Review: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

                       Book: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

                       Pages: 319

                       Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

                       Source: Library

Short Synopsis: Ever since the plague broke out, everything is in chaos and ruins. In a world filled with death and destruction, Araby Worth must find out who she can and cannot trust.

My Thoughts: An interesting world filled with deception, death, and betrayal, Araby Worth is an individual filled with sorrow and haunted memories. 

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.

--From Goodreads

I really enjoyed reading this novel. Set in a world where death rules the world, and you never know when the plague could hit the next individual, Araby Worth is a young teenage girl, struggling with the loss of her brother, and neglecting parents.

Araby is friends with a girl named April who shows her another side of the world in the Debauchery club and makes her forget about the hardships in life. Through April, she meets her brother Elliot and is immediately drawn into his world. Both individuals are trapped in a world where they do not desire to be in a place neither wants to be.

But when Araby's life is in danger one night, she also meets another man named Will, who saves her life. Though I'm not too fond of the obvious love triangle Griffin seems to be trying to work out, I found it a bit infuriating that Araby kept denying that she didn't have feelings for Elliot, and immediately drifted over to Will and his family.

It was interesting to read about the plague and the fact that a simple thing such as a mask can help prevent the disease from spreading to yourself. It was also interesting reading about the Prince, and how he manages to manipulate people into doing what he wants without any regards for the consequences ahead.

There wasn't much said about the character Reverend Malcontent just the fact that he was trying to start a revolution, but I disliked the minor character immediately. I was shocked by the ending, and couldn't believe what Will had done, and the fact that Araby was still willing to save him, though in all honesty, if I was in Araby's position, I wouldn't have the guts to leave him alone either. In general, I loved the novel and can't wait to read more!

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.