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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
That was a gorgeous lush phantom retelling it almost works better in a retelling with the gender swapped . I stand by this often ya stories are better then adult ones .
I loved this too much that was heartwrenchingly beautiful
I loved this too much that was heartwrenchingly beautiful
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Xenophobia
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book not enough hype
This book was a slow start and then it got really good. I just wanted more? I felt like there could be better explanations for things and she could have drawn some things out. I would have liked a little more suspense. I got bored often and I would zone out while reading. Overall I liked the idea of the book more than the book itself.
Holy crap. This book was AMAZING! I listened to the audiobook and literally could NOT stop listening! Had I not started partway into the day, I absolutely would have listened to it all in one day. I just could not stop!!
Such an intriguing and sad story!! Definitely not a book for those that like happy, uplifting stories.
But it was just so good! This idea of people with magic powers and deformities being ostracized and hunted is not unique. And as many have pointed out in their reviews the Phantom of the Opera feel here. But really, it’s only a hint of that. I am a huge Phantom fan and have read the book several times and seen the play twice and this story is not anything like that. The similarities are purely superficial.
This is a magical fantasy type story and Phantom definitely is not. Eric (The Phantom) is a creepy evil dude, Isda is neither creepy nor evil.
But I digress.
There are definitely elements of this story that once they unfold, are somewhat predictable in that they are covered in many similar stories, and in hindsight I can see them more clearly…but I cannot actually write about all that here without discussing spoilers. I will say that even though this may be the case, I still was never quite sure where the plot was going to go and how it would end. Which was refreshing.
And just overall…GREAT STORY! I really enjoyed this book! It’s been awhile since I had one that I literally could NOT put down like this!!
Such an intriguing and sad story!! Definitely not a book for those that like happy, uplifting stories.
But it was just so good! This idea of people with magic powers and deformities being ostracized and hunted is not unique. And as many have pointed out in their reviews the Phantom of the Opera feel here. But really, it’s only a hint of that. I am a huge Phantom fan and have read the book several times and seen the play twice and this story is not anything like that. The similarities are purely superficial.
This is a magical fantasy type story and Phantom definitely is not. Eric (The Phantom) is a creepy evil dude, Isda is neither creepy nor evil.
But I digress.
There are definitely elements of this story that once they unfold, are somewhat predictable in that they are covered in many similar stories, and in hindsight I can see them more clearly…but I cannot actually write about all that here without discussing spoilers. I will say that even though this may be the case, I still was never quite sure where the plot was going to go and how it would end. Which was refreshing.
And just overall…GREAT STORY! I really enjoyed this book! It’s been awhile since I had one that I literally could NOT put down like this!!
[a:Jessica S. Olson|19475731|Jessica S. Olson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1683859816p2/19475731.jpg] and her debut novel [b:Sing Me Forgotten|53176389|Sing Me Forgotten|Jessica S. Olson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1592551209l/53176389._SY75_.jpg|72936521] had me ENCHANTED. This book must have been a catalyseur because I swear to Memory I found myself eagerly devouring every page of Isda's lush, lavish and boiled rage, thrusting me into her isolated world within the first few chapters. Phantom of the Opera always holds a special place in my heart and when I read the dust cover I knew I was in for a delightful treat (like Emeric's caramels). The masquerade ball, her mask, and the opera house was all enchanting in itself. Her rage reminded me a lot of [b:They Never Learn|50892240|They Never Learn|Layne Fargo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600611054l/50892240._SY75_.jpg|69857478] and I suppose I had another desire for a feminist revenge arc.
“If they want me to be a nightmare, then a nightmare I shall be.”
Isda can manipulate the memories of people who are singing. In her world this ability means death, so when she is thrown into a well Cyril the owner of an Opera House saves her. All he asks in return is that she uses her power to keep ticket sales high and stay hidden. But Isda breaks this rule when she meets Emeric.
I don't know anything about the Phantom of the Opera, but I think if I did I would have enjoyed this more. I was pretty confused at first and it took me a little while to really get into it. The book is well written and I really enjoyed the magic and world-building once I understood it.
The characters hands down were my favourite part. Isda was badass, morally grey, vengeful, flawed and everything I want in characters. Emeric was very charming and I totally shipped them from the beginning - there is instant love but I didn't care. The antagonist was great and I guessed it was them fairly quickly. Their motivations and plan made for an interesting plot and challenge for Isda.
There were some parts I felt were slow, but overall I did enjoy this. The ending had me at the edge of my seat, it was very thrilling. I really enjoyed the ending and was satisfied with how everything unfolded, totally think this is worth the read! 3.5 Stars.
Isda can manipulate the memories of people who are singing. In her world this ability means death, so when she is thrown into a well Cyril the owner of an Opera House saves her. All he asks in return is that she uses her power to keep ticket sales high and stay hidden. But Isda breaks this rule when she meets Emeric.
I don't know anything about the Phantom of the Opera, but I think if I did I would have enjoyed this more. I was pretty confused at first and it took me a little while to really get into it. The book is well written and I really enjoyed the magic and world-building once I understood it.
The characters hands down were my favourite part. Isda was badass, morally grey, vengeful, flawed and everything I want in characters. Emeric was very charming and I totally shipped them from the beginning - there is instant love but I didn't care. The antagonist was great and I guessed it was them fairly quickly. Their motivations and plan made for an interesting plot and challenge for Isda.
There were some parts I felt were slow, but overall I did enjoy this. The ending had me at the edge of my seat, it was very thrilling. I really enjoyed the ending and was satisfied with how everything unfolded, totally think this is worth the read! 3.5 Stars.
This book is not necessarily a happy story; but it is one that will resonate with you. The heroine Isda was born a gravoir, someone who can listen to memories when people sing; she is locked away for her own safety, as people are out to kill gravoirs. She was saved by Cyril, the owner of an opera house, where she lives as the "Opera Ghost". However, her life takes a turn with the appearance of a boy named Emeric, a talented singer in his own right. As people around her reveal their true selves, it becomes hard for her to figure out who to trust - and ultimately, she takes her fate into her own hands. I want to follow her story, and see what she does next.
I really enjoyed the storytelling employed throughout - the author weaved the narrative well, I found it easy to read and compelling. However, I felt that in the later part of the story, Cyril's motivations fall flat and seem misdirected, which made it hard to understand some of his actions. I did appreciate how complex the characters were, and overall I liked the story as a whole. I hope there's more Isda stories in the future.
I really enjoyed the storytelling employed throughout - the author weaved the narrative well, I found it easy to read and compelling. However, I felt that in the later part of the story, Cyril's motivations fall flat and seem misdirected, which made it hard to understand some of his actions. I did appreciate how complex the characters were, and overall I liked the story as a whole. I hope there's more Isda stories in the future.
The PHAAAAAAANTOM of the Opera is there, breaking my heart......
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes