Book Review: RoseBlood by A.G. Howard

RoseBlood by A.G. Howard
Genre: Young Adult Fiction (Paranormal/Fantasy Romance)
Date Published: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Amulet Books

Rune Germaine moves to a boarding school outside of Paris, only to discover that at this opera-house-turned-music-conservatory, phantoms really do exist. RoseBlood is a Phantom of the Opera–inspired retelling in which Rune’s biggest talent—her voice—is also her biggest curse.

 

Rune, whose voice has been compared to that of an angel, has a mysterious affliction linked to her talent that leaves her sick and drained at the end of every performance. Convinced creative direction will cure her, her mother ships her off to a French boarding school for the arts, rumored to have a haunted past.

 

Shortly after arriving at RoseBlood conservatory, Rune starts to believe something otherworldly is indeed afoot. The mystery boy she’s seen frequenting the graveyard beside the opera house doesn’t have any classes at the school, and vanishes almost as quickly as he appears. When Rune begins to develop a secret friendship with the elusive Thorn, who dresses in clothing straight out of the 19th century, she realizes that in his presence she feels cured. Thorn may be falling for Rune, but the phantom haunting RoseBlood wants her for a very specific and dangerous purpose. As their love continues to grow, Thorn is faced with an impossible choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or save her and face the wrath of the phantom, the only father he’s ever known.

RoseBlood by A.G. Howard is a well told story taking place in the world of the Phantom of the Opera. I've seen it called a retelling, but to me it’s a continuation of that story. It takes place well into the future, and the setting was hauntingly, fitting and at times familiar, as it should be. I enjoyed the main characters tremendously. They showed significant growth, and their story was surprisingly unique. I found them both to be interesting, as well as the characters that surrounded them. This was a well thought out story, and I’m so glad I picked it up.

 

Check out my reviews of other books by this author!

A.G. Howard was inspired to write SPLINTERED while working at a school library. Her pastimes are reading, rollerblading, gardening, and family vacations which often include impromptu side trips to 18th century graveyards or condemned schoolhouses to appease her overactive muse.

SPLINTERED & UNHINGED, books 1 & 2 of her urbanized /gothic Alice in Wonderland series, are now available from Amulet Books. Book 3, ENSNARED, launches 2015.

Author photo by pamlaryphotography.com

To learn more about A.G. Howard and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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