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tren_tren23's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
breerashel's review
2.0
I think that this book had a good idea behind it but I don't think that it was executed as well as it could have been. I thought that the powers that Miranda and the others had were unique. I have never read a book where the main character releases energy that incites a fight or flight response in "normal" people. Although the whole genetically engineered people who a team of scientists want to create to do their bidding is not a new idea I was not opposed to it because it made sense in this context. However, I don't think that certain elements needed to be added to the story.
The only thing that I keep thinking is that the book was so convoluted. Why did the author choose to reveal things that made no sense? I know that I am probably making no sense but I can't really explain what I mean without spoiling the book. Let's just say that the title is appropriate because I have no idea who is who and my head starts to hurt when I attempt to figure it out.
To read more reviews: https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/
The only thing that I keep thinking is that the book was so convoluted. Why did the author choose to reveal things that made no sense? I know that I am probably making no sense but I can't really explain what I mean without spoiling the book. Let's just say that the title is appropriate because I have no idea who is who and my head starts to hurt when I attempt to figure it out.
To read more reviews: https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/
siobhan27's review
3.0
This Review can also be read on my blog Conversations of a Reading Addict
The concept of Dan Krokos' debut YA novel is a good one. It starts off quick and doesn't stop until the very end. Miranda is a well rounded character that sets up the rest of the cast from the very beginning. Because of her memory loss, we are forced to learn everything through her naive eyes. And that includes her friends and her once-upon-a-time boyfriend. Miranda was more often than not, confused about everything around her and that was a large part of her charm.
What I liked: The pace of the story was fast and quick, especially at the beginning which helped me get into the story right away. I loved Miranda as a character, she is smart and witty, yet had am element of innocence that I loved. Her inability to differentiate from the past she can't remember and the present made for a very compelling love triangle that can compete with the best.
What I did not like: The length of the fighting scenes seemed to drag on too long for my tastes, especially near the end of the novel. I found myself wanting more details concerning why they were fighting their creators and who they were exactly. I also found myself wanting more explanation on their condition and why they exist in the first place. Their ability to instil fear in anyone just by using their mind is an amazingly brilliant idea, but I was left with more questions than answers near the end of the book. But then again, there is a second book on the way and there will most likely be answers within its ages, and I can't wait to read it!
The concept of Dan Krokos' debut YA novel is a good one. It starts off quick and doesn't stop until the very end. Miranda is a well rounded character that sets up the rest of the cast from the very beginning. Because of her memory loss, we are forced to learn everything through her naive eyes. And that includes her friends and her once-upon-a-time boyfriend. Miranda was more often than not, confused about everything around her and that was a large part of her charm.
What I liked: The pace of the story was fast and quick, especially at the beginning which helped me get into the story right away. I loved Miranda as a character, she is smart and witty, yet had am element of innocence that I loved. Her inability to differentiate from the past she can't remember and the present made for a very compelling love triangle that can compete with the best.
What I did not like: The length of the fighting scenes seemed to drag on too long for my tastes, especially near the end of the novel. I found myself wanting more details concerning why they were fighting their creators and who they were exactly. I also found myself wanting more explanation on their condition and why they exist in the first place. Their ability to instil fear in anyone just by using their mind is an amazingly brilliant idea, but I was left with more questions than answers near the end of the book. But then again, there is a second book on the way and there will most likely be answers within its ages, and I can't wait to read it!
pagesplotsandpints's review
4.0
This was interesting!! A nice sci-fi type read and something different than the paranormal I feel like we see so often.
Review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide:
I’ve had FALSE MEMORY sitting on my shelf for quite some time so when I got FALSE SIGHT, the second book in the series, at BEA, I decided it was about time I read it!
The first thing that stuck out to me was that FALSE MEMORY is being directly narrated by our MC Miranda and everything that she remembers (or tries to) after she wakes up abandoned in a strange place. Why is that something that would stick out to me? I was actually kind of a surprised to see a male author using a female voice to narrate the story. Well, I actually did know that before I started the book, but as I was reading it, I had a tendency to every once in a while slip back into the notion that it was a male author but I was reading a female voice and I just stepped outside the book and stepped back in. That being said, I never felt like Miranda’s voice wasn’t genuine. She was a very real character with a lot of complicated feelings and thoughts. (This also may have to be a discussion post later because somehow I haven’t felt the same way when it’s a female author with a male MC narrating in first person… Not sure what the deal is there.)
As far as the story goes? It was interesting! There were definitely some great twists to the plot, some of which I was slightly able to see coming and others where I said, “Wait! What just happened!?!” I really liked that the twists and the plot were slowly revealed to the reader. I think it was perfect to be in the mind of Miranda because as I was reading the book, I only found out things when she did. I shared her shock, her confusion, her triumphs, and her regrets. It’s always interesting to follow a main character who is so in the dark because the opportunity for surprises is endless!
The romance in FALSE MEMORY is complicated. Miranda has lost her memory, but her fellow comrades still have theirs so although she can’t quite remember, she does know she was dating Noah. Things get complicated when she really starts to form a bond with Peter. The question then becomes, if she can’t remember her relationship with Noah, should she still try to make it work? Does she stay with what she’s told she had or what she feels now? It’s actually a really tricky question and I was right there with Miranda, sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what she would choose and how hurt the other person might be. Love triangles can be tricky, but this was SO different that I almost didn’t even see it as a love triangle. It was simply a complicated mess that Miranda really just had to figure out on her own.
The science in the book was incredibly interesting. The reader doesn’t know much going into the book (just the way I like it!) and without revealing TOO much, there’s a LOT to think about regarding DNA, nature versus nurture, independence, and brain activity. The thought and also understanding behind these concepts was fascinating and Dan Krokos did a fantastic job integrating the science technically and molding that to the plot.
At times… It was a little “too sci-fi” for my tastes. I don’t really want to say how because they’re mostly spoilers and have to deal with those twists that I mentioned. I still loved those reveal moments because it was totally wild, but also kind of not where I wanted the story to go. To be perfectly fair, I fully know that getting deeper into sci-fi is not always my bag of chips. The overall book and plot were pretty great, complex, and kind of mind-blowing at times, but this may not be the sci-fi world I belong in. I still really enjoyed the book, but because of its sci-fi roots, it wasn’t a “knock out” book for me; however, I’m definitely still interested in reading FALSE SIGHT to see how things progress from here!
Review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide:
I’ve had FALSE MEMORY sitting on my shelf for quite some time so when I got FALSE SIGHT, the second book in the series, at BEA, I decided it was about time I read it!
The first thing that stuck out to me was that FALSE MEMORY is being directly narrated by our MC Miranda and everything that she remembers (or tries to) after she wakes up abandoned in a strange place. Why is that something that would stick out to me? I was actually kind of a surprised to see a male author using a female voice to narrate the story. Well, I actually did know that before I started the book, but as I was reading it, I had a tendency to every once in a while slip back into the notion that it was a male author but I was reading a female voice and I just stepped outside the book and stepped back in. That being said, I never felt like Miranda’s voice wasn’t genuine. She was a very real character with a lot of complicated feelings and thoughts. (This also may have to be a discussion post later because somehow I haven’t felt the same way when it’s a female author with a male MC narrating in first person… Not sure what the deal is there.)
As far as the story goes? It was interesting! There were definitely some great twists to the plot, some of which I was slightly able to see coming and others where I said, “Wait! What just happened!?!” I really liked that the twists and the plot were slowly revealed to the reader. I think it was perfect to be in the mind of Miranda because as I was reading the book, I only found out things when she did. I shared her shock, her confusion, her triumphs, and her regrets. It’s always interesting to follow a main character who is so in the dark because the opportunity for surprises is endless!
The romance in FALSE MEMORY is complicated. Miranda has lost her memory, but her fellow comrades still have theirs so although she can’t quite remember, she does know she was dating Noah. Things get complicated when she really starts to form a bond with Peter. The question then becomes, if she can’t remember her relationship with Noah, should she still try to make it work? Does she stay with what she’s told she had or what she feels now? It’s actually a really tricky question and I was right there with Miranda, sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what she would choose and how hurt the other person might be. Love triangles can be tricky, but this was SO different that I almost didn’t even see it as a love triangle. It was simply a complicated mess that Miranda really just had to figure out on her own.
The science in the book was incredibly interesting. The reader doesn’t know much going into the book (just the way I like it!) and without revealing TOO much, there’s a LOT to think about regarding DNA, nature versus nurture, independence, and brain activity. The thought and also understanding behind these concepts was fascinating and Dan Krokos did a fantastic job integrating the science technically and molding that to the plot.
At times… It was a little “too sci-fi” for my tastes. I don’t really want to say how because they’re mostly spoilers and have to deal with those twists that I mentioned. I still loved those reveal moments because it was totally wild, but also kind of not where I wanted the story to go. To be perfectly fair, I fully know that getting deeper into sci-fi is not always my bag of chips. The overall book and plot were pretty great, complex, and kind of mind-blowing at times, but this may not be the sci-fi world I belong in. I still really enjoyed the book, but because of its sci-fi roots, it wasn’t a “knock out” book for me; however, I’m definitely still interested in reading FALSE SIGHT to see how things progress from here!
ahinds's review
3.0
Miranda North wakes up in a mall with no memory of how she got there. When the police officer that she is talking to doesn't believe her, Miranda freaks out, releasing a psychic energy that affects everyone around her. Miranda watches horrified as people around her are killed trying to escape from her. Soon the entire floor is cleared except for a lone boy seated in the food courtyard. Miranda approaches him, for he must know what she is. He smells oddly like the scent of a rose which, he explains, is caused by psychic energy. When he starts to leave, Miranda is forced to follow him for he holds the key to who she is and why she lost her memory.
