NICOLE'S REVIEW: Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Title: Dance of the Red Death
Author: Bethany Griffin
Format Acquired: Hardcover

Publication Date: June 11 2013

Publishing House: Greenwillow Books

ISBN: 9780062107824
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary:

Everything is on fire.

Araby Worth's city is being torn apart by death, disease and corrupt forces wanting to claim it for their own. She has lost her home. Her best friend is dying. Her mother has been kidnapped. The boy who made her feel something again betrayed her. And her father may be a murderer.

But Araby has found herself.

Despite the death and destruction all around her, she will fight for herself, for her friends, for her city. Her rebellion will take her, finally, to the mad prince's palace, for the decadent - and sinister - masked ball. It could be a trap. It could be the end of them all. Or it could be the moment that Araby becomes the kind of hero she never dreamed to be.

(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review:

If you haven't read the first book in this duology and are curious about it, you can find a review for the book here.

In Dance if the Red Death, Araby's city is a mess, her best friend is dying, her mother is kidnapped and her father might just be a murderer. The boy who made her feel alive has betrayed her and another boy, with his cunning and good looks, expresses interest in her. But despite the emotional turmoil Araby is determined to save her city and to do that she must enter the heart of the mad prince's palace. But does Araby have what it takes to save the city she calls her own? Or will she find herself trapped in the palace playing a game she has no chance of winning?

In the first book Araby was boring, your typical damsel in distress but in the second book it seems that she might have grown a backbone of sorts. Which is good. She's slightly more confident in herself and is capable of making her own decisions, which is another point for Araby of course. Elliot is still a power hungry megalomaniac, using Araby to further his cause. I could never be sure if he really had feelings for Araby or it was all just a front. Will, unsurprisingly, is still a sweetheart despite his actions in the first book. He was genuinely attracted to Araby and his remorse at what he had done was quite obvious. But I suppose he had no choice.

This book, unlike it's predecessor has more action and their situation is certainly more tense. Elliot finally gets the chance to lead a revolution against his uncle with Araby by his side. Will has his siblings back and is trying to reconcile with Araby. And Araby? She just wants to save her city, make sense of her feelings for both boys and find her father who has gone into hiding. 

I was surprised to find that Dance of the Red Death was the conclusion to this duology because truthfully, when I finished the book it did not feel like the end. There were still so many things that weren't expounded upon, so many things that could happen and somehow for me, I felt like it was cut short. I actually felt a little cheated because I expected something more to happen. I thought that there would be a next installment, but I guess that won't be happening. 

The Masque of the Red Death duology finishes with an ending that may or may not satisfy. If you're just starting to ease yourself into the genre, then yes, this series is a decent enough read. A little slow at some point but it will nonetheless keep you occupied.

Rating: