Review by Booklist Review
Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," Rutherford weaves an engaging gothic fantasy. Seraphina Bloom was stolen from her family as a girl, a trauma she still grapples with, and taken to a heavily fortified castle, where she spends her days posing as the deceased Princess Imogen, who died of mori roja, a deadly plague that still exists outside the castle. It's in this guise that she meets Nico Mott, who himself is posing as a prince, so as to be permitted in the castle--a clandestine mission ordered by his master, Lord Crane. Seraphina/Imogen and Nico are intelligent and engaging characters who are drawn to each other, and their blooming romance becomes a pivotal part of the story. The author beautifully reinterprets Poe as she examines what it means to hide from your fears and the ramifications of willful ignorance. A twisty ending proves that Rutherford knows her craft when it comes to eerie, gothic tales, and this one will keep readers invested and on their toes.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Rutherford (The Poison Season) puts a slow-burning, tension-filled undead spin on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" in this fantasy reimagining. Four years earlier, when a plague outbreak known as the mori roja ravaged the kingdom of Goslind, erratic King Stuart imprisoned hundreds of nobles and servants in his castle, known as Eldridge Hall. There, in dwindling luxury, he continues to pretend that the plague doesn't exist. Among those trapped is Jewish 17-year-old Seraphina, who was taken from her family and now impersonates the real Princess Imogen, who died of the plague. Not too far from the castle, butcher's son Nico serves a charismatic lord, who tasks Nico with investigating the outwardly abandoned Eldridge Hall for survivors. Along the way, Nico encounters plague victims on their way to Eldridge Hall, who wander the kingdom as undead creatures yearning for blood. In his effort to warn whoever might be there of the danger beyond the castle walls, Nico meets Seraphina, and the two are pulled into the delusions of "the mad king." Rutherford blends romance, assumed and mistaken identities, and an atmosphere brimming with impending dread to develop a gothically sinister apocalyptic read. Protagonists cue as white. Ages 13--up. Agent: Uwe Stender, Triada US. (Aug.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--A bloody plague known as the mori roja has ravaged Goslind and the surrounding areas in this Gothic remix of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Mask of the Red Death." Princess Imogen's father, King Stuart, has sheltered and literally locked the royal family and other nobles in their castle to protect themselves while others perished. Elsewhere in the land, Nico's family has been annihilated by the plague, while he survived as one of few with immunity. Alone and without resources, Nico is taken in by Lord Crane to work in his manor as a servant in exchange for room and board. At first Nico views Crane as a savior of sorts, until he begins piecing together some things that make him suspicious. Nico and Princess Imogen's situations connect when Crane sends Nico on an expedition to the castle, Eldridge Hall, in search of survivors. Readers discover a plot twist early on that Princess Imogen has a secret, and her character takes on a whole new persona that invokes empathy. She is actually a spirited Jewish girl named Seraphina who was snatched away from her family as a look-alike to impersonate the secretly deceased real Princess Imogen. Rutherford incorporates Jewish history into the tale via anti-Semitism that resulted in Jews being blamed for plagues, leading to the genocide of their people. Seraphina and Nico begin a slow burn romance while attempting to take on grotesque monsters both literal and figurative as the pace intensifies. Side characters Greymount and Colin are welcome additions who bring humor to the dark tone. VERDICT A creepalicious fall read incorporating horror, mystery, and a touch of romance.--Lisa Krok
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
The plague is perhaps over, but there are more horrors yet to come. Seraphina Blum has spent almost four years inside the boarded-up castle Eldridge Hall, pretending to be Princess Imogen. Few know Seraphina is actually Jewish and was taken from her family when the real Imogen died from the mori roja. To appease "the mad king" so they can stay safe inside, those dwelling within the castle act as if the plague never happened, but with the food supply dwindling, it's time for the charade to end. Elsewhere in the kingdom, Nicodemus Mott lives with other immunes at Crane Manor. The plague seems to be over, and so Lord Crane tasks Nico with journeying to the castle to seek out possible survivors. Along the way, Nico learns of other dangers in the outside world; he winds up impersonating a prince to gain access to the castle in hopes of warning its inhabitants of what's coming. Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," this lush, eerie tale balances mystery, horror, and romance. Seraphina and Nico, both cued white, are captivating leads: They have been going through the motions just to survive, but throughout the story, they find their confidence and power. There are gradual reveals rather than shocking twists, but they work in the book's favor, enhancing the unsettling tone and reinforcing the conceit of a masquerade and everyone hiding truths. Exquisitely moody and goose bumps--inducing. (Gothic fantasy. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
