Black Lace Mask
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I write different flavours of fantasy with a twist, but always with one uniting thread: quirky, flawed characters and heart-warming found families.
My books span the sub-genres of steampunk (but set in a secondary, tropical world) urban fantasy (set in Asia and London) and gothic gaslamp fantasy.
I'm French, grew up in the UK, and for the last few years I've been living a life of nomadic adventure, exploring the world with my laptop as my constant companion. My adventures have been a great source of inspiration for my stories.
These days I'm trying to figure out where in the world I might stop and setup some bookshelves.
I love to hear from readers, so feel free to contact me at celine@celinejeanjean.com.
This was a really cute, quirky, and cozy fairy‑tale story. We meet the main character, Adrianna, a princess who doesn’t actually want to be one because that would mean following the expected storyline. She lives in a quirky castle that she loves dearly. Her evil stepmother is actually sweet, just a little scatterbrained, and her “evil” stepsister is genuinely lovely and kind. Adrianna sets off on an adventure to find a dragon and help save her family. Along the way, she’s joined by a few more mischievous characters, and together they try to change their fates. I listened to the audiobook, which the author generously uploaded, and it was such a fun listen. I really enjoyed the narration. I really enjoyed it. In the end, you learn that we don’t have to be perfect or fit into a prescribed role, we’re all different, and that’s more than okay.
Rory and Longinus are relegated to working under Cruikshank's thumb in the workshop. Having nothing to do as of late, they are bored out of their minds. When they sneak out and Longinus finds out there is o black silk in Damsport (gasp) he decides he must solve this case. The next day, the Marchioness assigns Rory to investigate a body, who turns out to be her friend from the Rookery. After some investigating, it starts to look like their cases may be related and there is more going on than they could have imagined. Now Rory and Longinus must keep a visiting dignitary safe while trying to stay one step ahead of the most likely suspect, Myran.
Longinus was definitely more of a MC in this book for me. Rory was definitely still up front and center, but it was Longinus who really connected with the reader in this book. He starts to have old feelings of abandonment from his childhood resurface and he has a difficult time splitting up from Rory in this book. He shows more than just his haughty attitude, and it really made him more relatable. Rory does the bulk of the more difficult investigating, and we get see some of her insecurities as well. She realizes a certain character may be interested in her, but she doesn't know how to handle it. I'm hoping that her reaction at the end of the book isn't the way she leaves things.
This was another fun book to try to solve along with Rory and Longinus. There are so many clues but you never know who to trust with everything going on. While some of it was slightly more obvious there are definitely subtle clues hidden in that when you find out the entire conspiracy you kind of slap your forehead. There was more of the mystery that I loved from the first book as well. We are taken to different areas of the city than the previous book and really get a feel for the "seedy underworld" in that section as well. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to venture outside of Damsport for the next book.
I loved receiving this!! It is such a beautiful book and I recommend all Phantom of the Opera fans should get one.
It's not very often I find a book that touches my inner child but at the same time the woman I am today. I was in a horrible reading slump. It seems all the books coming out are a copy and paste repeat of others. If I can predict the outcome by chapter five it's so disheartening. Where are all the original ideas and amazing world's to get lost and found in. I wanted a truly amazing storyline. Books should transport us to magical places or get us lost in another place that's not our own. I was so close to taking a leave from the bookish community. It wasn't until I came across this amazing author on Instagram. She was talking about her book Once Upon Thyme and I was instantly hooked. The gorgeous artwork and stunning pictures. Listening to her describe the book had me going right to her page and purchasing the book immediately. The book arrived and let me tell you pictures do not do it justice. The book came with stunning art work and adorable stickers. I couldn't wait to read it and finished the book in a few hours. I couldn't put it down! The story of a world where you are predestined to fit into perfect roles and must follow the rules to get your happily ever after. This book is unlike anything I have read. It was a breath of fresh air. The retelling of Cinderella mixed with other fairy tales is epic. The characters and sassy drunk fairy godmother is chef's kiss. This book touched my soul in many ways. A princess who wants to change her stars and become more than what's expected. A not so evil stepmother and prince charming he is not! The story is so fresh and new it has me rereading it over and over again. My absolute favorite is the dragons and the beautiful choices made to save them. This book is a wonderful adventure of finding your true self and fighting for the right to live that life on your terms. It is a wonderful story of family and friendship with some giggles and soft romance thrown into the mix. I never post under my name for reviews but this book and author is worth putting myself out there. I give this book 6 star's. Celine JeanJean is a master of creating a magical escape. She has finally made me want to read stories of princesses and fairytales. I cannot wait for book two Snow is White and the 7 Dragons. It is going to be an amazing story told from the not so wicked Queen Grimhelda's point of view. Thank you Celine for transporting me to a world that had me hook from chapter one!!!!
This was honestly so much better than I was expecting, I couldn't put it down. It's not only a gender flipped version of Phantom of the Opera (which would have been good enough reason for me to read it anyway, I love Phantom), but the characters were not copies of the originals, they have new circumstances and personalities. TBH I think Eric is a more interesting and complex character than Christine from the original, he's imperfect and he knows it, always relied on his looks and charm to bring in some money before, though his real passion is opera singing (but things don't turn out as he is expecting when he joins Marian's Opera house ) while Ada is fantastic, she's super interesting , inspirational and smart, her way of life as neurodivergent adds so much more to the story - she is a million times better than Raoul (sorry! I was always team Phantom, but I do love the main couple in this version together more). Marian our female version of the Phantom is amazingly clever (even more so than the original phantom I think, though I won't tell you why and spoil it), has a hypnotic voice that is enticing and smooth as honey while being as menacing and obsessive as she should be for this part, but also you feel for her too. I want to know more about her backstory as well as her future. The way she and Ada interact was unexpected but it made so much sense. I feel like they could have been friends in other circumstances. New character Igor works well as the Victorian gothic novel sidekick and has a surprisingly part at the end I never expected - I loved that (but again no spoilers). The atmosphere, settings, characters and feelings you encounter while reading this are spot on for anyone who loves POTO. Celine JeanJean did a great job there and still made the story her own. The book does include nods to the original book/musical but is not the same, and the ending while satisfying and happy also leaves questions unanswered as this is book 1. I'd really like to know what happens next to all the characters as well as more about the main couple, so I hope book 2 is on the horizon (please ^_^ )
There's just one little thing I wish had been different and that is Ada's name because Ada Byron / Lovelace was the name of a real person, the real daughter of the famous Lord Byron and like the Ada here she was a brilliant mathematician etc though she wasn't blonde or as far as I know neurodivergent. I would have preferred story Ada to be inspired by the real one but with a made up name instead, that way she can completely have her own story (and hopefully a happier ending than the real life Ada). If you don't know anything about the real one then this shouldn't be an issue though and it won't affect how much you enjoy the story either way so I still give this 5 stars.
If you love Phantom then I think you'll love this version. Both the hardback and paperback special editions of this book are absolutely stunning too! I got the paperback version and it's even more beautiful when you see it in real life.
I loved this book! I'm a huge Phantom of the Opera fan and was very excited to see a story based on it, and it did not disappoint. It was fun to read, and I thought the characters were very well written. The book itself was also stunning. I didn't expect the paperback to have as many features as it did, and I was amazed at the way the hidden edges were done!
I loved it! I couldn't put it down! The characters are all brilliant! I even love the wet sock! And it has PICTURES! I wasn't even done with chapter 4 and was telling all of my book friends that they should read it. Can't wait for number 2!
My favorite retelling ever! The fairy god mother had me in stitches. The dragons come on chef's kiss. Celine can do no wrong!!!!!
