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The Stars May Rise and Fall
Teru came to Tokyo with dreams of making it big in the glam-metal visual kei scene, but three years later, all he has to show for it is a head of hot pink hair and some skill with an eyeliner pencil. He may look the part, but he doesn't sound it, and tension among his bandmates has him worried about his future. When a mysterious business card offers help, he's willing to take it however it comes.
Help comes in the form of Rei, a brilliant composer whose performing career was ended by an accident that left him scarred, injured, and in chronic pain. With Teru's voice and looks, and Rei's money and songwriting skills, both of their dreams seem about to come true - but a forbidden kiss and a late-night confession threaten to tear it all apart. Now Teru, who has spent most of his life denying his attraction to men, and Rei, who vowed long ago never to love again, must reconcile their feelings with their careers - and with their carefully constructed ideas of themselves.
THE STARS MAY RISE AND FALL is an M/M retelling of The Phantom of the Opera, set in Tokyo at the turn of the millennium. It comes with a healthy dose of angst and a dollop of nostalgia, as well as an age-difference romance, a physically disabled love interest, and memorable characters who will stay with you long after the pages are closed.
"...the way the complicated characters cope with believable pain provides a window into a fascinating subculture." -- Publishers Weekly
"A tender, beautifully complex love story about self-acceptance and self-forgiveness, about making peace with the past and embracing the future. With a couple you'll root for and a vibrant soundtrack you can almost hear, this Phantom-inspired romance captures music's power to heal old wounds and weave two very different souls together in perfect harmony." -- J.C. Lillis, author of How to Repair a Mechanical Heart and A&B
"If you’re looking for an intense, intelligent and inventive LGBTQ love story, there isn’t a more perfect book on the market right now." -- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Help comes in the form of Rei, a brilliant composer whose performing career was ended by an accident that left him scarred, injured, and in chronic pain. With Teru's voice and looks, and Rei's money and songwriting skills, both of their dreams seem about to come true - but a forbidden kiss and a late-night confession threaten to tear it all apart. Now Teru, who has spent most of his life denying his attraction to men, and Rei, who vowed long ago never to love again, must reconcile their feelings with their careers - and with their carefully constructed ideas of themselves.
THE STARS MAY RISE AND FALL is an M/M retelling of The Phantom of the Opera, set in Tokyo at the turn of the millennium. It comes with a healthy dose of angst and a dollop of nostalgia, as well as an age-difference romance, a physically disabled love interest, and memorable characters who will stay with you long after the pages are closed.
"...the way the complicated characters cope with believable pain provides a window into a fascinating subculture." -- Publishers Weekly
"A tender, beautifully complex love story about self-acceptance and self-forgiveness, about making peace with the past and embracing the future. With a couple you'll root for and a vibrant soundtrack you can almost hear, this Phantom-inspired romance captures music's power to heal old wounds and weave two very different souls together in perfect harmony." -- J.C. Lillis, author of How to Repair a Mechanical Heart and A&B
"If you’re looking for an intense, intelligent and inventive LGBTQ love story, there isn’t a more perfect book on the market right now." -- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 17, 2019
Holy crap on a cracker, y’all. This week’s read is just about everything and more. The Stars May Rise and Fall, by Estella Mirai, is a gorgeously crafted mash-up of multiple genres and themes. It isn’t as simple as calling it a romance, because while there’s romance, that isn’t the half of it. It’s a wonderful, inspiring, heartwarming representation of love sprouting where you’d least expect it, paired with about thirty other jaw-dropping ideas.
This story is set in Tokyo, Japan during the glam-metal visual kei period at the turn of the millennium. No, prior to reading this I didn’t personally have any knowledge of Japanese music movements in the early 2000s, but after devouring this book, it feels like I was there. The author sells this as a retelling of the great Phantom of the Opera, and I won’t lie, that was a huge selling point for me. I love that story, and the idea of an LGBTQ+ re-imagining of it, set in a foreign land I’ve always wanted to visit, felt too good to be true. And it was. It really was.
This is definitely a re-imagining, not a strict re-telling. You can feel the heart of the Phantom story driving the initial plot, but beyond that, this is all Ms. Mirai’s magic and handiwork. It’s clear she either experienced this period in Japanese music culture first-hand or she did some hella-intense research. The world comes alive under her talented craftsmanship, yet it doesn’t drown out the story itself. Everything in this book is balanced so beautifully I can’t even produce words to describe it. I was immersed into the Tokyo of the 2000s. I learned about the music industry there, and the culture, with ease and simplicity. Nothing felt forced down my throat, yet it all felt big and dynamic and real. It added to the story, not detracted from it as strong world building sometimes can. It was a backdrop to a gorgeous story not a scene-thief.
Then there are the characters themselves. I’ve saved this discussion for last because I wanted it to hit y’all the hardest. These characters. I just… I fell hard. To say the least. The relationship between Teru and Rei is so genuine, and the progression from their initial meet-cute to that first moment of recognition that there could and should be more between them is so natural I almost forgot I was reading a romance. But not in a bad way. It’s just this story has a way of genre-meshing in this awe-inspiring way. It almost felt like lit fic for a while, because the emotions were so raw and real and it isn’t the typical romance progression. There’s a different feel to the build-up of their relationship. Something that isn’t quite “romance genre” yet feels so intense and perfect for these characters that I never questioned it for one instance.
And can I just mention how well Ms. Mirai handles the disability rep in this story? There needs to be more stories like this in the world. Stories where disabled, “imperfect” humans can be heroes, find love, and have adventures all their own. Yes, we’re aware of Rei’s disfigurement/disability and the struggles he faces because of it, but that isn’t remotely the focus. Ms. Mirai allows him to simply be who he is as she carries the reader away on an unforgettable journey.
This story is set in Tokyo, Japan during the glam-metal visual kei period at the turn of the millennium. No, prior to reading this I didn’t personally have any knowledge of Japanese music movements in the early 2000s, but after devouring this book, it feels like I was there. The author sells this as a retelling of the great Phantom of the Opera, and I won’t lie, that was a huge selling point for me. I love that story, and the idea of an LGBTQ+ re-imagining of it, set in a foreign land I’ve always wanted to visit, felt too good to be true. And it was. It really was.
This is definitely a re-imagining, not a strict re-telling. You can feel the heart of the Phantom story driving the initial plot, but beyond that, this is all Ms. Mirai’s magic and handiwork. It’s clear she either experienced this period in Japanese music culture first-hand or she did some hella-intense research. The world comes alive under her talented craftsmanship, yet it doesn’t drown out the story itself. Everything in this book is balanced so beautifully I can’t even produce words to describe it. I was immersed into the Tokyo of the 2000s. I learned about the music industry there, and the culture, with ease and simplicity. Nothing felt forced down my throat, yet it all felt big and dynamic and real. It added to the story, not detracted from it as strong world building sometimes can. It was a backdrop to a gorgeous story not a scene-thief.
Then there are the characters themselves. I’ve saved this discussion for last because I wanted it to hit y’all the hardest. These characters. I just… I fell hard. To say the least. The relationship between Teru and Rei is so genuine, and the progression from their initial meet-cute to that first moment of recognition that there could and should be more between them is so natural I almost forgot I was reading a romance. But not in a bad way. It’s just this story has a way of genre-meshing in this awe-inspiring way. It almost felt like lit fic for a while, because the emotions were so raw and real and it isn’t the typical romance progression. There’s a different feel to the build-up of their relationship. Something that isn’t quite “romance genre” yet feels so intense and perfect for these characters that I never questioned it for one instance.
And can I just mention how well Ms. Mirai handles the disability rep in this story? There needs to be more stories like this in the world. Stories where disabled, “imperfect” humans can be heroes, find love, and have adventures all their own. Yes, we’re aware of Rei’s disfigurement/disability and the struggles he faces because of it, but that isn’t remotely the focus. Ms. Mirai allows him to simply be who he is as she carries the reader away on an unforgettable journey.
November 13, 2018
This book made me swoon, gave me goosebumps, and broke my heart. In short, it's spectacular. I was swept away to a place and time I've never been, knew nothing about, and was completely immersed in. The details of the visual kai music scene in Japan in 200o is so real you can taste it. And the characters - I found myself identifying with every single character to a level that is rare for me. If you want to read a heartbreaking and life affirming book, this is it. (And it would make the most SPECTACULAR movie ever, just saying, Hollywood...)
