Forget Me Not

Systema Paradoxa #10

by Carol Gyzander, Jason Whitley (Illustrator)

What is legend? What is truth?
A monster is said to lurk beneath the waters of Lake Erie. Jane and her twin brother Rob are haunted by just that. As children, they lost half their family to a terrible boating accident. They haven't left dry land since. Only, at the age of sixteen, they allow friends to lure them onto the lake.
But should they have held their ground?
When something nearly swamps their boat, years of secrecy are swept away and the children's father shares their family history with the supposed Monster of Lake Erie.
Will the tale bring closure or just more tragedy?

Genres: Fantasy

138 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2021

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love cryptids and so I enjoy these Systema Paradox series. I’ve read a bunch of them, and they always seem to be fun. A low-brow, B-movie sort of fun, sure, but still…fun.
This one was no exception and even had a time split narrative set in a carnival (woohoo), although it seemed the most YA out of all of these books I’ve read thus far.
The narrative with teens was set in 1969, so presumably they were less tedious/more mature then, but still the writing itself is so plainly uncomplicated (short words/simple concepts) that it doesn’t seem geared for adult audiences. In other words and in popular vernacular – very basic.
Perfectly serviceable, mind you, but simplified, simplistic and all that.
But the good thing is that it is based on a real-life cryptid or more like a real-life legend of one, Bessie, a Lake Erie answer to Nessie, and does feature real historic facts from that time when someone had the bright idea to alter the Niagara Falls.
So yeah, plain (textbook definition of easy reading), but entertaining enough, and goes by very quickly. Thanks Netgalley.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story about bessie the lake erie sea monster set back in time this book will have your imagination flickng between eras. Its a fairly easy book to read but its most definitely worth reading. A couple of plot twists which you definitely didnt expect at the time. It creats a great story behind how the sea monster came about and why it has not been sighted before . I have given 4 stars as it would suit a younger reader more than an advanced reader. Overall this book is very heart touching and i would like to thank the author for approving me to read this early. Please please please pick up a copy as you wont regret it.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read in the Systema Paradoxa series, of cryptid stories. This one was about Bessie, and had great characters and pacing. Can't wait to read more in the series. #ForgetMeNot #NetGalley

[Maryanne Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Forget Me Not, Systema Paradoxa #10 by Carol Gyzander. This is beautiful tale of love, cryptids and carnies. I loved the retelling through an old found diary from the 1930s and brought to life by the kids who relived it in the late 60s. A very warm, feel good story. I would pick this up if I were you, it has everything!

[Searight · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining little book.

[Anthony Philosophos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The female members of a family have a relationship with Bessie the Lake Erie sea monster. Bessie is a cryptid. It's rarely seen. I enjoyed the novel.

[Kyla Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

People don’t tell children the truth for all sorts of reasons, but it generally comes down to a desire to shelter them, to let them grow up without their lives being warped by fear. But what if the fear was the shelter and the truth simply too bizarre?

The mission of Systema Paradoxa – to revisit cryptid sightings from around America- together with the cover, leave the reader in little doubt of the kind of bizarre they are in for. But Forget Me Not is a complex tale. Grounded thoroughly in the history and geography of the Niagara Falls – Lake Eerie connect, it is set at the precise juncture in 1969 when the Falls were “turned off”. Psychologically, it is grounded in a young woman’s desire to understand her own distant memories and where her family comes from.

Gyzander writes with clarity and colour. Two historical periods (as Jane reads her grandmother’s diary) are brought to life with relatable characters and just the right amount of detail. The iconic tourist attraction of the Falls provides an immediate point of reference and the tale unfolds with a sense of discovering its secrets, the things only the locals know. Between ancient lore, carnies, manic axe throwers, mishandled motorboats and “Bessie”, the pace never flags.

Providing chills and intrigue rather than gore, “Forget Me Not” is an entertaining read that can be devoured in a single sitting.

[Pam K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forget Me Not was a pretty good story. I have always been interested in Nessie, Bessie, Champ, and other unexplained creatures.

This is a different twist on what these creatures may be, and why they cannot be found with modern technology.

Characters are somewhat interesting. The book isn't long enough to get a real feel for them, or to watch growth in the characters. The plot is good, great execution of it, and the ending was a little unexpected.]

Anyone wanting a quick but great book to while away some time, pick this one up.

[Jennifer Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast read, and I enjoyed it more and more as I got into it, but I admit I was hoping for more. The story is incredibly simple, and while there's a nice twist to what's happening, the dialogue comes off as so stilted that it's difficult to really fall into the world of the story and engage on any level beyond presented myth. Adding to the dialogue issue is the fact that the characters are incredibly one-dimensional, drawing attention to the artificial nature of the story.

Style-wise, it just reads as more of a fable or myth than a contemporary novella/story--and that would be fine, if not for the length asking readers to engage on more of a novella/story level.

Conceptually, I enjoyed the idea here, but the presentation fell so flat for me that I'm not sure I'd read another work in the series or from the author. This probably isn't something I'd recommend unless you're specifically looking for works centered around North American cryptids and/or Lake Erie.

[Tom Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Forget Me Not, by author Carol Gyzander. Forget Me Not is Book 10 in the Systema Paradoxa cryptid fiction novella series published by eSpec Books.

I really enjoyed the story, which is a unique take on the origins of Bessie, a mythical lake monster that supposedly lives in Lake Erie. Bessie was described as being similar to Scotland’s Loch Ness Monster.

I like how the author weaves in actual news articles and testimonials about Bessie sightings and the Niagara Falls region throughout the story. The writing is excellent, and I love the descriptions of the people and places in the 1930s and 1960s. A family diary helps to tie the story together.

Forget Me Not is a fast and fun read!

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forget Me Not by Carol Gyzander is a fantasy and adventurous read. The plot has its moments but failed to capture my interest. I was halfway into the book and it felt like reading a Jules Verne copy. Although, Jules Verne's books were much more interesting. Maybe young adult readers will like the book and will be able to connect with the characters in a better way. I would give the book only 3 stars.

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