I received this book for free from Disney Book Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
False Memory by Dan Krokos Series: False Memory #1
Published by Hyperion on August 14th 2012
Genres: Sci-Fi, YA
Source: Disney Book Group
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Miranda wakes up alone on a park bench with no memory. In her panic, she releases a mysterious energy that incites pure terror in everyone around her. Except Peter, a boy who isn’t at all surprised by Miranda’s shocking ability.
Left with no choice but to trust this stranger, Miranda discovers she was trained to be a weapon and is part of an elite force of genetically-altered teens who possess flawless combat skills and powers strong enough to destroy a city. But adjusting to her old life isn’t easy—especially with Noah, the boyfriend she can’t remember loving.
Then Miranda uncovers a dark truth that sets her team on the run. Suddenly her past doesn’t seem to matter... when there may not be a future.
From the very first page this book grips you with the unknown. At first it’s who is Miranda? Without her memory, she has no idea who, or what, she is. Then we move on to who is this unconventional family of hers, then who is this creator who wants to use them, and all throughout–what are we going to find out next?
As far as unreliable narrators go, Miranda is pretty darn great. She doesn’t even know who she is! I, myself, have always loved unreliable narrators. They keep you on the lookout, always deciphering and theorizing; the more you find out about Miranda’s life, the more fascinating it all becomes. Then of course, there are twists that throw what you’ve learned a little off track. I really enjoyed this twisty road. I also found the sci-fi aspect very well thought out. It’s explained satisfactorily without info-dumping or throwing it under the rug. Plus, using genetics and brain manipulation to create a human weapon is always pretty darn cool if you ask me!
Roses are what these ones are called. Yep. Roses! “Have no fear, the Roses are here” Yeah… I had the same reaction. (Not an actual quote, though there are some similar in tone). These people need better names! Come on! How torturous for them! Moving on.
The characters are all fun and memorable. While I wouldn’t say we get extraordinary character development, they’re likeable and overall charismatic. Miranda herself has an easy way about her; making it effortless for us to get her and see how she reasons things out. Her and her flower sidekicks make for a great group dynamic with some complicated relationships due to the memory loss. On the romantic side, I found this to be quite a refreshing change from the usual love triangle. I wouldn’t even consider it a triangle at this point–having lost her memory, the love that she “was told” she shared with one isn’t there anymore. Unfortunately for the other party, this fact is one sided. So really, it’s a pretty big mess and I liked it! It’s sad and confusing at all once. How can you rekindle something you don’t remember? Would you even be the same you you used to be without the experiences and feelings that created who you were in the first place?
The best part is by far the exciting, mind boggling plot. You’re never truly sure if what you know is the truth, nor do you know who to trust: On top of the amnesia, we have clones, an evil “creator”, and a rogue who’s been killing… *snickers*… Roses. Overall, there’s more than enough to fill this book with page turning antics that I’m sure fans of sci-fi thrillers will be satisfied with!
4 Hot Espressos
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I feel like the biggest idiot right now. I met Dan at Books of Wonder in NYC and I was *this close* to buying his book and then I didn’t >.< And everybody keeps telling me HOW GOOD IT iS. *strangles somebody* And Miranda sounds like the perfect protagonist, and memory loss is like the best thing in the world! Okay maybe not, but it IS really fun to read about! 😉 Great review Giselle!
Sorry I haven’t been on recently! School and Hurricane Sandy totally skewed everything ;P Now I’m back and ready for action! *does the weird move that goes along with it* Can’t wait to talk to you more 🙂
Danny
YEAH, I truly nee to pick it up! I only heard awesome things about this book! Sounds like a great adventure!
Christina
Bahahaha, I totally agree that the Roses is the lames team name ever. Beware: they may be pretty but they have thorns! It just doesn’t work.
Yay! I liked the love triangle too, because it was such a mindfuck and because she wasn’t trying to lead anyone on. Also, her old bf totally deserved to be left in the cold for being a controlling jerk. That’s what you get, dude whose name I’ve forgotten!
I thought you would like this and I was right! We totes gave it the same rating too.
Oh man, so I just had a hilarious thought: they could totally give themselves as presents. Like if one of the dudes pissed off his gf, he could wrap himself in plastic with some baby’s breath and give her a rose. *snorts*
Amy
This book sounds really interesting. I had wanted to read it, but then never really thought about it again after adding it to my TBR list. After reading your review has renewed my interest. Though I don’t know when I would find the time for it. Fab review as always chick!!
Megan K.
Everyone’s been RAVING about this one. Honestly, I still don’t know why I’m so hesitant to get it. The characters sound really great, though, and the book has a pretty amazing premise, especially the part where I’ll never REALLY know if what I know is the truth, so yeah! Though my pocket is screaming, I think you might’ve just convinced me to buy this book. 🙂
Great review, Giselle!
Savannah Bookswithbite
YAY! Glad to hear this story is good. I got to see the author at the ATBF 🙂
Sam
This has had so many great reviews now. I didn’t even want to read it when I first heard about it and now I can’t wait to get hold of it! I’m glad you found it fun and memorable. 🙂 Awesome review, Giselle!
Jenn Renee
I love mind loss stories. Its fun to discover things as the narrator does. Its great for the mystery and the self discovery. I can’t wait to read this book. ROSES lol. that made me laugh! awesome review.
Jenn Renee
Ok I meant memory loss not mind loss, although I am losing my mind, memory loss is much better to read then mind loss. possibly.
Henrietta @ Leisure Reads
It’s good to know that Miranda is a character that is easy to connect with even when she may be an unreliable narrator. I seldom read sci-fi but after reading your review, I’m adding this to my read-list. Thanks a lot 🙂
Stephanie Sinclair
Huh. I may actually try this one out now. Great review, Giselle.
Alexa
This book has been recommended to be multiple times, and I do have an ARC just sitting around waiting for me to devour it. I’m pretty excited to read it after seeing your review – it sounds like so much fun!
Barbara W.
Great, now I have this image that after the fights this group is in, they all pull roses out of a sheath and throw them on top of their enemy, proclaiming, “tell your leader the Roses bow to no man.” Or something like that. There needs to be an opposing group called the Shears.
I haven’t been into sci-fi before, but lately I’ve found some that mixes fantasy with it and I like it. This sounds something like that – and confusing enough that it would be like some Inception thing. I definitely have to go look for it. Great review!
Anna @ Literary Exploration
I’ve been on the fence about reading this one and your review definitely makes me wanna pick it up now! I’m glad to see you liked it so much 😀 Great review, as always, coobie!!
Anna
Literary Exploration
Millie
…lol. Roses? Interesting. And great review! I really want to read this book–it sounds so interesting! Plus, I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book 🙂
Cheers!
Millie @ Millie D’s Words
Brett Daniels
Great post and interesting review. My kids, wife and I like to read the same books; it’s like our own book club, as a way to stay connected. We just finished reading a great book called “The Gilded Butterfly” by Sergei Selivanov. You can check out the book and get it right off the website, http://thegildedbutterflypage.com/index.html. I’ll have to suggest this one to my family, I think they’d all like it. Thanks for the post and the suggestion.
Micheline D
Another fabulous review Giselle! This was one book I’ve been overly curious about. I felt it would be good but I wasn’t sure what to expect. Reading your review definitely made me more eager to check it out 🙂
Jesse Burgoyne
The name Roses is killing me! It sounds so good though. I really had no intention of reading this until your review, so thanks!!
Jesse @ Pretty in Fiction
Little Miss Becky
Seems like I’ve been hearing about this book for ages now! Glad to hear it’s a good one. Roses, huh? Interesting…
Camille Picott
Cool cover! What’s not to love about a book with teens that kick butt? Sounds like a great read and right up my alley!
Jen (A Reading Daydreamer)
This book sounds purely awesome! Yay for sci-fis that don’t dump information on readers, thank goodness. *chuckles* … Roses? Really? >.< I love charismatic characters, and Miranda sounds fantastic and interesting. MIND BOGGLING. YES. My favorite. False Memory sounds like a really great read, thanks for the lovely review, Giselle!
Melliane
what a beautiful cover! the plot sounds really interesting, it’s really nice to have something like that.
Mel@Thedailyprophecy.
Characters with amnesia: awesome. I love to find out what is going on when the MC doesn’t have a clue. Especially with all the twists 🙂 Clones and creating a human weapon sound great as well! I think I might try this one!
Ash @ Paranormal Indulgence
“It’s sad and confusing at all once. How can you rekindle something you don’t remember? Would you even be the same you you used to be without the experiences and feelings that created who you were in the first place?”
That is the most attractive thing you’ve said about this book. I’m due in to get my heart hurt, and I can tell I’ll end up feeling really bad for the poor guy. But, it’s that kind of premise throughout a book that’s interesting and fascinating, one I can get behind. 🙂
Soma Rostam
Well, isn’t this interesting?
I have not actually read anything about memory loss, but it does sound interesting and fun to read about. Although, I think the name, Roses, is very lame. Who would want to call themselves Roses, only if they are a group of goody-two-shoe-doers. Which definitely doesn’t describe THESE Roses in the book.
I love the idea of the “almost” love triangle and rekindling love.
GREAT post, Giselle!
Definitely added to my TBR.
Your constant reader,
Soma
http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/
Sarah (saz101)
Giselle, WOW.
I mean… all of thise sounds good, but this? “The best part is by far the exciting, mind boggling plot. You’re never truly sure if what you know is the truth, nor do you know who to trust.” I don’t think you could have captured my imagination more. And… oh, I’m… ok, how silly is it that I never thought about her being an unreliable protagonist until now? 😛