ARC Review: RoseBlood by A.G.Howard

Title: RoseBlood
Author: A.G. Howard
Publication: January 10th 2017 by Amulet Books
Genre: Young Adult ~ Paranormal
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

This YA novel from New York Times bestselling author A. G. Howard marks the beginning of a new era for fans of the Splintered series. 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. Fans of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and the Splintered series will find themselves captivated by this pulse-pounding spin on a classic tale.

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.

A. G. Howard brings the romantic storytelling that Splintered fans adore to France—and an entirely new world filled with lavish romance and intrigue—in a retelling inspired by a story that has captivated generations. Fans of both The Phantom of the Opera musical and novel, as well as YA retellings such as Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, will devour RoseBlood.

As a huge fan of Phantom of the Opera, I enjoyed RoseBlood so much. I really loved the story. It was such a unique twist on the original story by Gaston Leroux. I basically never wanted the story to end.

I don't want to give too much away from this book but I can't press enough how orginal this story was. There are elements from the original Phantom of the Opera, of course, but A.G. Howard definitely made it her own, with a twist. There was something rather dreamlike about this book, I couldn't help but being hooked by Rune and Thorn's story.

RoseBlood is written in both Rune and Thorn's point of view. I loved the chapters of Thorn the most because him and the Phantom and the connection to Rune and what they are was wrapped in a lot of mystery and intrigue, which is something I love.

The romance almost ended me, especially at the end when I didn't think things would end well at all. I'm glad the author didn't decide to go with a love triangle like in Leroux's version with Raoul/Christine/Erik. It was perfect as it was between Thorn and Rune. So many feels!

As much as I loved Rune and especially Thorn, I've got to say that my favorite character was Diable, the cat. I seriously adored him. He'd probably hate being adored but I couldn't help it.

The setting of this story was also really great. I could almost picture RoseBlood with its dark atmosphere, all the mystery. This book had swoonworthy romance, a lot of twists and the writing... Oh my gosh, the writing! It was so freaking gorgeous. RoseBlood is yet another favorite book of mine by A.G. Howard. 

       About the Author:

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A.G. Howard was inspired to write Splintered -- the first book in her bestselling gothic Alice in Wonderland spinoff, the Splintered Series -- while working at a school library in her Texas hometown.

When writing, A.G. is most at home weaving all things melancholy, magical, and macabre into everyday settings and scenes. In her downtime, she enjoys rollerblading, gardening, and visiting 18th century graveyards or abandoned buildings to appease her muse’s darker side.