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3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This was a middle of the road YA fantasy novel in a crowded field of stand out works. The plot and characters started out intriguing but did not stand up as the book progressed and fell flat. It seemed almost as though maybe a bit more editing would have helped to clean up the story line, and keep it cohesive throughout. Overall, I'm interested in what else this author puts out but not certain if there was enough character and world building in this novel to seek a sequel read. So, just an okay read. This isn't my go-to genre though so people drawn into fantasy YA might totally love this. And I may give it a try again later. Sometimes its timing with books like this.
#TheMemoryThief #NetGalley #Blink
#TheMemoryThief #NetGalley #Blink
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
„The Memory Thief” had the loveliest, most interesting premise that unfortunately wasn’t delivered upon.
We enter a world where memories can be stolen or bought. Where they can be a sought after drug and commodity of more value than gold. They can also come with a set of abilities leaving their previour owner a shadow of their former self and the new owner an addict with a haze in their eyes. It is a dangerous world indeed, where skin must be protected at all cost because it is how the Gifted can steal what’s yours and shouldn’t be anyone else’s.
The novel starts on a high note with the main character Etta receiving a notice that her mother who has been in a coma for the past 4 years will soon be auctioned by the ruthless leader of their city. To prevent that from happening Etta has no choice but to reach out to Shadows who she is currently estranged with but used to work for.
The memory auction sets the book off in a terrific way. We know that the stakes are high, the rules are unforgivably strict and the leader is a ruthless power hungry maniac ruling a city so desperate it reeks of it. In a way it reminded me of Ketterdam in „Six of Crows”; with the desperation and misery so palpable I could feel it. Happiness such a foreign, luxurious emotion that no one would dare fall into it because what if it gets stolen and the loss is too hard to come back from? Etta is a guilt ridden young woman whose actions show how much she wants to atone for sins we later learn that might not be hers to begin with.
Unfortunately as soon as deals are struck and Etta emabrks on a journey with Reid (who is a Sifter and can take memories from another person by sight), pacing start being all over the place. I would get from point A to B, declarations would be made, lost ones would be recovered and mysteries would be unveiled and truth be told I was holding my Kindle and thinking: „…wait, WHAT?”. It all happened way too fast. Someone who has never known to have much of an extended family won’t start calling their grandfather that having spent 2 scenes with them. It just… doesn’t happen? Not in my book. Relationships, be that a friendship or love and most certainly love (!) need room to breathe, they need to be built up. There needs to be a certain level of exposure because otherwise we have characters that go places and start developing these feelings that have no root whatsoever in their current given reality.
At the end of the day execution fell flat. While a way with words and storytelling skill were definitely there and I could really congratulate Lauren Mansy for writing in an engaging way that would ultimately make for a great fantasy story, I think that it could reach its fullest potential if expanded into 2 books instead of squashed into a standalone single novel. Had that story had more room, it would gave grown into something way better – with relationships property developed and us readers not shoved from one big action moment to another.
I’m giving it 3 stars but it’s more than it has in my head. The extra star is for a great premise that I feel could have become a hit fantasy hit.
**massive thank you to the publishers and Edelweiss+ for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
We enter a world where memories can be stolen or bought. Where they can be a sought after drug and commodity of more value than gold. They can also come with a set of abilities leaving their previour owner a shadow of their former self and the new owner an addict with a haze in their eyes. It is a dangerous world indeed, where skin must be protected at all cost because it is how the Gifted can steal what’s yours and shouldn’t be anyone else’s.
The novel starts on a high note with the main character Etta receiving a notice that her mother who has been in a coma for the past 4 years will soon be auctioned by the ruthless leader of their city. To prevent that from happening Etta has no choice but to reach out to Shadows who she is currently estranged with but used to work for.
The memory auction sets the book off in a terrific way. We know that the stakes are high, the rules are unforgivably strict and the leader is a ruthless power hungry maniac ruling a city so desperate it reeks of it. In a way it reminded me of Ketterdam in „Six of Crows”; with the desperation and misery so palpable I could feel it. Happiness such a foreign, luxurious emotion that no one would dare fall into it because what if it gets stolen and the loss is too hard to come back from? Etta is a guilt ridden young woman whose actions show how much she wants to atone for sins we later learn that might not be hers to begin with.
Unfortunately as soon as deals are struck and Etta emabrks on a journey with Reid (who is a Sifter and can take memories from another person by sight), pacing start being all over the place. I would get from point A to B, declarations would be made, lost ones would be recovered and mysteries would be unveiled and truth be told I was holding my Kindle and thinking: „…wait, WHAT?”. It all happened way too fast. Someone who has never known to have much of an extended family won’t start calling their grandfather that having spent 2 scenes with them. It just… doesn’t happen? Not in my book. Relationships, be that a friendship or love and most certainly love (!) need room to breathe, they need to be built up. There needs to be a certain level of exposure because otherwise we have characters that go places and start developing these feelings that have no root whatsoever in their current given reality.
At the end of the day execution fell flat. While a way with words and storytelling skill were definitely there and I could really congratulate Lauren Mansy for writing in an engaging way that would ultimately make for a great fantasy story, I think that it could reach its fullest potential if expanded into 2 books instead of squashed into a standalone single novel. Had that story had more room, it would gave grown into something way better – with relationships property developed and us readers not shoved from one big action moment to another.
I’m giving it 3 stars but it’s more than it has in my head. The extra star is for a great premise that I feel could have become a hit fantasy hit.
**massive thank you to the publishers and Edelweiss+ for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
For a book that has such a high focus on memory I found this, unfortunately, very hard to remember.
I loved the premise of The Memory Thief. The idea that memories can be used not only as a bartering system but also as a form or reward or punishment was so intriguing to me. This magic system is what kept me reading - I wanted to know more. While memories kept me reading, though, what this book severely lacked and what ultimately made me lose interest was development. The characters came across as very bland and I had no connection to them at all. The same goes for the world building. It all felt very rushed to me, as though the author decided on the plot and added everything else in as a quick filler to get to the conclusion as fast as possible. It was unsatisfying.
I think The Memory Thief had a TON of potential to be a fantastic and immersive book but the lack of detail and development turned it into a missed opportunity.
Having a strong beginning and a good ending mean nothing if the journey is wasted.
I will continue to keep an eye on this author, I feel like I can see what she's capable of and I really hope to see her get there in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I loved the premise of The Memory Thief. The idea that memories can be used not only as a bartering system but also as a form or reward or punishment was so intriguing to me. This magic system is what kept me reading - I wanted to know more. While memories kept me reading, though, what this book severely lacked and what ultimately made me lose interest was development. The characters came across as very bland and I had no connection to them at all. The same goes for the world building. It all felt very rushed to me, as though the author decided on the plot and added everything else in as a quick filler to get to the conclusion as fast as possible. It was unsatisfying.
I think The Memory Thief had a TON of potential to be a fantastic and immersive book but the lack of detail and development turned it into a missed opportunity.
Having a strong beginning and a good ending mean nothing if the journey is wasted.
I will continue to keep an eye on this author, I feel like I can see what she's capable of and I really hope to see her get there in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
For my full review click here
The Memory Thief is an interesting concept. The idea of memories as currency and rankings in society based on your memories is fascinating and definitely something out of a science fiction James Cameron type movie.
The Memory Thief goes through the pros and cons of trading your memories to live. But it’s not just living. It’s surviving under a ruler that is quickly becoming a dictator. Etta, our main character needs to not just save her mother. She needs to remember who, exactly, she is.
The Memory Thief is an interesting concept. The idea of memories as currency and rankings in society based on your memories is fascinating and definitely something out of a science fiction James Cameron type movie.
The Memory Thief goes through the pros and cons of trading your memories to live. But it’s not just living. It’s surviving under a ruler that is quickly becoming a dictator. Etta, our main character needs to not just save her mother. She needs to remember who, exactly, she is.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow, wow, wow. This book sucked me in from the very beginning and the stakes are so high that I couldn't put it down. Mansy created a world very different from our own but one that is easy to jump into and understand. It's easy to fall in love with the characters and understand why they are doing what they are doing. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and cannot wait for everyone else to read it.
It's a good book overall with some solid twists, but it seems a little too saccharine for my taste. Relatively solid characters and believable world building. Both of which I wish had more solid follow through throughout the novel. There were individual parts of the book that were marvelous: the memory system (sans rapid introduction of variations), the maze (sans fairytale garden and mansion on the top), dark forboding city/man that turns into pivitol caring place/character (I wish we had more time with him in his city), the Shadows (minus their leader having an unprovoked change of heart), the complex evil ruler, the asylum, the different factions of gifted. However, squeezing them into one book gave each piece less attention and time.
There isn't enough build up or time between events, just one after another, after another. it seemed like the author was trying to fit in too much content, which made the resolutions of most events cliche and surface level. And although there is hardship it's covered by sticky sweet meet-ups and sugary sentimentality. When there is grit, it's brushed over too quickly and resolved before I have a chance to feel for the characters.
Ideally this book would have ended in Aravid with the revaluations and continued into another novel. It would have given more time and space for the characters to grow and for event to be believable. The timeline could then be extended past 5-7 days to literally travel between three different realms, fight a war, fall in love, reunite family, experience loss, and reveal/explore the numberous variations. Not to mention all the other things that happened.
There isn't enough build up or time between events, just one after another, after another. it seemed like the author was trying to fit in too much content, which made the resolutions of most events cliche and surface level. And although there is hardship it's covered by sticky sweet meet-ups and sugary sentimentality. When there is grit, it's brushed over too quickly and resolved before I have a chance to feel for the characters.
Ideally this book would have ended in Aravid with the revaluations and continued into another novel. It would have given more time and space for the characters to grow and for event to be believable. The timeline could then be extended past 5-7 days to literally travel between three different realms, fight a war, fall in love, reunite family, experience loss, and reveal/explore the numberous variations. Not to mention all the other things that happened.