Chandelier by Michael Leon - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hey, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Michael Leon and his new book, “Chandelier,” here on FAB!!  For other stops on his Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Michael and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

Chandelier

Phantoms Book Series

Book Two

by Michael Leon

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GENRE: Sci-Fi / Fantasy Romance

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BLURB:

CHANDELIER is the genre-bending sci-fi/fantasy-romance novel follow up of Michael Leon’s 2019 fantasy-romance book, PHANTOMS. A century has passed since the fabled Phantom ruled the Garnier Opera House. Technology has advanced, and AI has evolved beyond human knowledge. They reside in a virtual Earth, free from the ravages of an environmentally damaged Earth where humans and post-humans live under AI’s qualified governance. CHANDELIER follows one AI sentient’s journey, Benny, whose loyalty for a famous opera singer, Madame D’Arenberg, sets him on a dangerous course, entangling him in The Phantom of the Opera’s deadly web.

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EXCERPT TWO:

The twilight between tired revellers and early morning risers had become Erik’s refuge, a place where the pains of past and present could coalesce in his ritual of the macabre. He’d dreamt of his tormentors again, beasts controlled by masters who understood their canine's savagery as intimately as a mother knew her child and recurring nightly, taunting his mind.

Chilly breezes flowed down from the Lepontine Alps, carving patterns across Lake Como, so he drew his coat closer, protecting all but his face, but he wouldn't feel an arctic breeze there. He touched his pale cheeks, not to warm them for they were permanently cold, an immovable party mask. Instead, he felt the rough texture of the implanted skin, grafted to his face. Habitually, he reached into his coat pocket for a medicated ointment that soothed and camouflaged his face in equal measure.

A single boat predictably made its way toward the Bellagio port, the first for the day, in wait for the steady procession of commuters and tourists that would navigate the Lombardy region, Italy's foothills to the Swiss alps. The light from the slow-moving boat cast a darker than usual spotlight on the famous U-shaped lake, lit by its twin light, a crescent moon. It took Erik back to a dark past when he ruled the Garnier from the recesses of its famous lake chamber. His rule was cut short through carelessness, a mistake he would not repeat. He’d return to the jewel of the opera crown and rule that grand world again, but this time he'd lead it from the stage rather than Garnier’s hidden lake.

Were similar dark secrets contained in the black depths of Lake Como? The thought made him grimace, drawing pain. He held his mouth and cheeks, soothing the scar lines camouflaged beneath a thick beard. The scars, like his name, Erik, were all that remained of his past life, contingencies needed to protect him from those who’d seek to destroy him.

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

This book is an interesting, intriguing, and engaging read that combines multiple genres including sci-fi, mystery, fantasy, and romance.

This book reminisces on the classic, “Phantom of the Opera,” and while there are striking parallels to the original story, the author uniquely adapted a futuristic, AI, sci-fi version in this compelling retelling.

This book follows new character and performer, Benny, and the famous opera singer, Diva as they work together getting ready for Diva’s final tribute concert. The opera legend goes to great lengths to make sure her last show is a memorable send-off. This book also quickly picks up two years after the explosive cliffhanger from book one, Erik’s dramatic escape from the French police. Erik has now undergone extensive surgery making him unrecognizable allowing for his return to the opera house and his rebuilding empire. Both ventures kick up mystery, suspense, danger, and intrigue filled with secrets, lies, misdirects, and of course – opera!!

This book is set over two centuries, the 21st and the 22nd. Part One features Benny and Diva a hundred years from now, in 2121AD. While Part Two revolves around Erik, two years after fleeing to Como, Italy, in 2021AD. So, not only is there is this extensive time jump, but the author also reconstructed and transformed 2121AD into a sci-fi post-human/robotic virtual Earth known as the “Sensorium.” The author previously created “Sensorium,” in his book, “Sentient,” and uses that foundation in this latest book series, bringing his additional writings full circle.

The author did an impressive job with his worldbuilding skills featuring vivid descriptions, consistent details, and well-developed scenes.

