Sunday, January 20, 2013

Serial Sunday Review - The Phantom of Valletta

Book cover art of The Phantom of Valletta by Vicki Hopkins The Phantom of Valletta
by Vicki Hopkins
Fan Fiction Sequel
Genres: Romance, Mystery

     It is almost tempting to say that Erik has mellowed as he has gotten older. But then I remember that this book was not written by the original creator of the character and is Hopkins's interpretation of the Phantom. I must say that he is a much more likeable fellow with fewer cruel tendencies and the presence of a conscience.

     Afraid of arrest for his misdeeds in the final chapters of The Phantom of the Opera, Erik flees to Malta where he has heard of an opera house that was severely damaged by fire. He decided to buy the building and haunt again. Ironically the opera house has another ghost already in residence amongst its halls that performs several acts of sabotage. While the sequel does have a bit of intrigue as to whom the new ghost is, it is more of a love story that a mystery.

     I actually enjoyed this book better than the original as it was much easier to feel compassion for this version of the Phantom. I have to wonder though if those who are already fans of the original story would find this shift in character to be a welcome change. The editing of this story was imperfect, but not frequent enough to be annoying.

I give it 4 star review graphic 4 stars!

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