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275 reviews for:
A Ballad of Phantoms and Hope: A Paranormal Spinoff to The Fabric of our Souls
K.M. Moronova
4.25 AVERAGE
275 reviews for:
A Ballad of Phantoms and Hope: A Paranormal Spinoff to The Fabric of our Souls
K.M. Moronova
4.25 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. Since this is a sequel of sorts, review will contain spoilers for what happened in Fabric of Our Souls. So please don’t continue reading if you plan on reading that book.
This is Lanston’s story 5 years after the events at the end of Fabric of Our Souls. He, along with some other familiar faces, continue to “haunt” Hallow Sanctum as they figure out why they haven’t passed on. One fateful night he meets Ophelia as she dances on stage in front of phantoms and living people alike, and his afterlife is forever altered. Ophelia is a sad and broken soul and she calls to him. Together they go on a journey to fulfill their “bucket lists” and in the process learn how to heal one another and hopefully pass on.
The story was just as haunting and poetic as the first book. The representation and dialogue on hard topics such as depression, suicide and child abuse was thoughtful and earnest in a way that’s not always easy to find.
I did find the constant fight or flight (mostly flight) to be a little dragged out. Ophelia has a hard time facing her demons, understandably so, but I felt like it slowed down the pacing of the book considerably. This book is already meant to be a methodical look at the pain and healing of these characters, but sometimes it felt too drawn out and made it hard to connect.
The ending scenes with Lanston’s father and Wynn brought tears to my eyes and I’m happy that Lanston finally finds his peace.
This is Lanston’s story 5 years after the events at the end of Fabric of Our Souls. He, along with some other familiar faces, continue to “haunt” Hallow Sanctum as they figure out why they haven’t passed on. One fateful night he meets Ophelia as she dances on stage in front of phantoms and living people alike, and his afterlife is forever altered. Ophelia is a sad and broken soul and she calls to him. Together they go on a journey to fulfill their “bucket lists” and in the process learn how to heal one another and hopefully pass on.
The story was just as haunting and poetic as the first book. The representation and dialogue on hard topics such as depression, suicide and child abuse was thoughtful and earnest in a way that’s not always easy to find.
I did find the constant fight or flight (mostly flight) to be a little dragged out. Ophelia has a hard time facing her demons, understandably so, but I felt like it slowed down the pacing of the book considerably. This book is already meant to be a methodical look at the pain and healing of these characters, but sometimes it felt too drawn out and made it hard to connect.
The ending scenes with Lanston’s father and Wynn brought tears to my eyes and I’m happy that Lanston finally finds his peace.
"Two phantoms meet on the stage, hands clasped and lips brushing. They dance as if suspended in time, slowly and to a song never known. And for a fraction of a moment, perhaps caught in the wind, their laughter fills every shadow of the world, casting a ray of hope for all the weary souls. And it’s known then, to any who will hear it. A Ballad of Phantoms and Hope."
No book or story, and I truly mean none, have ever impacted me the way this book tore my heart out and shattered it into a million pieces.
This book has truly altered my brain chemistry and my life.
"“I hear you,” I say, reaching my fingers up to trace his cheekbone. “Your cry for life is deafening.”"
Thank you K.M. Moronova for writing such a beautiful and impactful story.
No book or story, and I truly mean none, have ever impacted me the way this book tore my heart out and shattered it into a million pieces.
This book has truly altered my brain chemistry and my life.
"“I hear you,” I say, reaching my fingers up to trace his cheekbone. “Your cry for life is deafening.”"
Thank you K.M. Moronova for writing such a beautiful and impactful story.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
Beautifully written.
mysterious
sad
medium-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
Did it make sense? ⭐️
Writing style/editing: .75⭐️
Character Development: ⭐️
Would I recommend it? .25⭐️
Interesting? .75⭐️
-.25⭐️ for the repeated use of the phrase “crotch rocket.” That made me want to stop reading every single time I saw it.
Total: 3.5⭐️
-.25⭐️ for the repeated use of the phrase “crotch rocket.” That made me want to stop reading every single time I saw it.
Total: 3.5⭐️
3.5 Stars
This was sad and dreary and somewhat beautiful, but it didn’t hit in the same way as The Fabric of Our Souls. It felt undercooked, a bit rushed, and not super well thought out in terms of how the spirit world worked and its supposed to interact with the living world. A few plot points didn’t make sense either and although I wanted to love this, I didn’t.
It did make me want to read TFOOS again though.
This was sad and dreary and somewhat beautiful, but it didn’t hit in the same way as The Fabric of Our Souls. It felt undercooked, a bit rushed, and not super well thought out in terms of how the spirit world worked and its supposed to interact with the living world. A few plot points didn’t make sense either and although I wanted to love this, I didn’t.
It did make me want to read TFOOS again though.
4.25 ⭐️
This was honestly probably one of the most depressing books I have ever read. My poor Lanston. Ohmygosh I just want to give him the biggest hug in the world and I don’t even like hugs. Even in death, Lanston was still so depressed and just so sad. My heart honestly broke for him. And every time he wondered why everyone he ever cared about always ends up leaving him, my heart a little bit more. I won’t even talk about that fact that I was on the verge of tears when him and Jericho were saying bye. This book was definitely much slower than AFOOS, but I think it fit when the overall theme and made the feeling more impactful. I felt a little iffy about Ophelia’s character because I think she started off with so much potential, but then she just kept leading Lanston on. I do understand her trauma and her fear. I believe that as broken as Lanston and Ophelia were, they were able to heal each other in a way that only they understand. The epilogue was also just the absolute perfect ending.
This was honestly probably one of the most depressing books I have ever read. My poor Lanston. Ohmygosh I just want to give him the biggest hug in the world and I don’t even like hugs. Even in death, Lanston was still so depressed and just so sad. My heart honestly broke for him. And every time he wondered why everyone he ever cared about always ends up leaving him, my heart a little bit more. I won’t even talk about that fact that I was on the verge of tears when him and Jericho were saying bye. This book was definitely much slower than AFOOS, but I think it fit when the overall theme and made the feeling more impactful. I felt a little iffy about Ophelia’s character because I think she started off with so much potential, but then she just kept leading Lanston on. I do understand her trauma and her fear. I believe that as broken as Lanston and Ophelia were, they were able to heal each other in a way that only they understand. The epilogue was also just the absolute perfect ending.
To be loved by Lanston Nevers
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To be loved by Lanston Nevers
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To be loved by Lanston Nevers
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To be loved by Lanston Nevers
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To be loved by Lanston Nevers
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To be loved by Lanston Nevers
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To be loved by Lanston Nevers
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To be loved by Lanston Nevers
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To be loved by Lanston Nevers