Rating: 
Summary: quite possibly the best books in our world and the others
Review: This book changed my life. Forgive me for starting out with a cliche, but it really did. A tragic, poignant, beautiful read. It introduced me to the world of Erik and I've been a happy inhabitant ever since. If you've ever yearned for a love you can't have, if you've ever felt ugly or weird or disliked or branded an outcast, if you've ever felt pain and cried- this book is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good for a piece of fan fiction, okay novel
Review: Susan Kay has achieved what many people writing fan fiction don't - she has made the characters her own and added a lot of new elements without contradicting the original story. She is genuinely fond of Erik and has done a lot of background research so as to be accurate in her descriptions, and her respect for Leroux' novel shines through on every page. The device of shifting narrators is also a sympathetic one and the course of events remains perfectly coherent to the reader throughout.I do believe, however, that you have to be a Phantom fan in order to fully appreciate this book. As a novel in its own right it has its flaws, the biggest one being that most narrators seem to think alike (when "talking to the reader", that is, not when interacting with other characters) in that they appear to reason sensibly about their own thoughts and actions, even when it would be out of character for them to be able to do so. I have to add that I didn't read Phantom in English, so this could be partly due to bad translation. The characterization of Erik was well done, though, and very believable - I was surprised at how true to the original Phantom he remained, down to his dry sense of humour which Kay has captured very nicely! I suppose what did bother me was the overuse of clichées when describing emotions which could have been captured more effectively though other methods. For example, the instance at the end where Erik asks for an invitation to Raoul's and Christine's wedding and says he has a whole box full of invitations that he has declined (which is surely a lie) says a lot more about Erik's life and character than 10 pages of pouring his heart out could ever do. Erik's descriptions of his love for Christine and even his death left me cold, but that single paragraph went straight to my heart, due to its irony.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating and Astounding...
Review: I read this book a while ago and STILL haven't gotten over it! Kay's descriptions, along with the very sympathetic character of Erik, completely addicted me. If anything, this fabulous book all but molded me into the obsessed phan I am today. An absolute must-read!
Rating:
Summary: Addictive Like Roses
Review: This is truly one of the most beautiful Phantom of the Opera retellings.
Not only does it give a delicate balance of Erik's past but it also talks about his mother.
The story is told from several significant POV's, and it gives blissful depticon's of Erik's emotions. And that is something that some writers of Erik lack.
The way that the characters connect with each other is astounding and some of the results are somewhat alarming. If you have read Gaston Leroux's book and felt it was a little flat and want more info on what the characters where feeling. I would truly recommend this book.
It will sweep you away in the lives of Erik,Christine,and Raul. You will not want to put this down.
Truth is I felt that Leroux could have dug a bit dipper in Erik's character. Even though he had his hauntings and aggression towards Raul done right on the bat. Kay gives an explosive turmoil that you will not forget.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read
Review: I first read this when I was a wee lass of eleven and I haven't been able to fall out of love with Erik since. The characters are that good. It's absolutely beautiful...I'm afriad if I say anymore, I'll ruin it! Just get it in any way possible! If you like good literature, you will love this!!
Rating:
Summary: The best book EVER!!!
Review: It takes you on a journey... A romantic and spell binding event.
It explains Erics tragic life and existence. Not to be put down. A must read for every Phantom phan. Don't pass it up!
Breath taking!
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderfully Orchestrated Story!
Review: I have read and re-read this book on and off for the past 7 years and I have introduced all of my Phantom Phan Friends to this glorious expansion of Gaston Leroux's wonderful work.
Following Erik's travels from birth to beyond death, Kay illustrates the magnificent sights and sounds of Erik's journey for love and acceptance. From Rome and Persia to the Paris Opera House that he constructed, Erik's search for love is truely inspiring and heartbreaking. Please pick up and enjoy this magnificent piece of literature.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING!! BREATHTAKING!!
Review: I would rate this book 100 stars if I could! it was amazing and breathtaking. I read this book nonstop - literally. i read it during class (hehe), before bed, in the morning, and so on. I just couldn't put it down! I even have one of my friends reading it. They wanted 2 because I loved it so much. I would DEFINITELY reccommend this book to anyone! If you are a Phantom/Erik Phan, even if you aren't, do yourself a huge favor - READ THIS BOOK! It was totally breathtaking and romantic.
Rating:
Summary: one of my all-time favorites
Review: I picked up Kay's novel having already seen the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and two movie versions, and having read Gaston Leroux's original novel, which had become one of my favorite books. Being a fan of all things Phantom, I picked up Kay's novel, but didn't think much would come of it. After all, how could she compare to Leroux's original vision? I was immediately captivated by her story of Erik, the deformed genius who longs for love. While I still love the original novel, I absolutely adore Kay's version. She allows the reader to actually see Erik's past, which Leroux only hinted at. I particularly enjoyed the different points of view, ranging from Erik's mother to Nadir (the Persian in the original) to Erik himself. I've read 'Phantom' so many times that I have most parts memorized. Although I can see why some would complain about the ending, I think that it fits well with the relationship Kay created between Erik and Christine. My only complaint is that I wished the novel were longer! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story, but particularly Phantom of the Opera fans who want to see more into Erik's past.
Rating:
Summary: A monster with the voice of a dark Angel....
Review: Oh,this book...words fail me of how to describe how wonderful it is.Erik was born disfigured and forced to hide his face behind a mask.This is a tale of the Phantom long before he was known.From his birth to his death,First a Monster and hated by his own mother who denies even on his birthday a simple kiss.Then as a freak who travels with gypsies.He finds himself as a stoneman's apprenticae in Rome,A Magician at the court of the Shah in Persia,and last the genious behind the the construction of the paris opera house.How sad ths book makes you feel and happy.Everything is vividly painted and the entire time you read you will feel Erik's sadness,Anger,rare happiness,and the longing of love.I've done my best to describe this wonderful novel and yet words still fail to prove what I truly feel about this wonderful book.
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