tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post5472046716359079301..comments2024-03-28T06:23:05.651-04:00Comments on Ivy Book Bindings: Release Day Review: Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah FineKeertanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071392026876644282noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-91632518291390232642014-08-13T13:02:53.638-04:002014-08-13T13:02:53.638-04:00I've been really excited for this book for som...I've been really excited for this book for some time now. I'm not familiar with Phantom of the Opera, in film or text, but that still doesn't discourage me; I want to read this at some point! The atmosphere and culture are drawing me in! But I should probably read Fine's debut series first. It's been waiting for me on my Kindle app for ages, and you speak so highly of it, I'm curious! Even though you had some issues with Of Metal and Wishes, I'm glad you found a lot of good in it. I expect you'll be returning for the sequel? It's been confirmed there will be one. It's a planned duet. :) <br /><br />Marlene @ <a href="http://www.flyleafreview.com" rel="nofollow">The Flyleaf Review</a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12274355208601978550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-27017114344202787282014-08-08T03:40:13.279-04:002014-08-08T03:40:13.279-04:00Ah, I'm glad you liked this one! I think it to...Ah, I'm glad you liked this one! I think it totally works even if you didn't know it was a retelling of Phantom, Kim didn't realize as she was reading it, either. She brought up the same issues you did, re: the way women are treated. I think that's a valid criticism as far as perhaps exceeding what some readers might be comfortable with, though for me, I thought the way Wen was continually harassed seemed believable within the context of the setting. Loved this one, though. And it really is incredibly atmospheric.<br /><br />Wendy @ <a href="http://www.themidnightgarden.net/2014/08/ifistay.html" rel="nofollow">The Midnight Garden</a>Wendy Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13471461156849725177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-42757860239573362742014-08-06T02:44:25.138-04:002014-08-06T02:44:25.138-04:00The worldbuilding, although incomplete, didn't...The worldbuilding, although incomplete, didn't really bother me, mostly because I was completely in love with the atmosphere. With books like this, the atmosphere is what really counts for me, and I thought it was done brilliantly. I was so scared and depressed while reading this, I can't even begin to tell you. <br />Anyway, maybe the world will be better explained in the sequel.Maja (The Nocturnal Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14276646316400863181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-61745067278633195072014-08-06T00:47:40.784-04:002014-08-06T00:47:40.784-04:00I'm a mega fan of Stephen King's novels an...I'm a mega fan of Stephen King's novels and Thrillers/horror is my favorite. I'm definitely bumping it on my TBR. Great review Keertana :)<a href="http://honeybeeslittlecorner.wordpress.com">Honey Bee's Little World</a>https://www.blogger.com/profile/05665574587520464404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-5380153686168607712014-08-05T18:10:12.286-04:002014-08-05T18:10:12.286-04:00I haven't read or seen Phantom of the Opera my...I haven't read or seen Phantom of the Opera myself, although I have watched the movie version. Hopefully I can read the book/watch the play at some point! From the synopsis, I think I can see elements of it being a retelling coming through, but it also sounds like Fine really made the story into her own, which is awesome. The whole "damsel in distress" trope is something that was used in POTO, from what I do recall. As was a ton of violence.<br />Despite a few pitfalls, I am glad to see that you enjoyed this one overall. I own - but haven't read - Sanctum and Fractured - so hopefully I'll be reading those soon. I definitely need to read this one as well, though, because it really does sound refreshingly different in so many ways.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03052456915027241479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-23688478979179568662014-08-05T17:47:06.441-04:002014-08-05T17:47:06.441-04:00I didn't even know either that this was based ...I didn't even know either that this was based on a re-telling of The Phantom of the Opera. I was actually considering giving this book a go, so thanks for the heads up on it. This sort of genre isn't normally something that I would go for, but as I've loved all of Fine's previous novels, I am eager to find out how well she's able to work with this different genre. Gorgeous review as always! :)Jasprithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346050783201302967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-7486618144750384032014-08-05T15:33:57.739-04:002014-08-05T15:33:57.739-04:00I think you'll like Phantom. I haven't rea...I think you'll like Phantom. I haven't read it, but I did see more than one movie version. I did like the latest one. <br /><br />Oh I do like retellings and I love it when an author does something culturally different than we are used to getting, especially in YA. Just for those reasons I do want to read it. Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-30796535020132372472014-08-05T14:06:58.885-04:002014-08-05T14:06:58.885-04:00I have never read or seen "The Phantom of the...I have never read or seen "The Phantom of the Opera" either so I dare say I'm in the right place. I'm really glad you enjoyed this one and that atmosphere sounds so good. I really want to experience that right now. Also Wen seems like someone I'll like too. Great review, Keertana :)Tanja - Tanychyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15084789780467257259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-40171498188977866642014-08-05T13:29:35.192-04:002014-08-05T13:29:35.192-04:00The damsel-in-distress portrayal is a bit disappoi...The damsel-in-distress portrayal is a bit disappointing, but it sounds like the novel has other good elements too. The atmosphere sounds incredibly well done! <br /><br />Nice honest review! :)Lea (YA Book Queen)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07360720431931072505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-90399206822928266832014-08-05T12:40:35.043-04:002014-08-05T12:40:35.043-04:00Wen sounds like a great character but, like you, I...Wen sounds like a great character but, like you, I'm just not sure I'd be happy with the world in which she lives, the one that treats women like that. I'm interested...but just not sure I want to take the time to read it. Great review, as always!Mary @ BookSwarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04099395167194720599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-86789125627136392272014-08-05T12:24:52.337-04:002014-08-05T12:24:52.337-04:00I had no idea this was a retelling of Phantom of t...I had no idea this was a retelling of Phantom of the Opera. I've seen the movie and broadway show, but have yet to read the book, so that fact definitely peaks my interest. Though the romance and the confusing historical time period kind of turns me off. I may or may not read this one. I think I'll read Sanctum first, a book that still awaits me on my Ipad,and then I'll see about reading this one if I fit it in somewhere. Lovely review!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-69616305402432933812014-08-05T12:07:02.564-04:002014-08-05T12:07:02.564-04:00I am sorry you didn't like this one more than ...I am sorry you didn't like this one more than you did, I absolutely loved it but you do make some very good points about lack of world building.Kindlemomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084577342034704304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-77616676973808496362014-08-05T11:38:32.363-04:002014-08-05T11:38:32.363-04:00Just from reading this review I would assume this ...Just from reading this review I would assume this was a historical novel. I just read a post over at Rainy Day Ramblings and I think Sarah was aiming to portray the heroine in such a way, and it's true it would be offensive to the modern day woman, like you or me. Didn't know it was a re-telling of Phantom until quite recently. I did enjoy the play. I have a copy of this and I'll have to get to it soon. Wonderful review, Keertana! Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682335183798720529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-9972518260688025812014-08-05T10:39:13.395-04:002014-08-05T10:39:13.395-04:00I did wonder about the time period and whether or ...I did wonder about the time period and whether or not the setting was entirely fictional. That said, despite not having a concrete answer to any of that, I quite enjoyed the world building and thought the cultural aspects, harsh parts included, were well written. I agree that this was a very atmospheric book. I love how Sarah slowly built things here. Even though I enjoyed this slightly more than you, I'm glad you liked it overall. Great review, Keertana!Sam (Realm of Fiction)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04440380021875536125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-88613008278471552152014-08-05T10:31:24.822-04:002014-08-05T10:31:24.822-04:00KEERTANA!!!! YOU MUST SEE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA! I&...KEERTANA!!!! YOU MUST SEE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA! I've never read it either, so I can't tell you much about the actual book, but the musical is absolutely amazing. My all-time favorite show on/off Broadway:) I thought the movie was pretty well done too, Emmy Rossum has an unbelievable voice, so you should definitely check it out!!!<br /><br />And on to the book - glad you enjoyed it overall! I saw a post Sarah wrote (I think on Heidi's blog) recently about the roles of women in the particular time period this is set - it was very interesting and might better explain some of the issues you had with Wen:)Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14199685365145765394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-40380299277186066482014-08-05T06:51:04.723-04:002014-08-05T06:51:04.723-04:00This sounds really intriguing Keertana! I love the...This sounds really intriguing Keertana! I love the sound of the premise - definitely creepy! And it has bits of <i>steampunk</i>? Hmm...that's original! xD <br /><br />Wen sounds like a fabulous character despite the fact that she seemed to be a bit too helpless sometimes. I think I can deal with that though!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing Keertana and, as always, <b>BRILLIANT</b> review! <3<br /><br />~ Zoe @ <a href="http://www.zoereads.org" rel="nofollow">The Infinite To-Read Shelf</a>Zoe N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08980248647201093593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-28185366331621265322014-08-05T06:07:29.532-04:002014-08-05T06:07:29.532-04:00GORGEOUS review, Keertana! You've basically sa...GORGEOUS review, Keertana! You've basically said everything I wanted too.. although I myself am a little confused as to whether the setting is supposed to be historical or not. After thinking about it for a while though, I thought it was steampunk because that would definitely help things make more sense. Especially how Wen could sometimes be a damsel in distress. That didn't bother me as much as it might have otherwise because I felt like it was essential to creating the atmosphere. <br /><br />I am SO glad to see you enjoyed this one overall though, Keertana!! :)Rashika https://www.blogger.com/profile/03823262638606052465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-72400730082241808982014-08-05T02:52:55.773-04:002014-08-05T02:52:55.773-04:00I rally want to try it, I just do not want to get ...I rally want to try it, I just do not want to get it because I fear I might not like itBlodeueddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03435479623560871881noreply@blogger.com