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mllejoyeuxnoel's review
4.0
Okay. Disclaimer: I'm giving this book four stars because I am most definitely its target audience; I will almost always enjoy things having to do with The Phantom of the Opera (or the Phandom, as the kids on Tumblr call it). In terms of hitting on the themes that always go with anything Phandom-inspired, the book hit the mark. The writing was also enjoyable.
However, I think I enjoyed this book almost purely because I tend to love all things Phantom. The plot had so much going on that it felt like every other page had a big reveal. The magic inserted into the book makes sense as a device and fits within the original parameters of the Leroux story as well as the musical, but there was also a LOT of it - something to be aware of that may be off-putting if unexpected. I think there were some elements of the story that were unnecessary to character development and seemed to clutter up the narrative. I would have liked to have actually seen one particular loose thread of the ending tied up, rather than simply having it referenced in dialogue; I won't say which here to avoid spoilers. And I found the heroine to be a bit flat. I didn't get much of a sense of personality from her, and I would have liked to have felt more like rooting for her.
Overall, I'd say if you're a fan of Leroux or ALW's Phantom, this is a fun read if you're in the mood to dip back into that world for a minute. But to non-fans, I wouldn't recommend it.
However, I think I enjoyed this book almost purely because I tend to love all things Phantom. The plot had so much going on that it felt like every other page had a big reveal. The magic inserted into the book makes sense as a device and fits within the original parameters of the Leroux story as well as the musical, but there was also a LOT of it - something to be aware of that may be off-putting if unexpected. I think there were some elements of the story that were unnecessary to character development and seemed to clutter up the narrative. I would have liked to have actually seen one particular loose thread of the ending tied up, rather than simply having it referenced in dialogue; I won't say which here to avoid spoilers. And I found the heroine to be a bit flat. I didn't get much of a sense of personality from her, and I would have liked to have felt more like rooting for her.
Overall, I'd say if you're a fan of Leroux or ALW's Phantom, this is a fun read if you're in the mood to dip back into that world for a minute. But to non-fans, I wouldn't recommend it.
pineconebiscuit's review
5.0
So intriguing and fast paced. Loved all the characters and the role they played in the story! Elaton of course my fave đź’ś
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
This book has been on my shelves for quite some time already and it were the negative reviews that kept me from picking it up. But hey, I'm a grown up girl. I can decide for myself if I like something or not. And I totally loved Splintered and I've always been fascinated by the Phantom. I just wanted to read this and see what I'd think.
And although I can understand why this is absolutely not everyone's cup of tea, I ended up loving this take on the famous tale and myth of the Phantom of the Opera. This story captures the atmosphere of the original story: A little bit of horror and thriller, a little bit of drama and a little bit of love, but it becomes its very own story, with its very own characters in the centre of attention, with its very own plot that also somehow feels familiar.
Howard's writing style isn't always easy to read, but it's very beautiful. It's flowery and poetic, but therefore the sentences and words start singing in my bones. And even though it takes me much longer than usually to make it through her books, I enjoy the ride so much. Howard sucks me into the story, makes me feel it, makes me connect with the characters, makes me part of it.
And I personally think that the supernatural element of this story truly fits the character of the Phantom. Just like I think Howard has managed to do him justice. We see his intelligence, his caring and loving side, his human side. But we're also confronted with his trickery, his anger and longing for justice and vengeance, his strong will going after what he wants, despite the costs and consequences. It's a thin line, but I hated and loved Howard's Phantom equally. And I personally think that's how it's supposed to be.
The story is just like Splintered: Dark, twisted and little mad. It's challenging the imagination of the reader. And yet, when you give in and just allow the story to consume you, you won't be disappointed.
And although I can understand why this is absolutely not everyone's cup of tea, I ended up loving this take on the famous tale and myth of the Phantom of the Opera. This story captures the atmosphere of the original story: A little bit of horror and thriller, a little bit of drama and a little bit of love, but it becomes its very own story, with its very own characters in the centre of attention, with its very own plot that also somehow feels familiar.
