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cmdufresne's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely brilliant gender-bend retelling of Phantom of the Opera. Magical.
I don't like to give spoilers so will just say it's been a long time since a book has made me feel that many emotions.
I don't like to give spoilers so will just say it's been a long time since a book has made me feel that many emotions.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
DNF
The magic system in the book was hard to follow
The magic system in the book was hard to follow
michelletheshell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
brittster622's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a unique and interesting tale on the Phantom of the Opera. Our phantom in this case was a girl who has extra abilities. Because of her abilities, her kind are greatly feared and generally killed.
I really enjoyed the twists to the original story while still feeling similar enough to the original source material. I’m looking forward to looking into more books by this author.
I really enjoyed the twists to the original story while still feeling similar enough to the original source material. I’m looking forward to looking into more books by this author.
haileereads's review against another edition
4.0
A gender swapped fantasy retelling of the Phantom of the Opera - this book was a lot of fun. I grew up listening to the songs from the Phantom of the Opera and really loved getting immersed in that world again. The opera ghost or Isda was a character I couldn’t decide if I wanted to root for or if she needed to be locked up. Being in her mind felt wrong which I think made the story much more interesting. Definitely a fun and different read.
vibeke_hiatt's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love it and I didn't hate it.
I struggle with books written in present tense. It took some getting used to. There were also times when the tense didn't fit with the grammar and I tripped over it. The pacing was good for the first quarter, then dragged, then raced to the ending, where it dragged a little again.
What I liked: Olson's poetic prose. She approaches storytelling with beautiful descriptions. I was intrigued by the world she built and wanted to know more. Her magic system is compelling.
Overall, it's enjoyable and worth the read, but it doesn't need to jump to the top of the to-read list.
I struggle with books written in present tense. It took some getting used to. There were also times when the tense didn't fit with the grammar and I tripped over it. The pacing was good for the first quarter, then dragged, then raced to the ending, where it dragged a little again.
What I liked: Olson's poetic prose. She approaches storytelling with beautiful descriptions. I was intrigued by the world she built and wanted to know more. Her magic system is compelling.
Overall, it's enjoyable and worth the read, but it doesn't need to jump to the top of the to-read list.
cathy_acasefullofbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Okay, this was so good. A gender swapped retelling of The Phantom of the Opera was not something I would have thought I needed, but wow was it well done.
I'm not a Phantom fanatic, I've never even seen the musical or read the book. I've heard one or two of the songs. That's it. But after reading this book I definitely want to seek out the originals and see exactly how they influenced this book. I picked up on some references but I'm sure I missed many others.
The ending definitely gave me mixed feelings. It made sense for the characters, but I still really wanted it to be different. I can't elaborate because spoilers, but if you read it I think you'll understand.
I'm not a Phantom fanatic, I've never even seen the musical or read the book. I've heard one or two of the songs. That's it. But after reading this book I definitely want to seek out the originals and see exactly how they influenced this book. I picked up on some references but I'm sure I missed many others.
The ending definitely gave me mixed feelings. It made sense for the characters, but I still really wanted it to be different. I can't elaborate because spoilers, but if you read it I think you'll understand.
annemarie246's review against another edition
4.0
A fun combination of Phantom of the Opera, Beauty & the Beast, Twilight & Romeo & Juliet with a good dash of teenage angst thrown in. Narrator Caitlin Kelly does an amazing job, had me hooked after just a few minutes.
saraliz15's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0