The masque of the red death - Bethany Griffin

Death is impossible and living is impossibly hard for 17-year-old Araby Worth in this sexy, post-Apocalyptic reimagining of Poe's gothic horror story of the same name.

It's 1870 and a deadly virus has decimated the population of North America. Masked corpse-collectors roam the streets, removing the bodies before the contagion can spread. Though Araby tries to escape it all with drugs and parties, even at her most intoxicated she can't forget her brother's death - or her guilt for causing it.

But things begin to change when William, the fascinating proprietor of The Debauchery Club where she searches for oblivion, and Elliott, nephew of the insane dictator, enter her life. One wants her heart, and the other her name. Convinced that he has won over his uncle's army, Elliott believes that having Araby on his arm will charm the populace into supporting a new government. After all, her father is the inventor of the mask which prevents the spread of the plague and saved civilisation - for those who can afford it.

... but Araby's greatest interest is that his plans will make protective masks available to all citizens and, in particular, to Will's young siblings, whom she has come to love despite herself. But nothing is what it seems. A new contagion called the Red Death is sweeping the city and a shocking revelation about the origin of the new virus puts Araby's life in danger.

The mob wants her. The rebels want her. And both boys want her. In this superb two-book series, what and who Araby chooses may just decide the fate of humanity ...

Bethany Griffin is the author of the Young Adult bookMasque of the Red Death, and its sequel,Dance of the Red Death.

She currently teaches English Literature, Creative Writing and History, and lives in Louiseville, USA.

Bethany's website is http://www.bethanygriffin.com/ and you can follow her on Twitter @_bethanygriffin

A stylish Gothic mystey
School Librarian

Revolution, romance, decadence and decay make a heady mix ... Never patronising, often horrific ... a brave, breathless adventure. Written with restraint and relentlessly addictive
SFX Magazine

[A] dark and gripping dystopian romance
Book Trust

Masque of the Red Death is a very well written debut novel. The writing itself is beautiful, the vivid descriptions are the best I've read recently. Bethany Griffin's writing style is very unique, and I loved it. This book was a joy to read. The whole idea is very unique. It's a concoction of dystopian and steampunk mixed together perfectly to create this hauntingly beautiful story. I wasn't sure whether I was going to like this book or not but it blew my mind. It's such a mysterious tale that leaves the reader catching their breath in suspense.
Read, Write and Read Some More

Griffin captures beautifully what it might be like to become terrifyingly familiar with disease and death.
TES

It's a must read for all dystopia, steam punk and historical lovers.
THE BOOK ADDICTED GIRL

Revolution, romance, decadence and decay make a heady mix in Bethany Griffin's YA thriller inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's plague-riddled short story... Never patronising, often horrific, Masque is a brave, breathless adventure. Written with restraint and relentlessly addictive, the worst thing is the unbearable wait until the release of the concluding second part.
SFX - Rosie Fletcher