*I received this E-Arc from Inkyard Press. All reviews are my own.*
I got the pleasure of reading Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica Olson. It's said to be the retelling of the Phantom of the Opera, but I have never seen the movie or read the book, which was an experience for me.
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 uses her power to keep ticket sales high—and that she stays 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.
Sing Me Forgotten was an okay story—nothing to really rave about. While reading, I figured out how the story would turn out before I got to chapter 10. I appreciate the love for music and the breakdown of how it made the main character, Isda, feel, but that's all I can say about my fascination. In reality, Isda got on my nerves midway through the story. Her actions and decision-making were very brash, and it always bit her in the ass. Except she never really made the connection to stop making foolish moves. When shit started to get real, she would choose that exact moment to start being theatrical with her powers and dramatic with her imaginations. Not once has it ever gone in her favor.
I also would have loved to see more about these fendoirs and gravoirs. I think Olson did a good job explaining why gravoirs are considered the devil's spawn, but I think she missed the mark of fully building them into the story. In the entire book, I only saw 3 of these species mentioned. Having them equipped probably could have helped the world building's narrative a little better.
I rated this story three stars. As I said, it's an okay book. I am one with Isda when it comes to the feeling of music, but that's about it. Maybe a true fan of the Phantom of the Opera will have a better take than I could.
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