My short, kinda a bit spoiler-y reviews of several POTO fan books Iâve read with recommendations for fellow phans.
The Phantom Saga by Jessica Mason
A good romantic and spicy rendering of the POTO book plus continuation of the story, romance and adventures â everything POTO fans and specifically Erik\Christine fans would wish for. I love Christineâs character â not a naĂŻve quiet transparent as a tear girl, but with a complicated character and even hardness. I absolutely adored light BDSM moments with sub!Erik and dom!Christine â itâs the only time I could ever find such disposition of powers, everyone else goes old boring âsub!Christine and dom!Erikâ. The books are very worth reading. They are 5 in the saga for now â 4 novels and 1 novella, expecting the 5th book this summer.
âThe Angel of the Operaâ by Sam Siciliano
First it seemed like a retelling of the original POTO book with some OC Sherlockâs cousin instead of Watson. The plot moves on without Sherlock at all, his presence doesnât change events, which I find dissatisfying, but the ending (a happy Erik ending!) turns everything right in my eyes. I adored the fact that Sherlock unexpectedly, instead of being an adversary, believes in Erikâs goodness and gives him his friendship and help when no one does, which in the end saves Erikâs life and soul. Also I enjoyed Christineâs bitchiness and calculation in her choice of the husband â well, the girl has to survive in the manâs world...
âThe Canary Trainerâ by Nicholas Meyer
Some pages in, and it seemed like Sherlock brings plot changes to the POTOâs detective storyline, but he ends all the way wrong about Erikâs backstory. For real, the great Sherlock Holmes fails to find out the truth about the Phantomâs personality? Also it irked me how Erik is described as just a madman. Yes, I know he acts wrong in many ways, but the reasons why he became as he was (and which make him such a relatable character) are all missing. He doesnât get any sympathy from the author. Meh.
âThe Phantomâ by Susan Kay
Itâs considered as âalmost canonâ in POTO circles, and I see the appeal, but⊠The storyline seemed ok, but Erikâs drug addiction and the fact he gives a child to Christine while Raoul takes the child as his own⊠It iffed me, really. Also I kinda dislike how Erik is described as a devilish child â not my headcanon. I get it, heâs a genius with restless mind, prone to mischief, but come on! There was no need to make him evil towards his mother. Mixed feelings â there are good ideas in the book, too.
âThe Vampire Advocateâ (âĐĐŽĐČĐŸĐșĐ°Ń ĐČĐ°ĐŒĐżĐžŃаâ) by Elena Kostetskaya Erik works as the helper of Van Helsing and Johnathan Harker, who fight evil mystical creatures in London. Also featuring Count Dracula and Irene Adler who help them to deal with vampire!Dorian Gray. Erik is a real Frenchman here â very rebellious. Absolutely fun and adventurous book, can be enjoyed by those who know Russian.