I really enjoyed the premises of this book. Unfortunately I think it really feel short of expectations. The authors editors really did not do a good job with making sure there was a steady streamline of thought. Who or What really is the Phantom? Those questions were never answer and book became less interesting because of it. I hope if she writes another about Gabriel more will be revealed.

I did actually finish the book though I was tempted several times just to toss it away and try to forget the hours of my life lost. I'm not sure what the other two reviewers were reading, but they obviously have different tastes than mine.

First off, the idea sounded interesting so I got the book hoping for a new historical/paranormal author to read. Unfortunately, after a promising first couple of chapters, the book fizzled out.

The main problem for me was the heroine. I like heroine's who act and think intelligently. I can't STAND a heroine who acts rashly and stupidly! The author, in an affort to make her look 'plucky and courageous' I imagine, only succeeded in making her actions look foolish and idiotic. Just a few examples....

In an attempt to escape a marriage to an evil man her father LOST HER TO IN A CARDGAME, she decides to 1) hire an actor to 'ruin' her at a party (a ploy which is idiotic in the extreme and has NEVER worked in any book I've read. WHY do they still keep using this?) and 2) finally decides to run away to her aunts home (because, of course, her unmarried aunt will be able to save her from the marraige and no one will think to look for her there, taking the time to a) send a message that she's comming to her aunt b) taking her aristocratic father's carraige and c) taking the time to have her maid pack all her trunks before leaving, then deciding when she arrives that she doesn't actually need them and they can go back. Yeah.

There are various other examples of her just...not thinking. She's saved from attackers by Dax and when he takes her to his smugglers caves to hide her during a storm, she immediately loaths him because he's a smuggler and then takes off deeper into the caves. Why? Has she ever been in these caves? Does she know there's a WAY OUT of these caves through the back? No, she doesn't. AND, to top it off...she's leaving behind her faithful maid with the smugglers she's trying to escape. Nice woman.

These annoying stupidity's continued through-out the book with the heroine constantly rushing forward without taking the least bit of time to THINK about what situation she's in, who she's dealing with, what could possible be the reasons behind everything that's happening? It got to be very, very annoying. One perfect example is when Dax takes her to the aunts house and is attempting to sneak her in for her own safety (and just after she's seen the finance's creepy guard there at the house). He tells her to go in, that he's brought her safely to the house like she's been insisting for the past two days and she suddenly decides that she wants answers RIGHT NOW!!!!! She's going to scream and people will come and force him to tell her what she wants to know, including, and I quote "And I want you to tell me, dammit, why no one about seems to be the least bit concerned about where I might be!" Yes, it's all about her.

AS for Dax, overall I liked his character. He did spend a lot of time moaning about how he was a horrible person because of the Phantom inside of him. He was inordinately patient with Robyn and was constantly trying to protect her even though half the book she looked at him with 'loathing'. Though, of course, the next minute she was tearing off her clothes and attempting to sleep with a man she kept saying she feared and loathed....can you tell I didn't care for her?

The Phantom itself was a little confusing...and it never got answered. It was alluded to that when Dax met with the aunt, we'd get answers, but we never really got them. Why are certain people born with the Phantom inside of them? What are the Phantom's? Why are there ghost riders comming after those born with the Phantom? Why are Dax and Jemmy dead, but not dead and yet, can be killed and wounded? Who exactly are Robyn's female relatives with their special abilities? What's with the silver hearts? Not a lot of answers in this book.

I assume the author was attempting to write the first in a series of semi-horror/gothic stories about the men inflicted with Phantom's and I could see where she took bits and peices of other works and put it all together in her story. It had some potential, but really fell through the mark with me. I probably would have liked it a whole lot better if Robyn had been drawn differently.

As it was, it ruined my summer afternoon and I don't think I'll read another of her works. Please, skip this one.

Every midnight Dax knows the assault will occur. The demonic soul stealer Phantom attacks Dax's body and mind in an attempt to gain control. So far Dax has thwarted the beatings, but he also knows he is tiring of the daily war for his soul; he can only kill so many of Phantom's horde of evil riders as every night more arrive. Dax realizes he must never show his love of anyone for they will become the target to force him to acquiesce.

Healer Robyn has loved Dax forever though he avoids her. She believes he feels the same way about her though they have not seen each other until recently in ages. Dax is frightened because he knows the demon will read his love for Robyn and go after her soul in order to claim his soul. Dax vows never even if he must enter hell; Robyn vows to be at his side when he attacks the Phantom.

From the opening frightening sequence to the climax, PHANTOM has a deep feel of doom as if it is just a matter time before the evil one and his minions abduct Dax's soul and most likely that of the pure good Robyn. The lead couple is a superb pairing as he wants her as far away from the malevolence that hunts him as possible and she needs to be at his side battling evil for his soul that her heart claims is hers. With nasty villains and fully developed good guys, Lyndsay Randall's gripping horror romance belongs to the constant sense that evil has eternity to win.

Harriet Klausner

In telling of the story, you will have to imagine not being able to grow up with a parents love. Going through life without a home, no one to help you understand why things happen. Such was the life of Dax, a boy who was haunted by ghosts threatening him beyond measure. Then he met a young girl by the name of Robyn. She was beautiful with hair like moonbeams, that sparkled with sunshine. Then one dark night, Dax was running for his life. The boy, was now on his own, no love, no one, not even Robyn could save him. His body was dead, his soul in hell. How could one survive like this? Then fate surprised him when he grew up, he saw again his Robyn. Could he, the Phantom, take her soul and destroy the thing he loved? I can't give away the outcome, but love does win in the end. Thank you Ms.Randall for being such a totally awesome storyteller. I appreciate your writing, which shows in this book. Thanks again!