Review Phantom (Dark Musicals #1) by Laura DeLuca

"Phantom"

Author: Laura DeLuca
Genre: YA Romance
Pages: 262
Source: Author in exchange for a honest review.
Published: March 29, 2012
Author's Website: http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com

Buy Links: Amazon

Goodreads Blurb: 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.

My Review: A very entertaining, shocking, thrilling and exciting YA read that brings us a different sort of take on the Phantom of the Opera (a long time favorite musical of mine by the way). Any fans out there that enjoyed the story of the Phantom, or just enjoy the genre itself will enjoy their time spent with this read :)

Rebecca is a senior in high school. She’s always quiet, barely noticed and she’s fine with it. But all of that changes once she tries out for a part in a school musical. Some things take a turn for the better, some for the worse. Can she survive being on stage after all of her years going unnoticed and can she decide on which boy her heart truly wants?

We then have Justyn and Tom. Both are seniors, both handsome (in their own ways), both are in the musical and both like Rebecca and want her for their girl. There’s a mysterious air to Justyn that holds on to the reader and even makes you question him a time or two. He’s a newbie to the high school and of course there are plenty of rumors about him going around and round.

Then there is Tom, surfer boy good looks, money, charm and talent. He’s been in school with Rebecca for years and barely spoke a word to her. Now he desires her in the worst (or best) possible way and WILL fight for what he wants!

There’s a bit of a love triangle for a majority of the book (entertaining and scary at some points). But I am VERY happy with the choice Rebecca made in the end. The heart speaks the loudest and it should NEVER be ignored, even if no one agrees with the decision!

Overall Rating: