Chanson de l'Ange - The Bleeding Rose Bk #2 by Paisley Swan Stewart

Chanson de l’Ange by Paisley Swan Stewart is a 3 volume epic retelling of The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. Drawing inspiration from The Opera Ghost in all his incarnations through book and film; and remaining faithful to key story elements from the classic original, the author weaves a haunting tale of Christine Daae’s companionship with the mysterious Angel of Music. 

Book Two~The Bleeding Rose: continues Christine’s journey into an unorthodox attachment to her invisible teacher, and a bond of obsession and music is forged as her dark Angel methodically makes himself known. Through the illusory dreams of her adolescent desires, Christine will discover that not all angels have wings and not all devils are what they seem to be…for there are two sides to the Angel’s enchanted mirror.

(Image and Description from Goodreads.com)

All through book one Orphan in Winter, Erik was digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole as he tried harder to convince Christine (as well as himself) that he was her Angel of Music and now we get to read him digging himself out of the hole and dealing with the consequences.

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It was gorgeous to read the growing relationship between Erik and Christine now that she knew who and what Erik was. There were quite a few cringe worthy moments when I wanted to get hold of both Erik and Christine, give them a good shake and tell them to live happily ever after already

Needless to say, nothing in our poor Phantom's life has ever been easy, so why should getting the girl he loved be any different?

It was clear to see how much Erik longed for Christine and it was sad to see how he struggled with his own emotions as well as trusting Christine's.

Christine - of course - did not help matters but then again, her actions were understandable. She was trying to deal with her own feelings towards Erik and then coping with his reactions to her actions. I could see why she would go to Raoul as a safe place while still caring for and being attracted to Erik.

Madam Giry and Meg continue to be wonderful supporting cast and I am really glad that they have not been pushed into non-existence by the Erik/Raoul/Christine relationship.

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The Bleeding Rose is in no way a let down from Orphan in Winter and Ms Stewart continues to delve into the depths of the characters minds without shying away from anything. 

Brava!

Chanson de l'Ange - Orphan in Winter by Paisley Swan Stewart - The Operas

I  thought it would be fun to do a wee post on the opera's that are performed in Orphan in Winter :)

The Magic Flute (Mozart)

Listen to that voice!

Faust (Charles Gounod)

Of course no Phantom Novel is compete without Faust!

Romeo and Juliet (Charles Gounod)

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?

There was also the mention of an Opera bases on the myth of Orpheus but I couldn't find that one.

But to finish of...

Danse Macabre

Chanson de l'Ange - Orphan in Winter Bk #1 by Paisley Swan Stewart

Chanson de l’Ange by Paisley Swan Stewart is a 3 volume epic retelling of The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. Drawing inspiration from The Opera Ghost in all his incarnations through book and film; and remaining faithful to key story elements from the classic original, the author weaves a haunting tale of Christine Daae’s companionship with the mysterious Angel of Music. 

Book One~Orphan in Winter: opens with the tragic death of ten year old Christine Daae’s father, ushering in dramatic changes when she is left in the care of Madame Louise Giry. Christine makes her new home in the The Paris Opera’s conservatory where she encounters a bohemian world of singers and dancers, and where she is visited by the unseen Angel of Music.

(Image and Description from Goodreads.com)

This serves as a wonderful introduction to the Chanson de l'Ange trilogy, allowing us to become closely acquainted with the character that we all know and love. 

We begin the book when Christine is ten years old and she is burying her father who has recently died. From then on in I was swept away into the magic of the Paris Opera House with its endless corridors, workshops, living quarters and changing rooms. There is a whole universe within the theatre and Ms Stewart's writing whisked me right into its angel and demon guarded walls and I never wanted to leave. 

The Orphan in Winter offers an insight into the characters I have never seen before where the Andrew Lloyd Webber version is concerned. How did the Phantom develop a relationship with the child Christine when she arrived at the Opera? What prompted him to even try? Just how did he keep up the deception for so long?

Erik's care and love for the child that Christine was, was touching and heart-wrenching at the same time. He has no idea how to handle having another human being to care for and who cares for him and his inner conflicts reflected this wonderfully. 

Dotted throughout are glimpses of poor Erik's past and what has happened to him in his life to make him the man he is. 

This beautiful introduction to the Chanson de l'Ange trilogy and its characters is nothing short of magical.