ABOUT THE BOOK
From the New York Times bestselling author of Dark Matter and the Wayward Pines trilogy comes a relentless thriller about time, identity, and memory—his most ambitious, mind-boggling, irresistible work to date.
“An action-packed, brilliantly unique ride that had me up late and shirking responsibilities until I had devoured the last page . . . a fantastic read.”—Andy Weir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian
Memory makes reality. That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.
Neuroscientist Helena Smith already understands the power of memory. It’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious moments of our pasts. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent.
As Barry searches for the truth, he comes face-to-face with an opponent more terrifying than any disease—a force that attacks not just our minds but the very fabric of the past. And as its effects begin to unmake the world as we know it, only he and Helena, working together, will stand a chance at defeating it.
But how can they make a stand when reality itself is shifting and crumbling all around them?
published by MacMillan
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon UK £10.23
Goldsboro Books – signed first edition £25
hive.co.uk £10.49
whsmith £10.49
MY REVIEW
Mind. Blown!!
I really don’t know how to review this book without giving too much away! Just be prepared when you pick this up to have your mind messed with – in a very good way! It can feel a little overwhelming at times and you might even think you’re suffering from ‘False Memory Syndrome’ too as you struggle to comprehend what is going on – but stick with it!!
In 2018, Barry is sent as a police officer to talk down a suicidal woman from the top of a building – he fails. While talking to ‘Ann’ he feels her pain as she is suffering ‘False Memory Syndrome’ which has begun to affect many – leaving them with memories of lives they never lived and being unable to cope with the sadness and loss that those lives entailed…. even though they didn’t actually happen. As he investigates further when talking to the family of Ann he begins to sense there’s more going on but isn’t really quite sure what!
At the same time we follow the story of Helen who is a scientist working on a way of helping those with memory loss/alzheimers, which is close to her heart as her own mother is suffering from alzheimers and it’s heartbreaking for her and her dad to watch a woman they love fade in front of their eyes. As with any research, money is always needed and when she’s offered unlimited finances by a mysterious benefactor she has no option but to get on board – but does he have the same good intentions as she does?
There’s a lot of time jumping in this book – memories play a key part (obviously!) and the need to stay on top of what is real life memory and what isn’t is huge. There is so much to take in at times but it’s all so well paced that you just can’t help stay involved and eager to see where it all leads. There’s always that feeling as to why would certain people be interested in this advancement and for what purpose would this scientific breakthrough be used – the reality is scarier than anything I could have imagined!
I loved the way it showed the human element and cost of the power of memories and what hold they have – even when they didn’t really happen but your mind has made you think they did. And then showing the cost of using this technology for good, or is it bad?, really gets you thinking.
There needs to be a movie of this.. and soon!!!! Loved it!!
★★★★★
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