Unmasqued: An Erotic Novel of The Phantom of The Opera: Colette Gale

One of the world's most beloved stories as it has never been told before, Unmasqued is a novel of breathtaking historical erotica.

Her erotic awakening...
Condemned to the catacombs below, Erik has desired his obsession from the shadows, careful to keep his identity, and his secret, in the dark. Only he understands Christine's extraordinary talents and her beauty. Only he can pleasure her like no man has before. But his sensual power comes with a price-and a risk to everyone who stands between them. For Christine too is succumbing to her most forbidden and dangerous desires-and to the Phantom who's making them all come true.

The Bookwhore's Review: 4.5 stars

Ever since its original publication in 1909, The Phantom of the Opera has held a favorite spot in the hearts of many, especially women. The idea of the dark, tortured genius hiding in the depths of the opera house, craving the love of his student is wildly romantic. Especially when paired with the flipside of the bright, blonde viscount who wishes to take her away from all the pain and darkness. And he does take her away, and leaves Erik to die beneath the opera house. Some of us though, always felt that Christine should have stayed with the Phantom. In Unmasqued, Colette Gale gives us the ending we've always wanted, with a healthy dose of steamy sex to move things along.

The novel begins in much the same way as the original story, with the Angel taking Christine under his wing and training her secretly. As he trains her he begins falling in love with her. Christine never sees him, she only hears his beautiful voice. Over the course of his tutelage her voice gains depth and passion. When the diva, La Carlotta is taken suddenly ill, Christine is put forward by Madam Giry as a replacement. Christine's debut is a triumph and is witnessed by her childhood friend, Viscount Raoul de Chagny. The Viscount invites her out for supper with his brother and the theater owners but before she leaves the Angel appears to her. He leads her onto the empty stage where he ties her hands over her head and shows her that she has pleased him with her performance. Then he leaves her there, half-dressed, to recover herself before the Viscount sees her. Make no mistake though; this Christine is no trembling virgin. Madam Giry is well aware of the status of her girls. Dancers and actresses had little status in society and their best chance was to find a wealthy patron who would finance them. All of the girls were therefore encouraged to have some experience in matters of love. So Christine is more then ready for what her Angel, and Raoul, have to offer her. What she isn't prepared for is the Viscount's lascivious brother, the Count Phillipe de Chagny. He has a fascination with actresses and he wants to make Christine part of his "stable". When Erik learns that the de Chagny's are sniffing around Christine he becomes livid with rage. He's torn between a desire to protect her and a horrid jealousy over what she may be doing with Raoul. What Erik hasn't told Christine about his own past, and his connection to the de Chagny's, may destroy them both.

This novel is titled as "An erotic novel of ... " and I can assure you it most definitely is. Everyone is having sex in this book. And it's not boring sex either. I was rather impressed with the creativity of some of the scenes, especially those between Christine and Erik. For those that have read my reviews before, you'll know that I'm hard to please when it comes to love scenes but I wasn't disappointed here. I also appreciated how the author turned Erik into a much more human character then he is usually portrayed. His love for Christine is apparent as is her love for him. The explanation for his existence, and being the way he is, has been well-thought out and explained. I was thoroughly pleased with this version of events and I'm sure many other Phantom fans will be as well. Bravo Ms. Gale.

EvilPoet's Review: 1 star

The author has taken it upon herself to turn a piece of classic literature into a large orgy full of at least one sex scene per chapter. Now don't get me wrong, I am sure that almost everyone wanted Christine to end up with the phantom but come on, this is a bit much. It is as if she has ripped apart what was once a good story and then decided to re-braid it together with a touch of sadomasochism and a plethora of throbbing members. This in turn seemed to take out the most of the original story.

As I am reading I am flooded with sexual innuendos that turn into full-fledged sex scenes complete with instruction booklet on how exactly the position is gotten into and how much liquid is being spread around their person. Would I read it just for the sex scenes...possibly but what is the point of the overkill when there is supposed to be a plot happening? I can understand pornography having no plot because that is their job but if you are going to write a novel that has a plot already established then why ignore it? This manuscript has about five paragraphs of plot before someone decides that they want to fuck someone else and then *BAM* sex scene. This made me find the sex scenes distracting when they were supposed to be arousing. If I go back and read the sex scenes by themselves then yes, it would be enjoyable.

I can see different variations of the typical Dracula and Mina thing but come on, it was not like someone redid Stoker's Dracula to say that Dracula screwed Mina then Mina screwed Lucy and then Renfield screwed Van Helsing and then... see my point? Even for an erotic tale, the sheer amount of sex was too much because we all know that somewhere someone is going to have to take a break, get a glass of water before going back to the task at hand.

In all honesty I do give the author credit for attempting to recreate an old classic with her own lustful erotic flare. She succeeded but those who are die hard fans of the original will not be so happy with her. I do commend her for having the guts to at least try and I am sure that there are those that will enjoy the differences between the two versions of "The Phantom of the Opera" All in all I give this tale 1 star considering two points, the sex scenes were kind of hot even though they distracted me and well, the phantom did get the girl so that deserves at least a half star.
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Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (August 7, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451221370
ISBN-13: 978-0451221377
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