Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Review: Masque of the Red Death

MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH
Bethany Griffin
Paranormal Young Adult
320 pages
HarperTeen
Available April 24th
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
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.


MY THOUGHTS
Darkly atmospheric, Masque of the Red Death beckons us into its dichotomous world with the crook of a diseased finger, delighting us with technological advancements beyond those of our reality while simultaneously horrifying us with the deterioration of human health and quality of life. One page paints pictures of sumptuous debauchery for those who can afford it, with steam carriages for transport and needles full of liquid oblivion to escape the gruesome deaths of those unfortunate enough to contract the Weeping Sickness, while the next details the dirt, grime, and disease crippling the city one sore-ridden body at a time. We can almost feel the disease itself settle on our bodies with a tangible weight, our fingers itching to rub our skin red to alleviate the psychosomatic tingles as we follow Araby down from the highest perch above the city into the gutters themselves, discovering along the way that sickness isn’t only physical, and those suffering from it the most are often hiding behind wealth and privilege.

Araby is an interesting young woman, someone with status thanks to the masks her father invented that filter the air the wearer breathes so that no contagion can get through, but yet she isn’t overly proud of her elevated place in what remains of society. She’s similar to the porcelain mask she wears every day in so many ways–a hard shell that functions as it's supposed to but hides anything real behind a cool, smooth exterior. An honorable promise made to her late brother Finn has debilitated her, making her into someone who is alive but not truly living, and someone who wears her survivor’s guilt as armor plating to keep any happiness from finding its way in. Luckily for us, her sense of responsibility over Finn’s death, while heavy at times, isn’t all-consuming, and we’re able to catch glimpses of the real Araby when she every so often allows Will to create a chink in her armor.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this story is with regard to Will and Elliott, two young men with varying levels of interest in Araby. The synopsis has us believing we’ll find ourselves in the middle of a love triangle, and while that is partly true, the dynamics of their individual relationships are so deliciously fascinating that we can’t quite work up an appropriate level of irritation over a commonly used young adult fiction plot device. Ms. Griffin shows a true talent for creating both physical and emotional masks in this tale, with the physical obscuring facial features and making it difficult for Araby (and us) to decipher intent and sincerity, but more intriguing are the various emotional masks each boy dons. We think we have things figured out, confident in our knowledge of which boy is better suited to Araby, but we soon find ourselves embroiled in a shell game–masks sliding on and off the boys’ faces so quickly we can barely keep track of the one we think is the real one, and all the while we are completely absorbed by Ms. Griffin’s sleight of hand and the web of deception it creates.

Due to the aforementioned emotional masks, we don’t quite get to know any of the characters as well as we might like in this first installment, but we certainly know enough about them and the gritty, steampunk world to find ourselves drawn in and invested in the story’s outcome. While there is no jaw-dropping, hair-pulling cliffhanger, things are left unresolved and quite literally up in the air as a new and more ghastly plague known as the Red Death begins its gruesome attack on an already frightfully thin human population. Based on the conclusion of this first installment, this series promises to get darker and more complex as it goes, and I for one will be counting the days until I’m able to again try my hand at deciphering Ms. Griffin’s deliciously wicked games of duplicity and betrayal.

Rating: 4/5

38 comments:

  1. Oooh...this sounds good. I like a book with elements of a love triangle but that doesn't succumb to overplayed plot elements. I love your metaphor "crook of a diseased finger" - how do you think of these things?!

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    1. That's exactly what caught my eye, too! What a turn of phrase. I have this one on my shelf and maybe it's going to be my next read. I'm always one for wicked games, especially those that are hidden behind delicate porcelain masks.

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  2. I really enjoyed this one. I definitely agree about the love triangle aspect, it didn't annoy me at all and I had very mixed and changing feelings on Will and Elliott throughout the book. I'm very interested in getting to know these characters even better in the next book. Fantastic review :)

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  3. AHHH! I have been dying to read this one! I admit that I didn't read the full review (just glanced at the rating and the last paragraph) because I didn't want to spoil it for myself. But I am definitely keeping it on my TO BUY list since you rated it so well!

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  4. YAY! This book is next to read on my list after I finish my current one, so I'm really glad you liked it, Jenny :) The romance sounds so much more intriguing than I originally though it was going to be! I never thought about the obstacles that the masks would pose before -- but now that I do, you're so right. I can't wait to read about how the author handles it all!

