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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
Honestly it’s just not what I want to read right now
Thank you to Rae for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever wanted to read a Hunchback of Notre Dame reimagining where Claude Frollo was the hero and Phoebus was the villain? Have you ever wanted to merge The Hunchback of Notre Dame AND Phantom of the Opera? Do you like magic? Trans-awakening? Spicy times? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!
I fell in love with this cover when it was first revealed months ago, and when I received an ARC I immediately shoved everything else to the side to read this. I actually didn't know this merged Hunchback and Phantom together and so I was surprised as heck. But man, this was SO GOOD. Esmerelda and Claude are such diverse characters and the side characters are just as interesting. The representation in this book alone is everything!
But the plot? Absolute. Fire. Check your TWs (always take care of yourself first, friends!) and there is a cliffhanger because another book is coming but when it ended I had to go back to make sure I didn't miss anything. It's been a long time where I haven't been watching the percentage in the corner wondering when the end of the book is coming. But this just makes me want more more more more more!
Do yourself a favor and pick this up. Thank me later.
Have you ever wanted to read a Hunchback of Notre Dame reimagining where Claude Frollo was the hero and Phoebus was the villain? Have you ever wanted to merge The Hunchback of Notre Dame AND Phantom of the Opera? Do you like magic? Trans-awakening? Spicy times? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!
I fell in love with this cover when it was first revealed months ago, and when I received an ARC I immediately shoved everything else to the side to read this. I actually didn't know this merged Hunchback and Phantom together and so I was surprised as heck. But man, this was SO GOOD. Esmerelda and Claude are such diverse characters and the side characters are just as interesting. The representation in this book alone is everything!
But the plot? Absolute. Fire. Check your TWs (always take care of yourself first, friends!) and there is a cliffhanger because another book is coming but when it ended I had to go back to make sure I didn't miss anything. It's been a long time where I haven't been watching the percentage in the corner wondering when the end of the book is coming. But this just makes me want more more more more more!
Do yourself a favor and pick this up. Thank me later.
adventurous
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
The characters got on my nerves.
I received this book as an ARC, my first one! I was pumped to read this because I usually enjoy Disney retellings. This was a sapphic love story told from Esmeralda’s POV and her lover Claude. At first I wasn’t sure how much I would like this book because Claude is a member of the church and there’s a lot of religion thrown around in the beginning of the book, but thankfully it’s not throughout the whole book. I found myself rooting for Claude and Esmeralda over the course of the story. My only drawback was that the climax of the book was toward the end, it never really had a resolution, and it leaves you feeling like you don’t truly know how it ended (like you want more but there isn’t). All in all I don’t want the 3 stars to deter anyone, it was a good story, just not one of my favorites that’s all! But thank you to the author who sent me a copy!!
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
There were a lot of things I liked about this, and very few things I didn't. I loved the use of mages instead of Romani people; it really erased all possibility of racism in that regard. I love Claude Frollo as a hot tall sexy nonbinary sapphic. I loved the actual story. Weirdly, the thing I liked least were the smut scenes. I dunno, these just didn't vibe with me, particularly one toward the end that I felt was very out of place. But I love the characters and can't wait for the second book!
The spice and the LGBT+ themes were the only redeeming qualities. The combo of Frollo and Esmeralda didn't make any sense. The magic elements were flimsy at best. Randomly adding Phantom of the Opera characters did nothing to further the plot. Never fully reveals the trauma for one of the characters, just heavily implied. And the book ends without actually finishing or providing any closure.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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 did not expect this sapphic hunchback adaptation to turn into a poly phantom of the opera/hunchback adaptation but holy shit I am so glad it did.
This was such a fun experience. I love the writing, and the characters are so amazing. I had such a fantastic time with them. The addition of magic was also great. The art is GORGEOUS. So excited for the next one.
Rep: nonbinary, lesbian, pan
391 pages
- I wish I could feel as accepted by God as Claude feels in the beginning.
- "Don't bring God into this... I want you screaming MY name, not his." AHHHHHHH FANTASY UNLOCKED
- We love a "who did this to you" moment
- We LOVE period rep in a book YES
- I really thought that Jehan was just a cool nod to the original book but he became a character YAY
- Not Jehan just vomiting on command lol
- Claude why are you turned on by the terror in her eyes as you choke the life out of her damn
- I wish we saw more of the relationship between Father Laurent and Claude. We're told he's their father figure more than we're shown it.
- I like the decision to change Romani to mage. It's a better move for this version.
This was such a fun experience. I love the writing, and the characters are so amazing. I had such a fantastic time with them. The addition of magic was also great. The art is GORGEOUS. So excited for the next one.
Rep: nonbinary, lesbian, pan
391 pages
- I wish I could feel as accepted by God as Claude feels in the beginning.
- "Don't bring God into this... I want you screaming MY name, not his." AHHHHHHH FANTASY UNLOCKED
- We love a "who did this to you" moment
- We LOVE period rep in a book YES
- I really thought that Jehan was just a cool nod to the original book but he became a character YAY
- Not Jehan just vomiting on command lol
- Claude why are you turned on by the terror in her eyes as you choke the life out of her damn
- I wish we saw more of the relationship between Father Laurent and Claude. We're told he's their father figure more than we're shown it.
- I like the decision to change Romani to mage. It's a better move for this version.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Blood, Vomit
adventurous
dark
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-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