Tags
author, book, book reviews, books, characters, fiction, Genesis Lee, memories, Mystery, novel, read, reader, review, romance, sci-fi, science fiction, Shallee McArthur, The Unhappening of Genesis Lee, writer, YA, young adult
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 352
Point of View: First (Gena)
Released: November 18, 2014
Predictability: 2 out of 5 (Where 1 is George RR Martin (If the characters make a plan or think about the future I know it isn’t going to go that way.) And 5 is Cinder (where I guessed what was going to happen long before it did, but it was still a great book.)
Source: Edelweiss
My Rating: 7/10 Stars
Summary:
In a world where people wear their memories in beads, someone is stealing them.
(Yep, that’s it one sentence tells you all you need to know. Sound good?)
Set Up:
The Mementi (people with memories in beads called links) founded the city of Havendale so they would have a place to belong, since they are ostracized in the outside world. However, in Havendale the Populous (what the Mementi call normal people) are only able to have menial labor jobs and are looked down upon.
The company of Archon was founded to use the Mementi’s intellect and skills to make the world better for them through the creation of new technologies. Since every Mementi has stock in Archon, they all have plenty of money, where all of the Populous in the city are poor.
Okay, a little more summary:
Genesis Lee is a Mementi living in Havendale. She’s trying to discover who’s behind the Link thefts when she runs into Kalan, a populous boy who may be the only one who can help her.
My Review:
Some would consider this a dystopian, and though the city of Havendale has a dystopian feel to it the plot is really more mystery.
At first glance this book has a really strange cover, but after reading it, it totally makes sense, (Gena is in ballet and dreams of being an astronaut.) and one of the themes of this book is about her being who she really is instead of who her parents want her to be.
The Good:
The Mementi had a cool culture, they’re always polite (because no one wants someone to have a bad memory of them) and they wear lots of covering clothing since one touch with another Mementi can transfer memories. Thought really went into what it would be like for those who could never forget. I like the whole Mementi can absorb knowledge into their brains thing. (Reminded me of the Matrix.)
The history behind what created the Mementi made sense, so often in a book like this the author has a cool concept, but the explanation of how this world came to be is lacking.
The romance was sweet, no instant romance here, it was gradual and well done. I liked both of the main characters, especially Gena. She got so strong over the course of this novel. The minor characters were well done too, but this novel was mostly about Gena and Kalan.
This book was surprisingly deep at times when talking about what memories one would want to forget and keeping all of your memories to deal with them properly.
There were several twists and I didn’t guess any of them except the last one, so it was a good little mystery. Unhappening had a good ending too, (I’m not saying happily ever after or not, since most of you know I’m a fan of that and I wouldn’t want spoilers.) I mean that everything was wrapped up. I don’t know if this will be a series, but if it’s not I’m happy with that.
The Not As Good: (Since none of these things are really bad)
There are a couple of little editing mistakes, like when they were listing off names one was mentioned twice as though the first time hadn’t happened, and there’s a little annoying thing that happens to contradict what was already said in the end, but that could’ve just been the character’s doing. Neither of these things took away from the book though and this was an arc.
One of Gena’s friends has conveniently hacked almost every system in the city. I wish it had been Gena with this ability and a little more explanation was given, but the hacking wasn’t just used as an easy get out of jail free card.
In the middle of the book there are lots of Christian beliefs talked about, the love interest Kalan is Christian. Sometimes this can get a little preachy, but it was okay here, just another part to a character not the author trying to convince the readers of his/her beliefs.
I didn’t ‘feel’ her panic attacks, but it was a fine attempt. I was afraid she was going to go with the PTSD is cured instantly thing, but she didn’t, so kudos!
The Bad: Gena insulted fedoras. Fedoras are cool! (Now I sound like the 11th doctor, but still.)
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Would I read something else by this author? Yep.
Would you want to remember everything? I would! I have a good memory already (one of those I have to pretend not to remember all of the things I do, because otherwise people would think I’m weird-er.) but I’m always forgetting little things, like what I walked in the room for or what I wanted to get at the store, (or most importantly story ideas) I realize remembering everything means the bad things too, but the worst memories are imprinted into my brain anyway. And the best part would be never having to worry I’d forget a story someone told me. (Though it would make rereading books harder)
Oh GOOD! I am going to be reading this soon, and I was nervous. True story, I’d make fun of the fedoras too 😉 No, but I am so glad that this was good! And I LOVE a sweet, non-instalove romance. I am definitely nervous about the preachy aspect though. But since you said it is only the character, I guess I can handle it. I hope. Great review, I am much more excited about this book now!
No reason to be nervous, I really enjoyed it. Well I like fedoras. :p I liked the romance too and though this could be a standalone book, there’s room for them to grow closer and definitely more problems in the world. The preachy thing wasn’t bad and it’s really only in the middle for a bit. I’m glad. Thanks. 🙂
Fedoras! Lol. Very interesting concept with the memories. Glad you enjoyed this one:)
Thanks, I did enjoy it. I needed a good book. 🙂 That’s what grabbed me, I’d never read anything about stolen memories before.
