Sing Me Forgotten

by Jessica S. Olson

Caitlin Kelly (Narrator)

‘Lush and lavish, Sing Me Forgotten hit all the right notes’
Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrow

‘A deliciously magical feminist twist on the beloved classic The Phantom of the Opera’
Kester Grant, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Court of Miracles

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.

‘Enchanting, lush and decadent’
Adalyn Grace, author of All the Stars and Teeth

Also by Jessica S. Olson:
A Forgery of Roses

• ISBN13: 9780008592554
• Publish Date: 30 March 2023 (first published 1 March 2022)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Harper Fire
• Format: Audiobook (WAV)
• Duration: 11 hours and 2 minutes
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

A Forgery of Roses came with my most OwlCrate box, and I was so excited to see it appear at the bottom of the box! I was hoping this would be their choice and thus held off on buying it. I love this edition, though I'll admit that the original cover is also quite lovely. Still, red sprayed edges - yes, please!

Myra is what is known as a prodigy. Her paintings are magical – literally. She can transform reality with her paintings, healing bones, and changing appearances. Unfortunately, not everyone in this world considers this magical to be wondrous.

Thus, Myra has spent her whole life trying to keep what she is a secret. For the most part, she's succeeded, right up until just about the worst person ever uncovers the truth. Now she must raise the dead – literally – if she wants to survive the situation she's in.

"Just because my battles aren't visible, doesn't mean they aren't as real or difficult as yours."

Ohhhh, I love the concept of A Forgery of Roses. Artists, who imbue magic into their work, allowing them to affect reality? It rings of Dorian Gray but with a significant twist. And I am here for it.

Myra's story is many things. It's emotional, heavy, inspiring, worrisome, heartbreaking, and more. She's been through so much and keeps on going, both for her own sake and her sister's sake.
The magic in her blood only seems to complicate things. She lives in a world where people like her are shunned and hunted by those in power. In a way, the setup feels very familiar to our world – with the same people hunting her being more than willing to use her gifts to their own benefit. Feels familiar, right?

I loved the exploration of Myra's magic while having us delve into several mysteries at once. We have the mystery of what happened to her parents, alongside the mystery of what caused a young man's death. Together, they're putting Myra in an impossible position, and she'll have to find a way to survive on her own.

That being said, it wasn't Myra's story that hit me the hardest. One of the other characters in this tale (a love interest, for those curious) experiences significant anxiety – and I AM HERE FOR IT. I never get to see this representation, so it was a lot to see it done so well. Throw in a few powerful quotes, and this book tunneled straight to my heart.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks