Title: Dance of the Red Death
Author: Bethany Griffin
Series: Red Death, book #2
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: June 11, 2013
Source: from publisher via Edelweiss
Purchase: Amazon |
Barnes & Noble
Bethany Griffin continues the journey of Araby Worth in Dance of the Red Death—the sequel to her teen novel Masque of the Red Death.
In Dance of the Red Death, Araby’s world is in shambles—betrayal, death, disease, and evil forces surround her. She has no one to trust. But she finds herself and discovers that she will fight for the people she loves, and for her city.
Her revenge will take place at the menacing masked ball, though it could destroy her and everyone she loves…or it could turn her into a hero.
With a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, Bethany Griffin concludes her tragic and mysterious Red Death series with a heroine that young adult readers will never forget.
Well, now.
Dance of the Red Death picked up right where
Masque left off...with little to no review of the previous book's events. I suggest a re-read of
Masque if you've got the time. (I'd do it for the swoons alone...they are far and few in this follow-up novel.) Fighting abounds, escapes and near-misses are aplenty, and even an
I love you or two is uttered. And yet, this finale in the Red Death series just wasn't quite what I was hoping for.
Our Heroine: That damned silver syringe makes an appearance once again, but this time around, Araby is able to refuse oblivion. She has learned to deal with grief and regret on her own terms. Araby's truly grown as a character, from the spoiled, naïve girl she was in
Masque to the battle-hardened, world-weary revolutionary she is in
Dance. Despite all of the horrific things she's been a witness to, she still maintains hope that together, she and Elliott can right the wrongs of their families.
The Love Triangle: In retrospect, I think it was always pretty obvious where Araby's affections lie, even after loyalties were tested and betrayals had come between characters. But just because it was obvious, doesn't mean I wanted to see it. I always favor my bad boys with a side of redemption, and this series was no different. What Araby says is true: Elliott
would make a good leader. What I'm unsure of is whether that fact alone remains his only redeeming quality. I think Araby's presence does help to soften his demeanor some, but I'm not sure anyone could truly ever crack the ice surrounding his heart.
Will, on the other hand, is outwardly brusque, but on the inside, he's like a big, cuddly teddy bear. His presence on the airship, and among the group in general, is at first only mildly tolerated. His misdeeds are few but they are great, and he has a lot to atone for. But unlike Elliott, whose actions only serve himself or his purpose, Will
is trying to regain trust. It's clear that his feelings for Araby haven't changed and that he'd be willing to do anything to protect her...even if that means protecting her from Elliott.
I remember
Masque being much swoonier. There were
moments, but where were the lines like this?
“And I’m falling in love with you,” he whispers. “But I would throw you in the water and watch crocodiles tear you to bits, if I thought that doing so would accomplish my goals. Do. Not. Trust. Anyone. Especially me.”
What? You weren't swooning at that point? ;0)
The World: Still as depraved and desolate as it was in the first book...but maybe more so with the release of a second contagion. Now, even a mask may not keep you safe. But maybe the prince can? Doubtful.
The contradictions introduced in the first book are still prevalent in this sequel: the decaying, crumbling city versus the decadent castle. Traveling through the treacherous, crocodile-infested marshlands versus taking flight in an airship. The impoverished versus the wealthy. I imagine that's exactly what it would come down to if such a plague were to be released upon us today: those who can afford to survive and those who cannot.
My only issue with the world-building is actually one that I find all too common in dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels: what about the world outside of Prospero's city? Has there been no communication with the outside world? Is this place all that exists any longer?
I
thought two books would be enough, but I was wrong.
At first, I was rather elated that this would be a duology. I love when authors and their publishing houses realize that the material is better suited for a two-part series as opposed to the standard trilogy. Although a satisfying ending to the series,
Dance left this particular reader wanting still more from this derelict world, despite the dire conditions the characters still face. Sure, both books were crammed with drama and action and all manner of twists and turns. And the ending was great. But I still have so many questions. Still, the one that plagues me most, and the one I'm least likely to ever get an answer to is,
Would Elliott really have been able to do it?
Rating: 
Be sure to check out my guest post from the author plus a great giveaway as part of the Dance of the Red Death Blog Tour, hosted by Rockstar Book Tours!
the Red Death series
About the author:
Bethany Griffin is a high school English teacher who prides herself on attracting creative misfits to elective classes like Young Adult Literature, Creative Writing, and Speculative Literature. She is the author of Handcuffs & MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (April 2012). She lives with her family in Kentucky.
