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Transcend

by Christine Fonseca (Goodreads Author)

3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 · rating details · 167 ratings · 83 reviews

All seventeen-year-old composer Ien Montgomery desires is an escape from his family's rigid expectations for his life; someone to inspire his music. When he meets a beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal, his life music takes on new life. With her, he imagines a future outside of his parents’ control. That is, until a horrible accident tears them apart.

Sent to die in a...more

Hardcover, Special Edition, 314 pages

Published September 18th 2012 by Compass Press (first published September 12th 2012)

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Sep 16, 2012 Christine Fonseca rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author)

I am so excited to share this one with all of you! It is by far the hardest thing I've ever written. I've taken a different spin on a familiar tale, hopefully delivering something that will leave you surprised, satisfied and maybe a little creeped out!

18 likes · like · see review

Sep 17, 2012 Elle (Ligia) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, cover-crazy, favorites, must-read, oh-my-heart, read-in-2012, stand-alone, romance, kindle-ebook, historical-fiction, reviewed, won-in-giveaway

I honestly don’t know where to begin, I knew when I finished reading it over a week ago that this was going to be a hard review to write, and I was right, I’m still somewhat overwhelmed. Just thinking about Ien makes me go:

I know I had been eagerly waiting to read this book for months, and though I’m not completely sure just what I expected, I’m so very happy to say that I was not disappointed, not in the slightest. Not even a little bit.

I fell in love with the cover instantly, and after reading...more

14 likes · like · see review

Sep 20, 2012 Zuleeza rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, historical-fiction, favourite

This review is also available on my blog, Qwerty

The pre-review I love so much is in the spoiler tag at the bottom of this review.

Easy 5-stars, folks...easy 5-stars. This book is literally a drug.

For start, I read Dies Irae and Lacrimosa, two of Christine's other works and did like them. But I felt that sometimes the narration was too grandiose. But that kind of narration on Transcend...

...fits perfectly. Probably because I'd say that this is more of a historical fiction than a young adult.

Okay,...more

10 likes · like · see review

Oct 01, 2012 Soumi(in love with Puck) Roy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite, gothic, books-i-reviewed, young-adult, arc-e-galley

“My thoughts are quiet, but not calm. There is a terror on the edge of the silence, a terror fed by my burning flesh and the stench of death.”

A life changing accident and deformity toss seventeen years old Ien to a sanatorium to die. Abandoned by those he loves, Ien plans for revenge and claim the girl he loves, beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal. Driven by madness and revenge, Ien slowly realise he a cost to pay for vengeance, the price is his own sanity.

Author Christine Fonseca breaks m...more “My thoughts are quiet, but not calm. There is a terror on the edge of the silence, a terror fed by my burning flesh and the stench of death.”

A life changing accident and deformity toss seventeen years old Ien to a sanatorium to die. Abandoned by those he loves, Ien plans for revenge and claim the girl he loves, beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal. Driven by madness and revenge, Ien slowly realise he a cost to pay for vengeance, the price is his own sanity.

Author Christine Fonseca breaks my heart every time as she loves to doom the lovers, and I finished Transcend with tears welling eyes. With page I progressed with the book, I found my heart breaking slowly. Inspired by Phantom of the Opera, Transcend is her best creation and Christine is my inspiration.
I am a big fan of tortured heroes, and Erik from Phantom of The Opera is one of my favourite. I have read the original masterpiece back in school and it deeply moved me to such an extent that I started fancy the most broken heroes of history, and now I can claim the Ien has taken a place in my list.

“I'm more than the flesh and bone that defines me. More than the pain that consumes me and the madness radiating through me. I am a man. And I am still alive."

Disfigurement dragged him to insanity, insanity forced him to get his revenge and his vengeful attitude has hurt those he loves most. I’m completely empathetic and touched by him. His love for Kiera was an obsession on the edge of madness where nothing could have brought him back.
For the other characters, Kiera and James have not affected me much, but there is one girl I spilled my tears for, Jenna. Daughter of servant, and Ien’s best friend she was never afraid of his charred face, each and every time she took care of him, supported him with mentally. She never questioned his dark moods and took every blow of his insanity over her. The way she loved Ien, no one could have done it ever.

Christine wrote a hauntingly beautiful tragic, a story that defines the difference between love and obsession, friends and foe. Every word, every line was torturously gorgeous and heart broken.
I have fallen in love with the book, and everything about the book. A masterpiece inspired by legendary Phantom of The Opera, yet very original of its own.
(less)

10 likes · like · see review

Jan 07, 2013 Jen*The Geeky Book Gal* rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, all-time-faves, psychological

I won this book from the Author, Christine Fonseca in her Transcend giveaway a few months ago and had been anxiously awaiting its arrival. When I saw the email from Christine yesterday afternoon I was almost giddy and started it right away.

The Goodreads summary describes Transcend as:
All seventeen-year-old composer Ien Montgomery desires is an escape from his family's rigid expectations for his life; someone to inspire his music. When he meets a beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal, his life...more I won this book from the Author, Christine Fonseca in her Transcend giveaway a few months ago and had been anxiously awaiting its arrival. When I saw the email from Christine yesterday afternoon I was almost giddy and started it right away.

The Goodreads summary describes Transcend as:
All seventeen-year-old composer Ien Montgomery desires is an escape from his family's rigid expectations for his life; someone to inspire his music. When he meets a beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal, his life music takes on new life. With her, he imagines a future outside of his parents’ control. That is, until a horrible accident tears them apart.

Sent to die in a sanatorium, Ien’s obsession for Kiera grows unbearable. Tortured by thoughts he can’t escape and the truth of his monstrous disfigurement, he flees, desperate to exact revenge on the people that ruined his life – his parents. But, vengeance is empty. Betrayed by those closest to him, Ien discovers that the price for his happiness may be his sanity.

My thoughts:
First, the writing is superb as usual. I adored Christine's other three books in the Lacrimosa series which was dark in places but nowhere as deep as Transcend. She has a way of setting scenes with words so that one feels like they are there in that world looking over the shoulder of the main character. It's just amazing. I wish *I* had the words to describe it..

I was drawn in to Ien from the beginning because he feels everything on such a deep level. His friendship for his best friend James, his loyalty to Jenna, his childhood confidant, his love/hate relationship with his parents, the competition with his older brother Erik, and his devotion and obsession with Kiera, the woman who stole his heart. He is such a tortured soul, yet one cannot help sympathizing and even rooting for things to turn out okay in the end for him in spite of some of his actions.

At first, I wasn't sure what to think after I finished. I sat stunned, a few tears trickling down my cheeks. My mind whirled, trying to connect the fragments that had been left throughout the book,almost like breadcrumbs. Then after I went over all the events in my mind and tore myself away from Ien's point of view, it all became very clear. I ended up ruminating on Ien's life the rest of the afternoon after I completed the book, which is rare for me.

I love books that make me think, and also ones where you are so sure what is happening but then..BOOM,it's something else. Transcend was both of those for me. I almost feel bad saying I enjoyed or loved this book because of the subject matter, but I will say, Ien wormed his way into my heart, and there he will stay.

I wish I had the right words to show how engrossing I found Transcend. Thank you Christine for writing such a thought-provoking and emotionally heart wrenching book. I haven't felt this way after reading in quite a while!(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Sep 12, 2012 The Cover Contessa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-releases, contemporary-realistic-fiction, own, giveaways

I would like to thank the author, Christine Fonseca, for providing me with an ARC copy of this book to read and give an honest review. I am honored that she trusted me to read and review this totally different and new story.

Blurb from Goodreads:

All seventeen-year-old composer Ien Montgomery desires is an escape from his family's rigid expectations for his life; someone to inspire his music. When he meets a beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal, his life music takes on new life. With her, he...more

7 likes · like · see review

Nov 25, 2012 Adriana added it

Shelves: definately-going-to-re-read, 2012-releases, ebook, disturbingly-beautiful, fav-authors, heartbreaking, favorites, emotional-rollercoaster, own, recommend-to-everyone

Omg too overwhelmed by this book Damm how am I supposed to start another book after this ;(

Firstly i would like to thank the amazing and gifted author Christine Fonseca for giving me the honour of reading and reviewing this phenomenal book.

This books was nothing like i expected, and it was like nothing i have ever read and i loved it so much there are so many words i can use to describe this book WOW, MASTERPIECE, SUPEREB, WORK OF ART, ONE OF A KIND, those type of words come to mind.

I loved Chr...more

6 likes · like · see review

Sep 12, 2012 Kait rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-galley, ebook-own, made-me-cry

I'm someone who reads pretty quickly, but I really savored Transcend. I spent more time thinking about what I was reading and what was to come.

"Will I become the thing I fear the most of all?"

Ien, a seventeen year old musical composer is overwhelmed by pressure from his family. He is ready to begin his life with his musical partner and love, Kiera, until horrible circumstances rip them from each other. Ien is sent to die at a sanatorium where he begins to plot revenge against the people who ha...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jan 26, 2013 M. Kay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour-arc

Christine's prose is wonderful and allowed me to go with the flow of the book. Without much difficulty I found myself caught up in Ien's warped mind and searing agony. In fact, at one point, I put the book down frustrated at what I assumed was Ien wallowing in self-pity. I kept saying to myself, "When will he get over it? Life goes on." But in truth, I was missing the mark, by a long shot. Ien wasn't fortunate enough to deal only with a simple case of exaggerated self indulgence. It was somethin...more

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 16, 2012 Nereid rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book for an honest review by the author and I am truly grateful.
Where do I start, if I could I would give this book 6 stars as I have never experienced such a roller coaster ride of tumultuous emotions before. Love is such a simple word yet it can be twisted and distorted by a warped mind to resemble something that is dark and menacing void of all light and warmth. Ien is seventeen and a composer who is frustrated by his strict parents who demand so much from him and be...more I received a copy of this book for an honest review by the author and I am truly grateful.
Where do I start, if I could I would give this book 6 stars as I have never experienced such a roller coaster ride of tumultuous emotions before. Love is such a simple word yet it can be twisted and distorted by a warped mind to resemble something that is dark and menacing void of all light and warmth. Ien is seventeen and a composer who is frustrated by his strict parents who demand so much from him and being such a sensitive soul, he yearns for a different life. Forced to step up after his brothers death, Ien felt he could never live up to their expectations. Kiera is a violinist and they share a love of music and he falls madly in love with her, dreaming of their future together. "Warning - Spoilers Alert"
A terrible accident happens and Ien is horribly disfigured and is sent away to die after bearing witness to his own funeral. Glimpsing his love Keira there being comforted by his best fried James, Ien is torn between his love for her and the thoughts that she has been duplicitous in her feelings for him. Hidden away so as not to ruin his parents reputation and standing in the community, Ien descends into the depths of madness fuelled by his obsession with Keira and the life they should have had together, reliving that one perfect moment when she said "yes" to his proposal. Left alone and abandoned with no comfort or compassion, Ien's mind fragments further and he hears the voices of his dead brother Erik urging him to seek retribution. Betrayed by those he loves, he becomes like a broken record playing those thoughts over and over again in his mind. He honed those feelings of betrayal like a silver knife until they were razor sharp. Held captive by his body, disfigured and feeling helpless and alone, Ien flees the sanatorium fearful for his life. Perception is nine tenths of our reality and left alone to dwell on his tortured thoughts, devoid of any one to care or challenge his beliefs, they because his reality, his truth.

Jenna was like a beacon bright and shining, offering hope and redemption as she genuinely cared for Ien. She was a childhood friend who harboured real feelings for him but he had not ever entertained those thoughts as she was working for his family. Even at the very end she was there for him but he was so enveloped in his madness by then that it was too late. Transcend is a perfect name as the only feeling that does transcend death is love as it lingers forever in our hearts. Having lost my mother last year to Cancer I empathise with Christine and understand how working on this could be a labour of love and it is a fitting tribute to her mum. I must admit I cried at the end and also when I read the dedication as those feelings are still so fresh in my mind. This book is definitely hauntingly beautiful and thought provoking and regardless of who you are, you will come away with conflicting emotions. Crossing the boundaries from love into obsession is a dangerous one and very few people recover from that fall into the abyss. Sometimes the greatest lies are the ones we tell ourselves.(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Lily rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review originally featured on Bookluvrs Haven

(Weary Sigh)

This book left me feeling exhausted and utterly ragged.

First - I barely slept while trying to finish this novel. My fault... No! Christine Fonseca's fault! I just couldn't put this down!

Second - There was so much angst in this novel and I had a really hard time knowing what was truth and what wasn't...

But then, neither did our character. Madness must be exhausting...

The book synopsis indicates this story was inspired by Phantom of the Ope...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jun 08, 2013 Nickle [NightOwlReads] Love rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: wishlist-physical-copy, 2012-reading-challenge, indie-selfpub, favorites

Review at Night Owl Reads

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 18, 2012 Annmarie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Not just a novel, but a piece of fine art. I can't even describe the beauty of the words that Christine Fonseca has placed on the pages of Transcend. Such a moving story about love, loss and absolute madness that will keep you turning pages into the wee hours of the morning. Her words are poetic and flow so seemingly off the page. Her prose is reminiscent of the classic literature of my youth and I believe, without a doubt, that this book could well match them. Because it is written in a more co...more

4 likes · like · see review

Oct 27, 2012 Jackie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 05, 2012 Kelly Hashway rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay, I read the blurb for this and knew I had to read the book. I love Phantom of the Opera. Love it! So Transcend had me right there. Well, the main character Ien is desperately in love with Kiera. He can't think of much else and wants to propose, even though he's only seventeen and his parents don't approve. But a horrible fire leaves him disfigured and his parents tell the world he's dead.

Sent to die in a sanitarium, Ien can only think of Kiera and getting her back. He begins to see and hear...more

5 likes · like · see review

Sep 16, 2012 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-book-read, kindle-books

4.5 Stars!

A beautifully dark and haunting tale of love, betrayal, revenge and obsession.

The opening chapter of this book blew me away. It was riddled with deep, dark, and powerful emotion.

My heart immediately felt for the narrator and I didn't even know who he was yet. I didn't even know his story and I barely knew his name.

But I felt his love, his despair. And I felt his pain, his anguish. And his horror.

To say this story was a strong one would be an understatement. To say it was powerful isn't...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 18, 2013 ♥♡R ¡ t u♡♥ 《《《《《《 rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: any body who loves intense reading

Shelves: indie-books, ebooks, love-these-covers, favorites, needed-tissue-for-these

I m really looking forward to read this one
Update 10/3/12

you know that I am made up of death and
It is death that loves you and adores you
And will never ever leave you

Wowwww!!!

description

I am speechless

..just like you eat your favourite food patiently relishing every thing about and hoping that it won't get over soon ... . That's the way I felt as I read this book and I took almost 2 weeks to finish this book because I wanted to feel everything ien felt ... There were actually some lines that I read...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 08, 2013 Rebecca ♥ Ash, Jem, Warner ♥ rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: not fans of romance, but fans of dark, uncomfortable stories

Shelves: young-adult, historical-fiction, own-physical-copy, reviewed, arcs-giveaways, standalone

This is more like a 2.5/5 for me. It wasnt my kind of book, which I would have known if I had looked into it further before adding it to my TBR. But I knew most of my GR friends loved Christine Fonseca's Requiem series. I hadnt read it because I am not a fan of angels. But I saw that this was a historical and that's all I needed to know before I added it. I love historicals. But perhaps I should have still read a review or two before deciding. I'll just say right now that this is not a romance.

I...more This is more like a 2.5/5 for me. It wasnt my kind of book, which I would have known if I had looked into it further before adding it to my TBR. But I knew most of my GR friends loved Christine Fonseca's Requiem series. I hadnt read it because I am not a fan of angels. But I saw that this was a historical and that's all I needed to know before I added it. I love historicals. But perhaps I should have still read a review or two before deciding. I'll just say right now that this is not a romance.

I am not a fan of heavy reads, and a story of a young man's journey into madness is certainly not light. Over half of this book was set in Ien's shattered mind, with no human interactions. It wasnt only boring, but unsettling. I know a lot of people enjoy books that make them uncomfortable, but I have never been one of them. The closest I came was when I read Close Liaisons, which I enjoyed despite possible Stockholm syndrome.

I can appreciate the swell of emotion that comes with this twisted journey, but I personally prefer only the positive emotions. And there isnt much else I can say. There were no sympathetic characters. Ien was too far gone to feel sorry for anymore, and we hardly saw anyone else enough to care about. Except for Jenna, which only makes me hate the ending more.

The writing in this was beautiful at times, very poetic, but confusing. I counldnt really follow what was happening because the writing was so abstract, on top of Ien's madness, which really didnt help. I dont know how much of the book was real, and how much only happened in his mind. I guess that isnt supposed to matter, but it does to me. Also, the POV kept changing from 1st person to 3rd person and it was jarring. If I began to get caught up into the story, the POV would change and knock me back out again. I tried to find a pattern in the POVs. I have seen other books where the POV would sometimes change for a reason, but I could find no pattern to it this time.

I know I must sound extremely harsh so far, but honestly I didnt hate it. I enjoyed it enough to keep reading, to want to find out what happened next. I'm not sure what made me keep going. I suppose it could have been the mystery. I wanted to find out what had really happened. So the story was good, if somewhat drawn out. It was a short book and it could have been shorter if less time had been spent in the sanitarium. To me it felt like a novella, because I didnt have time to really get invested. But I did cry in the end, so I guess that must count for something. (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Julie Reece rated it 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Christine Fonseca for providing me with an ARC for an unbiased review.

What a fantastic premise: How did the Phantom of the opera become so broken? Who was he, and how did he get that way? Fabulous. My hat's off *and I bow* to Ms. Fonseca both for dreaming up the idea and for sharing it with us.

I fear to write much of a review (as I hate spoilers myself) and don't want to ruin anything for you. Let me just say you should absolutely read Transcend. The pace was great, her voice and...more

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 19, 2012 Kelsey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review-netgalley-arcs

This book was hauntingly beautiful. I don't even know how to describe it! I wasn't completely engrossed from the beginning but that could be because I wasn't really in the mood for such a sad story but that doesn't make the book any less amazing. It was extremely well written and such an original and intriguing idea. I'm still thinking about the ending!
Also, I'd like to thank Christine for providing me an ARC for an honest review! This book should be read by everyone!

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 01, 2013 Hazel G. (I ♥ Mr. Grey) *Craves the Angst Reviews* . rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: drama, historical-romance, mature-young-adult, mystery, thriller, dark

Find This and Other Reviews At Craves The Angst.

Transcend is a YA Historical Romance written by Christina Fonseca. I read this as a R2R with We ♥ YA Books! As always, a special thank you to the mods and author for allowing me to participate.

5 Disturbing, Head Tripping Stars!
Gaston Leroux meets Shakespeare! BRAVO! A Definite Masterpiece!

The Review:
Eyes wide, heart pounding and mind boggled. I’m in complete awe of this book!

My Thoughts…
I sit here stunned and silenced. After having finished the...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 21, 2012 Kwinn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amazing-covers, dying-to-read, didn-t-excpect-to-be-so-good, i-can-t-take-my-hands-off, need-to-read-because-of-curiosity

im not a big fan of classics .
But GOD !! christine fonseca Created a Classic that feels
like it was a Modern classic .
love it .

So Ien a 17 yr.old alive survive the fire and things like that
love this girl Kiera and he blames his Mother
for seperating them or against their relationship .

So Ien for the love of his life do whatever it takes
to be with kiera even though he will kill somebody to be with her .
Ien got this Voices in his head . but for me it is like good to bad conscience .

This is dark ,de...more

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 27, 2013 Jennifer Madero rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, 2013-challenge

The author provided an ebook copy through the group We ♥ YA Books! in exchange for an honest review

I want to start off by saying that Christine Fonseca has earned my whole respect with her writing... <3

Rating: 5 Stars (I'd give it more if I could...)

"No longer filled with hope and promise of a life together, the music had become dark. Even sinister. Every measure of promise was now filled with dread and an impenetrable pain. Each note of hope replaced by fear. And every cadence of love no

...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 10, 2013 Zino rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: writers-female, ebook, own, giveaways, read-in-2012

I won this book in a competition a while ago and I'm so glad I got a chance to read this! Wow, what can I say about Transcend? I thought this book was crazy, but in a good way, a lot happened in the story. Now I've never read or even watched the Phantom of the Opera, which Transcend is based on but this book definitely makes me want to.
I think what I love most about this novel is the way the author writes, I though it was quite poetic and everything flowed so well together.
I love this part at...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 04, 2012 Mirely rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-historical-fiction, ya-dark, 2012-its-raining-men-challenge, 2012-publication-read, 2012-reviews, 2012-reading-challenge, blog-tour

I can’t help but to give this book a solid 5 stars. It was THAT good! This is a psychological thriller and one hell of a ride. You didn't know if you were coming or going. You didn't know what was up and what was down. You didn't know what was real and what wasn't. By the end of the book the truths are revealed and you still don’t know whether to trust it or not.

This was so well written! Ien’s feelings were so raw. The angst, the uncertainty, the pain, the questions, the memories, the love, the...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 06, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

I would like to thank the author, Christine Fonseca, for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review.

First off Im not really sure what I expected this story to be,But I knew from the Blurb and the Cover (sucker for covers) that I had to read this book!

It is unlike anything I have ever read.

This Phantom of the Opera-inspired tale is hauntingly dark and achingly beautiful, a story of love, loss, and obsession set against the decadent backdrop of historic New York.

Ien i...more I would like to thank the author, Christine Fonseca, for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review.

First off Im not really sure what I expected this story to be,But I knew from the Blurb and the Cover (sucker for covers) that I had to read this book!

It is unlike anything I have ever read.

This Phantom of the Opera-inspired tale is hauntingly dark and achingly beautiful, a story of love, loss, and obsession set against the decadent backdrop of historic New York.

Ien is seventeen and a composer from one of the richest familys in New England who is frustrated by his strict parents who demand so much from him.Ien felt he could never live up to their expectations,He is to take over the Family business after his older Brothers death.Mother tells him there will be no more Music,there is no life there.

Kiera is a violinist and they share a love of music.Ien is madly in love with her and wants nothing more than to marry Kiera,no matter what Mother says.He cant live without her,she puts all the turmoil in his mind and soul at ease.

A terrible accident happens and Ien is horribly disfigured.Jenna,his childhood friend since he was 6 years old is the one who cares for him and the only to ever look at him and not run screaming.Jenna knows his secrets,his nightmares she has never judged him or lied to him. After months of his face not healing Ien is sent away to die,after bearing witness to his own funeral. Hidden away so as not to ruin his parents reputation and standing in the community.

Ien descends into the depths of madness fuelled by his obsession with Keira and the life they should have had together, reliving that one perfect moment when she said "yes" to his proposal. Left alone and abandoned with no comfort or compassion,only to wait for Mother to come for him.Ien once again gives into the chaos of his mind.you see,Ien has many dark secrets,so many he to has forgotten some of them,pushed them into the deepest depths of his soul.

Disfigured and feeling helpless and alone to dwell on his tortured thoughts, he no longer knows reality from delusion.All hope is lost to the voices that consume him,control him,laugh at him,taunt him no matter what he believes he is soon lost to what he believes is reality, or is it an illusion? another of his nightmares? or has he really gone mad this time and released the monster he has always held deep inside him?

Christine has written a hauntingly beautiful love story. A story riddled full of loss,love,friendship and family.A story of a man that only seeks to be loved for who he is.

Knowing before starting this story that it was of tragedy,I was fully set for a heart breaking story,yet I never cried,Once you get further and further into the story and know what is happening or think you do,at times I felt as lost as Ien,with all the twists and turns are some terrible truths. I did cry at the end for Ien,after knowing all his truths along with him it was so heartbreaking and sad.(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Oct 13, 2012 Ari rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, tour, to-review, electricidad-cuando-tu-me-tocas, historical-fiction

Originally posted @ Black Lilies Are Deadly

Christine Fonseca is a gifted writer. It doesn’t matter what kind of story she’s telling, she always manages to hook me and get me completely immersed in it. Transcend was not the exception to this. Transcend is a well written, well thought out story which I enjoyed, even if it left me emotionally drained by the time I finished the book.

Ien is a very troubled young man and I had no idea just how deep it went until I started going deeper into the story....more Originally posted @ Black Lilies Are Deadly

Christine Fonseca is a gifted writer. It doesn’t matter what kind of story she’s telling, she always manages to hook me and get me completely immersed in it. Transcend was not the exception to this. Transcend is a well written, well thought out story which I enjoyed, even if it left me emotionally drained by the time I finished the book.

Ien is a very troubled young man and I had no idea just how deep it went until I started going deeper into the story. I had mentioned in a review for Lacrimosa, a few months ago, how one character was driving me a little crazy and I have to say, it will never compare to this.

In Transcend, there comes a point in the story when I literally felt I was inside Ien’s mind and was feeling a bit insane myself. A friend had warned me, “Dongsaeng, (Korean term for younger sibling, or in this case younger friend) Are you feeling insane yet?” But I had not understood why she asked me that until it hit me. I had to stop reading and leave her a message:

“I understand the going crazy while reading "Transcend" now. I think Ien's lunacy has seeped from the screen into my brain.”

When the story was nearing its end there was a point when I couldn't tell what was going. And I left another message for my friend:

“Unnie! (Korean term females call their older sisters, or in this case older female friends) James! Kiera! What's going on?!?!”

That’s how well the book was written. I was still seeing the events from Ien’s point of view and my brain was not processing the new twists. It just didn’t want to believe anything else that was happening. The ending of the book was along the lines of what I thought it would end like. But even though by the end I was a crying mess, I have to say the book did not disappoint me in the slightest.

Thanks to Christine for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this trip through Ien's fractured mind.

It can also be found on Amazon.(less)

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Jan 27, 2013 Elena rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: phantom-of-the-opera, not-for-me

Dark. Angst. Corpse alert. That is definitely NOT a book for young adults, though the main hero is high class family's 17 y.o. progeny. He's fond of music and tries to compose. He's in love with Kiera, very promising violinist. He's got a close friend and overprotecting mother, who speaks and conducts herself like an evil stepmother from Sleeping Beauty.

But things are not as we see them in the book. The more we explore Ien's thoughts and nightmares, the more we understand, he's completely insane...more Dark. Angst. Corpse alert. That is definitely NOT a book for young adults, though the main hero is high class family's 17 y.o. progeny. He's fond of music and tries to compose. He's in love with Kiera, very promising violinist. He's got a close friend and overprotecting mother, who speaks and conducts herself like an evil stepmother from Sleeping Beauty.

But things are not as we see them in the book. The more we explore Ien's thoughts and nightmares, the more we understand, he's completely insane. I liked him, actually. I pitied him. Felt regret and sorrow. And that's not because Ien's situation itself, but Ms. Fonseca's writing abilities. She forced me to worry about her character, and she forced me to read faster and faster to know more, afraid of what would be next.

Some Phantom of the Opera twist was promised in a blurb. And there are some recognizable moments, especially at the end of the book. But, I have to say, just moments, not more. It's in actual fact explores the depths of madness, not salvation, or love-changed-everything-like themes.

So if it's well-written, and the MC is so pity-deserved, why 3 stars for the book.

First, I should say, there are no time markers. Some very few place markers occurred in the beginning, but later I was lost in nowhere and nowwhen. Then we've got text, where author's speech switches on Ien's POV written in first person, and then again to the author's speech, and then again to Ien's POV... and in the middle of the book I was tired of those changes.

Second, I wasn't expected to read the book about insanity, so I found myself unprepared to deal with imaginary people, or dialogues speaking only within Ien's head, or playing with ok-it-wasn't-real-again things.

Third, I was disappointed with so small amount of Phantom-ish things. The main idea of Leroux's book wasn't exploded here.

Forth, the end. I have mixed feelings about it. Of course, bad is the best, it was plain from the outset, but there were no relief or satisfaction in the end. For my taste, the book ended with nothing.

Would I recommend it? At your choice.

P.S. After a night, today I'd like to add smth to my review. I think, the main and very strong plot line in this book is mother-son relationship, and this evil and overprotecting mother, who turns to be not so evil, is one of the strongest characters in the book. I wish I could know more about her. And I expected in the final part, her and Ien talking together, just like he was talking to Kiera and his friend. It would add catharsis to the final part.(less)

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Jan 21, 2013 Sandra rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was gifted this book by the author in exchange for an honest review

This book truly captivated and drew me in from virtually the first page and as a consequence I couldn't put it down.

I had no knowledge of any spoilers, other reviews or even the description of the book prior to reading. I felt that this left me with an open mind, and made the journey through this more interesting. Also this is the first of Christine Fonseca's books I have read therefore, giving me no preconceived notions as wha...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Once Upon rated it 4 of 5 stars

The story opens with our main character, Ien Montgomery. Ien has lead a charmed life. He's the second son to one of New York societies most affluent families. He attends the local boys preparatory school and is in love with a girl named Kiera. He has a mother and father that are overbearing like a well to do family with high expectations would be. In fact, they are so overbearing you often want to wring their necks. All Ien wants to do in life is pursue music, more specifically composing and pla...more The story opens with our main character, Ien Montgomery. Ien has lead a charmed life. He's the second son to one of New York societies most affluent families. He attends the local boys preparatory school and is in love with a girl named Kiera. He has a mother and father that are overbearing like a well to do family with high expectations would be. In fact, they are so overbearing you often want to wring their necks. All Ien wants to do in life is pursue music, more specifically composing and playing music on the piano. But his parents have different plans for their youngest son. His parents need him to stop wasting time on music and start preparing to take over the family business now that his oldest brother, Erik, has died. Mother wants Ien to have nothing to do with Kiera and believes her to be a bad match for him and their family.

Desperate to take control of his future, Ien decides to propose to the girl he loves and turn his back on Mother and all of his familial expectations. Just when his life starts to follow the course of his choosing a terrible fire breaks out and Ien is engulfed in flames. He is left horribly maimed by the fire and turned out of his home by his parents. He is then committed to a sanatorium where they hope he will get the healing that he needs to overcome his disfigurement. After several months in the sanatorium, Ien starts to slowly lose his sanity. He is driven mad by his mother leaving him to die and decides to exact his revenge on those responsible for faking his death and keeping him from his one true love.

There are a few things that I love in life; one of them naturally is a great story but my heart has always belonged to music. So when I was handed an ebook and the synopsis of the story read "inspired by the Phantom of the Opera", my heart fluttered. I did not walk into this thinking I was going to read a happy go lucky story however. This story is very dark and extremely emotional; haunting and beautiful at the same time. Christine Fonseca is an absolute genius at capturing the darker side of humanity. While reading this story I was struck by daydreams of what it would have been like to have lived in the 1800's. To witness someone with Ien's level of disfigurement and to think of them as a devil or demon; to run in the opposite direction screaming. The whole concept seems foreign these days but that's what touched me about this story and made my heart hurt for Ien on his journey to come to terms with his injuries. Fonseca writes his struggle with the demons in his head in such a powerful way that days after finishing reading, I am still haunted by Ien's story. This was a fantastic read and I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind reading a story that takes them to the darkest places in the human psyche.(less)

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About Christine Fonseca

Critically acclaimed nonfiction and YA author Christine Fonseca is dedicated to helping children of all ages find their voice in the world. Drawing on her expertise as an educational psychologist, her nonfiction titles address issues of emotional intensity, resiliency and giftedness. In fiction, she explores the darker aspects of humanity and delivers gothic thrillers that take you on a rollercoas...more

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Quotes from Transcend

“My thoughts are quiet, but not calm. There is a terror on the edge of the silence, a terror fed by my burning flesh and the stench of death.” — 19 people liked it

“Ien stopped her voice with more kisses, more promises of a world filled with only them.” — 13 people liked it

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