As a middle-schooler, soon-to-be high schooler, one night, while I had a girlfriend over for a sleepover, we browsed Direct TV for something to watch. Then, something magical happened, we stumbled upon the movie starring the drool worthy Gerard Butler and the gorgeous Emmy Rossum. The ballad, "the Phaaaantom of the OP-E-RA is there, inside my mind..." crossed my ears and I could never look back again. My obsession for the Phantom began. I watched that movie until I knew it by heart. Downloaded every song on the soundtrack and pretended to be Miss Christine Daae in the shower, as I belted out the tunes (very horribly, mind you), and just purely fangirled. As high school approached, my fangirlishness faded to drama and what-not, but my love for the Phantom remained, just quietened down a bit.
Until now...
I have always been a fan of A. G. Howard's works with the Splintered series, which I obsessed over in the last few years. I love me some re-tellings, especially Alice in Wonderland, and now, Phantom of the Opera. When I finished Splintered, I discovered that Miss Howard was coming out with another masterpiece, RoseBlood, and as soon as I heard it was a Phantom of the Opera re-telling, I was far too excited, that my fangirlishness gone up a notch or two. Yet...I had to wait a while before I could read it, so my excitement gone dormant, for the meantime.
Then the day came, RoseBlood was in my hands and I gobbled it up...slowly. In part, because I am now an adult with a job, and forced to live life outside of a book, and other part, I savored this morsel for what all it's worth.
It was so worth it.
Howard's ability to weave realism and details is so awe-inspiring that it took my breath away. Descriptions of RoseBlood, down to the characters themselves, are just exquisite and breathtaking, that I had to stop to take a breath sometimes. This is a very character-driven plot, which I find refreshing, after reading books that are world-driven, and the characters were just along for the ride.
RoseBlood has a great pacing for the expanse of the story and plot reveals. I may say there are some predictability, but my saying is, "if there isn't an element or two of predictability, the story would lull for me." Yet, Howard left some morsels here-and-there that weren't very predictable.
After the Twilight and Vampire Diaries phenomena, one would think the lure of the vampire plots would be hung out to dry, but with the vampire "element" (you'll see why I say element here shortly) in RoseBlood is fascinating and alluring as the first vampire book I picked up years ago. I had a feeling from the beginning, that's where it was heading with the Phantom's immortality bit, but I was clung to the page, curious to how Howard would spin it. I wasn't left disappointed either. I also like how the plot really wasn't centered around that element. I say element, because it's isn't the main drive for the story, just a sub-plot really. Which is why my half of me that is sick of vampires didn't repel it.
The heart-pounding romance is a big winner for me, although, at one point, I was beginning to wonder if the romance would get up off the ground. However, the romance build-up was all worth it in the end. It was part sweet, seductive, and torturing; paying homage the romance between Erik and Christine is many ways, yet, accomplishing the potential that they never had.
Another winner for me is...the character and plot development. RoseBlood came out on the other end by changing many characters; Rune, Thorn, and Erik mostly. All characters started out as one thing and turned into a whole other by the end. All beautiful, tragic, and inspiring that took my breath away. The meticulous research that Howard has done for this story is just remarkable. Her keen eye for potential Phantom-world building through reality is just amazing. From connecting Saint-Germain, Nillson, Leroux, and even to Aristotle; the plot based upon these tidbits of rich goodness is just fascinating.
This book wasn't just about romance and accomplishing goals, but finding your true self and what you're meant to be. Some got lost along the way in the dark abyss of the mind, and others found another to complete themselves. All woven in a rich, dark story that leads to a bright horizon. A story with so much depth that you just might lose yourself in...willingly.
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Their tragic misbalances and flaws were so much more compelling than any perfection could be.
RoseBlood by A. G. Howard🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🎤🌹🎻💔🐱I love A.G. Howard. She dances on the line of literary in young adult, and it’s both magnificent and wonderfully entertaining. Her lyrical voice is strangely hypnotizing, which sets the perfect tone for her latest novel.RoseBlood is a gothic story inspired by Phantom of the Opera. (Not a retelling, per se, but something that borders the concept. If I explained why, I’d ruined a million surprises about the book.) It’s seductive, musical, and mysterious. There are masks and secret hallways and old opera houses waiting to be explored. Not to mention an awesome cat named Diable.Told from two perspectives, I was amazed I never stumbled over the perspectives changing, especially since there’s a tense change, too. But I enjoyed Rune and Thorn, flaws and all. In fact, I think the flaws made this tale. They were dark, sometimes torturous, and challenged the characters to not only overcome their pasts, but also their sulking moods. The back and forth between the characters also blended in with the past-and-present setting. RoseBlood takes place in a boarding school in modern-day France, while also somehow clutching onto the past. It’s also reminiscent of her Splintered series, with gorgeous landscapes, lush rooms, and magical moments—no matter how small. Though, I would say there is a bigger focus on romance in RoseBlood.That said, there were a few things that made me uncomfortable: The use of “gypsy” for one. And the fact that a French school only accepted American students. (Seemed sort of glossed over and strange.) I also wish we saw more of her friends, because they were awesome side characters. But if you loved Splintered, you’ll more than likely enjoy this new take on the Phantom of the Opera—and all the strange, unsettling moments that come with it.~SATRecommended to: YA romance readers, paranormal romance in particular, and fans of Phantom of the Opera (though if you’re looking for a retelling, this might not be for you. It’s just inspired by the story.)Favorite Quote: Thorn, however, preferred the monsters of those tales. Their tragic misbalances and flaws were so much more compelling than any perfection could be. (pg. 65)Favorite Word: Taphophiles: a cemetery tourist: Wednesday, when we finally get some quiet moments to sew without students coming in for measurements, she tells me she and her husbands are taphophiles—aficionados of all things graveyard. (pg. 106)
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