Rating: 
Summary: It was good!!!...untill the end...
Review: This book tells the background information, the childhood of the Phantom of the Opera, (from the Phantom of the Opera written by Gaston Leroux) how Christine and Phantom met, and many other events which was not written in the original book. If you have actually read the original Phantom of the Opera, and you liked it, then I would really recomend this book but otherwise, the chances are that you wouldn't be able to understand anything that goes on in this book, or at least not fully. This book starts off by telling us about the young phantom, or Erik, and you will read how he was never treated with compassion, not even from his own mother. Everyone treated him with hatred and that is how he became to be who he is in the original book.
The things I really liked about this book are that I get to know about the background informations of the most of the main characters from the original book. Also, Erik actually becomes a friend with Charles Garnier, the guy who made the Paris Opera, and since I got to know about the conflicts they faced when they were constructing the Paris Opera, (such as underground lake under the city of Paris) I actually got to know the little history on the Paris Opera.
I thought everything was going so well until I became closer to the end of the book. The end of the book actually overlap with the original Phantom of the Opera book (which means that it pretty much tells the same story, just from the different point of view) and I noticed some things that didn't occur in the original book or it occured but simply at the wrong location. When I finished reading the whole book, I was discusted by the many faulse events that took place and also by the ending. I very much liked the ending of the original book, but Susan Kay ruined it with her own ending which I thought was very stupid and should never have happened.(I can't tell you what happened, you've got read it yourself unfortunantly...)
So as I said, I didn't like the end but everything else was excellent, so I think it is still worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Original Interprutation of a Classical Story
Review: Being a big fan of musical theatre, I was very excited to read Susan Kay's version of the Phantom's life. This book starts with the birth of Erik (the phantom) and takes you all the way through to his appearance in the opera and the kidnapping of Christine and finally his death.
Each section of his life is narrated by a different person, including his narrative and Christine's diary. You cannot help but empathize with Erik's struggles and his longing for love and acceptance. But you also see his oddities and obvious genius through the eyes of others.
This book is a great way to introduce anyone to this classic story as well as enhance a love that is all ready there for the Phantom of the Opera.
Rating:
Summary: A must for Phantom fanatics
Review: For anyone enamored with the fascinating story of the Phantom of the Opera, this book is an absolute must-read. After the original novel by Gaston Leroux, Kay's novel is probably the most widely read (and perhaps the best-loved) literary Phantom adaptation. Meticulously researched and skillfully characterized, this novel spins a darkly enchanting backstory for the man who would become the Phantom of the Opera. Readers will be satisfied with the extensive amount of original fiction here. Unlike many Phantom adaptations, this novel does not simply recount the famous events at the Paris Opera; instead, it seeks to flesh out the rest of Erik's tale, both before and after he met Christine Daae. It is full of compelling original characters, and the carefully-crafted plot fits well with Leroux's original vision, informing it without attempting to alter it. Though now out of print, this book is certainly worth tracking down and savoring for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the trouble of finding it
Review: For me, this was one of the books I kept wishing would never end. Several friends recommended it to me, promising me I would absolutely love it. Thus, I began it with high expectations -- and they were met. It's a very well-written novel, and the story is so enchanting, I was forced to read it all in one day. After I finished the book, I stayed awake for nearly an hour letting everything sink in. The author doesn't treat her readers like idiots; the story is replete with subtlety and discreetly-made connections that leave your mind running long after you put the book down.What is written of Erik [the phantom's] life prior to his time in the opera house (which takes up more than half of the book) provides countless explanations for unanswered questions in the play. The author's descriptive abilities are superb; the description of Erik's voice alone leads the reader off into a reverie. Some things can only be put into words. I'm sure if you looked hard enough you could find plenty of fault with the book, but that's the case with every story. The point is: If you're looking for intrigue and depth in a book, "Phantom" is definitely worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect companion to Leroux's novel.
Review: Gaston Leroux's novel is, for me, something that should not be tampered with, so when Susan Kay's "Phantom" first came out I was skeptical and on my guard. What encouraged me to purchase this book was the author's introduction. Many of the things about Leroux's novel that had intrigued or nagged at her had also occurred to me over the years, and I was curious to see what she would do about resolving them. The result is a fascinating and wholly feasible construction of Erik's life, and a totally absorbing read. Nowadays I don't re-read either book without the other following immediately afterward.
The reason Ms. Kay's novel works is quite simple: she has kept within the guidelines of the events as Leroux wrote them. The depth of her historical research and the pains she has taken to keep true to his characterizations deserve your reading time. Adherents of the novel will appreciate the her attention to detail in following the clues Leroux gives us about Erik's past, and fans of ALW's slightly milder version of Erik should be satisfied with the progression of Erik's and Christine's relationship and with the ending. In my opinion, this book is definitely a "keeper". The Publisher's Weekly review posted above says it all!
