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The Memory Jumper
For eighteen years, Adelaide has lived in an underground safe house.
Born with the power to manipulate minds, Memory Jumpers like Adelaide pose a threat to the kingdom, and individuals caught with this rare ability are killed immediately.
Although Adelaide dreams of traveling the world as an artist, a normal life is unattainable with her existence outlawed. To make a living, she must work underground with her narcissistic mother Fawn, selling illegal Memory Jumping services to desperate clients.
When Adelaide meets wannabe inventor Mason, he inspires her to leave the safe house and pursue her dreams despite the dangers that lurk on the surface. To find freedom, Adelaide must choose to be brave—but cutting her ties to Fawn may come at a heartbreaking cost.
Lost Island Writing Contest Winner, Amanda Michelle Brown, retells the classic Rapunzel story with a dark fantasy twist in her debut novel The Memory Jumper.
Born with the power to manipulate minds, Memory Jumpers like Adelaide pose a threat to the kingdom, and individuals caught with this rare ability are killed immediately.
Although Adelaide dreams of traveling the world as an artist, a normal life is unattainable with her existence outlawed. To make a living, she must work underground with her narcissistic mother Fawn, selling illegal Memory Jumping services to desperate clients.
When Adelaide meets wannabe inventor Mason, he inspires her to leave the safe house and pursue her dreams despite the dangers that lurk on the surface. To find freedom, Adelaide must choose to be brave—but cutting her ties to Fawn may come at a heartbreaking cost.
Lost Island Writing Contest Winner, Amanda Michelle Brown, retells the classic Rapunzel story with a dark fantasy twist in her debut novel The Memory Jumper.
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Published October 8, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
October 16, 2022
In a Nutshell: This could have been outstanding. It went pretty well till the 80% mark. Then it just lost its way. Really disappointed.
Story Synopsis:
I confess, even until the 75% mark, I was wondering why this book had such an abysmal rating on Goodreads. While it wouldn’t ever have been a 5 star for me, it was still safely within the 3.75-4 star zone. And then the finale hit me like a car coming out of nowhere. Sheesh.
Where the book worked for me:
😍 It is very quick-paced. I could complete this within about 3 hours.
😍 The concept is quite imaginative. I loved the intricate detailing of the memory world. Every detail related to memory jumping was amazing.
😍 The dynamic between Adelaide and Fawn makes for an interesting and unusual relationship. Fawn makes for a creepy villain, changing colours even faster than a chameleon and leaving us as confused as Adelaide. Seeing Fawn’s perspective in the novel would have been wonderful as the existing version lets us feel like we just don’t get to know her reasons.
😍 There are some random facts sprinkled throughout the story. Some are actual facts from Adelaide’s book of facts, and some are facts from Adelaide’s perspective. Both were fun to read and added much value to the plot.
Where the book created mixed feelings in me:
😑 The plot spotlights mental health issues, domestic abuse, and gaslighting. I realised this only when I read the author’s note. That’s not a good sign, is it? That said, it does do justice to the mental abuse and gaslighting themes.
😑 It covers a vague fantastical world that seems simultaneously historical (monarchy, castles, market fairs) and futuristic (amazing inventions, teleporting, communicators). The balance could have been chaotic, but it works okay for this story. However, I would have preferred a better and clearer world building, especially in terms of era.
😑 This is supposed to be a retelling of “Rapunzel”. While there are shades of the fairy tale, the connection is a bit farfetched. If I hadn’t seen this point mentioned in the blurb, I wouldn’t have thought of Rapunzel at all, despite the reference to Adelaide’s hair.
😑 The characters are somewhat flat while still being interesting. Except for Fawn, the rest of the characters are more-or-less unidimensional. Adelaide’s character has many inconsistencies.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😟 The plot proceeded smoothly until the 80% mark. After that point though, it goes all over the place. The finale is rushed and sporadic , looking almost like a desperate scramble to provide a neat finish balanced with a lot of drama and self-discovery. The hasty epilogue coming from the perspective of a relatively minor character spoiled whatever little good memories I had of the main story.
😟 Mason’s actual identity should have come as a surprise. But the way the plot is written, the moment he reveals his name in his first interaction with Adelaide, we know who he is. Such a wasted chance to create more intrigue!
😟 There are so many things left unexplained. The story is set in a fictional country that is supposedly a future version of “America” after some coup. But what happened? How did “America” turn into “Frelsi”? What was the exact reason for Fawn to end up taking care (and subsequently, a pseudo-ownership) of Adelaide? Why didn’t Fawn earlier do what she revealed that she could do in the climax? Why did Buddy and Perkins suddenly turn antagonistic you-know-where-if-you-have-read-the-book? I could go on and on with questions that I had expected to be resolved by the end.
There’s no doubt that the author has potential. A little more plot finishing and a lot more character development and world-building will hopefully work wonders in her second attempt. In the meantime, this might work for older middle-graders/young adults who want to try out a low fantasy story and will accept things without asking too many questions.
2 stars.
My thanks to Lost Island Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Memory Jumper”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Eighteen-year-old Adelaide has spent her entire life in a basement room. Her only contact with the outside world is through Fawn, who, though just two years older than Adelaide, acts as a mother figure. An evil stepmother kind of mother, that is. The reason for the seclusion is that Adelaide is a Memory Jumper – a person with an innate ability to alter/create/destroy a person’s memories – but Memory Jumping is outlawed in their kingdom. To make a living, Fawn sells Memory Jumping services (through Adelaide) in the black market.
When a young inventor named Mason stumbles into her life, Adelaide realises how much she has missed in her life. Around the same time, a potentially high profile client comes into their contact, making some dangerous demands. These two events force Adelaide to wonder if she has made the right life choice by succumbing to Fawn’s demands.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective mostly of Adelaide, with a few chapters coming from the point of view of another key character.
I confess, even until the 75% mark, I was wondering why this book had such an abysmal rating on Goodreads. While it wouldn’t ever have been a 5 star for me, it was still safely within the 3.75-4 star zone. And then the finale hit me like a car coming out of nowhere. Sheesh.
Where the book worked for me:
😍 It is very quick-paced. I could complete this within about 3 hours.
😍 The concept is quite imaginative. I loved the intricate detailing of the memory world. Every detail related to memory jumping was amazing.
😍 The dynamic between Adelaide and Fawn makes for an interesting and unusual relationship. Fawn makes for a creepy villain, changing colours even faster than a chameleon and leaving us as confused as Adelaide. Seeing Fawn’s perspective in the novel would have been wonderful as the existing version lets us feel like we just don’t get to know her reasons.
😍 There are some random facts sprinkled throughout the story. Some are actual facts from Adelaide’s book of facts, and some are facts from Adelaide’s perspective. Both were fun to read and added much value to the plot.
Where the book created mixed feelings in me:
😑 The plot spotlights mental health issues, domestic abuse, and gaslighting. I realised this only when I read the author’s note. That’s not a good sign, is it? That said, it does do justice to the mental abuse and gaslighting themes.
😑 It covers a vague fantastical world that seems simultaneously historical (monarchy, castles, market fairs) and futuristic (amazing inventions, teleporting, communicators). The balance could have been chaotic, but it works okay for this story. However, I would have preferred a better and clearer world building, especially in terms of era.
😑 This is supposed to be a retelling of “Rapunzel”. While there are shades of the fairy tale, the connection is a bit farfetched. If I hadn’t seen this point mentioned in the blurb, I wouldn’t have thought of Rapunzel at all, despite the reference to Adelaide’s hair.
😑 The characters are somewhat flat while still being interesting. Except for Fawn, the rest of the characters are more-or-less unidimensional. Adelaide’s character has many inconsistencies.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😟 The plot proceeded smoothly until the 80% mark. After that point though, it goes all over the place. The finale is rushed and sporadic , looking almost like a desperate scramble to provide a neat finish balanced with a lot of drama and self-discovery. The hasty epilogue coming from the perspective of a relatively minor character spoiled whatever little good memories I had of the main story.
😟 Mason’s actual identity should have come as a surprise. But the way the plot is written, the moment he reveals his name in his first interaction with Adelaide, we know who he is. Such a wasted chance to create more intrigue!
