Book Review: Master of the Opera Act 1: Passionate Overture by Jeffe Kennedy

Master of the Opera Act 1: Passionate OvertureAuthor: Jeffe Kennedy
Publisher: eKensington
Release Date: 2 January 2014

In the first tantalizing installment of Jeffe Kennedy's ravishing serial novel Master of the Opera, an innocent young woman is initiated into a sensual world of music, mystery, passion--and one man's private obsession. . .

Fresh out of college, Christine Davis is thrilled to begin a summer internship at the prestigious Sante Fe Opera House. But on her first day, she discovers that her dream job has a dark side. Beneath the theater, a sprawling maze of passageways are rumored to be haunted. Ghostly music echoes through the halls at night. And Christy's predecessor has mysteriously disappeared. Luckily, Christy finds a friend and admirer in Roman Sanclaro, the theater's wealthy and handsome patron. He convinces her there's nothing to fear--until she hears the phantom's voice for herself. Echoing in the labrynths. Singing of a lost love. Whispering her name: Christine.

At first, Christy thinks she's hearing things. But when a tall masked man steps out of the shadows--and into her arms--she knows he's not a phantom of her imagination. He is the master of her desire. . .

Review

I am the first to admit that I am a total sucker for anything to do with the Phantom of the Opera. So this book appealed to me instantly. Plus, I liked the idea of having something to read gradually in short segments, around my other books.

Firstly, Christy is a great heroine, so far. She's got a job interning at the Santa Fe Opera House, and she's pretty darn happy about it- even if the intern before her mysteriously disappeared. She's from a wealthy family but she's very down to earth and entirely likable. She is understandably confused and a bit freaked out when she has her first meeting with the 'Opera ghost', and I can't wait to see where that will go. There's also Roman Sanclaro, the dashing playboy she's known for most of her life, who takes a romantic interest in Christy.

There are hints to a dark past that Christy struggles to keep in the past, and I'm very curious as to what happened to her. I'm sure all will be revealed in time!

I set off reading this, not entirely sure what to expect but so far this eerie story is shaping up to be what I had hoped for. You can feel the start of a potential love triangle forming, and all the main characters have been introduced. It's very, very intriguing and I can't wait for more installments!

*I received a review copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, for my honest review. Thank you!