I struggled to get through this book. The characters where okay, but didn't make me feel a connection to them. Miranda did have some points in the novel where I felt for her, but these moments were few and far between. For a main character I felt that I lost interest in her quickly. Even the mysterious nature of the plot didn't get me hooked into it. For most of the book I had to force myself to read it, for I just wanted to be done with it. It got so bad that I found myself counting down how many pages I had left. The last few chapters of the book were what saved me from giving up all hope.
Rhys, I found, was a very complex character and in my opinion he had the most depth to him. When he was first introduced I thought he would be like all the other charterers. Rhys totally proved me wrong, for not only was he a complex character, he was also someone I felt connected to. This was all because his past showed him to be more than a one dimensional character. Out of all the characters Rhys would have to be my favorite. The last few chapters of the book draw you in. I found myself unable to put the book down because I was just dying to know what happened next. Better late than never I guess, for it made me more interested in reading the sequel. Honestly if it wasn't for the last few chapters I seriously doubt I would have bothered to read the sequel. Hopefully the plot will keep me more engaged in the sequel and there will be more character development.
I struggled to get through this book. The characters where okay, but didn't make me feel a connection to them. Miranda did have some points in the novel where I felt for her, but these moments were few and far between. For a main character I felt that I lost interest in her quickly. Even the mysterious nature of the plot didn't get me hooked into it. For most of the book I had to force myself to read it, for I just wanted to be done with it. It got so bad that I found myself counting down how many pages I had left. The last few chapters of the book were what saved me from giving up all hope.
Rhys, I found, was a very complex character and in my opinion he had the most depth to him. When he was first introduced I thought he would be like all the other charterers. Rhys totally proved me wrong, for not only was he a complex character, he was also someone I felt connected to. This was all because his past showed him to be more than a one dimensional character. Out of all the characters Rhys would have to be my favorite. The last few chapters of the book draw you in. I found myself unable to put the book down because I was just dying to know what happened next. Better late than never I guess, for it made me more interested in reading the sequel. Honestly if it wasn't for the last few chapters I seriously doubt I would have bothered to read the sequel. Hopefully the plot will keep me more engaged in the sequel and there will be more character development.
michhellongrace's review
4.0
This was a lot better than I thought it would be. It is highly action packed, full of twists and mystery and characters I enjoyed reading about. I will be reading the sequel for sure.
gwenythlove's review
4.0
After having the chance to speak with Dan at BEA this year I have made the decision to add his book to my To-Read list and give the actual book a chance. He was very upfront and apologetic about what happened and seems to be sincere. Let's hope he learned from his mistake (hey we all make them) and see how it goes from there.
Update:
Oh...the intrigue...it's killing me!!! Must...have...book...two...now...!!!
Detailed review coming soon.
Update:
Oh...the intrigue...it's killing me!!! Must...have...book...two...now...!!!
Detailed review coming soon.
lunarfire's review
4.0
I love books with unreliable narrators and this book 100% delivers on that aspect. The whole time you're following Miranda you're left wondering whether or not you can trust her or if she can even trust herself. That said, while this book could have easily been just about Miranda it was about so much more than that, too. Where did she and the other Roses come from? What were they made for? And who are they really? Its fascinating to be in her mind as she and the others discovers bits of her past (literally) while being tossed head-first into the take down of their "creators."
The only thing I didn't like was a little bit of the insta-love factor. How realistic was it that both of the boys she grew up with (like brothers, mind you) would love her and neither would love Olive? How realistic was it for her be put in the love triangle from pretty much the get go? And to make matters worse for the whole first half of the book I felt like Miranda was overly concerned with her relationship drama when she should have been spending more time worrying about the group's survival. She even had to mentally shake herself out of it repeatedly, almost chastising herself, just to get back on track. I like a little romantic drama, but I feel like the repeated reminders were a little unnecessary.
That said, I loved the book and its concept. I will be reading the sequel as soon as I can get my hands on it. Also I hope that there's a little more background on the rest of the group in book, two. We got a glimpse of Miranda (of course) and a little of Rhys, but not nearly enough of Noah and Peter for me to call them well-rounded just yet. I look forward to getting to know them better.
The only thing I didn't like was a little bit of the insta-love factor. How realistic was it that both of the boys she grew up with (like brothers, mind you) would love her and neither would love Olive? How realistic was it for her be put in the love triangle from pretty much the get go? And to make matters worse for the whole first half of the book I felt like Miranda was overly concerned with her relationship drama when she should have been spending more time worrying about the group's survival. She even had to mentally shake herself out of it repeatedly, almost chastising herself, just to get back on track. I like a little romantic drama, but I feel like the repeated reminders were a little unnecessary.
That said, I loved the book and its concept. I will be reading the sequel as soon as I can get my hands on it. Also I hope that there's a little more background on the rest of the group in book, two. We got a glimpse of Miranda (of course) and a little of Rhys, but not nearly enough of Noah and Peter for me to call them well-rounded just yet. I look forward to getting to know them better.