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A review by pixiejazz
Red Death by Jeff Altabef
4.0
When I was offered the chance to read Red Death by Jeff Altabef, I was a little hesitant. While it sounded really good, and I was definitely intrigued, I wasn't sure if A) I would have the time to put in to reading it, and B) Would I even like it? I decided to give it a shot, anyway, and hope for the best. Boy, am I glad I did.
Red Death is a young adult dystopian-esque novel, but to me, it has a very Game of Thrones, epic fantasy, OMG I WANT EVERYONE TO READ THIS kind of feel to it. I should note that I have not actually read any of the Game of Thrones books, but they are on my "I'll eventually get around to reading these" list. I have, however, binge-watched all six seasons. Managed to get through 60 episodes in 27 days. Pretty proud of that accomplishment.
Anyway, back to my review. The plot is definitely something that will pull you in, mostly out of curiosity, but will hold your attention and keep you hooked because of the fantastic writing, world-building, characters, and overall "feel" of the story. It's definitely one heck of a ride, that's for sure. And once you get closer to the end, that's when, in my opinion, it starts to seem more like a dystopian story rather than an epic fantasy.
Character-wise, you've got those you love and those you hate. There were a couple that I disliked so much, I actually felt an intense rage every time they appeared in a scene. That's a good thing, by the way. I enjoy characters who make me feel strong emotions, whether they're good ones or not so good ones. The main character, Aaliss, is pretty bad-ass. She's strong, fiesty, and protective of her quiet, strange little brother, Wilky. He's a sweet character, and you just kinda want to hug him and take care of him.
On the other end of the spectrum, you've got the High Priest, who, when you first meet him, thinks he is doing good things for Eden. Unfortunately, he's one of those awful characters who made me see red. Another one of those characters is The Viper. He's vicious and lethal. Not a very nice man at all. And in-between, you've got an array of intriguing characters who make the story fun, exciting, and very much enjoyable. They also give the book the Game of Thrones feel.
Red Death has some really awesome settings, too. Eden is the main location where Aaliss, Wilky, and the High Priest live. They seem to be the only ones who are safe from the disease the book is named after. Eden is meant only for the pure, and the "Soulless" people are kept out by the Guardians who patrol the area around Eden. There is also the Kingdom of the Painted Ones, the Kingdom of the Butcher Tribe, and even a place known as the City of Bones. Each location has its own unique features, and you can picture yourself visiting each one based on the imagery derived from the writing. It's wonderful and exhilarating to imagine yourself in these far-off places. I quite liked reading about the various locations in the book.
Overall, Red Death is a thrilling, unique, and crazy story perfect for lovers of young adult dystopian, and even lovers of fantasy. It's a book that will appeal to teens, young adults, and older adults alike. There's magic, mystery, and mayhem abound. It's not something you want to miss out on. By the time you finish, you'll be left eager and anxious for more, with your curiosity piqued and your emotions running amok. It's that good. I highly recommend it! 4.5 stars from me!
Red Death is a young adult dystopian-esque novel, but to me, it has a very Game of Thrones, epic fantasy, OMG I WANT EVERYONE TO READ THIS kind of feel to it. I should note that I have not actually read any of the Game of Thrones books, but they are on my "I'll eventually get around to reading these" list. I have, however, binge-watched all six seasons. Managed to get through 60 episodes in 27 days. Pretty proud of that accomplishment.
Anyway, back to my review. The plot is definitely something that will pull you in, mostly out of curiosity, but will hold your attention and keep you hooked because of the fantastic writing, world-building, characters, and overall "feel" of the story. It's definitely one heck of a ride, that's for sure. And once you get closer to the end, that's when, in my opinion, it starts to seem more like a dystopian story rather than an epic fantasy.
Character-wise, you've got those you love and those you hate. There were a couple that I disliked so much, I actually felt an intense rage every time they appeared in a scene. That's a good thing, by the way. I enjoy characters who make me feel strong emotions, whether they're good ones or not so good ones. The main character, Aaliss, is pretty bad-ass. She's strong, fiesty, and protective of her quiet, strange little brother, Wilky. He's a sweet character, and you just kinda want to hug him and take care of him.
On the other end of the spectrum, you've got the High Priest, who, when you first meet him, thinks he is doing good things for Eden. Unfortunately, he's one of those awful characters who made me see red. Another one of those characters is The Viper. He's vicious and lethal. Not a very nice man at all. And in-between, you've got an array of intriguing characters who make the story fun, exciting, and very much enjoyable. They also give the book the Game of Thrones feel.
Red Death has some really awesome settings, too. Eden is the main location where Aaliss, Wilky, and the High Priest live. They seem to be the only ones who are safe from the disease the book is named after. Eden is meant only for the pure, and the "Soulless" people are kept out by the Guardians who patrol the area around Eden. There is also the Kingdom of the Painted Ones, the Kingdom of the Butcher Tribe, and even a place known as the City of Bones. Each location has its own unique features, and you can picture yourself visiting each one based on the imagery derived from the writing. It's wonderful and exhilarating to imagine yourself in these far-off places. I quite liked reading about the various locations in the book.
Overall, Red Death is a thrilling, unique, and crazy story perfect for lovers of young adult dystopian, and even lovers of fantasy. It's a book that will appeal to teens, young adults, and older adults alike. There's magic, mystery, and mayhem abound. It's not something you want to miss out on. By the time you finish, you'll be left eager and anxious for more, with your curiosity piqued and your emotions running amok. It's that good. I highly recommend it! 4.5 stars from me!