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- Book: Sing the Night
- Author: Megan Jauregui Eccles
- Publisher: 8th Note Press
- Publication Date: October 28, 2025
- Pages: 304
- Genre: Dark/Paranormal/Romantic Fantasy
- Spice Rating: None – Minimal kissing
- My Rating: 3.75 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐.75
📚 Sing the Night is a captivating, atmospheric read that has a lot of potential. I’m giving it 4 stars because while it definitely has some great qualities, there are a few areas that could have been polished a bit more. Despite that, I found it to be an enjoyable experience, and it’s clear that this book has a lot to offer, If you’re a Phantom of the Opera fan (like me), you’ll definitely catch the influence here—the mysterious, brooding ghost figure, the intense music, and the dark atmosphere all scream Phantom, but with a unique twist.
📜Plot Overview
In this ya romantasy, an ambitious soprano enters a Faustian bargain with a ghost trapped in a mirror. Her goal? To win a magical singing competition and restore her late father’s legacy. This book draws a lot of inspiration from The Phantom of the Opera, If you’re a Phantom of the Opera fan, you’ll definitely pick up on the familiar themes—dark, mysterious figures, a deep connection to music, and a haunting atmosphere. But the author adds her own twist, creating a unique and intriguing narrative.
😊 What Worked:
Atmosphere & Setting: The gothic feel of the opera house atmosphere is one of the best parts of the book. The world-building, though minimal in some areas, does a great job of creating an eerie, magical vibe that’s perfect for a supernatural story. I really felt drawn into the setting, and it sets the tone beautifully.
Character Development: The main character’s ambition is relatable. She’s faced with tough decisions, and even when she makes more than a few questionable choices, they make sense for where she is in her journey. I found myself really invested in her story.
Phantom of the Opera Influence: As a life long fan, I absolutely loved the homage to the original story. I’ve seen some scathing reviews of the book, but those were clearly written by people who don’t understand The Phantom of the Opera, or Italian opera in general. The way this book draws from that world—particularly in its use of opera lingo and themes—is really well done. It’s clear that the author has a deep respect for the genre.
The Magic: This was by far my favorite part of the book. As a singer myself, I was absolutely captivated by the way singing and music are tied to the magic in this world. The use of Italian opera terminology to describe certain scenes felt poetic and beautiful, almost like a love letter to opera itself. The way the magic was intertwined with music was absolutely mesmerizing, and I can’t get enough of that.
😑 What Could Be Better
Pacing & Structure: While I really enjoyed the story, the pacing was a bit uneven at times. Some parts felt rushed, while others lingered a little too long. A bit more balance between the action and the slower, more reflective moments would have helped the overall flow. That said, these moments didn’t completely take me out of the story—it’s just something that could be refined.
World-Building: The world has so much potential, but I think it could’ve been explored in more depth. The author hints at so many interesting elements, and expanding on those could make the world even richer. (And we could use a better visual description of our ‘Phantom’.)
🌶️ Spice Rating: None
There’s no steam here. The romance is minimal—just kissing. The story focuses much more on the protagonist’s personal journey, the supporting characters stories, and the supernatural elements, which, in my opinion, worked for the tone of the book.
✨🫶🏻Final Thoughts
Sing the Night is a promising debut that combines gothic elements with a twist. While it has areas that could be refined, the book’s potential is evident. The atmosphere, the characters, and the subtle Phantom influences make it a unique and enjoyable experience. I think it has great potential, and I’m excited to see how the author continues to develop her world and characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
🫶🏻 – Ali
