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Phantoms #1
Phantoms
The legend lives on in Phantoms… as modern day Phantom of the Opera, Eric Destler, plots to take over and rule the Palais Garnier with La Divina, the world-famous soprano, Carlotta Caccini, as his queen. But at every turn he is thwarted by his nemesis, the original Phantom of the Opera, now the Opera Ghost.
Phantoms is set in the dark underground of the famous Paris Opera House and the stage above, where Guiseppi Verdi’s famous opera, Macbeth is being rehearsed. It is about parallel worlds, where opera imitates life with potentially catastrophic results.
This is a tale about many phantoms – the real, imagined and ethereal – that haunt us all. And about the phantoms who live in the darkest recesses of the mind, often lurking behind beautiful facades. A world where some masks can’t be seen.
“Phantoms is a fast-paced story set in the sumptuous Paris Opera House – with all its secrets and rivalries – and pays tribute to the beauty of the human voice. Against that is the stark reality of temptation, ghosts and visions, torture and cruelty, guilt, remorse and damnation – and, in the end, salvation.”
DR KIM MURRAY
Phantoms is set in the dark underground of the famous Paris Opera House and the stage above, where Guiseppi Verdi’s famous opera, Macbeth is being rehearsed. It is about parallel worlds, where opera imitates life with potentially catastrophic results.
This is a tale about many phantoms – the real, imagined and ethereal – that haunt us all. And about the phantoms who live in the darkest recesses of the mind, often lurking behind beautiful facades. A world where some masks can’t be seen.
“Phantoms is a fast-paced story set in the sumptuous Paris Opera House – with all its secrets and rivalries – and pays tribute to the beauty of the human voice. Against that is the stark reality of temptation, ghosts and visions, torture and cruelty, guilt, remorse and damnation – and, in the end, salvation.”
DR KIM MURRAY
- GenresParanormalRomanceFantasy
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2018
3 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Michael Leon
5 books277 followersMichael Leon, author of ‘Prodigy to Paris’ and ‘Of Salt and Sun’, weaves memoirs, fantasy, fiction and immersive storytelling. His latest works combine family history, cultural exploration, and the transformative power of travel. Professionally trained in international trade, Michael has spent the last decade reading, reviewing and writing SFF novels that explore new and future worlds. His latest novel, Chandelier, is a genre-bending tale of time travel, love lost, grand opera houses and the ghosts that inhabit them. Michael has travelled extensively around Europe, walking the paths of his characters, from the famous European opera houses in Phantoms to the mountain tops of Switzerland in Emissary.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 21, 2021
RATING:
3.5 STARS
Sing once again with me, a strange duet…
Michael Leon’s take on Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera is dark and enchanting; the author pulled me into the world of the Paris Opera House and I simply couldn’t leave until the end of the show (though the second act, Chandelier, is set to make its debut in early 2022).
The author did a great job putting their own spin on the original story. I loved the ambiance and the feel of the book. Michael Leon didn’t need audible music to create the same vibe that the stage performance provides (though that totally would have been a bonus - if this gets made into an audiobook in the future, I would love to have music in the background of the narration). The plot was also a highlight. It was fun to try and figure out the mystery, and follow all the twists and turns. The connection with Macbeth in the story was quite intriguing, as Phantom of the Opera and Macbeth are both very dark stories.
There were a couple of minor issues with the story that made me unable to give the book a full five stars. They might be off-putting to some, but despite the hiccups, Phantoms never lost my interest. For example, there was a disconnect for me with the chronological setting. On one hand, the story has an older historical feel to it (akin to the setting of the original story). On the other hand, there were recent technological advancements like cellphones and microphones and earpieces being whipped out by characters which became jarring. I was never able to clearly envision what time period the book was set in while I read.
I would recommend this book to fans of the original story, as well as those who love reading darker mysteries with paranormal elements. While this book will certainly appeal to fans of Phantom of the Opera, prior knowledge isn’t necessary to enjoy the story. I’ve only watched the performance once or twice, I’ve never read the original book, and I had no issue with understanding any of the references the author brought up.
Thank you to the authors and Goddess Fish Promotions for allowing me to read a complimentary review copy of Phantoms as part of my participation in their virtual tour. I appreciate the opportunity immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed Phantoms. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.
Sing once again with me, a strange duet…
Michael Leon’s take on Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera is dark and enchanting; the author pulled me into the world of the Paris Opera House and I simply couldn’t leave until the end of the show (though the second act, Chandelier, is set to make its debut in early 2022).
The author did a great job putting their own spin on the original story. I loved the ambiance and the feel of the book. Michael Leon didn’t need audible music to create the same vibe that the stage performance provides (though that totally would have been a bonus - if this gets made into an audiobook in the future, I would love to have music in the background of the narration). The plot was also a highlight. It was fun to try and figure out the mystery, and follow all the twists and turns. The connection with Macbeth in the story was quite intriguing, as Phantom of the Opera and Macbeth are both very dark stories.
There were a couple of minor issues with the story that made me unable to give the book a full five stars. They might be off-putting to some, but despite the hiccups, Phantoms never lost my interest. For example, there was a disconnect for me with the chronological setting. On one hand, the story has an older historical feel to it (akin to the setting of the original story). On the other hand, there were recent technological advancements like cellphones and microphones and earpieces being whipped out by characters which became jarring. I was never able to clearly envision what time period the book was set in while I read.
I would recommend this book to fans of the original story, as well as those who love reading darker mysteries with paranormal elements. While this book will certainly appeal to fans of Phantom of the Opera, prior knowledge isn’t necessary to enjoy the story. I’ve only watched the performance once or twice, I’ve never read the original book, and I had no issue with understanding any of the references the author brought up.
Thank you to the authors and Goddess Fish Promotions for allowing me to read a complimentary review copy of Phantoms as part of my participation in their virtual tour. I appreciate the opportunity immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed Phantoms. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.
December 7, 2021
Phantoms takes place in a famous underground Opera House in Paris where the actors and actresses are rehearsing Macbeth. One of the actors, Eric wants to be the best. He wants to take over and rule over the whole Opera House and everyone there. But something sinister keeps getting in his way and knocking him back a step or two. Some of the actresses are disappearing without a trace.
The question now is who took the actress? What was their motive? Did Eric have something to do with their disappearances? Or was it Carlotta? Or was it something more sinister/paranormal?
Phantoms is told from the points of view of Eric, Carlotta, and Christine. Phantoms will keep you on the edge of your seat as you race to the end to see how it all plays out.
I was drawn in from the very beginning with all the mystery and suspense of the missing person case with twists after twists as each page was turned. I couldn’t turn these pages fast enough wondering and trying my best to figure out how each character’s story came together or connected in the end and whodunit.
I would recommend Phantoms to anyone who enjoyed the original Phantom of the Opera. One-click your copy of Phantoms today!
The question now is who took the actress? What was their motive? Did Eric have something to do with their disappearances? Or was it Carlotta? Or was it something more sinister/paranormal?
Phantoms is told from the points of view of Eric, Carlotta, and Christine. Phantoms will keep you on the edge of your seat as you race to the end to see how it all plays out.
I was drawn in from the very beginning with all the mystery and suspense of the missing person case with twists after twists as each page was turned. I couldn’t turn these pages fast enough wondering and trying my best to figure out how each character’s story came together or connected in the end and whodunit.
I would recommend Phantoms to anyone who enjoyed the original Phantom of the Opera. One-click your copy of Phantoms today!
May 22, 2018
This was a stunning take on the original Phantom of the Opera - one of my favorite stories and operas (think Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Phantom of the Opera - and there were even excerpts from the famous musical')! I was thrilled to find the cast of characters: Eric, Christine, Carlotta - and life at the Paris Opera Garnier at the turn of the century was beautifully described. The writing was excellent, drawing me into the tale, first from Eric's point of view, then Carlotta's, and Christine's. The story took twists and turns as the tale unfolds. Eric is a serial killer hiding in the tunnels beneath the opera - Carlotta is insanely jealous and is seduced by Eric, Christine is a prima donna with the voice of an angel, and as their destinies collide, the ending seems inevitable. With the backdrop the Opera "Macbeth", the story is absolutely captivating. A must read for anyone who loves "The Phantom of the Opera".
December 27, 2021
An interesting picture of the original opera and the basic cast of characters. The same divas and prima donnas and a very sadistic head of security, Erik. To actually assign a genre to this book is almost impossilbe. It is not a romance to me. It has a flare of the paranormal and a little bit of fantasy. To me a part of it was a horror novel. It is very dark as is the opera. I just thought Erik was a little extra sadistic, shall we say. The fact that I couldn't pin down a genre sure didn't ruin the book for me.
Michael Leon caught me right at the beginning of this book and that is what kept me reading. There were a couple of things I thought I didn't catch on to, but as I read everything began to fall into place. There are a lot of twists and turns and hidden meanings to make it a very readable book.
Michael Leon caught me right at the beginning of this book and that is what kept me reading. There were a couple of things I thought I didn't catch on to, but as I read everything began to fall into place. There are a lot of twists and turns and hidden meanings to make it a very readable book.
Read
December 8, 2021I received this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Right away, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say this definitely has its roots in Phantom of the Opera. As a musical theater geek, as well as sci-fi/fantasy geek, the idea behind this story appealed to me at a very deep level. The only thing missing was actual music playing, but thankfully, my brain supplied the soundtrack. Dark and atmospheric with hints of humor and light, this is a reading experience worth having for Phantom fans and those unfamiliar with the show alike.
There was a bit of a juxtaposition with the story tone and setting. The story itself felt historical in ways. Maybe because opera is such a large part of it (even without the phantom), and opera kind of automatically sends my brain back in time. So the hints at advanced technology occasionally caught me off guard, but the mix of opera and advanced tech is an interesting combination. I very much enjoyed the dynamics between the characters. All of the rivalry I’ve heard that goes on backstage (and remember from my days in the drama club—such an accurate name) was present and realistic. The setting, too, felt real, so much so that I felt like I could walk into the descriptions and find myself at the opera house.
All in all, this is a compelling story. There is some darkness but nothing over-the-top—just a general feeling of something hovering over the proverbial light. Definitely recommend to fans of Phantom, of musicals, and of sci-fi/fantasy—or fans of any combination of these things.
More reviews at kitnkabookle.com
Right away, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say this definitely has its roots in Phantom of the Opera. As a musical theater geek, as well as sci-fi/fantasy geek, the idea behind this story appealed to me at a very deep level. The only thing missing was actual music playing, but thankfully, my brain supplied the soundtrack. Dark and atmospheric with hints of humor and light, this is a reading experience worth having for Phantom fans and those unfamiliar with the show alike.
There was a bit of a juxtaposition with the story tone and setting. The story itself felt historical in ways. Maybe because opera is such a large part of it (even without the phantom), and opera kind of automatically sends my brain back in time. So the hints at advanced technology occasionally caught me off guard, but the mix of opera and advanced tech is an interesting combination. I very much enjoyed the dynamics between the characters. All of the rivalry I’ve heard that goes on backstage (and remember from my days in the drama club—such an accurate name) was present and realistic. The setting, too, felt real, so much so that I felt like I could walk into the descriptions and find myself at the opera house.
All in all, this is a compelling story. There is some darkness but nothing over-the-top—just a general feeling of something hovering over the proverbial light. Definitely recommend to fans of Phantom, of musicals, and of sci-fi/fantasy—or fans of any combination of these things.
More reviews at kitnkabookle.com
December 13, 2021
How do I describe this genre-bending novel? Is it paranormal, historical fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, futuristic, or an adaptation? Yes to all!
Fans of "Phantom of the Opera" should greatly enjoy this spin on the original.
