For those who want to know quickly - you do not need to have seen Phantom of the Opera to enjoy this book, but it does hide some lovely surprises you have.

Whenever a writer takes a story you already love it can be a worrying thing. However, when I saw it was this specific writer my trepidation disappeared.
Craig understands the complexity of this dark story and as a former musical theatre kid myself I couldn't help but hear the tunes and melodies of the musical while reading the mirrored dialogue.

The Phantom and Christine's relationship is something that I think clings to everyone who has ever heard the story. Despite all of us knowing he is a terribly toxic creation, we cannot help but love him. This is true in this rendering as well. I enjoyed having a clearer insight into Christine's mind, and her conflict between the Phantom and Raoul, and I felt torn alongside her!

A classic gothic romance with a more modern voice - Beautifully done.

Thank you so much to Penguin Random House for the ARC.
As an avid fan of the Phantom of the Opera, this book is beautiful. It is quite amazing to have such insights about Christine's inner thoughts and some more depth to Raoul.
The Phantom is just as enigmatic, electrifying and scary as he should be.
I truly hope there is a full production of the Audiobook as I was reading it the songs kept playing in my head and I would have loved to have them along the beautiful writing.
This is a true love letter to the original.

Incredible. Magic. Enchanting. Spectacular.

There are so many words I could use to describe just how amazing this book is. It's the perfect love letter to Phantom of the Opera (and whilst marketed as a reimagining, I would say it's more of a novelisation of the movie/ musical as it follows it to a T), and has all the scenes, characters and the gothicly seductive and chilling atmosphere the movie brings.

I was surprised to find the first quarter of the book being new content, giving a deeper and more emotional look at how Christine first met her Angel of Music, and why she's so devotedly obsessed with him, as well as providing the bittersweet connection between her, the Phantom and her late father. It gave the story so much more weight.

I simply adored the characterisation in this book. Christine has so many layers to her, and I could truly feel her emotions through the pages, especially her yearning and struggle between choosing to give herself to Erik or Raoul. The romance was absolutely perfect- with both Erik and Raoul- yet I always found myself drawn to the Phantom.

The settings sweep you away in the stage lights and glamour, and the darker moments seem that much more horrifying due to Craig's way with words (I am a massive fan of her stories, so I may be biased). I honestly loved this book, and listening to the soundtrack whilst reading was the icing on the cake, absolutely recommend doing the same!

In case it isn't clear, this book was simply a dream, and all I ask of you is that you let the music of the night sweep you away, for the Phantom of the Opera is here!

5/5 🌟