Okay. You got my attention with that one sentence summary. This looks like a very interesting read although I share your dismay over the insulting of fedoras.I’ve been looking for books with unique premises, and that are sort of cross-genre. Thanks for the great review review Molly. I think I may need to add this to my must read list which is totally out of control!
hehe that’s what I was going for. I love it when a book can be reduced to one sentence. This one certainly has a unique premise. I know, my to read list is terrible. (I had to organize it into different lists) I hope that you like it.
I have this for review and need to start it soon. Great review Molly and I agree about the Fedora 😉
I hope that you enjoy it. Thank you. I’m glad you recognize the awesomeness that is the fedora. 😉
It’s too bad about the editing things but in a whole it sounds interesting. I didn’t know about this one but I just love the cover and story sounds original too. I’m glad we don’t have insta-love here.
After editing my story so much I notice these things way too easily, most people probably wouldn’t notice the first thing, it was really only the one time where I was like, “well why didn’t she do this…” Again, could’ve just been the character, it was a tense moment, so I can excuse her being stupid. It is good and certainly original, with a cute love. I’m just nit-picky about these things.
YOu know I never really thought about giving books a predictability rating but its a cool idea! You’re so right sometimes things are predicitable but can still be enjoyable.
Thank you. 🙂 I found I kept wanting to mention twists in the book, but I didn’t want to spoil anything, so I came up with this alternative. And no, predictable isn’t always a bad thing.
Sounds really interesting, though the Christian bit in the middle might give me pause… not because I’m against religion in books — especially if it’s done well — but because of past experiences I’ve had where I realized I’d just been tricked into reading a preachy Christian book. Not cool!
I agree, it isn’t fun to read a book when the author’s main goal seems to be to convert you to their religion. It’s okay here, it almost gets annoying, but then it stops, so it really doesn’t hurt the book. I think it’s still worth reading. 🙂
This actually sounds really interesting. I might be adding this to my TBR pile. 🙂
I was expected another dystopian, so I was pleasantly surprised by this book. If you choose to read it I hope you like it. I know how it goes with to be read lists, why I have a might read list too.
I laughed at your fedora comment! My dad bought a fedora once and brought it home and my mom said “Good god what is that” and he goes “A fedora! Fedoras are cool!” LOL.
This sounds like it might be an interesting read! I find the cover a bit odd, but I’m always drawn to odd and/or space-y covers. They tend to grab my attention the most. 😛 Great review!
hehe I’m glad. Your dad has good taste. 😉
I thought the cover was odd too until I read the book, but then it somehow made sense. Thank you!
Oooh…I’m not usually one for preachy books so I’m a bit weary now. This one does sound interesting though (that’s a great summary :P). I’ve been looking out for a nice sweet slooooburn romance for eons now so I’m glad that there’s one in this. Fantastic review! 🙂
hehe thanks. I’m not either, but the preachy-ness was okay in this book. (Just on the verge or annoying.) I know, I love sweet slow romances, I don’t understand why there aren’t more of them. Thank you. 🙂
This has an interesting premise-the memory beads idea isn’t one I’ve read about before. I may have to check this book out 🙂
I hadn’t heard of this premise before either, that’s what drew my attention to the book. I’m glad it was as good as it sounded. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Well, this sounds nice enough. Not usually the kind of book I would pick up (ugh–preachy character) but maybe? Fabulous review, Molly!! (I like the cover.)
It wasn’t what I expected, but it was good. The male love interest was religious, but it was only on the verge of preachy. I was getting annoyed, then it stopped. Thank you!
Insulted fedoras??! WHAT IS WRONG WITH HER?! *ahem* But, this does sound good and…yes. I would like to remember everything. Or just something? I have the woooorst memory of the world. I was even talking to one of my friends about writing and she mentioned a book I had written…but I didn’t even remember I had written it. *embarrassed headdesk* I TOTALLY forgot about it. And I only wrote it at the beginning of the year. So yes. Memory would be nice. Mine functions at about 33%.
I thinK I would like to try this book (the title is awesome!) although I’m cautious about the preachy bit in the middle. Not my cuppa tea. But I do want to try it. XD
Haha I know, right? Who doesn’t like fedoras? (Besides Shannon) Well, at least that way you can read your own writing objectively, it’s new to you. 😉 I hope that you like the book, I enjoyed it. Preachy isn’t my cup of tea other, but the religious parts were ignorable in an otherwise good book.
Yay, no insta-love!! I HATE grammar errors. I mean yeah it’s an ARC but still…. HAHAHAHA the fedora XD I don’t know how I feel about the preachy-ness … Lovely review ❤
I was pleasantly surprised to find a nice, slow relationship for a change. I know, I’m terrible at noticing errors anymore, these were more inconsistencies than grammar, which is even worse, but hopefully they’ll be fixed. Yeah, the preachy-ness was almost annoying, but then luckily it stopped. Thank you! 🙂