Chandelier
Chandelier
by Michael Leon
GENRE: Sci-fi/ Fantasy Romance
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.
EXCERPT:
A human whistling sound, distant but growing louder permeated the chill of the room. An unearthly chilled breath wafted over his face. He opened his eyes and looked up to its source, but he was alone, until light formed on the wall behind Gaston's bed. Shapeless light swirled as if blown by that same breeze. The foggy disturbance slowed, allowing the swirling shape to take form. It was human but completely covered in black, bar the shape of a smooth ghost-like face. As the contours sharpened he realised it was a mask. Was he looking at the phantom? If he was, Gaston's stories had all been real!
Fear gripped him to the seat. He wanted to flee but dared not move. Before the apparition suddenly looked Flynn's way, turning his fear to terror.
"Who are you?" He asked feebly, but the apparition remained silent.
Flynn went to stand but a second shape appeared from behind him. A man dressed in white walked toward Gaston's bed, making no sound as it glided across the room. Both apparitions studied the body for a time, ignoring Flynn before vanishing through the bedroom wall, leaving Flynn alone. He immediately stood and left the room, fearful they may return, not daring to look back. Whatever he witnessed, he didn't wish to see again. Flynn was a scientist who staunchly refuted Gaston's ramblings about ghosts as the product of a vivid imagination. They had spent many years arguing over their existence. Perhaps this was his friend's final wish, to show him that everything he had written and said was true.
About the Author:
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.
GIVEAWAY:
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks to Literary Gold for hosting this stop on my tour.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThe book cover of Chandelier by author Michael Leon has a very modernistic vibe with its mostly blue with a pop of red coloring.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Thanks Nancy! The story reimagines the classic tale, Phantom of the Opera, a hundred years from now, so the ‘modernistic’ cover was important. Glad you like it!
DeleteHello Michael, I enjoyed the excerpt and your book sounds like a fascinating read that I will enjoy and I can't wait to read it! The cover is very cool as well! Good luck with Chandelier and the tour! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a spectacular holiday season!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback, Stormy! Great that you’re looking forward to reading Chandelier! It’s the second in a proposed trilogy about the Paris opera house’s famous occupants. I imagine how Gaston Leroux’s novel will be re-told a hundred years from now, in an age of rapid technological change and the emergence of superior artificial intelligence. Happy reading and happy holiday season!
DeleteThis has a super cool cover. I look forward to following this story highlighting Benny
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie! I was happy with the cover, too. Glad you’re intrigued with Benny. He’s a humanoid (human looking android) who isn’t aware of his AI origins, until he’s drawn into the Phantom’s deadly world!
DeleteI liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Rita!
DeleteNeat sci fi theme to your book, cheers on the new release!
ReplyDeleteThanks Calvin! I wanted to blend themes across multiple genres for the sequel to the first book in the series, Phantoms.
DeleteSounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry! I’d value your feedback, should you get the time to read it! I will release Chandelier early 2022.
DeleteGreat excerpt and giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cali! Best of luck with the giveaway!
DeleteI agree, the cover is fabulous. Looks very exciting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement, Mary! If you enjoy stories filled with love, betrayal and phantoms, blended with (soft) science fiction elements, Chandelier is for you!
ReplyDeleteI have never read a fantasy romance before - on my TBR list
ReplyDeleteThanks Michele! I wanted to reimagine the classic tale by adding SFF elements. I hope you enjoy!
DeleteI love the beautiful cover and the excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Christina! Good luck with the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThe cover sets the stage for this sci-fi fantasy! I love the colors and graphics.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanna! I’ll pass on your feedback to my cover designer!
DeleteI really like this unique cover and am looking forward to finding out more about the book!
ReplyDeleteThanks Glenda! Chandelier comes out in early 2022, or you can visit the Phantom in the prequel, Phantoms!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! This sounds like such an interesting read, I'm very intrigued! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great story.
ReplyDeleteUnlike a like of people, I have never been particularly interested in The Phantom of the Opera (although some of the music from Broadway is lovely). But I might read this.
ReplyDelete