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3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
First let me start by saying, Wow. Really and truly. I went into reading this mostly blind and I was blown away by the world building, character arcs and magic system.
Lauren Mansy does an incredible job bringing together a little forbidden romance, a lot of rebellion and a broken but finding herself female lead you can't help but root for the whole way home.
In a place where memories are the greatest form of currency Etta must find a way to make a better future by confronting her past. Racked with guilt from decisions made years ago, Julietta (Etta), must find help to save her mother in the last place she thought she would ever be back. This story follows her as she finds her way through fighting the villain, forgiving her mistakes, falling in love, finding her family and so much more.
The romance is very minimal and seems to happen more quickly than you would expect from someone who has trust issues the way Etta does. However, Reid seems to get passed her defenses rather quickly and becomes someone she depends on immediately. The twist in their friendship was not something I saw coming and rather enjoyed that little reveal. I wish it worked out differently, but am overall pleased with the series of events.
Between plot twists and character development I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has interest in quick, easy reads with unique takes on magic.
Thank you Netgalley for an earc in exchange for an honest review.
Lauren Mansy does an incredible job bringing together a little forbidden romance, a lot of rebellion and a broken but finding herself female lead you can't help but root for the whole way home.
In a place where memories are the greatest form of currency Etta must find a way to make a better future by confronting her past. Racked with guilt from decisions made years ago, Julietta (Etta), must find help to save her mother in the last place she thought she would ever be back. This story follows her as she finds her way through fighting the villain, forgiving her mistakes, falling in love, finding her family and so much more.
The romance is very minimal and seems to happen more quickly than you would expect from someone who has trust issues the way Etta does. However, Reid seems to get passed her defenses rather quickly and becomes someone she depends on immediately. The twist in their friendship was not something I saw coming and rather enjoyed that little reveal. I wish it worked out differently, but am overall pleased with the series of events.
Between plot twists and character development I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has interest in quick, easy reads with unique takes on magic.
Thank you Netgalley for an earc in exchange for an honest review.
Find this review and more on my blog at Worlds Unlike Our Own.
Thank you to the publisher, Blink, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Etta lives in the city of Craewick which is ruled by the ruthless Madame. In this world, Gifted individuals can transfer memories through touch. Four years ago, after an accident that left her mother in a coma, Etta made a deal with Madame to keep her safe in the asylum. But now, Madame threatens to put her mother up for auction, to sell all her memories, and the only way Etta can save her is to seek the aid of the rebel group known as the Shadows - the same group Etta was once sworn to, and betrayed. To prove her loyalty this time though, she must embark on a quest to steal a map of a dangerous prison known as the Maze from the mind of the cruel ruler of a neighbouring city and free someone she has thought long dead.
I loved the concept of this book, and reading about how the Gifted's talents work. The world-building within the limited time is excellent and it is easy to visualize this dark and desperate society. Etta is an exceptional main character, determined to do whatever it takes to save her mother, but also flawed, haunted by the losses she has experienced in life. The plot twists completely took me by surprise and the flashbacks in the story gives some really good insight into the characters. I have to add here that the pretty cover is half the reason I initially noticed this book. I do wish, however, that this book had been extended into atleast a duology. There are so many ways the plot could have gone, and so much more of this world to explore - for starters, Aravid before Porter's transformation.
Considering all she has been through, Etta is remarkably trusting. She believes what she finds in Aravid too easily, and I was almost sure there was going to be a plot twist there and that things were going to go downhill at that point. We learn about Madame, the main villain, almost entirely through Etta's memories, and she doesn't really appear until the end, which I found odd, especially since this is a standalone. I always prefer when the villain is complex and gets their share of page time.
While I expected to enjoy this book way more than I did, it was still an entertaining read. The Memory Thief has a unique concept and a writing style and pacing that makes it very easy to follow. I would recommend this if you're looking for a standalone fantasy novel that is a quick and not overly complicated read.
The Memory Thief releases on October 1st, 2019.
Thank you to the publisher, Blink, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Etta lives in the city of Craewick which is ruled by the ruthless Madame. In this world, Gifted individuals can transfer memories through touch. Four years ago, after an accident that left her mother in a coma, Etta made a deal with Madame to keep her safe in the asylum. But now, Madame threatens to put her mother up for auction, to sell all her memories, and the only way Etta can save her is to seek the aid of the rebel group known as the Shadows - the same group Etta was once sworn to, and betrayed. To prove her loyalty this time though, she must embark on a quest to steal a map of a dangerous prison known as the Maze from the mind of the cruel ruler of a neighbouring city and free someone she has thought long dead.
I loved the concept of this book, and reading about how the Gifted's talents work. The world-building within the limited time is excellent and it is easy to visualize this dark and desperate society. Etta is an exceptional main character, determined to do whatever it takes to save her mother, but also flawed, haunted by the losses she has experienced in life. The plot twists completely took me by surprise and the flashbacks in the story gives some really good insight into the characters. I have to add here that the pretty cover is half the reason I initially noticed this book. I do wish, however, that this book had been extended into atleast a duology. There are so many ways the plot could have gone, and so much more of this world to explore - for starters, Aravid before Porter's transformation.
Considering all she has been through, Etta is remarkably trusting. She believes what she finds in Aravid too easily, and I was almost sure there was going to be a plot twist there and that things were going to go downhill at that point. We learn about Madame, the main villain, almost entirely through Etta's memories, and she doesn't really appear until the end, which I found odd, especially since this is a standalone. I always prefer when the villain is complex and gets their share of page time.
While I expected to enjoy this book way more than I did, it was still an entertaining read. The Memory Thief has a unique concept and a writing style and pacing that makes it very easy to follow. I would recommend this if you're looking for a standalone fantasy novel that is a quick and not overly complicated read.
The Memory Thief releases on October 1st, 2019.
I enjoyed this story immensely. From the very first page to the very last, I did not want to put it down.
The plot was engrossing and I loved the idea behind it.
I want to know more about Etta and Reid and I wasn't ready for it to end.
Their connection happened faster than I would normally have liked but it kinda fit with the ability to trade, steal or give memories.
Solid well written story
The plot was engrossing and I loved the idea behind it.
I want to know more about Etta and Reid and I wasn't ready for it to end.
Their connection happened faster than I would normally have liked but it kinda fit with the ability to trade, steal or give memories.
Solid well written story
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This book threw a twist I never saw coming, along with some that I did. The ending felt rushed, and I wish it had delivered on its potential. That said, I still do think it was a good ending overall
This book has great potential. It just wasn’t executed properly. I feel like many parts of this book were forced.
The relationship between Etta and Reid didn’t seem natural. They do have a real connection and love for each other, but I feel like they were pushed into each other. They barely even know each other but they ask very personal questions and so on. Reid gets mad at Etta when he finds out the truth about something. He flips out for no reason, and it turns out, he never blamed her for anything- he was never even mad. Then just a few chapters later, their relationship is fixed. This was definitely a very fake fight added for the plot.
The plot was definitely forced. It had many good parts to it but it needed more time. So much was crammed into a tiny book. If the book was longer and more time was spent, it would be amazing.
Etta’s journey always ended up in her favor. Yes, she did have a few moments where she failed. But as soon as she was about to face something big- PLOT TWIST. The twist ended up in her favor. Etta made very bad mistakes- which were accidents, but had bad consequences. And somehow, these mistakes ended up saving the world…. huh.
The Memory Thief had great potential to be something amazing. It has a wonderful meaning and great lessons, but the pieces just didn’t fit together properly.
The relationship between Etta and Reid didn’t seem natural. They do have a real connection and love for each other, but I feel like they were pushed into each other. They barely even know each other but they ask very personal questions and so on. Reid gets mad at Etta when he finds out the truth about something. He flips out for no reason, and it turns out, he never blamed her for anything- he was never even mad. Then just a few chapters later, their relationship is fixed. This was definitely a very fake fight added for the plot.
The plot was definitely forced. It had many good parts to it but it needed more time. So much was crammed into a tiny book. If the book was longer and more time was spent, it would be amazing.
Etta’s journey always ended up in her favor. Yes, she did have a few moments where she failed. But as soon as she was about to face something big- PLOT TWIST. The twist ended up in her favor. Etta made very bad mistakes- which were accidents, but had bad consequences. And somehow, these mistakes ended up saving the world…. huh.
The Memory Thief had great potential to be something amazing. It has a wonderful meaning and great lessons, but the pieces just didn’t fit together properly.
“Weakness is seeing a threat and doing nothing to stop it”
This book was good, just not my cup of tea. It had the potential to be a really good magical fantasy book; but the author passed up a lot of opportunities.
This book was good, just not my cup of tea. It had the potential to be a really good magical fantasy book; but the author passed up a lot of opportunities.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated