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Kathryn Yelinek is a librarian and award-winning author who fell in love with books when she checked a retelling of Beauty & the Beast out of the library in middle school. All these years later, she still believes in the power of libraries, fairy tales, and following your dreams. She's published numerous short stories, articles, poems, and nonfiction books. "Magic is the Mask" is her first novel. She lives in Pennsylvania.
Reviewed by Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite
As one of the last remaining songgivers, whose music has healing properties, Christine Daaé should be more than a singer at the Paris Opera. However, a rogue attack by a malevolent grimlark during her childhood not only killed her mother but also stripped her of her magic. Desperate to have the magic restored at any cost, Christine joins forces with another grimlark, Erik, who haunts the opera. In exchange for his help, she needs to sing a hitherto unperformed spell that would restore Erik’s humanity. Yet, the venture is far from safe, especially since Christine does not want to attract the attention of the Mallelines, the so-called protectors of songgivers. As her deal with Erik creates unwarranted friction with her lover Raoul, and her fate threatens to become intimately entangled with Erik’s, can Christine uphold her side of the bargain? Find out in Kathryn Yelinek’s Magic is the Mask, a re-imagining of the famous classic, The Phantom of the Opera.
Re-imagining legendary characters is a daunting undertaking, yet Yelinek succeeds with flying colors. Her writing preserves the evocative emotions while also seamlessly blending fantasy elements into the narrative, so that the book emerges as a perfect gothic fantasy. I loved how Yelinek told the story from Christine’s perspective, giving us ample glimpses into her emotions, motivations, and dilemmas. Instead of being described as a brave heroine in a tragic love story, here Christine takes active control of the reins. Yelinek accurately portrays her sense of duty and stubborn determination to stay true to her promises. Her conflicting emotions, manifested as a relentless hunger for Erik’s perfect voice and an ever-present love for Raoul, take the reader on a haunting journey throughout the book. I recommend Magic is the Mask by Kathryn Yelinek to anyone who loves innovative retellings of classics or simply enjoys gothic fantasy. If you dare to lose yourself in the murky labyrinths of the Paris Opera, this book is for you.