If you aren't familiar with the original, you will still be able to revel in the theater background, the murders, and the mystery that make up Michael Leon's Phantoms.
While occasionally I had to pause to collect my thoughts, I never felt lost or out of touch with the book. It is a gripping story that compels you to read just one more page.
I will be reviewing book two in the series, Chandelier, in the near future. It should be a good one.
I recommend Phantoms to all lovers of murder mysteries with a paranormal twist.
Fans of "Phantom of the Opera" should greatly enjoy this spin on the original.
If you aren't familiar with the original, you will still be able to revel in the theater background, the murders, and the mystery that make up Michael Leon's Phantoms.
While occasionally I had to pause to collect my thoughts, I never felt lost or out of touch with the book. It is a gripping story that compels you to read just one more page.
I will be reviewing book two in the series, Chandelier, in the near future. It should be a good one.
I recommend Phantoms to all lovers of murder mysteries with a paranormal twist.
November 27, 2021
This was a brilliant new take on The Phantom of the Opera. As a fan of the original story, I'm absolutely thrilled at how well Leon and Anthony brought new life to a classic story. The characters had beautiful depth, and I felt like I was stepping right into the story. The story moved along smoothly, with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. The intertwining of Macbeth above with the Phantom below was wonderful. Highly recommend for fans of the original phantom!
May 15, 2018
One of my favorite parts of this fast-paced novel is the voice behind the storytelling. It had me captivated from the beginning. The story takes place in the Paris Opera House and there are plenty of secrets that get revealed. It’s certainly a story that I would recommend.
December 4, 2018
I received Phantoms in a Good Reads giveaway and found it to be a wonderful story with elements of the supernatural sprinkled throughout! The characters were well written and the opera as a background truly enhanced this story! I definitely would recommend it!
November 9, 2019
I received this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read an excerpt and follow the Goddess Fish book tour here.
This story presented an intense experience. Not being overly familiar with the finer details of The Phantom of the Opera, I felt as though there were subtle things in here that I didn’t quite understand. That said, knowing the Phantom of the Opera story is not required to enjoy this book as its own reading experience.
Overall, I liked this story. The opera and the rivals of performance come across very well. I enjoy books with a backdrop in performance. On the flip side, I had a tough time pinning down some details about the story. The setting and dialogue felt very historical. Then, every so often, a character would pull out a cell phone or state-of-the-art video security equipment would be mentioned, and I’d be thrown for a loop to recall this story wasn’t taking place in the eighteen hundreds. The authors have a strong atmospheric quality to their writing. Whether on stage or in the bowels of the underground lair, I felt engulfed by my surroundings.
I felt drawn through the story toward the ending. Once there, though, a few things just didn’t sit well with me. Some of the characters’ choices seemed off, and I had a very difficult time with Erik’s ending. I would definitely recommend this to people who don’t mind a lot of darkness. I also think Phantom of the Opera fans would find this unputdownable.
Read an excerpt and follow the Goddess Fish book tour here.
This story presented an intense experience. Not being overly familiar with the finer details of The Phantom of the Opera, I felt as though there were subtle things in here that I didn’t quite understand. That said, knowing the Phantom of the Opera story is not required to enjoy this book as its own reading experience.
Overall, I liked this story. The opera and the rivals of performance come across very well. I enjoy books with a backdrop in performance. On the flip side, I had a tough time pinning down some details about the story. The setting and dialogue felt very historical. Then, every so often, a character would pull out a cell phone or state-of-the-art video security equipment would be mentioned, and I’d be thrown for a loop to recall this story wasn’t taking place in the eighteen hundreds. The authors have a strong atmospheric quality to their writing. Whether on stage or in the bowels of the underground lair, I felt engulfed by my surroundings.
I felt drawn through the story toward the ending. Once there, though, a few things just didn’t sit well with me. Some of the characters’ choices seemed off, and I had a very difficult time with Erik’s ending. I would definitely recommend this to people who don’t mind a lot of darkness. I also think Phantom of the Opera fans would find this unputdownable.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews