"Review:" Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

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.

Hardcover, 319 pages

Published April 24th 2012 by Greenwillow Books

(summary grabbed from GoodReads)

Masque of the Red Death is a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's book of the same name.  Poe is the master of creepiness, so a retelling of his classic tale would be perfect for October, right?  Well... it fell flat for me. was reading it on my Nook and got about halfway through, but grew bored.  I started skipping around, reading other books, and I just don't see myself finishing it.

It feels almost as if I'm breaking up with the book: it's not you, Masque of the Red Death, it's me.  We had a good run, but I think this is where we go our separate ways.  I treated you wrong -- cheating on you with other books.  Many other books.  All the while, I strung you along on my Nook and that was wrong.

The story simply did not resonate with me.  I could not connect with the characters, the world felt blah, and I had no sense of intrigue.  It was rather disappointing because this book has a lot going for it.  I can't see myself going back to finish this, but maybe I will.  And maybe I'll turn around and go "Omgomgomg this is best book everz!!!!!!" and fangirl out.  Today, however, is not that day.

Final Thought: 7 out of 10 breakup toadstools

Thoughts?  Non-thoughts?  Want to rate my break-up skillz?  Be sure to leave a comment! 

This "review" is also available on GoodReads