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The Memory Project
Douglas ‘Angel’ Sermanni is losing himself. Other people’s memories are an open book to him – the gift and curse of a Weaver. His psyche has been fractured by the trauma of his clients, and now he’s been cast out by his secretive overseers, The Mnemosyne Project. The fog of Angel’s mind is punctured by a recovered memory: the dying call of a young girl. He flees London – and a fledgling romance with a normal human – to follow the dying girl’s final words. He is led back to his Thailand boarding school where a forgotten pact made with childhood friends is rekindled. Amid the rain and neon of Bangkok’s backstreets, a deadly truth lies in wait. With each terrifying revelation, Angel’s past and present fold into one another, threatening to change the course of his world forever.
- GenresMysteryScience Fiction
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2021
4 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
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October 18, 2021DNF at 57%.
I am not going to rate this book. I tried very hard to stick around, to power through, and to see how this story ends... but I realized that reading this became a chore, not a pleasure, so I'm calling it quits.
To tell the truth, this story is boring. Nothing really happens. Yes, the protagonist recieves an object and starts having weird nightmares, but he doesn't actually DO anything about it until around 40% into the book. Apart from that, he just... drifts through the story. He reminiscents a lot. He has a lot of angsty moments that frankly, as a reader, I didn't understand or cared about.
That right there is my biggest problem with this story - I don't care about any of the characters. They aren't real enough to me, even after sticking around for half the book. I don't know about their motivations, I don't care about what they will discover in the end. The stakes simply aren't high enough. There is no clear and present danger. Their lives don't hang in balance waiting on this revelation... it's just 4 friends who received some weird gifts and decided to do a reunion and try to figure it out.
Add to that the fact that the story moves at a glacial pace, and you end up with a snooze fest.
PS: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am not going to rate this book. I tried very hard to stick around, to power through, and to see how this story ends... but I realized that reading this became a chore, not a pleasure, so I'm calling it quits.
To tell the truth, this story is boring. Nothing really happens. Yes, the protagonist recieves an object and starts having weird nightmares, but he doesn't actually DO anything about it until around 40% into the book. Apart from that, he just... drifts through the story. He reminiscents a lot. He has a lot of angsty moments that frankly, as a reader, I didn't understand or cared about.
That right there is my biggest problem with this story - I don't care about any of the characters. They aren't real enough to me, even after sticking around for half the book. I don't know about their motivations, I don't care about what they will discover in the end. The stakes simply aren't high enough. There is no clear and present danger. Their lives don't hang in balance waiting on this revelation... it's just 4 friends who received some weird gifts and decided to do a reunion and try to figure it out.
Add to that the fact that the story moves at a glacial pace, and you end up with a snooze fest.
PS: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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December 28, 2021A surreal and almost psychedelic read. I think my favorite bits were in Bangkok, and I think the writer absolutely nailed that weird third culture kid going to private international school vibe, which is quite niche and makes me think he has personal experience of it. If not, he did his research. The descriptions of trauma were evocative and intriguing. I loved the queet rep.
But other aspects were a bit jarring for me. Structurally, the narrative felt disconnected or fragmented. I think a lot of that was intentional but that did leave me drifting and frustrated at times. I am a structure fiend when it comes to books so that matters to me a lot.
Some of psychology verged into cliche or inaccurate for me but that's perhaps subjective. The book also felt like an odd combination of high concept (Mnemosyne Project, weavers, stitchers) but had a literary pace. High concept can be hard to balance with literary and in this case it didn't quite gel for me.
I would still recommend this overall though.
But other aspects were a bit jarring for me. Structurally, the narrative felt disconnected or fragmented. I think a lot of that was intentional but that did leave me drifting and frustrated at times. I am a structure fiend when it comes to books so that matters to me a lot.
Some of psychology verged into cliche or inaccurate for me but that's perhaps subjective. The book also felt like an odd combination of high concept (Mnemosyne Project, weavers, stitchers) but had a literary pace. High concept can be hard to balance with literary and in this case it didn't quite gel for me.
I would still recommend this overall though.