    Beautiful review as always, Jenny! <3 I'm honestly awed every time you use words like "dichotomous" in your reviews -- I always wish my reviewing skills could be that great! :)

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  5. The mere mention of a love triangle makes me want to poke myself in the eye.

    That said, I have seen this book around everywhere, it seems, and based on your review (despite that not really love triangle) it sounds like a good one! :)

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  6. It looks like it was a great read!

    I wish I was more into steampunk! I just can't get in to it :( :( :( :( I love reading the reviews of people that can though :)

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  7. Your reviews are very detailed and awe-inspiring. You write like a born writer and I take pleasure seeing books through your eyes :) Masque of the Red Death is on my TBR now.

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  8. This sounds SO FREAKING AWESOME! This is definitely right up my alley and i'm PSYCHED to read it this weekend! Great review!!

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  9. I really liked the original short story by Edgar Allen Poe, which is this book is based on. Seems like the all the main plot points are in tact. Now I'm curious to see what changes, if any, has been made. I'm adding this one to my tbr pile. :)

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  10. ^^ I didn't know this one was based on a Poe story. That alone has me interested in reading it. The boys and love triangle element which doesn't follow all the overdone rules of love triangles sounds pretty good too!

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  11. Alison - I really liked the dynamic between the three of them in this one, I wasn't really sure who was good/bad or if they were all a little bit of both:) And I don't know where I come up with things, I write late at night and sometimes visuals just pop in there.

    Tiffany - I thought the love triangle would frustrate me in this one, but it had a different feel to it that I really liked.

    Amy - I really enjoyed this one, it was dark and intriguing and I wanted to spend more time in the world even though it was terrifying.

    Mimi - Hahahaha I sit with a thesaurus when I'm writing:) Sometimes I know what I'm trying to say but the words just don't want to come. The thesaurus is my friend. Can't wait to see what you think of this one!

    Amanda - Haha I know me too, but this one is done well I think. It's not as love traingle-y as you might think.

    Felicia - It's fairly light on the steampunk if you want to give it a try, but there are definitely elements of it present. Definitely not for everyone!

    Hazal - Thank you so much! I hope you like it when you get a chance to pick it up!

    Giselle - It was really different which I liked, it stood out for me among the other paranormal books I'd been reading.

    Rummanah - I haven't read the short story, so I have no idea how if this story follows it closely or not, but I really enjoyed it:)

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  12. Leanna - I only knew based on the title, but I wasn't familiar with the story itself. And I really enjoyed both boys:)

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  13. Ohhhhhhh this one sounds a bit wicked...not exactly what I was expecting, which I find exceptionally exciting. Awesome review, Jenny...I think it sounds like the author twists us up in her story, and Lord knows I love that!

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  14. Aaaagh! How could you leave us hanging like that Jenny?! Tell me more about this love triangle I'm gonna love! LOL

    I'm a bit skeptical, but willing to see (and judge) for myself. :)

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  15. Oh I'm so glad you enjoyed this one! Its probably going to be my next read so now I'm looking forward to it a little more. Ive read some mixed reviews that had me worried it would be too dark and that I may not like the MC. But hopefully now I'll be more eager to pick it up.

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  16. Honestly I do not know what to make of this book and for that alone I want to read it :D

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  17. YAY so glad you enjoyed this one Jenny :) !! I wasn't planning to read this one actually because the blurb did not appeal to me but I've only read amazing reviews on this one until now so I'm definitely reconsiderinf ! Fabulous review :)

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  18. Dn't you just live the cover on this one? I will have this on my blog on Monday. I enjoyed this but felt it lacked world building detail. The writing is wonderful, but it took awhile to get going and then the end just cut off..not really a cliffhanger just a quick break. It is definitely interesting, though.

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  19. Melissa - It was not what I was expecting either, and I always think that's a good thing:)

    Missie - Haha sorry:) I liked the three of them in their strange little triangle, it was well done in my opinion:)

    Candace - It's definitely dark, but not overwhelmingly dark I didn't think. And it does take a little while to warm up to Araby, but I liked that she's kind of at rock bottom when we meet her, and she slowly starts making her way toward the surface as we read.

    Linda - I feel like that with a lot of books as well:)

    Elodie - It was gritty and fascinating, definitely not a read for everyone, but I really enjoyed it:)

    Heidi - I do! It definitely captures the feel of the book I think:) I agree it took a little getting used to in the beginning, but I didn't mind that so much for whatever reason. I was just having fun reading something that felt unique:)

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  20. Oh my...I'm pretty much in a tizzy over what you had to say regarding the love triangle. The book itself sounds very different and refreshing, but I am intrigued by the dynamic Griffin creates with the main three. Physical AND emotional masks? Web of deception? Somebody get me this book!

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  21. Oh a fist shaking novel. One that doesn't end in a cliffie, but still has unanswered questions.

    I also don't mind a triangle as long as it is done well. Sounds like this is a good one. I so want to read this book!

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  22. I need this book! It sound so unique and these masks? They sound fantastic! I'm not a huge fan of love triangles but I can live with them. Great review, Jenny! I'm so excited to read this one!

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  23. I am reading this book at the moment! It's interesting to read your review. I can't say the start is anything spectacular for me but it's not bad oeither. I've only just started though so I hope things get better but I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

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  24. YAY! Love the world building in this book. The masks part was unique in the way that they used them! Lovely review Jenny!

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  25. Is it totally that I'm already rubbing my skin checking for disease? It's the OCD in me. You mention it I must do it. Lol!

    I wasn't sure about this one, but now I can't wait! Sounds wonderful, Jenny! Plus, I love the imagery, ” beckons us into its dichotomous world with the crook of a diseased finger,”. Awesome.

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  26. Oh, this sounds fantastic! I like how though there's a hint of a love triangle, it certainly doesn't sound like it will override the main plot. Definitely looking forward to reading this<3 Glad you enjoyed it Jenny!

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  27. I absolutely adore Edgar Allan Poe, so any book that references him at all immediately gets a place on my to-read list! I have a copy of Masque on my shelf for review, and I can't wait to start it, especially since I'm sure I'll enjoy the creepy atmosphere that you described!

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  28. You know that. Had a few more problems with this book, butim happy to read that you enjoyed it so much. Indoagree with you on the Live Triangle. I'm usually not a big fan of them but it was interestingly well played here. I'm ager to follow these relationships in the next book!

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  29. I really like the sound of this one. The dichotomy of the world, the fact that there's steampunk elements, a love triangle that's not annoying ... definitely planning on checking this one out, Jenny!

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  30. OH this one sounds really, really good. Like, I'm diving in as soon as it comes! I don't care what I'm reading at the time. Jenny that was an impressive review, with the love triangle and the slipping of the masks. I didn't think about even hiding their looks behind them. Oh, I am in! I cannot wait! That was such a good review, it should be on the book jacket!

    Heather

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  31. Aw, I'm so disappointed I didn't seem to like this one anywhere near as much as other people did. And I'm left wondering if I missed something. Unfortunately, I really disliked Araby and I think that was the main reason I ended up disliking it. But I do agree about the sort of darkly beautiful imagery and atmosphere of the book. I thought it mimicked the atmosphere of Poe's books quite well!

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  32. It's a testament to how beautiful your reviews are that I have already read and enjoyed this book, but your review makes me want to pick it up again, hah! I love how you've described the novel, especially this line "We can almost feel the disease itself settle on our bodies with a tangible weight..." and your closing one.

    I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Jenny--and it's good thing there are only two books in this series, because I don't think I want to wait 2 years to find out how the story ends!

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  33. One of my fave Poe stories is The Masque of the Red Death so I'm looking forward to this creepy and dark read! The world sounds fab. Great review!

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  34. OH JENNY! I love your thoughts! I felt like the characters were just a little bit underdeveloped but that the rest of the book made up for it. I felt like the world-building and setting-as-character made up for what lacked in the development of the characters, though, and the story was so good that I too am just salivating to get my hands on the next installment. Such a great, great book.

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  35. I love how you used the mask metaphors of the book in your review. Very deep! ;) I wasn't a huge fan of this one, I don't know... I liked parts of it, but it's all a little bit forgettable to me for some reason.

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  36. I would recommend this book to anyone! I started reading and couldn't put it down! It was so much more than I could have hoped for! I'll be anxiously awaiting new releases from Bethany Griffin!

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