The Phantom Returns

by Stefanie Cole

A swirl of a black cape, a single red rose, a glimpse of a face she thought never to see again the story begins like all stories of true love with passion, confusion, and fate playing a hand. Vicomtesse Christine de Chagny, once known as the beautiful ingénue Christine Daae of the Paris Opera House, has stepped into her husband s world of titled nobility. Newly-wed to Raoul de Chagny, the allure of a fresh beginning promises to dispel the young couple s disturbing memories of a cursed Opera House and the Phantom who haunted it. Yet, a past so unresolved cannot stay silent. The Phantom returns, no longer a broken ghost, but a riveting man. With his usual audacious style, he beguiles and beckons, daring Christine to complete her journey from naïve girl to courageous woman. How far will any man go to achieve his heart s desire?

Genres: Fiction, Retellings, Adult Fiction, Romance

200 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published October 24, 2007

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best sequel to The Phantom of the Opera that I have read thus far. The writing is absolutely beautiful and heartfelt. Ms. Cole has also written a couple of moving poems that Erik writes for Christine. There are two wonderful things that make this book so great. One, is that this is a sequel to the musical and/or movie. Two, this story is so believable, unlike some of the other Phanfic out there. True, it is a short book of only 200 pages, because Ms. Cole doesn’t fill it with inconsequential crap to take up more pages. She says only what needs to be said and no more. The mark of a talented author.

This story starts out with Christine and Raoul married. Like I said- believable. Over the period of two years she realizes that she is not happy. Erik is minimally in the background through the first half of the book, which may upset some readers, but you just have to keep going (remembering, once again, that this is a believable story). The rest is too good to give away, you just need to pick up this for yourself.

Some technical and punctuation errors, however, they were easy to forgive given this beautifully written story.

[Stefanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

While it was fun to read more about the same characters, this was definitely written by a fan of Gerard Butler from the film version. Poor Raoul is made to look like an idiot and Erik is the hero. Not to mention that she is not a trained writer.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty expensive fan-fiction

The characters do not feel like they did, at all, in the musical or movie, which is what this book is a sequel to, not the Gaston Lurex novel. Also, throwing in a few catch phrase from them every so often, doesn't redeem the work. The premise is good however, the story is not. It mostly feels as though the author was trying too hard.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Phantom read

I'm giving a five star review because I liked the overall plotline as well as how cleverly the author crafted the ending...the book does need some tweaking and editing but I wouldn't let that stand in my way of an otherwise good story. :)

[Melissa Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as a sequel to the Phantom of the Opera. I felt that the author did an excellent job of transitioning to their lives and what may have happened after the curtain fell. Some reviews stated that the author was "untrained", but I thought the writing was intelligent, romantic, and funny for a first time author. Everyone has to start somewhere! I did picture the actors from the movie when reading this, but Gerard Butler is not to hard to think about, so that did not bother me at all. Overall, the length of the book was perfect for the story that was told and gave us just enough to satisfy the idea of what the future could have held for Erik and Christine.

[Mummy Cat Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I read the whole thing and felt somewhat disappointed. The author continues the story of all the characters from the original book by Gaston Leroux. In fact, she blends The Phantom of the Opera's story line quite well into her own story and refers back to the original novel on several occasions throughout the book.
If you are a reader who prefers happy endings then you will enjoy this book. However, if you dive into the psychology behind The Phantom of the Opera, you may find this book far fetched.

[Bob Ieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

How The Phantom Returns.

I saw the Phantom of The Opera and was wondering how it was possible the Phantom could return. The author did a fantastic in this tale of a hideous monster that actually had more love in him than anyone could imagine. The author wrote this story of a real romance and had me with all of the emotions of a great love story. Once I started reading I could not put it down.
Bob

[Kimberly Vasconez]

Beautiful ending

I enjoyed the story and could not put it down. I think the ending was too rushed with too many unanswered questions, but it was a fun ride all the same with an ending many POTO fans wanted to see.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sequel was very readable. Not too hard to swallow. But not one of the better sequels in my opinion.