Not long ago I came across a book that I can honestly say changed my outlook on life. Yeah, it sounds a little cliché, but it’s also very true.

The book is called Phantom, and it’s by Susan Kay.

The story is based off the popular Gaston Leroux’s novel, Phantom of the Opera as well as Andrew Lloyd Weber’s famous musical. It centers the birth of Erik, the child prodigy hideously disfigured at birth and follows his life all the way up the story of how he came to the Paris Opera House and then to his death.

The book was long, but very fast paced. For its length and plot enormity, it didn’t drag on with too much detail. You do, however, need to have a little background knowledge on the story of the Phantom of the Opera to understand exactly everything that goes on.

The story has a very nice balance of drama, romance, and even a little bit of humor. Kay has a beautiful writing style that left me to think about the book days after I finished. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is open to something new.