I had only ever heard of The Phantom of the Opera in passing so my review is probably coloured by my fascination of that. 
 This book followed the age-old recipe of retelling storylines in modern/fantastical settings. However, the author was able to add quite a bit of her own to it as this was not that typical retelling where everything happens exactly like it did in the actual story and the readers are left unsurprised throughout the book. 
 No. This book is so rich in description that you get almost a little tired of it. Except you try not to be as this book is really descriptive. Like descriptive enough to make the sentences sound stilted and dragged-out and not unlike any second-rate romance paperback. 
 This book sounded like it was an ode to beauty because, as a general rule, everyone except the phantom were breathtakingly gorgeous. ( Why didn't the Phantom influence people with his hypnotic voice to overlook his deformed face since he is portrayed to be someone so very adept at hypnotism who almost uses it like mind-control and has no qualms about it either???? ) 
 There were some details that weren't given nearly enough attention, such as Rune's life in Paris and her friends' unwavering loyalty and unsuspecting manner. I also think there was space for an epilogue. I believe the ending warranted one. 
 All in all, this book was a solid 3.5/5. The author researched her material well. Pretty great reading if you're into the gruesome yet the heartfelt. Also the rather descriptive. Again. That word.