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Last Memoria
(Memoria Duology #1)
by
A character driven and heartbreaking, dark-fantasy thriller about flawed people making flawed decisions. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets Joe Abercrombie.
SPFBO 2020 Finalist.
Sarilla has learnt one thing from stealing memories. Everybody lies.
There's nothing Sarilla hates more than stealing memories, but the king forces her to take them to keep his subjects in li ...more
SPFBO 2020 Finalist.
Sarilla has learnt one thing from stealing memories. Everybody lies.
There's nothing Sarilla hates more than stealing memories, but the king forces her to take them to keep his subjects in li ...more
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Update 2: Holly 🐄 you have to read this book because it's amazing and because I love it and because you will love it and because I can't stop thinking about it and because I can't read something else without taking breaks to think at it!!!
Does this review work for you??? How can you sit and write down a review for a book that you feel you could keep rereading it for the rest of your life, for a book that when you want to recommend it to people, you see yourself whispering in their ear "If you d ...more
Does this review work for you??? How can you sit and write down a review for a book that you feel you could keep rereading it for the rest of your life, for a book that when you want to recommend it to people, you see yourself whispering in their ear "If you d ...more
Everybody Lies, Cheats and Steals!
This was such a great surprise and I was completely blown away! So much happened in this book and not one bit was predictable and everything in it was completely different from everything I have ever read before. I liked that it followed a kind of standard fantasy format of a journey that the main characters were on where they were not all necessarily friends but they had to fight together and they became the people the each other needed to rely on to survive.
An ...more
This was such a great surprise and I was completely blown away! So much happened in this book and not one bit was predictable and everything in it was completely different from everything I have ever read before. I liked that it followed a kind of standard fantasy format of a journey that the main characters were on where they were not all necessarily friends but they had to fight together and they became the people the each other needed to rely on to survive.
An ...more
It is funny how the last book I read was about people losing their memories after using magic and this one is about people who can steal memories and it is totally coincidental!!
5/5 stars
At the start of this year, I made a mental note to myself that I would be extremely picky on the ARCs I’d request and/or except, in order not to overwhelm myself in this busy time. Unless I was already highly anticipating a release, I wasn’t going to let myself be tempted… Yet something about the synopsis of Last Memoria made me break my own rule. When the author approached me, offering an ARC in exchange for an honest review, I was intrigued enough to dive in blind. And I came out wit ...more
At the start of this year, I made a mental note to myself that I would be extremely picky on the ARCs I’d request and/or except, in order not to overwhelm myself in this busy time. Unless I was already highly anticipating a release, I wasn’t going to let myself be tempted… Yet something about the synopsis of Last Memoria made me break my own rule. When the author approached me, offering an ARC in exchange for an honest review, I was intrigued enough to dive in blind. And I came out wit ...more
Sarilla has learnt one thing from stealing memories. Everybody lies.
Last Memoria’s cover and blurb picked my interest as soon as Weatherwax Report announced it as their SPFBO 2020 finalist. Strong opening chapters coupled with an interesting premise (memory thieves) made me eager to dive into the story. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book, but for different reasons than expected. In the Last Memoria, nothing is what it initially seems.
Plot & Structure
The story, divided into two parts told in first-pe ...more
Last Memoria’s cover and blurb picked my interest as soon as Weatherwax Report announced it as their SPFBO 2020 finalist. Strong opening chapters coupled with an interesting premise (memory thieves) made me eager to dive into the story. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book, but for different reasons than expected. In the Last Memoria, nothing is what it initially seems.
Plot & Structure
The story, divided into two parts told in first-pe ...more
*I read this as it's a finalist in the #SPFBO and I'm a judge*
Sarilla is a Memori, able to steal memories from those the King wants her to search. She doesn't enjoy her job, but she has been forced into it, and we pick up her story as she's trying to make a break for it with her family.
Falcon is a man who has had his memories wiped. He doesn't remember lots of his last 6 months, and yet he also has a feeling he needs to uncover the truth. When their oaths clash it's a quest to see who can revea ...more
Sarilla is a Memori, able to steal memories from those the King wants her to search. She doesn't enjoy her job, but she has been forced into it, and we pick up her story as she's trying to make a break for it with her family.
Falcon is a man who has had his memories wiped. He doesn't remember lots of his last 6 months, and yet he also has a feeling he needs to uncover the truth. When their oaths clash it's a quest to see who can revea ...more
[actual rating: 4.5 stars] [
available now
!] i enjoyed Last Memoria even more than i thought i would. it is the first book in the Memoria Duology series and it follows the story of Sarilla, who is half-human and half-Memoria—which basically means that, just like her siblings, Rysen and Lya, she has the power to steal memories from other people by simply touching them with her hands. as a consequence, however, her hands and arms are almost completely covered in black marks – one for each memor
...more
"Everyone lies. Everyone cheats. Everyone steals. Some are just better at hiding it than others"
The cover of this book is gorgeous. I was equally as enthralled when I discovered that the audiobook was part-narrated by the author, Rachel Emma Shaw, who I discovered has a beautiful reading voice. I also don’t read a lot of duologies (series in two-parts), so, with this trio of selling points, I eagerly started the audiobook of Last Memoria.
The cover of this book is gorgeous. I was equally as enthralled when I discovered that the audiobook was part-narrated by the author, Rachel Emma Shaw, who I discovered has a beautiful reading voice. I also don’t read a lot of duologies (series in two-parts), so, with this trio of selling points, I eagerly started the audiobook of Last Memoria.
"He was a stranger to her. No more than a story that h...more
I'm making it my mission this SPFBO to read each of my fellow finalists, of which THE LAST MEMORIA is my first! This book truly has one of the most unique and fascinating magic systems I've ever seen, with its magic users being able to steal, share, or erase memories at will with the touch of a hand. It's a power that's deeply feared and loathed by the people of this world, and for very good reason - our heroine Sarilla, with her gloves, her distinctive hair, and her unhappy past reminded me a l
...more
Jan 26, 2020
Jack
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
a-what-a-twist,
evil,
loved-it,
arc,
betrayals,
fantasy,
read-in-2020,
original-races,
original-world,
girl-power
(This review based on ARC provided by the author)
Okay, I had quite a journey with this one. In the end, I can definitely say this is one of the best things I've read in a long time, and not only because it covers ideas I love -- (view spoiler).
The beginning feels... difficult, the text is over-complicated with explanations I didn't quite need (basically, some parts looked like, f.e.,"'I'll take it,' I said ...more
Okay, I had quite a journey with this one. In the end, I can definitely say this is one of the best things I've read in a long time, and not only because it covers ideas I love -- (view spoiler).
The beginning feels... difficult, the text is over-complicated with explanations I didn't quite need (basically, some parts looked like, f.e.,"'I'll take it,' I said ...more
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Zoë Leonarczyk
Last Memoria is a short book that packs an unbelievable amount of content within and it is amazing just how much of a story the author was able to get out of it. This is definitely one of those books that start off a little rocky, but gets better and better with each chapter. There was just so much thrown at you in the first few chapters with little explanation, but the more you read, the more everything comes together and aligns i ...more
Last Memoria is a short book that packs an unbelievable amount of content within and it is amazing just how much of a story the author was able to get out of it. This is definitely one of those books that start off a little rocky, but gets better and better with each chapter. There was just so much thrown at you in the first few chapters with little explanation, but the more you read, the more everything comes together and aligns i ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed Last Memoria! High praise for this one. I’m absolutely looking forward to the next book. I feel like it’s a fantastic start to this duology.
It follows a Memoria named Sarilla who has been forced by the crown to take people’s memories. Whether to make them forget, for information, for punishment – she’s been made to do it and she wants out. The more memories she takes, the closer to madness she falls and the more she’s burdened by the guilt of what she’s done.
In her tr ...more
It follows a Memoria named Sarilla who has been forced by the crown to take people’s memories. Whether to make them forget, for information, for punishment – she’s been made to do it and she wants out. The more memories she takes, the closer to madness she falls and the more she’s burdened by the guilt of what she’s done.
In her tr ...more
I read this for SPFBO. Links and info at the bottom.
This was very different than what I expected and it has taken me awhile to wrap ahead around my feelings about it.
I didn’t read the summary other than the “Sunshine meets Abercrombie” so I was expecting a slower exploration of memory, and maybe sad cryfest, with a feel-good ending (I haven’t seen Eternal Sunshine or read any Abercrombie). This wasn’t any of that. Well, except maybe the memory exploration but there was certainly nothing feel-go ...more
This was very different than what I expected and it has taken me awhile to wrap ahead around my feelings about it.
I didn’t read the summary other than the “Sunshine meets Abercrombie” so I was expecting a slower exploration of memory, and maybe sad cryfest, with a feel-good ending (I haven’t seen Eternal Sunshine or read any Abercrombie). This wasn’t any of that. Well, except maybe the memory exploration but there was certainly nothing feel-go ...more
Review coming in february
Nov 18, 2020
Arlena
marked it as to-read
You had me at Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets Joe Abercrombie.
Oct 25, 2020
Mark Lawrence
added it
I haven't read this book, but it's a finalist in this year's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off, so it must be good!
See the finalist board here:
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/... ...more
See the finalist board here:
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/... ...more
She was a child of two opposing worlds. The embodiment of black and white, but rather than mixing to grey, the two halves divided her with their territories and battlegrounds, leaving her an extreme in every way possible.
