Isda does not exist. At least not beyond the opulent walls of the opera house. Cast into a well at birth for being one of the magical few who can manipulate memories when people sing, she was saved by Cyril, the opera house’s owner. Since that day, he has given her sanctuary from the murderous world outside. All he asks in return is that she use her power to keep ticket sales high–and that she … high–and that she stay out of sight. For if anyone discovers she survived, Isda and Cyril would pay with their lives.
But Isda breaks Cyril’s cardinal rule when she meets Emeric Rodin, a charming boy who throws her quiet, solitary life out of balance. His voice is unlike any she’s ever heard, but the real shock comes when she finds in his memories hints of a way to finally break free of her gilded prison.
Haunted by this possibility, Isda spends more and more time with Emeric, searching for answers in his music and his past. But the price of freedom is steeper than Isda could ever know. For even as she struggles with her growing feelings for Emeric, she learns that in order to take charge of her own destiny, she must become the monster the world tried to drown in the first place.
more
I quite enjoyed Sing me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olson. I thought the magic system was very original and a nice addition to the story. There are two main types of magic in this story: the Fendoir, who can extract memory elixir; and the Gravoir, who can alter memories. To be honest, I’m not completely sure why Fendoir magic is frowned upon but grudgingly accepted while Gravoir magic is hunted down. Both seem equally useful and potentially dangerous to me. But it makes for a good story, of course.
I’ve never read a gender-bent Phantom story before, so I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Not sure it had to be gender-bent because there didn’t seem to be any additional value to the Phantom being a girl, but, nevertheless, it was interesting to read a female variant and to experience the story through her eyes. Isda is quite similar to Erik in her genius and explosiveness. I Quite liked her, although I felt less close to her than I did to Erik. Emeric was a nice alternative for Christine, though. Christine has always annoyed me quite badly and Emeric was much more easy-to-like.
In general, I quite liked the story, although sometimes it left me thinking “that escalated rather quickly”. Especially regarding its darkness. In the musical version, the darkness is smoldering all throughout the storyline leading up to the point of no return. In this novel, it’s always there too, but less perceptible. And then suddenly, bam, you get a whole lot of angst and violence.
Dark, mysterious and delightfully twisted, ‘Sing Me Forgotten’ is a gender-swapped retelling of the classic ‘Phantom of the Opera’ that tells the gruesome tale of Isda and her oppressors. Join her on her journey as she claws her way out of the darkness, searches for her light, and fights for the only love she has ever known.
Beautifully written, this novel is an enchanting read filled with darkness, betrayal and forbidden magic meant to be enjoyed by the masses.
I just finished this magical, genderbent YA retelling of Phantom of the Opera, and y’all…my heart is completely broken beyond repair. I was so excited to read this because a friend and I have recently been chatting about the heavy angst of the 2004 Phantom movie, and bouncing different Phantom of the Opera AU fics back and forth, and ngl it’s been a lot of fun
.
First of all, the cover is BEAUTIFUL, and perfectly matches the story within. Initially, the magical components of song in this world reminded me a bit of Fairest, by Gail Carson Levine, especially as both stories & anti-heroes share a cynical view of their worlds, in which people are controlled and ostracized based on appearance & powers they are born with. However, Sing Me Forgotten was ultimately much darker than both the original Phantom and Fairest, and it’s not an exaggeration when I say that after reading this, my heart has shattered into a million pieces.
.
I’m so completely impressed and captivated by Jessica Olson’s writing, ESPECIALLY considering this is her debut novel!! Un. Real. The writing was amazing, the descriptive imagery was so vivid and just *chef’s kiss* and the plot was so imaginative for a retelling! Without spoilers, I’ll just say the romance killed me — Emeric is so kind and sweet and LOYAL and I just loved that this wasn’t an ugly duckling-takes-off-her-glasses-and-becomes-a-hottie story, there was no attempt to try to make Isda become more conventionally beautiful, or really pretty at all. She had nice hair, great voice, artistic flair with the bedazzler, but the point wasn’t to make her exterior, or even her interior, beautiful. She remained a complex, imperfect person, and Emeric loved her just as she was (in the immortal words of Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy).
***
Rating: 4/5, only one point deducted because I’m not the kinda gal who actually likes to read to cry (what can I say, I make myself cry easily enough on my own, I like fiction to DISTRACT me from that!), and while I could totally get behind it in this case because that’s just how darn good it was, I really wish it wasn’t a standalone, so I had a chance to be consoled by a second installment!
TLDR; Jessica Olson is already iconic and you should read this and be waiting on tenterhooks for her next (unrelated) book, A Forgery of Roses, coming in 2022!
Sing Me Forgotten takes a turn at retelling Phantom of the Opera in such a way that makes it stand out and apart from the original and other retellings.
Grounded Storytelling
I have to say I was pleasantly impressed with the development of Sing Me Forgotten.
The growth between Isda and Emeric and the illusions to Phantom of the Opera draw me in instantly. However, the way the story itself develops is what makes Sing Me Forgotten stand out.
Admittedly there is that first 25% of the story that is a tad slow. The pacing does run the risk of alienating the reader. However, with the combination of world-building and history, the reader is drawn in. Olson sets up the stage for the reader, giving the reader a solid footing to lose themselves within Isda’s world. And the reader does.
It also helps that the use of French and the scene structure and detail create this image of pre-revolutionary France. Of course, this is not France, but the illusion is there to ground the reader, making it more accessible.
Olson did an incredible job of setting up the story, giving Sing Me Forgotten an atmosphere and history that pulls the reader in.
Honestly, watching Isda go through catacombs and secret passageways of an opera house makes the story so engaging.
Great Characterization
Isda goes on an incredible journey in Sing Me Forgotten. Born with a mark on her face that announces her identity as one who can manipulate memories with song and magic, Isda keeps out of sight. Those born with her power are put to death the moment they are born. However, lucky for her, Cyril saved her.
Isda’s whole journey is one of finding freedom, love, and discovering her self-worth, and it is an incredible journey. Her ferocity shines as she grows to accept her power, grows to accept herself, and sees herself not as others would, as a monster, but rather as a girl, just a girl.
I also love her dynamic with Cyril and Emeric. Both men have strong impacts on her life and impact the way she grows as a character. Cyril is the only father figure she has ever known, and Emeric is the only other person to see her beyond her magic. Both of these characters interact with her, bring out different sides of her personality and her voice, creating believable growth between their relationships.
Final Thoughts
Sing Me Forgotten broke my heart. The ending was bittersweet and gut-wrenching, leading to a compelling and fitting ending worthy of an opera.
I didn’t love this as much as I was expecting to, but it was still a really good story. There was lots of action and I enjoyed that part of it, I just wasn’t totally in love with the magic system. I felt like there were some holes about how fendoir and gravoir are created, and why the elixir is so important that it can be bought and sold. Other than those things, I did enjoy the back story of Isda and Emeric, and how they meet, and I was definitely caught off guard with the twist. The ending was super sweet and sad, and I had all the feels for both Isda and Emeric.
Isda is a gravior and can see your memories while you sing. Graviors are to be killed at birth but Isda was saved by Cyril. Cyril kept her and raised her. When Emeric, a talented singer, applied to sing at Cyril’s opera house, Isda is mesmerized by his voice. Becoming friends with Emeric, Isda starts to see the truth.
Opinion
This book was quite a ride. There were many twists that I did not expect. I certainly did not see the ending coming.
The idea of memories being the center of their commerce was interesting.
This book does not follow the normal HEA path. For that, I give the author applause. The story is well written and intriguing. I can see this becoming a favorite of many (and maybe even a movie!)
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This is reminiscent of the phantom of the opera. This time it is a female. The story is a magical tale of the gold elixir, singing and going into the memories of the singers. All of this magic is used to make the opera successful and draw more ticket sales. Eventually, things go awry and the monster is unleashed. I like this retelling. It is different and original. 3.5
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.