5 star review: Phantom by @authorldeluca #YA #bookreview

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Phantom

Dark Musicals Trilogy


Written by Laura DeLuca




Genre: Young Adult


Book Synopsis

The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.

Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.

Linda's Rating & Review



Let me begin by saying that I am a huge Phantom of the Opera fan, that being said it's not a stretch that I would choose to read a story that revolves around the main characters putting on a performance of Phantom as their senior play. BTW I think this was a great notion, even if the average high school would probably never have enough talent to pull something like that off.

What I loved ...Laura Deluca made it seem believable. The cast was filled with characters who were well written and all served a purpose, in fact they seemed like people I might have gone to school with. The plot worked well with the play incorporated into it and had a good amount of suspense. There was also an interesting love triangle between the cast which keeps our leading lady, Rebecca, unable to decide between surfer/jock Tom and Goth Lord Justyn. Also, Deluca's choice of villain was absolutely perfect, I was pleasantly surprised that she kept the web of mystery going for so long.

The only downside for me was that Rebecca became a bit of an annoyance, I was even hoping at one point that both guys would just dump her already! However, the final chapters wrapped up the story nicely and the conclusion was not only satisfying but very enjoyable. This story was a good introduction for anyone who has never been exposed to Phantom and a wonderful modernization for a classic tale.

Review Disclaimer: Book was provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review.