The Angel of the Opera: Sherlock Holmes Meets the Phantom of the Opera

Rating:
Summary: Wow! What a book!
Review: I had to wait about two weeks to get this book, so needless to say, I was extremely excited to be able to finally read it. It was definitely worth the waiting. I loved the ending especially, because a character as special and unfortunate as Erik deserves a finale other than a quiet death. Is there any other book that follows up his end relationship? I really want to know! I was a little surprised at the way Nadir and Raoul were portrayed, however. I think I prefer Raoul as he was in the play Phantom of the Opera. One other thing, isn't it the grasshopper that blows up the opera and the scorpion that saves everyone? It was quite the opposite in this book. But anyway, I definitely recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in Erik or the Phantom of the Opera story. I'll have to look into buying this sometime. Great book!

Rating:
Summary: Spoilers in the following review!
Review: I was very impressed with this book. I have never read a Sherlock Holmes book in my life, and I got this book only for Phantom. I very much like how Sherlock and Erik got along together nicely, and how he (Sherlock) understood Erik and his pain. I also enjoyed the portrayal of Raoul. ;-) True, he was made much more wimpier than in the original novel, but I never really liked him, so I don't have a problem with him being made weaker. All in all, this was a very good book. Why the four stars, then? The Persian was made into a vile and sinister villain whom Erik hates and who hates Erik. In my opinion the Persian was Erik's closest thing to a friend. That's what I got from Leroux's book. I don't believe he would ever actually turn Erik in to the police. First of all, he must have known that Erik could escape rather easily, and second, he just was too fond of Erik to do that. My next peeve would be how the author would spend a page on surroundings. For example, there is a lot of talk about limelights in one chapter. I really don't care about limelights, I care about the story of the Phantom. And finally: Susan Lowell. Nice girl. I can see why Sherlock thought the way he did about her and Erik. I have two problems with this pairing. One: She's blind. Erik needed to find someone who could truly accept his face. Not ignore it, accept it. He needed someone who could see his face and be able to look at the true man behind it. Two: Erik's love for Christine--who was also portrayed nicely--was a love that consumed his soul, his art--basically it consumed HIM. How can he just empty Christine from his art, and fill it with Susan? His love was much deeper than that. His heart broke; Christine was his one and only love. That's how I see it anyway. One other thing disturbed me, but it didn't affect the rating of this book in any way, I just got puzzled by it. In the original novel, if Christine turned the scorpion, she would become Erik's wife, and if she chose the grasshopper, they would all be dead and buried. In this book it was the other way around. Why? Anyway, I reccommend this book to all Phantom "phans."

Rating:
Summary: A fine story
Review: It has often been said that Gaston Leroux was confined by his genre and unable to properly explore the vast regions of a character that has more potential dimensions than, I'd wager, even he could anticipate. I tend to think that this is so with Sherlock Holmes as well. Arthur Conan Doyle's method of presenting his immortal character, in the voice of his long-time friend Dr. Watson, tends to make Holmes appear two-dimensional, in spite of Doyle's obvious storytelling ability. In this, Holmes shares a commonality with Erik, and, thus, they are a prefect match. For those of you who would dismiss this as some sort of silly Internet fanfiction you may put your doubts to rest. It is a remarkable book, well written and enjoyable.
However, in the interest of fairness I would like to voice a few warnings, for in bringing two great immortal characters together, there are some inevitable side effects.
First of all, those who explore this book as a fan of Erik's should know that this is more of a Sherlock Holmes story. He is the central character and it is told from the point of view of his cousin and companion. However, Erik's character is in no way diminished. The side effect is that everybody else gets diminished. Siciliano uses a common technique of storytellers who tackle immortal stories. Raoul, the Persian, and to a lesser degree, Christine, are all diminished to the level of base human vices. Not only that but Watson also suffers as his character is depicted as stuffy and secretly contentious with Holmes. Fortunately, however, these weaknesses, though at times annoying, can be justified as the symptoms of two such formidable personalities as Holmes and Erik coming together in a single story. They take the spotlight and everyone else gets pushed aside. Thus, in spite of all that, for sheer caliber of storytelling, I give this book five stars. It is a fantastic and ingenious spin on an idea that dates back to the 1960s. An idea that I am very glad to see in published form. As a fan of both Holmes and Erik I am very pleased.

Rating:
Summary: A fine story
Review: It was great. It was good how it combined the original phantom of the opera with Sherlock Holmes and managed to keep true to the original story by Gaston Leroux. It didn't have Watson, but Holmes' cousin Henry was a perfect Watson clone. Definately a must for Phantoms Phans and Holmes Buffs.

Rating:
Summary: Corny premise, awesome book
Review: The minor stretches to Holmes' character are forgivable, as is the lack of Watson. As a Sherlockian and a Phantom fan, I felt this book was wonderful. The author flawlessly enters a new character into the Phantom saga. Sherlock Holmes and Erik(the Phantom) are written with such depth and give out so much emotion that by the end of this book your eyes will not be dry. The dialogue between the two geniuses is not to be missed. A welcome read to the fans of Erik and Sherlock alike.

Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing . . .
Review: There's a hokey premise lurking in Sam Siciliano's "Angel of the Opera: Sherlock Holmes Meets the Phantom of the Opera."

On the heels of a disturbing case (the conclusion of which sets the tone and pace for the rest of the book), Sherlock Holmes and his cousin Dr. Henry Vernier- the book's narrator and an amiable replacement for Watson, with whom Holmes has had a falling-out - are summoned to Paris, where managers of the Paris Opera House have had problems with a mysterious Opera Ghost.

Sounds corny, no?

The truth is, it's anything but. Siciliano ably takes Arthur Conan Doyle's and Gaston Leroux's creations, and weaves them into a story that is possibly better than those of his predecessors.

Vernier and Holmes share a delightful familial connection that takes way from Watson's absence as the two traipse through the underdwellings of the Opera House. It's not hard to imagine the two lurking in the background of Leroux's novel.

With considerable amusement, Siciliano transforms the flat, supporting characters of

"Phantom" into viable human beings.

The object of the Phantom's affections, Christine Daae, is a young woman torn by conflicting desires. Her lover Raoul de Chagny is a repulsive moonstruck suitor. Perhaps not Leroux's original concept of the characters, but infinitely more appealing to the reader.

Holmes and the Phantom's personalities are not altered, but the author presents them in a more accessible manner than Doyle and Leroux's versions- most likely because of the era they were written in- allow.

They are the Holmes and Phantom we are all familiar with; at the same time, they are no longer a stuggle to read.

The clash of titans is not so much a battle between enemies as it is a meeting of equals. Both are masters of their environments, incredibly gifted and neither is completely at ease with humanity.

From the moment Sherlock receives a warning telegram from the Phantom, neither man has the upper hand. When they finally come face to face, Siciliano wisely focuses on the mutual respect that only two of the most popular literary creations ever could have for each other.

Apart, the characters of Sherlock Holmes and the Phantom of the Opera are adorable. But when thrust together, as they are in "Angel of the Opera," the results are mesmerizing.

Rating:
Summary: Passion and Power
Review: This book contains more depth of passion than any other I've read. Just like a stirring piece of music, it let's you feel the ecstasy and the beautiful agony of the characters. The book is especially moving for fans for Sherlock Holmes and "PHans" of Andrew Llyod Webber's musical "The Phantom of the Opera." It's both a love story, a mystery, a study of man kind, and also has a goodly amount of the humor found in Doyle's original Sherlock Homles series. I would recommend this for anyone ready to be moved and to feel the passion behind both Sherlock Holmes (the greatest detective of all time) and behind the mask of the Phantom.

Rating:
Summary: Sherlock Holmes meets Erik...??? Wonderful!!!
Review: This book was actually quite enjoyable (even though I consider myself a Holmes and Phantom of the Opera purist....). I was actually thrilled that this book was published...What more could I want? Both of my favorite literary characters in one book! Overjoyed isn't the word!

I really enjoyed this book...I loved the way our author kept true to the original characters...and I actually could see this story taking place. In Leroux's "Phantom of the Opera"....Chapter 20...we hear of a "shade" which is not "he" (The Phantom), but supposedly a detective....who else could this have been other than Holmes....????
During the 1890s, Holmes was in his hiatus period...Watson believed him dead (according to the Doyle writings) and could not this "shade" mentioned by Leroux be our beloved detective? I'd like to think so!

It is very unfortunate that this book is now out-of-print! It is a great read (though with anything that touches upon "classical" writings...there are "mistakes" when comparing it to the original canons; yet most of them can be forgiven!). If you are still unsure...borrow it from your library before investing in a "rare" out-of-print edition.




Rating:
Summary: Very Well Written
Review: This was an intersting read.Very well written and I liked it on the whole.The only disapoinment was I found the ending but other then that it was great.