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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
This was quite underwhelming ngl. I thought the premise was interesting but there was not enough philosophy. Ending was unsatisfactory but I guess that makes it “realistic” bc life isn’t always satisfying etc but I definitely thought the storylines would have more intersections than they did. Most of the characters were boring and there was not enough lead up to the big reveals
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is an incredible feat of speculative fiction imagination, tackling issues as varied as memory loss/neuroplasticity, corporate corruption/malfeasance, techno-skepticism/conspiracy theorizing, PTSD, & abuse/gaslighting.
My one knock on this book (aka the only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars) is that while it is told from multiple POVs--which I generally love--there are long stretches between the POVs (ie: 80-100 pages). The effect of which is that by the time I returned to each individual story/POV I had to really strain to remember where we had last left off with this character's arc. This could have been easily solved with shorter, more intermingled chapters.
My one knock on this book (aka the only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars) is that while it is told from multiple POVs--which I generally love--there are long stretches between the POVs (ie: 80-100 pages). The effect of which is that by the time I returned to each individual story/POV I had to really strain to remember where we had last left off with this character's arc. This could have been easily solved with shorter, more intermingled chapters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma
I rated Tell Me an Ending 3/5 stars. I was really excited for this book, but it didn't work for me. This book follows several people who get an email that says they have had a memory removed, and would they like it back? They have no memory of the removal itself, or wanting the removal at all. What seemed like a high-stakes, really enticing sci-fi book ended up lagging for me. I would have preferred it to be more plot driven and linear. What was billed as a novel seemed much more like a series of short stories that weren't connected. I also didn't like Noor's chapters at all, and her chapters were the most structured. The characters didn't have depth for me, but the sheer premise kept me reading.
It took me a little longer than normal to get into this one because of the five different perspectives. I honestly don’t know how I feel about this book. I was interested in the story and the characters but it dragged a little for me. I feel like this is one of those books that you have to sit with for a while to figure out what you thought of it. The whole memory removal thing is an interesting concept that could spark a good debate.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Science has advanced to a time when people can choose to "remove" a (small) segment of their memories. But, do those memories really stay gone? What happens after?
Another book where I loved the premise, but the execution didn't wow me in the same way. I did appreciate the ways in which some of the characters' stories overlapped, but several endings were unsatisfying and I'm not sure I believed the motivations and decisions of several of the main players.
Another book where I loved the premise, but the execution didn't wow me in the same way. I did appreciate the ways in which some of the characters' stories overlapped, but several endings were unsatisfying and I'm not sure I believed the motivations and decisions of several of the main players.
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced