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3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
Sometimes I read a book and I am torn. Objectively, I WANT to love everything about it. The Memory Thief offers so many wonderful things. The world-building concept is fascinating and gorgeously set out. And the plotline folded in well with this world-building concept and offered some deliciously dark intrigue.
And yet...
Overall the story follows a fairly cliche and told-before storyline. Beyond the intrigue of a world in which memories can be shared and stolen, there wasn't anything that truly engaged me and made this feel like a different story.
The characters, as well, felt less than unique. The brooding, fierce femme who must go against her better judgement to help her family. The side characters that either is a typical love interest or rebellious friend who makes things more difficult in a wholehearted way. Don't get me wrong. I don't hate these concepts. But there were just so many two-dimensional tropes that I found myself overall disinterested.
This may be a fantastic introduction story to YA fantasy if this isn't your typical genre. But I think die-hard YA SFF fans will feel let down by this book.
Thank you to Libro.FM and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review!
And yet...
Overall the story follows a fairly cliche and told-before storyline. Beyond the intrigue of a world in which memories can be shared and stolen, there wasn't anything that truly engaged me and made this feel like a different story.
The characters, as well, felt less than unique. The brooding, fierce femme who must go against her better judgement to help her family. The side characters that either is a typical love interest or rebellious friend who makes things more difficult in a wholehearted way. Don't get me wrong. I don't hate these concepts. But there were just so many two-dimensional tropes that I found myself overall disinterested.
This may be a fantastic introduction story to YA fantasy if this isn't your typical genre. But I think die-hard YA SFF fans will feel let down by this book.
Thank you to Libro.FM and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review!
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book has an amazing premise ... something that I should love, and yet I'm not.
The whole idea is that there's people who can steal memories or give them away, and the memories are used as a currency. And there's someone who wants all the power, ofc. Throw in some rebellion, an MC who's forced to work with the rebels ... sounds amazing, right?
But it's not. It's rushed, the MC spent years hiding but then trusts people she never met in like 5 minutes, and the story just feels like it should be at least a duology, if not even a trilogy.
Add to it that the world is interesting but not really explored, and at the same time it feels really small.
I really wanted to love this one, everything about it is perfect for what I like, but I just can't :(
The whole idea is that there's people who can steal memories or give them away, and the memories are used as a currency. And there's someone who wants all the power, ofc. Throw in some rebellion, an MC who's forced to work with the rebels ... sounds amazing, right?
But it's not. It's rushed, the MC spent years hiding but then trusts people she never met in like 5 minutes, and the story just feels like it should be at least a duology, if not even a trilogy.
Add to it that the world is interesting but not really explored, and at the same time it feels really small.
I really wanted to love this one, everything about it is perfect for what I like, but I just can't :(
*3.5/5
Definitely enjoyed reading this! It was an easy read, with great pacing for a stand-alone! Nothing felt too rushed which I love. The characters were likable and had great development throughout the story. My favorite part is the interesting take on the power of memories, and how the society is structured as a whole!
Definitely enjoyed reading this! It was an easy read, with great pacing for a stand-alone! Nothing felt too rushed which I love. The characters were likable and had great development throughout the story. My favorite part is the interesting take on the power of memories, and how the society is structured as a whole!
3.25/5 stars
This was a perfectly fine, very formulaic young adult fantasy. The magic system was interesting enough, though felt underdeveloped. The almost insta-love between the main characters was a bit predictable, but it didn't kill the story.
It was well written, if predictable, and a quick and easy read. Anyone that just wants something super simple will enjoy this, though it isn't breaking any barriers. I would definitely read from this author again, though it isn't a top read of the year.
I love that this was based on the author's struggles with her mom's memory loss - it really brought the whole story to a new light.
This was a perfectly fine, very formulaic young adult fantasy. The magic system was interesting enough, though felt underdeveloped. The almost insta-love between the main characters was a bit predictable, but it didn't kill the story.
It was well written, if predictable, and a quick and easy read. Anyone that just wants something super simple will enjoy this, though it isn't breaking any barriers. I would definitely read from this author again, though it isn't a top read of the year.
I love that this was based on the author's struggles with her mom's memory loss - it really brought the whole story to a new light.
fast-paced
I’m so sad I can’t rate this one higher. This book was so intriguing and had major potential. The premise is SO good! It is so fascinating and pulled me in really quick.
I really think this book could’ve benefitted from being longer. I feel the story needed to be flushed out more and expanded. Everything happened way too fast and too conveniently for Etta. I do think the memory transferring abilities was explained overall well to understand the basics. I definitely would’ve loved to learn more about their abilities! With that said, there definitely was a major info dump in the beginning which told a lot. It was huge information to take in all at once.
I’m still glad I read it either way.
I really think this book could’ve benefitted from being longer. I feel the story needed to be flushed out more and expanded. Everything happened way too fast and too conveniently for Etta. I do think the memory transferring abilities was explained overall well to understand the basics. I definitely would’ve loved to learn more about their abilities! With that said, there definitely was a major info dump in the beginning which told a lot. It was huge information to take in all at once.
I’m still glad I read it either way.
challenging
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
really good book to read just to have a good adventure.
LET. ME. TELL. YOU. my jaw DROPPED so many times there were so many unexpected events but it kept everything interesting. there’s a lot of sadness and loss in this book but Lauren Mansy still made this book lighthearted and very enjoyable. i definitely recommend reading it with a mindset to just enjoy a good story!!
LET. ME. TELL. YOU. my jaw DROPPED so many times there were so many unexpected events but it kept everything interesting. there’s a lot of sadness and loss in this book but Lauren Mansy still made this book lighthearted and very enjoyable. i definitely recommend reading it with a mindset to just enjoy a good story!!
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Here’s the thing about this book...
It has a good start, and the premise is pretty unique and incredible. BUT it fell short in so many ways.
First, there was a LOT of backstory that got glossed over quickly. This book should’ve been twice as long.
Second, the backstory was often glossed over in the laziest way: with WAY too much dialogue.
Third, there is NO depth to these characters or their relationships to each other. A bad guy isn’t a bad guy anymore and we are never given much on why he ever was or why he isn’t anymore. The main character remembers all these old friends who are dead, but the lack of depth in the backstory makes those friends mean nothing to the reader. And the antagonist was given literally NO character development.
I wanted to like this but I was very disappointed.
It has a good start, and the premise is pretty unique and incredible. BUT it fell short in so many ways.
First, there was a LOT of backstory that got glossed over quickly. This book should’ve been twice as long.
Second, the backstory was often glossed over in the laziest way: with WAY too much dialogue.
Third, there is NO depth to these characters or their relationships to each other. A bad guy isn’t a bad guy anymore and we are never given much on why he ever was or why he isn’t anymore. The main character remembers all these old friends who are dead, but the lack of depth in the backstory makes those friends mean nothing to the reader. And the antagonist was given literally NO character development.
I wanted to like this but I was very disappointed.
