Night Magic by Charlotte Vale Allen Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Night Magic
Book Review: A nice light romance
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this novel new in its first edition back in the '80s. I wasn't disappointed with my purchase, nor did I feel I had wasted my money. I still own it, and have read it at the least every other year. This is a nice little light modern-day (for when it was first published) romance story, loosely based on The Phantom of the Opera mythos.
Is it great fiction? No. However, neither does it aspire to be thus. Its purpose is simply to entertain, to give the reader some enjoyable hours of escape into a flawed but ultimately rosy world, one somewhat removed from the real world.
Are there problems in the story itself? Sure. Both main characters sometimes act in too childish a manner, even considering each's very sheltered background. But it's also full of beautiful feelings, and interesting situations, and involving characters. And most stories, barring the great ones, can stand some sort of improving, especially twenty years after their first publication.
Is it as horrible as the noted "Top 500 Reviewer" stated? No. You simply have to go into this story without unrealistically high standards. It's a romance, plain and simple. Expect a nice little romance, and you'll be content. Expect a good bath-tub or bedtime book, and you'll be more than satisfied.
Book Review: A romance without the fluff and nonsense.
Summary: 4 Stars
I liked this book because it was not two beautiful people with looks that could kill, but two people with real feelings and doubts. It was book of understanding hardships and everything not being what is normally expected when reading about a romance or a relationship.Book Review: Absolutely wonderful
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has a little bit of everything in it. I thought Marisa was kidding when she fell for Erik, a horribly disfigured man from the age of 7, but she was serious. He is a wonderful creation of a male character and I hated for the book to end. Marisa's flee to Europe kept me interested, especially reading how Erik and his right hand man kept right up with her, regardless of the cost. You could not miss with this book. Forget Nora and Danielle, Go with CharlotteBook Review: Alright, just don't freak out when it isn't perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
Rough outline of the plot: Night Magic is - loosely - the Phantom of the Opera story, modernized and not set in an opera house. Sixteen-year-old Marisa (Christine) meets the facially deformed thirty one year old Erik (The Phantom) through her father and swiftly the pair fall in love, sing together, marry and move in with each other. Rainbows, flowers and sunshine galore.
The writing isn't half bad, very detailed and generally very imaginative (very angst-y though, so if that's your poison, stay away). Just a few bones to pick, in that the author seems to have dialogue and description down very well, but lacks in narrative. Years pass in a matter of paragraphs, leaving the reading wondering what happened to the last decade. Other than that, it's very fulfilling and satisfying writing.
Surprisingly, I wasn't too undone by the age difference between the two main characters - it was off set by the age difference in their two close friends which balanced the book. And the Marisa was past the age of consent (17) when she and Erik first had sex, so there's nothing illegal, just a little off putting at first. Oh, and honestly, have they never heard of condoms? In this sense, as in others (no cell phones, internet, cable) it's very dated, but also the few references to current events and politics makes it timeless. (Side note: How many parents would give their blessing for their teenager daughters to date men in their thirties? Not many, I think. Suspension of disbelief is needed for reading).
Some of the other reviewers have commented on the lack of depth the book actually contained and I guess I have to give them that: Night Magic isn't a really serious book, with over arching themes and analysis. It's a simple love story that involves two people perfect (maybe a little too perfect) for one another that find simply no fault in the other. Marisa is beautiful, overly understanding, eager and helpful, while Erik is sensitive, caring and intelligent. The only time this perfection gets nauseating is when they fight and immediately blame themselves instead of influences (i.e. Society, prejudices, the guy who tried to assault Marisa).
It's a little annoying, however, that the two main characters seem to have very few hobbies (maybe it's just that the author fails to elaborate properly). They like to listen to music and sing. Okay...that's maybe a few hours of one day. What do they do for the other 21 hours? Other than have sex, which is described occasionally in great detail (primarily when they both lose their virginity; slightly cringe-worthy), other times just implied. It seems like the pair just eat extravagant meals and buy each other nice presents. All day long.
All in all, it's a very book. Not quite trashy enough for a summer read, but not close enough to the Phantom of the Opera story we all known and love to really take too seriously. But, it's light hearted and sometimes dark, a good blend. But, most importantly, it allows fans (phans) to a world where Erik and Christine get to, finally, live happily ever after. None of that Raoul business.
Book Review: An Awsome Book
Summary: 5 Stars
It's a kind of mixture of Beauty and the Beast and The Phantom of the Opera. Marisa is a 17 year old girl who falls in love with a 31 year old man her father asked to remodel their kitchen and bathrooms. His name? Erik, of course! He starts giving her music lessons, they start sleeping together... well, nevermind. But it's a really good book, and the character's are really interesting and complex. I would highly recommend this book to any Phantom "Phan"!