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3.15 AVERAGE
3.15 AVERAGE
I liked this book, but I didn't love it like I really wanted to. It was very hard to follow along with the story and the story started off very slow. It took half of the book for me to even want to find out what was going on. The last few chapters felt like they were rushed.
The story and concept had so much potential, especially since a Phantom of the Opera retelling is not very popular. I guess I expected more from the author considering how much I loved Splintered.
The characters fell flat for me and I could not find myself caring about any of them which was very disappointing. It was an interesting read though.
Review also posted on my blog: https://madteapartybooksandthings.wordpress.com/2017/10/06/roseblood-by-a-g-howard-review/
The story and concept had so much potential, especially since a Phantom of the Opera retelling is not very popular. I guess I expected more from the author considering how much I loved Splintered.
The characters fell flat for me and I could not find myself caring about any of them which was very disappointing. It was an interesting read though.
Review also posted on my blog: https://madteapartybooksandthings.wordpress.com/2017/10/06/roseblood-by-a-g-howard-review/
I couldn’t even finish this. As someone who adores the Phantom of the Opera, I was stoked when I saw this on the shelf. Disappointed beyond belief. Writing was atrocious, the story was odd, the characters were ridiculous and stupid. I could go on and on. Do yourself a favor and don’t read this.
I've never read Phantom of The Opera so I really can't compare the stories. In the beginning the book did seem a bit slow for me. I was finally able to get into it towards middle of he book. I thought the story was pretty good and did enjoy it.
LOL I lied, here is a review.
When I saw that there was going to be a retelling of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ I was over the moon. I love POTO and the movie version with Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum, so I definitely went into this with high expectations. Sadly this book failed to live up to it. I advise to go into this with an open mind.
FULL REVIEW HERE!
When I saw that there was going to be a retelling of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ I was over the moon. I love POTO and the movie version with Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum, so I definitely went into this with high expectations. Sadly this book failed to live up to it. I advise to go into this with an open mind.
FULL REVIEW HERE!
An interesting retelling of the book Phantom of the Opera !
it's not an amazing book, but it's still good, with a curious twist about the Phantom !
it's not an amazing book, but it's still good, with a curious twist about the Phantom !
I tried this book a few months ago, receiving a Galley of it, but I found it boring and I was irked by the modern-dayness. I found myself with nothing to read yesterday when my phone and laptop died at my parents house, so I picked the book up, having brought it for mys sister. Ironic, huh?
I was still not excited about the setting of the book, but I pushed through it about 50 pages, and I found myself enjoying all the small details from the book and play, and enjoyed how Howard wove history and fantasy into this.
It was enjoyable once I got over the intial "uggggh" parts.
I was still not excited about the setting of the book, but I pushed through it about 50 pages, and I found myself enjoying all the small details from the book and play, and enjoyed how Howard wove history and fantasy into this.
It was enjoyable once I got over the intial "uggggh" parts.
Very predictable. But an interesting take on the original.
2.5 stars. Rounding, that makes 3! Math rules. Must follow them....
Anyway, I'm not completely sure how I feel about this book. It was definitely interesting, and I'm giving my bestie the go ahead on reading it, but I really don't know how I feel about it all.
One thing, yes, I believe a little mystery is needed in a story, but it was like you get nothing throughout 90% of the book, and then BOOM! WAZAM! ALL THE ANSWERS ARE HERE! It's like, okay, now that you found this thing out, I'm gonna sit you down and answer every. Single. Question. You. Could. Possibly. Have. Except this ONE thing that could really make your life easier, because PLOT!
Also, the climax? Totally made sense before that big reveal at the end (aka, the one thing not told beforehand). Then it was just confusing, as well as anticlimactic. Really. I just rolled my eyes.
Thirdly, cliche ending! Not that I wasn't okay with that particular cliche, but I feel like so much more could have been explored if that ending hadn't been put in, and if Erik hadn't-- yeah, I'm going to stop there. No spoilers! Just the villain of the plot failed to act villainous the whole way through, and it kind of added to the anticlimactic climax.
