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phyrre's review
5.0
You can find my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to Aladdin and Rockstar Book Tours for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I’ve had my eye on The Memory Thief for a while now, because that cover? Stunning. That synopsis? Hooks me every time. There was never any doubt that I wanted to read this book, so I was all the more excited to have the opportunity to take part in this blog tour!
The Memory Thief is an ode to the power of stories. It’s a love letter to childhood friendships and the ways they change. It’s also a hauntingly beautiful story about ghosts and magic and family, and I can’t wait for the sequel!
I knew almost as soon as I started this book that I was going to love it, so no surprise that I did. Anderson has an absolutely gorgeous writing style, and I will be for sure checking out some of her other work. The Memory Thief hooked me from the start and refused to let go, and it was one heck of a ride!
My Thoughts
- I absolutely loved the entire narrative around Rosie and her stories. It’s something I think a lot of readers will relate to. Rosie is a writer, but that comes into question when her best friend, Germ, implies they’re too old for happily ever afters. This tugged on my heartstrings in so many ways, because as a writer, I can confirm that writers are fickle, fragile things that, above all else, want people to love their stories. The thing is that Rosie still wants to believe that good can conquer evil and impossible odds are impossible, and that made me love her character all the more. Rosie is so relatable in the way she wants the simple things: a mother that’ll love her, a best friend who will always be her friend, things not to change, and to believe that bad things can still end positively. Yet, Rosie is also introverted and quiet and doesn’t feel like she quite belongs around a lot of people. Her character is so complex, but she wants the same things most people want. I think that alone will make her relatable to a broad range of people!
- This book is filled with ghosts, all with different personalities, and they really stole the show, in a way. I’ve always been a fan of ghosts in general, but the ghosts in The Memory Thief just have such vivid personalities! Ebb’s story, for example, is definitely one that tugs on heart strings. In this world, though, pretty much everything has a spirit, and ghost animals are a thing, too, which cracks me up. It was interesting reading about their shenanigans after they’ve died.
- The mythology and magic in this story is just absolutely *chef’s kiss*. There are witches (obviously … 13 of them, if you hadn’t guessed … well, sort of), but it’s so much more than that! There’s also a Moon Goddess and ghosts and witch hunters and all sorts of things. The world in the book is basically ours with magic layered on top, but I loved how it was done! There was a very fairy tale, ethereal feel about it that worked really well and pulled me right into the world. I can’t wait to learn more about it in subsequent books.
- There are some really hard-hitting themes in The Memory Thief, from parental neglect to what happens when childhood friends grow up and things change. Rosie’s mother wants to love her. She just … can’t. So Rosie does the next best thing and imagines scenarios where her mother acts like a responsible parent, and gosh will it ever break your heart. Rosie has had to grow up all too quickly and be the parent of the household, while simultaneously being afraid to reach out to anyone lest she be taken away. Rosie isn’t alone in her plight, though, because she has her best friend, Germ … or, at least, she’s always had her in the past. Things are starting to change, though. There’s a growing rift in their relationship as the girls get older and Germ starts to change. It’s not a change Rosie particularly likes, especially since she just wants things to stay the way they’ve always been. The relationship becomes even more strained as Germ starts hanging out with new people and being involved in new and different things and Rosie finds herself sucked into her own struggles. This growing apart and growing up of friends is touched on in such a wonderful way that accepts with grace the idea that people grow and change but that’s okay. It portrays a realistic friendship, one that isn’t without its challenges, but one that’s strong enough to endure and overcome at the same time.
Many thanks to Aladdin and Rockstar Book Tours for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I’ve had my eye on The Memory Thief for a while now, because that cover? Stunning. That synopsis? Hooks me every time. There was never any doubt that I wanted to read this book, so I was all the more excited to have the opportunity to take part in this blog tour!
The Memory Thief is an ode to the power of stories. It’s a love letter to childhood friendships and the ways they change. It’s also a hauntingly beautiful story about ghosts and magic and family, and I can’t wait for the sequel!
I knew almost as soon as I started this book that I was going to love it, so no surprise that I did. Anderson has an absolutely gorgeous writing style, and I will be for sure checking out some of her other work. The Memory Thief hooked me from the start and refused to let go, and it was one heck of a ride!
My Thoughts
- I absolutely loved the entire narrative around Rosie and her stories. It’s something I think a lot of readers will relate to. Rosie is a writer, but that comes into question when her best friend, Germ, implies they’re too old for happily ever afters. This tugged on my heartstrings in so many ways, because as a writer, I can confirm that writers are fickle, fragile things that, above all else, want people to love their stories. The thing is that Rosie still wants to believe that good can conquer evil and impossible odds are impossible, and that made me love her character all the more. Rosie is so relatable in the way she wants the simple things: a mother that’ll love her, a best friend who will always be her friend, things not to change, and to believe that bad things can still end positively. Yet, Rosie is also introverted and quiet and doesn’t feel like she quite belongs around a lot of people. Her character is so complex, but she wants the same things most people want. I think that alone will make her relatable to a broad range of people!
“Take heart, Rosie,” he says. “Only the witches would have you think there is more darkness in the world than there is light. Only they would have you believe that love could ever really leave you.”
- This book is filled with ghosts, all with different personalities, and they really stole the show, in a way. I’ve always been a fan of ghosts in general, but the ghosts in The Memory Thief just have such vivid personalities! Ebb’s story, for example, is definitely one that tugs on heart strings. In this world, though, pretty much everything has a spirit, and ghost animals are a thing, too, which cracks me up. It was interesting reading about their shenanigans after they’ve died.
The dead boy floats up beside me and glares at the man.
“Don’t worry about the Murderer,” he says. “He’s harmless.” But then he pauses, and appears to rethink his words, because he adds, “I mean, everybody does call him ‘the Murderer,’ and he does want to murder you, and he’s pretty territorial. But it’s not your fault.”
- The mythology and magic in this story is just absolutely *chef’s kiss*. There are witches (obviously … 13 of them, if you hadn’t guessed … well, sort of), but it’s so much more than that! There’s also a Moon Goddess and ghosts and witch hunters and all sorts of things. The world in the book is basically ours with magic layered on top, but I loved how it was done! There was a very fairy tale, ethereal feel about it that worked really well and pulled me right into the world. I can’t wait to learn more about it in subsequent books.
“I’m not really gifted at anything,” I say, “Just making things up.”
The cloud smiles at this, as if I’ve said something incredibly silly. “Here’s what we’ve seen people make up: Skyscrapers. Countries. Cures. Ships that fly to the moon. It took a dream to make the first house. The first language. Made-up things make the world.” An arm of mist reaches out as if to pat my head, and though I can’t feel it, the gesture feels nice inside. “Imagining is a little like the opposite of witches, don’t you think? To stretch and grow beauty from nothing at all?”
- There are some really hard-hitting themes in The Memory Thief, from parental neglect to what happens when childhood friends grow up and things change. Rosie’s mother wants to love her. She just … can’t. So Rosie does the next best thing and imagines scenarios where her mother acts like a responsible parent, and gosh will it ever break your heart. Rosie has had to grow up all too quickly and be the parent of the household, while simultaneously being afraid to reach out to anyone lest she be taken away. Rosie isn’t alone in her plight, though, because she has her best friend, Germ … or, at least, she’s always had her in the past. Things are starting to change, though. There’s a growing rift in their relationship as the girls get older and Germ starts to change. It’s not a change Rosie particularly likes, especially since she just wants things to stay the way they’ve always been. The relationship becomes even more strained as Germ starts hanging out with new people and being involved in new and different things and Rosie finds herself sucked into her own struggles. This growing apart and growing up of friends is touched on in such a wonderful way that accepts with grace the idea that people grow and change but that’s okay. It portrays a realistic friendship, one that isn’t without its challenges, but one that’s strong enough to endure and overcome at the same time.
And I realize … maybe my mom has returned to these stories again and again for the same reason why I turn to the books in my room: to fill in the places that are missing, to push back against the darkness that has taken those things. To remind herself—because she has no memory—that monsters can be destroyed, and heroes can win, even if it’s only pretend. Maybe stories make us stronger because they make a bridge to things we’ve lost. Maybe stories make powerful things out of broken ones.
bookishwiccan's review against another edition
4.0
This book was everything I wanted when I was younger and I'm so glad that it's here. I adored everything to do with this book. This world has many new magical creatures, interesting lore and magical elements that make it such a refreshing new read. I absolutely loved the writing style and character narrative. She felt so much like a kid growing up as it felt like a mature adult - mostly because she has had to grow up fast in certain areas while desperately trying to keep her childhood in others. An easy read for those stepping into a more world-building book without getting overwhelmed. I highly recommend.
v30n098's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
elisiasbooks2's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
princessreadsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
cozylifewithabby's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? No
4.0
This story of family, friendship, and learning that we each have our strengths and weaknesses is perfect for the fall. The story is not overly scary, though it is sad. Content wise, I would feel comfortable giving it to any child who is and to read it and it is charming and reflective enough for any age. I particularly loved Ebb and his story. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Child death
dpearson5257's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.0
This was such a sweet book about a young girl whose mom’s memories were taken by one of the 13 witches and she’s got to figure out how to get them back. I loved the band of friends she’s got, Ebb was just so sweet and loooove Germ!!! The 3 of them was just the best! Left off on a very good cliffhanger and I do think it reads well for a middle grade.