The Memory Thief is a young adult fantasy novel written by Lauren Mansy. The book is set to be published on October 1, 2019.
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Synopsis
In the city of Craewick, memories reign. The power-obsessed ruler of the city, Madame, has cultivated a society in which memories are currency, citizens are divided by ability, and Gifted individuals can take memories from others through touch as they please.
Seventeen-year-old Etta Lark is desperate to live outside of the corrupt culture, but grapples with the guilt of an accident that has left her mother bedridden in the city’s asylum. When Madame threatens to put her mother up for auction, a Craewick practice in which a “criminal’s” memories are sold to the highest bidder before being killed, Etta will do whatever it takes to save her. Even if it means rejoining the Shadows, the rebel group she swore off in the wake of the accident years earlier.
To prove her allegiance to the Shadows and rescue her mother, Etta must steal a memorized map of the Maze, a formidable prison created by the bloodthirsty ruler of a neighboring Realm. So she sets out on a journey in which she faces startling attacks, unexpected romance, and, above all, her own past in order to set things right in her world.
- Author: Lauren Mansy
- Publisher: Blink
- Publication Date: October 1, 2019
- Book Length: 368 pages
- Genre: YA Fantasy
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Review
The Memory Thief is a young-adult fantasy novel written by Lauren Mansy. This novel was released on October 1, 2019, and is published by Blink. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Seventeen-year-old Etta Lark has been living as an ungifted teenager for the past four years, but her past catches up on her when her bedridden mother, whose state fails to improve, is offered to auction. In this world, memories are currencies, and skills and happy memories are the most valuable. In an attempt to save her mother from Madame, a power-thirsty ruler, Etta pledges herself to Bray, the leader of the Shadows, a resistance to Madame’s regime.
Etta strikes a deal where she must steal specific memories from Porter, a villain, to help the Shadows take down Madame. Only then will the Shadows help her mother. Etta is running against the clock and begins a journey where she has to face her past and her memories while dealing with an unexpected romance.
This book is a fascinating ride. The world building is intriguing, as I have never read a book that treats memories as currencies. The ramifications made this book unique. The pacing keeps you on your toes. I read this book very quickly, maybe too quickly, and here and there I was a little lost. If there is one thing negative about this book, it is that I wanted to know more about this world and its rules. At times, the story felt rushed.
I enjoyed reading about Etta, Ryder, and Reid. Etta is protective and selfless. I rooted for her pretty fast. Ryder is one of my favorite characters. She is fearless, witty, and adorable. Reid is such a wonderful character too—forgiving, badass, and sweet. All the characters are flawed, but they fight for what they believe in. The dynamics between them is interesting.
This was a fast and fun read. The banter, the conflict, and the plot twists made this book a real page-turner. This is a four-star rating for me.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
About Lauren Mansy
Lauren lives in the Chicago area, where she’s spent years working with youth, from young children to high schoolers. When she’s not writing, Lauren is usually with her family or exploring the city to find the best deep dish pizza. The Memory Thief, which was inspired by Lauren’s own journey with her mother, is her first novel.
Giveaway
PRIZE: Win a finished copy of The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy + a poster and signed bookplate (USA only)
Starts: October 14, 2019 – Ends: October 26, 2019
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