So, all in all, yes, I enjoyed the story, no I will not be purchasing this book, yes, you can read it, no, I don't want to ever read it again.
Anyway, I'm not completely sure how I feel about this book. It was definitely interesting, and I'm giving my bestie the go ahead on reading it, but I really don't know how I feel about it all.
One thing, yes, I believe a little mystery is needed in a story, but it was like you get nothing throughout 90% of the book, and then BOOM! WAZAM! ALL THE ANSWERS ARE HERE! It's like, okay, now that you found this thing out, I'm gonna sit you down and answer every. Single. Question. You. Could. Possibly. Have. Except this ONE thing that could really make your life easier, because PLOT!
Also, the climax? Totally made sense before that big reveal at the end (aka, the one thing not told beforehand). Then it was just confusing, as well as anticlimactic. Really. I just rolled my eyes.
Thirdly, cliche ending! Not that I wasn't okay with that particular cliche, but I feel like so much more could have been explored if that ending hadn't been put in, and if Erik hadn't-- yeah, I'm going to stop there. No spoilers! Just the villain of the plot failed to act villainous the whole way through, and it kind of added to the anticlimactic climax.
So, all in all, yes, I enjoyed the story, no I will not be purchasing this book, yes, you can read it, no, I don't want to ever read it again.
It took me a while to finish as I have a CRAZY work schedule. But I LOVED this book. I have read some reviews, some not liking it, some hating it. All valid points. I won't post spoilers or review the book in vivid detail because I don't think it's valid. What is valid is the feeling I had reading this book.
First, it does start off slow because there is a lot of explanation that is happening. I actually like knowing the history of a place, a character, etc, right from the beginning because it helps me to paint a picture in my mind. I was able to clearly see Roseblood Academy in my mind and I fell in love instantly. The entire aesthetic was beautiful. Rune's character was slightly unrelateable. I had a hard time connecting with her at first, but I liked the fact that I was able to know a bit about her from the start. I connected with her overall grief of losing a parent because, even though her parent passed at a young age, that pain; the imprint on one's life, never goes away and I think that helped her character.
The overall story was dark, brooding and romantic. It has an old-time gothic feel that made me feel comfy and cozy all over it. It made me happy to know that the kids in the book wouldn't be the typical media and technology driven kids, which made for a deeper connection between the characters.
I felt a mix of emotions. I, of course, rolled my eyes at a few points. Some scenes were cringe worthy (The abandoned church scene. That's all I'm saying), but what story doesn't have at least one of those? There can't be only good points. The overall feel made me want more; a LOT more.
Maybe I'm a biased fan, I don't know. I just know that when I leave a story sad that it ended.... That's all I need to rate a book a 5 star.
First, it does start off slow because there is a lot of explanation that is happening. I actually like knowing the history of a place, a character, etc, right from the beginning because it helps me to paint a picture in my mind. I was able to clearly see Roseblood Academy in my mind and I fell in love instantly. The entire aesthetic was beautiful. Rune's character was slightly unrelateable. I had a hard time connecting with her at first, but I liked the fact that I was able to know a bit about her from the start. I connected with her overall grief of losing a parent because, even though her parent passed at a young age, that pain; the imprint on one's life, never goes away and I think that helped her character.
The overall story was dark, brooding and romantic. It has an old-time gothic feel that made me feel comfy and cozy all over it. It made me happy to know that the kids in the book wouldn't be the typical media and technology driven kids, which made for a deeper connection between the characters.
I felt a mix of emotions. I, of course, rolled my eyes at a few points. Some scenes were cringe worthy (The abandoned church scene. That's all I'm saying), but what story doesn't have at least one of those? There can't be only good points. The overall feel made me want more; a LOT more.
Maybe I'm a biased fan, I don't know. I just know that when I leave a story sad that it ended.... That's all I need to rate a book a 5 star.