Book Review: Phantom by Laura DeLuca

Phantom by Laura DeLuca

Publisher: Pagan Writers Press

Pub Date: March 30, 2012 

Paperback, 262 pages

ISBN: 9780984680092

My rating: 4.75/5.0

My Review:
I will be quick to admit I am only familiar with Phantom of the Opera through the musical and the movies not through the book so I can't attest to this book according to the actual book. But I must say I am impressed. Ms. DeLuca has managed to weave a story that parallels a story without becoming too something that would make the story over-the-top or just too much like the original. Ms. DeLuca makes the story work with the current day and time and fit in the young adult genre quite well.

I loved the characters, especially Justyn and how he played the Phantom role and how he was the goth boy/outsider as well in the book. I like Rebecca as the surprise voice that had never stood out before, the girl who had never been noticed as a perfect Christine. And Tom as the perfect boy-next-door popular guy as Raoul. Each played their part in the book which parallels their part in the play. I have to admit Justyn was my favorite, there was just something about his character that called to me. But I liked Rebecca and could relate to her. She was torn, some might see her as indecisive, but who hasn't been there as a teenager. I just saw her as a caring girl who wanted to follow her heart but cared about others as well.

The plot was fascinating. It could have been the typical teenage adaptation, but the twists and turns were amazing. I started this and was halfway done in a matter of hours. I could not put it down. I found the novel and story line well written. Great suspense and interesting character development move this book along very well. It's fresh and exciting and hard to put down.

When I accepted this book for review I was expecting a story I would enjoy, I ended up with so much more with this book. It was deeper and so much more enjoyable than I ever thought. I think it will be one of my most recommended books of the year, at least so far. It was fast-paced, refreshing and very interesting with wonderful characters that I think will appeal to all ages whether you have read, listened to or watch Phantom before or not.

About the Book:
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.

***I received this book through Sizzling PR for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***