Howard's writing style isn't always easy to read, but it's very beautiful. It's flowery and poetic, but therefore the sentences and words start singing in my bones. And even though it takes me much longer than usually to make it through her books, I enjoy the ride so much. Howard sucks me into the story, makes me feel it, makes me connect with the characters, makes me part of it.
And I personally think that the supernatural element of this story truly fits the character of the Phantom. Just like I think Howard has managed to do him justice. We see his intelligence, his caring and loving side, his human side. But we're also confronted with his trickery, his anger and longing for justice and vengeance, his strong will going after what he wants, despite the costs and consequences. It's a thin line, but I hated and loved Howard's Phantom equally. And I personally think that's how it's supposed to be.
The story is just like Splintered: Dark, twisted and little mad. It's challenging the imagination of the reader. And yet, when you give in and just allow the story to consume you, you won't be disappointed.
mreadz's review
2.0
2.5 rating
I honestly thought that I would enjoy this more than I did, but I didn’t. I had to push myself through this book to finish, which usually doesn’t happen with me. I thought it would be more of a “The Phantom of the Opera” retelling, but it honestly was not.
In all honesty, if you do decide to read it, borrow it from your local library!
I honestly thought that I would enjoy this more than I did, but I didn’t. I had to push myself through this book to finish, which usually doesn’t happen with me. I thought it would be more of a “The Phantom of the Opera” retelling, but it honestly was not.
In all honesty, if you do decide to read it, borrow it from your local library!
sdloomer's review
DNF @ 14%
--can I give this less than one star?--
I. Just. Can't. Anymore.
Let's make this a little more clear: I started this book once upon a naive time on Friday, March 3, 2017, and it is now April 25, 2017--more than a month and a half ago. To all of us readers who typically fly through books in mere days, this read time is a freaking lifetime. And then some.
Now, let's look at that completion progress. Fourteen percent. 14%. FOURTEEN MOTHERFUCKING PERCENT. I didn't even get to a quarter of the book. I didn't even get to the meat of the story. I didn't even get to the climax of the plot.
I'll tell you why. But let's start with basics first. At least, from what I could wrap my poor little head around in the less than 60 pages it suffered through.
The Plot: Special cupcake Rune Germain (don't even get me started on this poor excuse for a MC name. Really? Something like fucking Aphrodite would have been loads more interesting than that) has a problem. Like a hear-an-opera-song-once-and-than-must-vocally-copy-and-perfect-it-before-the-anxiety-blows-her-brains-out problem. O-kay....? I can get behind that, how'd she end up with this...medical (?) issue? Sorry! That's a key plot point that will be revealed later! Okay sure, I get that too, but what about the help Rune's gotten to try and relieve her? Ehhh, she and her parents decided they wouldn't tell anyone and just kind of fibbed about it her whole life. Don't worry though, this creepy new ghost boy at her new school will totally help her out though. In a weird and abusive way. Interested? Actually, no. And because I've already been spoiled about what her "condition" is, I will only bother to say that it's really, really, really cliche and uninspiring. And also disgusting and has a gross factor of bison shit. Aw well, at least we tried to be original and different!
The characters: All I could garner from Rune's first interactions with her mother in the limo to her new Parisian school for the first 30 FUCKING PAGES is that she's a spoiled, rich, white girl. With so many first world problems I almost quit after chapter one. Like, stop complaining to your mother because you're going to an elite music school in Paris, for crying out loud, and show some respect and humility. In other words: grow the fuck up.
I didn't stick around to find out Thorn's characterization or if he even got that much, because his first chapter mainly focused on the red swan he keeps as a pet. No, really. Also, I know what you are.
Sorry, wrong book.
THE GODFORSAKEN WRITING: How is it possible for the writing style and plot to be this atrocious? I usually don't rant about this too often in my reviews (exception: my New Moon review) but this was just so damnable to my reading experience that I literally just could not anymore. Call me petty or picky or a hater, but I don't understand how this even got published.
