Our Strange Duet by Erin A. Craig

Retold Phantom of the Opera!

Christine’s love of music was inspired by her deceased musical father who promised that she would be visited by the angel of music. She believes the angel has come to her to build her singing voice and help her become a great and famous singer. She’s never seen her teacher and only hears his voice as he gives her instructions. Her dreams seem to be coming true when the lead vocalist loses her voice and Christine is thrust into the leading role. Strange, dangerous things start to happen in the opera and Christine begins to doubt whether or not her teacher is truly an angel.

Likes/dislikes: The Rosa Josephine is the signature rose of the Phantom. The Phantom tells the story of Josephine creating the rose to emulate her love for Napoleon, which is interesting.
I like how Raoul stands up to his mother when she belittles Christine. Beautiful confectionary-like descriptions of costumes. When Madame Giry tells the story of helping a young Erik run away from the carnival, my heart went out to him and I feel like she was very brave to help. I especially like this retelling of The Phantom of the Opera because of the thorough descriptions of Christine’s thought process helping her to make the choices she made.

Language:PG-13 for 12 swears, no f-words.

Mature Content: PG for imaginary beau and passionate kissing in a daydream of Christine’s.
Off page sex in a dream. Stagehand running his hands unabashedly over the clothing covered breasts of two chorus girls. Sweet kiss with Raoul. Passionate kissing with Raoul.

Violence: PG for off page deaths.

Ethnicity: Predominantly white. Italian lead singers.

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