April 3, 2021
Find my reviews at Feminist Quill
Disclaimer: Received a free copy of the book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Douglas ‘Angel’ Sermanni is at something of a loose end – he’s been fired from his job as a therapist, and is still grappling with the effect his last client’s trauma had on him. As a Weaver – superhuman with the ability to read and absorb other peoples’ memories – someone else’s trauma becomes all too real for Angel. And that’s when he receives a mysterious package that brings with it a new mystery – or perhaps something that was buried deep in his past.
The Memory Project is an introspective, medium-paced and deeply speculative work of art. The universe of the Weavers – who live in complete secrecy, side-by-side with regular humans – that Youngson has dreamed up is fascinating.
The book takes its time getting to its conclusion – offering us tantalizing hints and clues along the way that show us the vague shape of the mystery, but not its full extent. It is thus able to keep surprising the reader and provide a well-rounded conclusion that is satisfying and leaves no loose ends.
I found some of the language used in the book to be rather unfamiliar, but was able to gather their meaning from context. For example, ‘throwing shapes’ and ‘creasing’ (meaning dancing and laughing respectively) which are, I’m given to understand, British slang. I also found the use of italics rather inconsistent. The entire book is in first-person perspective, and a lot of it is in flashback – but the use of italics didn’t always provide a consistent way of distinguishing between these sections.
But aside from this, the writing style perfectly suits the subject matter. Angel lives primarily inside his own mind, going on long, introspective, mental journeys and slipping seamlessly into memories of the past. The book similarly shifts between the perspectives of various characters as the magic/ superpower flows between them. And at times their thoughts are less than coherent, disjointed, even filled with memory blanks that show up as redacted text.
Portraying all of this accurately requires a fluidity and flexibility of language that Youngson has mastered. The reader does not need to guess at the exact nature of a character’s mental process because of the unorthodox writing style used to perfectly express it at any point.
It’s not just the abilities of the characters that draw you in – it’s also their rich, layered personalities, and the relationships between them. Youngson writes with great care and empathy, making the reader fully invested in the characters and their well being. He charts the history of difficult and complicated relationships between parents and children, the constantly renewed and reaffirming trust found in undying friendship, and the tender, beautiful pangs of new love.
The Memory Project is a wonderful story focused on healing, hope and love, with an excellent plot and tangible sense of mystery. It does not hurt that the two relationships centred in the book are both same sex.
I loved this book. I did not expect to, but I did. Five stars, and will re-read 💯.
Disclaimer: Received a free copy of the book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Douglas ‘Angel’ Sermanni is at something of a loose end – he’s been fired from his job as a therapist, and is still grappling with the effect his last client’s trauma had on him. As a Weaver – superhuman with the ability to read and absorb other peoples’ memories – someone else’s trauma becomes all too real for Angel. And that’s when he receives a mysterious package that brings with it a new mystery – or perhaps something that was buried deep in his past.
The Memory Project is an introspective, medium-paced and deeply speculative work of art. The universe of the Weavers – who live in complete secrecy, side-by-side with regular humans – that Youngson has dreamed up is fascinating.
The book takes its time getting to its conclusion – offering us tantalizing hints and clues along the way that show us the vague shape of the mystery, but not its full extent. It is thus able to keep surprising the reader and provide a well-rounded conclusion that is satisfying and leaves no loose ends.
I found some of the language used in the book to be rather unfamiliar, but was able to gather their meaning from context. For example, ‘throwing shapes’ and ‘creasing’ (meaning dancing and laughing respectively) which are, I’m given to understand, British slang. I also found the use of italics rather inconsistent. The entire book is in first-person perspective, and a lot of it is in flashback – but the use of italics didn’t always provide a consistent way of distinguishing between these sections.
But aside from this, the writing style perfectly suits the subject matter. Angel lives primarily inside his own mind, going on long, introspective, mental journeys and slipping seamlessly into memories of the past. The book similarly shifts between the perspectives of various characters as the magic/ superpower flows between them. And at times their thoughts are less than coherent, disjointed, even filled with memory blanks that show up as redacted text.
Portraying all of this accurately requires a fluidity and flexibility of language that Youngson has mastered. The reader does not need to guess at the exact nature of a character’s mental process because of the unorthodox writing style used to perfectly express it at any point.
It’s not just the abilities of the characters that draw you in – it’s also their rich, layered personalities, and the relationships between them. Youngson writes with great care and empathy, making the reader fully invested in the characters and their well being. He charts the history of difficult and complicated relationships between parents and children, the constantly renewed and reaffirming trust found in undying friendship, and the tender, beautiful pangs of new love.
The Memory Project is a wonderful story focused on healing, hope and love, with an excellent plot and tangible sense of mystery. It does not hurt that the two relationships centred in the book are both same sex.
I loved this book. I did not expect to, but I did. Five stars, and will re-read 💯.
May 17, 2021
You could describe this as "What if X-Men but for reals?" and there's some truth to that. But the book is less interested in the social and cataclysmic implications of its characters' powers than that suggests, and more in the personal and interpersonal implications. Though marked as science-fiction, it often reads more like a teen-romance-mystery (if that's a genre). "Days of Future Wall Flowers Past", or something.
At its heart, it's a romantic book, not just in terms of the love story/stories it tells, but in its explorations of the philosophical role of memory in shaping our identities. For me, the greatest interest lay in the loose thought experiments the book conducts along the way, asking various what-if questions. What if you could pass the emotion of a memory from yourself to someone else? What if it was a good memory? What if it was a bad one? What if your memories were false or incomplete? What if your memories were the product of a lie?
A fascinating debut, fittingly multifaceted given the cover. There'll be something in there for you, I promise.
At its heart, it's a romantic book, not just in terms of the love story/stories it tells, but in its explorations of the philosophical role of memory in shaping our identities. For me, the greatest interest lay in the loose thought experiments the book conducts along the way, asking various what-if questions. What if you could pass the emotion of a memory from yourself to someone else? What if it was a good memory? What if it was a bad one? What if your memories were false or incomplete? What if your memories were the product of a lie?
A fascinating debut, fittingly multifaceted given the cover. There'll be something in there for you, I promise.
March 30, 2021
Unique, refreshing, and wow.
I read this in one sitting. I thoroughly LOVED the premise and in a way it reminded me a little of 'Behind Violet Eyes' in tone and pace.
The characterisation was spot on and the prose and dialogue smooth. The scene setting was wonderful and I felt as though I was in Bangkok - very visceral. Well done!
The nuances of the novel weren't lost on me, and I loved the LGBTQA overtness.
I won't spoil the story - but the twists and turns kept me guessing. Amazing
I read this in one sitting. I thoroughly LOVED the premise and in a way it reminded me a little of 'Behind Violet Eyes' in tone and pace.
The characterisation was spot on and the prose and dialogue smooth. The scene setting was wonderful and I felt as though I was in Bangkok - very visceral. Well done!
The nuances of the novel weren't lost on me, and I loved the LGBTQA overtness.
I won't spoil the story - but the twists and turns kept me guessing. Amazing
April 11, 2021
I brought the book on a whim but was quickly pulled into the story, devouring the book in 2 sittings.
The Memory Project envisions a world where memories can be read, written and even erased by a small percentage of the population known as Weavers. The book contained a lot of the tropes you might expect to find with speculative fiction on superhuman abilities. Who are these individuals? What kind of abilities do they have? Who knows about this? What would the public & authorities say/do if they knew? This, however, all becomes backdrop to the rather more intimate story of Douglas (or Angel to his friends) navigating his way through the world as a memory-reading Weaver. A mysterious parcel sends him on a trip down memory lane (pun fully intended) to his upbringing in Thailand where he hopes to unravel the mystery of a young girl's voice that echoes in a memory.
Fans of X-Men and Inhumans comics and the TV show Heroes would no doubt love this story (doubly so if you're a fan of Prodigy & Jean Grey of X-Men fame).
The writer presents a rather sophisticated power system within the book, carefully crafting a believable organisation of the various abilities shown. The command of psychological concepts to explore the relationships between material culture, reconstructive memory, and the self is beyond impressive. The level of depth I got to explore in not only the protagonists' life, but also, the world which surrounds him was great. I especially enjoyed the LGBT+ elements, both nuanced and overt, woven throughout the entire book.
The book is paced but springs alive in its second half. I sadly guessed parts of the ending early on, however, I put this down to luck rather than the writing. The writer teases with clues and hints to the mysteries that surround Weavers throughout but continues to surprise through till the very end.
Overall, I had a great time reading The Memory Project and would highly recommend for those interested in speculative fiction, psychology, sci-fi and superheroes. An amazing debut - I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
The Memory Project envisions a world where memories can be read, written and even erased by a small percentage of the population known as Weavers. The book contained a lot of the tropes you might expect to find with speculative fiction on superhuman abilities. Who are these individuals? What kind of abilities do they have? Who knows about this? What would the public & authorities say/do if they knew? This, however, all becomes backdrop to the rather more intimate story of Douglas (or Angel to his friends) navigating his way through the world as a memory-reading Weaver. A mysterious parcel sends him on a trip down memory lane (pun fully intended) to his upbringing in Thailand where he hopes to unravel the mystery of a young girl's voice that echoes in a memory.
Fans of X-Men and Inhumans comics and the TV show Heroes would no doubt love this story (doubly so if you're a fan of Prodigy & Jean Grey of X-Men fame).
The writer presents a rather sophisticated power system within the book, carefully crafting a believable organisation of the various abilities shown. The command of psychological concepts to explore the relationships between material culture, reconstructive memory, and the self is beyond impressive. The level of depth I got to explore in not only the protagonists' life, but also, the world which surrounds him was great. I especially enjoyed the LGBT+ elements, both nuanced and overt, woven throughout the entire book.
The book is paced but springs alive in its second half. I sadly guessed parts of the ending early on, however, I put this down to luck rather than the writing. The writer teases with clues and hints to the mysteries that surround Weavers throughout but continues to surprise through till the very end.
Overall, I had a great time reading The Memory Project and would highly recommend for those interested in speculative fiction, psychology, sci-fi and superheroes. An amazing debut - I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
May 9, 2021
Good sci-fi book, solid 4 stars, refreshing that Angel’s sexual orientation isn’t critical to the storyline, yes he goes on a date and has a love interest, but the author could have changed the pronouns and the story would be the same. Personally I like this, his story isn’t about his sexuality, that’s just a given, and Angel he has a lot of bigger concerns in this world where he can read peoples memories. In fact, his abilities make dating or even interacting normally with people a challenge, even an incidental touch can trigger a painful memory “pushed” into Angel. Of course, in a world were people like Angel exist there needs to be an organization that trains and protects them, that’s where The Mnemosyne Project comes in, part educational institution part consulting firm. Every secret institution has a bit of a hazy history and Angel is on a path to uncover the history of what the institution did to him and to confront his past, his abilities, and finally recall some memories of his own.
Please note: I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but that never has an impact on how I review a book.
Please note: I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but that never has an impact on how I review a book.
April 2, 2021
If you like your sci-fi with a side of genuine human connection this is the book for you.
The author sets up a convincing version of our world where, unknown to most, a small number of people called Weavers have the remarkable ability to read memories from other people - or even write them and erase them. It's a striking premise for intrigue and danger, which the author certainly pulls off, but the real strength is in the characters and the bonds between them. There's a beautiful scene (no spoiler) where three Weaver friends join and share in the reliving of a memory from their childhood, which was incredibly powerful and made me wish I could do that, to live again in my best memories with those I love.
However, the book is also about how the bonds of friendship and love can be strained and memory can be mutable, until the line between yourself and others can be almost irreconcilably blurred.
Overall, the book is a triumphant melding of concept, mystery, action and emotion, and I loved it.
The author sets up a convincing version of our world where, unknown to most, a small number of people called Weavers have the remarkable ability to read memories from other people - or even write them and erase them. It's a striking premise for intrigue and danger, which the author certainly pulls off, but the real strength is in the characters and the bonds between them. There's a beautiful scene (no spoiler) where three Weaver friends join and share in the reliving of a memory from their childhood, which was incredibly powerful and made me wish I could do that, to live again in my best memories with those I love.
However, the book is also about how the bonds of friendship and love can be strained and memory can be mutable, until the line between yourself and others can be almost irreconcilably blurred.
Overall, the book is a triumphant melding of concept, mystery, action and emotion, and I loved it.
April 14, 2021
I LOVED this book. I was gripped from the very first page - a really compelling mystery unfolds and I couldn't put it down! It deftly weaves an intricate and vibrant portrait of a world that is at once both pleasingly familiar (set across two great cities - London and Bangkok) and intriguingly different (supernatural powers, the mysterious Mnemosyne Project). All of the characters felt really well developed, and so I cared about their stories and their journey. Perhaps more than anything it was the portrayal of the relationships between the characters that I loved the most - such rich depictions of friendship and love. I do like sci fi, and this book does the sci fi and mystery parts super well, but also the book is so much more than that and so I'd recommend it to anyone who likes an intriguing and beautifully written story.
May 31, 2021
An original and layered story; one of those gems that would benefit from multiple reads. Deals with relationships, trauma, empathy, being 'different' and feelings of belonging, all with a dystopian feel, and beautifully descriptive - Youngson is a world builder. I hope to read more tales from within the world of Weavers.
May 20, 2021
*I received an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This mystery with a dash of sci-fi was unique and gripping. I loved the concept of Weavers and the "powers" associated with memories, and I thought the author really brought to life the third culture/expat life of Angel and his friends in Bangkok. I also loved that Angel's sexuality wasn't a major plot point or plot device and I really appreciated both Angel and his love interest acknowledging that they were moving really fast in their relationship.
Overall, I thought the mystery was really compelling. The author did a great job of dropping hints here and there until the reader (and Angel) is able to see the full picture. I did, however, think the ending dragged a little. The last four or so chapters open the story up to wider consequences which is interesting but I think it negates some of the gut punch of emotion that happen in chapter 30.
I think this would be great for mystery/thriller readers who want to get into sci-fi or sci-fi readers who want to get into mystery/thrillers. The SFF elements were pretty light and felt to me in the same vein as John Marrs's The One, The Minders, etc.
This mystery with a dash of sci-fi was unique and gripping. I loved the concept of Weavers and the "powers" associated with memories, and I thought the author really brought to life the third culture/expat life of Angel and his friends in Bangkok. I also loved that Angel's sexuality wasn't a major plot point or plot device and I really appreciated both Angel and his love interest acknowledging that they were moving really fast in their relationship.
Overall, I thought the mystery was really compelling. The author did a great job of dropping hints here and there until the reader (and Angel) is able to see the full picture. I did, however, think the ending dragged a little. The last four or so chapters open the story up to wider consequences which is interesting but I think it negates some of the gut punch of emotion that happen in chapter 30.
I think this would be great for mystery/thriller readers who want to get into sci-fi or sci-fi readers who want to get into mystery/thrillers. The SFF elements were pretty light and felt to me in the same vein as John Marrs's The One, The Minders, etc.
April 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It was nice and light with a dash of Sci-fi. I loved bringing the city of Bangkok in to my mind to hang out for a while. The premise is fascinating. What if there were people that were brought up incorrectly by an institution as governmental mind readers and mind alterers, how would it be handled by the first round of kids brought up by it and what would the after effects be to their mishandling of them and things they don't understand. Delightful.
I even loved how the story flowed and presumed to end. Unfortunately, I felt like the end should have occurred at chapter 30. Ending at that note right when 'the look' was given would have broken my heart. Instead, we get a few chapters setting up a possible second book and ruining a perfectly good moment for tragedy.
I still really enjoyed it.
I even loved how the story flowed and presumed to end. Unfortunately, I felt like the end should have occurred at chapter 30. Ending at that note right when 'the look' was given would have broken my heart. Instead, we get a few chapters setting up a possible second book and ruining a perfectly good moment for tragedy.
I still really enjoyed it.
July 20, 2021
Wow. When I began reading The Memory Project I could not have anticipated how gripping the debut novel would be. You know how when you read a good book and bits of it pop into your mind throughout the day?--curiosity of where the plot will go or what will come next in the story? Well, that's what The Memory Project was for me.
Overall the pacing was just the right tempo, and I loved as the author kept the reader in the dark about most of the plot arc. It kept me hooked until the end. Speaking of which, I enjoyed that the novel did not end at a climax point, but rather left the ending open.
Additionally, the characters were overall diverse in their personas, and it was refreshing to read with queer representation.
4 stars for The Memory Project! Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
Overall the pacing was just the right tempo, and I loved as the author kept the reader in the dark about most of the plot arc. It kept me hooked until the end. Speaking of which, I enjoyed that the novel did not end at a climax point, but rather left the ending open.
Additionally, the characters were overall diverse in their personas, and it was refreshing to read with queer representation.
4 stars for The Memory Project! Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I thought that the idea behind it was very intriguing and I simply couldn’t resist it. The idea that the weavers could see people’s memories and treat them for trauma using this gift was fascinating! The main plot was well thought out and executed brilliantly and I found the characters to be intriguing. I found there to be a lot of dialogue, however I didn’t mind so much because it advanced the action and showed how the characters developed throughout the book.
I was most definitely left satisfied at the end. I enjoyed the mystery element of the book and thought the end was surprising and exciting to read. I would highly recommend this book.
I was most definitely left satisfied at the end. I enjoyed the mystery element of the book and thought the end was surprising and exciting to read. I would highly recommend this book.
September 4, 2021
One of the absolute best books I've ever read! I was taken with the book from page one. From its beautiful writing, to its alluring characters and interesting and mysterious plot, it was masterful.
I loved being drawn into the world of the Weavers, intrigued with the various types, each with their own unique abilities of mind reading.
I look forward to seeing what else this author will have in the future!
I loved being drawn into the world of the Weavers, intrigued with the various types, each with their own unique abilities of mind reading.
I look forward to seeing what else this author will have in the future!
April 18, 2021
I enjoyed this debut novel from Andrew. The author cleverly weaved in facts of Thailand which I found very interesting. I look forward to the next book from this author.
April 5, 2021
4.5 ⭐️
The book description immediately caught my attention. The concept of Memory Readers, Writers, and Erasers is brilliant and intriguing. I know I have to read this book and it's a good thing I did! It was enjoyable and so compelling that you want to finish it in one sitting. The world-building and the story were well-written, I loved the detailed descriptions of the characters, the setting, and the sceneries in Thailand.
I love the gay romance and how the author has represented it like any other normal love relationship. Angel is so lucky to have Dhaval. There were moments between them that gives you butterflies in your stomach feeling. I also the strong childhood friendship foundation that the main characters have. That even though they have separate independent lives after boarding school, they have this strong bond and support for each other.
It would have been more exciting if there were more details about the two top-secret organizations involved and how the main characters will be able to help other Weavers like them.
This book is so good that I look forward to reading more of the author's future works.
If you like reading sci-fi, mystery, friendship, and romance, I would recommend this book to you.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this debut novel.
The book description immediately caught my attention. The concept of Memory Readers, Writers, and Erasers is brilliant and intriguing. I know I have to read this book and it's a good thing I did! It was enjoyable and so compelling that you want to finish it in one sitting. The world-building and the story were well-written, I loved the detailed descriptions of the characters, the setting, and the sceneries in Thailand.
I love the gay romance and how the author has represented it like any other normal love relationship. Angel is so lucky to have Dhaval. There were moments between them that gives you butterflies in your stomach feeling. I also the strong childhood friendship foundation that the main characters have. That even though they have separate independent lives after boarding school, they have this strong bond and support for each other.
It would have been more exciting if there were more details about the two top-secret organizations involved and how the main characters will be able to help other Weavers like them.
This book is so good that I look forward to reading more of the author's future works.
If you like reading sci-fi, mystery, friendship, and romance, I would recommend this book to you.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this debut novel.
October 3, 2021
Wow! After a slow start and a bit of time understanding the writing style, this book just whisked me away. Living in London also and having visited Bangkok too, I felt the book captured the feel of both places perfectly. Loved all of it! What a debut!!
April 2, 2021
This is a brilliantly written mystery debut story by Andrew Youngson. I absolutely loved the idea of memory erasers and weavers.
What I enjoyed most about the book is the characters and the presentation of dialogues. Such an easy flow and because the chapters are fairly short was easy to read. At times I found myself there's too much description but as I read on, I realised the necessity.
Friendship and gay relationship was explored well. If I say more I will end up giving away too much. I thought I knew the ending but I was wrong. Looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
What I enjoyed most about the book is the characters and the presentation of dialogues. Such an easy flow and because the chapters are fairly short was easy to read. At times I found myself there's too much description but as I read on, I realised the necessity.
