The Jumbee

by Pamela Keyes

When Esti Legard starts theater school on Cariba, she's determined to step out of the shadow of her late father, a famous Shakespearean actor. But on an island rife with superstition, Esti can't escape the darkness. In the black of the theater, an alluring phantom voice-known only as Alan-becomes her brilliant drama tutor, while in the light of day Esti struggles to resist her magnetic attraction to Rafe, the local bad boy. Toppled sets, frightening rumors of jumbee ghosts, and brewing tropical storms culminate in a tantalizingly spooky finale where romance sizzles and truths are unmasked.

Laced with eerie mystery and the lush scenery of the West Indies, this modern Phantom is perfect for readers who like their love stories served with spine-tingling suspense.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Retellings, Contemporary, Fiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2010

About the author

I spent most of my life trying to decide what to be when I grew up. I've always been an avid reader and traveler, and I actually wrote my first book when I was nine. My family and friends teased me through middle school and high school about the endless stories I wrote, but somehow it never occurred to me that writing could be a career.

So I studied science and English in high school, German and math and psychology in college, and I traveled whenever I could. I settled into architecture in graduate school, and eventually became a registered architect. I drew building plans for years, but finally found myself writing stories again in my spare time. And so, it came full-circle.

As a writer, I can be anything I want, anywhere in the universe I want to be. I've lived in the lush tropical islands of the Caribbean, the remote Texas-Mexican Border, the Bavarian Alps, and the thriving cities of Denver and Seattle. Through all my adventures, my heart has always belonged to the Arizona Sonoran desert. I now live in Tucson with my husband and two children.

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Katie(babs) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m hardcore lover of everything to do with Phantom of the Opera. So when I was offered The Jumbee by Pamela Keyes to read, which is a modern re-telling of the Phantom of the Opera, I said yes. The Jumbee has a very unique setting on a Caribbean island of Cariba where Shakespeare, specifically a performance of Romeo and Juliet, and a young teenage girl, Esti, who longs to play to play the role of Juliet is important to the story. And Esti may just get the part thanks to her tutor, a man who hides in the shadows of the theater named Alan.

Esti has moved from the States with her mother to Cariba. Esti is the daughter of a famous theater actor, known as the Great Legard, who has died of cancer. An old family friend, Rodney Solomon owns a house that is within walking distance of Manchicay School. Esti and her mother will live there while Esti attends her last year of high school at Manchicay. Esti is still mourning of the loss of her father, and her mother drinks to stop the pain. Esti is an amazing stage actress, even though she constantly second guesses her skill. She’s very uncomfortable living in Cariba since it’s a very strange place with different customs, has a language barrier, and the belief that ghosts and spirits, known as jumbees, walk among the living.

One the first day of school, a boy who’s vocal about Esti’s lack of acting skills, falls to his death from the theater catwalk. The police, known better as the jandam, are called in to investigate, but the death is ruled an accident. Soon after even more strange things occur when a voice speaks to Esti out of nowhere that only she can hear. The voice goes by Alan and wants to tutor Esti and help her get the part of Juliet. Esti agrees, and goes along with his strange lessons in the dark. Alan refuses to show his face, even though Esti pleads with him to show himself. Soon Esti begins to see Alan in a different light and longs to know the man who won’t show his face.

A blast from Esti’s past comes back. He is Rafe, the son of Rodney, and once a close friend of hers. Esti and Rafe haven’t seen each other since they were in the fourth grade. Rafe lives in Los Angeles and is known as a gigolo, who tends to get into trouble when comes back to visit Cariba. Esti is nervous about seeing Rafe again. But Esti has Alan, and her feelings for him continue to grow where she thinks of him as her boyfriend.

Rafe and Esti eventually see each other, and since Esti can’t swim, he wants to teach her. Soon Esti is hanging out with Rafe more than Alan. Things become very difficult for Esti when Rafe admits he just doesn’t want to be friends with Esti, but much more. And as Esti distances herself from Alan, he decides to show her who he really is, including some secrets her father kept from her and the world.
The Jumbee has the makings of a great story, and I really enjoyed the first half. Esti is a bit insecure mainly because of how the public at large admires her father. She feels she can never live up to his reputation even though she is a wonderful actress in her own right. The setting of Cariba is a nice change that includes the island flavor and traditions, as well as the superstitions of the locals.

The Jumbee falters mainly because of the character Alan. Whereas Erik the Phantom fit so well in Paris Opera House and his personality was very unique, Alan has none of this. He was a voice with no real emotion or heart. I couldn’t find any connection between him and Esti, and when it’s revealed why he is so stuck on Esti, it was a bit on the ridiculous side. I felt as if Pamela was stretching with the story, as if she was backed into a corner and didn’t know how to proceed. The big reveal about Alan, and the climatic ending was more of a small pop then the tension filled fireworks I was looking for. Rafe was a well-rounded suitor for Esti, and when he entered the story, Alan faded into the background. He Esti have wonderful chemistry together.

The Jumbee didn’t hold my interest as I was hoping for, but I can see teen readers finding some pleasure with this debut by Pamela Keyes. I felt that Pamela relied way too much on the original Phantom of the Opera to tell her own story, and because of that, there was a major lack of originality.
I wish I could say The Jumbee amazed me, but it was more of a pale comparison to a timeless story that perhaps is better to be left alone, where an author is better suited in coming up with a more original story than relying on an old classic.

Or perhaps as a reader I’m just getting tired of reading books that have that, “been there, done that” story feel, which in regards to The Jumbee is one of them

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 beautiful story justice.

With this book, I was happily proven wrong. The Jumbee is a must-read for any Phantom of the Opera fans--whether you like the book, the movie, or both! As you can tell from the first line above, the story starts off with a bang. It immediately drew me in, and I had no trouble reading the majority of the book in one sitting.

Pamela Keyes did an absolutely fabulous job of weaving the traditional story of the Phantom of the Opera into the culture and legends of Cariba. Choosing such an exotic setting was brilliant! Not only did the storyline keep me interested, but I also loved learning about some of the "tall tales" entwined with the Caribbean setting. I was very surprised and impressed with the author's creativity!

The best part about The Jumbee is that Keyes managed to put an entirely new twist on the story, but at the same time, she stayed true to the original. The main characters were intriguing and well-developed, and I could definitely see traces of their Phantom of the Opera counterparts.

Lucky for you guys, The Jumbee hits stores today! That means you can run out and grab your own copy, and see what I'm talking about. Personally, I'll be keeping an eye out to see what else Pamela Keyes has in store for us in the future!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 Shakespeare fan I can say that it was definitely something I enjoyed a lot. I would also say that I don't think you have to like Shakespeare or even understand Shakespeare to get into the story. It doesn't take away from the enjoyment one bit.

I really liked Esti as a character. There were some moments she annoyed me a bit when it came to Alan, but for the most part she was a pretty cool character. Rafe too, I think he was my favourite character in the book to be honest.

Supposedly The Jumbee is based on The Phantom of the Opera, which I roughly know the story line but have never seen. However, reading The Jumbee has made me very curious and I'm thinking I'll look into the Phantom of the Opera.

Overall, The Jumbee is a very captivating and satisfying read. Whenever I'd sit down to read it I ended up reading far longer than I had planned to. It's quite addictive and had me on the edge of my seat turning pages right up until the very end. I definitely recommend this one!

[equilibri · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 dialogue, 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 think the personalities were not fully developed.
- rather tepid romance
- Personally, I didn't really connect with the protagonist. She didn't feel like a strong character to me, but that's probably just because she wasn't my type: more emotional than logical, prone to brooding, melodrama and impulsiveness, a dedicated theatrical actress, often insecure about her talents. But I must say she wasn't an unlikable character altogether.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

From its reverence to Shakespeare, the Caribbean setting, and the Gothic romance plot, I fell in love with Pamela Keyes' debut novel from the beginning. I haven't read or seen Phantom of the Opera, but if you have, you might get even more from The Jumbee What a page turner!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine the Phantom of the Opera set in the West Indies.
A cultural tie-in of the Jumbee (a mischevious spirit of death) sets the tone for the island and its protagonist Esti.
Esti is the daughter of a recently deceased famous actor and she's desperate to make her mark.
With the guidance of a voice only she can hear, the Jumbee, her talent and self-confidence begins to blossom, desperate to play the role of Juliet in the theatre's production of Romeo and Juliet.
However, inexplicable accidents and bizarre circumstances lead to an exciting conclusion.

Now, if you've read Gaston Leroux's original story, you can see the plot points align. If you're familiar with the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, the plot follows more along those lines, even some of the characters' names aren't far off. The romantic love interest of this book is named Rafe. In LeRoux's story, his name is Raoul.

Now.....I will give credit where its due and say that it is a compelling suspenseful story and the Jumbee, we'll call him Alan, is a master magician and actor himself. You desperately want to know about the West Indies culture, the legends and myths and superstitions of the Jumbee, and you want to root so badly for all of its flawed characters. Sadly, for me, Esti, while she grows as an actress with Alan's haunting guidance, she doesn't reach a full arc as a character, which made her...almost unlikeable.
If you enjoy spin-off's of classic literature, it is an enjoyable read. Author Pamela Keyes does do a good job at building suspense and showcasing the culture and characterizations more. I'm fairly certain that I may have enjoyed this more as a full-cast audio. I will say that this book would make an excellent and visually enjoyable film.

[Anka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh boy. I had such a hard time with this book.

It sounds so cool! Phantom of the Opera in the Caribbean? Sure, why not?

I love Phantom of the Opera, so I was really expecting to like this book. I think what killed it for me was Esti, who wasn't nearly as freaked out by the creepy ghost who murdered someone (by throwing him off a catwalk since he snuck up on Esti and scared her) for, really, no apparent reason.

If it would have taken her a while to actually start having feelings for the disembodied voice (which I creepy when I think about it but also PotO so??), maybe I would've been more okay (I wouldn't want to date the creepy voice).

But RIGHT AFTER that first meeting she's like: "I wish he'd be my boyfrienddddd that voice is so sexay oh yeahhhh"

Idk. better RTC.

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I could write all about it, but basically if you like the Phantom of the Opera, you'll like this book. And even if you don't it's definitely a book worth reading.:)

[Sarah B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to change my review of this book as my first review does not sit well with me after I thought about the book. At the end of the book, it hints that the book is about friendship and compassion...but the plot elements don't hold true to that.

Or else it's all one sided.

And that one-sided friendship in here is the thing that kept bugging me. And it bugged me a lot! It actually made me very agitated for about two days. So here I am changing my review.

The jumbee in here does some awful stuff. He does hurtful stuff on purpose, most likely in a violent rage. He destroyed property of others and then at the end he breaks the law and does another type of thing that would have him sent to jail for! Yes, jail! Simply put the jumbee has mental issues. But the book acts like it's about friendship but how can it be when it's all so out of whack? Yes, Esti forgave the jumbee for what he did because she has a big heart but a real friendship is two sided. A friend does not do what he did. Friends don't go destroy your stuff, keep big secrets from you and then force you to go places you don't want to go. The little gifts he gave does not make up for that. I think some very controlling personality types give gifts to their victims so they can control them better. And that is NOT a good thing.

Also the truth about the jumbee was way too easy to guess.

But the main thing bugging me here is that one sided friendship.

Original Review:

With a mysterious death at the beginning and lots of suspense after that. I think this is one of the first books I read that is set in the Caribbean and the local culture is a big part of this story. In fact that is where the word jumbee comes from. It means 'ghost'. The locals really come alive in here with their accents, Carnival, their beliefs, the food they eat and even the dangerous stormy sea.

But the story is about a young girl named Esti. Her father was a very famous actor who has passed away recently and now she is going to school in the Caribbean. She joins the high school production of Romeo and Juliet. But from the very first day she, and only she, hears a mysterious voice talking to her. The voice starts to coach her for the part.

Everyone says it's a jumbee. This puts a big black spot on her reputation and locals fear her.

I admit I had my doubts about the voice and if it actually was a jumbee. I will not say what it turned out to be in the end because I don't want to ruin the story for other people. But I will say that throughout the story I thought that Esti was very careless. She totally trusted this voice even though she had no idea who this even was. And she kept meeting the voice in private, in secret meetings... usually late at night in an empty school building! I don't have to tell you how dangerous this behavior is. Ghost or person, this is foolhardy.

And as the story goes on, plot elements progress. Things grow more and more out of control. People get hurt.

I do think Esti is realistic. I have heard of real girls that act this way and do stuff like this. She's also very confused, can't make up her mind about various boys, deals with guilt and the lies that her sneaking around causes. And she's still not recovered from the death of her father. And she has some jealous issues there too...she is tired of being in her famous father's shadow. She wants to be known for who she is.

Themes in the book include friendship and compassion. And secrets too. Lots of secrets in here!

The book moved at a good pace and it is indeed entertaining. I did guess early on about the nature of the jumbee. You find out about half way through but then that knowledge puts more strain on Esti. She has harder choices to make.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by John Jacobson aka "R.J. Jacobs" for TeensReadToo.com

There is always a market for a good retelling in young adult fiction. Whether it's a classic in a contemporary situation (JANE or BEASTLY), or something put into a fantastical new world entirely (ENTWINED and the ONCE UPON A TIME IS TIMELESS series), teenagers are prone to have an interest in it. I am one of those teenagers, so THE JUMBEE was already an anticipated read for me. Throw in a beautiful cover and make it a retelling of one of the most well-known musical (and book) plots in modern culture, and color me ready to devour it.

The daughter of a famous, now-dead Shakespearian actor, Esti Legard is ready to take the stage of her new school by storm. Set on Cariba, this new school is supposed to be the place to get scouted for a career on the stage. Esti has all of her father's skill, but her confidence has always been skewed from being in his shadow. Her first day, she goes out onto the stage and acts in the part of Juliet, preparing for the school audition. A student comes up to her and tells her she has no chance of getting the part. That she sucks.

The next day, that student is dead. After a period of mourning, things at the school go back to normal. But not before Esti begins hearing the rumors around Cariba. The superstitions about jumbees - phantoms - and their bad luck magic. How a jumbee could have killed the student that insulted her. Esti scoffs at the superstitious nature, but soon finds herself confronted by a husky, sensual voice in the darkness of the stage. It gives her the confidence to perform better than she has in a long time. Who is this jumbee, and why is he living on the stage of a school in small Cariba?

THE JUMBEE is a take on a classic that manages to be interesting in providing an idea of what the source material is without being overbearing with it. Esti is a character who many people will enjoy reading about. She's uncertain of herself and has to deal with a broken mother and a father who is only there in the form of an unrelenting spirit, a silent judge of her talent in her own mind. Actors, professional or otherwise, will naturally see this in Esti's character. Keyes writes the acting life wonderfully, complete with the drama and politics of theater. She doesn't make any of it impossible for someone outside the theater perspective to understand, either.

Romantically, Keyes takes this story into a good place, as well. The odd type of love triangle exhibited in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is key to the success of the story, and she handles it very well within this one. The jumbee in this case is quite elusive and tortured. His need for darkness and seclusion attracts the reader yet makes them want to keep a distance from him, much as Esti does. Her budding romance with a childhood friend who is known as a player around the island isn't as alluring as it could have been, though. The tension and emotion exhibited between Esti and her two interests keeps you on your toes, and it's a pretty sensible adaptation of it.

Description also works in Keyes' favor with this work. The reader is easily transported to Cariba and can see the foliage and the native ways in their minds eye. At times dialogue is relied on, and some passages are weaker than others in the setting department because of it. The other main issue with the novel is that, while interesting, it doesn't provide a truly enrapturing and original take on the experience. Written well and interesting it is, but some readers just won't get past a certain spice that isn't there. Most, however, will find the read very enjoyable, especially as an entrance to the classic musical and book.

Keyes does a lot right in this adaptation, and I am very interested in seeing what she decides to write next.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 recite her lines and teaches her the finer points on acting. Even though Esti has yet to see Alan, she develops deep feelings for him. As events unfold, Esti learns that many of the locals believe that the theater is haunted by a Jumbee, legendary ghosts that haunt the island. Esti’s life is further complicated when her friend, Rafe, shows up on the lsland for some fun in the sun.

The Jumbee is an imaginative retelling of Phantom of the Opera. Ms. Keyes utilizes the captivating Caribbean as the backdrop for her story. Ms. Keyes deftly weaves Caribbean culture and superstition into the story, making a familiar tale an altogether a new experience. Part mystery, part romance, with loads of intrigue, The Jumbee is an entertaining tale that will keep you guessing.

Ultimately, Esti is a unique and interesting character. Nonetheless, I would have liked for the author to have delved deeper into her character. Beyond Esti’s obsession with theater, and her struggle to escape the shadow cast by her famous father, I felt there was something missing, and that if she were a little more fleshed out, this would have made her even more memorable. Other characters fair better still. Alan and Rafe are especially well crafted characters.

Overall, The Jumbee is a very good read. There’s plenty charm in The Jumbee to keep readers engaged. With its unique and refreshing Caribbean setting, and suspenseful storyline, this paranormal adventure is a great addition to the genre.

Notable Scene:

His chest rose in a fierce breath, but he didn’t speak. Esti forced herself to meet his gaze, trying to ignore a sudden panic that she had somehow alienated him too. After what seemed like forever, he finally came closer. Although she wished she knew what he was thinking, the desire on his face was unmistakable. As the sand shifted beneath his knees, she choked back a fleeting sense of hysteria. Would this make her feel better?

But Rafe didn’t kiss her. He reached out with his hand instead, touching her cheek. His fingertips lightly followed the line of her jaw, then her nose and the ridge of her eyebrows, exploring the shape of her face. His eyes not leaving hers, he let his fingers move to her mouth, tracing the curve of her lips. His touch felt like fire on her skin, glorious and frightening and wonderful.

Abruptly he leaned forward. His fingers twisted into her hair, cupping the back of her head and tipping her face up to meet his. His mouth took over where his hand had begun. Esti melted into him, heat exploding through her body as his tongue traced the tip of her tongue, the line of her teeth. Slowly, his lips discovered the rest of her face, returning to her mouth every now and then as they brushed against her closed eyes, her cheekbones, the lobes of her ears. When he finally straightened, still cupping her head in his hand, she sagged and stared up at him.

The Jumbee Series:

1. The Jumbee

FTC Advisory: Penguin Group provided me with a copy of The Jumbee. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esti Legard is an actres living in the shadow of her father, an even greater actor. After her father dies, Esti convinces her mother to move them to Cariba, so she can attend the Manichay School and hopefully step out from under her father's shadow. When she hears a strange voice mentoring her on her parts in the play she has joined, she isn't sure if it's real, she's going crazy, or it's a Jumbee. Many of the locals are quick to tell her that he's a Jumbee, but there is something so real about him that Esti can't believe it. When her childhood friend Rafe shows up on the island, way hotter than he used to be, but every bit as charming, Esti starts a longing attraction toward him. Though it's hard for her to be in Rafe's arms while she thinks about her mysterious Jumbee. When strange things start to happen that no one can explain, blame turns to Esti and the Jumbee that locals fear she converse with. Is her mentor simply trying to possess her, or does he simply need a friend and sees one in her.

This was an amazing story. There was so much going on and so many emotions, but Pamela Keyes did an excellent job of reigning them all in so that the story flowed smoothly. I loved the Phantom of the Opera aspect and the Shakespeare on nearly every page. It didn't feel like reading Shakespeare though, it just flowed so nicely and lyrically. There was really nothing that I didn't absolutely love about this book. I guess if I had to pick something it would be Esti's friendships, or her lack of them. She talks about having this great friend in Carmen when she first gets to the island, but then Carmen falls quickly to the wayside. Though this is acknowledge by Esti, I don't feel like they established enough of a friendship to have Esti ditch her. I did love Rafe and the mysterious voice man. Rafe was really energetic and flirty, even if he did call her babe all the time. I think that this book would appeal to everyone who enjoys theater in any capacity. I am by no means a thespian, I haven't actually ever been in a play, but I do enjoy them and I got sucked into this story right away and practically sprinted through it. I didn't actually read it that fast though, because I wanted to savor the mysteries even when at times it was completely unbearable not to know what was going on. I loved the whole feel about the island and the dialect of the natives only added to the setting even more. I could completely feel like I was on the island, even though there was snow outside my apartment. Esti's mom wasn't a very like-able character for me. I feel bad for not liking her, but I feel like she was just to irresponsible and too much of a lush. I mean, her husband did die and that sucks and I realize that, but Esti seemed totally fine and yet here her mom is drinking bottle after bottle of wine while moping around the house. It seems like she could have been a slightly more alive character to fit in with Esti and her father. It was really interesting though, that Esti's mother was such a contrast from herself. Esti was sneaking out and having tryst with different boys and in a play and...her mom was getting drunk at home. Okay, sorry for ranting about her mom. Anyways, I highly recommend you lovers of YA and mysterious backstage voices and cute boys on the beach to check this one out. Unless you absolutely hate everything about Shakespeare, then...maybe skip it.

First Line:
"'Paul is dead!'"

Favorite Line:
"Fifty years from now she knew she would remember every detail of those sea-colored eyes."

[Kaylah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 - Would not read again for what I feel are valid, personal reasons that I have mentioned below. Whether or not I would personally recommend this book to others depends on who they are.

So, to start, I bought this book about 14 years ago, as a native of St. Thomas, I was so happy to finally have representation--I feel like I should get that out of the way because I feel like that heavily skewed how I read and processed the book.