Rating: 
Summary: A little disapointing
Review: Having read Gaston Leroux's "Phantom of the Opera", and absolutely loving it, I went in search of a retelling that might add to the story. "Phantom" had an overall rating of 5 stars and all the reviewers praised it. Personally I didn't care for it very much. Not that it's horrible. From what i've read about the other sequels and retellings, this is probably the best one you're going to find. Yet and still, I have some problems with it.
Although Kay's writing is by no means bad, she can generally string sentences together in an acceptable way. There are even some parts that I found particularly good. However, the language is way too modern(the story takes place between 1831-1897)I mean when have you ever read the word "lucrative" in a novel that takes place in the mid nineteenth century? Not only the language is modern, but it has no historical feel, and this coupled with the strangly inapropriate metaphors Kay finds it neccessary to use, that only detract from the thought, make for a rather unpleasant read.
Now about the story. This may not bother other people, but through the entire book I couldn't help noticing places where Kay departs completely from the original story, very exasperatingly at times. But if you are not completely devoted to the original novel, it may not be a problem.Some parts of the story(actually all through it) are mildly to very disturbing, reaching the point of downright offensive at times.
About the characters: For the most part I found Erik capricious, effiminately fastidious, annoyingly arrogant, and really unlikable at times. Definately NOT the hero Leroux taught us to love and pity so well. Christine, though I admit she was not originally a very deep or interesting character to begin with, Kay does her best to strip her of every good emotion, every shred of intelligence, and every bit of self-will she had in the original story. She is a mindless being who bows her head in humility every time Erik enters a room, and she has the most aggravating way of always saying the wrong things to him. Raoul de Chagny comes off as jealous, dominating, and selfish. Not to mention extremely obnoxious. And then there is Erik's beautiful mother(whom Erik creepily notes bears an uncanny resemblance to Christine)She is cold, spoiled, and cruel. But then for extra fun she suddenly changes her mind and decides she loves her son and is going to undo all the damage she's done to him, after it's too late of course.
Now about the love story: There is absolutely nothing romantic about this book. Erik controlling and harsh, Chritine cowering and meek, they share a strange relationship that almost seems incestuous as they keep refering to eachother as father and daughter(ewww!) Plus he's over 50, she's 20, and that gap is unbreachable. Another thing that is disturbing is Erik's feelings for Christine which range from doting fatherly affection to ravenously sexual. I disliked this aspect intensely.
After airing my numerous greivances, I must give it a little credit for something. There are some good ideas contained in this novel(although entirely in the first half) that I did'nt overlook while reading it, despite my almost costant annoyance. The ending, though not very good, is not at all as horrible as I predicted, some parts of the last section are actually quite good. And this novel is not completely without feeling. particularly the first section that is narrated by Erik's mother. I wouldnt particularly recommend this to anyone, especially if you are a hard and fast fan of Leroux's Phantom, because this may well ruin it for you. But if you do read it a little advice: Do not buy it at this outrageous price, try to find it at the library first.
Rating:
Summary: Better Than the Original
Review: I am an AVID Phantom fan, so I know my Phantom stuff... Though the original book is wonderful in its own right, Susan Kay's version simply stole my heart! She really digs in with both hands, exposing all of Erik's past, even to the time before he was born. Also, by exploring the differing points of view among the characters, the author opens up a whole new level to this classic story.
Just... wow... That's all I can say!
Rating:
Summary: Phantastic.
Review: This book is a MUST READ for any phantom phan. It has been said that where Gaston Leroux's original novel gave Erik (the Phantom) life, Susan Kay give him his soul. I have yet to come across another phantom book that can move the reader to tears like this one, and I've never met anyone who hasn't liked it, women and men alike. Kleenex are a good item to have on hand while reading this book, as many people have been moved to tears during their first, and sometimes even their second or twentieth time reading it. While this book is hard to get hold of, it's worth it. The story is written from different points of view, beginning with Madeline (Erik's mother), followed by Erik himself, Giovanni (a master mason who takes Erik under his wing for a time), Nadir (known in Leroux's novel as Daroga or the Persian), and Erik again for a time. The book then splits into a counterpoint, told from Erik's point of view and also the point of view of Christine Daae, and finishes with the point of view of Raoul de Chagny. As confusing as it might sound, it makes for a wonderful and refreshing look at the story from Erik's birth to his death.
The humanity given to Erik is wonderful - he's sarcastic, humorous, truely a fallen angel of music. He has a heart, a soul, and a beauty that needs to be realized, and Kay's novel accomplishes these things to a near-perfection.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST BOOK EVER!!!!
Review: This book is my all-time favorite EVER! I liked Gaston Leroux's book... because it's the original. However... this book is so lush and timelessly beautiful. Erik is so much more real in this book, and seeing as how I'm Erik-obsessed, it was so good to actually "get to know" him. If you want to read a book that will make you cry, laugh and... never forget it... read this classic!! PLEASE!!!
Rating:
Summary: Phantom
Review: This book is very well written and transports you to another world. The world of poor disfigured Erik. You feel sorry for him and want it to all turn out okay. I loved the book and it has made me want to go and see the stage musical yet again.
As i was reading it I was desperate to know what happened next, but didn't want the book to end. It is to be enjoyed again and again for years to come
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