Masque of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #1) by Bethany Griffin - Ashley's Pre-Reading

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Masque of the Red Death
Author: Bethany Griffin
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis: 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.

Why?: I'm all about those creepy stories that make you think... And what could be creepier than a retelling of an Edgar Allen Poe story? I'm really interested as to how Griffin will take the classic story with all of its mystery and colors and Death and turn it into a plague, debauchery, nightlife, and all the glitz and glamour of an underground party world. Pretty much everything about this book just makes me want to sit down and read it all in one go.

Expectations: I expect a pretty intense story with quite a bit of death, mystery, and double meanings. I'm hoping for some obvious Poe references as well as some more unique ones, and definitely some creative new spins on a classic. Masque of the Red Death is one of the more popular Poe stories, so I have pretty big expectations for this story. It should definitely live up to its namesake!

Judging a book by its cover: I'm pretty much in love with this cover. I love how the rd stands out against the blacks and whites and grays. I love that the girl has her face hidden so she comes off as very mysterious. I love the dress and the parasol among the doom and gloom of the clouds and the weeds. The whole thing really reminds me of the covers for the Anna Dressed in Blood series, which is one of my all time favorites. If I saw this on a shelf somewhere, I would totally pick it up. 


--Ashley