By Pamela Keyes
Published October 4th, 2010
Published by Dial
Hardcover, 400pages
When Esti Legard starts theater school on Cariba, she's determined to step out of the shadow of her late father, a famous Shakespearean actor. But on an island rife with superstition, Esti can't escape the darkness. In the black of the theater, an alluring phantom voice-known only as Alan-becomes her brilliant drama tutor, while in the light of day Esti struggles to resist her magnetic attraction to Rafe, the local bad boy. Toppled sets, frightening rumors of jumbee ghosts, and brewing tropical storms culminate in a tantalizingly spooky finale where romance sizzles and truths are unmasked. Laced with eerie mystery and the lush scenery of the West Indies, this modern Phantom is perfect for readers who like their love stories served with spine-tingling suspense. -Goodreads
Review
I absolutely loved
this book. It is a mysterious and suspenseful book that will engross
you. Also, you don't have to know the Phantom of the Opera story to read
this book (although knowing the Phantom of the Opera would certainly
increase your understanding and enjoyment). Also, if you are a
Shakespearean fan then I would definitely give this book a try. With
that said, you also don't have to know Shakespeare well to enjoy this
book.
Esti was great. She had always grown up in the shadow of her famous father, an was always compared to him, which is frankly terrible and totally relate-able to. I pity her in that, but I love how she gains confidence in her acting ability (with Alan's help) and becomes an amazing Juliette. She really blossoms as an actress. Speaking of Alan, I found their relationship slightly annoying. She would forgive him for anything, and totally trusted him when the only time she talked to him was in the dark. I found that slightly creepy and not believable, I doubt that anyone would fall in love with a voice in the dark that only they hear.
In the end I quite pitied Alan. I understood why he would go to such means to conceal himself and try to win / keep Esti's love. He is such a lonely person who did't dare dream of love until Esti came along. At times he was scary, but I knew that underneath he was a good person who would never hurt Esti, and only tried to do the best by her.
Personally, Rafe was my favorite character. Although he was a total bad boy when Esti met him again after ten years, he's really a committed, loyal, and sweet guy that just needs to find the right girl to be with. He would defend Esti against anyone, and would do almost anything for her. His machoism is also quite adorable. Not only is he a great guy and boyfriend, but he is (obviously) very hot. The flirting between Esti and Rafe were some of my favorite parts (I loved their easy banter).
The Caribbean setting was wonderful, it really made this book come alive in a new way and made it very romantic. Many of the beliefs in the Caribbean are incorporated. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery, you are kept guessing 'till the very end (it keeps you on your toes and constantly flipping pages for more), and anyone who likes the Phantom of the Opera or Shakespeare. If you unfamiliar with either of them, don't let that dissuade you from reading this amazingly suspenseful and magical book.
Esti was great. She had always grown up in the shadow of her famous father, an was always compared to him, which is frankly terrible and totally relate-able to. I pity her in that, but I love how she gains confidence in her acting ability (with Alan's help) and becomes an amazing Juliette. She really blossoms as an actress. Speaking of Alan, I found their relationship slightly annoying. She would forgive him for anything, and totally trusted him when the only time she talked to him was in the dark. I found that slightly creepy and not believable, I doubt that anyone would fall in love with a voice in the dark that only they hear.
In the end I quite pitied Alan. I understood why he would go to such means to conceal himself and try to win / keep Esti's love. He is such a lonely person who did't dare dream of love until Esti came along. At times he was scary, but I knew that underneath he was a good person who would never hurt Esti, and only tried to do the best by her.
Personally, Rafe was my favorite character. Although he was a total bad boy when Esti met him again after ten years, he's really a committed, loyal, and sweet guy that just needs to find the right girl to be with. He would defend Esti against anyone, and would do almost anything for her. His machoism is also quite adorable. Not only is he a great guy and boyfriend, but he is (obviously) very hot. The flirting between Esti and Rafe were some of my favorite parts (I loved their easy banter).
The Caribbean setting was wonderful, it really made this book come alive in a new way and made it very romantic. Many of the beliefs in the Caribbean are incorporated. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery, you are kept guessing 'till the very end (it keeps you on your toes and constantly flipping pages for more), and anyone who likes the Phantom of the Opera or Shakespeare. If you unfamiliar with either of them, don't let that dissuade you from reading this amazingly suspenseful and magical book.
Purchase this book at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Esti and Rafe sound adorable (I love banter!). Although I agree with you about Alan sounding a little creepy. This definitely sounds intriguing :)
ReplyDeleteJesse @ Pretty In Fiction