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Phantom Rising #3
Phantom Rising
He is one of the most unforgettable characters in history - both loved and feared for the chaos he created in the Paris Opera House. Now, the story of his childhood is revealed.
He was not always known as the Phantom of the Opera. For the first years of his life he had no name at all.
Forced to flee his home and his mother's murderous rage when he removes his mask, he suffers starvation and torture at the hands of strangers before falling in with a troupe of gypsies. Traveling with the gypsies and performing as The Living Corpse, he finds no friendship or safety... and his anger grows.
After years of being persecuted for his hideous face across Europe and Asia, he escapes Mazenderan under a death sentence, and returns to his home country of France. Angry, disillusioned and without hope, he makes his home in the cellars of the Paris Opera House, determined to hide from the world forever... until a young girl named Christine captures his attention.
He was not always known as the Phantom of the Opera. For the first years of his life he had no name at all.
Forced to flee his home and his mother's murderous rage when he removes his mask, he suffers starvation and torture at the hands of strangers before falling in with a troupe of gypsies. Traveling with the gypsies and performing as The Living Corpse, he finds no friendship or safety... and his anger grows.
After years of being persecuted for his hideous face across Europe and Asia, he escapes Mazenderan under a death sentence, and returns to his home country of France. Angry, disillusioned and without hope, he makes his home in the cellars of the Paris Opera House, determined to hide from the world forever... until a young girl named Christine captures his attention.
- GenresRomance
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2020
27 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Davyne DeSye
13 books127 followersDavyne is the author of Through the Eyes of the Opera Ghost, a retelling of the Phantom of the Opera from the Phantom's point of view, as well as the Phantom Rising Series – a trio of historical romances which continue the saga of the Phantom of the Opera. She has also authored the Aggressor Queen Series – a duo of alien invasion science fiction novels. She has also written a sweet paranormal ghost romance, Love Whispers Through the Veil, and an anthology of speculative fiction short stories, Soap Bubble Dreams and Other Distortions.
Davyne’s writing focuses on strong characterization, a sense of adventure, and emotional impact, reflecting her own passionate view on life. She draws from positive experiences in her life (going on safari, being in a television commercial, becoming a lifeguard) and more painful ones (being kidnapped as a child at knife-point [promptly rescued by Dad!], breaking her arms falling 60 feet off a cliff, breaking her neck at the senior prom) to realistically craft her characters, both good and evil.
Davyne grew up traveling the world with her diplomat parents, and has lived in Germany, Bolivia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Japan, and Korea. After several academic (including computer programming and fine art photography!) and career choices, she finally settled into the law and was an attorney for over twenty years, although writing has always been her first true love.
The list of things she loves is long and includes her family (she survived having five teenagers at one time!), Christmas, cooking, laughing, being an introvert (despite her propensity to arm-waving when excited about a topic), intriguing mouths, sneezing and – of course – reading. Her list of dislikes is relatively small: bigots, hypocrites and mean people. Oh, and lima beans.
She lives with her husband in their Colorado home and in Mexico.
Want to know more?
Interview With Author Davyne DeSye
Authors Talk: A Discussion with Davyne DeSye
Stay connected with Davyne by signing up for her email list. You'll receive a FREE short story just for signing up as well as exclusive updates on giveaways, new releases, cover reveals, sneak peeks, etc. HERE.
Visit Davyne at:
Her Webpage
Instagram
Facebook
BookBub
YouTube
Pinterest
Watch her book trailers:
Phantom Rising Series:
#1 - For Love of the Phantom
#2 - Skeletons in the Closet
#3 – Phantom Rising
Love Whispers Through the Veil
Carapace
Soap Bubble Dreams and Other Distortions
Davyne’s writing focuses on strong characterization, a sense of adventure, and emotional impact, reflecting her own passionate view on life. She draws from positive experiences in her life (going on safari, being in a television commercial, becoming a lifeguard) and more painful ones (being kidnapped as a child at knife-point [promptly rescued by Dad!], breaking her arms falling 60 feet off a cliff, breaking her neck at the senior prom) to realistically craft her characters, both good and evil.
