A Review for Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Posted by Donna 

Release Date:  August 2nd, 2012

Finished Date: August 17th, 2012

Publishers: Indigo 

Source: For Review 

Format: Paperback 

Pages: 336
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

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.

The Review: I went into Masque of the Red Death with very high expectations, mainly because I'd heard so many great things before reading it. But I couldn't help feel disappointed with it, I'm not saying Masque of the Red Death was a bad book, I just didn't thing it was mind-blowing as I was expecting it to be. As far as Edgar Allen Poe's original work goes, I've never read it so maybe that was my missing link. I wish I had more back ground information on the book before I read it. 

The story itself was dark, mysterious and vivid but the story had a very slow to start. Clearly the this was the authors intention so, as a reader you could get to know the characters and plot but, I felt it took to long to take off but once it did, I really started to enjoy it. 

Now the characters they were...interesting. I didn't think Araby very likable to start with but once she opened up more and especially when she became friends with Will, she became more likable. Her scene's with Will was one of the reasons I kept reading this book. Their chemistry was undeniable and I was rooting for them all the way. But, then we see Elliot and while I thought he was okay, I didn't really love him. He was hiding far to many secrets for my liking and while he says he loves Araby, I'm not sure he does. I think Araby would be better off with Will even despite that little twist at the end. 

Overall, I think many people will enjoy Masque of the Red Death but for me, I'm sitting on the fence still. Would I read the next book? Probably, I would like to see where Bethany Griffins takes the next book, and I'm hoping because the introduction is now over, we get more action a lot sooner.