Review: Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Dance of the Red Death 
(Masque of the Red Death #2)
by Bethany Griffin
Format: Hardcover (327 Pages)
Published: June 11th 2013 by Greenwillow Books
Source: Bought Myself
GoodReads Page

 Bethany Griffin continues the journey of Araby Worth in Dance of the Red Death—the sequel to her teen novel Masque of the Red Death.

In Dance of the Red Death, Araby’s world is in shambles—betrayal, death, disease, and evil forces surround her. She has no one to trust. But she finds herself and discovers that she will fight for the people she loves, and for her city.

Her revenge will take place at the menacing masked ball, though it could destroy her and everyone she loves…or it could turn her into a hero.

With a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, Bethany Griffin concludes her tragic and mysterious Red Death series with a heroine that young adult readers will never forget.

 Review:

This book turned out to be a good sequel to the first. I was rather surprised that it was almost like reading the same book. I think the two of them should have been put together to form one. Anyways this book has lots of surprises within it.

I found this book to have more violence than the first one. It also had a lot more of the characters trying to work to rebuild their city. Compared to Araby worrying so much about the two men in her life. I found Araby being a lot stronger in this book than the last. She wanted to do things by herself and didn't want Will or Elliot to help her.

Of course because of the events that happened at the end of Masque of the Red Death their was not as much Will through out this book. He mostly just followed Elliot and Araby around doing whatever Elliot asked. This of course made me not happy. I was really hoping the Will and Araby would be together but I understand their situation. Within in this book you find out how twisted Elliot really is. I was rather surprised by him in this book it made me glad that I was on team Will to begin with.

During Dance of the Red Death I really started hating the Prince more and more. He really is a ruthless leader and finds torturing people to be entertainment. To put it frankly he is crazy. Of course he really isn't the only crazy person in this world. I found it interesting that he wanted to help destroy the city the he ruled over and also was to afraid to go in to it. Although he invited people from the city into his castle for a masqueraded ball for the purpose of torturing Araby.

I really didn't want this book to end. I almost wish that this book was longer because I feel like the ending was a little rushed. I didn't really like the end, I wish that it showed more of the lives of the characters after the events that happen. Besides that it was a entertaining read, I found it hard to put it down a lot of the time. It is diffidently worth a read if you don't already want to read it because of the end of Masque of the Red Death.



I gave this book 4.5 out 5 bats.

Novella Review: Glitter and Doom by Bethany Griffin

Glitter and Doom
(Masque of the Red Death #1.5)
by Bethany Griffin
Format: Ebook (50 Pages)
Published: March 26th 2013 by Greenwillow Books
Source: Bought Myself
GoodReads Page

 A 50-page, digital-only novella set in the world of Bethany Griffin's dark and haunting retelling of the classic Edgar Allan Poe story Masque of the Red Death. When a rich teenage girl who spends her nights in the most desirable club and a smart, young inventor meet, they might have more in common than they know.

April, niece to the dying city's cruel dictator, is Araby Worth's glittery and frivolous best friend. But she's more than she appears. And when she disappeared in Masque of the Red Death, where did she go? This short novella answers that question, taking us deep underneath the crumbling city, where April crosses paths with Kent, the serious young inventor who is key to rebellion. Glitter & Doom is a story of chilling action, of spies, and of surprising love. Can love be anything but doomed is a city that's burning down around its survivors?

A dark, unnerving story about two of the most fascinating characters from Masque of the Red Death.

Review:

 This novella is pretty important to the storyline of Masque of the Red Death. It starts out in April's perspective through out her life. It shows us how she grew up in the Prince's castle and some behind the scenes at how the Prince really is compared to how he acts. I thought it was interesting that it shows from her childhood all the way to the end of Masque of the Red Death.

The second part of this novella is told from Kent's point of view. Kent is a inventor who helps Elliot during Masque of the Red Death. I was actually surprised by this novella because it does show how important both of these characters are to the main storyline. All the things they do behind the scenes of the main story is really crazy.

I would have never guessed that April liked Kent without reading this novella. I would have to say this is a must read for this series. It helps you understand certain choices that these characters made in the main story. I thought it was a good quick read and it makes me want to read the second book more now.




I gave this 4 out of 5 bats.

Review: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

 Masque of the Red Death
(Masque of the Red Death #1)
by Bethany Griffin
Edition: Hardcover (319 Pages)
Published: April 24th 2012 by Greenwillow Books
Source: Bought Myself
GoodReads Page

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.



Review:

Well now this book is different than the ones I have been reading lately in the best way possible. I have to say this diffidently a darker read. I really loved this book I honestly couldn't put it down. I got really pulled into this book from the very beginning.

The setting for this book takes place in a city, separated by the rich from the poor. For good reason, there is a airborne plague about. This city is ruled by a prince who lives outside of it, he doesn't care for the city or the people who live inside of it.

The main character is a girl named Araby, shes having a hard time with life ever since she lost her twin brother Finn. She goes out to the clubs and does drugs to sooth away horrific memories. Besides that she is brave and caring, I would say maybe she cares a little to easily. She feels bad for people who can't afford masks or food. She lives in the rich side of town because her father discovered the masks that keep you from catching the cognition.

Of course theirs the charming "bouncer" guy with tattoos, his name is Will. Will isn't rich and has to work to barely keep food on the table for his little sister and brother. He is attracted to girls like Araby with their crazy hair colors and depressed moods. Araby of course finds Will to be very handsome. Shes promised her brother Finn that she wouldn't experience anything that he would never get to do. So she has never kissed a boy, anyways. Her and will are awkward at first but he ends up really caring for her and wanting to protect her. I would say that I liked his character from the beginning of the book.

But then come mysterious Elliot, he is a really tough character. He doesn't seem to care much for life that is until you find out that he is the Prince's nephew. He and Araby also have a romantic thing going on. They are way different than Araby and Will though. Elliot isn't afraid to put Araby in harms way and often seems like he doesn't care a lot. I found that I didn't really like him at first but then I found myself liking him more and more. I would still have to say I'm on Team Will though.

Another important charter in this book is Araby's bestfriend April. Also she is Elliot's sister so she has her issues with Araby and Elliot.She is the one who cares about fashion and what her and Araby look like even during a plague outbreak. She brings Araby to all the clubs so that way she can meet up with guys. She seems to care a lot about Araby with the decisions she makes. I found April to be rather enjoyable I thought she was fun character and she is rather important to the storyline.

I found this book to be a must read. I also loved the world and how gothic everything was. I would say that if you haven't read this book yet then you need to pick it up sometime.I also can't wait to start reading on the second book because I need to see what will happen next.





I gave this book 5 out of 5 bats.