Review: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

"The Paris Opera is haunted—everyone knows it. Everyone, that is, except for the new managers, who spark a violent dispute with the Opera Ghost when they refuse to acknowledge his existence or submit to his demands. Sometimes surfacing as a disembodied voice in Box Five or appearing as a gentleman in evening dress with a death’s-head, the phantom is obsessed with Christine Daaé, a lovely and enigmatic novice singer endowed with an amazing voice. But impetuous Viscount Raoul de Chagny is in love with Christine, and he and his brother, Count Philippe, are swept into the phantom’s deadly illusion with horrifying consequences." (Blurb from B&N)

 I'm going to be honest. I never read this when I was younger, mostly due to concerns that it would be inappropriate. Fun fact: It's not. It is written with the same class and care of other classic novels. (Which I'm hitting my classics era again. Thank you, Christina!) Is it dark? Ummm... yes. So very dark, but also light at the same time. It did take me a couple of chapters to get into it, but I thoroughly enjoyed it throughout. Christine, Raoul, and Erik were a phenomenal cast of characters, but honestly, the Persian might be my actual favorite, and I'm not even sure I could pin-point it and tell you why. What does surprise me is that I someone, like Christine, came to view Erik as a monster, but also as someone to be pitied. I don't know how Leroux did it, but he did. I sure felt some sort of way at the ending. It was an all-around fascinating tale of love and obsession and sweet sincerity and deranged madmen. There was suspense (I actually jumped out of my skin once when a sound from the real world penetrated into my very tuned out reading world.) There was humor. There was curiosity. (And praise the Lord, they gave answers instead of making me wonder till it drove me mad!) For fans of classics, for fans of gothic novels, for fans of music even, I would recommend this book.

CelebrateLit Tour: Review: The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella

 

About the Book

Book: The Wonderland Trials

Author: Sara Ella

Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy / Alice in Wonderland retelling

Release date: July 12, 2022

Solve the clues. Face your fears. Survive the Trials.

All Alice Liddell wants is to escape her Normal life in Oxford and find the parents who abandoned her ten years ago. But she gets more than she bargained for when her older sister Charlotte is arrested for having the infamous Wonder Gene—the key to unlocking the curious Wonderland Reality.

Soon, Alice receives a rather cryptic invitation to play for Team Heart in this year’s annual—and often deadly—Wonderland Trials. Now she has less than twenty-four hours to find her way into Wonderland where nothing is impossible . . . or what it seems.

The stakes are raised when she discovers players go missing during the Trials each year. Will she and her team solve the clues and find the missing players? Or will betrayal and distrust win, leaving Alice alone in a world of her own? Follow the White Rabbit into this topsy-turvy fantasy where players become prey, a sip of the wrong tea might as well be poison, and a queen’s ways do not always lead one where they ought to go.

 

Okay, full disclosure, I am fully obsessed with this book. I mean, like top five of 2022 obsessed. Made an entire set of Alice in Wonderland earrings for myself obsessed. The storytelling in this book is masterful. Dystopia is not my usual genre at all, but this book. It makes me glad to teach high school English this year, because we are definitely using this for a novel study. Not only is the main character incredibly written to the point where I just want to drink some tea with her (well, maybe she can have coffee...) but the worldbuilding is beyond fascinating. I want to just live in this book and reread it again and again and soak in every detail and layer of the story. The inability to know whom to trust keeps you guessing all throughout the story, and that last twist was just a knife to the heart! I also loved the way that Sara Ella incorporated so many elements of the original is her own unique way, as well as slipping in Easter eggs from the animated film just to delight our souls. This book is everything you could ever want from an Alice retelling, and I cannot wait for that sequel to drop, because there is some serious Jabberwock battling to see!

