Reviews

I'm intrigued by the idea of this novel. Individuals that can detect emotions and memories that are imprinted in things that are meaningful for people. I don't really believe in that kind of thing, but I do know that we can feel attached to things. A sentimental value...

I have trouble with the writing at the beginning. I feel like the sentences were 'clipped', and the flow of the sentences was not beautiful or easily comprehened. However, the plot, the secret, and the mysterious vibes throughout the novel keep me continuing to read this story.

I thought there was more than Harriett keeping Ev's family things. So, the secret that Harriet keeps from Ev is almost like nothing.

emilymg2's review

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

theshaggyshepherd's review

Go to review page

4.0

The Memory Collectors // by Kim Neville

I was very excited when the publisher sent me a print ARC for this book. The cover is gorgeous (it matches the story so well!) and the summary sounded fascinating, not like anything else I have read. I love epic fantasy books but I also find it so fun when a little bit of magic is mixed into the normal world that I myself am familiar with. It makes me wonder what kind of real magic might just be out there somewhere.

The Memory Collectors is Kim Neville's debut novel. I have been enjoying reading authors' first books for the past couple of months because it is fun to see where they start out and how they develop over time. While this book certainly is not perfect, I still think it is an absolutely fantastic start to this author's career. I am a little disappointed with myself for not having saved a couple of quotes to include in my review because there is certainly some beautiful prose sprinkled throughout this novel. There are two POVs, Ev and Harriet, with quite different pasts that resulted in two distinctly different ways of viewing their gift - the ability to touch objects and feel the emotions of past owners.

The story feels a bit slow in parts but I still felt that each scene was there for a reason, whether to set up for later action or to give us better insight into the characters. I liked how it flipped to the past here and there, and how that allowed us to piece together little bits of the future as well. There isn't as much happiness as you would hope for in a story about emotional magic, though there is a lot of hope for it at least that drives the characters forward and towards each other. The last third of the book is actually rather dark, more so than I usually read, and I was a little worried about it negatively influencing my opinion of the book since I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to scary things in books and movies, but I assure you that pushing through this to the end is well worth it. The different parts of the story in the end come together so well in a way that I had not expected at all but it is a fitting end to the story.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

thebookishpersuasion's review

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

megan_mac_'s review

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book is so creative and imaginative. I really enjoyed that aspect!

It was a bit darker than I was anticipating; this would make a good book club book for the discussion.

There were some parts of the book that felt unfinished, which was a bit of a disappointment. Overall, though, very creative.

Content Warnings

More...