The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy

The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy is a YA Fantasy out now!

“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.”

I really enjoyed the idea behind this book and the unique use of memories as something prized and even stolen. It made the world-building fun to explore, and honestly is what pushed me to finish this book.

When it came to the dialogue, it all felt a bit flat leading me to have short bursts of boredom. I also wasn’t the biggest fan of how the main character connected with the others. She didn’t have much to invest in personally, so I wasn’t really cheering for her in the book.

I gave this one 3 out of 5 stars as it still was a really interesting concept, just the character’s execution wasn’t my favorite story to dive into.

Published: 1 October 2019

Publisher: Blink

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 368

How I Read It: eARC from Xpresso Book Tours

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All of my book reviews contain my honest opinion only and are not influenced in any way.*

“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. You can visit her online at www.laurenmansy.com.”