Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olson (ARC Review)

Title: Sing Me Forgotten
Author: Jessica S. Olson
Type: Fiction
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical
Publisher: Inkyard Press
(HarperCollins Publishers)
Date published: March 9, 2021

A complimentary digital copy of this book was kindly provided by Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review.

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 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.

⤖ My Review ⬻

I have no idea where to begin with Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olson. I suppose I could start with the cover though! I remember the first time I saw it, thinking that it was very lovely to look at and that it definitely gave me historical vibes with the type of bottle they used, the font, as well as the gilded decorations in the top corners. I also remember wondering what the golden substance in the bottle was (and am happy to say that it’s explained in the book and I have so much appreciation for it being on the cover now)!

Additionally, I wanted to make a note about this being a YA fantasy standalone and how I think that this was the best choice for this story! It’s not that I wouldn’t have wanted to spend more time in the world, but rather I think that Olson used just the right pacing to tell the story of Sing Me Forgotten considering what happens in the story, the character arcs, etc.

Speaking of characters, I found that I wasn’t sure how I felt about any of them while reading Sing Me Forgotten, but I also think that this is okay considering the kind of story it is. If anything, my inability to understand the characters and their choices 100% added to my overall unease with the events taking place in the book as well as the somewhat dark atmosphere.

And, I can’t let you go without talking about one of the main things that drew me to Sing Me Forgotten: It’s a gender bender retelling of The Phantom of the Opera! I’ve always liked the story (or as much of it as I was exposed to through the movie with Emmy Rossum and the live video of Antonio Banderas singing the epic Phantom of the Opera song with Sarah Brightman, haha) and I really liked the idea of flipping the two main roles!

I think that Olson did that and a lot of other things really well, and I’m curious to see what she will write next. Also, I have purposefully opted to not talk about my emotions surrounding Sing Me Forgotten because I worry about spoiling things. I’m always happy to discuss these sort of things privately though if you’ve also already read the book though! My DMs on Instagram and Twitter are always open.

⤖ About the Author ⬻

Jessica S. Olson claims New Hampshire as her home, but has somehow found herself in Texas, where she spends most of her time singing praises to the inventor of the air conditioner. When she’s not hiding from the heat, she’s corralling her three wild—but adorable—children, dreaming up stories about kissing and murder and magic, and eating peanut butter by the spoonful straight from the jar. She earned a bachelor’s in English with minors in editing and French, which essentially means she spent all of her university time reading and eating French pastries. Sing Me Forgotten is her debut novel.