False Memory (#1)
by Dan Krokos
Published on August 2012 by Disney Hyperion
Book provided by publisher in exchange for honest review and ARC from BEA
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.
Dan Krokos’ debut is a tour-de-force of non-stop action that will leave readers begging for the next book in this bold and powerful new series.
My Thoughts:
Miranda North wakes up on a park bench, four hundred dollars in her pocket and only the memory of her name lingering in her mind. Confused, she makes her way to a nearby mall, and unknowingly unleashes psychic energy while she grows increasingly irritated that a security guard won’t help her. This energy causes mass panic and spreads throughout the shopping center, affecting everyone except for one person who calmly sits in the food court waiting for Miranda to approach.
Peter claims to know Miranda–be friends with her even–and he knows exactly what is happening to her. It turns out that Peter and Miranda, along with her boyfriend Noah and another girl Olive, are members of a genetically altered and specially trained team that can be used as lethal weapons. One of the unfortunate side effects of this genetic tampering is memory loss if they don’t get special shots at certain time intervals, and this is what has happened to Miranda. She has no memories of the past, and she will only form new memories from that moment forward if she receives those shots on time.
While Miranda and Peter try to figure out how she wound up in that park with no memory, they discover the real reason that they were created, and then they find that all four of the team are in more danger than they have ever been before.
Miranda is one heck of a kick-ass heroine: smart, a great sense of right from wrong, fearless, competitive, very adaptable, not afraid to inflict harm when the situation calls for it. It’s clear that Miranda isn’t the same girl as she was pre-memory loss, and both Peter and Noah recognize this. There is a hint of a love triangle between Miranda, Peter, and Noah, but it is subtle enough that I barely noticed it because Miranda seemed to know who she would pick from the beginning of this book.
Peter is the leader of their group, and he’s always been tasked with the hard decisions. It was his job to find Miranda when she’d gone missing, and he clearly has such a bond with her that she doesn’t even question whether or not to trust him with her life. He’s fearless too and even deadlier than Miranda. Noah and Olive round out the quartet of the team, and Dan Krokos does a great job of developing these secondary characters–their motivations, their desires–making them three dimensional and well rounded.
False Memory is an almost non-stop action packed adventure, filled with smart prose and dialogue. Miranda’s voice is realistic and fun to read, and her confusion in the beginning of the book is palpable. Â There is just the right amount of romantic elements thrown in to break up the tense story line, but it by no means carries this book–which is completely refreshing. Be prepared for quite a bit of violence–vividly described and choreographed–which made False Memory even more pulse pounding and page turning. A five out of five for sure, and I cannot wait for book two in this series, False Sight.
How’d you like a chance to win a signed hardcover or a signed ARC of False Memory? Both come with a bookmark signed by Dan Krokos too. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter.
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Oh holy bookness — this sounds fantastic! 🙂
seasarah recently posted..OPAL COVER REVEAL!
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LOL, holy bookness. This is a fantastic book. You should definitely check it out when you can!
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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done and done *winks and waves*
seasarah recently posted..OPAL COVER REVEAL!
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This one sounds like a must-read. I’m very intrigued by the premise! Glad to read you enjoyed it!
kay @ Infinite Curio recently posted..Comic : Reading with a friend
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While the premise isn’t that unique in the girl-with-amnesia has to figure out who she is route, the execution and other elements are different and excellent. Very enjoyable read.
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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This book sounds amazing! I have had this in my sights since I first glimpsed it and am super eager to read it. The characters sound kick-butt perfect.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
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No problem, Sharon–I love to share the books I’ve enjoyed!
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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I got a copy of this st a book festival earlier this month and I’ve really been looking forward to reading it. Everybody says only good things, so it must be awesome! 🙂
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Hope you enjoy your copy, KM! I really enjoyed reading it.
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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I’ve been so curious about this one! It sounds fantastic and I’m happy you enjoyed it.
Lori recently posted..Speechless by Hannah Harrington Giveaway
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This is a great book, and a very promising start to a series. Thanks for stopping by, Lori!
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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This book sound amazing:) Have to read it sometime:) Love your review:)
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Thanks, Elin!
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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What a scary concept. I can think of nothing more disturbing that losing your memory. Because no matter what other people do to you, at least you normally still have your own head. But when your mind betrays you, that’s extra discomfiting.
Alison (AlisonCanRead) recently posted..Manga Mondays #121 – Skip Beat! vol. 22 by Yoshiki Nakamura
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I know, right, Alison? All Miranda knows is her name when she wakes up–way too scary. All you really have in this world is yourself, and there are so many disorders and diseases that can steal that from you. There’s nothing worse.
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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Every time I see this book, all I hear are raves. Sigh. Great review, Heather! 😀
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Thanks, Sarah. It is a great book, so it does deserve the good reviews it’s getting. Thanks for stopping by!
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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I have been reading great reviews on this and now yours! I am excited to read this and I was most impressed with the way the author handled himself after all the Goodreads ugliness! Awesome review, Heather!
Heidi recently posted..Keystone(Cornerstone#2) by Misty Provencher Tour Stop, Guest Post and Giveaway
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I’m so out of the loop I didn’t even notice any of the great crap storm of 2012 on Goodreads, LOL. I’ll take your word for it. But I do know that the author is a very funny, smart, and gracious man to meet in person from when I attended the book signing.
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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WOW this book sounds frigging amazing !! I need a copy .. Too bad I can’t enter theg giveaway, but thanks for the great opportunity anyway 🙂 !!!
Elodie @ Once Upon a Quote recently posted..Tiger’s Destiny by Colleen Houck :
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This book is amazing, Elodie! Get your hands on a copy, it is a great read.
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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Heather you sold me! I love the sound of this one and hope to win a copy. Messing with someones mind, trained to be a weapon..sweet, so glad you enjoyed this one!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted..Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel
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This is a really exciting book, and it has a little bit of everything to keep it going. Definitely add it to you list!
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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I think that would the scariest thing, to wake and have no memory.. But I would love to have awesome powers though.. Sounds so interesting. Great review. I really love to get my hands on this one..
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
Jenea Whittington recently posted..ARC Review: Dearly Beloved (Gone With the Respiration #2) by Lia Habel
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The powers would be awesome, but at the risk of losing your memory if you don’t get a shot every so many hours? No thanks, LOL. Plus these powers basically mean you can be used as a weapon of mass destruction.
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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Oh, yeah! This one was really good! I really didn’t know what to make of things those first few, disorienting chapters but I really liked how the reader was just as confused and lost as the main character. It put you in her head. Looking forward to what happens next.
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..I want a griffin: STORMDANCER by Jay Kristoff
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I really can’t wait for the next book in this series either, Mary. I have so many questions that need to be answered pronto after reading this one!
Heather recently posted..Review and Giveaway – False Memory by Dan Krokos
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I am so glad to see a positive review on this book. I have’t really seen too many reviews at all on this and I have it on my TBR. It sounds amazing. Thanks for the awesome review!
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Wow, this sounds so unique and amazing! I cannot believe that I haven’t heard of this one much sooner! Great review – I will definitely have to add this to my list too 🙂
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