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Phantom Hearts
Phantom Masquerade
And here is where I fall.Mina Daaé dreams of performing on Broadway. Like her great ancestor, Christine Daaé, who sang at the prestigious Palais Garnier a hundred years before, Mina has the voice of an angel. But after graduating from Conservatoire de Paris, fortune fails her. Until the circus comes to town.Mina’s close friend Toni Vollini offers her a role in his new Broadway play mixing Mozart with clowns. Known as The Harlequin, the musical is an inimitable adaptation of the opera Don Giovanni. Toni says Mina will soar, but with pathologic acrophobia, she’s afraid she’ll fall. And the ghost in her head says she will.Toni and a ghost vie for her love, but Mina thinks her ghost is just another hallucination. Or is her ghost a phantom of the opera?Phantom Masquerade is a contemporary adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera integrating romance and the paranormal.Content This novel contains sexual scenes, adult situations, and profanity.
- GenresEbooks
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2021
8 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Hawke
39 books757 followersA.L. Hawke is the author of the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch series. The author lives in Southern California torching the midnight candle over lovers against a backdrop of machines, nymphs, magic, spice and mayhem. A.L. Hawke writes fantasy and romance spanning four thousand years, from pre-civilization to contemporary and beyond.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 12, 2023
I was really quite eager to read this as I love the Phantom of the Opera. The book, the musical, and the whole feel of the story. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but this isn’t as much like Phantom of the Opera as I had hoped it would be. I wish I had thought of it as its own entity rather than a modern version. Which, I feel like can only be said loosely.
The characters were not as in depth as I would have liked them, but Mina was sweet enough. Otherwise, I didn’t much enjoy the other characters. They were all really brash and harsh. But maybe that’s just me.
As for the plot, it was alright. It kept me mostly interested, but I also felt the ending wasn’t enough. I wish it had been fleshed out a little more.
So while I liked this enough, I don’t know who I would recommend this to. I really wanted to love it, but I just don’t.
The characters were not as in depth as I would have liked them, but Mina was sweet enough. Otherwise, I didn’t much enjoy the other characters. They were all really brash and harsh. But maybe that’s just me.
As for the plot, it was alright. It kept me mostly interested, but I also felt the ending wasn’t enough. I wish it had been fleshed out a little more.
So while I liked this enough, I don’t know who I would recommend this to. I really wanted to love it, but I just don’t.
November 19, 2021
I have a love of the theater, especially Phantom of the Opera. Pulling references from there and twisting them is brilliant, yet off-putting at the same time. The similarities had me putting the book down, while the differences kept pushing me to pick it back up.
I didn't want to like this book, to be honest, because I love Phantom so much, but then as I continued my reading, I realized this has a unique life and energy entirely its own.
I do not wish to spoil it for anyone, so I will keep from specifics, but I will say, read it, let it carry you with it, and it will take you places you never even considered.
The author was kind enough to let me read this book for an honest review. Thank you! I truly did enjoy it, once I let go of my loyalty to something that was really only a reference!
I didn't want to like this book, to be honest, because I love Phantom so much, but then as I continued my reading, I realized this has a unique life and energy entirely its own.
I do not wish to spoil it for anyone, so I will keep from specifics, but I will say, read it, let it carry you with it, and it will take you places you never even considered.
The author was kind enough to let me read this book for an honest review. Thank you! I truly did enjoy it, once I let go of my loyalty to something that was really only a reference!
September 13, 2021
TW:
suicide, drinking/roofie drugging/sex without consent (blackout).
As a fan of the Phantom of the Opera this is a really interesting dark and modern take on the story! There are many similar situations and a storyline that is somewhat parallel to the original but overall entertaining. It’s a quick read, but I feel at times there could have been less details or at least better flow. There were a few scenes that just dragged and I thought were just there for a wow factor and not entirely relevant. The ending was so abrupt and I wish there was a little bit of an epilogue to give closure. Overall I recommend because it’s an interesting take, just be warned it is dark. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
suicide, drinking/roofie drugging/sex without consent (blackout).
As a fan of the Phantom of the Opera this is a really interesting dark and modern take on the story! There are many similar situations and a storyline that is somewhat parallel to the original but overall entertaining. It’s a quick read, but I feel at times there could have been less details or at least better flow. There were a few scenes that just dragged and I thought were just there for a wow factor and not entirely relevant. The ending was so abrupt and I wish there was a little bit of an epilogue to give closure. Overall I recommend because it’s an interesting take, just be warned it is dark. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
September 19, 2024
Como gran admiradora del universo del Fantasma de la Ópera, tenía altas expectativas con Phantom Masquerade. La premisa de seguir los pasos de Mina, descendiente de Christine y Raoul, resulta intrigante. Sin embargo, la ejecución deja mucho que desear.
Los personajes carecen de profundidad y resultan estereotipados. Mina, la protagonista, es una joven que resulta difícil de querer. Su insistencia en preguntar sobre la orientación sexual de los demás se siente forzada y distrae de la trama principal. Las relaciones entre los personajes son poco creíbles y parecen más funcionales que emocionales.
La historia avanza a un ritmo irregular y el final se siente apresurado y poco satisfactorio. En comparación con otras obras inspiradas en el Fantasma de la Ópera, como las novelas de Gaston Leroux o las adaptaciones cinematográficas, Phantom Masquerade resulta una decepción.
En conclusión, Phantom Masquerade no logró cautivarme. Si buscas una novela que profundice en el universo del Fantasma de la Ópera y desarrolle personajes complejos y memorables, te recomiendo explorar otras opciones.
_______________________________
As a massive fan of the Phantom of the Opera universe, I had high expectations for Phantom Masquerade. The premise of following in the footsteps of Mina, a descendant of Christine and Raoul, is intriguing. However, the execution leaves much to be desired.
The characters lack depth and come across as stereotypical. Mina, the protagonist, is a young woman who is difficult to like. Her insistence on asking about the sexual orientation of others feels forced and distracts from the main plot. The relationships between the characters are not very believable and seem more functional than emotional.
The story moves unevenly, and the ending feels rushed and unsatisfying. Compared to other works inspired by the Phantom of the Opera, such as the novels by Gaston Leroux or the film adaptations, Phantom Masquerade is a disappointment.
In conclusion, Phantom Masquerade failed to captivate me. I recommend exploring other options if you're looking for a novel that delves deeper into the Phantom of the Opera universe and develops complex and memorable characters.
Los personajes carecen de profundidad y resultan estereotipados. Mina, la protagonista, es una joven que resulta difícil de querer. Su insistencia en preguntar sobre la orientación sexual de los demás se siente forzada y distrae de la trama principal. Las relaciones entre los personajes son poco creíbles y parecen más funcionales que emocionales.
La historia avanza a un ritmo irregular y el final se siente apresurado y poco satisfactorio. En comparación con otras obras inspiradas en el Fantasma de la Ópera, como las novelas de Gaston Leroux o las adaptaciones cinematográficas, Phantom Masquerade resulta una decepción.
En conclusión, Phantom Masquerade no logró cautivarme. Si buscas una novela que profundice en el universo del Fantasma de la Ópera y desarrolle personajes complejos y memorables, te recomiendo explorar otras opciones.
_______________________________
As a massive fan of the Phantom of the Opera universe, I had high expectations for Phantom Masquerade. The premise of following in the footsteps of Mina, a descendant of Christine and Raoul, is intriguing. However, the execution leaves much to be desired.
The characters lack depth and come across as stereotypical. Mina, the protagonist, is a young woman who is difficult to like. Her insistence on asking about the sexual orientation of others feels forced and distracts from the main plot. The relationships between the characters are not very believable and seem more functional than emotional.
The story moves unevenly, and the ending feels rushed and unsatisfying. Compared to other works inspired by the Phantom of the Opera, such as the novels by Gaston Leroux or the film adaptations, Phantom Masquerade is a disappointment.
In conclusion, Phantom Masquerade failed to captivate me. I recommend exploring other options if you're looking for a novel that delves deeper into the Phantom of the Opera universe and develops complex and memorable characters.
April 24, 2023
Wow, In the short time since I discovered his work, Mr. Hawke has never failed to amaze me.
This could loosely be considered a "modern update" of Phantom Of The Opera, written stylistically similar to something Phillip K Dick might have done on the same subject.
The plot, characters & general weirdness are pretty amazing. Our heroine is Mina Daae; ("decedent" of Christine, star of the original film). Her nemesis is the ghost of Lon Cheney's original character, Erik. And the promoter, Toni, whom I don't remember from the film, but has a very big entanglement with both Mina & Erik.
I really am reminded of something Phillip K. Dick could have written. Mr. Hawke is extremely intelligent, & his books are a very nice change in this decade, where most supernatural stories are either written for young adults or just dumbed down for the average reader.
Mr Hawke's books require me to think. That's a good thing (especially at my age)!
I'm waiting & wondering why he isn't ranked with the other great & popular authors of our time. Perhaps because there is so much indy stuff out there that finding one of the special authors is somewhat of a fluke.
If you're looking for a thoughtful supernatural read with both a romantic & historical tinge, you can't do much better than this.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This could loosely be considered a "modern update" of Phantom Of The Opera, written stylistically similar to something Phillip K Dick might have done on the same subject.
The plot, characters & general weirdness are pretty amazing. Our heroine is Mina Daae; ("decedent" of Christine, star of the original film). Her nemesis is the ghost of Lon Cheney's original character, Erik. And the promoter, Toni, whom I don't remember from the film, but has a very big entanglement with both Mina & Erik.
I really am reminded of something Phillip K. Dick could have written. Mr. Hawke is extremely intelligent, & his books are a very nice change in this decade, where most supernatural stories are either written for young adults or just dumbed down for the average reader.
Mr Hawke's books require me to think. That's a good thing (especially at my age)!
I'm waiting & wondering why he isn't ranked with the other great & popular authors of our time. Perhaps because there is so much indy stuff out there that finding one of the special authors is somewhat of a fluke.
If you're looking for a thoughtful supernatural read with both a romantic & historical tinge, you can't do much better than this.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
February 9, 2024
In a nod to the Phantom of the Opera, this book tells the story in a parallel reality with a modern and a little darker feel. The ghost is the perfect addition to provide a uniquely multi-dimensional plot.
Phantom Masquerade reminds me of an abstract painting that's visually rich and colorful, textured in layers and no matter how many times you look at it, there's never a definitive answer as to what it represents. This is a story that makes you think. It has a twist on male/female roles and quite a bit of symbolism in masks and clothing. There's a single character who made me cringe every time she appeared and a ghost whose identity was at my fingertips. A book that keeps me on my toes is something I want to make time for. Phantom Masquerade is a vibrant, chaotic, discordant affair that coalesced beautifully in the end.
Phantom Masquerade reminds me of an abstract painting that's visually rich and colorful, textured in layers and no matter how many times you look at it, there's never a definitive answer as to what it represents. This is a story that makes you think. It has a twist on male/female roles and quite a bit of symbolism in masks and clothing. There's a single character who made me cringe every time she appeared and a ghost whose identity was at my fingertips. A book that keeps me on my toes is something I want to make time for. Phantom Masquerade is a vibrant, chaotic, discordant affair that coalesced beautifully in the end.
December 23, 2024
I thought I had read this book about a couple of years ago. When I started getting into the book I realized that I had read it. I was hoping that maybe some changes had been made to the story. However, there were no changes.
The plot of the story is there and can be executed well if the writing was done in a better form. There is problems in the way things are described, how the characters interact with each other, and the dialogue. None of it flows very well.
If the writing was changed this book would be great. Its a short read and encompasses a story/musical that is well known with a dark twist.
The plot of the story is there and can be executed well if the writing was done in a better form. There is problems in the way things are described, how the characters interact with each other, and the dialogue. None of it flows very well.
If the writing was changed this book would be great. Its a short read and encompasses a story/musical that is well known with a dark twist.
January 27, 2025
Audiobook: I was intrigued by this story. I felt for Mina who was haunted by a voice in her head which she believed to be a hallucination. I understood Mina who lacked confidence in her talents, but she still wanted to pursue her dreams on Broadway. I admired the author's style of writing which engendered a feeling of unease as the story unfolded. I thought Caitlin Kelly's narration was great, and her performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given an advanced listener's copy of the audiobook through Spotify. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
April 7, 2023
I have not read this author before, the title intrigued me so I wanted to give it a go.
The only negative I have was that I did not really understand the dream references.
Saying this though, I loved the visual images that they produced. I really enjoyed the concept of it, being a fan of Phantom of the Opera, and I liked that the love interest was older and not the traditional sexy, he was attractive because of his voice.
Overall I would say its worth a read for your own opinion and for something a bit different.
The only negative I have was that I did not really understand the dream references.
Saying this though, I loved the visual images that they produced. I really enjoyed the concept of it, being a fan of Phantom of the Opera, and I liked that the love interest was older and not the traditional sexy, he was attractive because of his voice.
Overall I would say its worth a read for your own opinion and for something a bit different.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2024
A different take of the phantom of the opera and it is such a wonderful read. She may achieve her dreams if she can overcome all her fears and the ghosts of her mind. A great tale of overcoming obstacles she will face getting her dreams
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I felt a part of her story
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I felt a part of her story
April 8, 2025
My ratings for romance and spice are 0.5💖/0.5🌶️.
The content warnings were sexual scenes, adult situations, and profanity. I would also add that not all sexual scenes had explicit consent beforehand. I feel like it did not do the original storyline justice, it felt religious, the spice kept popping up out of almost nowhere, and the ending was pretty abrupt. I wish I liked it more than I had.
The content warnings were sexual scenes, adult situations, and profanity. I would also add that not all sexual scenes had explicit consent beforehand. I feel like it did not do the original storyline justice, it felt religious, the spice kept popping up out of almost nowhere, and the ending was pretty abrupt. I wish I liked it more than I had.
February 25, 2024
As an avid fan of Phantom of the Opera, this re-telling of the story was wonderful! Very spooky and romantic and tragic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 21, 2024
like book okay it takes a day to read
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gem books and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is where I say the author gives enough information.
So, I do not give anything away.
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gem books and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is where I say the author gives enough information.
So, I do not give anything away.
October 22, 2024
Highly recommend. Story was detailed and interesting. Lots of plot twists. Addictive intense read that I definitely enjoyed.
September 20, 2021
This is a new Author to me. The way she portrayed Mina Daaé and Toni Vollini's story kept me on the edge of my seat, the story was very intense. I would recommend. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2022
Loved it!
I’m more of a fantasy dystopian fan, so I’ve put off reading this book because I was sure it wasn’t going to be a fun read for me, but I was so wrong. The author’s colorful imagination pleasantly surprised me. The story was dark, sensual, artistic. Highly recommend.
I’m more of a fantasy dystopian fan, so I’ve put off reading this book because I was sure it wasn’t going to be a fun read for me, but I was so wrong. The author’s colorful imagination pleasantly surprised me. The story was dark, sensual, artistic. Highly recommend.
July 12, 2023
Love Phantom of the Opera. Loved this retelling! Such a great cover and such a great synopsis. Loved reading this and comparing it to the classic. This has alot more depth and intrigue. I live how it ended.
October 4, 2021
Downloaded from an ARC program that I belong to, this was a very interesting story, dark, disturbing, but good. Not "light" reading but quite the page turner. Story line drew me in. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews