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3.15 AVERAGE
3.15 AVERAGE
RoseBlood by A.G. Howard | OwlCrate January 2017 Book
It started out very interesting, then for 300+ pages was very slow for me. In some respects, Howard improves on the classic book, with a better connection between the lovers and much greater understanding on why an ingenue would be attracted to the darkness of a Phantom-figure.
There was much more telling than showing; often the interesting parts where glossed over in flashbacks after the beginning of a new chapter. Warning: this is a surprisingly dark book, although the more grotesque horror aspects are the works of men and glossed over.
But the last quarter of the book was spellbinding and quite good. The world-building got a lot better here and the characters made more interesting. The plot finally got underway--at last! 6/10
It started out very interesting, then for 300+ pages was very slow for me. In some respects, Howard improves on the classic book, with a better connection between the lovers and much greater understanding on why an ingenue would be attracted to the darkness of a Phantom-figure.
There was much more telling than showing; often the interesting parts where glossed over in flashbacks after the beginning of a new chapter. Warning: this is a surprisingly dark book, although the more grotesque horror aspects are the works of men and glossed over.
But the last quarter of the book was spellbinding and quite good. The world-building got a lot better here and the characters made more interesting. The plot finally got underway--at last! 6/10
I feel like this book took a while to really get in to. I mean it was kind of a slow start. My favorite character would have to be Thorn/Etalon because he just has that dark/gothic/mysterious vibe that I really liked. Rune and Thorn had there moments and everything, and there were some really good parts. For example, when we learn about Etalon's childhood etc. or Thorn playing the violin for Rune. I have not read the Splintered series yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing if I like it and can't wait to start reading!
It's rare that you come across a well-done, yet original, Phantom of the Opera retelling (I'd consider this a retelling AND sequel). There were some sections where the descriptors/adjectives just got TOO wordy and it stalled the movement a bit, but otherwise it was a fun and lovely read.
The energy sucking vampires was a little weird, but otherwise I really enjoyed this book and the world building.
3.5 stars.
Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite musicals so I was excited when I got this book in Owlcrate. The story starts off a little slow and as the reader it takes a bit to figure out some of the back story. Once the story picks up and we start to learn more I was more invested in the story. I think it was an interesting premise and for the most part enjoyed it. It was a quick read and did keep me interested to figure things out till the end. Over all not a bad read.
Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite musicals so I was excited when I got this book in Owlcrate. The story starts off a little slow and as the reader it takes a bit to figure out some of the back story. Once the story picks up and we start to learn more I was more invested in the story. I think it was an interesting premise and for the most part enjoyed it. It was a quick read and did keep me interested to figure things out till the end. Over all not a bad read.
This cover is STUNNING and I really really wanted to love it because I am a huge fan of the Phantom of the Opera, but I just didn't like this book. I didn't connect with really any of the characters and there was just TOO much description of EVERYTHING, at times it took forever for something to actually happen in the plot. The writing was beautiful, A.G Howard is obviously a talented writer, and description is needed in setting the stage, but I just felt bogged down by it. This is my second book by this author, my first being Splintered and I didn't enjoy that book either. I just also had issues with how this book, in my opinion didn't really do any justice to the source material, which I think is important. I know that this novel is a retelling/continuation and having a new unique spin is important and also the purpose of a retelling, however at least in the retellings that I have enjoyed, no matter what is changed, the author captures the underlying themes of the original work, which I think was really lacking here. Our "phantom" here still wears a mask, but underneath he's beautiful, compared to a Greek god, which I think doesn't do justice to the original themes of the source material.
I also have problems with changes to the source material that the author decided to change, but I won't go into that because...spoilers...overall disappointed and while I do think that A.G. Howard is a talented writer in an objective way, I just don't think that her books are for me.
I also have problems with changes to the source material that the author decided to change, but I won't go into that because...spoilers...overall disappointed and while I do think that A.G. Howard is a talented writer in an objective way, I just don't think that her books are for me.
Als je van The phantom of the opera houd dan vind je dit ook tof!
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Never picked it up after i set it down. It’s been months
I think I'm just going to have to stop reading A.G. Howard books. I'm always drawn in by the cover art and the premise of the stories. In this case, we're treated to a rendition of Phantom of the Opera. Other than direct retellings in popular culture (musical and movie), I honestly don't know of any other versions of this story being told in literature.
This time we're with Rune, a young girl with a voice that can kill. After an accident at a party, she is sent to a boarding school for musical artists in Paris to live with her Aunt. Since the death of her father, Rune (yeah...her name is Rune) has been unable to control herself when it comes to her naturally operatic voice. Sometimes she finds herself unable to stop her voice from singing out even though once she does it makes her sick.
After a disastrous introduction to her fellow classmates, Rune manages to carve out a little circle of well meaning friends. Meanwhile Etalon/Thorn, who is an orphan taken in by THE Phantom has started stalking her on behalf of his father in order to bring her into their family.
The twist as to who/what the Phantom is and where Rune fits into the mythos is a decent one…but yet again I find myself thinking the book has gone on too long. That there's just too many details involved in the explanation about how things work in this world.
I love dense fantasy novels, I really do enjoy a thoroughly built world. What I don't enjoy is having four page monologues from side characters explaining how the world works or having secrets revealed in this way. I know that this is just a personal preference of mine so I can't really hold it against the author.
Here's an analogy that if you're like me…you might understand about how I feel about this book. If Leigh Bardugo or VE Schwab is the fantasy equivalent of Stephen King…A.G. Howard is the Dean Koontz. Excellent stories but way too many details for my taste.
This time we're with Rune, a young girl with a voice that can kill. After an accident at a party, she is sent to a boarding school for musical artists in Paris to live with her Aunt. Since the death of her father, Rune (yeah...her name is Rune) has been unable to control herself when it comes to her naturally operatic voice. Sometimes she finds herself unable to stop her voice from singing out even though once she does it makes her sick.
After a disastrous introduction to her fellow classmates, Rune manages to carve out a little circle of well meaning friends. Meanwhile Etalon/Thorn, who is an orphan taken in by THE Phantom has started stalking her on behalf of his father in order to bring her into their family.
The twist as to who/what the Phantom is and where Rune fits into the mythos is a decent one…but yet again I find myself thinking the book has gone on too long. That there's just too many details involved in the explanation about how things work in this world.
I love dense fantasy novels, I really do enjoy a thoroughly built world. What I don't enjoy is having four page monologues from side characters explaining how the world works or having secrets revealed in this way. I know that this is just a personal preference of mine so I can't really hold it against the author.
Here's an analogy that if you're like me…you might understand about how I feel about this book. If Leigh Bardugo or VE Schwab is the fantasy equivalent of Stephen King…A.G. Howard is the Dean Koontz. Excellent stories but way too many details for my taste.