Last Memoria by Rachel Emma Shaw is a dark and tragic tale illustrating the journey of a memory thief attempting to right the wrongs she has wrought. At its core it analyzes the controversial debate of nature versus nurture, and ultimately details the somber realities associ ...more
Sarilla is a Memoria - both hated and valued for her ability to steal memories. When she is reunited with Falon - a man who has no memory of ever loving her, finally she can find some redemption.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sarilla was owned by the King, his pet, his monster. She stole memories from his enemies, to inflict pain and discover their secrets for her master. She has no freedom, and no choice. This will be her role until she is driven mad by the ...more
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sarilla was owned by the King, his pet, his monster. She stole memories from his enemies, to inflict pain and discover their secrets for her master. She has no freedom, and no choice. This will be her role until she is driven mad by the ...more
(Review based on ARC provided by author)
The thing with a fantasy superpower is; you can tell when the writer has thought through the implications and when they haven’t. When they haven’t you can spot the plot holes and the “but if they can do X then why not Y?” moments coming a mile off. Fantasy superpowers work best when the writer has not only through through all the logical implications, but also made them central and essential to the narrative.
I’d argue that The Last Memoria by Rachel Shaw i ...more
The thing with a fantasy superpower is; you can tell when the writer has thought through the implications and when they haven’t. When they haven’t you can spot the plot holes and the “but if they can do X then why not Y?” moments coming a mile off. Fantasy superpowers work best when the writer has not only through through all the logical implications, but also made them central and essential to the narrative.
I’d argue that The Last Memoria by Rachel Shaw i ...more
Firstly, how gorgeous is that cover?
That was the trouble with stolen memories, you could never trust them once they were yours.
Oh this book! The synopsis on Goodreads compares to Joe Abercrombie, and I totally get it. Sarilla has Glokta's dedication and ruthlessness - I'd even say Ninefingers self-destruction. I'd definitely throw this book under grimdark, and I am here for it.
Sarilla is a memoria - identified by their white hair and black hands, memoria can see and steal peoples memories th ...more
That was the trouble with stolen memories, you could never trust them once they were yours.
Oh this book! The synopsis on Goodreads compares to Joe Abercrombie, and I totally get it. Sarilla has Glokta's dedication and ruthlessness - I'd even say Ninefingers self-destruction. I'd definitely throw this book under grimdark, and I am here for it.
Sarilla is a memoria - identified by their white hair and black hands, memoria can see and steal peoples memories th ...more
Jan 22, 2021
Queen Terrible Timy
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
spfbo6-finalist,
have-it,
fiction,
spfbo6,
dark-fantasy,
fantasy,
first-book-of-a-series,
magic
I've read Last Memoria for SPFBO 6, in which it's a finalist. This review was originally published on Queen's Book Asylum along with the reviews of the rest of the team. Our collective rating is 6.5/10. My personal rating is 6.5 which amounts to 3.5*
It’s been a week since I’ve finished reading Last Memoria, but I still have no idea how I feel about it. On one hand, it was a super fast read, but on the other, I’m not quite sure if I liked anything about it. If that makes any sense. It sure does n ...more
It’s been a week since I’ve finished reading Last Memoria, but I still have no idea how I feel about it. On one hand, it was a super fast read, but on the other, I’m not quite sure if I liked anything about it. If that makes any sense. It sure does n ...more
Thank you to the author for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This will be available on May tenth.
It’s amazing how much is packed into this short book. I was sucked in from the start. So many things were done well!
Sarilla is a memoria, meaning she has the ability to steal memories with just a touch. In this way, she’s sort of stealing identities. A lot of who we are is based on our experiences , so it’s really a dangerous power to have. In the beginning, she and her ...more
It’s amazing how much is packed into this short book. I was sucked in from the start. So many things were done well!
Sarilla is a memoria, meaning she has the ability to steal memories with just a touch. In this way, she’s sort of stealing identities. A lot of who we are is based on our experiences , so it’s really a dangerous power to have. In the beginning, she and her ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
LM centers around Sarilla, a stealer of memories in service to a king. The story picks up as her brother has convinced her to flee the king's grasp. In a land where her kind are hated and feared, with other dangers lurking in the woods, the scene is set.
I was intrigued by the idea of the memori--people who can drain memories from someone, leaving no recollection of those memories in their target--and diverse uses for such a talent show up in the text. I also enjoyed the constructed world. Some s ...more
I was intrigued by the idea of the memori--people who can drain memories from someone, leaving no recollection of those memories in their target--and diverse uses for such a talent show up in the text. I also enjoyed the constructed world. Some s ...more
Some say novels are insights into the author’s soul. They say that no matter how hard the writer tries to do otherwise, they can’t avoid layering pieces of themselves into their stories.
That is definitely true for my books.
Last Memoria is a reflection of so much of what I struggle with. My need to prove myself. My desire to be good because I’m terrified that I’m not. My fascination with the fragility of memory. My unending questioning of what makes us who we are.
I turned to writing because I ne ...more
That is definitely true for my books.
Last Memoria is a reflection of so much of what I struggle with. My need to prove myself. My desire to be good because I’m terrified that I’m not. My fascination with the fragility of memory. My unending questioning of what makes us who we are.
I turned to writing because I ne ...more
“She is the beast who broke a thousand minds. The pillager of thoughts and feelings from innocent and guilty alike. The snake that filed down her fangs and curbed her appetite for goose flesh, all so she might bide her time among the meek”
Thank you so much to the author for asking me if I would like to review this book. I was so intrigued after reading the synopsis that I jumped at the chance. I’m so glad I did because I absolutely loved it. It’s beautifully written and engrossing from start to ...more
Thank you so much to the author for asking me if I would like to review this book. I was so intrigued after reading the synopsis that I jumped at the chance. I’m so glad I did because I absolutely loved it. It’s beautifully written and engrossing from start to ...more
If you love Dark Fantasy novels then this book will definitely be your type of read. ‘Last Memoria’ by Rachel Emma Shaw, is a book about a girl ‘Sarilla’ who has the gift and curse of being able to steal memories. Her kind have used it to their advantage in the past, to learn the history or their past ancestors and those around them, but Sarilla has been forced to use hers to do her uncle the kings bidding.
The book is the journey in which Sarilla takes in the hope of being reunited with her fami ...more
The book is the journey in which Sarilla takes in the hope of being reunited with her fami ...more
☽ 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸! ☽
I honestly adored this book. I read it in about? 7 hours? I was obsessed with the concept as soon as i started reading so i couldn’t put it down!
𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: The characters were all amazing, i am OBSESSED with Havric, i don’t know what it is, but i love him, no one can change my mind😤 I adored the plot and was constantly on the edge of my seat as i tried, desperately, to figure out what was going on and WHY!!!! (in a good w ...more
I honestly adored this book. I read it in about? 7 hours? I was obsessed with the concept as soon as i started reading so i couldn’t put it down!
𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: The characters were all amazing, i am OBSESSED with Havric, i don’t know what it is, but i love him, no one can change my mind😤 I adored the plot and was constantly on the edge of my seat as i tried, desperately, to figure out what was going on and WHY!!!! (in a good w ...more
WOW! This book got me out of my pandemic reading funk.
Review:
Last Memoria follows Sarilla, a half-human memory stealer who’s run away from her uncle the king. Trying to keep her family safe when they get separated, she rushes to a distant city only to run into someone from her past. Falon, a young nobleman, has no memory of the last several months and seeks a way to get his memories back. When Sarilla runs into him and his friends, he doesn’t recognize her but she will always recognize the boy s ...more
Review:
Last Memoria follows Sarilla, a half-human memory stealer who’s run away from her uncle the king. Trying to keep her family safe when they get separated, she rushes to a distant city only to run into someone from her past. Falon, a young nobleman, has no memory of the last several months and seeks a way to get his memories back. When Sarilla runs into him and his friends, he doesn’t recognize her but she will always recognize the boy s ...more
Normally I don't write mini-reviews before typing up the full review for a novel. However, in this case, I feel like my two star rating requires some explanation. This was not a bad book! It was well-written, the characters were believable if believably flawed and broken. The plot moved along well. So, why then the two star rating?
I didn't like the novel. At all. But this is entirely a personal preference thing. The novel is very dark. That in itself isn't the reason for my lack of enjoyment. It ...more
I didn't like the novel. At all. But this is entirely a personal preference thing. The novel is very dark. That in itself isn't the reason for my lack of enjoyment. It ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read 4 Review: ARC about a memory thief available for review | 9 | 45 | Apr 27, 2020 06:57AM | |
| Authors & Reviewers: Seeking Reviewers: Fantasy Novel | 6 | 24 | Jan 20, 2020 02:16AM |
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Slytherin author with a Hufflepuff soul. <3
https://linktr.ee/RachelEmmaShaw
Rachel Emma Shaw is a London based author. She started writing as an escape from her PhD in neuroscience and has never stopped. She lives in a house slowly being consumed by plants and loves being outdoors. She will frequently attempt to write her books in local parks, only to inevitably end up falling asleep in the sun. If ...more
https://linktr.ee/RachelEmmaShaw
Rachel Emma Shaw is a London based author. She started writing as an escape from her PhD in neuroscience and has never stopped. She lives in a house slowly being consumed by plants and loves being outdoors. She will frequently attempt to write her books in local parks, only to inevitably end up falling asleep in the sun. If ...more
Other books in the series
Memoria Duology
(2 books)
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