The Jumbee

Oct 13, 2010 Natalie (Mindful Musings) rated it 3 of 5 stars

In a Sentence: The Jumbee is a suspenseful, well-written tale that puts a masterful spin on an old classic.

My Thoughts

When I was first approached to review The Jumbee, I was both excited and hesitant. You see, I LOVE Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera, along with the 2004 film directed by Joel Schumacher. I was thrilled to find that a modern, young adult retelling of this wonderful story was going to be published, but at the same time, I didn't really think anyone could do such a beautif...more

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Mar 11, 2013 equilibri rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: twice-upon-a-time, distant-land, life-is-a-beach, escapism-extraordinaire, mysterious-goings-on

3.5 stars
Beautifully written and very atmospheric, a quite interesting YA take on the Phantom of the Opera.

+ unusual, rich setting; really good 'exotic locale' descriptions
+ great dialogues, clever use of Shakespeare lines and West Indian patois
+ vivid atmosphere; I felt like I was there
+ the writing is quite emotional and engaging
+ great pacing, the storyline held my interest through the whole book

- I didn't really like the characters and their actions
- The characterization was a bit weak. I th...more

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Oct 19, 2010 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, thriller

The theatre is a domain rife with superstition, with performers and stage crew alike navigating an array of strange norms: the wishing upon each other of bad luck before a performance, the avoidance of particular colours and props, the beliefs that particular plays such as the Shakespearian masterpieceMacbeth are cursed. In her debut novelThe Jumbee Pamela Keyes marries the new superstition of the theatre with the complex belief systems of the Caribbean, creating a rich and claustrophobic settin...more

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Oct 12, 2010 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Jumbee is a very interesting title. Before I started the book I had no idea what a Jumbee could be. I think thats one of the things that kept me reading at the start, I was really curious as to what a Jumbee was. But right off the bat I did love reading The Jumbee.

It was something a lot different to anything I've read for a while so it was quite refreshing and something that I enjoyed a lot. It has a lot of Shakespeare references in it which I thought was really awesome. As a huge Shakespear...more

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Mar 09, 2011 Reading Vacation rated it 5 of 5 stars

REVIEW
Picture a Caribbean high school version of Phantom of the Opera and you have The Jumbee. This retelling has a love story, island mysteries about jumbees, childhood revelations, and a surprising finale. Definitely a page-turner!
The characters were so well written. Esti was trapped in her father’s shadow as the Great Legend’s daughter. Alan was like a puzzle – mysterious, yet charming. Rafe, Esti’s boyfriend from back home, was strongly committed and loyal. Esti’s father always played a char...more

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Feb 13, 2013 YA Novelties rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Please check this review out on our blog!

4.5 Stars

REVIEW

I absolutely loved this book. It is a mysterious and suspenseful book that will engross you. Also, you don't have to know the Phantom of the Opera story to read this book (although knowing the Phantom of the Opera would certainly increase your understanding and enjoyment). Also, if you are a Shakespearean fan then I would definitely give this book a try. With that said, you also don't have to know Shakespeare well to enjoy this book.

Esti w...more Please check this review out on our blog!

4.5 Stars

REVIEW

I absolutely loved this book. It is a mysterious and suspenseful book that will engross you. Also, you don't have to know the Phantom of the Opera story to read this book (although knowing the Phantom of the Opera would certainly increase your understanding and enjoyment). Also, if you are a Shakespearean fan then I would definitely give this book a try. With that said, you also don't have to know Shakespeare well to enjoy this book.

Esti was great. She had always grown up in the shadow of her famous father, an was always compared to him, which is frankly terrible and totally relate-able to. I pity her in that, but I love how she gains confidence in her acting ability (with Alan's help) and becomes an amazing Juliette. She really blossoms as an actress. Speaking of Alan, I found their relationship slightly annoying. She would forgive him for anything, and totally trusted him when the only time she talked to him was in the dark. I found that slightly creepy and not believable, I doubt that anyone would fall in love with a voice in the dark that only they hear.

In the end I quite pitied Alan. I understood why he would go to such means to conceal himself and try to win / keep Esti's love. He is such a lonely person who did't dare dream of love until Esti came along. At times he was scary, but I knew that underneath he was a good person who would never hurt Esti, and only tried to do the best by her.

Personally, Rafe was my favorite character. Although he was a total bad boy when Esti met him again after ten years, he's really a committed, loyal, and sweet guy that just needs to find the right girl to be with. He would defend Esti against anyone, and would do almost anything for her. His machoism is also quite adorable. Not only is he a great guy and boyfriend, but he is (obviously) very hot. The flirting between Esti and Rafe were some of my favorite parts (I loved their easy banter).

The Caribbean setting was wonderful, it really made this book come alive in a new way and made it very romantic. Many of the beliefs in the Caribbean are incorporated. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery, you are kept guessing 'till the very end (it keeps you on your toes and constantly flipping pages for more), and anyone who likes the Phantom of the Opera or Shakespeare. If you unfamiliar with either of them, don't let that dissuade you from reading this amazingly suspenseful and magical book.

~M @ YA Novelties (less)

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Jun 08, 2012 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, theater

Summary: The life of Esti Legard changes drastically when her father, a world-renowned stage actor, dies of cancer. Looking for a new life, she and her hippie mother move to Cariba for her senior year of high school. Facing a prima donna vying for the attention of talent scouts, Esti gets involved in a stage production of Romeo and Juliet. A phantom voice from the darkened stage begins coaching Esti, and as a murder and other disturbing events begin to occur, Esti wonders if she can trust this “...more Summary: The life of Esti Legard changes drastically when her father, a world-renowned stage actor, dies of cancer. Looking for a new life, she and her hippie mother move to Cariba for her senior year of high school. Facing a prima donna vying for the attention of talent scouts, Esti gets involved in a stage production of Romeo and Juliet. A phantom voice from the darkened stage begins coaching Esti, and as a murder and other disturbing events begin to occur, Esti wonders if she can trust this “jumbee” (West Indian word for ghost). Things get even more complicated when her childhood-friend-turned-bad-boy Rafe comes into the picture, and it’s unclear whether this drama will end in tragedy…

Review: Considering what I’ve been involved in recently, this book was quite a serendipitous find for me. Over the summer I saw The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway for the first time, went to see my university’s…experimental production of Romeo and Juliet, and heard a director/actor who worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company speak in my theatre analysis class. After that, it was difficult not to imagine him as Esti’s charismatic British father!

All this being said, I think this book is a lot more enjoyable for people who love and are familiar with The Phantom of the Opera (and can at least tolerate Romeo and Juliet). The plot and characters loosely follow the plot of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, but I became so engrossed in the story that pages would fly by before I realized “Oh! This character is Madame Giry” or “This is the Masquerade scene!” Finding the parallels between the musical and this book were a large part of the fun. Some of the connections were subtle (Esti’s real name) and some were a bit…much. For instance: “She saw endless volumes of Shakespeare, and classic literature as timeless as Straparalo and Leroux.” Gaston Leroux is of course the author of the original novel The Phantom of the Opera. But is this world like BBC’s modern-day series Sherlock, where the Arthur Conan Doyle stories never existed? Does Leroux’s Phantom actually exist in the world but the characters don’t notice all the parallels? The author is clearly winking at the reader, but it’s more confusing than clever.

The West Indian setting and culture make for a very unique retelling of the story, and though the backstory of the “ghost” is slightly hard to follow on the first read, it’s definitely original. The problem with a modern version of Phantom is that the reason for the “haunting” requires a certain suspension of disbelief, but I felt largely willing to cooperate with this. Those who find Christine’s actions frustrating at points of the musical will likely get frustrated at Esti as well, but overall she is a likeable heroine, and her complex relationship with her famous father rings true. Her “phantom” is appropriately mysterious, pitiable and charming by turns, and the transformation of occasionally-foppish Raoul into an edgier, bad-boy character is a great spin on the original.

As always, I do have a few nits to pick. I wasn’t overly fond of the way that Ms. Keyes wrote dialogue. The high school students’ “teen-speak” felt forced. Although the “jumbee” and Esti are “theatre people” and like to quote Shakespeare, their conversations usually seemed strangely stilted, dramatic and formal.

Another thing – though I’m a sworn hater of love triangles, the romantic dynamics of Phantom have always been one of the most interesting aspects of the story to me. Keyes handles this pretty well, but through much of the book Esti seems obsessed with getting a kiss from one guy or the other. She switches back and forth so much, it seems as though either one would do for her – she just needs to be kissed. Even for a hormonal teenage girl, it was too much at times.

This is completely random, but the novel opens with the line “Paul is dead!” I immediately assumed that this was meant to be a humorous reference to the Beatles urban legend, but no, a character named Paul has actually just died tragically. I don’t know if the author meant to connect to the Beatles intentionally or not. Perhaps my love of that band is distorting my perceptions…

In short: Perfect for fans (phans?) of The Phantom of the Opera or just theatre in general, The Jumbee is an enjoyable, romantic read that had me turning pages at a rapid pace.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Something similar: Of course, the original novel The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux is a must read. It’s a strange and haunting book, but it’s a classic. My Phantom: The Memoir of Christine Daae by Anstance Tamplin is a retelling of the novel that changes a whole lot but is a great take on the story. For Shakespeare fans, check out the trilogy beginning with Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston.

Cover & Title: The title makes sense with the context of the novel, but I’m guessing that most Americans (myself included) would have no idea what a “jumbee” is. The mask, piercing blue eyes, and flowers are all tied into the story, but the cover feels a bit jumbled to me (no pun intended). Something simpler without so many visual elements would have been more aesthetically pleasing.

Where I got the book: Shelves of the local library.(less)

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Mar 22, 2012 Missie Kay The Book Fix rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, ya, romance

So here's the thing: I love the music from the musical Phantom of the Opera. The script is like its source material (the novel), kind of awful. The novel is the most boring "classic" I've ever read: Dickens is sometimes boring in his wordiness, but LeRoux's novel is boring because its characters are boring, which is the worse sin, in my opinion.
Therefore, The Jumbee already had a hard fight for my affections ahead of it. I definitely enjoyed some things about it (mainly having to do with the Car...more

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Jan 29, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Jumbee is a lushly written retelling of The Phantom of the Opera. Set in the tropics it follows Esti as she attempts to navigate a well known theatre school after the death of her famous father. Upon her arrival she crosses paths with two distinctly different boys. Alan, a mysterious voice buzzing in her ear, who gives her a rejuvenated passion for her craft and Rafe an old family friend who makes her feel alive and free.

I admit, I didn’t enter the reading of this book as an avid fan of The...more The Jumbee is a lushly written retelling of The Phantom of the Opera. Set in the tropics it follows Esti as she attempts to navigate a well known theatre school after the death of her famous father. Upon her arrival she crosses paths with two distinctly different boys. Alan, a mysterious voice buzzing in her ear, who gives her a rejuvenated passion for her craft and Rafe an old family friend who makes her feel alive and free.

I admit, I didn’t enter the reading of this book as an avid fan of The Phantom of the Opera. I’ve never read Leroux’s version nor have I seen the stage play. I have, however, seen the movie, and while it was enjoyable it didn’t make me fall in love with the story. In fact, the reason I wanted to read this book was not because it was a retelling of that particular story but because I was intrigued by the tropical setting which surrounded it. I thought perhaps it would make the story more appealing. Sadly, I’m still pretty ambivalent on the story overall.

I’ll start by saying that I found this book to be very well written. Keyes has a way with both prose and dialogue. She set the scenes perfectly and had her characters work their way through them flawlessly. I also appreciated that the cast of characters was so diverse.

Having said that I struggled a great deal with said characters. In particular I couldn’t connect with Esti on any level. I could understand the pain she felt as a result of her father’s loss but much of the time I found her treatment of others to be quite infuriating. Sure, as teens we all lie to our parents but her continued lashing out at her mother, a woman who was suffering in her own right, felt a bit heartless to me. Particularly when she was making jabs about her alcoholism. Then there was her total and complete lack of respect for the boy she claimed to love. Rafe took a lot of abuse at her hands with the constant waffling between he and Alan. Not that I really felt a deep connection between she and Rafe to begin with. Despite it feeling more one-sided on his part I didn’t ever quite feel the overwhelming and all encompassing love there. Sure, there was a physical connection and on some level I could see how he made Esti feel safe but none of that really translated into love for me.

Speaking of Rafe, for such a ladies man/bad boy he sure was whipped by Esti in 2.5 seconds and man he just kept coming back for more and more. Each time she pushed him away and did something hurtful he came back to her with his tail between his legs apologizing for HIS behavior. I found that ironic since he rarely did anything wrong to deserve the treatment he got at her hands. For such a tough guy he ended up looking like a fool for a good portion of the story. Don’t even get me started about his tendency towards violence. Sure, boys will get into fights but it seemed like his only resolution was to throw punches first and ask questions later.

About the only characters that seemed believable were Alan and the island inhabitants like Ma Harris. Starting with the latter I was entertained by the older woman filled with island superstitions. She was stuck in her ways, secretive and at times overbearing. There were reasons behind why that was so and they fell in line with the story appropriately. It all made sense. Then there was Alan, the tragic hermit locked away in parts unknown. His face scared beyond recognition he relied on the dark and deflection to befriend a girl he’d fallen in love with from a far. Keyes did a great job of making his back story tie into the tropical location and folklore while still having a modern feel. He was interesting and had a muted strength about him.

Speaking of the folklore, I enjoyed the back story of the island and what made it a place filled with so much mystery and superstition. The history of a time when master and slaves roamed the islands was interesting and tied in nicely with what the future brought with it. That and the tropical setting were the strength of this story. Speaking of which, Keyes’ Cariba was fantastically set — filled with lush full landscapes, tropical breezes and turbulent weather. More than that the mood set was decidedly steamy and superstitious. Her descriptions of each scene was expertly written and gave me a clear picture of where the characters were living and working.

All things considered, I fell smack in the middle for this book. I think if you’re interested in a more tropical themed book with a greatly diverse cast and you love Phantom of the Opera then definitely grab this book. I think you’ll be pleased with it.
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Jan 09, 2011 Jolie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, retellings

Credit for this discovery goes again to Angie at Angieville--good thing she keeps reading and finding the books for me!!

The Jumbee is another very satisfying retelling--this time, of the Phantom of the Opera. Ms. Keyes' version is set on the island of Cariba, and instead of opera, focuses on Shakespearian theatre. Esti Legard is the daughter of a famous Shakespearian actor, and has the ability to become a great actor in her own right. But after her father's death, she is left grieving and uncert...more Credit for this discovery goes again to Angie at Angieville--good thing she keeps reading and finding the books for me!!

The Jumbee is another very satisfying retelling--this time, of the Phantom of the Opera. Ms. Keyes' version is set on the island of Cariba, and instead of opera, focuses on Shakespearian theatre. Esti Legard is the daughter of a famous Shakespearian actor, and has the ability to become a great actor in her own right. But after her father's death, she is left grieving and uncertain, and looking for an escape. So she and her mother move to their fathers' seldom used property on Cariba, where there happens to be a high school with a well known Shakespeare drama program and a resident talent scout. Also, a resident jumbee, or phantom, haunting the island and the theatre.

I was maybe a little too Phantom-crazy in high school--call it part of my overly dramatic, hyperbolic teenage girl phase. I just LOVED the romance of the story--which was odd, when you think about it, because really, the Phantom is creepy and controlling in the show. Lovely voice, hints of sadness and tragedy, but not really great reasons to care much about him. Leroux's Phantom gives a bit more depth to the character, but still leaves much in the realm of the unknown. It wasn't until Susan Kay's lovely novel, Phantom, that I felt fully justified in my romantic sighings over this story.

With all that said, Pamela Keyes has worked to bring a multi-dimensional Jumbee/phantom to life in this story. Alan is at once romantic and tragic, sympathetic and cruel, mysterious and dangerous. Esti's obsession with him is understandable (and remember, she too is an overly dramatic, hyperbolic teenage girl), and the confusion and emotions that torture her are palpable. I also loved Rafe, who takes on the Raoul character, but with a bit of a bad-boy twist.

This retelling was everything I love about that genre--a new and fresh story with genuine characters who are allowed to be whole in their own rights, while being informed and enhanced by the subtext of the original source material. Hmmm...that sounds altogether too snooty! Suffice it to say, this is the book that I talked about to everyone who would listen the whole time I was reading it, and will remain in my memory long after I finished.(less)

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Dec 01, 2010 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-100-book-challenge, 2010-debut-author, mundie-moms-reviews

The Jumbee is a beautiful retelling of Phantom of The Opera with a Shakespearean twist and full of Cariba lore that completely surprised me and held me captive through the last page. I'll admit, I'm a huge Phantom of the Opera fan and I was worried at how this beloved classic could have a modern day retelling, but Pamela Keyes proved me wrong. With it's beautiful, tropical setting, it's rich history and lore, and with real, superstitious characters, The Jumbee is a story I fell in love with and...more The Jumbee is a beautiful retelling of Phantom of The Opera with a Shakespearean twist and full of Cariba lore that completely surprised me and held me captive through the last page. I'll admit, I'm a huge Phantom of the Opera fan and I was worried at how this beloved classic could have a modern day retelling, but Pamela Keyes proved me wrong. With it's beautiful, tropical setting, it's rich history and lore, and with real, superstitious characters, The Jumbee is a story I fell in love with and devoured in one sitting.

Esti Legard is the the daughter to a well known Shakespearean actor. After his death, she moves to Cariba with her mother to study at the famous Manchicay School. Wanting to step out of her late father's shadow and make a name for herself, Esti will get more than she bargains for at her new Caribbean high school. Manchicay is believed to be haunted by a Jumbee, whom islanders believe to be a one of the trapped souls who died on the island long ago, but Esti doesn't believe in Jumbee. Esti becomes completely captivated by the rich, beautiful voice of a mysterious guy who hides in the shadows, and helps her rehearse for the upcoming Romeo & Juliet play. She's become so enraptured with his voice, that only she can hear that many believe she has the sight, and can communicate with the Jumbee. As weird things start happening surrounding the play of Romeo and Juliet, Esti realizes there's more to Alan, her mysterious Romeo than meets the eye. I found myself trying to decipher along with Esti, if Alan was real or a Jumbee.

There's a great cast of characters and a real feeling of Island life, as Pamela uses West Indy dialect and Cariba history and lore to set the tone for the story. I really liked Esti's character, even though I was a little irritated with her a few times. The Jumbee has a wonderful love triangle, much like Phantom of The Opera, only my heart went out to Alan more than it did to the Phantom. As the mystery surrounding Alan unravels, I became even more torn for Esti. In getting to know Rafe, her childhood best friend who plays the other love interest, I understood the tough choice Esti had to make. Rafe was real and someone who kept her safe and made her feel alive. Alan was someone who saw her potential as an actor and while he loved her, he couldn't truly give her what she needed. I sympathized with her, but in the end I was both elated and heartbroken with her choice. Alan and Rafe are both similar and different in many ways, and I couldn't help but fall in love with both of their characters.

The Jumbee is a suspenseful, beautiful love story full of Caribbean lore, added with a twist that kept Esti and I guessing what would happen next until the very end. Mixed with the perfect amount of Shakespeare to give the story a more romantic feel, this story isn't a predictable Romeo & Juliet love story, as Pamela ends the story with the perfect twist. If you're looking to get swept up in a wonderful love story, I highly recommend picking up The Jumbee.(less)

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Nov 24, 2010 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

For any Phantom and/or Beastly fans: this is Beastly for The Phantom of the Opera. Needless to say, I loved it. I'm not saying it was flawless - any scene with Rafe (the Raoul character, the Phantom's competition) was rather dull or vaguely painful to read, for a couple reasons. a) Esti (the Christine) becomes quite generic and soppy whenever she's around Rafe; b) Rafe is a little annoying. All the time. Which adds up to a lot of annoying; c) when Rafe isn't as annoying as he usually is, Esti is...more For any Phantom and/or Beastly fans: this is Beastly for The Phantom of the Opera. Needless to say, I loved it. I'm not saying it was flawless - any scene with Rafe (the Raoul character, the Phantom's competition) was rather dull or vaguely painful to read, for a couple reasons. a) Esti (the Christine) becomes quite generic and soppy whenever she's around Rafe; b) Rafe is a little annoying. All the time. Which adds up to a lot of annoying; c) when Rafe isn't as annoying as he usually is, Esti is busy thinking about Alan (the Phantom/Erik himself. Yeah, I was disappointed too that the name was changed, but there's a kind of good reason that I can't reveal), which is slightly problematic because d) Rafe isn't as compelling or frankly as interesting as Alan, who utterly and completely steals the show. Haha I just made a good joke, considering this book is about a girl whose father was a great actor before his death and she struggles to find an acting identity beyond her father (Daae ringing any bells, Phans?), and, wouldn't you know it, a mysterious voice starts instructing and tutoring her. Esti (whose name is a phonetic spelling of her initials, S.T.) becomes enthralled by Alan ... And so does the reader. He is easily the most complex person in the story. Actually, that's not quite true - Esti herself is quite a person when she's not being stupid around Rafe or giggling in really bizarre situations. We get such an immediate, intimate portrait of her thoughts and feelings that I was very surprised this book wasn't written in the first person. But in any case, Alan starts off as amazing, and by the end of the book you're torn between horror/fear and absolute love for him. The problem is in the middle, when Alan largely disappears from the narrative in order for Rafe to be developed. Thing is, Rafe is no substitute for Alan, whose semi-formal, Shakespeare-studded dialogue is a thrill to read, especially at the end. But if I say anything in detail about the end, I promise you will want to kill me. Suffice it to say that I REALLY REALLY REALLY enjoyed the last third or so of the book, even more so than the rest. This author doesn't forget a thing, and absolutely every detail is tied up in a bow at the end. Yes, sometimes a too-good-to-be-true ending is bothersome, and I will admit this novel's ending has none of the truly tragic emotional impact of Leroux's original, but it is still executed with dignity. As a side note, apart from one close shave with Rafe, this book is relatively clean. In fact, all scenes with Alan are simply exquisite because they consist mostly of dialogue and restrained sighs, and I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff. Rafe scenes are more the "Ooh he's near me, sending an 'electrifying thrill' down my spine, whatever that's supposed to mean, and you know what, I think I'm going to kiss you" kind of typical teen fiction garb. Honestly, the pure-Rafe/no-Alan section in the middle is so wearing that when we finally DO see Alan again, a full scale celebration was going off in my head and I felt as happy, thrilled, and welcoming to him as Esti is in the same scene - which is to say, a LOT.

I could rant about Alan all day, I really could. No joke. Suffice it to say that he's incredible. He also has a ton of strong supporting characters, although ultimately it's the main trio that are the focus of the story.

Read this book.(less)

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Nov 17, 2010 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: good-uns, retellings, ya

THE JUMBEE somehow flew under my radar for quite awhile and I only became aware of it when I saw reviews popping up on a couple of trusted friends' sites. What's that you say? A Phantom of the Opera retelling? Indeed? A YA Phantom of the Opera retelling, set in the Caribbean, in the present day? How on earth have I not read this book already? Fortunately, the benevolent Holly offered to let me borrow her copy and I jumped into it with uncharacteristic abandon at a time when only a string of old...more THE JUMBEE somehow flew under my radar for quite awhile and I only became aware of it when I saw reviews popping up on a couple of trusted friends' sites. What's that you say? A Phantom of the Opera retelling? Indeed? A YA Phantom of the Opera retelling, set in the Caribbean, in the present day? How on earth have I not read this book already? Fortunately, the benevolent Holly offered to let me borrow her copy and I jumped into it with uncharacteristic abandon at a time when only a string of old standbys were doing anything for me. And that was the first mark in its favor. I had no trouble whatsoever falling into THE JUMBEE's world. In fact, I gave myself over to its whimsical and deathly charms without batting an eye. Pamela Keyes' inventive retelling was just what the doctor ordered and I'm so glad I decided to give it a shot. It should be noted that, while I am not what you might call a rabid Phantom of the Opera (the musical) fan, it did sort of rock my world when I went to see it for the first time at the age of 16, and I have a fondness for the story and music that persists to this day.

Esti Legard has made a rash decision, but one she feels certain is the right one. In the wake of her famous father's death, she and her mother packed their bags and moved from their longtime home in Oregon to the small house her father owned on the island of Cariba in the West Indies. One of the most lauded Shakespearean actors of his time, Esti's father's spirit is still very much with her as she gathers her courage to try out for the part of Juliet in the local high school's production of Romeo & Juliet. Everyone there knows her name. Everyone knows her father's name and watches her for signs of having inherited a portion of his greatness. Meanwhile, her mother struggles to move on and worries about Esti as she becomes more and more involved in the disturbing events taking place at the school theater. The locals have their eye on Esti and murmur words of an evil spirit known as the Jumbee returning to the theater. The sudden death of a student rocks the little town. And the return of a former childhood friend turned local bad boy has Esti's emotions in a complete tailspin, especially as she's already more than halfway in love with the elusive Alan--the man she's never once seen, but whose voice haunts her dreams. The talented Shakespeare aficionado who coaches her, who gives her confidence, and who clearly loves the stage every bit as much as she does.

I read (and fell in love with) Gaston Leroux's original Phantom of the Opera long before I ever saw the musical. I loved how genuinely creepy it was and how he made the whole thing feel so real. I wondered how Pamela Keyes would take on these themes after transplanting the characters to high school and to such an unexpected setting. But, you know, it flowed beautifully. I loved the setting, with its rich history, colorful culture, and natural beauty. It was the ideal backdrop for this story of passion and drama, pain and longing. I loved Alan. I crept down the path of his dark history along with Esti, afraid what I would find, certain it would be worse than I thought. I liked Rafe and his easy friendship with Esti. He seemed a very logical Raoul and his temper and assumptions made more sense at this age and in this context. But he came through in ways I didn't expect and I have to say, somewhat dreading the ending as I was, I felt distinctly relieved at the way it unfolded. It was, in some ways, a more hopeful conclusion than this story has seen in the past. That's not to say that Ms. Keyes alters it in unacceptable ways, but merely that all three of the lead characters handled things strongly and surely and I felt that and loved them for it. As love triangles go, this is a good one. This one is not a waste of your time. The storyline is well-paced and thoughtfully laid out so that I was never bored, despite the familiar subject matter, and I enjoyed every aspect of it, especially the added bonus of all the wonderful Shakespeare. THE JUMBEE is a worthy retelling and I highly recommended for fans of the original or anyone in the mood for a spooky love story with all the trimmings.(less)

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Oct 19, 2010 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, ya, retelling

Determined to finally escape from under the shadow of her late Shakespearean-actor father, The Great Legaurd, Esti Leguard is ready to prove to everyone (including herself) that she has what it takes. She's given a chance at a fresh start when she and her mother move to the remote island of Cariba, which features a renown high school acting program. But Esti's plans don't work out as nicely as she had hoped when a boy is found murdered on her first day at school during tryouts for the school pla...more Determined to finally escape from under the shadow of her late Shakespearean-actor father, The Great Legaurd, Esti Leguard is ready to prove to everyone (including herself) that she has what it takes. She's given a chance at a fresh start when she and her mother move to the remote island of Cariba, which features a renown high school acting program. But Esti's plans don't work out as nicely as she had hoped when a boy is found murdered on her first day at school during tryouts for the school play. Quickly the relaxed Carribean atmosphere Esti found so charming at first becomes dark and frightening as rumors of a malevolent spirit, or a jumbee, is thought to be haunting the theater.

As Esti tries to navigate the politics of a new high school and the ever-increasing depression of her mother, she finds herself becoming more intrigued and ever closer to the 'voice' she heard the first day of auditions. Introducing himself as Alan, Esti knows she must keep their odd 'relationship' a secret even as Alan offers such wonderful insight into her acting and the poetic words of Shakespeare. As events begin to spiral out of control, Esti longs for more from this friend she has never seen nor touched but someone whom she would go to great lengths to protect.

There were really only two reasons why I decided to pick up The Jumbee :

1. It's a Phantom of the Opera retelling.
2. See reason #1.

And I'm totally serious here folks. I really didn't need any other convincing whatsoever to pick up this book. Besides the totally unusual cover (which actually comes directly from the book! yay!), all I had to read was 'a modern Phantom..' and I was completely lost. OF COURSE I was going to pick up a book that focused on one of my all-time favorite musicals and even though I was (understandably) nervous about the direction Pamela Keyes would take Gaston Leroux's creep-tastic classic, I just knew it was something I couldn't pass by. And to be totally honest, I'm so incredibly glad I did read The Jumbee. Aside from my confusion with the whole prestigious-acting-school-in-the-Caribbean thing, The Jumbee was something really extraordinary.

Esti is a sympathetic character whose past weighs so heavily upon her, it has basically begun to suffocate her future as well. Enter Alan (our Jumbee, aka The Phantom) who through a series of well-placed Shakespeare quotes and blocking tips, is able to draw out the latent genius residing within Esti. Obviously this girl is going to fall hard for such a mentor, even if that mentor happens to only be a voice she's never once laid eyes on. One of my favorite aspects of the original Leroux story is Christine's fierce loyalty to (or love for) the Phantom - even when everyone around her is convinced she is crazy and that he is a monster. I was so happy to see this theme carried into Pamela Keyes version as I feel it is one of the most defining characteristics of the story.

Furthermore, Ms. Keyes does a fabulous job at recreating the mysterious and foreboding atmosphere from Phantom in The Jumbee . I wasn't quite sure how she would pull it off, having her story set in the Caribbean, but all the native superstitions and legends added nicely to Alan and Esti's tale. That said, there were many departures from the original story, such that the author was able to effectively make into her very own that at times I almost forgot I was reading a retelling. Almost. It's pretty hard to do that when you've got a constant Andrew Lloyd Webber soundtrack playing in your head.(less)

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Oct 17, 2010 Dark Faerie Tales rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Quick & Dirty: A charming blend of mystery, romance and intrigue, all set within a flavorful Caribbean world.

Opening Sentence: “Paul is dead!”

The Review:

Esti Legard is struggling to fit in at her new theater school on the island of Cariba. Feeling as if she’s constantly living in the shadow of her father, a famous actor, Esti struggles to establish her own identity. She lands a role in the play Romeo and Juliet and immediately becomes captivated by a “voice” known as Alan. Alan helps her rec...more

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Oct 11, 2010 Cynthia (A Blog about Nothing) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was very excited to read The Jumbee since I've never read a book that took place in the Caribbean and The Jumbee was suppose to be a new take on the Phantom of the Opera which I only know a little about from watching the movies. I was intrigued to find out more about it and how the author would make it work in this beautiful setting.

After Esti's father dies she moves to the island of Cariba with her mother to attend a prestigious school of theatre where she hopes to escape from the shadow of...more I was very excited to read The Jumbee since I've never read a book that took place in the Caribbean and The Jumbee was suppose to be a new take on the Phantom of the Opera which I only know a little about from watching the movies. I was intrigued to find out more about it and how the author would make it work in this beautiful setting.

After Esti's father dies she moves to the island of Cariba with her mother to attend a prestigious school of theatre where she hopes to escape from the shadow of her famous father, get the big part as Juliet in the school play and make new friends. While she's rehearsing her lines for the play she hears a sultry male voice that calls himself Alan and begins to tutor her by reciting lines and teaching her how to become a better actress. As she begins to have feelings for Alan (even though she's never seen him and the locals think he's a jumbee/ghost that haunts the school) her childhood friend Rafe arrives in the island and her love life starts to get a lot more complicated.

The Jumbee did not disappoint, I got hooked on it as soon as Alan spoke to Esti the first time . You can easily fall in love with this mysterious character even though we don't get to see him, but get a great rich description of his beautiful voice that recites romantic lines from Shakespeare. It definitely made me swoon, I couldn't help but cheer for him in this love triangle. The reader along with the main character doesn't know what's really going on, you really doubt yourself as you're reading that Alan is a person and begin to believe that he's a ghost. The book keeps you guessing until the end when a few of Esti's family secrets begin to unravel. Once I got to the end I was already missing Alan and definitely wanted more. You don't need to have any knowledge or love of the musical, theatre or Shakespeare to enjoy this story, Shakespeare bores me to death but I didn't mind it in The Jumbee and I actually loved all the lines and the romance behind it. The Jumbee was a fascinating take on The Phantom of the Opera, we get a lot of the Caribbean culture and beliefs in the book that will draw you right into this suspenseful and magical story that you won't want to let go until the end. (less)

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Jan 14, 2013 Elena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: phantom-of-the-opera

3.5 stars, actually. When I started reading, I thought it would be the great YA modern version of The Phantom of the Opera, but alas, it turned to be not great, though still YA and Phantom-ish.

Pros. It has strong Phantom of the Opera connections, and at the same time it can be read as independent YA novel. I liked reading about cellars under the theatre, the full-sized mask, and sort of the Lake Avern even appeared! I like also settings, interesting and unusual for Phantom-like stories: Caribbea...more

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Mar 11, 2011 Sun (the one that glows in the dark, of course) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: scarily-good, wow, to-be-read-by-my-future-kids, makes-me-wish-tha-bad-guy-won-books

I liked how Keyes mixed Shakespeare into Phantom of the Opera's plot. It was amazing.
The book isn't shallow like some of the books that I have read so far. Keyes made Esti's affection for her father a big part of the story. Unlike some heroine of other books that threw their family aside for the sake of love, Esti was still haunted by the death of her father. Although that may e because it was barely a year after Alan Legard's death.
And I liked how she took time to introduce Rafe into the story....more I liked how Keyes mixed Shakespeare into Phantom of the Opera's plot. It was amazing.
The book isn't shallow like some of the books that I have read so far. Keyes made Esti's affection for her father a big part of the story. Unlike some heroine of other books that threw their family aside for the sake of love, Esti was still haunted by the death of her father. Although that may e because it was barely a year after Alan Legard's death.
And I liked how she took time to introduce Rafe into the story. She didn't include him at the beginning of the story and I honestly wondered if Esti is really going to end up with Alan in the end. Though both Esti and Rafe seemed very taken with each other since the beginning of their reunion, it was hard to guess whether Esti is likely to choose Rafe over her phantom boyfriend. I actually though it was such a pity if someone amazing like Alan, who has so much great-boyfriend potential is really nothing but a ghost (a jumbee, at that).
I would like to have a boyfriend who is capable of being a Romeo and every romantic character hat existed out there like Alan, though I'm not sure if I am capable of living with something that was ugly and too good to be true at the same time. I'm pretty sure that it would be too much for me to handle if it was me in Esti's shoes.
I pitied Alan's condition and I was outraged at the treatment he received mainly because of what he looked like, although the fact that he insisted he was some descendant of some legendary guy is likely to help him get friends.
Okay, I have to admit now that I never read the book Phantom of the Opera. Don't criticize me for it. I just knew that a beautiful lady who is an actress met some wonderful phantom who helped her a lot and made her fall in love with him and then there was the inevitable gorgeous guy who made her torn between the two guys who seemed impossible for her to let go. And in the end, the phantom let her go.
That was how much I know about the book. But if The Jumbee was like a modern version of the book, I wouldn't deny that it must be an amazing book.
I'm Team Rafe, by the way. What pencil does Macbeth use? 2B or not 2B?

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Jan 05, 2011 Jennifer Monzon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

What an amazing story. This book captivated me since the moment I read the first paragraph. I read this entire book in one day! It is nothing that i have ever read before. I usually read the back of the book and the sleeve to find out a little about the book before I get into it and when I read that it was A Phantom of the Opera with a Carribean twist, I just had to read it to find out what "The Jumbee" was. I am not familiar with A Phantom of the Opera and after reading this book, I have caught...more

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Oct 13, 2010 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

THE JUMBEE, by Pamela Keyes, is a Caribbean-flavored Phantom of the Opera-esque book filled with mystery, romance, and intrigue. I have read many books with PotO roots and I pretty much loved them all so I was extremely excited to read The Jumbee.

I loved the West Indie environment for this book. I enjoyed learning about the culture and the people's fascination, if not repulsion, with the local jumbees (ghosts). The atmosphere that the locals created was interesting and definitely pulled me into...more

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Nov 16, 2012 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, ya

A jumbee is not a type of drink you can buy at Jamba Juice, as I had assumed. In actuality, a jumbee is a type of ghost or phantom that haunts a Caribbean island. Sometimes the jumbees are good, in which case they are called moko jumbee but must of the time they are bad guys who just want to cause trouble, much like Peeves from Harry Potter.
Read the rest of my review here

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Sep 24, 2010 Lady Rogue rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This story is told from the protagonist, Esti Legard's point of view. The author did a wonderful job making the Esti's character crediable and engaging. In fact, I immediately sympathized with her from the beginning. Even though she missed her father, she didn't want to be known, as the daughter of a famous actor. She wanted to be accepted as an actress, in her own right and on her own merit. To acheive it, she tried out for the role of Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. But a sudden deat...more This story is told from the protagonist, Esti Legard's point of view. The author did a wonderful job making the Esti's character crediable and engaging. In fact, I immediately sympathized with her from the beginning. Even though she missed her father, she didn't want to be known, as the daughter of a famous actor. She wanted to be accepted as an actress, in her own right and on her own merit. To acheive it, she tried out for the role of Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. But a sudden death, spiteful students, social politics, and island superstitions, seem to conspire against her.

She found comfort and confidence from Alan, a mysterious, passionate and soothing voice from within the darkness. Alan supported her passion and treated her with reverence. He began to tutor her into being the best actress she could be. Sort of a "there are no small parts" philosophy. Then Rafe, an old childhood friend returned and Esti was torn in her affections between the two. If that wasn't bad enough, strange things were happening and the locals believed that Alan was a jumbee. They believed, he was the cause of all the trouble and in association, so was Esti. Considering she had the ability to talk to him. To find out who or what Alan was, Esti searched for the truth. In doing so, she not only lied to those she loved, but put them in danger.

I liked Alan, although I felt sorry for him. He knew his feelings for Esti would be an unrequited love, yet, he still helped her. But, things began to change, when Rafe, an old childhood friend return and became competition for her affections. I think Rafe added an interesting dynamic. He was loyal, sexy and walked in public, unlike the elusive Alan, who remined hidden behind a mask and in the shadows of darkness. In truth, I liked them both. Both had a certain chemistry with Esti, both cared for her in thier own way, and both were charming. Many of the other supporting characters were well done as well. I liked Carmen and Lucia, but my favorite supporting character was Aurora. I loved how protective Esti's mother was of her, even when she was having a tough time dealing with her own grief.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The Jumbee is a modern day adaption of Phantom of the Opera with a shakespearian spin and a caribbean twist. The author merges dark and suspenseful drama, unrequited love and romance, and West Indie superstitions, into a into a wonderful and compelling story, that is easy to read and would be appealing to all ages.
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Oct 22, 2010 Holly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

After the death of her legendary actor father, Esti Legard, an aspiring actress and Shakespeare aficionado herself, is hoping for a fresh start. So when she moves to an obscure island in the Caribbean to attend a prestigious acting school, she is determined not to miss a single opportunity. But the move is filled with disasters and disasters waiting to happen. First fellow student Paul is found dead on stage with Esti being the last to speak to him. Second, Esti’s mother Aurora is as depressed a...more After the death of her legendary actor father, Esti Legard, an aspiring actress and Shakespeare aficionado herself, is hoping for a fresh start. So when she moves to an obscure island in the Caribbean to attend a prestigious acting school, she is determined not to miss a single opportunity. But the move is filled with disasters and disasters waiting to happen. First fellow student Paul is found dead on stage with Esti being the last to speak to him. Second, Esti’s mother Aurora is as depressed as ever, increasing her drinking day by day. Then there’s snotty and privileged Danielle whom she hears will be heavily favored for the lead in the school play, Romeo and Juliet. Most discouraging of all is Esti’s ache for her father and his guidance when her confidence wanes. But then comes the voice; her mentor, her Romeo. The voice that only she can hear. Without physical evidence of his existence, Esti falls quickly in love with Alan, who knows Shakespeare in and out and brings back the spark to any character Esti plays. But his guidance is not without a catch. Rumors begin to circulate that the theater jumbee or wicked spirit is back, and Esti is in communication with it. Soon friends become enemies and enemies friends while Esti seeks the mysterious truth behind her unlikely mentor and the island’s legends.

I’m not very familiar with The Phantom of the Opera beyond Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical but I didn’t hesitate when I was offered a chance to review The Jumbee. The lush island setting and mysterious title were both appealing as well as the fact that it was a retelling. You don’t have to read very far to find out what a jumbee is yet the Caribbean culture was fresh and alluring. Beyond that since I’m not a die-hard fan of the original I had no serious expectations for this retelling. Perhaps that’s why I was surprisingly impressed with Pamela Keyes debut novel. The writing is accessible yet evocative. Esti’s voice may have been difficult to discern at first, but she slowly became more and more distinct and matured over the course of the novel. I melted every time I heard Alan with his perfectly smooth knack for reciting line after line of different Shakespeare plays to seamlessly fit within the present context. His motivations and backstory are an unpredictable divergence from the original story. Esti’s other love Rafe was harder to get a firm grasp on. First we’re told from past experience that he’s the town lothario/bad boy. And when he first meets Esti, I believed this was true from his actions. What confused me was how quickly Esti reformed his ways from egotistical flirt to loving and committed boyfriend. Still, when I wanted to hate him Rafe won me over in the end. Their relationship is sweet even though I lamented Alan and what could never be. Overall The Jumbee was an entertaining read that will please fans of YA romantic mystery and be devoured by old and new fans of Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera.(less)

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Sep 24, 2010 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-i-own

Synopsis from author "Seventeen-year-old Esti Legard spent her childhood in the Shakespearean world of her famous father, and when he died, she knew she could never give up acting. After she and her mother move to a Caribbean island for her senior year, she realizes that nothing at her new school's theater department is quite as it seems. Stunned by the death of a fellow student on her first day of class, Esti is soon surrounded by legends of the wicked jumbees that haunt the West Indies. She fi...more Synopsis from author "Seventeen-year-old Esti Legard spent her childhood in the Shakespearean world of her famous father, and when he died, she knew she could never give up acting. After she and her mother move to a Caribbean island for her senior year, she realizes that nothing at her new school's theater department is quite as it seems. Stunned by the death of a fellow student on her first day of class, Esti is soon surrounded by legends of the wicked jumbees that haunt the West Indies. She finds herself snubbed by the school’s star actress and relegated to a minor part in Romeo and Juliet.

Only her intriguing new friend, the elusive Alan, shares her passion for Shakespeare. Hiding in the dark recesses of the theater, he leads Esti deep into her own soul to explore the limits of her talent. When Esti's childhood best friend moves to the island and back into her life, however, Alan disappears. Rocked by growing accusations of befriending a jumbee, Esti realizes she must find out who – or what – Alan really is. She is soon forced to defy everyone and everything she’s ever believed in, as she plunges into the mysteries of Shakespeare and the legends of the West Indians, discovering shocking truths about her own past that will forever shape her future."

At first glance this is not a book I normally would have picked up since I have no background in theater or Caribbean culture. Half the fun of reviewing uncorrected bound proofs is that it exposes us to books we otherwise never would have known about. This is one of those books that took me pleasantly by surprise. The story starts out as Esti and her mother Aurora have just moved to their second home in Caribe after the death of Esti's father, the famous actor Legarde. Esti is thrown into the world of Shakespeare in preparation for an upcoming school play and while practicing hears a mysterious voice. The voice helps her realize her potential as an actress and though she has never seen his face she is drawn to his whisperings. Locals begin to speculate that Esti has the gift of speaking with the Jumbee, a ghost who haunts the theater. Readers are exposed to the Caribbean history of sugar cane fields and slavery, as well as West Indian English slang. It took me a while to get used to reading the shift between Esti's English and the acent of those who live on the Island. (Think the movie Cool Runnings and Rastafarian raggae lyrics) The Jumbee's setting is tropical and colorful juxtaposed with the haunting and ery island called the Cay. You'll find yourself pulled between two opposite attractions.

Once Esti is hooked on her phantom mentor Alan, her childhood friend Rafe comes back into the picture to teach her to swim and snorkel. These were some of my favorite scenes in the book. Rafe's carefree, fun personality stand in stark contrast to the cold removed personality of Alan, the other main love interest. I had a hard time with how many times Esti seems to flip flop instantly between the two. She is very indecisive and compulsive so readers are pulled into her on again off again antics. Esti and Rafe as well as many of the islanders are in danger as accidents are piling up and everyone suspects the Jumbee. Who is Alan, is he really what everyone suspects and will Rafe stick around with Esti through all of the drama? This is a page flipper with plenty of suspense, lots of literary references and a dash of romance. It reminds me a lot of The Phantom of The Opera with a Caribbean twist and a detective work ending. The Jumbee is an original idea and well written for ages 12 and up. To learn more and read an expert from the book visit Pamela Keyes website at http://www.pamelakeyes.com/jumbie.htm

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Sep 26, 2010 thewanderingjew rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Jumbee, Pamela Keyes
I began this book with an eye to rating it for pre-teens and teens but quickly realized that it was not going to be suitable for anyone other than a sophisticated teenager, no younger than the age of 13. I felt that way, in particular, because although there is no explicit sex at all, the romantic innuendos and concepts are too advanced for someone younger.
In addition, I found the cover a bit off-putting. It seemed to be trying to fit into the current craze for horror and...more The Jumbee, Pamela Keyes
I began this book with an eye to rating it for pre-teens and teens but quickly realized that it was not going to be suitable for anyone other than a sophisticated teenager, no younger than the age of 13. I felt that way, in particular, because although there is no explicit sex at all, the romantic innuendos and concepts are too advanced for someone younger.
In addition, I found the cover a bit off-putting. It seemed to be trying to fit into the current craze for horror and the supernatural, of zombies and ghosts, blood and gore, but really it was much more than that. Some young adults and/or parents might be put off from buying it because of the cover, yet the book is much more than a horror story. It felt more like a teen ghost story with many mysterious events which will strike fear and excitement in the reader while giving them a bit extra as it introduces them to many of Shakespeare’s plays. I thought it was a notch above many of the current popular tales. Also, the use of the island dialect was sometimes disarming but it, and the use of olde English for the play’s roles, was an excellent device to move the story along and give it more depth.
From the earliest pages of the prologue, I was drawn into the story. The moment Esti arrives on the Island of Cariba for her last year of High School, following the death of her super famous actor father, from whose shadow she wants to escape, she is faced with a series of mishaps and omens, beginning with the loss of her luggage. This is closely followed by the questionable accidental death of a fellow student actor, almost as soon as she enters the theater to practice her lines for tryouts in Romeo and Juliet. Some island people believe he was murdered by a Jumbee, a cross between a ghost and a zombie.
The book, which takes place on an island in the Caribbean, is a well written, romantic mystery, complete with the excitement of haunted islands that seem alive with sound and supernatural beings. I loved the idea of naming the chapters as acts and scenes in a play. It drew me into the book and made me feel as if I was watching a live performance as the characters rehearsed their roles.
It is a story which covers the coming of age of a young girl who is searching for her own identity, It features the problems teens face from other jealous teens, the stirring of romantic interests, the difficulties of growing up and so much more. It effortlessly enlightens the reader about the injustice of slavery, island superstitions and crosses racial lines, without drawing notice to them, so comfortably that it leaves one wondering why “we all can’t just get along”. Race is simply not an issue although it is very much a part of the book.
Although there are moments in the tale which leave you angry with the main character for her selfishness and naivete, she grows and matures as the book progresses into a more sensible teenager and it leaves you with a moral or ethical message about the importance of knowing right from wrong, feeling compassion and working together toward a common goal.
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Aug 13, 2011 BGirl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gave-me-the-chills, nail-biter, just-plain-weird, spooky

I stayed up late reading this book, and then I couldn't sleep after that. This book totally gave me the chills. Especially after watching the movie, Unborn, this book just gave me the creeps. I tried to stop reading it, I really did, but I just couldn't put it down. The suspense was killing me and I had to find out who Alan really was and if he was actually a 'jumbee' or if he was just some psyco stalker. While I really did think that the main character Esti was a total idiot for ever getting in...more

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Nov 28, 2010 Christianne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

Draft Review for BAYA

Esti Legard seems to be at the center of the dramatic and tragic occurrences at Manchicay School on the West Indian island of Cariba. After she arrives there to study acting following the death of her father, a famous Shakespearean actor, a student plunges to his death in the theater, another is expelled from school,her chief rival becomes ill, and the theater teacher suddenly quits. Superstitious locals believe Esti is possessed by a jumbee, the local term for an evil spiri...more

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Dec 07, 2010 Alins rated it 5 of 5 stars

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

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Feb 21, 2011 Carrie Hinkel-Gill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: authors-and-appatizers, mlm-ya-cove

I usually have 5 books going at once because I tend to need a change of scenery often. In other words, as good as a mystery, romance or adventure might be, they can't always hold my full attention, even if the story itself is pretty good.

Why?

Because I'm not always completely drawn into a story and find it easy to engage and disengage.

That was not the case with this story!

I could not put this book down and I had to use a literary/metaphorical crowbar to pry myself out of this book long enough...more

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Aug 23, 2011 Stacey rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Shelby R

Shelves: hs-copy

Devastated by the death of her Shakespearean-actor father, Esti Legard moves to a tropical island for her senior year in high school, where she finds herself torn between a mysterious, masked mentor and a seductive island boy, as she tries to escape the overpowering shadow of her famous father.

I often get frustrated at love triangles in YA books; two hot guys pining after a girl who doesn’t believe she’s pretty or worthy. This triangle has one hot guy, a guy swathed in black and masks, and a gir...more

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