If you are not from here or if you're not sensitive about your origins you probably won't understand. And that's okay. Maybe I AM being a little overly sensitive, but I feel like I'm allowed to be and if you disagree that's fine. Just please don't invalidate my experience or feelings about the book.

I went in with no experience as to what Phantom of the Opera was (10 or 11 year old me probably saw "phantom" and it piqued my curiosity). Unfortunately, I did not keep my interest as much as I'd hoped , and due to my inability to never waste a book (because that would be like wasting money) I have tried to push through for the past 14 or so years.

That out of the way, I'll start with the good:

1. I thought the characters themselves were pretty interesting, a little exhausting (most of the main cast being teenaged theater kids), but interesting in their own right.

2. I thought the idea to set the story on the island of St. Thomas/Croix--I mean "Cariba" interesting to be an interesting fix.

3. While not perfect, I love the attempt to incorporate some of our customs and mythology into the story. In regards to the not perfect part, for example I would have liked if she instead used the yellow cedar or the hibiscus as the symbolic flower of this book as the former is the national flower and they are both more common than the frangipani. And if she featured more foods than the roti (though she does mention Johnny cakes later on, it was only once compared to the rotis)

4. I did think it was a solid, beautiful story showcasing how Esti and her mother dealt with the loss of her father/husband, and how Esti intended to step away from his shadow to prove to herself that she is more than just "the Gret Legards daughter". Esti wasn't perfect, she was a broken, grief-stricken girl, who was grasping at the first thing that reminded her of her father to bring her comfort (at least, that's what I got from it)

What made me drop the rating to two stars:

1. The story starts off really slow, and while introductions of the characters and environment is important, it felt like a chore to get through despite the compelling events that happen in the first few pages. The story, however, does pick up after "Act 2" when we really get the ball rolling into figuring out who "Alan" really is and how she's connected to Esti.

Truthfully, I really did enjoy myself after that part, and I was excited to see what was going to happen next, who Esti was going to pick, etc.

2. I want to believe that the person who wrote this story had all the best intentions in mind when writing it, but some elements made me very uncomfortable. Again, I am a native of the Virgin Islands. My family is from there. I was raised there. I still currently live in the VI, and (this is important) I speak like anyone else that is from here. Yes we have an accent, yes it can be a little hard for people that were born and raised on the continent (the US) to understand us at first, but we do not speak the way that she wrote in her books. I'm sorry, we just don't. And though we tend to mesh a lot of our words together or skip over some words, it's not as drastic as she wrote in the book, I promise. Also, we don't say "mon", we say "man", mon is more of a Jamaican thing lol--That last part is a personal pet peeve of mine. Nothing too important, but because it's a peeve, it made me twitch every time I saw it written out in the book.

As she is someone who is not from here, I do not expect her to know everything, but some things made me wonder while reading if she actually consulted any black (or Hispanic) locals while making the spoken lines. It was really jarring seeing the grammar and took me out of the book quite a bit, but I guess it gave me a good look at how other people hear and see us? I guess?

I probably would have preferred if she just stuck with "implied" accents and let the reader figure out what that meant on their own or how the islanders sounded on their own.

Another thing that made me feel a bit uncomfortable was how the locals were portrayed within the story.

One little example was when she was talking to her mother Aurora, and they had a (unneeded imo) conversation about how the locals "resented Continentals".
This was after a scene where she's walking through a local classmate's neighborhood, and people are watching her through the windows (aka making a big spectacle of her arrival).

Listen, very few here actually resents the white people who move down here. All types people move here. We're American, Cariba is American (assuming since it was very easy to Aurora to move Esti down to the island and how quick she was trying to move her back)

While it is true that we tend to bond better with the white locals (Frenchies as we call most of them), that's because we share a culture at this point. Black, Hispanic, and white locals all share the same culture and struggles. We tend to understand each other more than the people who move down here from the the states. It is what it is.

Any resentment comes from frustration seeing people move down here with no plan and hardly any money thinking things will be smooth sailing, and then leaving abruptly (leaving the locals to pick up and pieces) or from racism FROM the people who move here. The rich few buy up properties around beaches and trails that our people trekked and used for centuries, and we're apparently supposed to be okay with that because they bring in money (sometimes, anyone outside of hospitality don't really get any of the benfits). If we show any type of resistance, we're "uncivilized" and "don't like white people." Like what?