The author self-proclaims to have travelled extensively across Europe, putting himself directly in his character’s shoes so to speak and it clearly shows in his writings. I really enjoyed the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing this book that is strongly featured throughout the story. That plus his love and passion of all thing's science fiction, artificial intelligence, and opera related is clearly evident from page one.

This book is a bit on the longer side at 354 eBook pages spanning over the course of twenty-nine chapters. This book is divided up into four sections; a prologue, “Rise,” followed by Part One, “Rebirth,” that consists of the first five chapters, then Part Two, “Reunion,” that comprises of the remaining twenty-four chapters and a closing epilogue. While these different sections were important in keeping the story divided up, I couldn’t help but feel the transition between parts was on the abrupt side. The sectioned story suddenly ended and we shifted to another time and place with just a flip of a page.

This book is full of complex story lines and intricate plot points. This is not a book to be read while multi-tasking as it does require your full attention. While I must admit I don’t have much expertise in all things “Phantom of the Opera,” apart from recalling a high school English lit reading. However, I find Michael Leon’s version extremely unique and original, unlike any other spin on this classic tale.

This book is Book Two of the “Phantoms Book Series Trilogy.” Although I had not previously read book one before reading this book, I would have to urge readers to not blindly skip ahead, but to start their reading journey with Book One, “Phantoms.” It seems all three books are significantly intertwined with the characters, story lines, plot points, and themes weaving and overlapping throughout the book series. In addition, these books also appear to be following a chronological event sequence further suggesting these books to be read in order. Having missed out on book one, I cautiously started reading book two, but quickly found myself turning to my fellow blogger’s reviews of book one to gain insight, background, and understanding into this series. As this book series contains a substantial amount of backstory, worldbuilding, and futuristic concepts, which were undoubtedly set up and introduced in book one, therefore, leaving this reader much in need of further clarification and direction to properly follow along the story. Thankfully these detailed reviews provided enough clarity allowing this reader to jump back into book two with less confusion. This book series is set to be compromised of three books, with the first two books already available for sale, and the final book, book three, still in the works; title and release date remain unknown at this time.

There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming but will enjoy watching unfold!!

I don’t normally comment on spelling or grammar errors in my reviews as I often receive Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) which are not the final copy that is published and released to the public. However, I was surprised by the overwhelming amount of spelling, grammar, and formatting errors, including chapter twenty-one being completely left off the table of contents and that same chapter oddly merged into the previous chapter, twenty in the book. While I truly hope these mistakes were corrected on the official copy, in the fear that they weren’t I felt it necessary to say something.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it!! I think all sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and romance readers, plus fans of futuristic, AI, technology driven books will be sure to like this book too!! In addition, I think fans of the original “Phantom of the Opera,” will enjoy this unique spin on the famous classic. So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**

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AUTHOR BIO:

Michael Leon is an explorer, writer and author of the new novel, Sentient. Professionally trained in international trade, Michael has spent the last decade reading and writing SFF novels about new worlds to be explored in the future. His latest work, Sentient, imagines Earth in the year 2120. His next novel, Chandelier, will be released in 2022. Michael has travelled extensively around Europe, walking the paths of his characters, from the famous European opera houses in Phantoms to the mountain tops of Switzerland in Emissary.

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CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:

Website:

https://www.michaelleon.com.au

Blog:

https://michaelleoncommentspage.blogspot.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/michael.leon.39501

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/michaelleon0433

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5369984.Michael_Leon

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59613841-chandelier

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/323p2Zd

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/39MrA16

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/39H7GET

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Chandelier-Phantoms-Book-Michael-Leon-ebook/dp/B0B1P9GWLZ

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0645478105

Amazon AU Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Chandelier-Phantoms-Book-Michael-Leon-ebook/dp/B0B1P9GWLZ

Amazon AU Paperback:

https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/0645478105

Amazon UK Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chandelier-Phantoms-Book-Michael-Leon-ebook/dp/B0B1P9GWLZ

Amazon UK Paperback:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0645478105

Kobo US eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/chandelier-6

Kobo CA eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/chandelier-6

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Michael will be awarding a $10 Amazon OR Barnes of Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.