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3.15 AVERAGE
3.15 AVERAGE
This was not good. I was intrigued because it heavily involved the story of the Phantom of the Opera, which I love dearly with all my heart, but this just didn’t do it for me. There was wayyyyy too much info dumping for background. And Rune’s friendships develop (poorly) at hyper speed in the first half and are largely ignored in the second half. The huge climactic ending fell flat and the whole incubus/succubus plot line was just a weird way to try and explain the mystery behind PTO. overall just a no form me
I think I may just have to accept that fact that I may not like Howard's writing style. Felt the exact same way here as I did with Splintered. I just can't get over the flow of pacing, the strange characters (and not in a good way), and just the weird story line. The writing just isn't for me, and it's a shame. I really love The Phantom of the Opera, but this retelling just isn't for me I suppose. I still have hopes for her newest novel though, but now I'm not so sure. I'd skip this one if I were you. You may have better luck with her other novels.
Este libro es la definición de potencial desperdiciado.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It would have been better if Rune or Thorn died at the end.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i loved the phantom of the opera when i saw it live and the movie version, but this book really wasn’t the best. the print was in red, so it was physically tough to read. in my opinion, retelling classics is hard, and only a few books can.
I received an e-arc from the author/publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have been a fan of the Phantom of the Opera for years, when I heard A. G. Howard, the author of the spectacular book series Ensnared, had written a no quite retelling couldn't not pick it up. When Rune was a child, she developed unusual abilities with music. She knew songs that she could never have known and she could sing them perfectly, in a foreign language. After the death of her father, who encouraged her musical abilities, Rune travels to France to attend the infamous school RoseBlood, a school for the musically talented run by her estranged aunt and the birthplace of the original story of the Opera Ghost. Like so many others, Rune becomes obsessed with the story, seeing phantoms in the gardens and shadows in the mirrors. It is here that she befriends the half-masked Thorn, an inspired violinist, that could have all the answers she needs, but it's together that they must find them.
Terrible description, but how do you describe such a wonderful story? First and foremost I have to admit, there were so many times throughout this novel where I did double takes, sometimes the story went in very random ways, causing me to originally give this book a much lower rating. The more I thought about it, though, allowed the story and characters to stew in my mind, the more I liked the unexpected twists and turns.
Rune is musically talented, but she doesn't know where it comes from and she never had to work towards it. Thankfully, she recognizes this, or she would piss me off to no end. Her past is complicated, her emotions very real, she makes a great character, except that she isn't overly memorable. Thorn actually had to work at his gift, after something horrendous in his past took away his innate ability to sing. I admit, Thorn interested me so much more, his past and his abilities were so much deeper and intriguing, those events made him into a unique character that I fell for so quickly. I could use so much more of both, and Eric, I definitely want more Eric!
One of the best parts of the story is how the original tale by Leroux and other retellings is pulled into one story. The chapters have quotes from some of the retellings, but it's the history that I really enjoyed. Howard managed to look past the story and find realistic historical facts that support some of the claims, making RoseBlood, Eric, and so much more feel so much more real.
I have been a fan of the Phantom of the Opera for years, when I heard A. G. Howard, the author of the spectacular book series Ensnared, had written a no quite retelling couldn't not pick it up. When Rune was a child, she developed unusual abilities with music. She knew songs that she could never have known and she could sing them perfectly, in a foreign language. After the death of her father, who encouraged her musical abilities, Rune travels to France to attend the infamous school RoseBlood, a school for the musically talented run by her estranged aunt and the birthplace of the original story of the Opera Ghost. Like so many others, Rune becomes obsessed with the story, seeing phantoms in the gardens and shadows in the mirrors. It is here that she befriends the half-masked Thorn, an inspired violinist, that could have all the answers she needs, but it's together that they must find them.
Terrible description, but how do you describe such a wonderful story? First and foremost I have to admit, there were so many times throughout this novel where I did double takes, sometimes the story went in very random ways, causing me to originally give this book a much lower rating. The more I thought about it, though, allowed the story and characters to stew in my mind, the more I liked the unexpected twists and turns.
Rune is musically talented, but she doesn't know where it comes from and she never had to work towards it. Thankfully, she recognizes this, or she would piss me off to no end. Her past is complicated, her emotions very real, she makes a great character, except that she isn't overly memorable. Thorn actually had to work at his gift, after something horrendous in his past took away his innate ability to sing. I admit, Thorn interested me so much more, his past and his abilities were so much deeper and intriguing, those events made him into a unique character that I fell for so quickly. I could use so much more of both, and Eric, I definitely want more Eric!
One of the best parts of the story is how the original tale by Leroux and other retellings is pulled into one story. The chapters have quotes from some of the retellings, but it's the history that I really enjoyed. Howard managed to look past the story and find realistic historical facts that support some of the claims, making RoseBlood, Eric, and so much more feel so much more real.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
DNF
I don’t remember when exactly I read this or where I stopped in the book. I just remember I hated the characters and the fact the whole book was printed in red ink. Super disappointed though because I absolutely adore Phantom of the Opera (as in the musical. I also read the original novel and was not a fan)
I don’t remember when exactly I read this or where I stopped in the book. I just remember I hated the characters and the fact the whole book was printed in red ink. Super disappointed though because I absolutely adore Phantom of the Opera (as in the musical. I also read the original novel and was not a fan)