quippe | Entries tagged with bethany griffin

The Blurb On The Back:

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. Those who survive 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 so many tantalising ways to escape from it all.

But in the depths of the Debauchery Club, Araby is going to find more than oblivion. He’s called Will, the handsome, secretive proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither is quite 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 here.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Bethany Griffin’s YA novel is a gothic, steampunk-style reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story. Having enjoyed Griffin’s debut YA novel HANDCUFFS and being a fan of Poe, I was looking forward to this but perhaps my expectations were too high. Although Griffin skilfully depicts a city shattered by plague, the story lacks drive with the characters constantly reacting to events rather than shaping them. It particularly suffers from a passive main character, while the inevitable YA love triangle left me bored. Ultimately, I’m not interested in reading the sequel but I would check out Griffin’s next book.

Thanks to Gollancz for the free copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Here’s a question for your secret diary. You know, the one with the flimsy little key. Is it better for him to lie, or to not say it at all?

Parker Prescott is an ice princess. Cold, aloof, a snob. At least, that’s what everyone says on Marion Henessy’s blog. And everyone reads Marion Henessy’s blog.

Parker Prescott is a middle child. She’s the good one, the dependable one, the one her parents trust. Well ... she used to be.

Parker Prescott’s parents want her to break up with her boyfriend. But she already did, two weeks ago. And then she realised it was a mistake. He came over. He had the handcuffs in his pocket. Everything went downhill from there. Sort of.

Parker Prescott’s world is changing and she no longer knows who she is. Does anyone?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The story isn’t my cup of tea, but the writing holds the interest and the voices are on the whole credible.