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.

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Series: The Infernal Devices #1
Author Info: Goodreads | Wikipedia
Published: August 31, 2010
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 479
Age Group: Young Adult
Format I Own: Kindle e-book
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 3/5


I've been wanting to read this (or The Mortal Instruments) series for quite a while, considering they're quite popular and the story seemed unique enough to spark my interest. And now that I've finished Clockwork Angel, I'm not completely floored by it, but I did still enjoy it. But I'm perhaps thinking that maybe I picked the wrong book to read first, and maybe I should have started with City of Bones. I picked Clockwork Angel to read first because it's story comes first, in timeline order. But I got the feeling while reading this that it assumes I have already read at least the first Mortal Instruments book. I felt like there might have been some things left out. For example I didn't quite understand exactly why everyone was doing what they were doing. I think maybe there was some back story that was told in City of Bones/Glass/Ashes that if I had read those first (considering they were published before Clockwork Angel) that maybe I would have had a better understanding of the plot.

This book was still enjoyable though, I felt that most of the characters were really unique. I took a liking toward Jem, wasn't sure whether to like or dislike Will, and I couldn't stand Jessamine. Every time she spoke she made me dislike her. They only character that bored me was Tessa. I felt she was just very flat and boring. Nothing at all interested me about her, save for her ability. And I still enjoyed the story even though I felt there were things that were left out. There were lots of plot twists and shockers, especially towards the end, that I didn't even see coming.

I may or may not continue on with these series, I think if I do I'll read them now in publication order instead of timeline order. Maybe then I'll have a better grasp of what these novels are about. And of course I'd also like to know, what's up with Will? Why is he the way he is? What secrets is he hiding? Those questions alone compel me to want to read more.

Waiting on Wednesday: Masque of the Red Death

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

From Goodreads

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.

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