I came to read your story at HD Kingsbury's behest, and what a treasure it is! I was spellbound from start to finish. The surprise twist at the end delighted me, and your interpretation of the unmasking was exquisite.

All I want for Christmas is another story by Fantome.

Yours,

Lizzy

Hello Fantome. I don't know if you are still active on this site, as I see your stories are from '03 and '04. I came upon this short story of yours and it looked interesting. I love stories with a strong dose of Leroux, and as much as I enjoy a good romantic E/C, a bit of darkness is needed now and then. So what I'm trying to say is that I enjoyed this very much and am adding it to my favorites.

HDKingsbury

That is really good but I am wondering if this story is complete. I hope you write more to the story or maybe do another book of the same story. Good job.

Phantomgossamer

dude, Erik's better when he's that violent! *cheers* dude, nice one!

I'm not sure why I've never reviewed this before. I had read it... It's marvelous. Gripping, vivid descriptions. I liked the Othello allusion. Poor Erik. He needs a hug. I like the way you had him really just lose it. Suddenly screaming at his long-dead mother is a nice touch. Excellent fic.

Oh...My...God! You must be one of the most skilled writers I have ever come across on this site! Such a refreshment from the usual young attempts around here! I have never read a phic so tangibly REAL! It was so physically thick and rich, I felt like I could have eaten it with a spoon. I don't think there's ever been a description of Erik taking Christine's hand where I could literally FEEL it like I did with yours. I am sure now after reading this, it will be hard for me to find a story that won't seem watered down. I have never SEEN in my mind the picture painted by a phic so well. Sure, some phics paint emotions beautifully, but you actually painted the literal physical image of every detail, every corner... And it was with the heaviest of strokes of thickest, richest paint I have ever known!

At the actual unmasking, I was shocked as I personally physically felt about ready to cry... BUT (and this is the only downpoint I found with your story) after Erik said "Now you can never leave," you just cut off from the present excitement and switched to a summary of the past... I understand why you did it, but it completely pulled me out of the moment and siphoned off all that touchable physicality that had been wrapping around me throughout the entire description... And then it seemed you finished it all off in a nutshell much in the same way Leroux did. The whole story up until that point was Leroux brought to a living, breathing, pulsing, existing moment, and then it was just as if you pressed the stop button. The ending would have been just lovely, except I'd already been spoiled by the brilliance of the rest of the story, so I was disappointed.

This phic has been on my favorites list for some time because that's where I put phics that look promising and I intend to read eventually, and then delete afterwards, but this is one favorite that is going to STAY! As I said before, your writing here is astounding. It makes me very sad that this is the only Phantom story you have here! I've really never cared for HP, but I'm tempted to check out your other stories just to see if they're as good ;) It seems you only wrote this last year... Dare I hope you might soon be inspired to bring Phantom to life again for poor desperate souls like myself? :)

Hi Kiley!

Yes, finally, I've read it. Well actually, I read it maybe a couple of weeks ago but I didn't leave a review back then - don't ask me why.

Anyway, I thought your story was brilliant! Very well-written as usual, and nothing shocked me as OC. The way you portrayed Christine was stronger than she is in the book, yes, but as I said, that didn't shock me at all. And I thought he was just the way he should be: dark, angry, scary and yet lovable - but then maybe that's just me...

Oh dear, I'm afraid you have finally converted me now, as I really would like to read what Kay has written...

Thanks again for this great story!

TOTALLY AWESOME! I love you writing, it feels like im really there!
-Erica

Beautiful. I love the mix of emotions (sounds trite, but I like varying feelings. So sue me.) And Erik was amazing.

Hm... cool! _

This was very nicely done. I like violentErik. I hope you'll consider doing more PotO prose, because I'd definitely read it :o)

Ah, I do love a good unmasking scene -

Very nice, very nice! I thoroughly enjoyed this Christine POV, absolutely perfect! The before and after was well done, I think. The bits of dialogue were fitting, and Erik's reaction was positively amazing to watch. I loved that line directed to his mother - it was very well put!

Nice little phiclet here! I really enjoyed it!

Dark, distressing, and glorious poetry. I really enjoyed reading this, bravo!

Thank you! I love accurate representations, right down to the mention of Othello! I commend you, brave soul, for darkening the world of phluff with this little piece of black onyx. I salute you.

M. Dark and, yes, Erik was violent. And that makes me wonder if Christine's daughter... (ponders a delicate phrasing) was sired in mutual consensus here... But don't answer that :)