A thrilling and turbulent story of accomplishment and treachery that is sure to captivate hip-hop and horror aficionados.
By Mario Moreno ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 15, 2023
Ayo, muse, gonna sing one for you— / gonna spit bars of truth, broadcasting from afar, / unmasking the view by spinning a playlist / dishing on the dawn when the monster was created, / and the villains, and the heroine, / and the broken night of the vengeance—. This is the opening of Moreno’s epic poem, The Phantom of the Opera, which blends rap, pop culture, and horror. Set in 1999 Miami, the story follows talented rapper Apocalypse, who is tired of living in the shadow of his colleague King Heavy. When he attempts to break out on his own, he suffers a gruesome fate. Seventeen years later, Melody, or Mel, is working double shifts as a hotel maid to make ends meet. When she hears about a rap contest at the haunted Deco nightclub hosted by her idol, King Heavy, she decides to attend. As the competition progresses, the narrative features gory murders, a kidnapping, and a shocking plot twist. The story is told in rhyming beats and cleverly titled “Playlist” tracks, such as “Scarlet Jackson Pollock” and “Pretty-Dope’s Destination (Interlude)”. The graphically described violence is not for the faint of heart, but there are also echoes of classics, such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, which gives the book a timeless quality. With its modern references and epic poetry, The Phantom of the Opera is sure to be a wild ride.
Pub Date: Feb. 15, 2023
ISBN: 9798986799995
Page Count: 244
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: July 3, 2023