Find Bethany:
Website |
Twitter |
Facebook |
Goodreads
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
{Promo} THE GLITTERING COURT Release Day Blitz
I am so excited that THE GLITTERING COURT by Richelle Mead releases today and that I get to share the news, along with a special giveaway! I haven't read it yet but the buzz has me yearning to get a copy as soon as I possibly can!
If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by author Richelle Mead, be sure to check out all the details below.
This blitz also includes a giveaway for a signed copy of the book and a $25 Sephora Gift Card courtesy of Richelle, Penguin Teen, and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
About the book:
Publication Date: April 5, 2016
Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a hardcover of THE GLITTERING COURT & a $25 Sephora Gift Card. US Only.
Ends on April 15th at Midnight EST!
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Wednesday, November 5, 2014
{Blog Tour} Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers: Review & Giveaway
I am thrilled to pieces to be a stop on the Mortal Heart Blog Tour today! I've loved this series from the very beginning, reading and re-reading each book in anticipation of the next. I just can't get enough of those assassins -- those daughters of Mortain -- and their various exploits!
Mortal Heart just released into the world yesterday and to celebrate, I've got my spoiler-free review for you below, as well as a tour-wide giveaway for a copy of the book plus other awesome goodies!
Here's the blurb:
I went into this final book with some trepidation. I liked what I knew of Annith from the previous books, but I didn't know her yet, and if I'm being honest, I was afraid she was going to be be a little boring. I mean, they call her Saint Annith because she is so consumed with going above and beyond the convent's expectations of her. But I also didn't care much for what little I knew of Sybella's character in Grave Mercy, and her character arc really surprised me in the second installment, so I should have been prepared for a similar experience with Annith.
I wasn't, though. As much as I feared that neither of the other girls could compare to how much I loved Ismae in Grave Mercy, Annith gave Ismae a run for her money. She may be reserved, a vision of the perfect novitiate, but underneath that perfect visage, she is burning for an assignment, a chance to prove herself worthy. Annith is lethal -- touted as the best at everything among the novices at the convent -- and yet she has never been sent on assignment, passed up time and again. She is tired of being the obedient girl, the one who can always be counted to do what is expected of her. Because Annith is much more sneaky and cunning than anyone could have guessed, she finds her way off the island and away from the convent that has been her prison since she was but a babe. I have to admit, I really liked this side of Annith and I wished I'd seen it sooner so I wouldn't have been so reluctant to count her among my favorite assassin nuns. Because even though we've seen the fire that burns within Annith, she is still the same gentle soul she was when we first met her character.
Of the three daughters of Mortain that we've come to know so intimately, Annith is the one who is most balanced, and I think it was even more evident when we saw the three of them in the same confines. Ismae's temper can still be a fiery inferno and Sybella's ferocity knows no bounds, but Annith's inherent balance of passion and calm make her the most level-headed of the three. Though the three assassins have changed so much in their time apart, it was absolutely lovely to see that their friendship had survived all the trials that they'd been through, that they'd come through their missions thicker than ever. It was nice to see some old friends and faces, and not just in passing. These girls all very much have a part in each other's stories, as do their loves.
The man who steals into Annith's life like a thief in the night carries no less baggage than the other girls' love interests, but his role is much larger than any of the others. Like the assassins, Balthazaar serves the god of death, but in a different capacity. While the daughters of Mortain delight in meting out his justice, Balthazaar seems to harbor a deep sadness for his task. And yet Annith is drawn to him and Balthazaar to her. They don't try to deny their attraction for very long, which is one of the things I love best about the romances in this series: Robin LaFevers creates these romantic leads that know exactly who and what they want and aren't about to give them up. The romances are mature in all the ways that matter and are so artfully written as to make each pairing perfectly suited for each other.
Not only were the couples suited for each other but also for what they have yet to face in the battle for Anne to keep her duchy and avoid war with France. Political intrigue abounds in this final installment, not only as tensions mount with France, but also as secrets about Annith's past and the convent come to light. I love the liberties the author has taken with the history of Brittany and France during the time period but also how much of it she has left intact. With the continued presence of the patron saints and their mythology, this world felt new and unique while also comfortable for its familiarity with the basis in real historical events.
I knew I'd love this book once I finally cracked it open. I just didn't know how much. And I also didn't expect to run the full gamut of emotions while I read it. I'm not often shocked by a story, but Mortal Heart caught me by surprise on more than one occasion. I may have predicted some of the bigger reveals, but it was the smaller obstacles that caught me off-guard. I was expecting big things from this book, and I got more than I bargained for, that's for sure. And now I'm left reeling from the loss of it. I'm afraid to really dive into another book for fear that it won't be able to compare to the beautiful story I just read. Mortal Heart was a brilliant and utterly stunning conclusion to one of my very favorite historical fiction series, and I'm going to miss those assassin nuns something fierce.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Eeek! That is a fabulous giveaway...especially knowing how each piece plays into this final installment in the His Fair Assassins series!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Review: Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
Author: Bethany Griffin
Series: Red Death, book #2
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: June 11, 2013
Source: from publisher via Edelweiss
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
In Dance of the Red Death, Araby’s world is in shambles—betrayal, death, disease, and evil forces surround her. She has no one to trust. But she finds herself and discovers that she will fight for the people she loves, and for her city.
Her revenge will take place at the menacing masked ball, though it could destroy her and everyone she loves…or it could turn her into a hero.
With a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, Bethany Griffin concludes her tragic and mysterious Red Death series with a heroine that young adult readers will never forget.
Well, now. Dance of the Red Death picked up right where Masque left off...with little to no review of the previous book's events. I suggest a re-read of Masque if you've got the time. (I'd do it for the swoons alone...they are far and few in this follow-up novel.) Fighting abounds, escapes and near-misses are aplenty, and even an I love you or two is uttered. And yet, this finale in the Red Death series just wasn't quite what I was hoping for.
Our Heroine: That damned silver syringe makes an appearance once again, but this time around, Araby is able to refuse oblivion. She has learned to deal with grief and regret on her own terms. Araby's truly grown as a character, from the spoiled, naïve girl she was in Masque to the battle-hardened, world-weary revolutionary she is in Dance. Despite all of the horrific things she's been a witness to, she still maintains hope that together, she and Elliott can right the wrongs of their families.
The Love Triangle: In retrospect, I think it was always pretty obvious where Araby's affections lie, even after loyalties were tested and betrayals had come between characters. But just because it was obvious, doesn't mean I wanted to see it. I always favor my bad boys with a side of redemption, and this series was no different. What Araby says is true: Elliott would make a good leader. What I'm unsure of is whether that fact alone remains his only redeeming quality. I think Araby's presence does help to soften his demeanor some, but I'm not sure anyone could truly ever crack the ice surrounding his heart.
Will, on the other hand, is outwardly brusque, but on the inside, he's like a big, cuddly teddy bear. His presence on the airship, and among the group in general, is at first only mildly tolerated. His misdeeds are few but they are great, and he has a lot to atone for. But unlike Elliott, whose actions only serve himself or his purpose, Will is trying to regain trust. It's clear that his feelings for Araby haven't changed and that he'd be willing to do anything to protect her...even if that means protecting her from Elliott.
I remember Masque being much swoonier. There were moments, but where were the lines like this?
What? You weren't swooning at that point? ;0)
The World: Still as depraved and desolate as it was in the first book...but maybe more so with the release of a second contagion. Now, even a mask may not keep you safe. But maybe the prince can? Doubtful.
The contradictions introduced in the first book are still prevalent in this sequel: the decaying, crumbling city versus the decadent castle. Traveling through the treacherous, crocodile-infested marshlands versus taking flight in an airship. The impoverished versus the wealthy. I imagine that's exactly what it would come down to if such a plague were to be released upon us today: those who can afford to survive and those who cannot.
My only issue with the world-building is actually one that I find all too common in dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels: what about the world outside of Prospero's city? Has there been no communication with the outside world? Is this place all that exists any longer?
I thought two books would be enough, but I was wrong.
At first, I was rather elated that this would be a duology. I love when authors and their publishing houses realize that the material is better suited for a two-part series as opposed to the standard trilogy. Although a satisfying ending to the series, Dance left this particular reader wanting still more from this derelict world, despite the dire conditions the characters still face. Sure, both books were crammed with drama and action and all manner of twists and turns. And the ending was great. But I still have so many questions. Still, the one that plagues me most, and the one I'm least likely to ever get an answer to is, Would Elliott really have been able to do it?
Rating:
Be sure to check out my guest post from the author plus a great giveaway as part of the Dance of the Red Death Blog Tour, hosted by Rockstar Book Tours!
Bethany Griffin is a high school English teacher who prides herself on attracting creative misfits to elective classes like Young Adult Literature, Creative Writing, and Speculative Literature. She is the author of Handcuffs & MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (April 2012). She lives with her family in Kentucky.
Find Bethany:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Thursday, June 6, 2013
{Blog Tour} Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin: Guest Post + Giveaway
Hello, lovely readers! I am so excited to bring you a special guest post from Bethany Griffin, author of the amazing Red Death series, as part of the Dance of the Red Death Blog Tour. The awesome ladies at Rockstar Book Tours have put together a great tour, complete with some equally amazing giveaway prizes. Before we get to that, here's a little bit about the epic sequel to Masque of the Red Death:
Author: Bethany Griffin
Series: Red Death, book #2
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: June 11, 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
In Dance of the Red Death, Araby’s world is in shambles—betrayal, death, disease, and evil forces surround her. She has no one to trust. But she finds herself and discovers that she will fight for the people she loves, and for her city.
Her revenge will take place at the menacing masked ball, though it could destroy her and everyone she loves…or it could turn her into a hero.
With a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, Bethany Griffin concludes her tragic and mysterious Red Death series with a heroine that young adult readers will never forget.
My review goes up on Monday!
Bethany Griffin is a high school English teacher who prides herself on attracting creative misfits to elective classes like Young Adult Literature, Creative Writing, and Speculative Literature. She is the author of Handcuffs & MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (April 2012). She lives with her family in Kentucky.
Find Bethany:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Bethany has obliged us today with a glimpse at her writing space. I just love when authors are willing to share such an intimate look at their lives as writers...and just how different each writing spot is from author to author! Without further ado, here's Bethany...
In the summer/spring/fall, this is where you can usually find me. Gilbert hangs out here with me, and usually a few cats.
Here is my reading chair and my stacks of books (behind chair) and Gilbert, again. I was planning to fill the wall with built in bookshelves, but since there is a chance we may not remain in this house as long as I expected when I bought it…(and this room is technically a dining room) I’m thinking of getting some of my foreign book covers blown up and framing them for that wall. Of course, that leaves the question of the books…
This is where I do the actual work, in the winter or when it’s raining. This particular picture was in the throes of revising Dance of the Red Death. I’m usually not that messy.
Hehe...don't worry, Bethany! My mother is always wondering how I ended up with a brown thumb when she's always been quite the gardener. People know better than to give me plants if they have any hopes of them remaining alive. =) Thanks for the view of your writing space! It was so fun seeing all of the spots where you make the magic happen. :D
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Follow the rest of the Dance of the Red Death Blog Tour:
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Blog Tour: Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder - Guest Post + TWO Giveaways
Wow! I am sooo excited to welcome Maria V. Snyder to the blog today to share a little bit about her Healer series. And I've got two, yes TWO, great giveaways for you! But first, here's more about Scent of Magic, the newest book in Maria's Healer series, which just released TODAY!!
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Healer, book #2
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Publication Date: December 18, 2012
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.
Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.
War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.
You can find my review of Scent of Magic here. And you can view the awesome trailer for the book below:
10 Things you might not know about the Healer Series:
I just love finding out how characters and places in my favorite novels got their names. And it's so fun discovering how some of the most fantastical elements of this series have come to light...I have to admit that I wondered at how Tohon's dead came to be a part of the Healer series. Such an excellent, informative post, and I want to heartily thank Maria for sharing!
Below, you'll find two separate giveaways: one is a publisher-sponsored giveaway for a prize pack featuring Harlequin Teen and MIRA books (US/Canada only) and the other is an author-sponsored giveaway for one copy of Scent of Magic (International).
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Special thanks to Rockstar Book Tours and Maria V. Snyder for allowing me to take part in this tour! Don't miss the other stops on the tour...there are more chances to win your very own copy of Scent of Magic!
Thanks for stopping by & happy reading!
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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