Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

title: Masque of the Red Death
written by: Bethany Griffin
genre: Young Adult, Apocalyptic Fiction
page count: 319
publication date: April 24th, 2012
publisher: Greenwillow books
rating: 4.5/5

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.

Masque of the Red Death is one of my books that is out of 'my comfort zone', as far as I have a zone like that. It was horror-like, and I usually don't read horror. Not that I don't like it, because I really do, but just because there are other genres that appeal to me more than YA horror. Griffin made me question myself, should I read more YA horror? Because I simply loved this book! It was not really horror-y, and had just the right amout of everything a good book needs. I will definitely read future books by her, and I will also try the Edgar Allen Poe story this book was based on.

Araby, a girl who lives in a world of terror, disease and death, is the daughter of the inventor that invented the masque that prevents you from contagion of the all-destroying plague. This makes her one of the most important girls in town, and protects her from the plague. All the time she is looking for oblivion. She doesn't want to remember her brother, doesn't want to feel responsible for his death. Her raw emotions make her a very unique character. Then she meets Will, the beautiful boy working at the club. Once she starts to really get to know him, she wants to help him, although this seems impossible. 

The plot twisted in every way possible, it was madness! And I mean that in a positive way :) I don't believe I have read many other YA books as suspenseful as this one. And the romance was just perfect. Will is one of  those cute but broken boys you just want to give hugs, while Elliot is his exact opposite. So yes, love triangle. I know the idea sounds retarted and simply stupid, but this one was just so perfect! I  mean, love triangles usually are one of the most annoying phenomena in YA lit, but it improved this novel.

The writing style of Griffin is not really special, but easy to read. The dialogue was great, the characters had 'depth' and the entire story was told at a high pace to keep it all interesting. 

Griffin portrayed a horrible scenario that appears quite realistic. I absolutely loved everything about 'Masque of the Red Death' and I give this book 4.5 stars. My favorite YA horror novel!

Love,

Mar