We all wear masks.He came to me like a ghost singing songs of the past…
Mine to possess.
The music of our souls entwined is sweeter than any I’ve ever written, but the words to this song tell a story as dark as it is forbidden.
Is it love, or is it obsession?
I’ve lost track, and now I have to choose.
Release my angel and lose him forever, or hold on until his wings turn as black and shattered as my soul.
This is a dark historical M/M retelling of The Phantom of the Opera with a genderbent Christine and an HEA for the Angel of Music.
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Masquerade is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read – touching and melancholy. I fell in love during the prologue. I felt privileged to watch Christian’s and Erik’s relationship evolve. Thank you, Joel Abernathy, for sharing your rendition of this classic story with us.
Music of the soul
“Angels were, after all, both beautiful and terrible.” Not all monsters can be seen. Some hide behind beauty and those are the ones we should fear the most; whereas, other monsters aren’t really monstrous at all. A beautiful and amazing story about overcoming fear and rejection to find love and acceptance within yourself. For when it’s given freely by the one you love, you see yourself not as who you thought you were but as who you truly are.
“I would paint every inch of you with music too precious or the world to ever see.” Christian and Erik’s love for each other flows like music. There were times it was just a whisper and then others where it was a cacophony of sound. No matter it’s volume it was always constant and true. A phenomenal retelling of the Phantom that will live in my heart.
This is a book for everybody who loves ‘The Phantom of the Opera’. And finally there is the Happy End with Erik, that Christian as the Phantom deserves. The retelling is beautiful and I ike the way of writing. I recommend this book.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Masterful read. Omg, I am reduced to a hollow shell after reading this. Raoul, I curse you! You broke a beautiful young man and his memories of you and his trust! A cherished love was almost taken from Christian twice! Unfair, you scoundrel! The love between Chris and Erik was tender and fragile and grew into an all encompassing comforting protective warm hug! Betrayals and traps, but love transcends all. Must read and experience this work of art!!!
Joel Abernathy was a new-to-me author prior to me reading Masquerade, an M/M retelling the literary classic by Gaston Leroux that spawned many a film and television version as well as the unforgettable award-winning stage musical adaptation by Andrew Lloyd Webber. With so many retellings nowadays of classic stories, each one with their own twist or two, I now try to look for that bit of something that allows whichever new retelling I’m reading to stand out. I want it to pay homage to the original version while also being able to stand on its own merits, and Abernathy’s Masquerade has done exactly that, making this one of my all-time favorite literary retellings to date.
Abernathy’s writing is wonderfully lyrical, composing a tale that strikes familiar notes of the well-loved story that is The Phantom of the Opera while interweaving newer elements to it, thereby striking that finest of balances. It’s like listening to a familiar melody except the lyrics have changed. As much as I know the original version and the more popular adoptions, I thoroughly enjoyed diving into Abernathy’s novel. Christian had an air of innocence to him but I wouldn’t call him naive; Erik, on the other hand, is far more jaded, but it’s the presence of Christian that somehow gives him new purpose. The notable side characters–i.e. Raoul, Madame Giry, and Meg–added texture, making an already good story even better. Masquerade is a must-read and one I highly recommend. Five-plus stars.
The Angel of Music and his tran Muse: great twist on a classic, passionate tale
August 13, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
An interesting twist to the classic French Phantom Of the Opera tale. The writing seemed in the style of the 19th century, like the setting, but the MM and transgender twists were very in the now and the love scenes between the Dark Angel and his Muse steamy but restrained. I liked Abernathy’s version of the plot and end to the Erik-Christian-Raoul love triangle.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
This is a fantastic, beautifully lyrical story! I loved the writing style, the sensuality, the emotion…everything. I was concerned for Christian’s likelihood for HEA. At first, it seemed like neither Raoul nor Erik were interested in who Christian was and both seemed to want to mold him according to their own designs. I liked the way the story developed. I wanted to like Raoul, but how can you like someone willing to force another to hide his entire life under the mask of pretending to be something he’s not (i.e. a woman). He was clearly too selfish to deserve Christian, but was Erik any better? You simply MUST read this story and find out. I can’t say how much I loved the way it unfolded!
I received a complimentary ARC, and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I have always held the story of the Phantom close to my heart, visiting the Opera Garnier upon every visit to Paris. I am very happy to say I have now gained a new beautiful facet of the story to admire and love.
This version of the tale is an amazing read, full of beautiful, poetic language and characters so vivid you feel you’ve really met them in life. Brilliant!
This author has taken the classic Phantom of the Opera and given it their own unique, fresh, original, and delightfully different twist. I absolutely LOVED it, and it had me hooked from beginning to end.
This author has created an excellent retelling of the “Phantom of the Opera” with a MM point of view & is set in the 1800’s era. I found this book quite interesting & really enjoyed reading it, the story-line and plot is intriguing, well-thought out and splendidly written. The characters (Chris & Eric) are quite well-developed with individual personalities and have realistic & believable emotional feelings & reactions, there is good support from the secondary characters.
There is: a beautiful young man (Chris) disillusioned with his roles & life in general, a man (Eric) with facial disfigurement hiding in the shadows of the Opera House, an apparent childhood friend (Raoul) with plans of his own, drama, intrigue, suspense, secrets, mystery, memories, jealousy, a unexpected proposal, doubts, conflict, violence, injuries, devotion, attractions, decisions, rejection, manipulations, blackmail, regrets, confrontation, devious plans, arson, declaration, love, contentment & a wonderful HEA.
This book is a brilliant retelling of the Phantom of the Opera with Erik the Phantom hiding in the opera house after being ridiculed his entire life until he sees Christian perform and decides that he can be more than what he his. So he takes to training him, while a friend comes from Christian past causes problems. Christian manages to get Erik to come out of the shadows so that they can make a life together.
While this is technically a retelling of the magnificent Phantom of the Opera, I thoroughly enjoyed it in its own beauty. The characters were brought to life and captured my heart from the moment they were introduced, and while the story is brought to life from a dark place, and darkness comes and goes throughout, the beauty and rawness of the emotions created is just beautiful.
Christian lost his hero, his father and teacher, when he was far too young. Eventually, he was taken on by an opera house in Paris, where he did small roles and behind the scenes work. His father’s dream that he find peace and happiness in his music had started to vanish as Christian let his talent go to waste and settled for what he had. That was, until the Angel of Music his father had promised to send, found him in his attic hideaway. That was the day his life began to transform, even if Christian wasn’t aware of it himself.
Erik was born with a disfigurement that ruled his life from the moment of his birth. After abuse and ridicule, he was sent to a new from of hell, even though a young child still. He grew up with self-loathing and a resentment towards most people who had the misfortune of crossing his path. That was, until he saw perfection on the stage of his opera house, and he had one goal in mind: to mold this creature into the powerful Angel he knows is inside.
Along the way, a childhood friend of Christian’s shows up and brings a happy warmth and nostalgia with him. However, his role in the story is a constantly evolving thing; one that starts off as bright and loving, but eventually leads to unexpected darkness and pain.
The love story is beautifully written, and I could almost hear a strain of the music in my head as I read about the give and take of trust, confidence, and power. As the story unfolds, there are moments of light and shadow, but the unwavering devotion in the end made everything worth the pain and pleasure. Christian and Erik find their unexpected HEA, and it is a beautiful thing.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest review. *