Yes, this book was sent to me for review, but I promise as always this is my honest opinion. Read to the end for a giveaway opportunity, and make sure to leave a comment here!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author
Once upon a time, Sara Ella dreamed she would marry a prince and live in a castle. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it’s almost Christmas (even if it’s only January). When she’s not writing, Sara might be found behind her camera lens or planning her next adventure in the great wide somewhere. She is a Hufflepuff who finds joy in the simplicity of sipping a lavender white mocha and singing Disney tunes in the car. Sara is the author of the Unblemished trilogy and Coral, a reimagining of The Little Mermaid that focuses on mental health. Her latest journey into the world of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland feels like coming full circle after her time spent chasing the White Rabbit around Walt Disney World. Sara loves fairy tales and Jesus, and she still believes “Happily Ever After is Never Far Away.” Connect with her online at SaraElla.com or find her on Instagram at @saraellawrites.
 
More from Sara
Welcome to Wonderland!
When I started this journey down the rabbit hole, I had no idea where it would lead me. From switching publishers to signing a book contract during a pandemic, this writing journey has certainly been an adventure for the books!
As with every story I write, life handed me a few trials along the way with this one. I didn’t know how it would end until a few weeks before deadline. With that time crunch came an epiphany that altered a good portion of the plot—an idea that had me scrambling to rewrite entire scenes right up until the final hours before I turned the story in to my editor. It was difficult, but the book is better for it—I am better for it.
It could be said that an author shapes the story, but I personally believe it’s equally true that the story shapes the author. Every book I have written has changed me in some way. With The Wonderland Trials, I can pinpoint three takeaways that helped me grow in ways I never expected.
I learned to not take life so seriously.
We all have to do the adulting thing. We have bills to pay and homes to clean and deadlines to meet. But in the midst of all that chaos and craziness is a time to laugh. To play. To make a mess on the living room floor building Legos with my toddler or take a walk to the park.
I found myself often rushing through time with friends because I had to write or work or check more boxes off my task list. But feeling stressed and cutting friend and family time short didn’t accomplish anything. It didn’t get my book written faster. I’m not saying to put things off that need to be done—it’s important to be responsible. I am saying I learned that I have to balance work and play, and most importantly, I need to be present for those in my life.
It’s not only okay to sit back and relax now and again, it’s necessary. I need to let go of the constant to-do list and invest my time in things that bring me joy. That way, when it’s time to sit down and pound the keys, I’m filled and inspired, rather than tired and anxious.
I learned to see the beauty in found family.
They say you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. I disagree. As a girl who was raised by a stepdad who has loved me unconditionally as his own from the time I was two, I think there is something truly special about family that you find and make your own.
There have been times I’ve felt jealous of my friends who still have their biological parents around. I lost my mom in 2012 and my birth dad in 2020. I have maybe a handful of blood relatives left. I love them to bits, and I’m so grateful for them! But my family extends beyond the boundaries of blood. When I really think about it, I have family coming out of my ears and then some.
I have besties who became my soul sisters and women who stepped in as moms and grandmas. I have big brothers who would protect me with their lives and nieces and nephews I get to spoil on holidays and birthdays. As Alice says in The Wonderland Trials, “​​Sometimes family isn’t the one you’re born with. It’s the one you find. Or the ones who find you.”
I learned to believe in the impossible.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m the pessimist in my family. I try to see every worst-case scenario when making a decision. I ask all the what-ifs in the book. I’m like MJ in the Spider-Man movies— “If you expect disappointment, then you can never really get disappointed.”
My husband, on the other hand, has the faith of a child. When I’m lacking in faith, he’s there to remind me of all God can do. And God almost always surprises me with how He goes about doing those things. In a world with drive-thrus, mobile bank deposits, food deliveries, and every other form of instant service we can think of, the call to be patient and wait on the Lord is often forgotten.
I want answers now. I want my family member to be healed now. I want the baby we’ve been waiting over a year to adopt now. God can do the impossible, right? So why doesn’t He hurry up and do it already?
Because God is not a vending machine. And just because He chooses not to perform the miracle I want when and how I want it, that doesn’t mean he isn’t working. In fact, it’s the waiting period when God tends to do His best work on me.
More often than not, I am the impossible one, the impossible heart that needs changing. The stubborn clay that needs molding. The cracked tea cup that needs to be fixed and filled with rivers of gold. What I see as impossible to fix or change, God sees as an opportunity to help me grow. So I’ll keep believing in the impossible. After all, God took me, an impossibly helpless sinner, and made me into something new.
 
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts and for giving this little book a chance. Happy reading, Wonders! The impossible awaits!
 
Sincerely,
Sara Ella

Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Sara is giving away the grand prize package of a signed Limited Edition Hardcover of The Wonderland Trials, $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card, and $15 Starbucks Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2038e/the-wonderland-trials-celebration-tour-giveaway
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 30
Rachael’s Inkwell, July 30
A Reader’s Brain, July 31
For Him and My Family, July 31
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 1
Texas Book-aholic, August 2
Where Faith and Books Meet, August 3
Inklings and notions, August 3
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 4
deb’s Book Review, August 5
Live. Love. Read., August 5 (You are here!)
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 6
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 7
Mary Hake, August 7
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 8
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 8
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 9
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 10
Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 10
Wishful Endings, August 11
Blogging With Carol, August 12
Rebecca Tews, August 12

Review: The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright

The Shepherd of the Hills is the classic story of the stranger who takes the Old Trail deep into the Ozark mountains, many miles from civilization. His appearance signals intellect and culture, yet his countenance is marked by grief and disappointment. He is a man with a mission, yet one which no one understands. What is his purpose in taking on the lowly work of tending work of tending local sheep? And how is it that he befriends these simple hill folk, despite his coming from the world beyond the ridges?

I'm giving this book 4.5 stars. I don't know why I let this sit on my shelf for so very long. It's such a compelling story, and while you're reading it you feel transported back to that time. Although, now that I've finished it, it seems to be an almost passive book.... but I think that's only because of the writing style. It's written in the same tone as Christy and Not My Will. The style that is so simple, yet so deep at the same time. It's an emotional book, and the mystery of who Dad Howitt really is slowly unfolds throughout. The ending is sad, so sad, but fitting. The last several chapters are so.... I think poignant is the word I'm looking for, but I'm not sure. While I wanted to cry a couple times while reading, I didn't . Then I finished the book, closed it, and promptly started crying. I honestly have no doubts why this book is considered a Christian classic. The characters are wonderful, the dialect is familiar to this Southern gal, and the truths timeless. Yes, this was definitely worth the read. And now looking at what I've written it's almost as passive as the book itself, and I'm not sure that I've done a good job describing it. I hope I have, and I hope you read this book.

(If you can't read the print on the cover it reads "The stranger who had stepped out of civilization and into the mountain wilderness of the Ozarks was destined to become...

The Shepherd of the Hills" and of that isn't a statement that makes you feel the pull of this book... then you've got problems I can't fix ;) ) 

Review: The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

I pulled this one out of my old hat... It's been waiting for a good long while now.

Young Jody adopts an orphaned fawn he calls Flag and makes it a part of his family and his best friend. But life in the Florida backwoods is harsh, and so, as his family fights off wolves, bears, and even alligators, and faces failure in their tenuous subsistence farming, Jody must finally part with his dear animal friend.


I'm giving this book 4 stars

1: Is there any word for this book except "classic"? It's written in the style of other books of its era, yet it hasn't passed into oblivion. I'm gonna be honest, I read this book because I like the movie. Now, I'm so glad I read it. I felt like it had a slow start, and I dragged my feet through the first....bit... of the book. And then, it just up and took off and me with it. (The movie is pleasantly accurate, a rare thing.)

2: I was getting near the end of the book and it hit me, all of a sudden, that "The Yearling", the title, wasn't referring to Flag, not really. Jody was the yearling. Its his "growing up" story, a coming of age story that never dies.

