I would have given it 5 stars for the idea of it alone, which is brilliant, the delivery though was weak I thought. This could have gone on for a series.

If you are a fan of Phanfictions and the Webber show, I would highly recommend it for an enjoyable, for the setting alone, quick Summer read. The author wants one to think its a direct pickup from the original, it could be except for the Webber overtones. ( )

It was ok. Interesting concept but it did not hold my attention. hence the reason it took forever to finish. ( )

Vickie Hopkins’ sequel to the Phantom of the Opera titled the Phantom of Valletta is an ingenious fictional debut. Taking up where Gaston Leroux left off at the end of his classic story, Hopkins begins her evocative tale with Erik still alive after the Opera House fire in Paris. Finding an interesting advertisement in the morning newspaper that peaks Erik’s interest into believing that maybe there is still hope for him yet, he devises a plan to resurrect his soul and his love of music. Across the seas on the island of Malta off Italy’s Mediterranean coast, there is another Opera House lying in ruin and crying out for restoration. Thinking he could escape his horrid tragic past by relocating where society members would not know of his ghostly legend, he believes a project of this monumental scale will act as a healer, and give him renewed strength to begin anew; allowing him to finally create an Opera House of his very own.

Arriving to Malta along with his longtime friend Madame Giry and the ex-manager of the Paris Opera house, the three work diligently for three years slowly rebuilding the new theatre to it’s original glory and more. Once finished and restored to opulence and grandeur, Erik is for once happy yet still craving the one thing his heart desires most, love.

While prowling the catwalks of his new architectural wonder, he comes across a young woman sitting in the orchestra pit stroking a violin. Shocked at her audacity to play with it as if a toy, he jumps down from the balcony above her to frighten her. Against his rage, Desiree Martin professes to have always yearned to become a violin player. Thinking her silly, Erik laughs at her believing no mere woman could coax passion out of an instrument so esteemed as the violin.

Challenging her for sport and to occupy his time, Erik takes on what will be his second adventure into tutoring a beautiful young woman, though fearing it will end up in a perilous heap as it did with his beloved Christine. But lesson after lesson has Desiree improving greatly and Erik begins to fall in love, again. But something is not quite right with Desiree, and with the Opera House that is now being threatened by an anonymous villain seeking revenge.

The Phantom of Valletta brings many wondrous things to the pages Hopkins vividly pens. Romance, passion, mystery, murder and mayhem, drama, music, action, and a grand scope of how the power of love can heal all, and that appearances don’t matter when choosing someone to share your life with. I thoroughly enjoyed this new twist on the age old Phantom of the Opera tale, and highly praise the author for her inventiveness, great character development, and a story well told. Loved it! ( )