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3.15 AVERAGE
3.15 AVERAGE
Rating: 4 / 5
A. G. Howard is one of my favorite authors and The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite things ever, so it's no surprise that I knew I had to read this book as soon as A. G. Howard announced its publication. And yes, I bought it as soon as it was published, but it's now when I've had free time to read it. Trust me, I've been very busy and I wanted to savour this book, that's why I've waited for the perfect moment to read it... And I don't regret it one bit!
I loved the Splintered series and I loved The Architect of Song, and now I can say that I loved Roseblood too.
It's true that the pace of this book is not fast, actually it's not until you're on page 240 more or less that things start getting intense. But it doesn't make the book any less perfect. A. G. Howard writes so beautifully that it's always a pleasure to read her, even if nothing "important" or "interesting" is happening. At least that's my experience with all her books so far. They're not the kind of books that I devour in two days, but they never bore me nor disappoint me. If you've never read anything from this author before, do it, because her writing is wonderful.
One thing that I really liked about this book was that Erik's character stayed very similar to Leroux's Erik. Erik's original essence is captured in A. G. Howard's story.
Thorn is my favorite character from the book (well, actually him and Diable). He's simply amazing. His backstory, his personality... everything about him is wonderful. The rest of the characters are very well written too, but Thorn (or should I call him Etalon?) and Diable are my favorite ones.
The plot was very original and, as a huge fan as I am of The Phantom of the Opera, I felt blessed when I was reading the book and I found references to the original novel and to "historical" facts. Thank you, A. G. Howard, for blending "history" and fiction so perfectly.
There's little more that I can add to this review. I loved every page in this book and I can't recommend it highly enough! The reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because you really have to wait a lot of time until things get "intense".
A. G. Howard is one of my favorite authors and The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite things ever, so it's no surprise that I knew I had to read this book as soon as A. G. Howard announced its publication. And yes, I bought it as soon as it was published, but it's now when I've had free time to read it. Trust me, I've been very busy and I wanted to savour this book, that's why I've waited for the perfect moment to read it... And I don't regret it one bit!
I loved the Splintered series and I loved The Architect of Song, and now I can say that I loved Roseblood too.
It's true that the pace of this book is not fast, actually it's not until you're on page 240 more or less that things start getting intense. But it doesn't make the book any less perfect. A. G. Howard writes so beautifully that it's always a pleasure to read her, even if nothing "important" or "interesting" is happening. At least that's my experience with all her books so far. They're not the kind of books that I devour in two days, but they never bore me nor disappoint me. If you've never read anything from this author before, do it, because her writing is wonderful.
One thing that I really liked about this book was that Erik's character stayed very similar to Leroux's Erik. Erik's original essence is captured in A. G. Howard's story.
Thorn is my favorite character from the book (well, actually him and Diable). He's simply amazing. His backstory, his personality... everything about him is wonderful. The rest of the characters are very well written too, but Thorn (or should I call him Etalon?) and Diable are my favorite ones.
The plot was very original and, as a huge fan as I am of The Phantom of the Opera, I felt blessed when I was reading the book and I found references to the original novel and to "historical" facts. Thank you, A. G. Howard, for blending "history" and fiction so perfectly.
There's little more that I can add to this review. I loved every page in this book and I can't recommend it highly enough! The reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because you really have to wait a lot of time until things get "intense".
DNF 50%
I couldn’t bring myself to continue and finish this. It was so beautifully written and poetic and descriptive but it was just too much for me. I really wanted to know the ending, but I couldn’t enjoy it as much as I did at the beginning. Throughout the middle, it made me become so bored and it put me into a reading slump for weeks.
I couldn’t bring myself to continue and finish this. It was so beautifully written and poetic and descriptive but it was just too much for me. I really wanted to know the ending, but I couldn’t enjoy it as much as I did at the beginning. Throughout the middle, it made me become so bored and it put me into a reading slump for weeks.
Dang it. I feel like I'm developing a theme where I don't really like a book that much at first and then get sucked in to the story so by the end I wanna give it a higher rating. But when I think about rereading the book it feels like a chore because it took a bit of effort to get to the enjoyable parts. So 3 stars.
I didn't like how one perspective was first person and the other was third, it read awkward. And I feel like this book suffered because the main character was way too quick to believe some very outlandish things. It was an okay read, not that surprising but overall not bad.
I didn't like how one perspective was first person and the other was third, it read awkward. And I feel like this book suffered because the main character was way too quick to believe some very outlandish things. It was an okay read, not that surprising but overall not bad.
3.5 stars
Okay, So I'm really not sure how I feel about this book.
Part of me adored it, for the sheer magical depths of the prose, how Howard spun quicksilver and lavender into a tale and made it seem like you were reading one of those classics that make you want to fondle the rough, embossed words on the crackling, yellow pages. (Yes with passion, don't you do it?) She is a wizard with the word, Harry.
But I am not one to be shaken to my core about romances that outlast centuries and reincarnations because in a way, Swoonworthy isn't my cup of tea, I ordered it without sugar please!
But if you're into such things then this is a four point five star book for you.
Aside from the romance *can't breathe when you're near, darling* I liked the elements of the story, how Howard weaved in the tragic tale of the Phantom and also, my favourite bit, how she coloured music so masterfully into the story. I love music okay? I am constantly passionately involved with it so was able to relate to all that chest heaving.
Like I said, I don't know what to say, how to feel. That is all.
Okay, So I'm really not sure how I feel about this book.
Part of me adored it, for the sheer magical depths of the prose, how Howard spun quicksilver and lavender into a tale and made it seem like you were reading one of those classics that make you want to fondle the rough, embossed words on the crackling, yellow pages. (Yes with passion, don't you do it?) She is a wizard with the word, Harry.
But I am not one to be shaken to my core about romances that outlast centuries and reincarnations because in a way,
Spoiler
I feel sorry for the second life. Just because the last body your soul inhabited loved a dude, doesn't mean your current body has to? (Okay, so that isn't all that there is to the story, but I'm talking about reincarnation stories in general)But if you're into such things then this is a four point five star book for you.
Aside from the romance *can't breathe when you're near, darling* I liked the elements of the story, how Howard weaved in the tragic tale of the Phantom and also, my favourite bit, how she coloured music so masterfully into the story. I love music okay? I am constantly passionately involved with it so was able to relate to all that chest heaving.
Like I said, I don't know what to say, how to feel. That is all.
Okay, so I tried to get through it. The inner theatre geek (who am I kidding with 'inner'? Everyone knows how much I love theatre) inside of me screamed to finish the book. The Phantom of the Opera is my all time favorite musical and Christine is a role I've been dying to get my hands on. I was stoked when I heard that a retelling of The Phantom was coming out. I went to Half Price Books, leaving with it in my hands. I tried to read it, but the story fell flat. The characters weren't too relatable. The drama didn't feel real. The fights felt fake and some of the story elements fell flat. The whole aura and Gypsy thing weirded me out but I knew I could get used to it. About halfway through, that and the elements of the story bored me to death and every time I read this book I felt I was walking on broken glass. I gave up. I never like to give up on a story but I was getting into a huge reading slump. "It's a no from me," - me to this book lol
I wouldn’t recommend the audiobook, even on 1.2 speed her voice is too slow but on 1.5 it’s too fast. She does different voices for every character so that's nice and not confusing, the audiobook is also better if you can’t speak or pronounce French.
The writing was nice but really detail heavy, some information you get is spaced out so you can think on it and understand it. But the big bit revel has a lot of information coming at you too fast.
Discussion part - Contains major spoilers
I don’t like how they have a POV and didn’t tell who POV it was. It was confusing. Only later do we find out it was Thorn.
I like Sunny,
I’m enjoying how the author isn’t making Jax a love interest and thus making it a love triangle. I love how he’s already in love with another girl and rune and Jax are just friends.
So Erik has Christine in a cryogenic freeze and is giving her energy to keep her alive till he can bring her back to life?
The violin is his and there’s a curse on it that killed Rune’s dad that he family maybe even her aunt know about?
Why don’t Rune just tell her friends what she’s planning, and why she took the part from Kay when Audrey messed up?
I don’t know how I feel about this book.
So Rune’s aunt destroyed her uniforms, played the pranks on her and put a dead crow on her chair cause she doesn’t want her there? Why? And why can’t Thorne tell her why does she have to figure out how the violin came into her family and somehow got back to the phantom before he can tell her?
If that’s the case why did her grandma try to kill her, twice?
If Thorn and Rune are twin flames soulmates basically why is he helping Erik? Does taking Rune’s gift kill her? Even if it doesn’t why is Thorn helping Erik. Father or not. And now Rune can feel the tug that binds them. Not to mention the now ribbon tattoo on their arms.
So that was a unity ritual ok, but who is spying on them? And what does Thorn mean that Erik forced his hand (to so the unity ritual) is Thorn trying to help Rune and keep her safe from Erik? I think so.
So Erik used Thorn’s connection with Rune to get her to come to Paris! He’s been using Thorn!
So the great bat Bouchard is working with Rune’s aunt charlotte to scare her away? And her aunts eyes are like Rune’s so she’s one of them?
Ugh Bouchard is Rune’s second cousin removed or something confusing like that. And the reason she’s so mean to her is she’s jealous of her cause the gene skipped her. Huh.
So that’s why the Phantom wants Rune she not only has Christine’s voice but she is Christine reincarnated.
Bouchard’s right Erik is wanting to surgically remove Christine’s voice from Rune. That’s why he had Thorn do that to the animals!!
Who’s body did Thorn put Jippetto voice into? Poor Jippetto I can’t believe Thorn did that to him.
I love how Thorn wants to keep Rune safe, how he’s making a plan with her to stop the Phantom, how he loves his father cause he cares for Thorn. He knows what he did is wrong he’s not a monster and he’s tried hard not to be one.
Ugh Prof. Tomlin is in the Phantoms pocket. I liked him!
Oh my god I feel so bad for Erik and Christine after what they went through. It’s terrible.
Ugh stupid Bouchard I hate her she ruined everything by speaking her speaking made Rune stop singing and let the Phantom out of the stupor the song put him in.
The opera house school is burning I hope everyone gets out.
I don’t think it’s Christine on the cryogenic tube. It can’t be! I was right! I freaking knew it!!!!!
Thorn better escape and free Rune he better not kill himself to snap the bond with Rune and save her. Erik using Thorn as bait for Rune to give her voice up is smart. I just hope it doesn’t work.
I hate the phantom but I feel for him too. Like Thorn said instead of Erik mourning the child he never had he could save the one he does.
The writing was nice but really detail heavy, some information you get is spaced out so you can think on it and understand it. But the big bit revel has a lot of information coming at you too fast.
Discussion part - Contains major spoilers
I don’t like how they have a POV and didn’t tell who POV it was. It was confusing. Only later do we find out it was Thorn.
I like Sunny,
I’m enjoying how the author isn’t making Jax a love interest and thus making it a love triangle. I love how he’s already in love with another girl and rune and Jax are just friends.
So Erik has Christine in a cryogenic freeze and is giving her energy to keep her alive till he can bring her back to life?
The violin is his and there’s a curse on it that killed Rune’s dad that he family maybe even her aunt know about?
Why don’t Rune just tell her friends what she’s planning, and why she took the part from Kay when Audrey messed up?
I don’t know how I feel about this book.
So Rune’s aunt destroyed her uniforms, played the pranks on her and put a dead crow on her chair cause she doesn’t want her there? Why? And why can’t Thorne tell her why does she have to figure out how the violin came into her family and somehow got back to the phantom before he can tell her?
If that’s the case why did her grandma try to kill her, twice?
If Thorn and Rune are twin flames soulmates basically why is he helping Erik? Does taking Rune’s gift kill her? Even if it doesn’t why is Thorn helping Erik. Father or not. And now Rune can feel the tug that binds them. Not to mention the now ribbon tattoo on their arms.
So that was a unity ritual ok, but who is spying on them? And what does Thorn mean that Erik forced his hand (to so the unity ritual) is Thorn trying to help Rune and keep her safe from Erik? I think so.
So Erik used Thorn’s connection with Rune to get her to come to Paris! He’s been using Thorn!
So the great bat Bouchard is working with Rune’s aunt charlotte to scare her away? And her aunts eyes are like Rune’s so she’s one of them?
Ugh Bouchard is Rune’s second cousin removed or something confusing like that. And the reason she’s so mean to her is she’s jealous of her cause the gene skipped her. Huh.
So that’s why the Phantom wants Rune she not only has Christine’s voice but she is Christine reincarnated.
Bouchard’s right Erik is wanting to surgically remove Christine’s voice from Rune. That’s why he had Thorn do that to the animals!!
Who’s body did Thorn put Jippetto voice into? Poor Jippetto I can’t believe Thorn did that to him.
I love how Thorn wants to keep Rune safe, how he’s making a plan with her to stop the Phantom, how he loves his father cause he cares for Thorn. He knows what he did is wrong he’s not a monster and he’s tried hard not to be one.
Ugh Prof. Tomlin is in the Phantoms pocket. I liked him!
Oh my god I feel so bad for Erik and Christine after what they went through. It’s terrible.
Ugh stupid Bouchard I hate her she ruined everything by speaking her speaking made Rune stop singing and let the Phantom out of the stupor the song put him in.
The opera house school is burning I hope everyone gets out.
I don’t think it’s Christine on the cryogenic tube. It can’t be! I was right! I freaking knew it!!!!!
Thorn better escape and free Rune he better not kill himself to snap the bond with Rune and save her. Erik using Thorn as bait for Rune to give her voice up is smart. I just hope it doesn’t work.
I hate the phantom but I feel for him too. Like Thorn said instead of Erik mourning the child he never had he could save the one he does.
I really enjoyed the concept of this book. It was never not entertaining for me to keep reading. It also fit into the original storyline of The Phantom of the Opera really well.
Although- and I really should’ve expected this from a YA romance/horror- I felt the “romantic” scenes went just a little further than they should have. Or maybe they were just too detailed. I guess I just wanted a little more horror and a little less detail with the...kissing...
But again, it was partially romance so It’s honestly to be expected.
Overall I really really enjoyed this book, and the author writes very beautifully. I loved all the characters....especially the cat.
Although- and I really should’ve expected this from a YA romance/horror- I felt the “romantic” scenes went just a little further than they should have. Or maybe they were just too detailed. I guess I just wanted a little more horror and a little less detail with the...kissing...
But again, it was partially romance so It’s honestly to be expected.
Overall I really really enjoyed this book, and the author writes very beautifully. I loved all the characters....especially the cat.
This book almost made me want to listen to and love opera.
...
Almost.
***
I really enjoyed this and was pleasantly surprised. It’s certainly not without its flaws (and I can see how if you’re a Phantom of the Opera super fan this might not be for you) but it was overall really enjoyable!
...
Almost.
***
I really enjoyed this and was pleasantly surprised. It’s certainly not without its flaws (and I can see how if you’re a Phantom of the Opera super fan this might not be for you) but it was overall really enjoyable!
Initial Thoughts Upon Finishing
Once again Howard has delivered! Whilst it took me a little bit of time to really get into this one, it turned out to be a real page-turner of a book. I loved the retelling of Phantom of the Opera and Howard has put so much thought into its creation and all the different elements she's tying together. Her note at the end made me realise just how much. I love that this is a standalone (although I wish I had more time with Thorn and Rune) and it has me so excited at what is to come from Howard in the future!
RoseBlood
I was so excited for this book because I am such a fan of Howard’s books - her way of making retellings is my FAVOURITE. RoseBlood was no exception. This is a fantastic spin on the beloved story of the Phantom of the Opera - a musical that I am far too obsessed with. It follows a girl called Rune who, upon hearing opera music (arias) is compelled to sing them - and she does so astonishingly well. This leads her to a school called RoseBlood where her mother hopes she might get some control of this strange affliction.
HOWEVER - being a Phantom retelling and the school having known ties to the legend means it’s far more exciting than that. Rune soon discovers a boy called Thorn to whom she finds herself inexplicably drawn. He plays the violin and has the ability to help her with her song. Her initial problems with schoolmates and general teenage concerns soon become unimportant.
But before long we learn that Thorn’s ties to the real phantom force him to make a choice - one that could harm Rune or make him a stranger to the only father he’s ever known.
It’s so good and so well done and the more you read the harder you’ll find to put it down. So much is happening here and the mystery of the phantom’s motives for getting involved with Thorn drew me further and further into the story.
Phantom Retelling
The retelling aspect of this book is on point. I feel like I’ve read a few retellings lately that are so far from the original story I forget that it’s supposed to be a retelling. This book reminds you at every turn that you’re not only in a retelling but experiencing a legend come back to life through Rune’s eyes, too.
The thing I liked about this retelling is that Rune has read Leroux’s book (the author of THE Phantom of the Opera) — so it’s like a retelling within a retelling . . . sort of. She knows of the school’s ties to the legend and is immediately making connections of mysterious events or shadows to the possibility of the phantom still haunting the building.
So whilst we know the phantom is going to appear and we know that Rune is caught up in a retelling of it, we don’t know in what direction the retelling is going to take. It’s all a glorious bundle of mysteries. Spiced up with some seriously sad backstories, of course.
Still too soon?
The modernisation of the story was done impeccably well. I can’t say too much without giving things away but the underlying intentions of the phantom which drive the plot line were astounding when revealed and the way the old is weaved into the new was so great. The club scene was particularly cool.
Characters
Rune was a good main character. Whilst she didn’t stand out from the crowd for me her complex problems and issues with trust make her more than a cardboard cutout. I loved that in this story she can’t help but sing when she hears those songs — it’s just so fitting with the whole phantom thing. I thought Howard did a really good job of making her a modern Christine Daaé.
Thorn, however, is one of my favourites. He touched a soft spot in me; his backstory not only broke my heart but left me wanting a lengthy novella to explore it more. His relationship with the phantom was a constant tug of war trying to find the caring man within a character we know so well to be demented and mostly insane. He’s such a sweetheart though; the way he interacts with Rune is beautiful and his tender side makes me want to protect him as though he were a duckling.
SPOILER:I quite liked where the story left them, however, I would have loved to explore their relationship post-phantom way more. Their romance was sizzling in every sense of the word and I really enjoyed the tattoo connection they shared — that was cool.
More importantly, I love the way Howard found a different way to explore the idea of soulmates. The twin flame thing was awesome and Howard explanation of where she came across it made me like it even more. GAH. These two.
The phantom was such an interesting character. I won’t say too much so as not to spoil you, though. He’s very complex. Very. We get a nice little back story to him too although it takes much longer to come out than for the other characters. His role in this book remains obscure for so much of it and I really enjoyed guessing where and how he was going to come into play. 10/10 for recreating and modernising the phantom.
SPOILER:THE TORMENTED LOVE STORY BETWEEN HIM AND THE REAL CHRISTINE AND THEIR CHILD THAT DIDN’T QUITE LIVE NOR DIE? Ahhhhh. Howard, how do you ruin my soul so successfully with each book you write?!! I’ve always liked the phantom despite his major drawbacks but seeing the torment he’s put himself through over this love was heart-breaking — even if he has hurt hundreds of others being selfish to bring back something he wanted.
I really enjoyed the flip-flopping between the fatherly figure that Thorn had come to admire and the monster within. That was awesome. I suppose I should say also that PSYCHIC VAMPIRES?! Awesome. Howard is bringing vampires back into fashion with this one.
Summary
I really enjoyed this. Each of Howard’s books is so unique and so well done - it speaks to my imagination. I hope that Howard continues to write an infinite number of retellings, particularly lesser done ones in the YA category such as Phantom because damn, this was good. I don’t think I could ever have dreamt up this spin on the story even if I’d tried. So to all you Phans out there: GET READING.
Happy reading!
