Scan barcode
opheliasviolence's review
4.0
Utterly heart wrenching. Despite knowing the direction Kay was going to go with and not liking how the ending felt rushed, it still got to me.
If you love POTO, this is absolutely a must read, even if just for the first part of Erik's life. I didn't expect to like this book so much, given that ending. I really loved reading about Erik's life and seeing things that were only mentioned in the original be fleshed out.
For those that hate how the story goes once he meets Christine or even those looking for another retelling, I'd highly recommend Chanson de l'Ange by Paisley Swan Stewart (it's a retelling in 3 parts). I'd say it's good for those that like Christine with Erik, those who love the musical and don't hate the movie.
I might try a little experiment of reading Kay's novel and then going into Stewart's when Erik meets Christine for that ultimate heartbreak.
If you love POTO, this is absolutely a must read, even if just for the first part of Erik's life. I didn't expect to like this book so much, given that ending. I really loved reading about Erik's life and seeing things that were only mentioned in the original be fleshed out.
For those that hate how the story goes once he meets Christine or even those looking for another retelling, I'd highly recommend Chanson de l'Ange by Paisley Swan Stewart (it's a retelling in 3 parts). I'd say it's good for those that like Christine with Erik, those who love the musical and don't hate the movie.
I might try a little experiment of reading Kay's novel and then going into Stewart's when Erik meets Christine for that ultimate heartbreak.
kasaya_mt33's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The writing is beautiful and the story tragic. The multiple POVs that give glimpses into Erik's character is well written. Simply put, it is not a book I'd forget quite easily. I had devoured this book when I first read it as a teenager and now, more than a decade later, the story of the Phantom still haunts me.
Susan Kay's storytelling is simply superb.
Susan Kay's storytelling is simply superb.
motherthing's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I recently went to NYC to catch the show before it closes and it sent me down my PotO obsession once again. I read this book years ago and loved it and I have to say it still holds up for me.
Book is fantastically written. There’s so much insight into Erik and Kay does a great job of making him both human and monstrous. He can be very disturbing at times, but that’s kind of the point of his character, right?
I do still hate the ending. As sad as it might be, I’m still a big fan of the Phantom being left behind and disappearing. I feel like that’s what makes it so heart wrenching. That there’s no true happy ending. That is whyChristine coming back to have sex with Erik before her wedding then marrying Raoul and being okay with bringing a child into their marriage that wasn’t his was outrageously ridiculous. And the fact that Raoul KNOWS it’s not his kid and still stays with Christine and raises the child like the most loving father with no anger or sense of betrayal or anything close to that is just plain unbelievable, not to mention weird as fuck.
Then again, everyone has their own interpretation and headcanon, so I just pretend Raoul’s POV doesn’t exist. That being said, I still think it’s a fantastic book and the writing is almost poetic.
Book is fantastically written. There’s so much insight into Erik and Kay does a great job of making him both human and monstrous. He can be very disturbing at times, but that’s kind of the point of his character, right?
I do still hate the ending. As sad as it might be, I’m still a big fan of the Phantom being left behind and disappearing. I feel like that’s what makes it so heart wrenching. That there’s no true happy ending. That is why
Then again, everyone has their own interpretation and headcanon, so I just pretend Raoul’s POV doesn’t exist. That being said, I still think it’s a fantastic book and the writing is almost poetic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Emotional abuse, Child death, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, and Sexual assault
blackmxths's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
shelflife's review
3.0
I have had this book sitting on my shelf for about 6 years. After 2 people raved and praised this story, I finally had to read what the fuss was about. Giving Erik, the phantom of the opera a back story is a clever idea that has intrigued me for quite some time.
Kay is a lovely writer, her style feels dark and gothic setting the right tone for handling the story of Erik. I completely fell in and got lost in the beginning. I loved it from birth to Persia. Where she started losing me and I felt myself slowing down my momentum was when Christine came in the picture and he eventually evolved in the Phantom. For me I couldn't feel anything anymore about Erik. He lost me completely. I could no longer understand him or his relationship with Christine who seemed so utterly vapid I could not connect the deeply felt passion between these two. I never understood Raoul at all. Why would he even give his life over to this nightmare.
I can't put my finger on it really. I should have been over the moon about this story. Gothic fiction, doomed lovers, complex protagonist, all the elements I love in a book and yet I feel underwhelmed overall.
Still, I would recommend it. It is still well worth the lovely writing.
Kay is a lovely writer, her style feels dark and gothic setting the right tone for handling the story of Erik. I completely fell in and got lost in the beginning. I loved it from birth to Persia. Where she started losing me and I felt myself slowing down my momentum was when Christine came in the picture and he eventually evolved in the Phantom. For me I couldn't feel anything anymore about Erik. He lost me completely. I could no longer understand him or his relationship with Christine who seemed so utterly vapid I could not connect the deeply felt passion between these two. I never understood Raoul at all. Why would he even give his life over to this nightmare.
I can't put my finger on it really. I should have been over the moon about this story. Gothic fiction, doomed lovers, complex protagonist, all the elements I love in a book and yet I feel underwhelmed overall.
Still, I would recommend it. It is still well worth the lovely writing.
nymnphi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
honestly i’m not sure if this book deserves a full star.
to begin, i did actually quite like the writing. if you told me this book was ghostwritten by leroux, i would probably believe you at certain points. it mimicked his voice and style well, and was overall decent in terms of prose. besides the appearance of the word “awesome” about once a chapter, the style of writing was well-done and the reason behind the full star.
the story itself though….it’s a racist, misguided, and dangerously sexist mess of inconsistencies, annoyances, and grossness.
i have always been a proponent of the fact that christine and erik’s relationship is nothing more than abusive. the reason she stays is, in my opinion, due to a mix of fear, manipulation, and pity for not just erik but for herself. christine believes that because of the death of her father and her believed “lack of talent” that she is broken and undeserving of love. erik represents that self-loathing side of her. meanwhile, raoul represents healing and light and self-love. christine chooses him not because he is the better choice but because he makes her happy. she chooses to be happy rather than wallow in pain with erik. so when i see many a phanfiction authors make the mistake of making christine and erik the one true pair, i cringe inside. you guys completely miss the mark with this one lol. stop pairing women with the abusive “tortured bad boy,” it’s just unhealthy.
the racism…ugh. i know this book was written in the 80’s, but even then some common sense and an open mind could have seen that this was avoided. the romani people/caravan erik stays with as a teenager are portrayed as not only exotic witches (a common stereotype), but as human traffickers, slavers, and rapists. not to mention that erik is almost raped by the only canon gay/bisexual character during this time, making gay people (once again!) the pedophiles of the story.
erik’s time in persia is no better (he at one point says, “fuck your culture” LMAO).
it may or may not be intentional, but this book really makes it seem like erik’s time in non-white cultures fucked him up the most, and i’m not sure how i feel about it.
as mentioned previously, the entire POTO retelling is pure garbage. it’s littered with a variety of plot holes, misunderstandings, and false information that contradicts the original novel. at one point, erik goes into graphic detail about how he wants to “rape [Christine] with music.” ew ew ew ew.
this book was my first introduction to the world of phanfiction, and damn did it make me want to keep the genre at a safe six feet of distance for the sake of my well-being. phantom fans…ESPECIALLY those who prefer/love the novel…spare yourselves.
to begin, i did actually quite like the writing. if you told me this book was ghostwritten by leroux, i would probably believe you at certain points. it mimicked his voice and style well, and was overall decent in terms of prose. besides the appearance of the word “awesome” about once a chapter, the style of writing was well-done and the reason behind the full star.
the story itself though….it’s a racist, misguided, and dangerously sexist mess of inconsistencies, annoyances, and grossness.
i have always been a proponent of the fact that christine and erik’s relationship is nothing more than abusive. the reason she stays is, in my opinion, due to a mix of fear, manipulation, and pity for not just erik but for herself. christine believes that because of the death of her father and her believed “lack of talent” that she is broken and undeserving of love. erik represents that self-loathing side of her. meanwhile, raoul represents healing and light and self-love. christine chooses him not because he is the better choice but because he makes her happy. she chooses to be happy rather than wallow in pain with erik. so when i see many a phanfiction authors make the mistake of making christine and erik the one true pair, i cringe inside. you guys completely miss the mark with this one lol. stop pairing women with the abusive “tortured bad boy,” it’s just unhealthy.
the racism…ugh. i know this book was written in the 80’s, but even then some common sense and an open mind could have seen that this was avoided. the romani people/caravan erik stays with as a teenager are portrayed as not only exotic witches (a common stereotype), but as human traffickers, slavers, and rapists. not to mention that erik is almost raped by the only canon gay/bisexual character during this time, making gay people (once again!) the pedophiles of the story.
erik’s time in persia is no better (he at one point says, “fuck your culture” LMAO).
it may or may not be intentional, but this book really makes it seem like erik’s time in non-white cultures fucked him up the most, and i’m not sure how i feel about it.
as mentioned previously, the entire POTO retelling is pure garbage. it’s littered with a variety of plot holes, misunderstandings, and false information that contradicts the original novel. at one point, erik goes into graphic detail about how he wants to “rape [Christine] with music.” ew ew ew ew.
this book was my first introduction to the world of phanfiction, and damn did it make me want to keep the genre at a safe six feet of distance for the sake of my well-being. phantom fans…ESPECIALLY those who prefer/love the novel…spare yourselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Drug abuse, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Trafficking, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Biphobia, Antisemitism, Torture, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Addiction, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, and Death of parent
josephineskjodt's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emmanuellenikolaev's review
1.0
Yikes, racism.
If you are thinking about picking this book up due to it being a retelling of Phantom of the opera, I would strongly advise you don't waste your eyes. I have seen people comparing this to fan fiction, which in my opinion is an insult to fan fiction, given that this book reads a bit like the worst kind of angst-filled drivel. I would usually be kinder in my reviews, but I must say that I find this book infuriating not only in that it is poorly written, but it manages to be leagues more racist than the original WRITTEN IN 1909! ...
So no, I would not recommend this to a friend.
If you are thinking about picking this book up due to it being a retelling of Phantom of the opera, I would strongly advise you don't waste your eyes. I have seen people comparing this to fan fiction, which in my opinion is an insult to fan fiction, given that this book reads a bit like the worst kind of angst-filled drivel. I would usually be kinder in my reviews, but I must say that I find this book infuriating not only in that it is poorly written, but it manages to be leagues more racist than the original WRITTEN IN 1909! ...
So no, I would not recommend this to a friend.
kamrynkoble's review against another edition
4.0
This novel seems to flawlessly set up every mysterious bit of The Phantom of the Opera, only to then proceed to fix every "mistake" of the story. At first I was baffled by how diligently Kay wove the tapestry of Erik's only life to scream "screw you!" at Leroux directly after.
I'll be the first to admit it - I have never finished the original novel; however, I do consider myself a connoisseur of the stage show, and know enough of the work it's based upon to realize just how many liberties Kay decided to take with the classic work.
If you read Phantom with no prior knowledge of the story it's paying homage to, it would still be a good novel with character development and plot and good pacing. But what amazed me as a fan and Team Erik member for five years was the new depth that Kay managed to give to Christine and the Phantom. She royally ignored every other character such as Giry, Meg, and Raoul; although, the work done with those such as Erik's mother and the ones involved early in his life - the ones who shaped him into the twisted man we see when the show begins - makes it okay in the end.
Questions I have had burning on my mind have been answered. Even if they aren't "official," they still bring light to the situations left as mysteries, along with giving motive to what seems as pure madness in previous tellings.
Along with that, I've talked with many people who wonder why in the world Erik loves Christine. She comes across as a pretty bimbo with no personality or emotions or depth. And yet, Kay tackled this problem head on. We see her through a lens in Erik's mind that actually makes sense, but then again, Kay did alter major plot points, so who knows?
One issue for me personally was Erik's child narration occasionally reading too much like an adult, making it hard to stay invested in what was happening in the story. He is a prodigy, but I do feel as if he could have sounded more like a highly intelligent boy rather than a man. Pushing aside the voice, his childhood was interesting and well planned.
All in all, I think this is a good read for any Phantom fan. Reading this work, it feels as is Kay enjoyed the ideas, people, and themes of the work but reconstructed what happened to her own liking. It bites its thumb at the original, yes, but the added dimensions to the characters doesn't make this seem like too much of a loss.
I'll be the first to admit it - I have never finished the original novel; however, I do consider myself a connoisseur of the stage show, and know enough of the work it's based upon to realize just how many liberties Kay decided to take with the classic work.
If you read Phantom with no prior knowledge of the story it's paying homage to, it would still be a good novel with character development and plot and good pacing. But what amazed me as a fan and Team Erik member for five years was the new depth that Kay managed to give to Christine and the Phantom. She royally ignored every other character such as Giry, Meg, and Raoul; although, the work done with those such as Erik's mother and the ones involved early in his life - the ones who shaped him into the twisted man we see when the show begins - makes it okay in the end.
Questions I have had burning on my mind have been answered. Even if they aren't "official," they still bring light to the situations left as mysteries, along with giving motive to what seems as pure madness in previous tellings.
Along with that, I've talked with many people who wonder why in the world Erik loves Christine. She comes across as a pretty bimbo with no personality or emotions or depth. And yet, Kay tackled this problem head on. We see her through a lens in Erik's mind that actually makes sense, but then again, Kay did alter major plot points, so who knows?
One issue for me personally was Erik's child narration occasionally reading too much like an adult, making it hard to stay invested in what was happening in the story. He is a prodigy, but I do feel as if he could have sounded more like a highly intelligent boy rather than a man. Pushing aside the voice, his childhood was interesting and well planned.
All in all, I think this is a good read for any Phantom fan. Reading this work, it feels as is Kay enjoyed the ideas, people, and themes of the work but reconstructed what happened to her own liking. It bites its thumb at the original, yes, but the added dimensions to the characters doesn't make this seem like too much of a loss.