The Monsters of Music by Rebecca Kenney

The Monsters of Music by Rebecca F Kenney is an enjoyable romp brimful of Easter eggs to delight fans of musicals, mythology and W B Yeats such as me! Kenney promotes The Monsters of Music as YA; I'm way beyond that age bracket but thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Kenney does so much to grip her target audience: The setting of an American Idol type competition set in a theatre expertly melds the old with the new and is bound to be a relatable with younger audiences. Kenney has created a Simon Cowell type character and I confess to malicious pleasure at watching him squirm. There's a definite power play in The Monsters of Music that definitely faces the young through the protagonist of Mel, the Muse, who must find a release for her magic before it consumes her. Where better to find a willing protege than a singing competition. 

Mel is a flawed heroine, she's young and makes the mistakes of youth, Kenney's portrayal of a mythical creature, a Muse, as a messed up teenage girl with all the angst associated with being a self conscious seventeen year old. Throw in a tragic back story, that's left her physically and emotionally scarred, and Kenney has a central character who whilst not always likable is always understandable. 

As if this wasn't enough Kenney throws in the great themes of music, love and jealousy expected from The Phantom of the Opera and she has a sure fire winner.