Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.15 AVERAGE
3.15 AVERAGE
A.G. Howard writes beautifully. Her words are weaved lyrically, creating an atmosphere solely by her words. The writing style is ethereal but probably not for everyone. Despite loving her unique way of writing, it seemed to snag the plot and slow things down considerably all throughout the book.
I'm a long time Phantom of the Opera fan, both the musical and Leroux's story. As fate would have it, I had just recently finished reading the original when I received RoseBlood in my Owl Crate. I was so excited because... PHANTOM! Young Adult! This surely was a match made in heaven.
** SPOILERS **
I wanted to love this so badly. I wanted to love it so badly I would force myself to pretend like I couldn't put it down, but in the end it was more morbid curiosity than affection.
When I read YA books I go into them knowing that sometimes they're going to be a little cheesy, and that's fine, I can read past that. However, RoseBlood was an entire cheeseboard.
The names were immediately off putting. Again, cheesy, and I thought "Well, maybe that is the worst of it..." when you name characters like Rune (our leading lady) and Thorn. And the school RoseBlood.
Alas, that was not the end of the liberties taken. The entire 'power' our beautiful-but-don't-know-it-protagonist beholds is the inability to stop herself from singing. Albeit a trait that would make someone annoying, it's hardly a superpower and it's pretty dull since it kind of ends there. We go into a world of auras and colors and psychedelic realms with Rune. Again, eye roll.
So now we have this American songbird sent to Paris because she can't stop bursting into song and mommy thinks she needs help from an aunt who has since kept her distance since Rune's father's death. Rune is sent to basically the ideal school for anyone who has any kind of interest in vocal arts but, nay, Rune detests this thought. How could one possibly want to go to school at an elite training center in Paris!?
After stalker Thorn (aka Etalon) watches her every move through secret mirrors and places in the school, these two "twin flames" finally meet and irresistibly cannot stand to think of being apart. Except, you know, at the end when Rune thinks Thorn is dead but isn't sure and he stays away for a while to "find himself" and let her "find herself".
Essentially it is beautifully written (but poorly designed) fan fiction. I don't like fan fiction and I am a staunch lover of the classics so it's really hard for me to read things that are "spin offs" but really just a talented writer taking liberties with a classic.
I'm going to be super honest here because this was such a not serious read, that I can't be super serious about reviewing it. I have to stop you from reading this book for a few reasons...
(And seriously, I don't think I've spoiled much above, but don't read further because I'm about to reveal my biggest qualm with this entire book.)
The Phantom of the Opera... the PHANTOM of the OPERA... is a vampire.
And he owns a rave.
No, I'm not kidding.
Let that sink in.
The Phantom of the Opera, a man who is a gifted ventriloquist and is obsessed with music and operas and Christine and and and... he owns rave in France.
I just can't. I don't know why I finished it. I figured I was more or less done and why not just end it.
And the obtrusive red font color? Too much. There's aesthetic and appeal, but then there's just... trying way too hard.
I read this thinking this would be more appropriate for middle schoolers but then I thought, "How many middle school kids are reading 'Phantom of the Opera' or have seen the play?!"
I'm a long time Phantom of the Opera fan, both the musical and Leroux's story. As fate would have it, I had just recently finished reading the original when I received RoseBlood in my Owl Crate. I was so excited because... PHANTOM! Young Adult! This surely was a match made in heaven.
I wanted to love this so badly. I wanted to love it so badly I would force myself to pretend like I couldn't put it down, but in the end it was more morbid curiosity than affection.
When I read YA books I go into them knowing that sometimes they're going to be a little cheesy, and that's fine, I can read past that. However, RoseBlood was an entire cheeseboard.
The names were immediately off putting. Again, cheesy, and I thought "Well, maybe that is the worst of it..." when you name characters like Rune (our leading lady) and Thorn. And the school RoseBlood.
Alas, that was not the end of the liberties taken. The entire 'power' our beautiful-but-don't-know-it-protagonist beholds is the inability to stop herself from singing. Albeit a trait that would make someone annoying, it's hardly a superpower and it's pretty dull since it kind of ends there. We go into a world of auras and colors and psychedelic realms with Rune. Again, eye roll.
So now we have this American songbird sent to Paris because she can't stop bursting into song and mommy thinks she needs help from an aunt who has since kept her distance since Rune's father's death. Rune is sent to basically the ideal school for anyone who has any kind of interest in vocal arts but, nay, Rune detests this thought. How could one possibly want to go to school at an elite training center in Paris!?
After stalker Thorn (aka Etalon) watches her every move through secret mirrors and places in the school, these two "twin flames" finally meet and irresistibly cannot stand to think of being apart. Except, you know, at the end when Rune thinks Thorn is dead but isn't sure and he stays away for a while to "find himself" and let her "find herself".
Essentially it is beautifully written (but poorly designed) fan fiction. I don't like fan fiction and I am a staunch lover of the classics so it's really hard for me to read things that are "spin offs" but really just a talented writer taking liberties with a classic.
I'm going to be super honest here because this was such a not serious read, that I can't be super serious about reviewing it. I have to stop you from reading this book for a few reasons...
(And seriously, I don't think I've spoiled much above, but don't read further because I'm about to reveal my biggest qualm with this entire book.)
The Phantom of the Opera... the PHANTOM of the OPERA... is a vampire.
And he owns a rave.
No, I'm not kidding.
Let that sink in.
The Phantom of the Opera, a man who is a gifted ventriloquist and is obsessed with music and operas and Christine and and and... he owns rave in France.
I just can't. I don't know why I finished it. I figured I was more or less done and why not just end it.
And the obtrusive red font color? Too much. There's aesthetic and appeal, but then there's just... trying way too hard.
I read this thinking this would be more appropriate for middle schoolers but then I thought, "How many middle school kids are reading 'Phantom of the Opera' or have seen the play?!"
It was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I received it in my Owlcrate box and fell in love with the cover right away. It is a joy to hold in your hand. I just wish the story was better.
I think this book is underrated. I enjoyed a twist on the story where I can see some people thought it was too far fetched. If you’re into vampire stories and have READ The Phantom of the Opera, this book is for you.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
For some reason when I first got this book, I kept pushing it back. I read Howard's Splintered series a couple years ago and I really enjoyed it. When I found out about Roseblood I checked it out of my library (along with a couple other books), returned it, and just never read it until now. I don't know what kept making me procrastinate on this book because I really really enjoyed it. I literally read it in three chunks, reading the last 150 pages in one afternoon instead of doing my homework. I could not make myself stop. I really did not regret reading this book and I wish I had read it earlier, the first time I had it.
I liked how the book had an aura of suspense and mystery, referencing bits and pieces of Rune and Thorn's backstories and then giving the full story later on. A lot of the times, the author will mention a piece of the character's past and then immediately reveal an entire chunk. I like Howard's method better, revealing it later when it's more relevant. It keeps an aura of mystery and curiosity.
Usually, there are times when I disagree with characters' actions. They're not perfect, obviously, and like with real people, I dislike them at times (when I disagree with them). This didn't actually happen a lot in Roseblood . For the most part, I thought the characters were well-written and developed nicely. The only point I disliked Rune was. I thought that was unnecessary and it was also the only part I disagreed with/disliked Rune.
The only problem I really had with the book however, was the last chapter. I thought everything just wrapped up too fast. There was a month of stuff squeezed into four pages. Granted, there wasn't really anything super important happening, but it just seemed way too rushed. It was like, 'the book is basically done, what's the fastest way to wrap it up?' It would have been nice if that slowed down a little. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book and recommend it to people who like suspense, drama, romance, or fantasy. Others too, of course, but if you like those four elements, I definitely recommend this book.
For some reason when I first got this book, I kept pushing it back. I read Howard's Splintered series a couple years ago and I really enjoyed it. When I found out about Roseblood I checked it out of my library (along with a couple other books), returned it, and just never read it until now. I don't know what kept making me procrastinate on this book because I really really enjoyed it. I literally read it in three chunks, reading the last 150 pages in one afternoon instead of doing my homework. I could not make myself stop. I really did not regret reading this book and I wish I had read it earlier, the first time I had it.
I liked how the book had an aura of suspense and mystery, referencing bits and pieces of Rune and Thorn's backstories and then giving the full story later on. A lot of the times, the author will mention a piece of the character's past and then immediately reveal an entire chunk. I like Howard's method better, revealing it later when it's more relevant. It keeps an aura of mystery and curiosity.
Usually, there are times when I disagree with characters' actions. They're not perfect, obviously, and like with real people, I dislike them at times (when I disagree with them). This didn't actually happen a lot in Roseblood . For the most part, I thought the characters were well-written and developed nicely. The only point I disliked Rune was
Spoiler
during the final auditions for Renata, when Audrey was so upset she messed up her audition and ran off crying. Rune stood up and literally insulted Audrey and Kat? Kat I understand, she was a jerk the entire book, but I don't get why she had to insult Audrey too and hurt her friend even more. I get why she decided audition, I just don't get why she had to hurt her friend too.The only problem I really had with the book however, was the last chapter. I thought everything just wrapped up too fast. There was a month of stuff squeezed into four pages. Granted, there wasn't really anything super important happening, but it just seemed way too rushed. It was like, 'the book is basically done, what's the fastest way to wrap it up?' It would have been nice if that slowed down a little. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book and recommend it to people who like suspense, drama, romance, or fantasy. Others too, of course, but if you like those four elements, I definitely recommend this book.
This was a surprise of a book. Once I picked this up, strangely Rune became a very interesting character to read through. Since her gift is also her crutch at the same time, the only reason why she was accepted with a deeper meaning revealed towards the end. And the explanation regarding her entire background, felt so historical and at the same time interesting.
While this retelling plays around with a phantom hundred of years after, which I greatly liked. Since it deals with all the creepy weird things which to me worked perfectly here. And that Thorn is mysterious, twisted but mysterious. And that I liked that the romance went slow, to them slowly meeting, slowly figuring everything out about them. And all the clues. Since I wouldn't see them meeting under normal circumstances,
As for the actual phantom and what he did, such as having Christine for a short period. Actually liking the way it went, where everything didn't end well for them. And it drove him into further obsession, which I liked the way it was. Even pushing him to get Thorn.
As for the musical inclination, any book would have gotten into me with just that. It just feels so right, and when her gift both suffocates and glorifies her at the same time. I really enjoyed it, the way that there was so much of exploration of opera. Of music and of her talent. As for the reveal towards the end, I feel that it was rather fitting to have regarding her talents.
Even more so, her doubts are completely believable. The way that she her father died, the way she nearly killed someone. That was believable in my account that she would stop playing.
However, I do feel that the issues of this book lies on the fact that his mother feels as though she's a sex worker just because she had a child out of wedlock. That's just wrong, really. It feels off. While the romance was on point, and the atmosphere captured me, this just doesn't sound good at all. Also, where Erik takes him to the whorehouse and forces him to do all that. Yeah, I feel that it's wrong too.
Overall, I would say this book is creepy and rather gothic. Precisely the retelling of the Phantom of the Opera I was looking for, but there are issues that cannot be ignored. I would say that the romance captivated me, and the music was the one thing that kept me reading. So, pick it up and just see it for yourself.
While this retelling plays around with a phantom hundred of years after, which I greatly liked. Since it deals with all the creepy weird things which to me worked perfectly here. And that Thorn is mysterious, twisted but mysterious. And that I liked that the romance went slow, to them slowly meeting, slowly figuring everything out about them. And all the clues. Since I wouldn't see them meeting under normal circumstances,
As for the actual phantom and what he did, such as having Christine for a short period. Actually liking the way it went, where everything didn't end well for them. And it drove him into further obsession, which I liked the way it was. Even pushing him to get Thorn.
As for the musical inclination, any book would have gotten into me with just that. It just feels so right, and when her gift both suffocates and glorifies her at the same time. I really enjoyed it, the way that there was so much of exploration of opera. Of music and of her talent. As for the reveal towards the end, I feel that it was rather fitting to have regarding her talents.
Even more so, her doubts are completely believable. The way that she her father died, the way she nearly killed someone. That was believable in my account that she would stop playing.
However, I do feel that the issues of this book lies on the fact that his mother feels as though she's a sex worker just because she had a child out of wedlock. That's just wrong, really. It feels off. While the romance was on point, and the atmosphere captured me, this just doesn't sound good at all. Also, where Erik takes him to the whorehouse and forces him to do all that. Yeah, I feel that it's wrong too.
Overall, I would say this book is creepy and rather gothic. Precisely the retelling of the Phantom of the Opera I was looking for, but there are issues that cannot be ignored. I would say that the romance captivated me, and the music was the one thing that kept me reading. So, pick it up and just see it for yourself.
adventurous
mysterious
sad
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:
N/A
As a lover of Phantom of the Opera, this was hard for me to dislike. I felt that some ideas were too far fetched. The friendships were cute and I definitely loved reading about them, but the main character spent a lot of time alone and those parts were difficult to read.
Really liked Splintered... Adore Phantom... this... not so much. Too wordy, the first half-3/4s of the book was completely boooring. The bizzaro-ness of the Phantom's plot was just .... wrong. I was really hoping she would kill the phantom and replace him, after being disfigured herself, and she would be the new phantom. Alas, they had HEAs.