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3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
Once I heard the concept of The Memory Thief, I immediately pre-ordered it. In this world, memories are currency. The citizens trade them (or sometimes take them) for goods, services, rank, and experiences. The Gifted individuals are the ones capable of taking, moving, and manipulating memories. Not everyone is “gifted” and even those who are posses different skills. The main character, Etta Lark, has a powerful gift, but she tries to remain hidden amongst the masses as she copes with painful memories and the guilt that accompany them. But when her past catches up with her, she must confront her demons in order to save not only her beloved mother, but also her city and the rest of the realms.
It took me a bit to get into this book. I don’t even think it was because of the writing or the story (I enjoyed both), but because this concept of memories being something that can be traded or stolen is such a complex one that it took me a while to get used to this world. Once I did get used to it, I busted through the second half/two thirds of the book pretty easily. It does have some of those typical YA traits that I’ve seen people complaining about....pacing is a lil funky, the love connection is instant, the main character is maybe a little inconsistent in some aspects, but none of these were deal breakers for me. I really loved the world that was created here and the characters within it! I thought the story was unique, the surprises were excellent, and the ending was satisfying. I can see myself reading it again and hope for a sequel in the future!
It took me a bit to get into this book. I don’t even think it was because of the writing or the story (I enjoyed both), but because this concept of memories being something that can be traded or stolen is such a complex one that it took me a while to get used to this world. Once I did get used to it, I busted through the second half/two thirds of the book pretty easily. It does have some of those typical YA traits that I’ve seen people complaining about....pacing is a lil funky, the love connection is instant, the main character is maybe a little inconsistent in some aspects, but none of these were deal breakers for me. I really loved the world that was created here and the characters within it! I thought the story was unique, the surprises were excellent, and the ending was satisfying. I can see myself reading it again and hope for a sequel in the future!
DNF 42% I was sitting here listening to the audio and the characters just had a life or death moment and it occurred to me that I did not really care whether they survived or not. That sounds awful but hear me out. I feel like I don’t know anything about Julietta other than that her mom is in a coma in an asylum (why an asylum and not a hospital?) I’m not sure how old she is but she’s rescued Rider and lives alone so I assume she is whatever age this society deems an adult. The Shadows are like a secret rebellion that she has history with. The leader is stuck in a maze that is like a prison. The acting leader wants to kill her but is instead using her to rescue the real leader because she has the ability not to be read by minders. The whole magic mind reading part of this is blurry to me and I think that might be part of the reason why I’m not into the story. Plus the dialogue felt forced to me but that could be because I didn’t connect to any of the characters so I don’t understand why they are saying the things that they are saying. This book was a good idea but it didn’t resonate with me.
I want to give this a good review but I just can’t. This was such an interesting idea for a book but it wasn’t properly executed. At times, it felt like I was reading a second book in a series or that my copy of the book was missing a lot of pages.
Spoilers !!!
Etta is a main character that is like able but also annoying. She claims that she doesn’t trust easily but she trusts Reid after one shared memory. Yes that memory meant a lot to her because it showed that Ryder was safe but realistically, it would just make Etta a little less guarded.
When we found out that who Etta’s father was, it didn’t really make sense. Then we found out the “truth” about her mother and who her mothers family was. Then we find out who Reid brother was and what really happened to his brother.
It felt forced and like a 13 year old wrote it. It was very quick to the point but that everything more confusing. The main character falls in love with the dashing companion for the journey in less than 7 days. It felt very unrealistic when it came to the romance part. The major information moments of the book were glossed over. I only read all of it because the summary was interesting and I wanted to know the end results.
Overall, I wouldn’t really recommend it. If you want something quick and easy to read, than you should read this book. If you want something challenging or new, don’t read this book. Those reasons are why I’m giving this book a 2/5. If the author rewrote it, made it longer, more realistic and in detail, this could have been a magnificent debut novel. This could have been a magnificent series honestly. If the author is reading this, try to incorporate those suggestions in your next book! Hopefully, the authors next book will get a higher rating from me!
Spoilers !!!
Etta is a main character that is like able but also annoying. She claims that she doesn’t trust easily but she trusts Reid after one shared memory. Yes that memory meant a lot to her because it showed that Ryder was safe but realistically, it would just make Etta a little less guarded.
When we found out that who Etta’s father was, it didn’t really make sense. Then we found out the “truth” about her mother and who her mothers family was. Then we find out who Reid brother was and what really happened to his brother.
It felt forced and like a 13 year old wrote it. It was very quick to the point but that everything more confusing. The main character falls in love with the dashing companion for the journey in less than 7 days. It felt very unrealistic when it came to the romance part. The major information moments of the book were glossed over. I only read all of it because the summary was interesting and I wanted to know the end results.
Overall, I wouldn’t really recommend it. If you want something quick and easy to read, than you should read this book. If you want something challenging or new, don’t read this book. Those reasons are why I’m giving this book a 2/5. If the author rewrote it, made it longer, more realistic and in detail, this could have been a magnificent debut novel. This could have been a magnificent series honestly. If the author is reading this, try to incorporate those suggestions in your next book! Hopefully, the authors next book will get a higher rating from me!
Blog review: https://trishadoeseverythingbutstudy2.wordpress.com/2021/02/27/february-2021-reviews-books/#memory-thief
This book was bad.
I don't even want to write any more, but because this has been impacting my review writing for a lot of time now, I'm just going to up and write it.
Oh, where do I even start.
Etta cries. A lot. There is instalove. There is a stupid love interest. There is a stupid MC. There is an even stupider plot. The powers don't make sense. The memory thing has so many loopholes, most of which I do not even remember because it has been a month, and frankly o don't want to think about this book any more than is necessary.
The MC makes stupid decisions, then moves on to make even stupider decisions, and if it was earthly possible, she makes an even stupider decisions.
This book is filled with Etta's stupid decisions and incessant crying and illogical decisions, punctuated with irritating love declarations that come after 5 days of knowing the guy.
I just realised that you might be reading this thinking it'll be a coherent and logical review, and it doesn't pain me the slightest to tell you that that won't be happening, because this review will be anything but coherent, and I've made my peace with it.
Now, where was I?
Yes, the illogical decisions.
I tell you, if Etta could just wait and take well thought out decisions, half of the deaths in this could be avoided.
But nOoOoOo.
Honestly, the instalove in this was so instalove, that o felt like raising some of my ratings for other books that I read and rounded down my ratings for because I didn't enjoy the instalove.
5 days. FIVE f*cking days. That's all they've known each other for. And you lUrVe each other?!?!
The thing is, I waited so long to read this, with such high expectations, because telepathy/empathy like powers is like one of my favourite tropes. And adding memory shenanigans to the mix?!?! Sign me up! (But like not for this book because it was a freaking disaster).
We had such extremely forthcoming characters with nicely timed flashbacks(am I blatantly plagiarising my status updates without an ounce of regret at not remembering what all I had to write here? Hell yes I am.)
This book was just so convenient. Everything falls nicely into place, and that is not what books are supposed to be like. There needs to be unpredictability. There needs to be plot lines that don't fall in to place. There needs to be more to the book than conveniently timed flashbacks that explain exactly what's going on, without you having to put the slightest bit of thought into the book.
I almost dnfed this book so many times, but in the end I slaved through because it was short. So I thought just finish it.
That was a day of my life I'll never get back.
Anyway, I'd first rated this three stars, but upon further reflection, this does not deserve three stars. Thus the new two star rating. Also, this has made me feel that I need to update my ratings for a lot of books because my standards have obviously been too low for ratings, and way lower than my enjoyment levels.
I'm just stopping here because I don't even know what to say anymore. Good bye, and have a good day. I don't want to recommend this book, but if you enjoy a short storyline that doesn't require you to apply brainpower and that you just want to passively read to pass the time, and you don't mind incessant crying, then this is for you!!!
This book was bad.
I don't even want to write any more, but because this has been impacting my review writing for a lot of time now, I'm just going to up and write it.
Oh, where do I even start.
Etta cries. A lot. There is instalove. There is a stupid love interest. There is a stupid MC. There is an even stupider plot. The powers don't make sense. The memory thing has so many loopholes, most of which I do not even remember because it has been a month, and frankly o don't want to think about this book any more than is necessary.
The MC makes stupid decisions, then moves on to make even stupider decisions, and if it was earthly possible, she makes an even stupider decisions.
This book is filled with Etta's stupid decisions and incessant crying and illogical decisions, punctuated with irritating love declarations that come after 5 days of knowing the guy.
I just realised that you might be reading this thinking it'll be a coherent and logical review, and it doesn't pain me the slightest to tell you that that won't be happening, because this review will be anything but coherent, and I've made my peace with it.
Now, where was I?