I'll try to put this into perspective:
From a more technical point of view, I felt like I was reading bad fanfiction off of tumblr. Sentence structures were all wonky and the descriptions read more like amateur writing at best:
Also, if you do not know anything about music, please do some research before writing a whole book that is supposedly based on it. Look, I'm not trying to say I'm an expert on music or know everything about it, but I come from a background of about 20 years of playing the piano and clarinet and performing in various orchestras and bands, so I think I'm okay to say I have more than the average person's experience. But I felt so disjointed and disconnected from this "music" I was reading about that I wasn't sure this book was less about music and more of an excuse to write a "tragic" love story (which it isn't) that has music scattered about for more interesting-ness.
An example: I know which Prokofiev opera the aria from the first few chapters is from, and I know which musical time period it was written in. However, in the book it is described as "beautiful and tragic...with a ghostly wail" and though the scene in the opera is pathetic (in the traditional sense of the word), it is supposed to be incredibly passionate, booming, and filled with intensity. Not like something out of Les Mis--full of whispers and delicacy. The Fiery Angel opera was written during the late 19th-20th century Russian period for Christ's sake! The time of greats like Stravinsky with his glorious Firebird ballet, Shostakovich, and Tchaikovsky! This time was when music was being pushed to its absolute limits and radical changes were being made to opera and ballet and orchestral content. At no one point during this period was anything "ghostly".
I've rambled on for far too long and am far too tired to continue, and I haven't even gotten to the absolute insult this is to Leroux's famous novel. I'm sure you all know by now: this doesn't even come close. Sure I can get that the story was inspired by the events of the classic book, but to completely rip off elements of it (like the actual character of Erik?) is no bueno in my opinion.
Anyway, read [b:Wintersong|24763621|Wintersong (Wintersong, #1)|S. Jae-Jones|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1479206906s/24763621.jpg|44394042] by S. Jae-Jones if you want a truly musical book, and I would advise anyone who has a brain to completely skip this. It's a waste of your time.
--can I give this less than one star?--
I. Just. Can't. Anymore.
Let's make this a little more clear: I started this book once upon a naive time on Friday, March 3, 2017, and it is now April 25, 2017--more than a month and a half ago. To all of us readers who typically fly through books in mere days, this read time is a freaking lifetime. And then some.
Now, let's look at that completion progress. Fourteen percent. 14%. FOURTEEN MOTHERFUCKING PERCENT. I didn't even get to a quarter of the book. I didn't even get to the meat of the story. I didn't even get to the climax of the plot.
I'll tell you why. But let's start with basics first. At least, from what I could wrap my poor little head around in the less than 60 pages it suffered through.
The Plot: Special cupcake Rune Germain (don't even get me started on this poor excuse for a MC name. Really? Something like fucking Aphrodite would have been loads more interesting than that) has a problem. Like a hear-an-opera-song-once-and-than-must-vocally-copy-and-perfect-it-before-the-anxiety-blows-her-brains-out problem. O-kay....? I can get behind that, how'd she end up with this...medical (?) issue? Sorry! That's a key plot point that will be revealed later! Okay sure, I get that too, but what about the help Rune's gotten to try and relieve her? Ehhh, she and her parents decided they wouldn't tell anyone and just kind of fibbed about it her whole life. Don't worry though, this creepy new ghost boy at her new school will totally help her out though. In a weird and abusive way. Interested? Actually, no. And because I've already been spoiled about what her "condition" is, I will only bother to say that it's really, really, really cliche and uninspiring. And also disgusting and has a gross factor of bison shit. Aw well, at least we tried to be original and different!
The characters: All I could garner from Rune's first interactions with her mother in the limo to her new Parisian school for the first 30 FUCKING PAGES is that she's a spoiled, rich, white girl. With so many first world problems I almost quit after chapter one. Like, stop complaining to your mother because you're going to an elite music school in Paris, for crying out loud, and show some respect and humility. In other words: grow the fuck up.
