Review: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Series: Masque of the Red Death #1
Author Info: Website | Goodreads
Published: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 319

Age Group: Young Adult
Format I Own: Hardcover
Rating: 3.5/5

It may come as no surprise that the first things that drew me to this book were the name and the title. It instantly seemed like a nice dark/gothic non-horror novel that would be right up my alley. And then when I read the summary of what it was about, I knew I had to have it as soon as it came out. So I had extremely high expectations of this book. Unfortunately it did not deliver.

I'm definitely not saying it was a bad book, I just feel like my expectations were so high and that's why I feel a little disappointed but I still did enjoy this book. Just not as much as I'd hoped. It started out great, the way the world and surroundings were subscribed set a dark atmosphere to the story which I loved. Plus there's glitter. And I do love glitter. But quickly after that the story was only mediocre. Boring is not the word for it, I never once felt bored while reading it. But there also wasn't anything that made me really want to keep reading as much as I can to see what happens next. Perhaps I'm stupid but I was questioning what the main plot was about for about the first half of this book. Yes there's a sickness that plaguing the world, and Araby and her friend April get all glittered up and go to the Debauchery Club, but is that all there is to the story? I later realize that answer is no.

The climax was great though. It drew me into the book much more, and even made me decide that I probably will read the sequel when that comes out, because I am very interested to see what happens next. And perhaps I will enjoy that book as much as I hoped to enjoy this one. And maybe there will be more glitter, although I'm really doubting that.

Even though I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, I still would recommend it because it was a good read. I just had this book so high on my list of books that I wanted to read, that I was expecting it to be a favorite.

Friday Finds 6/1

What great books did you hear about/discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS! 
Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

 Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t…

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet…for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

 In this intensely romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo’s original intended—Juliet’s cousin Rosaline—tells her side of the tale.

What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.

Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy… and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance.

Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet’s instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob’s heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends…

 Have you read these books? Let me know your thoughts, or show me your review!

Waiting On Wednesday: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases that we can't wait to read.



I know a lot of you have probably seen this book mentioned hundreds of times already but I couldn't resist!

 From Goodreads

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.  

What books are you eagerly anticipating the release of? Let me know!  

Review - Divergent by Veronica Roth

Series: Divergent #1
Author Info: Blogspot
Published: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Katharine Tegen Books
Pages: 487
Age Group: Young Adult
Format I Own: Kindle e-book
Purchase: Amazon

I was very excited to read this book after reading what it was about and hearing so many people rave about it. And I was not disappointed at all.

At the start of the book I was constantly wondering which faction I would probably be in (Amity), as well as my parents, and what it must be like, etc etc. Overall I thought the idea of having factions was quite a unique thing for a book, granted I also started questioning how that could even work, having everyone segregated like that, and only allowing each faction to do/think/act a certain way.

I loved how Beatrice's character kept changing and progressing as the book went on, and I was so into this book that I actually noticed it. I can't recall a single moment in this book that I found dull, and the closer I got to the end, the more I found myself becoming completely sucked into it. Yes, this book is jam PACKED with action, with a little romance thrown in. However I must say I'm not totally madly in love with Four like everyone else seems to be. Do I think Beatrice and Four make a bad couple? Certainly not. And I'm not saying I dislike four either, I'm just saying that he doesn't have a quality for me that makes me really like him.

I did feel that the ending was slightly anti-climactic, but everything leading up to it certainly had my heart pounding.

Now I'm really looking forward to reading Insurgent as soon as it comes out.

Oh and the only thing I'm going to say in regards to comparing this with The Hunger Games (which a lot of people like to do, seeing as their both very popular in the dystopian genre) is that I actually enjoyed Divergent more.

Review - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Series: The Hunger Games Trilogy
Author Info: Website
Published: September 14, 2008
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 374
Age Group: Young Adult
Format I Own: Kindle e-book
Purchase: Amazon

This was the first dystopian novel I've ever read, and what a great novel I chose to break me into this new genre. The Hunger Games was an excellent read, although I wasn't thinking that for the first part of reading this.

This had an excellent story, fast-paced action, and even a hint of romance, but for the first third of the book, I was completely uninterested. Fortunately I wasn't bored because of how quick the story moved along, but it was until the actual Games begun that I finally started being consumed by the plot. So many twists were happening one after another, and it was extremely exciting to see what was going to happen next.

I also can't help but wonder a few things about this book. For example, as a previous reviewer said, I would have liked to know more about what had caused the fall of the United States, and more about what started The Hunger Games in the first place. And also, why throw children into an arena to fight to the death? If I were living in this world, I would be reluctant to have children so they wouldn't suffer being apart of the Games. It just seems like there could have been other, less cruel ways to show dominance rather than making innocent children kill each other.

Regardless of these questions, it still does not change how much I enjoyed reading this, and that I will read the next two books of the trilogy, and also read more books in the dystopian genre.