Friendship and gay relationship was explored well. If I say more I will end up giving away too much. I thought I knew the ending but I was wrong. Looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
March 31, 2021
What a debut! From the start you're drawn in to the weird and wonderful world of the mysterious Weavers, humans who can read the memories of others through touch. The protagonist takes you with him on a journey from London to Bangkok to uncover the truth - including the source of the cries of a dying girl he remembers - with twists and turns galore.
I was gripped from the start and loved the way the author deftly combined the importance of friendships, gay romance and the role of nostalgia and memories in a page-turning mystery. I was kept guessing until the very end and can't wait to read more from this author.
I was gripped from the start and loved the way the author deftly combined the importance of friendships, gay romance and the role of nostalgia and memories in a page-turning mystery. I was kept guessing until the very end and can't wait to read more from this author.
October 24, 2021
I feel I should start with a Disclaimer that the author is a former colleague, and this was my main motivation for getting and reading the book. Nonetheless, every compliment I have for his work is genuine. I realise that I am open to accusations of bias, but I think I'm being honest.
I want to start with the settings. Each one - particularly London and Bangkok - is brought to life in vivid detail; it was obvious to me the author had extensive personal experience of both cities long before I saw the "about author" section that confirmed this. I think this was fundamental, because it lent an authentic, gritty grounding to the novel when the concept might otherwise have been simply fantastical. What we get is an engaging mystery where lesser authors would have amped up the fantasy and had meaningless characters duking it out via mental gymnastics.
The concept that there are Weavers and other such related types walking among us is expertly handled; giving us a glimpse at this world without info dumping. While at times I felt overwhelmed trying to keep track of the sheer possibilities, I never felt that the author was overindulging - only sharing with us the things we needed to know in order to follow the story. The reader gets a genuine feeling that they're getting a peek behind the curtain at a much bigger world, which is exactly what it would be like were this world to be the real one.
This is undoubtedly a character-focused book. I neither knew nor particularly cared where the plot was going; what mattered to me was how it would affect the characters and their relationships. This is to the author's credit; as a reader I would normally want strong focus on both, but the character approach was certainly the right one here. For me, Douglas and Nina did most of the heavy lifting in this regard, while I cared less for others; but this book has that quality where different readers will have their own favourites. At times I got confused by who was supposed to be who. Admittedly this might have been my failing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes sci-fi/fantasy, mystery/thriller, or something a little bit different. I feel it did a good job of introducing a particular concept and world; and am in no doubt that the author can take this idea and expand on it. If a sequel emerges, I shall be sure to read it.
I want to start with the settings. Each one - particularly London and Bangkok - is brought to life in vivid detail; it was obvious to me the author had extensive personal experience of both cities long before I saw the "about author" section that confirmed this. I think this was fundamental, because it lent an authentic, gritty grounding to the novel when the concept might otherwise have been simply fantastical. What we get is an engaging mystery where lesser authors would have amped up the fantasy and had meaningless characters duking it out via mental gymnastics.
The concept that there are Weavers and other such related types walking among us is expertly handled; giving us a glimpse at this world without info dumping. While at times I felt overwhelmed trying to keep track of the sheer possibilities, I never felt that the author was overindulging - only sharing with us the things we needed to know in order to follow the story. The reader gets a genuine feeling that they're getting a peek behind the curtain at a much bigger world, which is exactly what it would be like were this world to be the real one.
This is undoubtedly a character-focused book. I neither knew nor particularly cared where the plot was going; what mattered to me was how it would affect the characters and their relationships. This is to the author's credit; as a reader I would normally want strong focus on both, but the character approach was certainly the right one here. For me, Douglas and Nina did most of the heavy lifting in this regard, while I cared less for others; but this book has that quality where different readers will have their own favourites. At times I got confused by who was supposed to be who. Admittedly this might have been my failing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes sci-fi/fantasy, mystery/thriller, or something a little bit different. I feel it did a good job of introducing a particular concept and world; and am in no doubt that the author can take this idea and expand on it. If a sequel emerges, I shall be sure to read it.
June 4, 2021
Douglas ‘Angel’ Sermanni has lost his job as a therapist. His last client’s trauma is still affecting him. It affects him more than most therapists. Douglas is a Weaver. A Weaver is a human who has the ability to read and absorb people’s memories. When it came to his parents attention that he knew things about others without hearing it first, he scared his parents. Why? He ends up being sent to an experimental boarding school to learn how to use his special talent. He becomes friends with three classmates that have special skills. When they’re done with school they all go their separate ways. Douglas is gay and starts to have a relationship but then quits it without any warning to the other guy.When he receives a package from Thailand and no ther return address, he is puzzled. This causes him to decideto go back to the area where the school is/was and to see a classmate who lives nearby. It ends up being a reunion. They all got packages. Why? Who sent them?
The novel is a mystery with science fiction, a little romance, and a little paranormal. The story is written well with twists and turns due to secrets forgotten or never known. It did surprise me when I found out about an important character for Douglas that disappeared in his life. I enjoyed reading this novel immensely.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The novel is a mystery with science fiction, a little romance, and a little paranormal. The story is written well with twists and turns due to secrets forgotten or never known. It did surprise me when I found out about an important character for Douglas that disappeared in his life. I enjoyed reading this novel immensely.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
dnf
March 30, 2021My thanks to Netgalley for the eArc of this book.
I get to 35% of this book and had to leave it. When I read the description, I liked the idea of memories and weavers but when I started reading I was like meh, I don't know, it didn't gripped me. Sometimes it happens that I'm not loving the book but I still read it because I like something about it but this book did not had that. What bothered me was the fact that in the description it said that he (or they, don't remember now) go to Bangkok. I thought it would be at around 20% or even sooner and the action would start but at the point where I left he was still in London and nothing that grand wasn't happening. I wish I could say something good about this but I can't, oh wait the cover is pretty nice.
Peace out
I get to 35% of this book and had to leave it. When I read the description, I liked the idea of memories and weavers but when I started reading I was like meh, I don't know, it didn't gripped me. Sometimes it happens that I'm not loving the book but I still read it because I like something about it but this book did not had that. What bothered me was the fact that in the description it said that he (or they, don't remember now) go to Bangkok. I thought it would be at around 20% or even sooner and the action would start but at the point where I left he was still in London and nothing that grand wasn't happening. I wish I could say something good about this but I can't, oh wait the cover is pretty nice.
Peace out
April 21, 2021
3.5 out of 5
Very pleasant writing style, easy to read. I enjoyed learning more about the world of Weavers, as well as all the details about Bangkok and Thai culture that are woven into the narrative (no pun intended). The romance in this book is very nice as well. Overall, very easy and entertaining story.
Reasons for points deducted:
Last couple of chapters were boring. It felt like the author needed to add more pages to the manuscript so he kept talking about the same things over and over again.
Also, the story feels a bit naive and amateurish, you can tell that this is a debut novel. Nevertheless, it's a great start! Looking forward to the next work.
Very pleasant writing style, easy to read. I enjoyed learning more about the world of Weavers, as well as all the details about Bangkok and Thai culture that are woven into the narrative (no pun intended). The romance in this book is very nice as well. Overall, very easy and entertaining story.
Reasons for points deducted:
Last couple of chapters were boring. It felt like the author needed to add more pages to the manuscript so he kept talking about the same things over and over again.
Also, the story feels a bit naive and amateurish, you can tell that this is a debut novel. Nevertheless, it's a great start! Looking forward to the next work.
December 17, 2024
Well this was a pleasant surprise! I had this book in my to be read pile and finally got around to reading it. At first I was sure what to expect but I was quickly intrigued by the premise of The Memory Project. Separating fiction from reality, conspiracy theories, and the value of friendship are major themes in this novel that any science fiction book lover would appreciate. Plus, I was delighted to see the inclusion of so many diverse characters where they ethnicity and cultured were front and center. The Memory Project is a must read for avid science fiction readers who love a good mystery.
August 31, 2021
Youngson takes you on a journey through memories and across continents in this Sci-fi mystery novel. The story follows Angel, a man who can read/write memories, from London to Thailand on the hunt for a missing girl buried deep in his subconscious. It's clear Youngson has spent much time in both of these countries, as they feel rich and well populated.
I won't spoil it, but the ending is very satisfying, wrapping up everything beautifully, keeping you guessing all the way through.
It's such an imaginative book, I highly recommend it!
I won't spoil it, but the ending is very satisfying, wrapping up everything beautifully, keeping you guessing all the way through.
It's such an imaginative book, I highly recommend it!
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