Once again Howard has delivered! Whilst it took me a little bit of time to really get into this one, it turned out to be a real page-turner of a book. I loved the retelling of Phantom of the Opera and Howard has put so much thought into its creation and all the different elements she's tying together. Her note at the end made me realise just how much. I love that this is a standalone (although I wish I had more time with Thorn and Rune) and it has me so excited at what is to come from Howard in the future!
RoseBlood
I was so excited for this book because I am such a fan of Howard’s books - her way of making retellings is my FAVOURITE. RoseBlood was no exception. This is a fantastic spin on the beloved story of the Phantom of the Opera - a musical that I am far too obsessed with. It follows a girl called Rune who, upon hearing opera music (arias) is compelled to sing them - and she does so astonishingly well. This leads her to a school called RoseBlood where her mother hopes she might get some control of this strange affliction.
HOWEVER - being a Phantom retelling and the school having known ties to the legend means it’s far more exciting than that. Rune soon discovers a boy called Thorn to whom she finds herself inexplicably drawn. He plays the violin and has the ability to help her with her song. Her initial problems with schoolmates and general teenage concerns soon become unimportant.
But before long we learn that Thorn’s ties to the real phantom force him to make a choice - one that could harm Rune or make him a stranger to the only father he’s ever known.
It’s so good and so well done and the more you read the harder you’ll find to put it down. So much is happening here and the mystery of the phantom’s motives for getting involved with Thorn drew me further and further into the story.
Phantom Retelling
The retelling aspect of this book is on point. I feel like I’ve read a few retellings lately that are so far from the original story I forget that it’s supposed to be a retelling. This book reminds you at every turn that you’re not only in a retelling but experiencing a legend come back to life through Rune’s eyes, too.
The thing I liked about this retelling is that Rune has read Leroux’s book (the author of THE Phantom of the Opera) — so it’s like a retelling within a retelling . . . sort of. She knows of the school’s ties to the legend and is immediately making connections of mysterious events or shadows to the possibility of the phantom still haunting the building.
So whilst we know the phantom is going to appear and we know that Rune is caught up in a retelling of it, we don’t know in what direction the retelling is going to take. It’s all a glorious bundle of mysteries. Spiced up with some seriously sad backstories, of course.
Still too soon?
The modernisation of the story was done impeccably well. I can’t say too much without giving things away but the underlying intentions of the phantom which drive the plot line were astounding when revealed and the way the old is weaved into the new was so great. The club scene was particularly cool.
Characters
Rune was a good main character. Whilst she didn’t stand out from the crowd for me her complex problems and issues with trust make her more than a cardboard cutout. I loved that in this story she can’t help but sing when she hears those songs — it’s just so fitting with the whole phantom thing. I thought Howard did a really good job of making her a modern Christine Daaé.
Thorn, however, is one of my favourites. He touched a soft spot in me; his backstory not only broke my heart but left me wanting a lengthy novella to explore it more. His relationship with the phantom was a constant tug of war trying to find the caring man within a character we know so well to be demented and mostly insane. He’s such a sweetheart though; the way he interacts with Rune is beautiful and his tender side makes me want to protect him as though he were a duckling.
SPOILER:
More importantly, I love the way Howard found a different way to explore the idea of soulmates. The twin flame thing was awesome and Howard explanation of where she came across it made me like it even more. GAH. These two.
The phantom was such an interesting character. I won’t say too much so as not to spoil you, though. He’s very complex. Very. We get a nice little back story to him too although it takes much longer to come out than for the other characters. His role in this book remains obscure for so much of it and I really enjoyed guessing where and how he was going to come into play. 10/10 for recreating and modernising the phantom.
SPOILER:
I really enjoyed the flip-flopping between the fatherly figure that Thorn had come to admire and the monster within. That was awesome. I suppose I should say also that PSYCHIC VAMPIRES?! Awesome. Howard is bringing vampires back into fashion with this one.
Summary
I really enjoyed this. Each of Howard’s books is so unique and so well done - it speaks to my imagination. I hope that Howard continues to write an infinite number of retellings, particularly lesser done ones in the YA category such as Phantom because damn, this was good. I don’t think I could ever have dreamt up this spin on the story even if I’d tried. So to all you Phans out there: GET READING.
Happy reading!
