Review of A. G. Howard's "RoseBlood"

I am a huge fan of A. G. Howard after reading "Splintered" the first book in her delightfully dark and twisted "Alice in Wonderland" universe. I was ecstatic when she announced she was writing a YA reboot/companion to Gaston Leroux's famous novel, "Phantom of the Opera". My review, written for Netgalley, is below. Let me know what you thought in the comments!
WARNING SOME SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD.

You’re “not stepping into a musical. It’s a horror story. With a side of obsession and gore.” - Rune

A. G. Howard’s much anticipated literary tribute to classic musical phantom who transcended screen and print is eerily dark and mysterious. When I first saw the cover reveal on her twitter account I was ecstatic but also wary. There have been many adaptations of Gaston Leroux’s novel (including the infamous musical and its lesser known sequel, “Love Never Dies” by Andrew Lloyd Weber). Considering the power of its fanbase, how would Howard’s young adult novel hold up? If you’re a fan of Howard’s take on her Alice and Wonderland universe “Splintered” series, you won’t be disappointed. But if you’ve never read or seen Phantom of the Opera fear not. Howard expertly interweaves her characters’ backgrounds to draw in the reader to the new retelling without alienating them. There are also plenty of allusions for hard core phantom fans. From the text:  “In the Phantom Book, a similar roof played a pivotal and romantic role in the storytime. It’s where Christine met with Raoul and claimed their undying love”.

Rune Germain is a phenomenal singer but is cursed by a mysterious ailment that leaves her  drained and often renders her unconscious after she performs, specifically arias and operas. As a child this ostracizes her from her friends and leads to two attempted murders by her insane grandmother in an attempt to “purify” Rune. The only way Rune finds peace is by learning to garden with her father and singing along to his Stradivarious symphonies.  But a tragic accident involving Rune leaves a teenage boy hospitalized and Rune’s mother believes the best way to cure her daughter is by honing her talent, not concealing it. Thus, Rune agrees to spend her senior year at a music conservatory in France called “RoseBlood” where she hopes to at last tame her musical demons. More so, Rune hopes to discover what the truth is behind the rumors that her new school has ties to Leroux’s infamous “Phantom of the Opera”, her musical idol.

Upon arriving at RoseBlood Rune catches a glimpse of a mysterious figure in the garden who seems to make flowers wilt with his touch. She is startled to discover that he wears a white half mask just like the Phantom! Rune also befriends a delightful, if vaguely flushed out caricature, cast of secondary characters. This includes a mysterious boy named Thorn whose violin playing skills calm her violent episodes, just like her father’s playing once did. But Thorn’s ominous past and mysterious, rich benefactor threaten to unearth his ulterior motives to befriending Rune. As much as they fight it Thorn and Rune begin to fall for one another as a darker mystery unfolds that entwines both of their fates, and the phantom’s.

Here are a few things I didn’t like: The pacing of this novel is incredibly slow. You don’t even begin to unwrap Thorn’s backstory and connect his character to the overall plot until 60% of the way through the book. Also, I feel like Howard tried to tie in too many mystical/supernatural elements into her characters.

(psychic vampires, succubus, AND twin flame soulmates?!?!?). Also, The Phantom in himself is a tertiary character whose redemption arch is resolved in a matter of seconds.

The main point of the story seems to be about Thorn and Rune’s ethereal and blossoming relationship and the secondary characters seem like wooden props that are underdeveloped.

As far as the writing style, Howard paints a vivid, gothic landscape and her imagery is exquisite, “Glistening trees bend over us like sequined actors taking their final bow”.  True phantom fans will rejoice and novice fans who just love gothic romances will enjoy the journey of Rune and Thorn and the modern day "Phantom of the Opera" love story. For additional phantom retellings check out “The Jumbee” by Pamela Keyes and “Phantom” by Susan Kay. For classic gothic retellings with a twist be sure to read, “The Madman’s Daughter” series by Megan Shepherd, which tackles "The Island of Dr. Moreau", "Frankenstein", and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".

Overall rating:  3.5-3.75 stars. Would definitely re-read. It has a good story but it was presented like fluffy fanfic so it wasn't rated higher.

Alison's Garden

NaPoWriMo Day 7#

Alison’s Garden

In Alison’s Garden a young boy lies.

His hands are pressed tightly against his eyes.

He counts aloud as seconds pass (one…two…),

his stocking absorbing the grass’s hue.

Alison waits behind a tree nearby.

Her light grey eyes reflect the cloudy sky.

She focuses her mind upon her plan

to try and catch a cricket in her hand.

She concentrates to keep questions at bay

such like those that plagued her nurse every day.

Once Nurse had had enough she bade her, “Go

to the garden and watch the flowers grow.

Some silent meditation will do you good.

Just do not wander off into the wood.”

(three…four…) Alison ceased becoming bored

once she’d unearthed the garden’s treasured store.

Here she could speak freely amongst the birds

and not fear if she had been overheard.

The rocks never minded her queries like,

“What is love?” and “How does the sun alight?”

She thought she heard her mother’s chiming voice

calling to her upon the wind, “Rejoice

my love for every single dawn.

And do not believe those who say you’re wrong.”

Alison oft retold tales from the past

whispered by her ill mother to the last.

By her bedside Alison listened rapt

as her mother unspun yarns so long trapped.

“There was a girl called Alice the Mighty

who lived with your grandparents by the sea.

She loved to sit in her garden and read

And dream of different worlds inside her head.

One day her cat, Dinah, saw a rabbit

and this one had a very nasty habit.

He could never keep time so he was late.

She followed him to the wood (seven…eight…)

She fell down a hidden hole, long and dark.

She grasped for purchase but only felt bark.

She stopped, unlocking a door in the tree.

Oh, my daughter, what worlds there were to see.”

Her mother’s tales comforted Alison

when nights were long after her Mum had gone.

The girl had always thought that she would find

her mother past the world she’d left behind.

A place filled with wonders:  red and white queens,

the most mad tea party you had ever seen,

hatters, mice, Cheshire cats, croquet, glass vials,

singing flowers, changing sizes, and trials.

(nine…ten…) “Here I come!” the white-haired boy cried.

Alison, snapped from her daydreams, replied,

“Cabbot, I’m late!” through the trees she’s running.

The woods were calling and rain was coming.