4.5/5
Ada Byron is a noble lady, but she is different than her peers. She wants more than just to be a wife, she loves science and math. But she also has a lack of understanding of anything emotional. Her father has always kept her from needing to be sent to an Institution, but her father has died and her mother is trying to marry her off and be rid of her. After visiting the Opera House, she decides to run away and work there while hiding from her family and the engagement her mother tricked her into. Eric Asher is a young man who has taken on the role of bread winner in his family after his mother has died and his father spends all his money on alcohol. His sister, Lily, has consumption and needs to be cared for in a sanatorium. Eric loves singing, but working in a club singing and swindling women isn't what he wants to do anymore. When he finds out there is an audition to train at the new opera house, he jumps on the chance. But will their chance at happiness be shattered by the curse of the Opera House?
The characters in this book are definitely complex. Ada is what people consider different in the time this book was written to be in. She knew it and while she embraced herself, she managed to find a way to blend in with her high society "peers". She is an independent person and hard working. Eric is a young man who takes advantage of women and uses his looks and charm to get money to take care of his sister. Even though he has some loose morals, his heart is in the right place. His character also goes through some development in this book as well. Then we have Marian, the reclusive and never seen owner of the Opera House. She seems at first as very philanthropic but when jealousy strikes she becomes someone else.
I have never read or seen any version of Phantom of the Opera (I know I know), so I am not sure how true to the original this is. But I love the way this opera house reminds me of the Chicago Murder House and the way the author uses the mirrors is very interesting. The world building was wonderful and I loved all the Gaslamp elements as well. It was a bit spooky and had the perfect amount of tension. When I started the book, I was unsure how I was going to feel about this book, but I was definitely pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. Once it got going, I was definitely pulled in. I know there is a sequel in the works and I am looking forward to that.