I didn't stick around to find out Thorn's characterization or if he even got that much, because his first chapter mainly focused on the red swan he keeps as a pet. No, really. Also, I know what you are.
Sorry, wrong book.
THE GODFORSAKEN WRITING: How is it possible for the writing style and plot to be this atrocious? I usually don't rant about this too often in my reviews (exception: my New Moon review) but this was just so damnable to my reading experience that I literally just could not anymore. Call me petty or picky or a hater, but I don't understand how this even got published.
I'll try to put this into perspective:
The problem is that as I've grown, [the gift has] become more demanding...an entity that controls me. Once a song speaks to my subconscious, the notes become a toxin I have to release through my diaphragm, my vocal cords, my tongue.Like, what? That's the best you could come up with as an "illness" and remedy? Look, a book can be focused on both music and a medical malady without having to mash them together into...whatever this is. Besides, this is a poor execution of describing a life with chronic illness anyway.
From a more technical point of view, I felt like I was reading bad fanfiction off of tumblr. Sentence structures were all wonky and the descriptions read more like amateur writing at best:
She was haloed by an aura that fluctuated between white and gray...purity and melancholy. She was unsettled at being here. Lost, even. [...] There was depth beneath this new arrival's veneer...the essence of light and life in its most raw: the energy of rhapsody. Music pulsed inside her blood--uncultivated and untamed. [...] Something something shit about chakra.This book takes itself so seriously, it's laughable--plus, you can just tell it's trying way too hard. Just fucking tell me he's curious and enticed by her. No need to fill up an entire paragraph by beating around the bush and dressing it up with fancy words and unnecessary metaphors. Show not tell, please, for the love of god.
Also, if you do not know anything about music, please do some research before writing a whole book that is supposedly based on it. Look, I'm not trying to say I'm an expert on music or know everything about it, but I come from a background of about 20 years of playing the piano and clarinet and performing in various orchestras and bands, so I think I'm okay to say I have more than the average person's experience. But I felt so disjointed and disconnected from this "music" I was reading about that I wasn't sure this book was less about music and more of an excuse to write a "tragic" love story (which it isn't) that has music scattered about for more interesting-ness.
An example: I know which Prokofiev opera the aria from the first few chapters is from, and I know which musical time period it was written in. However, in the book it is described as "beautiful and tragic...with a ghostly wail" and though the scene in the opera is pathetic (in the traditional sense of the word), it is supposed to be incredibly passionate, booming, and filled with intensity. Not like something out of Les Mis--full of whispers and delicacy. The Fiery Angel opera was written during the late 19th-20th century Russian period for Christ's sake! The time of greats like Stravinsky with his glorious Firebird ballet, Shostakovich, and Tchaikovsky! This time was when music was being pushed to its absolute limits and radical changes were being made to opera and ballet and orchestral content. At no one point during this period was anything "ghostly".
I've rambled on for far too long and am far too tired to continue, and I haven't even gotten to the absolute insult this is to Leroux's famous novel. I'm sure you all know by now: this doesn't even come close. Sure I can get that the story was inspired by the events of the classic book, but to completely rip off elements of it (like the actual character of Erik?) is no bueno in my opinion.
Anyway, read [b:Wintersong|24763621|Wintersong (Wintersong, #1)|S. Jae-Jones|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1479206906s/24763621.jpg|44394042] by S. Jae-Jones if you want a truly musical book, and I would advise anyone who has a brain to completely skip this. It's a waste of your time.
kissmycass's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
mehsi's review
4.0
Regardless of a few parts here and there, some laughter at some of the very cliché stuff, this was a terrific book and I highly enjoyed it. Well, OK, Rune's parts.
Yes, I skipped over Thorn's (Etalon, whatever) POV. I tried it once, almost fell asleep and got annoyed at it all. Nearer to the end I just flipped through it, but I never really was interested in it. He was a great character, but I didn't want to see his POV.
Now before I get to the good stuff, there are a few things that I need to get out of my system first.
The nicknames of Rune and her friends. It reminded me of Harry Potter, the 4 people who made the Marauder's map. We have a Blackbird (Audrey), a Songbird (Rune), a Sunspot (Sunny), a Moonpie (Quan). Really whut?
The fact that it really got annoying that Thorn was Thorn in his POV, but when he was with Rune, and in Rune's POV he was Etalon. Really. Can't we just have one name instead of making it confusing?
Also The Phantom got called Erik, then The Phantom, then Erik again. Sometimes even in the same sentence.
What Rune
The grandma
Then we have one last thing that bothered me.
Now having those things out of the way I can talk about the stuff that I liked. For instance that this was an Phantom of the Opera Alternative Universe telling. I wouldn't call it a retelling as this one takes places years after the Phantom of the Opera, plus there are various things that just make this a continuation/alternative universe story, stuff I can't tell as it would be a spoiler, and I don't want my review to be full of spoiler tags.
It is quite an interesting idea to just continue with the story, let us know what happened to Christine/a, how the Phantom works, blend in some family stuff, curses, souls, and more.
Then there is the boarding school setting. Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE boarding schools and reading about them, and this was no different. I loved reading about the lessons, about the chores the kids have to do, about the auditions, about the room (I want a loft in my home too), about the dance, the trips to Paris (even if they were really really sparse). This was a great boarding school story, and I am delighted.
Add to that the creepy setting of a giant garden, a forest, hidden tunnels, hidden words being said through vents, cats that pop up from nowhere, creepy rooms filled with props or death. I could just imagine myself walking around in that school. Singing, learning (though I would have loved to see more lessons), having a great time with my friends.
Yes, friends, I really loved Sunny from the start, she was so much fun, and also interesting. I was worried that everyone in the school might be uppity and high and mighty (given that one just didn't get into the school that easily), but then we meet with several characters and I was just so delighted. Of course Kat (and also Roxie, though she was just a copycat, and also had another reason (awwww) to follow Kat) was the typical OMG I have heritage type. But Quan, Jax, Audrey, Sunny? They were all terrific, and I loved how they cared for Rune even if they just got to know her. Even later on, they were protective, sweet, and they really were great friends. I loved reading about them, especially Sunny's antics were fabulous.
Rune was a very interesting girl, though she did feel several tropes that annoy me. She is so perfect in many things. From singing to how she looks. Also how she just endangers herself without a care in the world. I wouldn't have minded a bit plainer, more careful girl (finding out everything is OK, but endangering yourself is a no-no).
I wasn't all to delighted with her at the beginning, and how she ruined that audition. Couldn't she just have gone somewhere else? Also later there were some inconsistencies. Like Rune saying she could burst windows with a high note, but then we never see that caution in the rest of the book, it just seemed weird.
But when she starts to master her ability she became a fun girl, and I was definitely happy with her.
I loved how strong she was, and how she never gives up. She will find out the truth about what is going on with her, with her life, and nothing will stop her from finding out. Even if it means she has to dig deep.
I also have to give bonus points to the cover (so pretty and fitting) and to the font (red! So pretty, more books should have coloured letters) to the chapter headers (thorny perfection).
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. It has some fun twists and turns, great characters, a wonderful boarding school setting, and lots of mystery. But be warned, this is not a retelling per se. There are some stuff about the PotO that have been changed, but mostly this is just a continuation on the story. At least in my opinion.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Yes, I skipped over Thorn's (Etalon, whatever) POV. I tried it once, almost fell asleep and got annoyed at it all. Nearer to the end I just flipped through it, but I never really was interested in it. He was a great character, but I didn't want to see his POV.
Now before I get to the good stuff, there are a few things that I need to get out of my system first.
The nicknames of Rune and her friends. It reminded me of Harry Potter, the 4 people who made the Marauder's map. We have a Blackbird (Audrey), a Songbird (Rune), a Sunspot (Sunny), a Moonpie (Quan). Really whut?
The fact that it really got annoying that Thorn was Thorn in his POV, but when he was with Rune, and in Rune's POV he was Etalon. Really. Can't we just have one name instead of making it confusing?
Also The Phantom got called Erik, then The Phantom, then Erik again. Sometimes even in the same sentence.
What Rune
Spoiler
and the others are. It was a bit annoying that the writer kept using the words incubi and succubi but then reverted back to vampires or psychic vampires. Sometimes even on the same page and by the same character. One moment she would say she was a succubi, then a vampire, then a psychic vampire. Pick a word, don't just go throwing them all around willy-nilly. I think succubi/incubi is a much better word than psychic vampires. Really, I just snorted so hard when I read that. You really don't want my mental image of a psychic vampire.The grandma
Spoiler
Of course we later find out what is going on with her, but really, that was just disturbing as hell. The fact that she tried to drown her grandchild, tried to burn her.... I get why she wanted it, but no just no. You don't do that.Then we have one last thing that bothered me.
Spoiler
I am not a fan of instalove, but we got something new and hilarious this time. Twin flames. Yep, selfcest, as I would call it. Because really, isn't that what is going on? You have two characters and they are bound by fate, and lust (given how much Rune wanted to jump Etalon), and all that stuff because they share the same soul... um, ewww? Doesn't that kind of make you the same person/related-ish? Sorry, I just couldn't take it seriously, or see anything romantic in their relationship. Yes, the kisses were hot, but that was all for me, mostly I was just like: EHHHHHHHHHH, NOPE. >.<Now having those things out of the way I can talk about the stuff that I liked. For instance that this was an Phantom of the Opera Alternative Universe telling. I wouldn't call it a retelling as this one takes places years after the Phantom of the Opera, plus there are various things that just make this a continuation/alternative universe story, stuff I can't tell as it would be a spoiler, and I don't want my review to be full of spoiler tags.
It is quite an interesting idea to just continue with the story, let us know what happened to Christine/a, how the Phantom works, blend in some family stuff, curses, souls, and more.
Then there is the boarding school setting. Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE boarding schools and reading about them, and this was no different. I loved reading about the lessons, about the chores the kids have to do, about the auditions, about the room (I want a loft in my home too), about the dance, the trips to Paris (even if they were really really sparse). This was a great boarding school story, and I am delighted.
Add to that the creepy setting of a giant garden, a forest, hidden tunnels, hidden words being said through vents, cats that pop up from nowhere, creepy rooms filled with props or death. I could just imagine myself walking around in that school. Singing, learning (though I would have loved to see more lessons), having a great time with my friends.
Yes, friends, I really loved Sunny from the start, she was so much fun, and also interesting. I was worried that everyone in the school might be uppity and high and mighty (given that one just didn't get into the school that easily), but then we meet with several characters and I was just so delighted. Of course Kat (and also Roxie, though she was just a copycat, and also had another reason (awwww) to follow Kat) was the typical OMG I have heritage type. But Quan, Jax, Audrey, Sunny? They were all terrific, and I loved how they cared for Rune even if they just got to know her. Even later on, they were protective, sweet, and they really were great friends. I loved reading about them, especially Sunny's antics were fabulous.
Rune was a very interesting girl, though she did feel several tropes that annoy me. She is so perfect in many things. From singing to how she looks. Also how she just endangers herself without a care in the world. I wouldn't have minded a bit plainer, more careful girl (finding out everything is OK, but endangering yourself is a no-no).
I wasn't all to delighted with her at the beginning, and how she ruined that audition. Couldn't she just have gone somewhere else? Also later there were some inconsistencies. Like Rune saying she could burst windows with a high note, but then we never see that caution in the rest of the book, it just seemed weird.
But when she starts to master her ability she became a fun girl, and I was definitely happy with her.
I loved how strong she was, and how she never gives up. She will find out the truth about what is going on with her, with her life, and nothing will stop her from finding out. Even if it means she has to dig deep.
I also have to give bonus points to the cover (so pretty and fitting) and to the font (red! So pretty, more books should have coloured letters) to the chapter headers (thorny perfection).
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. It has some fun twists and turns, great characters, a wonderful boarding school setting, and lots of mystery. But be warned, this is not a retelling per se. There are some stuff about the PotO that have been changed, but mostly this is just a continuation on the story. At least in my opinion.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
laurenslovelylittlelife's review
I think I need a more adult retelling of The Phantom of the Opera. This version was good from what I remember but just not something I want to continue at this time.
nhdk's review
3.0
A.G. Howard was a new author to me; I haven’t read her Splintered series, but I’d heard good things about RoseBlood, so I was hoping for a good book, and I got it. RoseBlood was a cracking read. Howard has a beautiful voice and is reminiscent of Lauren Oliver. If you liked her Delirium series, I suspect you would like RoseBlood too. Howard's voice is dominated by her beautiful and detailed descriptions that are perhaps a little heavy for what I am used to in YA fantasy, and remind me a little more of an older school fantasy style, but I am seeing more and more YA fantasy authors writing in a heavy descriptive style.
Nonetheless, I adored her style of writing, which were particularly suited to describing the synaesthesic-like powers the characters have. Her style creates rich images in my mind, and that very quickly drew me into the story. I adored the characters powers and the concept of drawing energy from different living beings. That’s not a power I’ve seen done before, so it felt fresh and novel.
The characterisation was good. I was a little confused about the twins in the book especially early on. I don’t think there was enough clarity on their relationship and at one point I almost thought the siblings had incestuous feelings. Clearly, I’d misunderstood, but it’s something to note.
The other thing that confused me initially was that the book is written from two different Points of View. When in chapters written from the protagonists POV, it’s written in the first person. When from the love interests POV it’s written in the third person. At first, I struggled with the swapping about, but after a few chapter swaps I soon got used to it and found it very easy to jump between the two. Perhaps my only real criticism is that when writing in the third person, I did find myself occasionally confused between who things referred to: Thorn or Erik.
I liked all the characters; I think they were unique and individualised and with the exception of the twins, I remembered them all and quickly distinguished them all. I also liked the complexity, depth and rich detail to the history of the antagonist; this was quite exceptional.
For me, the end didn’t quite live up to the rest of the book. I’m trying not to add any spoilers here, but while I loved how it ended between the two main characters, the third main character kinda just rolled over and played dead and after 460 odd pages of doing the exact opposite I was surprised, to say the least. I might well read the follow ups to this book if there are any as I’d like to see whether there are some consequences to the rollover and play dead reaction of this particular character.
Nonetheless, I adored her style of writing, which were particularly suited to describing the synaesthesic-like powers the characters have. Her style creates rich images in my mind, and that very quickly drew me into the story. I adored the characters powers and the concept of drawing energy from different living beings. That’s not a power I’ve seen done before, so it felt fresh and novel.
The characterisation was good. I was a little confused about the twins in the book especially early on. I don’t think there was enough clarity on their relationship and at one point I almost thought the siblings had incestuous feelings. Clearly, I’d misunderstood, but it’s something to note.
The other thing that confused me initially was that the book is written from two different Points of View. When in chapters written from the protagonists POV, it’s written in the first person. When from the love interests POV it’s written in the third person. At first, I struggled with the swapping about, but after a few chapter swaps I soon got used to it and found it very easy to jump between the two. Perhaps my only real criticism is that when writing in the third person, I did find myself occasionally confused between who things referred to: Thorn or Erik.
I liked all the characters; I think they were unique and individualised and with the exception of the twins, I remembered them all and quickly distinguished them all. I also liked the complexity, depth and rich detail to the history of the antagonist; this was quite exceptional.
For me, the end didn’t quite live up to the rest of the book. I’m trying not to add any spoilers here, but while I loved how it ended between the two main characters, the third main character kinda just rolled over and played dead and after 460 odd pages of doing the exact opposite I was surprised, to say the least. I might well read the follow ups to this book if there are any as I’d like to see whether there are some consequences to the rollover and play dead reaction of this particular character.