Product Description

Gaston Leroux, author of The Phantom of the Opera, never knew how close he was to discovering the true story of Erik Gautier and Christine Daaé. But now, their saga continues with the bewitching tale, Beyond the Masque.

Erik, a musical genius burdened from birth with a facial deformity, is joyfully reunited with Christine. Christine can now see beyond the phantom’s ugliness and love him with all her heart. After suffering for such a long time, Erik makes the glorious discovery of what it means to make a commitment, to laugh, cry, struggle, and learn as he builds a life with the woman he so loves.

But Erik’s deformity continues to pose challenges for the couple. He struggles with a sense of inferiority and finds it hard to accept that such a breathtaking woman wants to stand by his side. The pair is frequently at odds with each other as they seek to nurture their love and start a family. Despite their challenges, the couple tries to defy all odds, and Erik strives to find redemption.

All the themes that made The Phantom of the Opera such a beloved story—kindness and cruelty, justice and mercy, forgiveness and resentment—come to life in Beyond the Masque.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #993119 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 627 pages

About the Author
Kae D. Jacobs, an American Sign Language Interpreter, enjoys the art of communicating thoughts and emotion through writing. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their four children.

Customer Reviews

A Classically Written Novel
This is a true classically written romance novel in every form. The pages are abounded by well-versed words of adoration, and the opportunity afforded to a brazened Phantom to savor what every heart seeks to endure, in the era of timeless elegance.

Gracefully you are mesmerized as the relationship between Erik and Christine blossoms from a seed of acceptance and trust, due to someone following what was inside their heart. Erik abandons his apprehensiveness and a full garden blooms. However, with every garden there are complications, some seen and some not foreseen. Throughout the novel and all the way to the end, it has proven that "true love" does not know any boundaries.

I being a lover of classic novels, found this adventure inspiring, it also perturbed the mystery lover inside, and tearfully broke my heart on numerous occasions. There are times when the flow of the story slows, but it does pick up again. This is noted in many novels, whether they be Phantom related or not. I advise the reader not to have the expectation of reading this like a regular phantom phiction it is not. Eloquently left intact is the propriety, as it would have been near the turn of the century.

I am glad I decided to take a chance and see what lays Beyond the Masque. This novel is not for everyone. This is for those who appreciate old English literature, from which our modern romance novels derive from. If you were to sit on a train in the late eighteen hundred's, and read a romance novel on your journey, this would have been the format.

Overjoyed
Typically when Phantom fans self-publish ... be forwarned - there will be too much use of a favorite term and let's face it, too much repetitive cliche' sex. I can thankfully say NOT HERE !! This book blew me away on so many levels. The character development and descriptives are concise and honoring to all previous mediums. Ms Jacobs style is reminicent of early 20th century romance. I believe Leroux would be well pleased to know his characters have found an ending that is satisfying and endearing to the reader. Get on the message boards and announce a new favorite addition ladies and gentlemen, this one is worth it.

Finally, the Story I Longed to Hear
I am familiar with the tragic story of the Phantom and Christine, but what I craved more than anything was reading the untold story of the possibility of happiness through the redeeming power of love. Beyond the Masque is that story. I found myself, as I read, walking alongside the characters as they experienced the full gamet of emotions in overcoming the obstacles that lead to true love and peace. I laughed and cried with Christine and Erik. I hoped for their chance of a bright future together and ultimately turned the final page with a tearful sigh. If you are a "realistic romantic" then this is a must read!