3: Younger readers might want the abridged version, cause them Forresters can have a mouth on 'em.

4: I can honestly say that after finishing this my accent is twangy-er than ever. Everything is spelled phonetically, and with a deeply southern accent that you can't ignore.

5: This is a SPOILER for anyone who hasn't read or seen the movie... but I didn't cry when Flag had to be... well... you know. But that could have been because I spent 300+ pages preparing myself for it. That doesn't mean it wasn't touchingly sad. And the ending was just a tiny tiny bit different than the movie. Ma Baxter wasn't in the last scene, which made me a little sad. I love how the movie ended.


(That was the most I've ever put a movie in my review... I hope you don't mind!)

Christmas Eve Eve 2018

Hey guys,
I know I've been way behind in my blogging, and my plans for another grand Blogmas didn't quite go off as expected. So instead, I'm going to throw out some titles that I think your family will love to read this Christmas season, because mine sure has! Half today, and the others tomorrow.

First... In honor of it being Christmas Eve Eve is Eloise at Christmastime, one of the mostest magicallest stories of all time, in my humble opinion. A long time favorite of mine, this story is sure to have gales of laughter flowing from your house.

Second, we have Corduroy's Christmas. Not very long, and definitely suited for younger kids, the flaps in this story make it interactive and fun. Plus, it's super cute.

Third, The Velveteen Rabbit, which isn't actually a super Christmas-y story. Still, it's quite the tale, and while sad, it has a heartfelt message that anyone can enjoy. Plus, the illustrations are awesome.

More tomorrow! I can't wait to share.
I hope you can forgive me for my delinquency this semester. I'll try to do better next. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a million and a half reviews to write!


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Review: Not My Will by Francena H Arnold

Eleanor's secret love for Chad could mean losing her inheritance and giving up a lifelong dream. Should she follow her own carefully laid plans to be a scientist---or marry the man she really loves? Originally published in 1946, this inspiring story continues to spark fresh discussion about choosing God's will over our own.



This book gets 5 big, bright, beautiful golden stars.

1: I've wanted to review this book for ages, but I needed to read it again first, because I wasn't sure but that I'd leave out something important. It's a book you can't forget reading, not that you'd ever want to. In fact, if you read this book, and at the end you say "I wish I'd never picked that up" then there is something wrong with you that I can't fix.

2: In my memory, this book stands out as the one that had me doing the "slow, leaky tears" thing for chapter after heart-wrenching chapter. There's something special about the first time you read it. This second time, there were fewer tears, just because I knew the end of the agony. (Mind, I don't say no tears, because at one point I was afraid my brother would hear me from the other room, with my little choking sobs.) There is a tenderness and a conveying of sorrow in this book, one I can't describe with much accuracy but which is very much real.

3: Mother Stewart is one of my favorite literary characters, probably ever. I can't get enough of her, or her love toward Eleanor.

4: The title of this book is Not My Will, but the subtitle is really a one-sentence summary of the whole sad, yet satisfying, story. "How much will surrender cost?"

5: Honestly, seeing exactly how wonderfully God worked and maneuvered things throughout the whole story is enough to have you in tears without the sadness. It's a blessing of a book. And if I don't stop now I'm going to sound like a ranting sap, as if I didn't already. Oh..... I'd let the book speak for itself if I had any inkling that you'd read it.


(Can you see where I got scared and backed off before I gave away multiple show-stopper spoilers there? Oh, my, though. I can't say enough good things about this book, and I wish you'd read it.)

Is this my all-time, couldn't live without it, favorite ever book? POSSIBLY! There's a VERY strong probability. Now excuse me while I go pick this up again, and relive the joys and sorrows. <3

(Oh, ummm.... I gave this a romance tag under the labels, but it isn't really a strictly romance. Honestly, Christian and Classic are the only two labels that truly define this book. There is so much in here but it's not easy to pin down.)