For Love of the Phantom is a sequel to Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera. For those unfamiliar with the story, the original novel is set in a Paris Opera house in the early years of the 1900’s. It features an innocent young orphan woman named Christine. She is secretly tutored in music by a man she only knows as the Angel of Music. Eventually, it is revealed that this same Angel is also the man feared by others as the Phantom of the Opera. Christine becomes embroiled in a love triangle with the Phantom and her childhood friend Raoul, the Comte de Chagny. Although, the Phantom initially wishes to keep Christine with him, using Raoul’s life as a bargaining chip, Christine’s compassion convinces him to let them both go.
Book Summary
For Love of the Phantom picks up right where the original Phantom leaves off. Raoul and Christine escape the Opera House, marry and eventually settle in London. Erik, the Phantom manages to fake his own death to throw his old nemesis, the Persian, off his trail. Erik then follows Christine to London, determining to remain unseen but near the woman he loves.
But all is not well. Christine discovers that Raoul’s love for her is more as a beautiful possession and not simply for herself. He also forbids her to sing, fearing that it will remind her of her divided loyalties to the Phantom, whom he despises. Christine’s fairy tale idea of love is slowly dismantled as Raoul disregards her wishes until she finally discovers his infidelity. Christine remains secluded in her home, her only friend, an elderly gardener known as Peck.
Additionally, there is also a killer at large, whom the Persian believes could be Erik. But Erik is determined to protect Christine from the man brutally murdering London’s women, while still maintaining his disguise as Peck. As the story of Christine, Erik and Raoul continues, what will the outcome be?
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