I had to DNF this book, it just couldn't hold my attention. At 30% hardly anything had happened. While the plot was very original, especially for a retelling, the stakes felt low to me because I didn't find the main character likeable enough to grow attached to her. She was quite harsh in the way she spoke to her love interest, and even as she would say how he stirred something in her heart, she was really just using him. Much of this can be written off due to her growing up in total isolation and thus being socially inept; but I just didn't see much built into her to make her likeable rather than just someone you felt you were commiserating with. That said, I did feel that the story had a lot of potential and when the gravoirs and fenoirs were finally explained it was really fascinating. This book has great reviews from others, so I know that it must get more interesting as the plot goes on - I just couldn't bring myself to keep going after two months of picking it up and putting it down, unable to find momentum.

I had an enjoyable time reading this and it held my attention the entire way through that I finished it within the day! I enjoyed every page and thought that the plot/story was very unique. Would recommend to anyone!

A soaring and lyrical gender-swapped retelling of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with a fantasy element that will bring down the house.

Isda is a gravoir, a magical being so powerful that they are killed at birth by the kingdom (They are recognized by their different faces). She was saved from a well by Cyril, the owner of the opera house. She helps him by making the audience forget mistakes and only remember positive things. But when Cyril wants her to use her powers to make an official go mad, she begins to doubt him. Meanwhile, she meets a handsome young man with an incredible voice. She offers to give him voice lessons. Emeric’s voice is incredible and he’s not afraid to see her face behind the mask.

A haunting and beautiful story about hate and prejudice, and the transforming power of love and music. Like the musical, this tragic story will stay with you after the last curtain closes.

(3.5 stars) Sometimes you’re just in a miserable mood and want to read about a girl whose even more miserable getting absolutely drunk on power and tragedy, and this book delivers that. In my opinion it could have been better written, because the beginning was very info-dumpy and the writing style overwrought throughout, but the last quarter was undeniably intense and I ended up enjoying it.

I really enjoyed this book and found the story unique and intriguing! Can wait to read more but Jessica Olsen!

i really enjoyed reading this book, the story was a great read and I enjoyed getting to know the characters.

Just when I began to worry that I'd never feel a connection, I found myself breathless and clenching my fists. This book is emotional. I experienced a whole mess of feelings, and really could have used a tissue warning for that ending!

The love interest, Emeric, is a dream. He's funny, honest and vulnerable. I appreciate that, although his appearance is mentioned, the real appeal is his personality. He perfectly compliments the main character, Isda, who must remain hidden from a society that would see her put to death for her abilities.

Sing Me Forgotten really does offer something for everyone. Besides romance and magic, we are treated to some edge-of-your-seat action and betrayal. Be prepared to experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows; everything but disappointment.

This is a phantom of the opera retelling with a woman as the 'villain'. A wonderful twist and it was very compelling. I like the heroine/villainess. She is strong and capable. A captivating fantasy!

Sing Me Forgotten was enchanting, heartbreaking, bewitching, and utterly captivating. I physically could not put this book down, every minute of it had me begging for more. I absolutely loved this book!

This book follows Isda, hidden away within an opera house, cruelly disfigured and tasked with changing the memories of its patrons. After a lifetime hidden away, a young tenor catches her attention, and shows her there is more to life than living in a crypt. Although her face is a death sentence, she yearns for freedom, but learns that it comes at a high cost.

With an ending that makes you sob, the plot of this is everything you could ask for an more. Although there are a few slow moments, they were spent adding dimension to the characters, and fleshing out the world. Even during the slow parts, I was completely drawn into the book, and I can’t wait to reread this and pick up on little hints I may have missed.

Isda is by far one of my favorite heroines, she is literally everything I wanted. I loved how the author didn’t stray away from making her malicious and vengeful, she completely defied the perfect character stereotype. She was incredibly compelling because of her anger, it made her feel real and made me want more. I’m really praying that we get a second book, because I need to see where her character arc takes her.

As if the plot of this wasn’t amazing enough already, we had a great romance too. Sure, it was complete insta love, and I hated the way it was excused, but I still shipped this couple with my entire heart. Isda and Emeric were adorable together, and I expect great things from their romance.

Just to reiterate, Sing Me Forgotten was an amazing book. With a expertly crafted plot, and highly developed characters, this book was just about as good as it could have been. I highly recommend this book!

Thanks to Jessica S. Olson and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review

I’m always interested in retellings, especially of ones that aren’t done often. This particular book is a gender-bent Phantom of the Opera and the author does a good job of making it her own story.

The book is told from one point-of-view, Isda. She works for Cyril at an opera house where he has been taking care of her since she was little. The outside world is not kind to her because she is different due to the magic she possesses. She also wears a mask to cover her face and hides in the shadows to make sure that no one knows she exists.

Obviously, this wouldn’t be a story without her breaking a rule and in walks Emeric Rodin.

Both characters have a troubled past and each past slowly brought to light throughout the book. It’s easy to feel bad for them and understand the choices they make, especially for Isda who wants to finally be free.

There are definitely good things about this book but there are also things that I didn’t like, one of them being the magic.

The magic isn’t bad and it is quite interesting but much of what it does or how it works isn’t discussed until after the first third of the book. It makes it hard to understand exactly who Isda is but I do understand why the author did it since Isda didn’t know herself but it still makes for a confusing read.

*SPOILER*The other thing I didn’t like was the ending. There was a lot of buildup to a relationship and then it just ended abruptly. I just don’t get it. 🤷‍♀️

Overall it was good. Certain things needed to be explained a bit more but it was still the better of retellings that I have read for The Phantom of the Opera.

Do you like PHANTOM OF THE OPERA? Enemies to lovers? Villains as narrators? This one will break your heart. A phenomenal new voice, and a wonderful new spin on a much-beloved story. I cried, I yelled, I kept reading until I ran out of pages and ached when there were no more. You’re in for a wonderful treat if you’re longing for a dark fantasy romance that will sweep you away.

Sing Me Forgotten is a new take on an old tale that still holds its audience captivated. A Phantom of the Opera retelling with genderbending and magic, this book brings magic and music to life with a cast of characters that mesmerizes. Jessica S. Olson brings a new spark to the opera in this book.

I personally did not enjoy this book. I found the first half to be quite strange. The second half was more dramatic, adventurous, and enjoyable. But overall, I didn't really like the book.

A totally fresh take on Phantom! Shadow-filled, and heart-wrenching, the French-inspired world in Olson’s gender-bent Phantom retelling reads like a lush and layered villain origin story. SING ME FORGOTTEN had me hook, line, and sinker from the first line all the way to the last. It's definitely a story I know I won't stop thinking about for a long time. Highly recommend!

This is a really interesting story and a great case study on an unlikeable protagonist. The weaving in of the source material is so cleverly done and I found my musical-loving heart noting each connection and marveling at the fresh spin. The author has such a way with words and descriptions and I quite literally lost track of time sometimes as I read it. Brava!

So they had me at Phantom of the opera. Overall this was a new twist and take on this type of story. I loved the storytelling and characters. It was a quick. Enjoyable read for me. I will certainly be adding this to my shelves.

A magical retelling of the Phantom of the Opera with a switch - the Phantom is a young woman who was born with a powerful magic that others fear. She is hidden away, lonely and living in the bowels of an opera house, in fear of being killed because of her magic. In time, she befriends a young janitor with a beautiful voice but in need of formal training if he wants to sing in the opera. She decides to tutor him but what will happen if it's found out?

As a whole, I enjoyed the story, though I did feel a bit lost at first with the magical element and how exactly everything worked. The main characters had interesting backstories that helped really define them. I felt like the end of the story didn't quite match the rest of it and left me disappointed. Would consider reading something else from this author if I happened to come across it but I won't be making a thorough search.

I was really hesitant to pick up this book because I'm not a huge Phantom of the Opera fan. Overall, this was a well written, well paced story with some light romance and interesting characters. It isn't a new favorite by any means but it was still enjoyable and worth a read.

As a huge fan of Phantom of the Opera I was really excited to see that there was a retelling coming out. This is a fantastic concept and I love that the audience is in the world of Isda and that we get to know what the “phantom” is thinking rather than on the mysterious side of things. The concept of the elixir is certainly different than anything I‘ve seen before, however it’s a nice way to add a touch of magic to the novel.

I will admit, I DNF this title. I was having a hard time staying focused while reading this, however I do not doubt for a second that this title is going to do amazing when it comes out on shelves.

Fantastic Phantom of the Opera retelling. I loved how music was used to tell this story and how the magic worked. Really loved how well Jessica described the setting. The lush descriptions had me so easily immersed in the story.