Davyne grew up traveling the world with her diplomat parents, and has lived in Germany, Bolivia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Japan, and Korea. After several academic (including computer programming and fine art photography!) and career choices, she finally settled into the law and was an attorney for over twenty years, although writing has always been her first true love.
The list of things she loves is long and includes her family (she survived having five teenagers at one time!), Christmas, cooking, laughing, being an introvert (despite her propensity to arm-waving when excited about a topic), intriguing mouths, sneezing and – of course – reading. Her list of dislikes is relatively small: bigots, hypocrites and mean people. Oh, and lima beans.
She lives with her husband in their Colorado home and in Mexico.
Want to know more?
Interview With Author Davyne DeSye
Authors Talk: A Discussion with Davyne DeSye
Stay connected with Davyne by signing up for her email list. You'll receive a FREE short story just for signing up as well as exclusive updates on giveaways, new releases, cover reveals, sneak peeks, etc. HERE.
Visit Davyne at:
Her Webpage
BookBub
YouTube
Watch her book trailers:
Phantom Rising Series:
#1 - For Love of the Phantom
#2 - Skeletons in the Closet
#3 – Phantom Rising
Love Whispers Through the Veil
Carapace
Soap Bubble Dreams and Other Distortions
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 27, 2020
Phantastic
Phans know Susan Kay's work as one of the best telling of Erik's full tale. This book is worthy of being held up to the standard of both that and the classic that started it all.
Erik here tells his story from early childhood to the beginning of the events in The Phantom of the Opera. It's woven as memories unfolded to his son with some trepidation. Trigger warnings? Yes, of course, OG was not born of a past full of sunshine and rainbows.
This Erik is more human, less Gothic ghost. The shift in personality allows for sympathy for the devil and the troubles he survives. There are some new twists and turns to this story, quite well done despite the mandatory suspension of disbelief for the artistic genius to have acquired so much knowledge so quickly.
An example of the writing:
"Erik backed another step and bowed. Christine would understand what the gesture meant as if he spoke the words aloud: As you wish, My Dear. My gratitude for your tender heart."
Phans know Susan Kay's work as one of the best telling of Erik's full tale. This book is worthy of being held up to the standard of both that and the classic that started it all.
Erik here tells his story from early childhood to the beginning of the events in The Phantom of the Opera. It's woven as memories unfolded to his son with some trepidation. Trigger warnings? Yes, of course, OG was not born of a past full of sunshine and rainbows.
This Erik is more human, less Gothic ghost. The shift in personality allows for sympathy for the devil and the troubles he survives. There are some new twists and turns to this story, quite well done despite the mandatory suspension of disbelief for the artistic genius to have acquired so much knowledge so quickly.
An example of the writing:
"Erik backed another step and bowed. Christine would understand what the gesture meant as if he spoke the words aloud: As you wish, My Dear. My gratitude for your tender heart."
October 8, 2020
Davyne DeSye took a classic novel and expounded it into a masterpiece of its own. Phantom Rising is the third in the series and wraps up a promise Erik had made to his son. Petter had known his father was the mysterious man behind the novel Phantom of the Opera, but he wanted to hear the entire story from Erik. So, Erik begins with the precious memories he has of his mother. With his grotesque deformity, Erik’s life is never easy, and he has to hide his face from most people. His travels introduce him to different languages, cultures, and opportunities. He is often mistreated and harbors bitterness in his heart. He has learned that riches were the only thing he could rely upon, because people just use him. Until he meets Christine, but can she ever learn to love him?
Phantom Rising is an amazing novel that showcases the author’s skill in research and creativity. Davyne DeSye carefully weaves her novels to coincide with the work of Gaston Leroux and his classic, Phantom of the Opera. She keeps the same mystique and adventure, while adding a reason behind his eccentric ways. Through a complex weaving of characters, circumstances, and fantasy, the readers cannot put this novel down. It impressed me with the details of the multiple places Erik had traveled and the cultural differences. This novel is full of diversity and powerful conflict that the phantom had within him. His personal struggles were just as strong as those who opposed his appearance. Overall, I was captivated with the author and look forward to reading more of her work.
Review written by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite.
Phantom Rising is an amazing novel that showcases the author’s skill in research and creativity. Davyne DeSye carefully weaves her novels to coincide with the work of Gaston Leroux and his classic, Phantom of the Opera. She keeps the same mystique and adventure, while adding a reason behind his eccentric ways. Through a complex weaving of characters, circumstances, and fantasy, the readers cannot put this novel down. It impressed me with the details of the multiple places Erik had traveled and the cultural differences. This novel is full of diversity and powerful conflict that the phantom had within him. His personal struggles were just as strong as those who opposed his appearance. Overall, I was captivated with the author and look forward to reading more of her work.
Review written by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite.
July 16, 2020
Outstanding!
I absolutely could not put this book down. The same with the first two books in the series. Get yourself a nice cup of tea, or a glass of wine. And a box of tissues! and settle yourself in for this masterful glimpse into the life of young Erik. Brava, Madame Desye!
I absolutely could not put this book down. The same with the first two books in the series. Get yourself a nice cup of tea, or a glass of wine. And a box of tissues! and settle yourself in for this masterful glimpse into the life of young Erik. Brava, Madame Desye!
December 31, 2025
A moving & visceral telling of the Opera Ghost's backstory
Set forty years after the events we all think we know within the Paris Opera House, we find Erik and Christine still very much in love and devoted to one another. Their son, Petter, has returned to the family home to collect on his father's promise to tell the truth of his history and what brought him to be known as the Opera Ghost.
Erik's childhood, born with deformities his time and culture were ill-equipped to deal with, was a heartbreaking mix of hope, song, and shame. Forced to hide his face behind a crude burlap sack-turned-mask, he is isolated and neglected. These 'flashback' chapters were lyrical and raw, and provided a glimpse into Erik's early childhood (a probably, by modern standards, bipolar mother, and an absentee father who knew nothing of Erik's birth defects). From there we get to experience his time with the traveling gypsy freakshow, join him on his travels across Eastern Europe, then on to his time in India and Constantinople, before coming full circle to his involvement in the construction and early days of the Paris Opera House.
It's no secret that I'm a fan of Ms. DeSye's work, but I just have to bow down to her attention to details and her meticulous care in maintaining a harmonious voice and feel between her work and the original work of Gaston Leroux. "Phans" of the Phantom NEED to read this! It is glorious, textured, & enthralling.
Set forty years after the events we all think we know within the Paris Opera House, we find Erik and Christine still very much in love and devoted to one another. Their son, Petter, has returned to the family home to collect on his father's promise to tell the truth of his history and what brought him to be known as the Opera Ghost.
Erik's childhood, born with deformities his time and culture were ill-equipped to deal with, was a heartbreaking mix of hope, song, and shame. Forced to hide his face behind a crude burlap sack-turned-mask, he is isolated and neglected. These 'flashback' chapters were lyrical and raw, and provided a glimpse into Erik's early childhood (a probably, by modern standards, bipolar mother, and an absentee father who knew nothing of Erik's birth defects). From there we get to experience his time with the traveling gypsy freakshow, join him on his travels across Eastern Europe, then on to his time in India and Constantinople, before coming full circle to his involvement in the construction and early days of the Paris Opera House.
It's no secret that I'm a fan of Ms. DeSye's work, but I just have to bow down to her attention to details and her meticulous care in maintaining a harmonious voice and feel between her work and the original work of Gaston Leroux. "Phans" of the Phantom NEED to read this! It is glorious, textured, & enthralling.
August 8, 2022
This book was fantastic. Going into it, I was curious to see how similar it could potentially end up being to Susan Kay's "Phantom" (which I also adore and have read twice), but it was actually quite a different experience! With this one leaning more into Leroux's story, it hit different places in the world (India, a different take on Russia and the gypsy troupes) and also put a different spin on Erik's time in Mazanderan and his relationship with his parents, which made it a really enjoyable read! It definitely got me emotional at certain points, as Erik's story always does, but I really loved getting to see Davyne's spin on his backstory. This book, as well as the other two stories in this trilogy, are definitely a must-read for Phantom fans!
July 31, 2020
Humanity in action!!!
I love this whole series I will read it again that’s for sure I’m a phan!!!! Thank you for the ending of this book I loved the way it all worked out
I love this whole series I will read it again that’s for sure I’m a phan!!!! Thank you for the ending of this book I loved the way it all worked out
June 22, 2020
Phantom Rising
Well wrote book it clears up alot of questions the the original Phantom of The Opera left out. I wish there was more to this series.
Well wrote book it clears up alot of questions the the original Phantom of The Opera left out. I wish there was more to this series.
December 30, 2021
I fell in love with the Phantom of the Opera through Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical version, but I came to love Erik the Phantom through Davyne Desye. Her continuation of the Gaston Leroux's novel, captures and expands on the profound emotion and love of Erik for Christine.
I finally had the chance to read this book and I must say, after reading the first one, I was truly impressed with the story, characters and turn of events!! The Sultana is a powerful villain that demands so much attention, and the insight if Christine's terror for trying to escape from her capture, truly kept me hypnotized to the novel. I simply wanted to keep reading more and more. I felt that the story was overall very well paced, the first novel of the 3 series was a bit too slow for me. But this 2nd book was never slow! Excellent character analysis and very creative work! Being a Phantom of the Opera fan, I am very happy to have found your book by accident here on Amazon and I recommend it to all fans of the musical or original novel!
I absolutely adore this series, and while I have yet to finish this book, I wanted to write a review of the first 3/4 of the book - because it's amazingly well researched, well paced, and intricate in its attention to detail and reader interest. I am looking forward to whatever she puts out, but Davyne Desye has managed to rekindle my love for the Phantom of the Opera and the story of what happened outside the infamous opera house. Her work is, without a doubt, some of the best writing in the 'phandom' I have seen, with some of the best dialogue and absolutely breathtaking scenes. 5/5 stars for a fantastic book that will sit on the top of my favorite list in Kindle.
For lovers of classic romances, this is a definite win!
I finally had the chance to read this book and I must say, after reading the first one, I was truly impressed with the story, characters and turn of events!! The Sultana is a powerful villain that demands so much attention, and the insight if Christine's terror for trying to escape from her capture, truly kept me hypnotized to the novel. I simply wanted to keep reading more and more. I felt that the story was overall very well paced, the first novel of the 3 series was a bit too slow for me. But this 2nd book was never slow! Excellent character analysis and very creative work! Being a Phantom of the Opera fan, I am very happy to have found your book by accident here on Amazon and I recommend it to all fans of the musical or original novel!
I absolutely adore this series, and while I have yet to finish this book, I wanted to write a review of the first 3/4 of the book - because it's amazingly well researched, well paced, and intricate in its attention to detail and reader interest. I am looking forward to whatever she puts out, but Davyne Desye has managed to rekindle my love for the Phantom of the Opera and the story of what happened outside the infamous opera house. Her work is, without a doubt, some of the best writing in the 'phandom' I have seen, with some of the best dialogue and absolutely breathtaking scenes. 5/5 stars for a fantastic book that will sit on the top of my favorite list in Kindle.
For lovers of classic romances, this is a definite win!
December 16, 2021
Phantom Rising is a brilliantly pend series, a haunting and riveting tale, and the continuation of Gaston Leroux's masterpiece, the Phantom of the Opera. Davyne DeSye creativity, vivid imagery, beautiful words, and expressions pulled me entirely into Erik and Christine's world. Erik and Christine are captivating characters, complex, authentic with genuine emotional depth. In each instalment, their relationship with one another becomes more profound, revealing a hidden layer to their disposition. Their story is enthralling and emotional, woven in mystery, secrets, intrigue, suspense, passion, and desire. Its evident DeSye has done extensive research on topics of history and culture, delving deep into the plot and character development. I found it utterly impressive.
Davyne DeSye's narration of her book is outstanding. She knows her characters and depicts them flawlessly for her audience, making the story even more engaging. Phantom Rising is rich and enthralling, one I'm highly recommending.
Davyne DeSye's narration of her book is outstanding. She knows her characters and depicts them flawlessly for her audience, making the story even more engaging. Phantom Rising is rich and enthralling, one I'm highly recommending.
September 28, 2020
Ok, so I MIGHT be a bit of an ultra fan when it comes to Phantom. I stumbled on it in 1990 when the CBS mini-series premiered (if you haven't seen it, look it up on YouTube, it is AMAZING! Not a musical, but amazing!) and have been obsessed ever since. This book (I've only read the third one so far!!) wraps up the story of Erik in a wonderful way and gives you a wonderful look at his history and journey. It holds true to the original novel and also explores Erik's time in Persia in more depth and in Susan Kay's Phantom. I loved getting to find out where Erik learned each of his talents and how he perfected them. A truly beautiful story. I devoured the book in less than two days and lost sleep (WORTH IT!) because I could NOT stop reading and get to sleep. You know how the story ends, but until you read the book(s) you don't know HOW Erik and Christine got to their happily ever after (which is a MUST for me!!). Going to buy the first two books in the series right now!!!
February 3, 2021
Could not wait to read more, this book consumed me
The history & adventures pulled me from the 2021 world of Covid & separation from friends into a complete understanding of the pain Eric lived with. Following him from a desperate childhood to manhood, to foreign countries & differing cultures always looking for acceptance. To imagine the life he lead filled many hours of my mind. My only regret is I never saw the movie, Phantom of the Opera nor read any other books on it , therefore the ending left me (as any good book) wanting to know more.
The history & adventures pulled me from the 2021 world of Covid & separation from friends into a complete understanding of the pain Eric lived with. Following him from a desperate childhood to manhood, to foreign countries & differing cultures always looking for acceptance. To imagine the life he lead filled many hours of my mind. My only regret is I never saw the movie, Phantom of the Opera nor read any other books on it , therefore the ending left me (as any good book) wanting to know more.
October 1, 2022
Words cannot express how great of an ending this was to this trilogy! I enjoyed this immensely, and I definitely want to reread all three books in the future. In this installment, DeSye paints a beautiful yet tragic backstory for Erik that nearly made me cry (which, if you know me, is a hard feat to accomplish when it comes to literature). If you’re still sitting around reading this review, you really need to just stop right now, drop everything, and read this trilogy. Like now.
To the author: if you’re reading this, thank you very much for sharing your talent with us! (And thank you for not killing Erik in the end!)
To the author: if you’re reading this, thank you very much for sharing your talent with us! (And thank you for not killing Erik in the end!)
April 8, 2021
I have never read anything like this at all. NOTHING. I loved how dark it was. It wasn’t even dark in the traditional sense of a dark book, but man, I’m impressed! I loved everything about this story, and I’m glad I gave it a chance and dove in blind after seeing the cover.
April 25, 2023
For a book where I pretty much new what was going to happen, I still loved it and was highly engaged with it. It’s a very good telling of Erik’s past.
In the afterward, the author mentions about how difficult it was to construct the past, and I think they did a fabulous job. The timelines, the flair for each setting, the research that went into it. It was very engrossing.
I definitely recommend this series for Phans.
In the afterward, the author mentions about how difficult it was to construct the past, and I think they did a fabulous job. The timelines, the flair for each setting, the research that went into it. It was very engrossing.
I definitely recommend this series for Phans.
May 11, 2021
I very much enjoyed this book! I actually read it before the other two haha I didn’t know it was a sequel, but still I enjoyed it very much, I think it’s one of the best origin stories for Erik out there, honestly.
I have now started reading the first one in this trilogy, and I’m enjoying it very much too.
I have now started reading the first one in this trilogy, and I’m enjoying it very much too.
May 27, 2024
The Phantom of The Opera meets The Count of Monte Cristo in this epic backstory filled with despair and revenge. Brilliantly executed and so much more than I thought it could be. The entire Phantom Rising series has defied all expectations. The second two novels in particular are so well done they could stand on their own to a reader not familiar with the original POTO story. I LOVED THIS.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews