Review: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin ( Masque of the Red Death #1)

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 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.

GS read and reviewed this what seems like forever ago, and over Christmas I read this story in about two days. No great literature here, but lots of tattered corsets and steamy looks from boys. This is a Poe/Steampunk mashup, and what the heck, why NOT.

Originality. 9. Plague, corsets, disparity of wealth/class struggles and love.  

Absurdity. 10- I agree with GS about the eye rolling at the goth/punk ripped Victorian dresses  and glittery eye shadow.  This with the dead brother and Prince story line?  Sheesh, a lot is happening here.  Nevermind the dangling above the croc scene!

Level of Paranormal Romance: 7.  Totally disagreed with GF- there is a lot of love for Will over here.

Level of Harry Potterness- 4- I like to set reasonable expectations, in my books, boyfriend, and new years resolutions.   Just for with it for the story, the originality, and the boys.   I am 87% going to continue with the next book in the series!