Today I get to bring to you one of my favorite indie young adult authors, Stephanie Keyes. Her newest book is an addictive mix of phantom of the opera and beauty and the beast. The minute I started this book I couldn’t put it down. Her wonderful storytelling ability continues to grow and with this book it is an excellent showcase of her talent and imagination. For my full review keep reading after the book blurb.
Book Blurb:
Beauty and the Beast meets The Phantom of the Opera in a tale of magic, music, and one dark curse.
Griffin Dunn is a brilliant piano virtuoso and a guest at the lavish Byrons estate. When his callous treatment of the Byrons’ son leads to the child’s death, the boy’s mysterious nanny places a dark curse on Griffin, binding his soul to the mansion until true love finds him.
Kate Covington has always been an outsider, but she’s determined to make it as a clarinetist at The Byrons School of Music. She’s heard strains of the ghostly piano during her early morning rehearsals, but no way is she letting those creep-tastic compositions distract her. Not even when a hot, pompous jerk named Griff shows up and calls her an imposter.
Over one hundred years have passed and Griffin’s given up on love finding him—until he meets Kate. The instant their paths cross, he transforms from a spirit to a living, breathing man. It’s obvious she’s the one he’s been waiting for. But though the pair falls in love, they discover the curse isn’t as straightforward as it seemed. As dark magic awakens in the Byrons School, they’ll have one chance to break Griffin’s curse, or else he’ll be trapped . . . forever.
Review:
Griffin knows he is the best pianist around. No one of his age makes the money does at the early twentieth century. When one night of arrogance costs a boys life he is cursed. After a century of the curse, Griffin doesn’t have hope the curse will ever be lifted. That is until he sees Kate practicing early one morning. Kate is struggling with her clarinet. Since her father passed away it has been hard going. When she meets Griffin they definitely don’t like each other. But, when Griffin thinks she may be the way to finally break his curse he offers to help her. As the two of them grow closer, feelings grow into much more. When the answer to getting Griffin released is finally found will they both be able to accept the possible loss that comes with his freedom?
I totally fell in love with Griffin and Kate. Their love story give the reader all the feels. Both Griffin and Kate are incredibly dynamic characters. Griffin grows into someone deserving of a future and Kate finally works through the hurt and pain she had from her father’s passing. The story of these two is woven in a way that is enchanting and enthralling. The reader truly feels a part of the story. Navigating between two time periods was elegantly done and truly worked well with this story. Throughout the story the reader is taken on a roller coaster of emotions. It really makes you forget that these are two teenagers instead of young adults. Though…Griffin is really over 100 yrs old. On top of the fantastic characters and story is the music that you can hear in your head. It is classical but I guarantee you will be looking up all of those sonatas and concertos. Through her words, Stephanie Keyes, is able to bring alive Griffin, Kate, Mozart, Weber and so many more. If you haven’t read anything by Stephanie Keyes, this is one book you need to pick up today.