A review by boocwurm
Tell Me an Ending by Jo Harkin

emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 
What if you once had a painful memory removed? And what if you were offered the chance to get it back? Tell Me an Ending follows four characters grappling with the question of what to remember—and what they hoped to forget forever. 
 
Hello speculative fiction goodness! Tell Me an Ending was a gripping, thought-provoking, sad and page-turning read from start to finish. Noor, the introductory character, works at a memory removal clinic, Nepenthe. When Nepenthe lands in hot water regarding failed procedures, Noor discovers that not everything at Nepenthe is what it seems. Mei, Finn, William and Oscar each struggle with their own circumstances regarding their memories, each with their own tragic or happy endings. 
 
I really appreciated how to-the-point the opening scenes were in establishing what Nepenthe is, what they do and what the major conflict is. Not all dystopian/spec fiction books do this well, but this one certainly did—no confusion to be found. 
 
Each of the main characters were distinct and interesting, with their own unique voices and conflicts. The POVs throughout the book change at great points to kept the reader guessing. The timelines differ a little, so it was confusing at times to place events in the correct order. However, by the end, you can clearly see all the stories connecting. I really enjoyed how everything got tied together by the ending. I grieved for some characters, celebrated others, and contemplated how some could possibly move forward. 
 
In some instances, I was expecting worse “reveals” and was surprised that not everything was as severe as I anticipated. However, this actually worked in the book’s favor, highlighting how deeply a singular event could affect someone and how someone could or could not move on. 
 
I found the story to be cohesive and satisfying overall. It’s a very intriguing story that kept me thinking long after I turned the final page. 
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