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wanderbykate's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
teawithbree's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
THANK GOD IT'S FINALLY OVER
bookishjenny's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I love The Phantom of the Opera, so I was excited to read this. But it was sooo slow for a little over half the book that I considered making it a DNF a few times and moving onto a new book. I kept reading though, and it did pick up some, but it was just okay to me.
avafritsch's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a tough review to write. The firs 75% of the book was slow and laborious to read. It would add enough interest to keep you going, but not enough to make me want pick it up every second I had available.
The last 25% was awesome! It flowed smoothly and quickly. Provided details without drawing them out.
I loved the Splintered series, but Roseblood was not my cup of tea.
The last 25% was awesome! It flowed smoothly and quickly. Provided details without drawing them out.
I loved the Splintered series, but Roseblood was not my cup of tea.
raereadings's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alannar2422's review
4.0
Personally, the plot didn't intrigue me and capture my heart. I'm sure other people will love this book depending on their interests.
michalice's review
4.0
RoseBlood was a book I knew I had to read. After already loving the authors Splintered series, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. I did think I would struggle with the references to Phantom of the Opera, which I've never seen, but thankfully although there are mentions of those characters and thier connections, RoseBlood doesn't rely heavily on those events, and tells it's own story.
From the moment I began reading RoseBlood I fell in love with the world A.G. Howard has created, from the attention to detail, the characters, and each minuscule connection between families and items (this makes sense when you read the book, I promise).
Rune was a person who has an amazing ability to pick up any tune and sing it, no matter what language it is, and without having heard it before. But it also comes with a price. Any tune she hears she HAS to sing, to get it out of her system, but singing without an instrument that has a connection to her leaves her sick and exhausted. Her arrival at RoseBlood has her meeting Thorn, an elusive boy who hides behind a mask and mirrors, but unbeknownst to Rune he has ulterior motives.
I liked the connection that Rune and Thorn have together, and the idea behind it. I didn't particularly like Erik but I guess his presence was necessary. When Rune's heritage was revealed I was surprised, but also didn't like how she was kept in the dark about it all, having to go through the stress or trying not to sing and the consequences when she does. The small group of friends Rune makes are essential to her life at RoseBlood, and although she isn't particularly honest about things, they do stick together and support her through most things....even going to a mysterious invite only party.
Final Verdict
RoseBlood was a book I had very mixed feelings about. There were aspects to it that I love, as mentioned above, but there were also a few parts that didn't really interest me, the build up to the finale being one of them. I also felt like this event, this pivotal moment in the book, felt too rushed, we get the build up to it all and it seemed to be over in the blink of an eye. That being said I did enjoy the book, I liked the world and the characters, and was very relieved at not needing to have seen/read Phantom of the Opera.
From the moment I began reading RoseBlood I fell in love with the world A.G. Howard has created, from the attention to detail, the characters, and each minuscule connection between families and items (this makes sense when you read the book, I promise).
Rune was a person who has an amazing ability to pick up any tune and sing it, no matter what language it is, and without having heard it before. But it also comes with a price. Any tune she hears she HAS to sing, to get it out of her system, but singing without an instrument that has a connection to her leaves her sick and exhausted. Her arrival at RoseBlood has her meeting Thorn, an elusive boy who hides behind a mask and mirrors, but unbeknownst to Rune he has ulterior motives.
I liked the connection that Rune and Thorn have together, and the idea behind it. I didn't particularly like Erik but I guess his presence was necessary. When Rune's heritage was revealed I was surprised, but also didn't like how she was kept in the dark about it all, having to go through the stress or trying not to sing and the consequences when she does. The small group of friends Rune makes are essential to her life at RoseBlood, and although she isn't particularly honest about things, they do stick together and support her through most things....even going to a mysterious invite only party.
Final Verdict
RoseBlood was a book I had very mixed feelings about. There were aspects to it that I love, as mentioned above, but there were also a few parts that didn't really interest me, the build up to the finale being one of them. I also felt like this event, this pivotal moment in the book, felt too rushed, we get the build up to it all and it seemed to be over in the blink of an eye. That being said I did enjoy the book, I liked the world and the characters, and was very relieved at not needing to have seen/read Phantom of the Opera.
nicholeb84's review
1.0
This novel was a MAJOR disappointment. The writing style is great - if not a bit overly dramatic. The novel's atmosphere didn't feel so much "Gothic" as someone quit young trying to be "Gothic". To top it off, all the characters - especially our heroine - are terribly boring and/or underdeveloped.
Also - I HATED that our heroine kept mentioning her "cursed g*psy blood" - a phrase she apparently picked up from her French grandmother. Uh. . .Ms. Howard - G***y is a major slur toward Romani people.
Also - I HATED that our heroine kept mentioning her "cursed g*psy blood" - a phrase she apparently picked up from her French grandmother. Uh. . .Ms. Howard - G***y is a major slur toward Romani people.
shelbyday's review
3.0
3.5 - I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. There was a whole lot that could have gone horribly wrong in this take-off of the Phantom of the Opera, but the author pulled it off. The teen characters attitudes and actions were believable even though the setting of a high class, musical boarding school was a bit out there. Howard was able to infuse just enough reality with the fantasy elements to make me keep turning the page. I kept wondering what the heck was going to happen next! There was some paranormal elements that I didn't see coming, but after I got used to the idea, it made sense and added to the overall darkness, mystery, and intrigue of the novel. It was a bit Phantom, a bit Dr. Moreau, a bit Anne Rice all rolled into one well put-together piece. A great choice for high school libraries. I think it will resonate with students who are fans of new twists to old classics.
livinliterary's review
4.0
I actually really liked this book! It's an interesting new view on the Phantom. The research was thorough, the concept of flamme jumelle was beautiful, the twist of vampires who feed off energy was surprising. This book was not entirely what I expected but I enjoyed it all the same. Highly recommend this book.