Yes, the illogical decisions.
I tell you, if Etta could just wait and take well thought out decisions, half of the deaths in this could be avoided.
But nOoOoOo.
Honestly, the instalove in this was so instalove, that o felt like raising some of my ratings for other books that I read and rounded down my ratings for because I didn't enjoy the instalove.
5 days. FIVE f*cking days. That's all they've known each other for. And you lUrVe each other?!?!
The thing is, I waited so long to read this, with such high expectations, because telepathy/empathy like powers is like one of my favourite tropes. And adding memory shenanigans to the mix?!?! Sign me up! (But like not for this book because it was a freaking disaster).
We had such extremely forthcoming characters with nicely timed flashbacks(am I blatantly plagiarising my status updates without an ounce of regret at not remembering what all I had to write here? Hell yes I am.)
This book was just so convenient. Everything falls nicely into place, and that is not what books are supposed to be like. There needs to be unpredictability. There needs to be plot lines that don't fall in to place. There needs to be more to the book than conveniently timed flashbacks that explain exactly what's going on, without you having to put the slightest bit of thought into the book.
I almost dnfed this book so many times, but in the end I slaved through because it was short. So I thought just finish it.
That was a day of my life I'll never get back.
Anyway, I'd first rated this three stars, but upon further reflection, this does not deserve three stars. Thus the new two star rating. Also, this has made me feel that I need to update my ratings for a lot of books because my standards have obviously been too low for ratings, and way lower than my enjoyment levels.
I'm just stopping here because I don't even know what to say anymore. Good bye, and have a good day. I don't want to recommend this book, but if you enjoy a short storyline that doesn't require you to apply brainpower and that you just want to passively read to pass the time, and you don't mind incessant crying, then this is for you!!!
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy
3.5 Stars
The memory Thief follows Etta in her world memories are sold to people who want to live through what that said memory is. When the leader of her city, Madame threatens to put her mother memories up for auction. Etta will do whatever she needs to save her mother. Even if she needs to join the rebel group. Etta needs to prove her allegiance to the rebel group she needs to steal a map of the Maze that is a prison.
-I really loved the idea of this book. Memories kinda work like money and where that can be stolen, bought, and sold. How people can relive through memories. I wish there was a lot more on this topic, like how it came about or more of the dark side of it.
-The writing style is very simple, with no over-the-top flowery writing.
-One thing I didn't care for was everything felt too planned out. The characters had everything handed to them in a way. Everything just worked out. I also felt that we didn't get to spend enough time in some places we bounced around a lot.
-I loved the last chunk of this book the most, the 'twist' and how everything played out was good.
-There are 4 different realms Craewick (where this book is set), Kripen, Blare, and Aravid I would read other books set in these realms because I would like to know more background info of this world.
-How memories play in this book for me and me wanting to know more about that is why there is a .5 added to this book. Other than that is a sold book, simple writing, good well wrapped up ending.
If you are looking for ex-rebel, memories that are used as power, family, and easy-to-read writing; you could enjoy this.
I was given' a NetGalley copy to review, this is my 100% honest thoughts.
3.5 Stars
The memory Thief follows Etta in her world memories are sold to people who want to live through what that said memory is. When the leader of her city, Madame threatens to put her mother memories up for auction. Etta will do whatever she needs to save her mother. Even if she needs to join the rebel group. Etta needs to prove her allegiance to the rebel group she needs to steal a map of the Maze that is a prison.
-I really loved the idea of this book. Memories kinda work like money and where that can be stolen, bought, and sold. How people can relive through memories. I wish there was a lot more on this topic, like how it came about or more of the dark side of it.
-The writing style is very simple, with no over-the-top flowery writing.
-One thing I didn't care for was everything felt too planned out. The characters had everything handed to them in a way. Everything just worked out. I also felt that we didn't get to spend enough time in some places we bounced around a lot.
-I loved the last chunk of this book the most, the 'twist' and how everything played out was good.
-There are 4 different realms Craewick (where this book is set), Kripen, Blare, and Aravid I would read other books set in these realms because I would like to know more background info of this world.
-How memories play in this book for me and me wanting to know more about that is why there is a .5 added to this book. Other than that is a sold book, simple writing, good well wrapped up ending.
If you are looking for ex-rebel, memories that are used as power, family, and easy-to-read writing; you could enjoy this.
I was given' a NetGalley copy to review, this is my 100% honest thoughts.