Again, I hope she had the best intentions and wanted to show the disparities amongst the different groups on the island, but she didn't go much further with the idea after that conversation, so it felt unnecessary.

Also a few times our cultural items were written as "scary", and while I know the book was supposed to have a bit of a horror element to it, I don't think a black jumbee mask should have the room scramble, especially the local kids who have probably seen things like that their entire lives. Esti and the other confirmed stateside kids? I get. Carmen and Danielle? LUCIA?? Who I presume were locals? The latter being the most superstitious of her classmates?? Why are you running? Lol

3. Alan was a creep, and Esti's reciprocated behavior made me feel uncomfortable. All throughout the book, he has shown off odd, possessive behaviors toward Esti that should have been nipped in the bud--Though, this could just be my unfamiliarity with the Phantom of the Opera showing. Were the main characters from that story also this weird? I guess it's more romantic in a Victorian (?) setting, but in a modern retelling? I'm surprised they didn't just put the girl under psychiatric hold.

That's basically it, I have more examples but this review is getting a bit long.

I want to mention, that I keep mentioning my origins because I WAS excited to read her book as we don't (didn't, there are a lot more now!) have a lot of writers who wrote about the islands specifically, but my inner child who excitedly purchased this book and now 25 year old me who's willing to finish what I started felt very... hurt? Mocked? Disappointed?

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trouble in Paradise: "The Jumbee" by Pamela Keyes
from the Militant Recommender Book Review Blog: http://militantrecommender.blogspot.com/
Having read a LOT of Phantom based fiction over the years, many reviewed here, I can say that The Jumbee was a very different and fascinating retelling. Set on a West Indian island called Cariba, it centers around a young woman who has come to the island to finish out high school.

Esti Legard is a talented actress. She is the daughter of the great Shakespearean actor, Alan Legard. He was so well known on stage and screen, that it was hard for her to be an actor in her own right, being forever in his shadow. She had played Juliet in a Public Television production with her father, and he seemed to imply that she didn't live up to his high standards. Afterwards, she began to separate from him, no longer going along to all his events. When he dies after a brief illness, she feels guilty and that she must prove to herself that she can still make it as an actor.

No sooner had she and her mother settled on the Island and Esti started at the Manchicay High School, renowned for its theatre program, than she is witness to a fatal accident. A student told her she'd never make it as Juliet and minutes later, he falls from the stage's catwalk. Questioned by the police, she turns to leave, when it seems as if a voice emanating from the walls is quoting Shakespeare to her. Is she losing her mind?

Not long after she tries out for the lead in Romeo and Juliet, but realizes there is a crew of popular kids who've had the lead roles forever and aren't very welcoming. Despite that, she holds her own and makes a couple of friends who aren't part of the inner circle. She also learns that a boy she knew as a girl back in the states was coming home to Cariba, where his father helped organize talent agents and scouts to come to the school's productions. He has quite a reputation among the Island's girls.

Meanwhile, the voice she heard has spoken to her and she is so taken with it's beauty and mastery of Shakespeare that she agrees to come to the school at night to allow this mysterious entity to coach her.
Who could this invisible presence be? As I mentioned, this is a very different spin on the Phantom story and one that kept me reading. The characters are colorful and the island dialect seems to resonate from the pages, as does the voice of the mystery Jumbee, or Island ghost. If you are in the mood for a story that will take you on an island journey and give you a "Phantom" you'll remember long after the final page, then give Ms. Keyes' The Jumbee a try!

[Giulia Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resenha 2010:
Primeiro eu tenho que confessor minha paixão pela a história do Fantasma da Ópera.

The Phantom of The Opera foi a primeira peça/ musical que eu assisti (não, teatro da escola não conta :D ), foi marcante porque eu estava com uma tia eu amo muito, foi marcante porque eu assisti quando eu estava visitando Londres e foi marcante porque a história é tocante… cheia de suspense e romance…

The Jumbee é a história contada nos dias atuais e no Caribe (ameeei esse detalhe *-* e fiquei com vontade de conhecer lá… *-*)

Eu amei a personagem principal Esti… o que me surpreendeu, porque na peça eu simplesmente odiei a Cristine (oooh, menina chata e sem sal ¬¬)… logo nas primeiras páginas eu me peguei pensando: “ Nossa! A Esti é tão gentil e mesmo tendo um pai famoso não é nada mimada… amei ela!”

Dai entra o Alan, o nosso fantasma de olhos azuis…

E dai entra o Rafe, o amigo de infância bad boy da Esti…

E temos o famoso triângulo amoroso que move a história! Só que no livro conseguimos ver que a Esti realmente gosta dos dois… enquanto que na peça a Cristine só ta sendo uma vaca com o Phantom mesmo ¬¬ (desculpa, mas não tem jeito, na peça eu sou totalmente Team Phantom e se não tivesse chorando eu taria pulando de alegria quando ele deixa ela ir embora)

Enfim, deixando meu bla bla bla de lado, eu fiquei confusa que nem a Esti… não tem como não gostar dos dois meninos que lutam pelo coração dela…

A história foi praticamente a mesma… mas foi diferente ao mesmo tempo… não sei, não dá para explicar… eu me vi me apaixonando pela história do Fantasma da Ópera de novo…

Amei o The Jumbee… acho que é um ótimo livro para pessoas que não conhecem e conhecem essa peça…

Amei as referências ao Shakespeare e à atuação, amei o cenário e a cultura caribenha… e principalmente amei todos os personagens!

E dessa vez não fui totalmente Team Phantom (desculpa Alan :/) porque o Rafe foi super fofo *-*

Enfim… The Jumbee é uma leitura que vale a pena!

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 'The Jumbies' by Tracey Baptiste, Corinne is a girl from Trinidad and learns that her village is threatened by spooky creatures called jumbies. With her friends help, Corinne faces off against a powerful jumbie named Severine, who wants to harm their village. Corinne bravely sets out on a journey to save her home, discovering secrets about her Caribbean heritage along the way. Along the journey, she learns about courage, friendship, and the importance of standing up for what's right. Ultimately, Corinne's bravery and determination help her overcome the challenges and protect her community.

[Alexandria Kitchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out slow and was difficult to get into at first while the "scene"/setting was being created. Though if you want a tropical young adult version of "Phantom of the Opera" this book is the one for you! After about the first 60-80 pages I definitely got more into it. By the time I was reading the second half of the book I didn't really want to put it down! There was definitely character growth all the way around in this story and overall it has a very satisfying ending.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing when I read this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this novel. I highly recommend this book. Anyone that loves the show Phantom of the Opera, would love to read this book.

[Paschalis]

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[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[thewanderingjew · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Katieb (MundieMoms) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

As soon as I read about an “alluring phantom voice” named Alan, I knew I wanted to read THE JUMBEE. This modern retelling of The Phantom of the Opera beautifully blends an exotic island setting, the romance and poetry of Shakespeare, and hints of Scooby Doo-esque mystery and mayhem. Despite minor structural issues on the outset, I was quickly engaged by the drama of this ghost story. I can’t help feel, however, that I would have enjoyed THE JUMBEE all the more if it had broken free of the Phantom and found it’s own resolution for it’s characters.

In a somewhat failed effort to build suspense right from the beginning, Keyes throws you headfirst into the narrative, mentioning numerous people and places without any explanation. The effect was disorienting enough that it took several more chapters before I got my bearings again. I am glad I pushed past those initial problems, though, as once the characters and back story were established, I found little to distract me from enjoying Keye’s characters.

Esti Legard is a fascinating young woman, struggling simultaneously with grief and a crisis of confidence. Throughout much of the book I was holding my breath while Esti hesitated at the crossroads of her future. Esti’s passion for theater is masterfully portrayed, a genius both fulfilling and all-consuming. A step above the normal story of an adolescent seeking self-confidence, Esti has to evaluate the destructive forces that come hand in hand with the measure of her gift.

Circling around Esti throughout this exploration were Alan and Rafe, the mysterious voice and a childhood friend grown into the local Lothario. While Alan made a fair allegory for a particular life path, I found his introduction much more satisfying than his reality (Alan, unfortunately, is what gave me the strongest Scooby Doo vibe, “Those meddling kids!”). Despite these criticisms, however, Alan was still more believable than Rafe. Keyes gave Rafe a detailed back story, but in the present tense of the book he never emerged as a believable character for me (or a believable suitor for Esti).

As a reader I did not have strong leanings towards either of the men in Esti’s life, but was much more interested in the potential of her future. I put down my copy of THE JUMBEE already imagining Esti off to adventures and experiences that had little to do with ending’s attempt to corral her into a resolution. As a character, she certainly stands out from the book in which I found her.

Sexual Content: Brief sensuality and discussion of sex.