The Phantom's Pet: A Monster Romance

by Kassandra Cross

It was supposed to be a theatre group… somewhere I could spend every Wednesday night being creative with other writers like me.

Instead… it turned into a nightmare…

Locked inside The Grandview Opera House I’m at the mercy of the wicked monster who hides here in the wings.

I’ve come into his house, and this is his show. But when he gets his hands on me it becomes clear he doesn’t want to chase me away like the others. Instead, he wants to make us the stars of our very own deliciously twisted drama.

When the lights fall, this phantom is going to give the performance of a lifetime. And once it’s the final curtain call, we may be bound together in more ways than one…

Genres: Dark Romance, BDSM, Paranormal, Retellings, Erotica, Monsters, Novella

79 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2022

About the author

Kassandra is an International Bestselling Author of Dark and Forbidden Romance with a Twist of Magic.

When she isn’t drinking wine, reading tarot cards, or dabbling with magic, you can find her exploring the dark side, creating powerful alpha males and lovable heroines. Expect witches, monsters, shifters, and psychos falling in love (and lust) in deliciously gothic settings to set your wicked little soul on fire.

Kassandra loves connecting with her readers, so please get in touch via any of her social media links. And don’t forget to join her reader group, Kassandra’s Bad Girls of Romance, on Facebook.

For a FREE ebook, join her newsletter here: www.kassandracross.com

Reviews

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!!!! I've always loved anything with a phantom of the opera theme! This is a short story with a unique twist on the phantom. In this one he is dark and deadly standing over seven feet tall with clawed hands and some other inhuman appendages!!!😅Hes scarred but handsome and has lived in the caves under the Grandview theater protecting it and feeding it the blood it needs to thrive. Years ago a young girl caught sight of him standing in the shadows and she had the most delicious fear and when the same girl,now a beautiful woman enters the theater once again he intends to not only to keep her for his dark desires but to impregnate her with his heir.Evelyn sees a post on a board for inspiring writers workshop at the Grandview theater and signs up. Within minutes she has a feeling of being watched and when she sees the same dark shadow she saw as a child it sends chills down her spine! Theirs no way out and while shes scared shitless by this dark beast of a man. His voice and touches make her burn and even when he takes her to his underground world she knows theirs no going back. Kassandra Cross did a great job with both the storyline and the twisting of the phantom of the opera theme and I loved both the phantom and his pet!! Until next time Luv's😉💋

[Karly Bishop · Rating 2 out of 5]

NOT WHAT I EXPECTED!

Though “ the phantoms Pet” is only 79 pages. It took me over a week to get through it.

I am a huge fan of Phantom of the opera so when I saw the title of this book I went feral. I was so excited to read is super short spicy Novela about some of my favorite characters of all time reimagined.

However… I felt like this story started off good, new story beginning, new introduction, a description of the phantom, spooky vibes… I even listed to “ phantom of the opera” while reading the boast scene bringing them down to his layer.

AND THEN… the spice happened and it went downhill for me. In the play and movie he’s supposed to be a magician and scientist and smoke alludes to him putting her in some drugged Haze… he’s also groomed her “technically” however she goes from being completely terrified and on the verge of being murdered and seeing other murdered to “I like his voice, yes impregnate me, yes I’ll be your wife forever” … I know it’s a short story, but I still felt that if I had more pages or even had some word changes to the existing story it could have fast burned it and it would have made more scenes.

Also both characters Joy and carruthers were so random that I was left feeling “what was the point”
They were given so much potential by making their words means something important, and then they just disappeared, and never really resurfaced.

She automatically gave this scary monster, a “sultry tone” rather than the voice being haunting, but was alluring.

Also, if you’re going to write a short spicy novella kid, the author, please pick one word and stick with it. One moment it was cunt the next It was pussy.
—- a bit nit picky but it was enough to bother me.

[Khara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A quick smutty read for monster lovers. TW listed are listed at the beginning of the story. Obviously this isn’t for everyone. It was a good read, but wasn’t a fan of the breeding part of it.

[April Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

great, short, gothic horror monster romance. it wasn't as spicy as I thought it'd be but it was gory and creepy and the intensity was there.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more spice, and the "romance" felt a bit forced. However, the beginning of the story was super creepy and had horror movie vibes. It was a short, fun spooky season monster romance.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!! The cat and mouse game the phantom played with Ev was very sexy and hot. The actual sex scene was done fantastically. The phantom is just hot on all fronts.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ This was a decent Phantom of the Opera retelling, throughly enjoyed the horror bit. I wasn’t a huge fan of the breeding, could have been smuttier overall and would have rated higher for me.

[Alyssa · Rating 1 out of 5]

It really sucks that I didn’t like this book because I love the Phantom of the Opera. And when I saw this title on kindle unlimited and I was like “omg more phantom books?? I’ve been LOOKING for those”

It started off pretty interesting, with the writing group and the lights being spooky in the auditorium. I thought the writing group was a really fresh concept for this take on the Phantom story. But then things got a lil weird😭😭 don’t get me wrong, I loveeee a good chase scene, but the way that he has been waiting for her since she was a child was the first thing that made me go “she said what😀”. Then after she agreed to go with him, he choked her to the point of unconsciousness for no reason while they were heading to the gondola.. But I told myself okay he’s a weird guy, he lives in the sewers give him a break. And then the big reveal as to why he’s brought Evelyn here, to breed her for an heir. No foreplay? Just straight to getting impregnated with a phantom baby😭 this man then had the audacity to say “I am an old romantic at heart” MY BOY YOU DID NOT EVEN KISS HER ON THE MOUTH BEFORE SHOOTING YOUR PHANTOM SPERM INTO HER😭😭 that damn baby was ready to go at three months😭😭

All in all it started off pretty strong and could very well have been better as a longer story, to draw out the tension and build up the characters like Joy and Evelyn a bit more. Honestly I can see it in my head and it really could be great. Maybe the breeding kink isn’t for me, but I just didn’t like this novella like I hoped💔
Phantom jizz/5

[Dariela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wished I liked this more, it just didn’t give.

[Pauline Bellini · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Phantom's Pet follows Evelyn as she goes to a writer workshop in an old theater, and finds herself ensnared by the Phantom.

This book needed to be longer. When you pick up a book this short with trigger warnings at the beginning that claims the book is naughty, you think "ok, this book is going to be more smut than plot". Except it wasn't. The actual smut lasted maybe two pages. There's a lot of plot potential and a lot of unanswered questions because we're just racing through.

Evelyn first visited the theater as a kid and spotted the mysterious figure in the box. But when she returns years later as an adult, she "summons" him and this is apparently significant. The Phantom is not human, but it isn't clear on what he is. Because the opera needs blood and he's like... in charge of that? Except he has to be brought victims. He has long sharp claws but he kills with an ax? He's not alive, but he has a home under the opera(a home clearly inspired by the 2004 phantom film). And he needs an heir because his time is at an end, but he's not dying or fucking off to wherever he came from, he's gonna live a normal life with his wife.

There's so much that could have been explored. How did the opera come to need blood? How did this phantom come to be there?

And then Evelyn. Why is she special? She runs and he says he's going to enjoy chasing her, until he tells her to stop and she just does. And he feeds off her fear, like actually bites her and drains it from her. Until she's afraid again shortly after. But then she's just... in love with him. She's running for her life, terrified, and then she's suddenly into him and the idea of him breeding her.

The smut is a mediocre sex scene. And that's it. There's no foreplay, no fun before or after. Just sex to get her pregnant, cuddles, and then she leaves. We then skip to three months later when the baby is fully grown and about to pop and she talks about the deep love she found, and we've seen nothing of a relationship between them.

This could have easily been a full novel, and one I would have been interested to read, but as a novella that's under 100 pages, it's much too short and leaves us with more questions than answers.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the beginning seemed a bit rough and the plot lacked some nice details (such as the FMC background being connected more to her being drawn to the MMC, rather than just by magic,) this was a lovely little novella with a HEA.
I will note that I am big on covers and titles aligning with the plot, and although the cover itself is PERFECT, the title is a bit off- I didn’t see anywhere that the word “pet” was even used… so it kinda felt deceiving to some degree… “lady” might have been appropriate, or even “captive.”

Note that any prior ratings regarding the misspellings have been corrected and cleared up, so that shouldn’t be put in when reviewing this book I believe at this point.

[Nox Morningstar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75
i never rate so specifically but i'll make an exception.

surprisingly slightly disappointing.
the first half was a 5 star so i was really surprised to see how rushed the other half felt.
apart from the fact that i found too many Es and ANDs, the writing felt good, it wasn't too descriptive or rushed.
the only real ick i had is the use of the word "cunt", that if it was for me, it would be abolished and wiped out of existance.
in the end, this was a pleasent short story, but could've been so much more.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evelyn thought she was there to revive her love of playwriting

Once she entered the Grandview theatre Evelyn felt uneasy. She met the group of playwriting candidates but she feed uneasy and tries to leave. The journey takes on an air of menace and the screams and off putting sounds lead her to seek another escape. Meeting the Phantom terrorised and enthralled Evelyn. He's brutal and loving and has a dark plan for Evelyn. Shades of the Paris Phantom of the Opera right down to the under ground waterway and hidden chamber. Creepy and thrilling at the same time.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect short read if you like fast paced stories about things that go bump in the night. The author brings the ghost story of the Grandview opera house to life and the reality of keeping it alive. The female lead seemed so naive and obtuse at some points hence the 4 stars instead of 5, she just accepted situations without much of a fight or question but i understand the story would have to be dragged out a bit more if not.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big phantom of the opera fan and on kick with retellings of this story. Came across this one because it was short and a monster romance. It played out like a horror movie at the beginning with blood sacrifices then turned into breeding smut that I was not expecting. I was pleasantly surprised because I actually enjoyed it. I was confused at first because I didn’t expect to but the bit of primal play got me excited. This is my first monster romance and now I will be in search of more.

[Acoverofspice · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75* It didn't really do it for me. It could have been much more. I love a chase scene but this felt flat. Both romance and smut was lacking in any depth or detail. I know it's a short read but I didn't feel anything for either character and the gore was just 'meh'. It would only need a few tweaks to be soo much more. I will continue reading the rest of the series as the last one was pretty hot and I've been recommended stags pet multiple times.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot twist on Phantom of the Opera!
This was such a good little read!
Evelyn is haunted by a night at the Grandview theatre as a child and now she is back for the playwright class. Soon, things start to get weird and she is called once again back into the same room where everything happened. Will she survive or will her fear something very real claim her mind, body, and soul?
Read to find out!

[Rhiannon Boughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I want to mention this book has quite a few trigger warnings so before you read look at the list of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book

This is a great book. It’s like a twist of the phantom of the opera. The main female character becomes the phantoms obsession. He wants her and he will make her his.

[Lovely Complex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good!!

I am an absolute huge fan of phantom of the opera So when I saw that there was a light novel That was greatly inspired by it i immediately downloaded it . And let me tell you it did not disappoint I Immensely enjoyed it I also really liked the new take on the phantom as well and the spicy scene was 10 out of 10 !!! My only complaint is that I wish I was longer 😍

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting take!

This little horror/ spicy take on the Phantom of the opera was so interesting! Making hime a straight up monster wanting love. 🥲

I almost wished it was a little longer to see how their day to day was but I enjoyed the dark and light aspects of this story.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting . . .

I don't think I was expecting the Phantom to be a monster. I know in the original story he is portrayed as a monster but behind the mask he is still a man. So, I expected a man but should have known better considering the titles in the rest of this series. Interesting take though.

4 stars

[jenniO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it

Loving the Monsters pet series! Loved the twist on the phantom of the opera story. The supernatural meets the human and she's his from the ground he smelt her fear she was his.

[Mim Crenshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hauntingly good

This was a steamy thrilling read and surprisingly well written. I didn't know what would happen next and I loved that. It had just the right amount of steam and fear to keep me reading till the end.

[Solana ✩ ♬ ₊.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️

The beginning was great and had solid pacing. However, it went downhill after the auditorium scene. It felt super rushed. Also, wth happened to Joy and Carruther???? Their characters felt pointless/random at the end. Overall, this was a decent, quick read

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half is super spooky and terrifying, the writing is really well done in this part. However, maybe because it's a short book, they jump so fast to the romance and it just feels so wrong, I know it was in the trigger warnings but I was expecting a little bit more. Oh well.

[BzzyBBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

what it says on the tin

This is exactly what you get. But the writing Kassandra Cross employs to deliver it, is great. I made a few highlights of sentences I really liked. Some of her descriptions are quite pretty and eerie.

[I'm Fine, Just Tired · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a let down. This girl was too easy, too little smut, a lot of build up for the one smut scene that was not very well done. It's a short story, but some scenes could have been added to make it well rounded.

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short & Suspenseful
A bit of a twist on a classic...
Full of suspense, some angst and steam! I thought it was the perfect length, and moved at a quick pace. I really enjoyed it!

[Alyssa Albanese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick suspense/romance book. I love retellings of Phantom of the Opera! Could have had more spice and I could have done without the breeding 😂

[Shannon Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very unique story! The Phantom is 🥵 I need more books with him! The story was suspenseful, interesting and spicy with a happy ending.