I gave Music of the Night, a stand-alone, by Angela J Ford a full 5/5 stars. This Phantom of the Opera mixed with Beauty and the Beast had the perfect balance of romance, magic, songs, urgency, desire and steam, and captivating settings. It also has the most breathtaking covers on the hardcover, under the dust jacket.
The prologue reminded me of another book, “Sing me Forgotten.” It looks like the main characters names may get a little confusing since they sound the same & look similar too: Aria & Uriah. I’m glad there’s two points of view though.
Here are my rambling notes while reading:
Chapter 1 has such rich sensory detail that I’ve immediately fallen into the story. And thank goodness that Aria already has agency. I love that the author doesn’t mess around and gets down to business with a clear goal.
In chapter 2 I marvel at the genius use of specific word Cho he to create the dark atmosphere.
At the halfway mark, I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this book. So far it’s perfection. The prose are gorgeously haunting, their connection is sweet and deep, i can hear the music being sung, and it’s only taken me an hour to get halfway. I love the enchanting way he makes plants grow from singing and I love that memories are what give the magic it’s power.
In chapter 20 I’m appreciative that the plot doesn’t revolve around steamy scenes like some other romantasy novels. They’re short and spicy but meaningful and impactful.
In conclusion, I adored this book. Sidenote- Thank you for writing a strong, Black heroine without her having to deal with racism and thank you for having her save the man. This story had everything I wanted. If there was anything at all to improve on it would be to add a hint more emotion/depth to both characters in the final climatic scene so I could better feel their desperation with them. Otherwise, it was just perfect. I’m excited to read more by this author, just because I loved this one so much. Well don!
Here is the blurb:
After the death of her father, Aria is left penniless and destitute. To avoid working the streets, she becomes the ward of a Count and moves to a remote town called High Tower.
High Tower is a gloomy place with one vivid attraction: the theater. Lords and ladies come from afar to be seduced by a night of unforgettable entertainment.
Many are warned to stay away from High Tower’s dangerous enchantments, but it’s a warning Aria is forced to ignore. Determined to take her life back into her hands, she and the Count make a deal. She can avoid an arranged marriage if she learns to sing for him.
When Aria stumbles across a mysterious man in a dark tower, she begs to learn the power of song from him. Although reluctant, the man agrees to teach her the music of the night. Between midnight meetings and emotional singing lessons, Aria falls in love with her alluring instructor despite his shadowy past.
But something deadly stirs, awoken by the desire of its master.
Evening reveries become haunted with terror, blood, and murder. Rumors claim the man in the tower is behind the madness that haunts High Tower, a truth Aria is loath to believe. For she just gained the desire of her heart.
What she doesn’t know is that her haunted instructor intends to use her for his own purposes. . .
Cassie Swindon 