I’ll be honest, the first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. I know I can’t be the only one who judges a book by its cover. Oh well. The synopsis also pulled me in because I found the idea of buying and selling memories absolutely fascinating.
Etta lives in a society where corruption and political unrest is just another day. In this society, memories are bought and sold on the open market. The book opens with the auctioning off of a criminal’s memories by the cruel Madam prior to his execution. Unfortunately for Etta, a tragic accident has left her mother committed to the asylum. The catch is, when the asylum is too full, beds are opened up by selling off a patient’s memories before they are ultimately disposed of. Madame informs Etta that her mother is about to face that fate.
Etta is desperate to do whatever it takes to save her mom. She decides to rejoin a rebel force of Memory Thieves called the Shadows even after it cost her everything four years prior. To swear loyalty to the Shadows, she must memorize the map of the maze that was created by the neighboring realm’s vicious leader. On this mission, she’s joined by Reid who is desperately trying to save his brother who is trapped in the maze.
Lauren Mansy is able to carefully craft a deliciously dark fantasy that shows us things that we are capable of in times of desperation and grief. Etta is so incredibly broken and will do anything to save her mom. Reid is at his breaking point after the disappearance of his brother. I loved the fast paced adventure once Etta officially re-joined the Shadows and the twists and turns along the way. We do get a little brief romance between Etta and Reid which was a breath of fresh air amongst all of the violence, darkness, and grief.
Overall, this is great fantasy debut that tackles the tough themes of grief and despair and how to overcome them when faced with the most dire of situations.
Thank you to Blink and NetGalley for providing an eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Etta lives in a society where corruption and political unrest is just another day. In this society, memories are bought and sold on the open market. The book opens with the auctioning off of a criminal’s memories by the cruel Madam prior to his execution. Unfortunately for Etta, a tragic accident has left her mother committed to the asylum. The catch is, when the asylum is too full, beds are opened up by selling off a patient’s memories before they are ultimately disposed of. Madame informs Etta that her mother is about to face that fate.
Etta is desperate to do whatever it takes to save her mom. She decides to rejoin a rebel force of Memory Thieves called the Shadows even after it cost her everything four years prior. To swear loyalty to the Shadows, she must memorize the map of the maze that was created by the neighboring realm’s vicious leader. On this mission, she’s joined by Reid who is desperately trying to save his brother who is trapped in the maze.
Lauren Mansy is able to carefully craft a deliciously dark fantasy that shows us things that we are capable of in times of desperation and grief. Etta is so incredibly broken and will do anything to save her mom. Reid is at his breaking point after the disappearance of his brother. I loved the fast paced adventure once Etta officially re-joined the Shadows and the twists and turns along the way. We do get a little brief romance between Etta and Reid which was a breath of fresh air amongst all of the violence, darkness, and grief.
Overall, this is great fantasy debut that tackles the tough themes of grief and despair and how to overcome them when faced with the most dire of situations.
Thank you to Blink and NetGalley for providing an eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars rounded up.
2.5 stars.
The concept of this book is so interesting. The Memory Thief takes place in a world where memories can be bought, sold, and stolen from people. This is especially an issue in the city of Craewick, where the leader (Madame) punishes people by putting them up for auction, an act that causes immense pain before the person dies.
Etta is a 17-year-old trying to stay on the sidelines of all of the unrest in the city. Four years before the story began, she caused an accident that left her mother in a coma. Etta struck a deal with Madame to keep her mother safe in the city's asylum. After Etta receives a notice stating that her mother will be part of the next round at the auction, she realizes that she must team up with the organization she betrayed years ago to save her mother's life.
As I said, the concept of the book interested me. Unfortunately, the author completely rushed the story. So many things happened out of convenience when the author could have added more details. Although the stakes were high for the character, I didn't feel the same urgency that the characters did. I'm not sure if another 50 pages would have sufficed, but at least then I would have had more time to care what happened to the characters.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. (Though this is part of my current backlog of books).
The concept of this book is so interesting. The Memory Thief takes place in a world where memories can be bought, sold, and stolen from people. This is especially an issue in the city of Craewick, where the leader (Madame) punishes people by putting them up for auction, an act that causes immense pain before the person dies.
Etta is a 17-year-old trying to stay on the sidelines of all of the unrest in the city. Four years before the story began, she caused an accident that left her mother in a coma. Etta struck a deal with Madame to keep her mother safe in the city's asylum. After Etta receives a notice stating that her mother will be part of the next round at the auction, she realizes that she must team up with the organization she betrayed years ago to save her mother's life.
As I said, the concept of the book interested me. Unfortunately, the author completely rushed the story. So many things happened out of convenience when the author could have added more details. Although the stakes were high for the character, I didn't feel the same urgency that the characters did. I'm not sure if another 50 pages would have sufficed, but at least then I would have had more time to care what happened to the characters.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. (Though this is part of my current backlog of books).
Initial Review: Just... Wow. *heart eyes*
Full Review: Oh wow, this book. When I first read the synopsis, I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. I knew that it sounded intriguing and certainly like something that I would like, but of course, every book I pick up is going to sound like that at first.
The moment I started this book, however, it had me hooked. The worldbuilding is amazing. I don't think I've fallen in love like this with the concept of a world in a very long time! Even though it was complex, it wasn't difficult to catch on to, and the author made sure to include a glossary in the back of the book that explains the different terms (which I didn't discover until I finished the book, but still, super helpful! Always check the back of the book, kids!).
When it comes to the characters, I loved them so much! Etta was such an amazing, complex character and it was wonderful watching her grow throughout this book and learn to forgive and love herself again. Ryder was such an absolute sweetheart! I loved her from the moment she showed up, and the way her story ends just might be one of my favorite things about this book. Reid was so sweet, and his story was such a great one. I loved the way he and Etta's relationship developed; they were such an important part of each other's healing. The rest of the characters were just as amazing - Greer, Etta's mother, Penn, other characters whom I will not mention because of spoilers... As for the villain and the... morally grey characters, they were those characters you love to hate. They made me so mad and I loved it!
Plot-wise, I thought I knew where this book was going. Let me tell you, I did not. There is a major plot twist that threw me off so bad for a good chapter or two because I had no idea what to believe anymore. And usually I can guess plot twists, so this was a definite plus!
All-in-all, this book exceeded my expectations and I am so happy that I was allowed to read a review copy! I highly recommend this book!
Full Review: Oh wow, this book. When I first read the synopsis, I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. I knew that it sounded intriguing and certainly like something that I would like, but of course, every book I pick up is going to sound like that at first.
The moment I started this book, however, it had me hooked. The worldbuilding is amazing. I don't think I've fallen in love like this with the concept of a world in a very long time! Even though it was complex, it wasn't difficult to catch on to, and the author made sure to include a glossary in the back of the book that explains the different terms (which I didn't discover until I finished the book, but still, super helpful! Always check the back of the book, kids!).
When it comes to the characters, I loved them so much! Etta was such an amazing, complex character and it was wonderful watching her grow throughout this book and learn to forgive and love herself again. Ryder was such an absolute sweetheart! I loved her from the moment she showed up, and the way her story ends just might be one of my favorite things about this book. Reid was so sweet, and his story was such a great one. I loved the way he and Etta's relationship developed; they were such an important part of each other's healing. The rest of the characters were just as amazing - Greer, Etta's mother, Penn, other characters whom I will not mention because of spoilers... As for the villain and the... morally grey characters, they were those characters you love to hate. They made me so mad and I loved it!
Plot-wise, I thought I knew where this book was going. Let me tell you, I did not. There is a major plot twist that threw me off so bad for a good chapter or two because I had no idea what to believe anymore. And usually I can guess plot twists, so this was a definite plus!
All-in-all, this book exceeded my expectations and I am so happy that I was allowed to read a review copy! I highly recommend this book!
Etta has the ability to steal people's memories and she also is able to keep her own memories from being stolen. Her mom is in a coma in The Asylum and is about to lose her place there and be put up for auction where her memories will be sold to the highest bidder. Once this happens, death inevitably follows. Etta will do anything to prevent this, including stealing a memory from one of the scariest people in the kingdom and allying with people that she formerly betrayed.
The blurb says this is based on the author's journey with her own mother, which I'm guessing to mean either dementia or Alzheimers. For a first novel, it is a serviceable tale of action and adventure with a little romance thrown in. There are parts that are unclear and others that are too simplistic. However, there is much that was good. This author shows great promise and her future books will be something to keep an eye on.
The blurb says this is based on the author's journey with her own mother, which I'm guessing to mean either dementia or Alzheimers. For a first novel, it is a serviceable tale of action and adventure with a little romance thrown in. There are parts that are unclear and others that are too simplistic. However, there is much that was good. This author shows great promise and her future books will be something to keep an eye on.