December 9, 2018
They fit together, here as well as anywhere. Like pieces of a puzzle. Like a lock and a key.
I’m here…
Forever. With you….
🎙🎙🎙
A beautiful WOWmazing debut novel from Estella Mirai!
Good story with memorable characters that will stay linger in me long after I finished the book.
This book is like a gem in the sea of new release books at nearly end of this year and I’m so glad that I decided to give this book a try at first sight when I read the blurb back then.
The story brought back the memories from my teenage life when the visual kei band were on the top of Japan music industry at that time. I grew up with X-Japan, L'Arc en Ciel, Malice Mizer, Luna Sea, Dir en Grey, GLAY and many more visual kei band at that time. I even become Gackt and Hyde shipper back then and cried hysterically when saw they stared a movie together (Moon Child 2003). So, yes! Reading this book that set in year 2000 and found those names being mentioned succeed throw me back to the era when those visual kei rock band group top the world.
Following the story of indie visual kei band, La Rose Verboten and their struggles to survive in the strict competitive with the other VK band to steal the spotlight and being seen are interesting. And I love how the author combined the struggle of the new band in gaining their success and the love story between a shy drummer turned singer, Teru and a mysterious talented composer with tragic past, Rei which pictured in a very poignant and heartwarming story.
The slow maddening pace, the slow burn combine with good writing make everything feels perfect. The author with her typical Japanese style romance had successfully stir the reader feels to immersed deep into the story with her writing. She could make butterflies in my tummy flutter like crazy with just a simply chaste kiss! Even a simply hands touch or holding hands could spread the warm feelings in my heart. If you familiar with Japanese dorama, you’ll know what I mean. I can picturing ALL the scenes perfectly while I read this book like I’m actually watching a J-Drama playing in my head. I must admit, this book has movie materials and has potential to be a good movie if it seriously made. I just wish that I’ll see this story made into a movie someday…
Last but not least, I want to say thank you to the author for bringing back those nostalgic memories through her writing. I even digging back my X-Japan and L'arc en Ciel music collection and played it as a companions music during the reading. So, again...Thank you!
And now I’ll leave you with one of my favorite song from L'arc en Ciel, PIECES. I’ve playing this song over and over again while I'm reading this book and picturing Teru singing this song each time he sing SWEET GOODBYE…
Nakanaide nakanaide taisetsu na hitomi wo
Kanashisa ni tsumazuite mo shinjitsu wo miteite ne
Sono mama no anata de ite…
RECOMMENDED!
*ARC is kindly provided by the Author in exchange of a fair, unbiased and honest review*
December 9, 2018
I don't think I was mentally prepared for this book. I don't know much about Phantom of the Opera other than the main gist. Whether this story is a true retelling or not, I could not tell you.
The story was well written, it definitely provoked some strong feelings to the point that I had a hard time moving on from the story and picking up another. It is a heavy read with heavy themes. I was in a constant state of unease throughout most of the story. I just didn't know where things were going and how they would make it to an eventual happy ending. The setting is spectacular, set in Japan's indie music scene in 2000. The author does a great job of painting a vivid picture of this time and place.
Teru is a bit self-conscious, aware of his individual abilities and limitations while struggling with his sexual identity.
Rei is struggling in a different way. Horribly disfigured right before his career really took off and he is also dealing with a heavy dose of survivor guilt.
Two people meet and I guess they fall in love. They don't really know each other before Teru is sure he loves Rei. He is definitely grateful to Rei for the doors he opens, but I wasn't convinced that those feelings were strong enough or had time enough to translate into love. Rei has promised himself to a ghost and has vowed to never love again. If he cares about Teru as a person rather than just a vehicle to help his dead lover live on, it wasn't readily apparent.
A lot of Rei and Teru's time together, adjusting to each other and getting to know one another happens off page. We get time jumps of days, weeks, months, so a vast part of Teru and Rei's relationship actually happens off page.
For all that this was a story about Teru and Rei, I never really felt that I knew Rei. He was deliberately cruel at points, yet bent to Teru's needs and wants willingly at times. He could be forgiving, yet cold at other times. I think the story would have benefited from his point of view and may have helped go a long way with helping me to understand Rei's feelings for both Saki and Teru.
My main misgiving with this book, which is usually a deal breaker for me in any book - is when one character essentially has to compete with a ghost. It is a storyline that I do not like. I never felt like Teru had a chance and the ending did not help reconcile my feelings with it. Teru gave so much of himself and I just felt like he deserved more. I wanted him to have MORE. I wanted to feel him being loved fully, without compromise, without doubt, just as he loved.
That being said, this could have been a 5 star read for me but the ending just wasn't enough to reconcile my earlier misgivings. All that work to get to where they were in the second to last chapter and we didn't really get to experience how they moved forward. I like my characters to get a happy ever after (which these two get), but I also like to actually experience it with them.
Oh, and this is fade to black, so no steamy scenes. Which was...disappointing. I talk a lot in this review of what Teru deserved. Well, Rei deserved for us to see how his disfigurement did not affect the pleasure he and Teru were able to give and take with each other. Especially because of other things that happened in the book with Teru and Rei's first foray into intimacy.
The story was well written, it definitely provoked some strong feelings to the point that I had a hard time moving on from the story and picking up another. It is a heavy read with heavy themes. I was in a constant state of unease throughout most of the story. I just didn't know where things were going and how they would make it to an eventual happy ending. The setting is spectacular, set in Japan's indie music scene in 2000. The author does a great job of painting a vivid picture of this time and place.
Teru is a bit self-conscious, aware of his individual abilities and limitations while struggling with his sexual identity.
Rei is struggling in a different way. Horribly disfigured right before his career really took off and he is also dealing with a heavy dose of survivor guilt.
Two people meet and I guess they fall in love. They don't really know each other before Teru is sure he loves Rei. He is definitely grateful to Rei for the doors he opens, but I wasn't convinced that those feelings were strong enough or had time enough to translate into love. Rei has promised himself to a ghost and has vowed to never love again. If he cares about Teru as a person rather than just a vehicle to help his dead lover live on, it wasn't readily apparent.
A lot of Rei and Teru's time together, adjusting to each other and getting to know one another happens off page. We get time jumps of days, weeks, months, so a vast part of Teru and Rei's relationship actually happens off page.
For all that this was a story about Teru and Rei, I never really felt that I knew Rei. He was deliberately cruel at points, yet bent to Teru's needs and wants willingly at times. He could be forgiving, yet cold at other times. I think the story would have benefited from his point of view and may have helped go a long way with helping me to understand Rei's feelings for both Saki and Teru.
My main misgiving with this book, which is usually a deal breaker for me in any book - is when one character essentially has to compete with a ghost. It is a storyline that I do not like. I never felt like Teru had a chance and the ending did not help reconcile my feelings with it. Teru gave so much of himself and I just felt like he deserved more. I wanted him to have MORE. I wanted to feel him being loved fully, without compromise, without doubt, just as he loved.
That being said, this could have been a 5 star read for me but the ending just wasn't enough to reconcile my earlier misgivings. All that work to get to where they were in the second to last chapter and we didn't really get to experience how they moved forward. I like my characters to get a happy ever after (which these two get), but I also like to actually experience it with them.
Oh, and this is fade to black, so no steamy scenes. Which was...disappointing. I talk a lot in this review of what Teru deserved. Well, Rei deserved for us to see how his disfigurement did not affect the pleasure he and Teru were able to give and take with each other. Especially because of other things that happened in the book with Teru and Rei's first foray into intimacy.
Read
January 22, 2022This is the book of my heart! I'm pretty proud of it, and since I set out to write the book I wanted to read, I may be a *little* biased, but I think you'll enjoy it, too.
Since Goodreads is nice enough to let me review my own book, I'd like to use this space to let you know, first of all, that this is NOT a plot-point-by-plot-point retelling of ANY one existing version of Phantom of the Opera. I've seen some readers be pleasantly surprised by that fact, and others be disappointed, so if it affects whether you want to read at all: It's a story about a young, naive singer and a disfigured composer who wears a mask. It starts off fairly similar to a couple of well-known versions of Phantom, but ultimately ends up being its own story with its own conflict. You don't need to be remotely familiar with any other version of Phantom to understand and enjoy this very loose reimagining, and there is NO murder, kidnapping, or Stockholm Syndrome, in case that makes your reading decision any easier. :)
I'd also like to take advantage of this space to provide a few potential trigger/content warnings for those who may need them. Please note that this MIGHT not be a comprehensive list, just because the triggers that I am AWARE of others having might not encompass the full range of triggers that others actually HAVE. If you notice anything I've left off that may be potentially triggering, please let me know and I'll be glad to add it. Similarly, if you have any questions about the content listed here or about anything NOT listed here, please feel free to reach out and ask before you read!
In consideration of readers who might NOT want to know what happens before they read, I've marked this list of content warnings as a spoiler. Rest assured, however, that it does not spoil the entire plot. :)
Again, if you are concerned about anything NOT covered here, or if you need more details about something that IS mentioned here, please reach out and let me know what information I can provide to help you make a safe and healthy reading decision! <3
Since Goodreads is nice enough to let me review my own book, I'd like to use this space to let you know, first of all, that this is NOT a plot-point-by-plot-point retelling of ANY one existing version of Phantom of the Opera. I've seen some readers be pleasantly surprised by that fact, and others be disappointed, so if it affects whether you want to read at all: It's a story about a young, naive singer and a disfigured composer who wears a mask. It starts off fairly similar to a couple of well-known versions of Phantom, but ultimately ends up being its own story with its own conflict. You don't need to be remotely familiar with any other version of Phantom to understand and enjoy this very loose reimagining, and there is NO murder, kidnapping, or Stockholm Syndrome, in case that makes your reading decision any easier. :)
I'd also like to take advantage of this space to provide a few potential trigger/content warnings for those who may need them. Please note that this MIGHT not be a comprehensive list, just because the triggers that I am AWARE of others having might not encompass the full range of triggers that others actually HAVE. If you notice anything I've left off that may be potentially triggering, please let me know and I'll be glad to add it. Similarly, if you have any questions about the content listed here or about anything NOT listed here, please feel free to reach out and ask before you read!
In consideration of readers who might NOT want to know what happens before they read, I've marked this list of content warnings as a spoiler. Rest assured, however, that it does not spoil the entire plot. :)
Again, if you are concerned about anything NOT covered here, or if you need more details about something that IS mentioned here, please reach out and let me know what information I can provide to help you make a safe and healthy reading decision! <3
December 26, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
As promised in the blurb, this is a reimagining of Phantom of the Opera set in the indies visual kei music scene in early 2000s Japan (visual kei is something like glam rock, but the costuming ran towards the dramatic and gothic during this era). The Phantom elements launch Mirai’s story into darker, angst riddled territory. Teru is facing an identity crisis. Not only is he trying to reshape himself from a drummer into a front man, he’s confronting his sexuality. This is explored in his on-page scenes where he reconnects with Kiyomi, a former classmate who’s become a successful and traditionally attractive young woman—and, unbeknownst to her, Kiyomi is in competition with Rei for Teru’s affections. Despite the successful dating scenes we see between Kiyomi and Teru, I felt like it was rather clear that Teru’s truly interested in pursuing Rei.
The relationship between Teru and Rei is one of the two themes that hold the story together, the other being drama that unfolds around Teru’s band, La Rose Verboten. For me, the band activity felt more like background busy work against which the real drama of Teru and Rei unfolds.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
As promised in the blurb, this is a reimagining of Phantom of the Opera set in the indies visual kei music scene in early 2000s Japan (visual kei is something like glam rock, but the costuming ran towards the dramatic and gothic during this era). The Phantom elements launch Mirai’s story into darker, angst riddled territory. Teru is facing an identity crisis. Not only is he trying to reshape himself from a drummer into a front man, he’s confronting his sexuality. This is explored in his on-page scenes where he reconnects with Kiyomi, a former classmate who’s become a successful and traditionally attractive young woman—and, unbeknownst to her, Kiyomi is in competition with Rei for Teru’s affections. Despite the successful dating scenes we see between Kiyomi and Teru, I felt like it was rather clear that Teru’s truly interested in pursuing Rei.
The relationship between Teru and Rei is one of the two themes that hold the story together, the other being drama that unfolds around Teru’s band, La Rose Verboten. For me, the band activity felt more like background busy work against which the real drama of Teru and Rei unfolds.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
December 26, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am leaving a review voluntarily.
I had no real idea of what this book would be about prior to reading, but I’m glad I took a chance on it because it was exquisite.
Set at the turn of the millennium in Tokyo, we witness the story of Teru, a glam-metal/visual kei rocker who, along with his band mates, is struggling to make a name for himself in the musical world. With his shock of pink hair and stark makeup, Teru considers himself a good drummer, but that’s about it … until a mysterious man makes an unusual offer.
Rei, the man in the shadows, is a former glam rocker and composer whose career was ended after a disfiguring accident. With his brilliant sapphire locks, flowing black clothes, and silver mask, Rei tells Teru he is the only one who can breathe life back into his music with his voice.
What follows is a bittersweet romance and coming of age story between Teru, who doesn’t believe in himself enough; and Rei, a man who doesn’t quite know what he believes in anymore.
Author Estella Mirai has taken The Phantom of the Opera tale and re-imagined it with a modern M/M twist. Rei, the mystifying music master, lives a nearly hermetic life but has recognized in Teru the gift needed to carry on his legacy. Drawn to Rei’s allure as much as to his musical genius, Teru feels stirrings of a different sort when the two are alone.
Mirai’s writing is elegantly crafted, and the narrative flows smoothly. Her descriptions - of characters, cities, venues, food - are so detailed I felt as if I were walking the streets and could simply reach out and grasp Teru’s hand had I wished. The burgeoning romance between Teru and Rei is awkward, stumbling, humbling, and all too real. No insta-love here; these guys get the full experience of a true connection including looking at each other’s scars in full sunlight and then deciding if the night’s desires translate into something deeper.
I also noticed some broad-stroke parallels to composer Jim Steinman, the guru behind singer Meat Loaf's persona which burst upon the music scene in the '70s. Steinman, a quirky genius himself, has been known for his intense desire for solitude and Svengali-like knack for plucking a ruby from the mountain of rocks within which it had been buried. Having spoken to Mirai and knowing she is, in fact, a Steinman fan, these winks make sense.
Mirai also handles with aplomb a character with disabilities. You won’t find in Rei washboard abs, unblemished skin, pouty lips, and perfectly thrusting hips; he is as real as one can get, as is Teru’s initial reactions to him and his deformities. Is Rei still hot? Absolutely.
Real love is messy, as Teru and Rei discover; it’s painful and sweaty and irritating. It brings out the best and worst in people. The only choice anyone has - including Teru and Rei - is in how to react to damages in the morning.
Scars upon scars - mental, emotional, physical - exist in all of us whether they are visible or not.
I had no real idea of what this book would be about prior to reading, but I’m glad I took a chance on it because it was exquisite.
Set at the turn of the millennium in Tokyo, we witness the story of Teru, a glam-metal/visual kei rocker who, along with his band mates, is struggling to make a name for himself in the musical world. With his shock of pink hair and stark makeup, Teru considers himself a good drummer, but that’s about it … until a mysterious man makes an unusual offer.
Rei, the man in the shadows, is a former glam rocker and composer whose career was ended after a disfiguring accident. With his brilliant sapphire locks, flowing black clothes, and silver mask, Rei tells Teru he is the only one who can breathe life back into his music with his voice.
What follows is a bittersweet romance and coming of age story between Teru, who doesn’t believe in himself enough; and Rei, a man who doesn’t quite know what he believes in anymore.
Author Estella Mirai has taken The Phantom of the Opera tale and re-imagined it with a modern M/M twist. Rei, the mystifying music master, lives a nearly hermetic life but has recognized in Teru the gift needed to carry on his legacy. Drawn to Rei’s allure as much as to his musical genius, Teru feels stirrings of a different sort when the two are alone.
Mirai’s writing is elegantly crafted, and the narrative flows smoothly. Her descriptions - of characters, cities, venues, food - are so detailed I felt as if I were walking the streets and could simply reach out and grasp Teru’s hand had I wished. The burgeoning romance between Teru and Rei is awkward, stumbling, humbling, and all too real. No insta-love here; these guys get the full experience of a true connection including looking at each other’s scars in full sunlight and then deciding if the night’s desires translate into something deeper.
I also noticed some broad-stroke parallels to composer Jim Steinman, the guru behind singer Meat Loaf's persona which burst upon the music scene in the '70s. Steinman, a quirky genius himself, has been known for his intense desire for solitude and Svengali-like knack for plucking a ruby from the mountain of rocks within which it had been buried. Having spoken to Mirai and knowing she is, in fact, a Steinman fan, these winks make sense.
Mirai also handles with aplomb a character with disabilities. You won’t find in Rei washboard abs, unblemished skin, pouty lips, and perfectly thrusting hips; he is as real as one can get, as is Teru’s initial reactions to him and his deformities. Is Rei still hot? Absolutely.
Real love is messy, as Teru and Rei discover; it’s painful and sweaty and irritating. It brings out the best and worst in people. The only choice anyone has - including Teru and Rei - is in how to react to damages in the morning.
Scars upon scars - mental, emotional, physical - exist in all of us whether they are visible or not.
December 5, 2018
This is one of those reviews that is tough for me to write. It was a beautiful story, but I didn't feel like it reached it's full potential. A big part of that may have been my expectations, which get me into trouble frequently. I expected a grand romance, and what I got was more subtle.
Most of the story takes place over the better part of a year, but we get a lot of jumping forward in time while things stay the status quo. I wanted more relationship development between Teru and Rei, and I wanted to feel what Teru was feeling. It may have been that we were told instead of shown, or it may have just been me. I think it would have also benefited from Rei's point of view. The climax caught me by surprise in the feels department, though, which tells me that I was more invested than I thought.
While it didn't knock my socks off, the story kept me engaged from start to finish and I think that I will remember it. I really enjoyed the Tokyo setting and especially the way the music was written. I never would have guessed that this was a debut novel.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
*Received in exchange for an honest review
Most of the story takes place over the better part of a year, but we get a lot of jumping forward in time while things stay the status quo. I wanted more relationship development between Teru and Rei, and I wanted to feel what Teru was feeling. It may have been that we were told instead of shown, or it may have just been me. I think it would have also benefited from Rei's point of view. The climax caught me by surprise in the feels department, though, which tells me that I was more invested than I thought.
While it didn't knock my socks off, the story kept me engaged from start to finish and I think that I will remember it. I really enjoyed the Tokyo setting and especially the way the music was written. I never would have guessed that this was a debut novel.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
*Received in exchange for an honest review
December 28, 2018
Rock star romances are my jam, so there was no way I was going to let this book pass me by.
MC Teru is one of those quiet, introspective types. Having the story of his band told through his eyes gave this contemporary take on The Phantom of the Opera a refreshing overhaul. The reader and Teru both learn a lot about Teru through each chapter.
The setting, Tokyo at the turn of the millennium, is unique and was the perfect place for such a unique story. I enjoyed reading about the city--even the public transport--and life there at that time.
Rei is hauntingly mysterious and talented. It took a few chapters after his introduction for me to warm up to him, but I get that that is only his personality. He's a prickly man, and rightfully so.
I enjoyed getting to know Teru's bandmates and friends, and appreciated how they each complimented the story in some way. There were no useless, out-of-place side characters here.
This is a well-crafted story that's not only about finding romance where (and with whom) least expected, but also about discovery.
I am looking forward to whatever else Mirai has up her storytelling sleeve.
MC Teru is one of those quiet, introspective types. Having the story of his band told through his eyes gave this contemporary take on The Phantom of the Opera a refreshing overhaul. The reader and Teru both learn a lot about Teru through each chapter.
The setting, Tokyo at the turn of the millennium, is unique and was the perfect place for such a unique story. I enjoyed reading about the city--even the public transport--and life there at that time.
Rei is hauntingly mysterious and talented. It took a few chapters after his introduction for me to warm up to him, but I get that that is only his personality. He's a prickly man, and rightfully so.
I enjoyed getting to know Teru's bandmates and friends, and appreciated how they each complimented the story in some way. There were no useless, out-of-place side characters here.
This is a well-crafted story that's not only about finding romance where (and with whom) least expected, but also about discovery.
I am looking forward to whatever else Mirai has up her storytelling sleeve.
December 3, 2018
This was a very lovely take on the Phantom of the Opera, but with two men who eventually fall in love. One Teru wants to be a rock star and in the background, Rei is helping him. While not tragic as the original story, this one follows both men as they work through their issues and fall in love in modern day Japan. Both characters were very well written and memorable in their own ways, and the HEA put a smile on my face. This was my first book from Estella Mirai and I can't wait to read more. It's a wonderful retelling and I enjoyed every word!!
August 22, 2019
So when I first picked up this book, I didn’t know what to think. A M/M retelling of The Phantom of the Opera sounded fantastic. Especially since it’s set in Japan. Every expectation that I had was met and surpassed. Teru is a very realistic character with many conflicting emotions. He just wants to succeed, but when he meets Rei, he becomes unsure of just how far he is willing to go to achieve that dream.
As you can guess, there is plenty of angst and suspense. I honestly had no idea how the story would end, and sometimes, I was even confused about who I should root for. Teru though was a very solid character throughout and the growth that he experienced during the story made for a very compelling tale.
As you can guess, there is plenty of angst and suspense. I honestly had no idea how the story would end, and sometimes, I was even confused about who I should root for. Teru though was a very solid character throughout and the growth that he experienced during the story made for a very compelling tale.
November 8, 2018
Having never read or watched any version of the original Phantom of the Opera I came into this book with no preconceived expectations, that being said I enjoyed every minute of it. Teru and Rei were such well-written characters and it was very enjoyable watching them evolve as people and also watching their relationship evolve as they both work through their issues. Their journey to their HEA was well worth the read.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*
November 11, 2018
I absolutely LOVED this fantastic, poignant, bittersweet, engaging, emotionally charged, grab-you-by-the-feels, beautiful, smoldering, gripping, raw, intense, and fascinating fresh and modern day twist on the classic Phantom of the Opera.
Read
May 8, 2019God I wish I could've enjoyed this book. I really tried! I wanted to like it so much, but I just couldn't.
To start with, there's some things that were great! I loved the setting and it reminded me of the time I myself lived in Japan. I also loved the look at the Visual Kei scene and I did enjoy some of the characters.
But. Well, first of all, the writing was weak. It never gripped me and the characterization felt a bit weak too. I stopped at 33% and in that time, I never really felt like I had a grip on the characters, or at least our protagonist Teru. When I got to the part that enraged me, I was already kind of bored and trawling other reviews, which is never good news.
But the part that pissed me off, oh boy. See our love interest, the Phantom stand-in Rei, has been in a car accident in the past and is physically disabled. There has been extensive damage to his body, he can't move a whole side of his body, walks with a crutch and it's clear walking is extremely difficult and painful for him. He hides half of his face behind a mask because of scars (as an aside, I understand that that's the Phantom reference but this is ye modern times and I can't imagine any doctor approving of wearing a plastic mask on a scarred skin nonstop, even to SLEEP. like jesus christ why) (also I really don't like the implications of him always wearing said mask because "my face is too hideous" but maybe he stops hiding his face later in the book and I'll never know. None of the other reviews mentioned that). The point of this paragraph is that Rei is disabled and at one point he tells Teru that he's always in pain and that his pain is 'immesurable'.
So, pray tell our dear Teru, what the FUCK is this line:
"Just because he acted like an invalid most of the time didn't mean he really was one."
This was in response to Teru musing about why he enjoyed hanging out at Rei's apartment and why Rei doesn't leave much. It's just a little throwaway line he thinks, and then changes the subject and thinks about something else.
And it's disgusting. It's dismissive and ableist to the core. I've had chronic pain and invisible disabilities my whole life and I can't count the number of times I've had this shit told directly to my face. I can't believe a protagonist thought this about his love interest in a goddamn romance. And since it was something he thought to himself, it can't even be challenged by anyone and can't become a teaching moment for Teru to do better. You can tell the author tried really hard to be respectful of Rei's disabilities, but this kind of cruel throwaway line really shows how deep ableism really is. Why should I cheer for these two people to get together? And no, I'm not saying I want my heroes to be perfect, far from it! I myself sometimes think really shitty things! But I also always immediatelly go 'whoa dude what the fuck was that, stop that!'. I'd like some of that here.
There's also a plotline about Teru basically competing with Rei's dead lover and I can attest that being constantly compared to an ex lover is Not Fun. Not Fun At All. I probably wouldn'tve picked this book up if I knew that was in it.
And finally, I think the opening shows that sometimes, modern adaptations need to be... a bit more adapt to work in our modern times. You mean to tell me that anyone in today's world would just arrive at an apartment of some shady potential stalker that told them they have a 'beautiful' voice on a phone, and THEN drink alcohol this shady person served them? How was Teru dumb enough to do all of this instead of calling the police????
To start with, there's some things that were great! I loved the setting and it reminded me of the time I myself lived in Japan. I also loved the look at the Visual Kei scene and I did enjoy some of the characters.
But. Well, first of all, the writing was weak. It never gripped me and the characterization felt a bit weak too. I stopped at 33% and in that time, I never really felt like I had a grip on the characters, or at least our protagonist Teru. When I got to the part that enraged me, I was already kind of bored and trawling other reviews, which is never good news.
But the part that pissed me off, oh boy. See our love interest, the Phantom stand-in Rei, has been in a car accident in the past and is physically disabled. There has been extensive damage to his body, he can't move a whole side of his body, walks with a crutch and it's clear walking is extremely difficult and painful for him. He hides half of his face behind a mask because of scars (as an aside, I understand that that's the Phantom reference but this is ye modern times and I can't imagine any doctor approving of wearing a plastic mask on a scarred skin nonstop, even to SLEEP. like jesus christ why) (also I really don't like the implications of him always wearing said mask because "my face is too hideous" but maybe he stops hiding his face later in the book and I'll never know. None of the other reviews mentioned that). The point of this paragraph is that Rei is disabled and at one point he tells Teru that he's always in pain and that his pain is 'immesurable'.
So, pray tell our dear Teru, what the FUCK is this line:
"Just because he acted like an invalid most of the time didn't mean he really was one."
This was in response to Teru musing about why he enjoyed hanging out at Rei's apartment and why Rei doesn't leave much. It's just a little throwaway line he thinks, and then changes the subject and thinks about something else.
And it's disgusting. It's dismissive and ableist to the core. I've had chronic pain and invisible disabilities my whole life and I can't count the number of times I've had this shit told directly to my face. I can't believe a protagonist thought this about his love interest in a goddamn romance. And since it was something he thought to himself, it can't even be challenged by anyone and can't become a teaching moment for Teru to do better. You can tell the author tried really hard to be respectful of Rei's disabilities, but this kind of cruel throwaway line really shows how deep ableism really is. Why should I cheer for these two people to get together? And no, I'm not saying I want my heroes to be perfect, far from it! I myself sometimes think really shitty things! But I also always immediatelly go 'whoa dude what the fuck was that, stop that!'. I'd like some of that here.
There's also a plotline about Teru basically competing with Rei's dead lover and I can attest that being constantly compared to an ex lover is Not Fun. Not Fun At All. I probably wouldn'tve picked this book up if I knew that was in it.
And finally, I think the opening shows that sometimes, modern adaptations need to be... a bit more adapt to work in our modern times. You mean to tell me that anyone in today's world would just arrive at an apartment of some shady potential stalker that told them they have a 'beautiful' voice on a phone, and THEN drink alcohol this shady person served them? How was Teru dumb enough to do all of this instead of calling the police????
November 26, 2018
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
For the full review, visit https://wp.me/p220KL-fkr on 11/29
Highly recommended, beautifully imagined and written.
For all our reviews, check out http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
May 18, 2020
This book absolutely blew me away!
I love when a first time author just grabs me by the feels. I'm really not into overly angsty romances because the angst is seldom, if ever, worth the payoff the author puts the characters through. It's often a case of characters go through ten types of hell wearing gasoline underwear then the last chapter has them riding off into the sunset with third degree burns but TWU LUV conquers all.
Thanks, but I'll pass.
What actually attracted me to this book was the cover. Call me shallow or whatever, but when I see BIPoC on a book cover I'm more likely to be interested and at least check out the blurb. In the case of M/M romance which is still full of smiling white faces because apparently BIPoC gay folks don't exist (rolls eyes in Billy Porter), I saw a gorgeous Japanese man who reminded me a little of Kyo, the lead vocalist of Dir en Grey.
Of course I just HAD to see what this book was about and I couldn't resist a retelling of Phantom of the Opera set in the world of the Japanese Visual Kei music scene circa 2001.
My description this genre is glam rock on steroids. I fell in love with it through a rather roundabout manner being a fan of the Japanese heavy metal band Loudness. While looking for their music, I came across X Japan, who would have easily fit into the era of Sunset Strip hair metal by their image alone. Their music, however, was far and away not typical hair metal themed. From X Japan to Malice Mizer - and at that time it was difficult at best to get Japanese imports, not to mention expensive. I've remained a fan of the genre even as bands have moved on or broken up. Since I am a metalhead, I prefer the heavier side, so bands like Versailles Philharmonic Quintet and D'espairs Ray are still on my playlist.
Author Estella Marai is definitely a fan of the iconic X Japan - the clues are everywhere (RIP hide). She knows Japan and the music business there, and I love her attention to even little details like fan questionnaires and after parties. She writes about a subculture of Tokyo that as a fan of the music, is fascinating. Parts of the book read like a good friend taking me to parts of Tokyo I probably wouldn't have explored on my own, though I definitely want to do lots of shopping.
With that said, this IS a love story and what a love story. Teru and Rei will break your heart, will make you want to smack them, and be happy when they finally get it together. You root for Teru and his band mates in La Rose Verboten, wish that Teru would stop smoking (don't ruin your vocal chords that way - look at Rob Halford - he's near 70 and can still belt "Painkiller"), and feel his struggle to understand his being a gay man in Japan.
You want to feel pity for Rei, the broken and battered Phantom, but his character won't let you, and that's a good thing. He's driven by ghosts, by love and by something that keeps him alive - music. He sees something in Teru and is determined to bring it out, no matter the pain - emotional and physical.
If you're looking for lots of sex, this won't be the book for you. Everything is fade to black, which works here. Besides, not every M/M romance has to be filled with smoking hot sex in order to be a satisfying read. Teru and Rei's story of dreams lost and found is more than enough.
I love when a first time author just grabs me by the feels. I'm really not into overly angsty romances because the angst is seldom, if ever, worth the payoff the author puts the characters through. It's often a case of characters go through ten types of hell wearing gasoline underwear then the last chapter has them riding off into the sunset with third degree burns but TWU LUV conquers all.
Thanks, but I'll pass.
What actually attracted me to this book was the cover. Call me shallow or whatever, but when I see BIPoC on a book cover I'm more likely to be interested and at least check out the blurb. In the case of M/M romance which is still full of smiling white faces because apparently BIPoC gay folks don't exist (rolls eyes in Billy Porter), I saw a gorgeous Japanese man who reminded me a little of Kyo, the lead vocalist of Dir en Grey.
Of course I just HAD to see what this book was about and I couldn't resist a retelling of Phantom of the Opera set in the world of the Japanese Visual Kei music scene circa 2001.
My description this genre is glam rock on steroids. I fell in love with it through a rather roundabout manner being a fan of the Japanese heavy metal band Loudness. While looking for their music, I came across X Japan, who would have easily fit into the era of Sunset Strip hair metal by their image alone. Their music, however, was far and away not typical hair metal themed. From X Japan to Malice Mizer - and at that time it was difficult at best to get Japanese imports, not to mention expensive. I've remained a fan of the genre even as bands have moved on or broken up. Since I am a metalhead, I prefer the heavier side, so bands like Versailles Philharmonic Quintet and D'espairs Ray are still on my playlist.
Author Estella Marai is definitely a fan of the iconic X Japan - the clues are everywhere (RIP hide). She knows Japan and the music business there, and I love her attention to even little details like fan questionnaires and after parties. She writes about a subculture of Tokyo that as a fan of the music, is fascinating. Parts of the book read like a good friend taking me to parts of Tokyo I probably wouldn't have explored on my own, though I definitely want to do lots of shopping.
With that said, this IS a love story and what a love story. Teru and Rei will break your heart, will make you want to smack them, and be happy when they finally get it together. You root for Teru and his band mates in La Rose Verboten, wish that Teru would stop smoking (don't ruin your vocal chords that way - look at Rob Halford - he's near 70 and can still belt "Painkiller"), and feel his struggle to understand his being a gay man in Japan.
You want to feel pity for Rei, the broken and battered Phantom, but his character won't let you, and that's a good thing. He's driven by ghosts, by love and by something that keeps him alive - music. He sees something in Teru and is determined to bring it out, no matter the pain - emotional and physical.
If you're looking for lots of sex, this won't be the book for you. Everything is fade to black, which works here. Besides, not every M/M romance has to be filled with smoking hot sex in order to be a satisfying read. Teru and Rei's story of dreams lost and found is more than enough.
December 11, 2019
The Stars May Rise and Fall is a great title for this M/M re-imagining of The Phantom of The Opera. Set in Japan in the late 90’s to early 2000’s Tokyo music scene, this story is intriguing, exotic, and full of love in all its forms. It’s a sweet and bitter-sweet story, as I assumed it would be given that it is a retelling of Phantom. I didn’t know what to expect when I decided to give this one a try. I’m not at all disappointed.
I don’t know anything about the Tokyo music scene, but now I wish I did. I wish it had been a nostalgic read for me instead of a discovery. The descriptions of everything in that world have me absolutely fascinated and wishing there was more.
I don’t know anything about the Tokyo music scene, but now I wish I did. I wish it had been a nostalgic read for me instead of a discovery. The descriptions of everything in that world have me absolutely fascinated and wishing there was more.
January 26, 2019
I love Phantom of the Opera, so I was intrigued by the premise. Such a beautiful and bittersweet interpretation of the original story and being set in Japan added a new level of intrigue for me.
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October 9, 2024
I am extremely conflicted over THE STARS MAY RISE AND FALL and I've never really felt this way about a book before so if this review rambles a bit that's why. I finished this several days ago but really needed time to process things and figure out why I struggled.
I’ll start with the good: I did like the writing and was fascinated by the culture of the visual kei scene. I knew a little tiny bit about it but this really made it come alive for me and that was really cool. I also enjoyed Teru as a character and found him very endearing and real. He’s never really admitted to himself that he might like men more than women so initially he’s troubled over his feelings for Rei. I felt Teru’s journey to understand himself was very genuine and a nice counterpoint to the confidence he shows as a musician. The author’s choice to write about a crippled hero who is really struggling with the basic day-to-day tasks was also a nice step away from the norm of romance novels. A horrific car accident has left Rei the only survivor of his band but he deals with constant pain, arm and leg braces, a scarred face, and a lot of mental and emotional trauma. I really wish we had Rei’s POV in the story so I could better understand him as a character.
Unfortunately, not everything worked for me in this book. Teru falls in love too quickly and they move into the type of comfortable, living together relationship that long married couples have. While I understand that Rei’s physical limitations mean that sexual intimacy is harder for him, there still could have been smaller intimacies that showed these two cared for each other. Every once in a while we’d see that through small touches or actions but I craved more since everything else was so heavy. The step of entering a relationship just felt too abrupt and I never fully believed they were in love. Rei especially is very hung up on his lost love who was killed in the car accident. It felt like Teru was just a replacement for the man that Rei couldn’t have.
I was also really confused by the “relationship” between Teru and Kiyomi and maybe this is a cultural thing I just wasn’t aware of. Teru and Kiyomi go out on a few dates early in the book before Teru figures out he’s attracted to Rei. I never felt like they had an actual relationship and instead had just gone on some dates. No commitments were verbalized and they hadn’t spent any time with each other in a while when Teru tells her he’s with Rei. Kiyomi is hurt and feels like she’s been betrayed and this made their relationship seem deeper than I felt it came across on the page. Maybe this is me not understanding the way dating works in Japan but I didn’t understand the level of her anger.
Overall, the pacing never quite felt right and I think there were parts of the book that could have been left out. I’m also not a fan of the ending AT ALL. I felt like the whole ending proved that Rei was right and they couldn’t have love and fame at the same time. On top of that, Rei never really grew as a character while Teru develops a lot so when they find each other again it seems like all the same problems would still exist.
Copy provided by A Novel Take PR for honest review
I’ll start with the good: I did like the writing and was fascinated by the culture of the visual kei scene. I knew a little tiny bit about it but this really made it come alive for me and that was really cool. I also enjoyed Teru as a character and found him very endearing and real. He’s never really admitted to himself that he might like men more than women so initially he’s troubled over his feelings for Rei. I felt Teru’s journey to understand himself was very genuine and a nice counterpoint to the confidence he shows as a musician. The author’s choice to write about a crippled hero who is really struggling with the basic day-to-day tasks was also a nice step away from the norm of romance novels. A horrific car accident has left Rei the only survivor of his band but he deals with constant pain, arm and leg braces, a scarred face, and a lot of mental and emotional trauma. I really wish we had Rei’s POV in the story so I could better understand him as a character.
Unfortunately, not everything worked for me in this book. Teru falls in love too quickly and they move into the type of comfortable, living together relationship that long married couples have. While I understand that Rei’s physical limitations mean that sexual intimacy is harder for him, there still could have been smaller intimacies that showed these two cared for each other. Every once in a while we’d see that through small touches or actions but I craved more since everything else was so heavy. The step of entering a relationship just felt too abrupt and I never fully believed they were in love. Rei especially is very hung up on his lost love who was killed in the car accident. It felt like Teru was just a replacement for the man that Rei couldn’t have.
I was also really confused by the “relationship” between Teru and Kiyomi and maybe this is a cultural thing I just wasn’t aware of. Teru and Kiyomi go out on a few dates early in the book before Teru figures out he’s attracted to Rei. I never felt like they had an actual relationship and instead had just gone on some dates. No commitments were verbalized and they hadn’t spent any time with each other in a while when Teru tells her he’s with Rei. Kiyomi is hurt and feels like she’s been betrayed and this made their relationship seem deeper than I felt it came across on the page. Maybe this is me not understanding the way dating works in Japan but I didn’t understand the level of her anger.
Overall, the pacing never quite felt right and I think there were parts of the book that could have been left out. I’m also not a fan of the ending AT ALL. I felt like the whole ending proved that Rei was right and they couldn’t have love and fame at the same time. On top of that, Rei never really grew as a character while Teru develops a lot so when they find each other again it seems like all the same problems would still exist.
Copy provided by A Novel Take PR for honest review
December 28, 2018
Such a beautifully written book!
I mean, who wouldn’t want to read an MM story located in Japan?
I loved everything about it!
I mean, who wouldn’t want to read an MM story located in Japan?
I loved everything about it!
December 19, 2018
The Stars May Rise and Fall by Estella Mirsi is a turn of the millennium M/M retelling of Phantom of the Opera set in Japan. It is a beautifully told story of two men trying to live their dreams even if it's in a form they envision ot being in. It explores the idea of learning to accept yourself and forgive your past, to heal your scars through your art and learn to let love back in. I had so many emotions while reading this... their journey is real and touching. Teru and Rei are amazing characters that grab your attention and their story touches your heart.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
December 11, 2018
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*
The Stars May Rise and Fall is a Visual Kei/male-male romance retelling of the Phantom of the Opera set in Tokyo in the early 2000s. Vocalist Teru dreams of becoming a huge star but his band struggles with their direction and combined with their arguing means that they’re finding it difficult to get the break that they are looking for. This all changes when Teru finds a mysterious business card belonging to disabled composer Rei whose own career ended tragically years earlier. With Rei’s help, Teru’s dream is finally close to becoming reality. When the two of them start to develop feelings for each other, Teru’s denial and Rei’s struggle to let go of the past looks set to put an end to both their budding romance and Teru’s career.
I loved this novel. It is a very subtle retelling which is exactly the kind of story I enjoy; there is enough there to connect it but it is also refreshingly different and can be enjoyed without being aware that it is a retelling.
The story itself is a slow-building and beautiful romance between two characters who have had their share of hardships and want more than anything to be together despite the obstacles that stand between them. I loved the Visual Kei setting, as a huge JRock/Visual Kei fan myself I very much enjoyed the references to bands I know and love.
The characters themselves are very relatable and you can really feel everything that they are going through. The two of them have an incredible connection to the other and this is really conveyed through their interactions and even when they are apart.
The Stars May Rise and Fall is a wonderful debut from Estella Mirai and I look forward to reading future works by her.
The Stars May Rise and Fall is a Visual Kei/male-male romance retelling of the Phantom of the Opera set in Tokyo in the early 2000s. Vocalist Teru dreams of becoming a huge star but his band struggles with their direction and combined with their arguing means that they’re finding it difficult to get the break that they are looking for. This all changes when Teru finds a mysterious business card belonging to disabled composer Rei whose own career ended tragically years earlier. With Rei’s help, Teru’s dream is finally close to becoming reality. When the two of them start to develop feelings for each other, Teru’s denial and Rei’s struggle to let go of the past looks set to put an end to both their budding romance and Teru’s career.
I loved this novel. It is a very subtle retelling which is exactly the kind of story I enjoy; there is enough there to connect it but it is also refreshingly different and can be enjoyed without being aware that it is a retelling.
The story itself is a slow-building and beautiful romance between two characters who have had their share of hardships and want more than anything to be together despite the obstacles that stand between them. I loved the Visual Kei setting, as a huge JRock/Visual Kei fan myself I very much enjoyed the references to bands I know and love.
The characters themselves are very relatable and you can really feel everything that they are going through. The two of them have an incredible connection to the other and this is really conveyed through their interactions and even when they are apart.
The Stars May Rise and Fall is a wonderful debut from Estella Mirai and I look forward to reading future works by her.
July 19, 2019
The Stars may rise, and fall is apparently a phantom of the opera inspired story, though I have not watched phantom of the opera and know basically nothing about it we are dragged in to Teru and Rei’s world, which is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. We get to know Teru who was a drummer but ended up a singer at La Rose Verboten and Rei who had been in a band before, but an accident made it clear he would never preform again, and he wants to help Teru to preform, to achieve greatness, He also vowed to never love again – because who could love someone like him? The both has their struggles and flaws, but that makes them human and very likeable and easy to connect with. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking for both characters, how they search for someone to understand them, for someone to love them... but then fright stop them from opening. Teru is unsure about his sexuality and Rei, he seems to think he’s a monster, that no one can love someone who’s broken and for him, ugly.
This was a very hard book to put down, I kept thinking about it literally 24/7 but it was also a beautiful M/M love story where one ought to forgive oneself, where one open up to love and souls perfect for one another finds each other and I loved every part of it. The book kind of broke my heart and put my heart back together again, I bet maybe 5-6 times… maybe more, I didn’t count. I just want to re-read this right away, I want to squeal, sigh, cry, yell at Teru and Rei to understand how good they are for each other and I want to hug both, especially when they are sad or frustrated. It gave me so much emotions, I loved and kind of hated every part of it, it was such an amazing book that gave me so much feels, I can’t press that enough.
This was a very hard book to put down, I kept thinking about it literally 24/7 but it was also a beautiful M/M love story where one ought to forgive oneself, where one open up to love and souls perfect for one another finds each other and I loved every part of it. The book kind of broke my heart and put my heart back together again, I bet maybe 5-6 times… maybe more, I didn’t count. I just want to re-read this right away, I want to squeal, sigh, cry, yell at Teru and Rei to understand how good they are for each other and I want to hug both, especially when they are sad or frustrated. It gave me so much emotions, I loved and kind of hated every part of it, it was such an amazing book that gave me so much feels, I can’t press that enough.
July 28, 2019
This was SO GOOD. I know next to nothing about the Japanese culture--especially during this time period--yet this book made me yearn to learn more. I fell in love with the setting, but only secondary to the characters. HIGHLY recommend!
December 11, 2018
I must preface this review by saying I have never watched or listened to Phantom of the Opera, so while The Stars May Rise and Fall is a queer retelling of the opera, my review and opinions are based solely on the story as a standalone.
The Stars May Rise and Fall reads a lot like being on the cusp of... something. Everything. It's the year 2000, on the cusp of 2001. Teru and his band are, at first, on the cusp of mediocrity, then on the cusp of a major contract. Teru himself is on the cusp of romance, waiting to see if he falls in one direction or the other. There is a lot of anticipation - without angst - in this book, and it's very well-written in that I didn't feel anxious about what would happen, wasn't breezing through to get to the next chapter to see what would happen, but merely enjoying the ride and the story that was being told.
I was enthralled with the storyline of Teru's band, La Rose Verboten. It was fascinating reading about their performances, rehearsals, band meetings, drama, disagreements, celebrations. I had Google open on my phone as I read, constantly looking up things that are mentioned (questionnaires from fans, uchiage after shows, etc) and learned a lot about the Japanese music scene. I was super impressed with the amount of work that went into each aspect of this book, from the medical to the musical and everything in between.
Where I struggled with this book is in the romance between Teru and Rei. Their relationship is very much told, not shown, and reads as super insta-lovey because of this. I'm assuming a lot of internal processing happens on Teru's part that we are not shown, because he pretty much jumps straight from apprehension and indifference about Rei into full-on love. There are also very large gaps in time in certain parts of the book, two of which would have been, in my opinion, instrumental to the relationship building at two very key points in their relationship. As characters, they jumped off the page and had me wanting to know more about them, had me feeling deeply when we learned more about Rei's past, and as Teru experiences the rollercoaster of a serious relationship. But as a couple, and as a romantic pairing, they were flat to me. Take this with a grain of salt - I'm not familiar with Japanese culture so this might be the norm for romances set in the country. But the romance didn't quite meet my expectations.
I definitely would recommend picking this book up as the story of a visual kei band trying to make it big in Tokyo in 2000. About healing and comfort, moving past heartbreak and tragedy. About finding oneself and making dreams come true. The writing is vivid and evocative, full of emotion and with a musical quality to it. It's a wonderful debut novel for Estella Mirai, and she is definitely a new author added to my watch list.
An advance copy of this book was received for review on OMGReads.
The Stars May Rise and Fall reads a lot like being on the cusp of... something. Everything. It's the year 2000, on the cusp of 2001. Teru and his band are, at first, on the cusp of mediocrity, then on the cusp of a major contract. Teru himself is on the cusp of romance, waiting to see if he falls in one direction or the other. There is a lot of anticipation - without angst - in this book, and it's very well-written in that I didn't feel anxious about what would happen, wasn't breezing through to get to the next chapter to see what would happen, but merely enjoying the ride and the story that was being told.
I was enthralled with the storyline of Teru's band, La Rose Verboten. It was fascinating reading about their performances, rehearsals, band meetings, drama, disagreements, celebrations. I had Google open on my phone as I read, constantly looking up things that are mentioned (questionnaires from fans, uchiage after shows, etc) and learned a lot about the Japanese music scene. I was super impressed with the amount of work that went into each aspect of this book, from the medical to the musical and everything in between.
Where I struggled with this book is in the romance between Teru and Rei. Their relationship is very much told, not shown, and reads as super insta-lovey because of this. I'm assuming a lot of internal processing happens on Teru's part that we are not shown, because he pretty much jumps straight from apprehension and indifference about Rei into full-on love. There are also very large gaps in time in certain parts of the book, two of which would have been, in my opinion, instrumental to the relationship building at two very key points in their relationship. As characters, they jumped off the page and had me wanting to know more about them, had me feeling deeply when we learned more about Rei's past, and as Teru experiences the rollercoaster of a serious relationship. But as a couple, and as a romantic pairing, they were flat to me. Take this with a grain of salt - I'm not familiar with Japanese culture so this might be the norm for romances set in the country. But the romance didn't quite meet my expectations.
I definitely would recommend picking this book up as the story of a visual kei band trying to make it big in Tokyo in 2000. About healing and comfort, moving past heartbreak and tragedy. About finding oneself and making dreams come true. The writing is vivid and evocative, full of emotion and with a musical quality to it. It's a wonderful debut novel for Estella Mirai, and she is definitely a new author added to my watch list.
An advance copy of this book was received for review on OMGReads.
August 3, 2019
Estella Mirai’s The Stars May Rise and Fall is pitched as a gay retelling of Phantom of the Opera, but it’s got a spare elegance to it that makes it richer than the sum of its parts. Teru, the stage name for our protagonist, has come to Tokyo to perform glam metal visual kei music. (Full disclosure, I’d never even heard of this musical genre before—I’m more the actual-opera-in-a-really-opulent-theatre type, which, okay, is very annoying. Duly noted.) Teru is a more wary, world-weary ingénue than we’re used to, and Rei’s grim, scarred Phantom is both crueler on a small, petty human scale and more vulnerable and kind than we’re used to, as well.
If I’ve mentioned it’s based on the Phantom, then you can guess the rough outlines of the story, though the narrative line takes a departure pretty quickly that sets it on a unique trajectory. (Don’t worry, no spoilers.) The world of Japan’s glam metal scene is sparingly evoked. (Full disclosure, I don’t know anything about Mirai, except that it’s a pen name, and I don’t know if this book is #ownvoices in any way at all; I’m also not familiar with this music or with Tokyo itself. You get the point. I can’t speak to the authenticity or to the accuracy.)
The main thing that sets this novel apart is that the members of La Rose Verboten (the band), especially Teru and then Rei, are mortals in a messy world. Similarly to McKinty, there’s a haunting humanity here. When Teru sees Rei’s face for the first time (not a spoiler—come on, you know that happens), how he reacts is gutting. It’s awful. It makes you hate the protagonist, but only because you see yourself in him…and you wanted to see something lovelier. When he indulges in fantasy (and isn’t that what the Phantom story is all about—our proclivity to spin fantasies around the lives of others?), Teru half-recognizes his own indulgence. “His voice trembled on the final note, and he grimaced,” Mirai writes. “The half-fabricated tragedy had worked too well.”
Unlike the Opera, this novel isn’t an outright tragedy, but it also isn’t a frothy romance. It’s good, though. Really good.
If I’ve mentioned it’s based on the Phantom, then you can guess the rough outlines of the story, though the narrative line takes a departure pretty quickly that sets it on a unique trajectory. (Don’t worry, no spoilers.) The world of Japan’s glam metal scene is sparingly evoked. (Full disclosure, I don’t know anything about Mirai, except that it’s a pen name, and I don’t know if this book is #ownvoices in any way at all; I’m also not familiar with this music or with Tokyo itself. You get the point. I can’t speak to the authenticity or to the accuracy.)
The main thing that sets this novel apart is that the members of La Rose Verboten (the band), especially Teru and then Rei, are mortals in a messy world. Similarly to McKinty, there’s a haunting humanity here. When Teru sees Rei’s face for the first time (not a spoiler—come on, you know that happens), how he reacts is gutting. It’s awful. It makes you hate the protagonist, but only because you see yourself in him…and you wanted to see something lovelier. When he indulges in fantasy (and isn’t that what the Phantom story is all about—our proclivity to spin fantasies around the lives of others?), Teru half-recognizes his own indulgence. “His voice trembled on the final note, and he grimaced,” Mirai writes. “The half-fabricated tragedy had worked too well.”
Unlike the Opera, this novel isn’t an outright tragedy, but it also isn’t a frothy romance. It’s good, though. Really good.
February 22, 2019
So I read this book in a day! A freaking day!!
This was free copy in exchange for an honest review... So honest it shall be!
Firstly I'm sorry but this cover caught my eye straight away because it's freaking stunning. I never knew if the way it was layed out meant anything but it does and it's even more amazing once you read the story.
The 'retelling' of Phantom of the Opera indication... Yer apart from the mask didn't really feel that vibes but this doesn't take away the story for the book itself so...
The characters were just like the synopsis said; complex yet slightly awkward which works perfectly in this storyline. I completely fell in love with Rei, his story just captures your heart from the begining and drives the story in such a way it broke my heart at the end of this book 💔. He is just relatable for everyone who struggles with body image issues and self loathing.
Teru is just as complex but that's due to the fact this man has no idea what he wants in life most of the time, which is slightly frustrating if I'm honest. And kinda had me feeling slightly angry with him as he kinda puts the story on hold imagine few places.
The storyline and underlining stories are very relatable even in a metaphorical view too.
The problems I think people will find when reading this book is if you have no knowledge of history or language them pronunciation of the places, names and styles in this book will be an issue. Luckly I found it fine due to my love of foreign TV, music and YouTubers from over there however.
The writing itself is very fast pace and it's a very easy read. I found the authors way of writing just flows for me personally and her knowledge of the styles of music is amazing and the explanations are on point if you do struggle.
I can't wait to see where the author goes with her next books, I'm a fan for sure!
This was free copy in exchange for an honest review... So honest it shall be!
Firstly I'm sorry but this cover caught my eye straight away because it's freaking stunning. I never knew if the way it was layed out meant anything but it does and it's even more amazing once you read the story.
The 'retelling' of Phantom of the Opera indication... Yer apart from the mask didn't really feel that vibes but this doesn't take away the story for the book itself so...
The characters were just like the synopsis said; complex yet slightly awkward which works perfectly in this storyline. I completely fell in love with Rei, his story just captures your heart from the begining and drives the story in such a way it broke my heart at the end of this book 💔. He is just relatable for everyone who struggles with body image issues and self loathing.
Teru is just as complex but that's due to the fact this man has no idea what he wants in life most of the time, which is slightly frustrating if I'm honest. And kinda had me feeling slightly angry with him as he kinda puts the story on hold imagine few places.
The storyline and underlining stories are very relatable even in a metaphorical view too.
The problems I think people will find when reading this book is if you have no knowledge of history or language them pronunciation of the places, names and styles in this book will be an issue. Luckly I found it fine due to my love of foreign TV, music and YouTubers from over there however.
The writing itself is very fast pace and it's a very easy read. I found the authors way of writing just flows for me personally and her knowledge of the styles of music is amazing and the explanations are on point if you do struggle.
I can't wait to see where the author goes with her next books, I'm a fan for sure!
March 12, 2019
Teru was in a funk, feeling like he had an expiration date approaching, even though he as still a young man. Playing drums in a band that was stagnating. When he is approached by a man that wants him to sing. Stepping out from behind his drums is scary, exhilarating, and definitely out of his comfort zone. Very unsettled because he thinks he may be gay. Trying to find his way.
Rei is covered in scars, inside and out. He allows Teru into his life unwilling. He eventually shares his story and his scars. Their relationship is not a typical boy meets boy kind of book.
I’ve always been a Phantom fan. The music has always makes me reflective and kind of sad. I wish I could hear the music in this book. I can picture Teru on stage with his expressive hands, singing to Rei. For most of the book I felt that Rei was sort of an almost abusive partner. Only towards the end did I understand that the whole book was about giving Teru what he had always wanted. This won’t be a book for everyone because it’s so sad and yet hopeful. I enjoyed it.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
Rei is covered in scars, inside and out. He allows Teru into his life unwilling. He eventually shares his story and his scars. Their relationship is not a typical boy meets boy kind of book.
I’ve always been a Phantom fan. The music has always makes me reflective and kind of sad. I wish I could hear the music in this book. I can picture Teru on stage with his expressive hands, singing to Rei. For most of the book I felt that Rei was sort of an almost abusive partner. Only towards the end did I understand that the whole book was about giving Teru what he had always wanted. This won’t be a book for everyone because it’s so sad and yet hopeful. I enjoyed it.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
December 4, 2019
I received this ARC from Author for Honest Review.
I Give this Book a 2/5 Star Rating.
HEA(?): I Guess...
Heat: 0/5
Romance: I Just Can’t Rate this One.
Drama: 4.5/5
Suspense: 4/5
Is this truly a M/M? I would say in all honesty I don’t think so, I felt disconnect with Teru & Rei, it felt like eternal friendship ‘intimate companionship’ more than anything, but felt static.
I was highly anticipating this and it wasn’t what I was expecting.
This is an Ultra slow burn..I guess, it took way to long in my opinion.
There was too much Kiyomi.
The mental visual I got while reading, it felt like it was written as a Yaoi Movie.
It was a really painful to read, not just in the writing sense cause it felt continuously repetitive for some reason, cause I kept thinking I was rereading the same page over and over cause specific terminology was on nearly every page.
But just the chemistry between the characters took so long an then when I finished the book.
I just felt my stomach curdle, I don’t like overly emotional books nor sentimental ones.
I Give this Book a 2/5 Star Rating.
HEA(?): I Guess...
Heat: 0/5
Romance: I Just Can’t Rate this One.
Drama: 4.5/5
Suspense: 4/5
Is this truly a M/M? I would say in all honesty I don’t think so, I felt disconnect with Teru & Rei, it felt like eternal friendship ‘intimate companionship’ more than anything, but felt static.
I was highly anticipating this and it wasn’t what I was expecting.
This is an Ultra slow burn..I guess, it took way to long in my opinion.
There was too much Kiyomi.
The mental visual I got while reading, it felt like it was written as a Yaoi Movie.
It was a really painful to read, not just in the writing sense cause it felt continuously repetitive for some reason, cause I kept thinking I was rereading the same page over and over cause specific terminology was on nearly every page.
But just the chemistry between the characters took so long an then when I finished the book.
I just felt my stomach curdle, I don’t like overly emotional books nor sentimental ones.
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