😟 There are so many things left unexplained. The story is set in a fictional country that is supposedly a future version of “America” after some coup. But what happened? How did “America” turn into “Frelsi”? What was the exact reason for Fawn to end up taking care (and subsequently, a pseudo-ownership) of Adelaide? Why didn’t Fawn earlier do what she revealed that she could do in the climax? Why did Buddy and Perkins suddenly turn antagonistic you-know-where-if-you-have-read-the-book? I could go on and on with questions that I had expected to be resolved by the end.
There’s no doubt that the author has potential. A little more plot finishing and a lot more character development and world-building will hopefully work wonders in her second attempt. In the meantime, this might work for older middle-graders/young adults who want to try out a low fantasy story and will accept things without asking too many questions.
2 stars.
My thanks to Lost Island Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Memory Jumper”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
October 22, 2022
Memory jumpers can edit, add or delete memories. They’re hunted and killed by order of the king. Adelaide has been stuck in a safe house for many years now. And her babysitter’s not only making money off her memory jumper abilities but is also mentally abusing her. When a new job requires Adelaide to go outside for the first time in years, her heart leaps with joy.
There are two parts to this story. One part reads like an inspiring and beautiful fairytale, where an imprisoned girl longs for freedom and falls in love with the boy who not only tries to save her but also teaches her to be brave. The other part reads like a dark psychological thriller where a mother figure mentally and physically abuses a child in order to control and manipulate the child for her own personal gain. And both these parts feel perfectly balanced, brilliantly complementing each other throughout the story.
The main characters in particular are fleshed out well and they’re very memorable.
Adelaide is the protagonist. She’s the prisoner who wants to escape. She’s the victim of domestic abuse who finds the courage to stand up to her abuser. She’s not only relatable and likeable, she’s also an underdog. She’s the person you can’t help root for.
Fawn is the abuser in this book and she’s not a cartoon villain, which I very much appreciate. She portrays herself as a mother to Adelaide. She wants Adelaide to love her so she occasionally shows some level of affection, while continuously attacking Adelaide’s self esteem. By doing this, Fawn can get into Adelaide’s head to confuse her and manipulate her into doing things she does not want to do. Honestly, Fawn feels so realistic as an abuser that it can be almost terrifying.
This is Amanda Michelle Brown’s debut novel and there undeniably are a few details I’d say could still be perfected. But those little details feel completely overshadowed by the powerful message this story delivers. This is an incredible achievement for a new writer in my opinion, making it easy for me to say Amanda Michelle Brown’s debut novel is an absolute home run.
Overall, this is not just a retelling of Rapunzel. This is a book that packs a punch with a theme about domestic abuse and it deserves to be read. Easy recommendation.
There are two parts to this story. One part reads like an inspiring and beautiful fairytale, where an imprisoned girl longs for freedom and falls in love with the boy who not only tries to save her but also teaches her to be brave. The other part reads like a dark psychological thriller where a mother figure mentally and physically abuses a child in order to control and manipulate the child for her own personal gain. And both these parts feel perfectly balanced, brilliantly complementing each other throughout the story.
The main characters in particular are fleshed out well and they’re very memorable.
Adelaide is the protagonist. She’s the prisoner who wants to escape. She’s the victim of domestic abuse who finds the courage to stand up to her abuser. She’s not only relatable and likeable, she’s also an underdog. She’s the person you can’t help root for.
Fawn is the abuser in this book and she’s not a cartoon villain, which I very much appreciate. She portrays herself as a mother to Adelaide. She wants Adelaide to love her so she occasionally shows some level of affection, while continuously attacking Adelaide’s self esteem. By doing this, Fawn can get into Adelaide’s head to confuse her and manipulate her into doing things she does not want to do. Honestly, Fawn feels so realistic as an abuser that it can be almost terrifying.
This is Amanda Michelle Brown’s debut novel and there undeniably are a few details I’d say could still be perfected. But those little details feel completely overshadowed by the powerful message this story delivers. This is an incredible achievement for a new writer in my opinion, making it easy for me to say Amanda Michelle Brown’s debut novel is an absolute home run.
Overall, this is not just a retelling of Rapunzel. This is a book that packs a punch with a theme about domestic abuse and it deserves to be read. Easy recommendation.
August 6, 2022
I recieved this book as an arc and I‘m thankful that I got the opportunity to read this one before its release. It‘s a beautiful story with some fantasy, some romance and self-discovery. The story itself is good but lacks a little depth, it felt rushed at some points but overall it‘s still a good book. I enjoyed it, it was a quick and easy read and perfect for a palette cleanser.
July 7, 2022
The Memory Jumper has a fantastic concept (it's a futuristic retelling of Rapunzel, with a fantasy twist). But the execution didn't live up to my expectations. The main character (and to some extent, every single other character) felt one-dimensional and simplistic. I never connected to her or related to her at all. Mason, the love interest, also was also a flat character and I never shipped the two, due to lack of interest in their respective fates. (I know I sound harsh. But I read the whole book and didn't hate it!) Actually, Fawn, Adelaide's narcissistic guardian, was a more complex character, though one of the villains. (The other villains were a lot less interesting.)
Plot-wise, The Memory Jumper was okay. Maybe a little trope-y but okay. The pacing/suspense didn't really hook me, but that was largely because of the characters. I prefer character-driven stories, and as aforementioned, this disappointed me on that level. The story was quite interesting, though, and a unique take on the classic fairy tale of Rapunzel.
The worldbuilding was rather disappointing; the world was not at all developed. In some ways, tech seemed to have advanced, but in others, it reversed and went back to twentieth-century lows. The world was based on this one, with many major countries mentioned. I believe it was set in America? But it was America under monarchy rule again, which is absolutely awful. She also played with many aspects of our culture and changed the government and geography. A 100% fantasy world would have served the story better, as bemusement detracted from my enjoyment of the story. (I do tend to like fantasy better than dystopian/futuristic, though, just saying.) More backstory to understand HOW the world changed so much would have helped. The magic elements also could have used more development. Memory Jumping and the prophesy-type thing that Fawn's two henchmen did also could have been explored more. (Why am I forgetting what it's called and what their names are...)
And finally... the writing and themes. Brown's writing style is simplistic. I can understand why, though - it's her first novel and the simplicity suits the story and Adelaide's unexposure to the world. (Is that even a word?) It did make the reading experience easy and fast, as an added bonus, and I never felt like I didn't have enough details to understand the context. Also - I suppose the themes have to do with trusting your memories and trusting yourself? I don't have anything against either of those themes but they're not particularly applicable to my life. But they're not very prominent - or I'm just blind.
All in all, do I recommend The Memory Jumper? (I feel bad saying this, but also justified, so here we go...) No. I like to read powerful, beautiful, impactful, timeless books, and this doesn't quite fit that definition. However! I will keep an eye out for this author's future books. She has a lot of potential and I look forward to seeing more from her.
The Memory Jumper is Amanda Michelle Brown's debut novel, published by Lost Island Press, and the first full-length novel of theirs I've read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Plot-wise, The Memory Jumper was okay. Maybe a little trope-y but okay. The pacing/suspense didn't really hook me, but that was largely because of the characters. I prefer character-driven stories, and as aforementioned, this disappointed me on that level. The story was quite interesting, though, and a unique take on the classic fairy tale of Rapunzel.
The worldbuilding was rather disappointing; the world was not at all developed. In some ways, tech seemed to have advanced, but in others, it reversed and went back to twentieth-century lows. The world was based on this one, with many major countries mentioned. I believe it was set in America? But it was America under monarchy rule again, which is absolutely awful. She also played with many aspects of our culture and changed the government and geography. A 100% fantasy world would have served the story better, as bemusement detracted from my enjoyment of the story. (I do tend to like fantasy better than dystopian/futuristic, though, just saying.) More backstory to understand HOW the world changed so much would have helped. The magic elements also could have used more development. Memory Jumping and the prophesy-type thing that Fawn's two henchmen did also could have been explored more. (Why am I forgetting what it's called and what their names are...)
And finally... the writing and themes. Brown's writing style is simplistic. I can understand why, though - it's her first novel and the simplicity suits the story and Adelaide's unexposure to the world. (Is that even a word?) It did make the reading experience easy and fast, as an added bonus, and I never felt like I didn't have enough details to understand the context. Also - I suppose the themes have to do with trusting your memories and trusting yourself? I don't have anything against either of those themes but they're not particularly applicable to my life. But they're not very prominent - or I'm just blind.
All in all, do I recommend The Memory Jumper? (I feel bad saying this, but also justified, so here we go...) No. I like to read powerful, beautiful, impactful, timeless books, and this doesn't quite fit that definition. However! I will keep an eye out for this author's future books. She has a lot of potential and I look forward to seeing more from her.
The Memory Jumper is Amanda Michelle Brown's debut novel, published by Lost Island Press, and the first full-length novel of theirs I've read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
July 6, 2022
Before I begin, I’d like to say a huge thanks to the author and Netgalley for sending me this ARC! I truly appreciate it.
☆ ☆ ☆
“The Memory Jumper” is a futuristic retelling of Rapunzel. In this retelling there are people called “Memory Jumpers” who can jump into anyone’s mind and shift their memories or erase them for good. Because of that, they are deemed a threat to society and wiped out. We follow our main character, Adelaide, as she navigates through life in an underground safe house, where she has spent all of her life, hiding. It’s her normal and she is content with it. But when she meets Mason, a dashing inventor who wants nothing more than for Adelaide to be freed from her narcissistic mother, her life changes. But is it for the better or the worst? Will Adelaide be brave enough to escape? Find out in Amanda Michelle Brown’s debut novel!
☆ ☆ ☆
I’ll be the first to admit that after I finished the book I questioned whether or not I should rate it so low. I had the mindset of, “Well, people went out of their way and sent this to me for free. Maybe I should rate it high?” But, I decided I wouldn’t do that. I need to be honest in my review. While I’m a little disappointed that I’m sitting here typing up a negative review, I realize some constructive criticism needs to be done.
So why didn’t I care for “The Memory Jumper”? Well for starters, I didn’t like the writing. I understand that Adelaide has been living underground and her narration/language may be a little behind because of that. But I felt if the author wanted to demonstrate that, then it could’ve been written better. I also felt like a lot of the characters were one dimensional, and I, sadly, couldn’t care about them. The plot was easy to follow along with, but it was a little boring and I could easily predict the twists and ending from the beginning.
I know I may seem ruthless and it might look like I hated this book, but I liked somethings about it! While I hate narcissistic behavior, I felt Brown wrote Fawns character very well. I also did enjoy the storyline and thought it was a pretty neat idea. And while I didn’t necessarily enjoy the writing style, I did like how easygoing it was. I can definitely see why people would enjoy this. I’d say this book would be perfect for middle schoolers. It’s a nice, easy read, that I could see that age group reading.
Overall, I think I made it clear that this book wasn’t my cup of tea. But for it being a debut, I think it was a pretty good one. I can definitely see a bunch of potential in this author and am excited to see how far she goes!
☆ ☆ ☆
“The Memory Jumper” is a futuristic retelling of Rapunzel. In this retelling there are people called “Memory Jumpers” who can jump into anyone’s mind and shift their memories or erase them for good. Because of that, they are deemed a threat to society and wiped out. We follow our main character, Adelaide, as she navigates through life in an underground safe house, where she has spent all of her life, hiding. It’s her normal and she is content with it. But when she meets Mason, a dashing inventor who wants nothing more than for Adelaide to be freed from her narcissistic mother, her life changes. But is it for the better or the worst? Will Adelaide be brave enough to escape? Find out in Amanda Michelle Brown’s debut novel!
☆ ☆ ☆
I’ll be the first to admit that after I finished the book I questioned whether or not I should rate it so low. I had the mindset of, “Well, people went out of their way and sent this to me for free. Maybe I should rate it high?” But, I decided I wouldn’t do that. I need to be honest in my review. While I’m a little disappointed that I’m sitting here typing up a negative review, I realize some constructive criticism needs to be done.
So why didn’t I care for “The Memory Jumper”? Well for starters, I didn’t like the writing. I understand that Adelaide has been living underground and her narration/language may be a little behind because of that. But I felt if the author wanted to demonstrate that, then it could’ve been written better. I also felt like a lot of the characters were one dimensional, and I, sadly, couldn’t care about them. The plot was easy to follow along with, but it was a little boring and I could easily predict the twists and ending from the beginning.
I know I may seem ruthless and it might look like I hated this book, but I liked somethings about it! While I hate narcissistic behavior, I felt Brown wrote Fawns character very well. I also did enjoy the storyline and thought it was a pretty neat idea. And while I didn’t necessarily enjoy the writing style, I did like how easygoing it was. I can definitely see why people would enjoy this. I’d say this book would be perfect for middle schoolers. It’s a nice, easy read, that I could see that age group reading.
Overall, I think I made it clear that this book wasn’t my cup of tea. But for it being a debut, I think it was a pretty good one. I can definitely see a bunch of potential in this author and am excited to see how far she goes!
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June 8, 2022So excited for my debut novel's release on October 8, 2022!!
This book is a constellation of the experiences, conversations, and people that shaped my on my journey to young adulthood. A futuristic retelling of Rapunzel, this book covers themes of depression, hope, freedom, and bravery. If you liked The Giver, enjoy dark psychological novels, or are just looking for a fresh fairytale retelling, then my novel is for you!
Please add "The Memory Jumper" to your Want To Read List. Let's get HYPED for October 8!!
This book is a constellation of the experiences, conversations, and people that shaped my on my journey to young adulthood. A futuristic retelling of Rapunzel, this book covers themes of depression, hope, freedom, and bravery. If you liked The Giver, enjoy dark psychological novels, or are just looking for a fresh fairytale retelling, then my novel is for you!
Please add "The Memory Jumper" to your Want To Read List. Let's get HYPED for October 8!!
June 13, 2022
The Memory Jumper is a Rapunzel retelling with a futuristic twist. Adelaide is a Memory Jumper, someone with the ability to manipulate memories, and is forced to work for her abusive guardian, Fawn, selling illegal Memory Jumping services to desperate clients.
When Adelaide meets wannabe inventor Mason, he inspires her to leave the safe house and pursue her dreams despite the dangers that lurk on the surface. To find freedom, Adelaide must choose to be brave—but cutting her ties to Fawn may come at a heartbreaking cost.
I wish this book had more world building done to set the scene, as this dystopian America has very minimal context for how it came to be and how we ended up back in what seems like a monarchy. I mean, lately it does seem like we're hurtling back in time anyway as a country, so maybe that's not too big a stretch of the imagination. But still...throughout this book the most futuristic aspect is Adelaide's ability to memory jump, Communicators (cell phones with hologram abilities), and the teleporter used to transport her back into her "tower" (or in this retelling, a bunker). At one point, one of the main characters describes how he invented a...*checks notes* a Roomba? He says he programmed a vacuum to clean by itself. I know the tech isn't the main focus of this book, but if it's supposedly set in the future, a little more worldbuilding could be beneficial.
We get two POVs throughout this book, and between Adelaide and Queen Colette, the plot becomes obvious right away. I do wish this method had been used to give us insight into Fawn's POV though. I found myself wanting to know more about her backstory, why she's the way she is, and what her days in the Outside are like. It feels like a missed opportunity to flesh out the villain more and provide some world building for the world Outside.
The descriptions of the memory jumping are quite enjoyable. Following Adelaide around different brains is fun, and there's a playful perspective on what that would look like. I also think the depiction for what it would look like growing up with an abusive guardian is well done. Adelaide's choice for freedom takes well over 75% of the book to get to, but it's realistic considering all the years of gaslighting and abuse she's endured at Fawn's hands.
Overall, this book is a 3 star read for me. It was enjoyable enough, just a few details I wish had been included to really enrich it.
When Adelaide meets wannabe inventor Mason, he inspires her to leave the safe house and pursue her dreams despite the dangers that lurk on the surface. To find freedom, Adelaide must choose to be brave—but cutting her ties to Fawn may come at a heartbreaking cost.
I wish this book had more world building done to set the scene, as this dystopian America has very minimal context for how it came to be and how we ended up back in what seems like a monarchy. I mean, lately it does seem like we're hurtling back in time anyway as a country, so maybe that's not too big a stretch of the imagination. But still...throughout this book the most futuristic aspect is Adelaide's ability to memory jump, Communicators (cell phones with hologram abilities), and the teleporter used to transport her back into her "tower" (or in this retelling, a bunker). At one point, one of the main characters describes how he invented a...*checks notes* a Roomba? He says he programmed a vacuum to clean by itself. I know the tech isn't the main focus of this book, but if it's supposedly set in the future, a little more worldbuilding could be beneficial.
We get two POVs throughout this book, and between Adelaide and Queen Colette, the plot becomes obvious right away. I do wish this method had been used to give us insight into Fawn's POV though. I found myself wanting to know more about her backstory, why she's the way she is, and what her days in the Outside are like. It feels like a missed opportunity to flesh out the villain more and provide some world building for the world Outside.
The descriptions of the memory jumping are quite enjoyable. Following Adelaide around different brains is fun, and there's a playful perspective on what that would look like. I also think the depiction for what it would look like growing up with an abusive guardian is well done. Adelaide's choice for freedom takes well over 75% of the book to get to, but it's realistic considering all the years of gaslighting and abuse she's endured at Fawn's hands.
Overall, this book is a 3 star read for me. It was enjoyable enough, just a few details I wish had been included to really enrich it.
July 27, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.
I want to start by saying wow-za. I went into this book totally unaware; just picked it out of a small selection available to me. I don't have a huge social media draw so that often limits my ARC choices. This was available and sounded intriguing. And the cover drew me in. I haven't had good luck with ARCs, but this was amazing. I went through this book in a week (while I was working 70 hrs).
I'm very glad I did not read the reviews prior. The average is 3.65 (on Goodreads) at the time I am writing this. And overall - very underrated. Halfway through the book I sneaked a peak at the reviews - -was entirely surprised at how low they are. Also, I did not make the Rapunzel connection until it was pointed out. And while there are many similarities...this book is so vastly different it does not seem like a retelling/reinvention. The ending is different, the side characters change, and the author creates a unique world. With a unique feature/power of memory jumping...I sort of want more memory jumpers. I want another book - a sequel, a spinoff. Amanda Michelle Brown - give me more - another book with more information about this world.
The book summary is good; if it gave you more info, it would give away some of what draws you into the book. If you're on the fence try it - just grab it. If you're a teacher, this would be a great middle grade read.
As a side - I generally dislike retelling or reinventions of fairytales (ie: Disney's Twisted Tale retellings that seem to be very popular). So if you love the Twisted Tales this may or may not be your cup of tea. But if you love unique worlds with unique magic - you'll down this easily and quickly for a read.
I want to start by saying wow-za. I went into this book totally unaware; just picked it out of a small selection available to me. I don't have a huge social media draw so that often limits my ARC choices. This was available and sounded intriguing. And the cover drew me in. I haven't had good luck with ARCs, but this was amazing. I went through this book in a week (while I was working 70 hrs).
I'm very glad I did not read the reviews prior. The average is 3.65 (on Goodreads) at the time I am writing this. And overall - very underrated. Halfway through the book I sneaked a peak at the reviews - -was entirely surprised at how low they are. Also, I did not make the Rapunzel connection until it was pointed out. And while there are many similarities...this book is so vastly different it does not seem like a retelling/reinvention. The ending is different, the side characters change, and the author creates a unique world. With a unique feature/power of memory jumping...I sort of want more memory jumpers. I want another book - a sequel, a spinoff. Amanda Michelle Brown - give me more - another book with more information about this world.
The book summary is good; if it gave you more info, it would give away some of what draws you into the book. If you're on the fence try it - just grab it. If you're a teacher, this would be a great middle grade read.
As a side - I generally dislike retelling or reinventions of fairytales (ie: Disney's Twisted Tale retellings that seem to be very popular). So if you love the Twisted Tales this may or may not be your cup of tea. But if you love unique worlds with unique magic - you'll down this easily and quickly for a read.
July 21, 2022
The Memory Jumper is a Rapunzel retelling with a futuristic concept, with a bit of dark & twisted plots.
As a Memory Jumper, our main protagonist--Adelaide has the unique ability to wipe out, edit or add memories. Due to these abilities, people who possessed the power was seen as a threat in the kingdom, and wad ordered to be killed.
Using Adelaide's special ability and portraying herself as Adelaide's mom--Fawn aka the villain in the story hide her away from the world, manipulate and abuse her "daughter" into doing things that'll be benefit for her own self.
Until... Adelaide realized the truth behind Fawn's love for her.
The Memory Jumper is a dark fantasy novel that will captivated the hearts of readers with the magical and twisted tales of the well known Rapunzel.
As a Memory Jumper, our main protagonist--Adelaide has the unique ability to wipe out, edit or add memories. Due to these abilities, people who possessed the power was seen as a threat in the kingdom, and wad ordered to be killed.
Using Adelaide's special ability and portraying herself as Adelaide's mom--Fawn aka the villain in the story hide her away from the world, manipulate and abuse her "daughter" into doing things that'll be benefit for her own self.
Until... Adelaide realized the truth behind Fawn's love for her.
The Memory Jumper is a dark fantasy novel that will captivated the hearts of readers with the magical and twisted tales of the well known Rapunzel.
June 29, 2022
A huge thanks to the author and Lost Island Press for the ARC.
Writing Quality: I really love the writing quality, it's nice, easy flowing and mysterious, and I really love the way the story's told. There's a vibe of eerie and mystery all around and I thought there's always like a grey-ish filter to match with the vibes of the book. I like how the book's an insight into Addy's mind [writing her full name is a chance that I will make a spelling mistake] and it's wonderful I guess. I absolutely adore the fact that technology exists alongside magic in this world because I will not lie, we need more of it. I want technology and magic to coexist in books, I'm so sick and tired of one existing without the other.
Read full review on my blog: When Lia Reads
Writing Quality: I really love the writing quality, it's nice, easy flowing and mysterious, and I really love the way the story's told. There's a vibe of eerie and mystery all around and I thought there's always like a grey-ish filter to match with the vibes of the book. I like how the book's an insight into Addy's mind [writing her full name is a chance that I will make a spelling mistake] and it's wonderful I guess. I absolutely adore the fact that technology exists alongside magic in this world because I will not lie, we need more of it. I want technology and magic to coexist in books, I'm so sick and tired of one existing without the other.
Read full review on my blog: When Lia Reads
June 12, 2022
Honestly, The Memory Jumper is one of the best YA books I’ve read in probably the past year. I’ve always loved the movie Tangled, and this retelling reminded me of the best parts of that movie while bringing in new and exciting elements. I loved the creativity in the descriptions of memory jumping especially, and the characters absolutely came to life in this story. I loved Adelaide and was rooting for her the whole way. I think I read this book in only a day or two— the story was captivating and I could not put this down!!
June 21, 2022
It’s very rare that a book will have me hooked from the very beginning until the end but ‘The Memory Jumper’ did just that. The author managed to perfectly convert Adelaide’s situation and as the reader I felt constantly tense, worried for what may happen next which is an accurate representation of how the character felt too.
‘The Memory Jumper’ is loosely based on the story of rapunzel but is still very unique to itself and is definitely not predictable, I would recommend to everyone!
‘The Memory Jumper’ is loosely based on the story of rapunzel but is still very unique to itself and is definitely not predictable, I would recommend to everyone!
August 5, 2022
4,1*
Thank you so much to Lost Island Press and Amanda Michelle Brown for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
*sits down* okay, that is the, what? Twelfth fairytale retelling I’m reading this year? And three of those are on my Best Reads 2022 list? Okay, come at me, Memory Jumper.
Book: *absolutely blows me backwards with its writing, compelling story and dimensional characters*
Me: okay, no, sure, that’s fine, I’m fine, thanks for not caring about my emotions at all :’)
All that being said: I’ll preface this by saying that Tangled is probably my favourite Disney movie ever, and it is without a doubt the one I’ve watched the most times, so my expectations going into this book were both high, and are likely to colour my view on this book.
That being sad, I was still overly excited by this book. The way it was written hit a certain place in me, the place where forgotten words and quirky sentences live. I really enjoyed the writing of the book, the way the story was told, the words and literary techniques used; many simple, yet all effective.
Secondly, this is a dark book, with dark themes and revolving around characters who do bad things. If you know me, you know that I absolutely love that. It is explored through small actions that the characters do, crude words and snarky attitudes, and is executed by using the aforementioned literary tools. And oh how I am a sucker for it.
Although some of the characters felt a bit flat (Mason in particular ) I didn’t over mind it, because the plot and Adelaide’s character was what drove this book forward.
Overall this was a really and genuinely enjoyable book to read. it also broke my heart a bit and I thawed and actually cried during the final few chapters but who’s counting? Again, all in all, a very good book, and certainly one I would recommend to other people who loves fairytale retellings.
Once again thank you to Lost Island Press and Amanda Michelle Brown for letting me read and review this book. It has been much appreciated, and will live on in my mind.
Also, just as a last note, I really enjoyed the irony of Fawn being named Fawn. Just another literary technique, I see you, smart author ;)
Thank you so much to Lost Island Press and Amanda Michelle Brown for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
*sits down* okay, that is the, what? Twelfth fairytale retelling I’m reading this year? And three of those are on my Best Reads 2022 list? Okay, come at me, Memory Jumper.
Book: *absolutely blows me backwards with its writing, compelling story and dimensional characters*
Me: okay, no, sure, that’s fine, I’m fine, thanks for not caring about my emotions at all :’)
All that being said: I’ll preface this by saying that Tangled is probably my favourite Disney movie ever, and it is without a doubt the one I’ve watched the most times, so my expectations going into this book were both high, and are likely to colour my view on this book.
That being sad, I was still overly excited by this book. The way it was written hit a certain place in me, the place where forgotten words and quirky sentences live. I really enjoyed the writing of the book, the way the story was told, the words and literary techniques used; many simple, yet all effective.
Secondly, this is a dark book, with dark themes and revolving around characters who do bad things. If you know me, you know that I absolutely love that. It is explored through small actions that the characters do, crude words and snarky attitudes, and is executed by using the aforementioned literary tools. And oh how I am a sucker for it.
Although some of the characters felt a bit flat (Mason in particular ) I didn’t over mind it, because the plot and Adelaide’s character was what drove this book forward.
Overall this was a really and genuinely enjoyable book to read.
Once again thank you to Lost Island Press and Amanda Michelle Brown for letting me read and review this book. It has been much appreciated, and will live on in my mind.
Also, just as a last note, I really enjoyed the irony of Fawn being named Fawn. Just another literary technique, I see you, smart author ;)
October 26, 2022
3.5
"𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗹𝘆; 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁."
The Memory Jumper is exactly as the title suggests, Adelaide has the ability to jump into anyone's memories and alter them. With an ability such as this, many people seek her out to alter their memories either for good or bad purposes. Memory Jumpers are seen as dangerous and most of them were killed by coordinated attacks, but Adelaide was kept hidden underground for eighteen years until one day when the opportunity to go above ground is presented. Being overwhelmed by the world above ground and given a break from her prison, Adelaide sees the world with new eyes. She meets a boy who introduces her to different technology and awakens butterflies in her stomach.
"𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 ��𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲'𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲...𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲, 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲."
This retelling of Rapunzel touches on different topics including abuse, manipulation as well as the freedom of discovering who you are. The Memory Jumper is a debut novel and is told from multiple POVs but it's easy to get into the story and be swept away by the mystery surrounding memory jumping. I found the setting interesting and the different take on Rapunzel was intriguing. I would have liked more background history of the memory jumpers but the information we're given is enough to making memory jumpers alluring.
It's best to go into this book blindly, this will help to appreciate the plot and experience the characters without any preformed opinions. This book is suitable for readers ages 14+ and perfect for any fans of fantasy and retellings.
Many thanks to Lost Island Press for gifting me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗹𝘆; 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁."
The Memory Jumper is exactly as the title suggests, Adelaide has the ability to jump into anyone's memories and alter them. With an ability such as this, many people seek her out to alter their memories either for good or bad purposes. Memory Jumpers are seen as dangerous and most of them were killed by coordinated attacks, but Adelaide was kept hidden underground for eighteen years until one day when the opportunity to go above ground is presented. Being overwhelmed by the world above ground and given a break from her prison, Adelaide sees the world with new eyes. She meets a boy who introduces her to different technology and awakens butterflies in her stomach.
"𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 ��𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲'𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲...𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲, 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲."
This retelling of Rapunzel touches on different topics including abuse, manipulation as well as the freedom of discovering who you are. The Memory Jumper is a debut novel and is told from multiple POVs but it's easy to get into the story and be swept away by the mystery surrounding memory jumping. I found the setting interesting and the different take on Rapunzel was intriguing. I would have liked more background history of the memory jumpers but the information we're given is enough to making memory jumpers alluring.
It's best to go into this book blindly, this will help to appreciate the plot and experience the characters without any preformed opinions. This book is suitable for readers ages 14+ and perfect for any fans of fantasy and retellings.
Many thanks to Lost Island Press for gifting me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2022
Thank you Lost Island Press for sending me this eARC!
A dark fantasy retelling of Rapunzel, The Memory Jumper features the story of Adelaide, an 18-year old memory jumper who is forced to live underground with Fawn, a guardian who sells her illegal memory jumping services to clients looking to delete, preserve, or alter memories.
I found the storyline easy to follow, enjoyed how the concept of memory jumping was developed throughout the story, and think this would be a great read for younger audiences.
However, I thought both Adelaide and Mason, the love interest, felt a bit one-dimensional. While their relationship made sense to me, I just wasn’t as invested in it as I wanted to be. Additionally, I felt that this story lacked a sort of “bigger picture” element - while not every story needs this, I think there was a lot of potential to explore memory jumping through broader thematic elements, because it really is a cool concept!
All that said, I think this was a great debut novel from Brown, and I’m excited to see what she comes up with next.
A dark fantasy retelling of Rapunzel, The Memory Jumper features the story of Adelaide, an 18-year old memory jumper who is forced to live underground with Fawn, a guardian who sells her illegal memory jumping services to clients looking to delete, preserve, or alter memories.
I found the storyline easy to follow, enjoyed how the concept of memory jumping was developed throughout the story, and think this would be a great read for younger audiences.
However, I thought both Adelaide and Mason, the love interest, felt a bit one-dimensional. While their relationship made sense to me, I just wasn’t as invested in it as I wanted to be. Additionally, I felt that this story lacked a sort of “bigger picture” element - while not every story needs this, I think there was a lot of potential to explore memory jumping through broader thematic elements, because it really is a cool concept!
All that said, I think this was a great debut novel from Brown, and I’m excited to see what she comes up with next.
July 27, 2022
Fascinating concept that I was so intrigued by. Sadly the story didn’t grip me the way I was hoping.
July 14, 2022
This was a book that I started yesterday and I actually couldn’t put down till i finished, the only reason I wont go full 5 stars was that I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, but then again maybe that was a way how the violence was going about in the end, but I did like how it come together for the ending…
This takes an approach to the rampuzel fairy tale, you have Adelaide, who is locked in a kind of bunker house with no means of getting out alone, and you have the “evil witch” fawn, who will make Adelaide do anything for money, and while is Adelaide work that supports their way of living she doesn’t get one thanks from fawn…. Actually after the Johnny deep vs Amber heard lawsuit, and watching the whole trial, I guess I was comparing many of the situations on this book to the audio files from the trial… yeah Domestic violence is not OK, and this book shows us how easy it is for the victim not realize that they truly are the victims and keep protecting the aggressor, and if you wish to know better what I am talking about I would suggest for you to get this book as soon as it hits the shelf's because you’ll read it as fast as you drink a cold glass of juice in a very hot summer day.
Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
#TheMemoryJumper @lostislandpress
This takes an approach to the rampuzel fairy tale, you have Adelaide, who is locked in a kind of bunker house with no means of getting out alone, and you have the “evil witch” fawn, who will make Adelaide do anything for money, and while is Adelaide work that supports their way of living she doesn’t get one thanks from fawn…. Actually after the Johnny deep vs Amber heard lawsuit, and watching the whole trial, I guess I was comparing many of the situations on this book to the audio files from the trial… yeah Domestic violence is not OK, and this book shows us how easy it is for the victim not realize that they truly are the victims and keep protecting the aggressor, and if you wish to know better what I am talking about I would suggest for you to get this book as soon as it hits the shelf's because you’ll read it as fast as you drink a cold glass of juice in a very hot summer day.
Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
#TheMemoryJumper @lostislandpress
July 8, 2022
“The Memory Jumper’, the debut novel by Amanda Michelle Brown, is a futuristic retelling of Rapunzel. We follow eighteen year old Adelaide, a memory jumper, who has the ability to manipulate, create and destroy memories. We follow Adelaide and her mother, Fawn, who sell her services for people who need to forget. But when Adelaide meets Mason, a young inventor, she sees that there’s more to life than the underground bunker they call home, and realises the strength that has always been inside of her.
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This synopsis was what really hooked me at first, and I was super excited to start reading. However, it ultimately fell flat for me. The plot was easy enough to follow, but I found most of the twists and turns quite predictable. I feel the characters were all very one-dimesional, and that made it really hard for me to sympathise with them. On the other hand, I did feel that Fawn’s character was more fleshed-out than others and could feel the tension her characterisation created. The romance felt super forced and insta-lovey, and I simply did not feel any sort of connection between the two. The pacing was all over the place, dragging through the middle and then a million things happening at once towards the end of the novel. I also found that the writing was a bit young for me, but that’s just personal preference.
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Although this wasn’t a new favourite by any means, I did have a pretty good time reading this book and can see the potential for Brown’s future work. I’d be excited to see what she comes out with next.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC
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This synopsis was what really hooked me at first, and I was super excited to start reading. However, it ultimately fell flat for me. The plot was easy enough to follow, but I found most of the twists and turns quite predictable. I feel the characters were all very one-dimesional, and that made it really hard for me to sympathise with them. On the other hand, I did feel that Fawn’s character was more fleshed-out than others and could feel the tension her characterisation created. The romance felt super forced and insta-lovey, and I simply did not feel any sort of connection between the two. The pacing was all over the place, dragging through the middle and then a million things happening at once towards the end of the novel. I also found that the writing was a bit young for me, but that’s just personal preference.
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Although this wasn’t a new favourite by any means, I did have a pretty good time reading this book and can see the potential for Brown’s future work. I’d be excited to see what she comes out with next.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC
July 14, 2022
I thought that The Memory Jumper was a really good book. The first thing that I want to bring up is the pacing. Nothing ever felt rushed or stetched out too long. The characters were great with the protagonist, Adelaide, being likeable and someone that you can easily empathize with. While supporting roles weren't as fleshed out, I thought that Fawn worked really well as a sort of antagonist and 'Mother Gothel' figure. The imagery is another thing to mention. The book, while not as detailed as others, succeeds at making me feel like I'm in Adelaide's world. This is a great book, but not for everyone I'd say. If you like these kinds of detailed books than I'd suggest it in a heartbeat.
To sum it all up:
The Memory Jumper is a great read, with small flaws here and there.
To sum it all up:
The Memory Jumper is a great read, with small flaws here and there.
July 16, 2022
what a beautiful book...i just finished it today and i'm grinning like an idiot. i loved adelaide's character; it's so well written. her character development at the end was so well done. the pacing of the book was perfect, not too fast, not too slow. i'm usually not a fan of many povs, but the queen' pov was essential to the story. amanda did an amazing job at this recreation of rapunzel and it's definitely worth the read <3
July 4, 2022
Check out my review Peregrine's life review
Premise
Adelaide is a memory jumper, she can jumo imside other people's head and delete or edit their memories. She is forced to live underground and memory jump into other people's head by her caretaker/provider Fawn. The follows her journey towards freedom from her current living status.
Main character
Adelaide is a very likable character, she feels raw and real. She has a definite character arc and goes through a concrete character development.
Villain
Fawn is a brilliant villain, however i wished we got a glimpse of her back story.
Romance
A very cute pg 13 romance, between Mason and Adelaide is explored throughout the middle and ending of the book
Pros
well written main character
abusive relationship between Fawn and Adelaide is well written
Engaging Royal drama
clear story line
Cons
few useless side characters could have compansated for the world building
Romance felt a little rush
Premise
Adelaide is a memory jumper, she can jumo imside other people's head and delete or edit their memories. She is forced to live underground and memory jump into other people's head by her caretaker/provider Fawn. The follows her journey towards freedom from her current living status.
Main character
Adelaide is a very likable character, she feels raw and real. She has a definite character arc and goes through a concrete character development.
Villain
Fawn is a brilliant villain, however i wished we got a glimpse of her back story.
Romance
A very cute pg 13 romance, between Mason and Adelaide is explored throughout the middle and ending of the book
Pros
well written main character
abusive relationship between Fawn and Adelaide is well written
Engaging Royal drama
clear story line
Cons
few useless side characters could have compansated for the world building
Romance felt a little rush
July 11, 2022
This book was unexpected and so incredible. The characters felt so real and visceral, the dual perspective was a surprise but a very great one!
June 29, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There is a lot to like in this book as well as some areas that I wish were better developed. The author’s writing style is simplistic which feels accurate for the main protagonist Adelaide. Growing up in a bunker with little human interaction, the voice given to the character seemed realistic. However, it felt like all the characters also had this voice. This made it hard to enjoy at a certain point (around 70% through the book).
Similar pros and cons with the idea of memory jumping as well. I loved the descriptions and the scenes where it happened but I was confused by the process and wish, overall, there was more world building. It’s supposed to be dystopian future but it felt more like fantasy with a sprinkling of real places.
Overall 3 out of 5 for me.
There is a lot to like in this book as well as some areas that I wish were better developed. The author’s writing style is simplistic which feels accurate for the main protagonist Adelaide. Growing up in a bunker with little human interaction, the voice given to the character seemed realistic. However, it felt like all the characters also had this voice. This made it hard to enjoy at a certain point (around 70% through the book).
Similar pros and cons with the idea of memory jumping as well. I loved the descriptions and the scenes where it happened but I was confused by the process and wish, overall, there was more world building. It’s supposed to be dystopian future but it felt more like fantasy with a sprinkling of real places.
Overall 3 out of 5 for me.
June 24, 2022
When i read the description of this book i was so pumped. A young girl's life is outlawed because of her ability to enter the minds of others and alter or erase their memories in a dystopian future- whats not to like?
The memory jumping itself is the highlight of the story for me. Envisioning the minds of others as a reflection of that person's self was a very cool idea. I think my mind would be a series of dumpsters.
The writing style is sparse, which i am going to choose to see as a plan to let the reader imagine more on their own. However, i wish there was some more breadth of description of the memory jumping process and the time it was outlawed, also some more info on how this monarchy and subsequent shitshow came to be. I also wished for a more indepth romance but really, we cant have it all. It was a fast read, and kept me with it. I also thought the inclusion of resources for people struggling with abuse/mental health was a thoughtful touch.
The memory jumping itself is the highlight of the story for me. Envisioning the minds of others as a reflection of that person's self was a very cool idea. I think my mind would be a series of dumpsters.
The writing style is sparse, which i am going to choose to see as a plan to let the reader imagine more on their own. However, i wish there was some more breadth of description of the memory jumping process and the time it was outlawed, also some more info on how this monarchy and subsequent shitshow came to be. I also wished for a more indepth romance but really, we cant have it all. It was a fast read, and kept me with it. I also thought the inclusion of resources for people struggling with abuse/mental health was a thoughtful touch.
June 15, 2022
I love retellings, and this futuristic retelling of Rapunzel was a super fun read. Despite some issues I had with it, it had me at the edge of my seat the whole time. The story was compelling and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
It touches quite heavily on parental abuse, but I do feel it could have gone a little deeper. The two main villains of the story, Fawn and Paul Green, both went back and forth between seeming super sinister and just misunderstood throughout the book and I'm not sure which was the truth.
I do wish there was more world building, because it's set in a futuristic society but it's hard to understand why society got to the place described in the book and I think learning more about that would've been interesting.
There are also 'random facts' throughout the book which are kind of weird because some are true facts but some are made up.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC
It touches quite heavily on parental abuse, but I do feel it could have gone a little deeper. The two main villains of the story, Fawn and Paul Green, both went back and forth between seeming super sinister and just misunderstood throughout the book and I'm not sure which was the truth.
I do wish there was more world building, because it's set in a futuristic society but it's hard to understand why society got to the place described in the book and I think learning more about that would've been interesting.
There are also 'random facts' throughout the book which are kind of weird because some are true facts but some are made up.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC
December 22, 2022
As a short review, this novel was well worth the read and one of the best I've read in a while. If you want a dark fantasy Rapunzel spin off, I can guarantee this book will not disappoint!
Now I'll go into a little longer detail. The author of this book has a way with words that I feel so few other modern writers care about. Her descriptions of what the characters felt drew me in and made me tear up with pain, sweat with anxiety, and feel their rejoicing. The characters felt real and I felt like I was part of the journey. I was immediately drawn into the world that was created, from the tech-y kingdom, to Adelaide's underground safe house. The plot was also paced very well, building tension to drive the story in the last 1/3. Even though this is Amanda Michelle Brown's first published novel, I can tell this budding young author has a bright future ahead of her and I will be elated to read any further books she publishes.
Now I'll go into a little longer detail. The author of this book has a way with words that I feel so few other modern writers care about. Her descriptions of what the characters felt drew me in and made me tear up with pain, sweat with anxiety, and feel their rejoicing. The characters felt real and I felt like I was part of the journey. I was immediately drawn into the world that was created, from the tech-y kingdom, to Adelaide's underground safe house. The plot was also paced very well, building tension to drive the story in the last 1/3. Even though this is Amanda Michelle Brown's first published novel, I can tell this budding young author has a bright future ahead of her and I will be elated to read any further books she publishes.
Want to read
October 26, 2022 I received an advanced digital copy of this book, courtesy of the author and publisher, via Netgalley, for review consideration.
RTC
RTC
May 14, 2023
TW// mention of suicidal thoughts, gaslighting, abuse and coercive control
"Every day you can start over. But you have to choose it "
I feel like this review is going to be all over the place, so I apologise in advance.
Adelaide is a memory jumper, at 18 years old, she lives an older fierce and manipulative woman, Fawn, whose taken up the role of Adelaide's mother, after having her memory wiped. Adelaide is tasked with jumping into other people's minds and manipulating or destroying their memories. The government has spent years trying to eradicate memory jumpers from existence, so at Fawn's orders, Adelaide hasn't left their underground safe house since she was little and lost her parents.
This was a really interesting and unique Rapunzel re-telling, with multiple POV's from various different characters, in a futuristic America with an American Monarchy barely holding on.
Colette, Queen of Frelsi, despises her position and how enclosed and trapped she feels. Dealing with the suffocating Palace, and the political mayhem, having to give away a son, and deal with the blackmail of ensuring the ascension of her illegitimate child. However, with her bastard son and heir to the throne falling into a coma, the monarchy reach out to Adelaide and Fawn to save his life by jumping into his memory whilst he's unconscious, something that's difficult and dangerous at the best of times. Colette appears numbed and desensitised at least outwardly to all the horrific and unnecessary death and cruelty that follows her husband King Wesley. She longs to escape and find her son she had to give away, get away from this dictatorship, that relies solely upon the grovelling and hard work of inventors and artists to keep the country of Frelsi afloat. It's difficult not to feel compassion and empathy towards Colette, she carries a large weight on her shoulders and can't see a way out of this hell. The comparisons between her and Adelaide are palpable, each forced to stay in a place that brings them nothing but misery and anguish.
Fawn is really emotionally and mentally abusive to Adelaide, controlling her and keeping constant watch over her daily activities, she has no privacy and is confined to the underground, never having seen the outside. Instead, Fawn uses her talents of memory jumping to gain clientele and bring them home to Adelaide. She's definitely a hard to stomach character, horrific and controlling to an extreme.
Adelaide spends her time isolated and alone, with only Buddy and Perkins to speak to, Fawn's lackeys. Buddy and Perkins are visionaries so they can see glimpses of your future reality, based on a trajectory of your current choices and decisions, which was a really interesting and refreshing dynamic. It's tangible how distressing and traumatising it is for Adelaide to jump into other's memories, particularly when she's forced to do it to someone unwilling, just so Fawn can get an income. She has to deal with their memories replaying over and over in her head long after the client has gone.
Mason was another interesting character, he came into Adelaide's life like a whirlwind, giving her a new sense of life and purpose that she'd lost under lock and key of Fawn. He gave her the space to be herself, and figure out who that is, by embracing herself and all the quirks that come along with it. Adelaide helps Mason uncover the truth about his parents, and in return, Mason brings something each day from a different part of the world, giving her this new opportunity to travel even whilst trapped. Their friendship was so wholesome, full of warmth and heart, and utterly adorable to read.
I did find at times that the movement of the plot was really slow, and focused on some really mundane activities and human aspects of life i.e. cooking and washing up, which I didn't feel necessarily moved the plot along or added much. Some aspects of the plot thought were really beautifully written, for example, Adelaide's first time outside, you could feel her child-like wonder and innocence shining through the pages, it was so wholesome and warming. It has a tense plot, with action packed twists, that although I did guess them from a little while in, were still really fun. I did feel like the open ending left me with a lot of questions. I would've liked to have known more about how Fawn found Adelaide and whether she had anything to do with her losing her parents. What happened to Adam? Green? Fawn? Buddy and Perkins? What did Adelaide end up doing? There's definitely a lot to be cleared up, that felt a little abandoned and lost at the end.
Overall, it was a really unique and refreshing retelling of Rapunzel. Mason and Adelaide's friendship was the biggest highlight for me. It was definitely a unique and well imagined world, with some interesting and compelling twists, but it did leave me with a lot of questions, so I'm conflicted.
"Every day you can start over. But you have to choose it "
I feel like this review is going to be all over the place, so I apologise in advance.
Adelaide is a memory jumper, at 18 years old, she lives an older fierce and manipulative woman, Fawn, whose taken up the role of Adelaide's mother, after having her memory wiped. Adelaide is tasked with jumping into other people's minds and manipulating or destroying their memories. The government has spent years trying to eradicate memory jumpers from existence, so at Fawn's orders, Adelaide hasn't left their underground safe house since she was little and lost her parents.
This was a really interesting and unique Rapunzel re-telling, with multiple POV's from various different characters, in a futuristic America with an American Monarchy barely holding on.
Colette, Queen of Frelsi, despises her position and how enclosed and trapped she feels. Dealing with the suffocating Palace, and the political mayhem, having to give away a son, and deal with the blackmail of ensuring the ascension of her illegitimate child. However, with her bastard son and heir to the throne falling into a coma, the monarchy reach out to Adelaide and Fawn to save his life by jumping into his memory whilst he's unconscious, something that's difficult and dangerous at the best of times. Colette appears numbed and desensitised at least outwardly to all the horrific and unnecessary death and cruelty that follows her husband King Wesley. She longs to escape and find her son she had to give away, get away from this dictatorship, that relies solely upon the grovelling and hard work of inventors and artists to keep the country of Frelsi afloat. It's difficult not to feel compassion and empathy towards Colette, she carries a large weight on her shoulders and can't see a way out of this hell. The comparisons between her and Adelaide are palpable, each forced to stay in a place that brings them nothing but misery and anguish.
Fawn is really emotionally and mentally abusive to Adelaide, controlling her and keeping constant watch over her daily activities, she has no privacy and is confined to the underground, never having seen the outside. Instead, Fawn uses her talents of memory jumping to gain clientele and bring them home to Adelaide. She's definitely a hard to stomach character, horrific and controlling to an extreme.
Adelaide spends her time isolated and alone, with only Buddy and Perkins to speak to, Fawn's lackeys. Buddy and Perkins are visionaries so they can see glimpses of your future reality, based on a trajectory of your current choices and decisions, which was a really interesting and refreshing dynamic. It's tangible how distressing and traumatising it is for Adelaide to jump into other's memories, particularly when she's forced to do it to someone unwilling, just so Fawn can get an income. She has to deal with their memories replaying over and over in her head long after the client has gone.
Mason was another interesting character, he came into Adelaide's life like a whirlwind, giving her a new sense of life and purpose that she'd lost under lock and key of Fawn. He gave her the space to be herself, and figure out who that is, by embracing herself and all the quirks that come along with it. Adelaide helps Mason uncover the truth about his parents, and in return, Mason brings something each day from a different part of the world, giving her this new opportunity to travel even whilst trapped. Their friendship was so wholesome, full of warmth and heart, and utterly adorable to read.
I did find at times that the movement of the plot was really slow, and focused on some really mundane activities and human aspects of life i.e. cooking and washing up, which I didn't feel necessarily moved the plot along or added much. Some aspects of the plot thought were really beautifully written, for example, Adelaide's first time outside, you could feel her child-like wonder and innocence shining through the pages, it was so wholesome and warming. It has a tense plot, with action packed twists, that although I did guess them from a little while in, were still really fun. I did feel like the open ending left me with a lot of questions. I would've liked to have known more about how Fawn found Adelaide and whether she had anything to do with her losing her parents. What happened to Adam? Green? Fawn? Buddy and Perkins? What did Adelaide end up doing? There's definitely a lot to be cleared up, that felt a little abandoned and lost at the end.
Overall, it was a really unique and refreshing retelling of Rapunzel. Mason and Adelaide's friendship was the biggest highlight for me. It was definitely a unique and well imagined world, with some interesting and compelling twists, but it did leave me with a lot of questions, so I'm conflicted.
September 23, 2022
The Memory Jumper is a young-adult, future dystopian novel inspired by the fairy tale story of Rapunzel. It has an interesting concept, and I liked the overall story arc, but most other elements of the novel- namely the world-building and writing style- ultimately fell flat for me. The strength of this story lies in Adelaide's personal growth in recognizing the type of emotional and physical abuse she is experiencing from her guardian Fawn, and I appreciate the mental health resources included at the end. I also liked the concept of the Memory Jumper in this world, and the way Adelaide visualizes and navigates within a person's subconscious. I wish we had a little more exploration in this area, especially once we learn that there are still other memory jumpers operating out there who have had more experience and training.
My biggest critique is the worldbuilding. We are told that this is a future dystopian America that now has a Monarchy government- but we get little to no explanation as to what lead to this world and how this society seems to have regressed in social and political structures, but maintained some technological innovation and advancement. There are also tons of references to contemporary items, stories, food, language references, etc, that just adds to the vague world building- we are told this is the future but very little has actually changed (apart from teleporters)? We also get some worldbuilding details that leave a strong impression- and then end up having no impact to the larger story- such as the declaration from the King that people must wear neutral color clothing, and then nothing happens with that information. We have no rebellious group known for an identifying color, or consequences for Adelaide wearing colors when she leaves her home, etc.
I also struggled with the portrayal of Fawn as a villain. She is shown to be very abusive, manipulative, and self-serving, but I felt like we never had any explanation as to why. She has almost no backstory. And her big character reveal at the end really felt like it came out of nowhere and serves very little purpose. Some of this lack of information may be because Adelaide herself literally does not know, but it results in a very flat character that I never feel invested in.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ebook ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My biggest critique is the worldbuilding. We are told that this is a future dystopian America that now has a Monarchy government- but we get little to no explanation as to what lead to this world and how this society seems to have regressed in social and political structures, but maintained some technological innovation and advancement. There are also tons of references to contemporary items, stories, food, language references, etc, that just adds to the vague world building- we are told this is the future but very little has actually changed (apart from teleporters)? We also get some worldbuilding details that leave a strong impression- and then end up having no impact to the larger story- such as the declaration from the King that people must wear neutral color clothing, and then nothing happens with that information. We have no rebellious group known for an identifying color, or consequences for Adelaide wearing colors when she leaves her home, etc.
I also struggled with the portrayal of Fawn as a villain. She is shown to be very abusive, manipulative, and self-serving, but I felt like we never had any explanation as to why. She has almost no backstory. And her big character reveal at the end really felt like it came out of nowhere and serves very little purpose. Some of this lack of information may be because Adelaide herself literally does not know, but it results in a very flat character that I never feel invested in.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ebook ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 25, 2022
I received The Memory Jumper as an ARC and was very excited to read it before it's release! Overall, I'd say it was an ok read.
One of the problems I had with it was Adelaide herself. She often fell flat, and I felt like I never actually got an understanding of what her personality was. As an example, in a discussion with Mason, she says "being rude comes naturally to me," which confused me a bit, as we hadn't seen Adelaide be rude once, and this was a decent chunk into the book already. However, I felt like Mason and Fawn especially were both complex, well thought through characters!
The worldbuilding was also a bit odd to me. Fantasy, sci-fi, futurist, but in a world very similar to ours still? It just felt inconsistent at times. Like the mind-reading device one guy made where you suck on this hose and then you read others minds... it felt like a middle school book.
The last thing I had a problem with was some of the events and plot stuff. The kings "colour guard" seemed weird to me (why would a king leave his palace to do the work of a guard...?), and I also felt like there was such potential to keep it a secret that and then slowly bring into the storyline. It would've made the story much more intriguing and kept readers invested. There were a few more of these things as well but I won't mention them all.
But of course, there were lots of positives in this book, too. Brown's descriptions were beautiful, and always perfectly timed. I never felt like they were too often, or that the book was ever lacking in description. The way the mind is made of doors was also a cool and creative concept to me.
Mason and Adelaide's romance was also adorable. I was happy that there wasn't anything inappropriate in it, which is something we see all too often in YA novels. Mason was just the cutest, most supportive boy ever.
There were also a few memorable quotes, and I loved Fawn's character. She's very complex and I think Brown wrote narcissism very realistically, both from Adelaide's POV and Fawn's.
All in all, this was a good debut book! I'm excited to see what else this author will produce and how she'll improve over time.
One of the problems I had with it was Adelaide herself. She often fell flat, and I felt like I never actually got an understanding of what her personality was. As an example, in a discussion with Mason, she says "being rude comes naturally to me," which confused me a bit, as we hadn't seen Adelaide be rude once, and this was a decent chunk into the book already. However, I felt like Mason and Fawn especially were both complex, well thought through characters!
The worldbuilding was also a bit odd to me. Fantasy, sci-fi, futurist, but in a world very similar to ours still? It just felt inconsistent at times. Like the mind-reading device one guy made where you suck on this hose and then you read others minds... it felt like a middle school book.
The last thing I had a problem with was some of the events and plot stuff. The kings "colour guard" seemed weird to me (why would a king leave his palace to do the work of a guard...?), and I also felt like there was such potential to keep it a secret that and then slowly bring into the storyline. It would've made the story much more intriguing and kept readers invested. There were a few more of these things as well but I won't mention them all.
But of course, there were lots of positives in this book, too. Brown's descriptions were beautiful, and always perfectly timed. I never felt like they were too often, or that the book was ever lacking in description. The way the mind is made of doors was also a cool and creative concept to me.
Mason and Adelaide's romance was also adorable. I was happy that there wasn't anything inappropriate in it, which is something we see all too often in YA novels. Mason was just the cutest, most supportive boy ever.
There were also a few memorable quotes, and I loved Fawn's character. She's very complex and I think Brown wrote narcissism very realistically, both from Adelaide's POV and Fawn's.
All in all, this was a good debut book! I'm excited to see what else this author will produce and how she'll improve over time.
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