Synopsis:
All seventeen-year-old composer Ien Montgomery desires is an escape from his family's rigid expectations for his life; someone to inspire his music. When he meets a beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal, his life music takes on new life. With her, he imagines a future outside of his parents’ control. That is, until a horrible accident tears them apart.
Sent to die in a sanatorium, Ien’s obsession for Kiera grows unbearable. Tortured by thoughts he can’t escape and the truth of his monstrous disfigurement, he flees, desperate to exact revenge on the people that ruined his life – his parents. But, vengeance is empty. Betrayed by those closest to him, Ien discovers that the price for his happiness may be his sanity.
Set amidst the landscape of New York's Gilded Age, and inspired by Phantom of the Opera, TRANSCEND exposes the fine line between love and madness.
My thoughts:
Okay, I read the blurb for this and knew I had to read the book. I love Phantom of the Opera. Love it! So Transcend had me right there. Well, the main character Ien is desperately in love with Kiera. He can't think of much else and wants to propose, even though he's only seventeen and his parents don't approve. But a horrible fire leaves him disfigured and his parents tell the world he's dead.
Sent to die in a sanitarium, Ien can only think of Kiera and getting her back. He begins to see and hear his dead brother, driving him to madness. With a little help (I won't spoil it by saying whose help) he gets free and chases after the life he feels was stolen from him by his own mother. But Ien's rage only worsens after he returns home.
I don't want to give any spoilers, but oh my God the ending! I couldn't put the book down. It's dark, twisted, and sad. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster and I didn't want to get off.
Normally, I do a "Just for fun" question at the end of a review, but this book was dark. So instead, I'll ask you what you think of the blurb.
Oh. My. Gosh. I've always had a massive crush on the Phantom myself. This book sounds great. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI love the Phantom! :)
DeleteI have been in love with Phantom of the Opera since I saw it live in middle school. Mentioning Phantom got my interest and the line about exposing the fine line between love and madness lured me in too.
ReplyDeleteYou have made it sound really great. Thanks for the review Kelly.
You're welcome. I saw Phantom in college and it was the most amazing experience.
DeleteThis sounds like a very powerful story. Lots of emotional impact.
ReplyDeleteYes! Tons of emotion.
Deleteit sounds awesome! I've got to get my hands on a copy.
ReplyDeleteI think it's worth it for the ending alone.
DeleteOh my, a book based off a musical. The music is so haunting, I have to imaging the book is the same.
ReplyDeleteI loved the musical!
DeleteI love that this is based on Phantom. What an inventive idea for a plot. Sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI know. I had to read it.
DeleteThe blurb caught my interest right away because I love Phantom of the Opera! I would love to read this book- and can't wait to find out what makes the ending so amazing.
ReplyDelete~Jess
Hope you like it.
DeleteI can't say I would pick it up right away, but it has that sort of draw. It might torture. I have to be in the right frame of mind to go to the dark side. I do love Phantom. I've lost count of the number of times I have seen that play. There is nothing quite like Sarah Brightman.
ReplyDeleteI love Phantom too, though I've only seen it once.
DeleteI think Ien's story sounds very interesting. He's really an underdog character, the type readers love to root for.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! :-)
I'm glad you liked it. :)
DeleteI will have to check this one out. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteThe blurb is compelling, and I happen to really like books that feature more than just a handsome guy (or girls), and go further to focus on a talent. I love music, so I like this angle! I've seen this novel on another site, and I just may have to get it and read it!
ReplyDeleteCatherine Stine’s Idea City
I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteWhat do I think of the blurb? I think it hooked me and now I am dying to read it!
ReplyDeleteLOL That's how I was.
DeleteVery nice review. The blurb made me curious about the characters and what happens to them. I may want to read it, though I prefer lighter stories that don't make me sad.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely isn't light. LOL
DeleteI love the blurb and I enjoy dark stories. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. :)
DeleteI read the blurb here, Kelly, and I'm with you. I LOVE Phantom of the Opera, so I'll have to check this out. It sounds amazing.
ReplyDelete:) Phantom is amazing!
DeleteLove the cover for this book, and the blurb. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Yeah, I love the cover, too. It was the blurb that made me read the book, but the cover is perfect.
DeleteGood review, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteAnd the blurb sounds like it really commands attention.
Wow, your review gives us a good view of this book. Imagine such love!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it.
DeleteThank you Kelly!! The list is getting bigger and bigger, and I didn't start reading yet :(
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean.
Delete