded by death and despair. A tale of tragedy. One that I hope in the next book, Dance of the Red Death, will maybe get some happiness and sunshine. I am not familiar with Edgar Allen Poe's original version, so I'm not quite sure how it compares. But I do know that I will be reading it as well!
I've also hear that there is an e-novella called Glitter and Doom that is told from Aprils perspective. I'm thinking I may have to check this one out as well. And of course, the second book, Dance of the Red Death, is coming soon! I, for one, can't wait!!
I totally agree with you Holly on the characters. April was over the top and shallow, but I did like the glimpses we saw of her character that went a bit deeper. Araby was a bit of confusing character for me. Loved Will and despised Elliot too.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost half way through the e-novella. It's interesting but very different. Gives you more insight into Elliot, as it does April. Elliot has been through a lot, but that doesn't excuse his behavior to Araby (although, I could have probably tolerated his character had he not been part of a love triangle).
Exactly! If he had just been his own person, Elliot would have rocked it. I never really considered liking him if the "love" thing hadn't existed, but I totally would have!
DeleteThank you so much for popping over!! :)