False Memory (False Memory, #1)

by Dan Krokos

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, hailed as a 'memorable thriller,' (Booklist) 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.

• ISBN10: 1423154576
• ISBN13: 9781423154570
• Publish Date: 1 June 2013 (first published 14 August 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Hyperion Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English

Reviews

[lizarodz]

I picked up this book from BEA earlier this year and I was a bit hesitant about it, because it sounded to me like another ‘amnesia book’ (that’s what I call it when someone looses their memory). I was pleasantly surprised with False Memory.


Miranda is a weird character, not only because she can’t remember anything, but because she seems to be a little ‘robotic’. She obviously has trouble assimilating all the information thrown her way, but anyone in her place would be too. Now, if something like that happened to me, I think I would be in a state of panic and I would become a crying mess (but that’s just me :) Overall, she is a good, loyal friend, a good fighter, and is as stubborn as a mule.


I liked Peter from the beginning; he seems to genuinely care for his ‘team’ and most especially for Miranda. I still don’t understand why Noah did what he did to Miranda; it seems to me that not remembering why you have to be on the run is dangerous and would make her more vulnerable. I really like the interaction of the group of friends. Rhys is a welcomed addition as he sheds some like on what is going on, even if there are still mysteries to uncover.


The real star of False Memories are not the characters, but the plot. Mr. Krokos has a big imagination, thus the story is full of unexpected twists and turns. Half the time I felt as confused as Miranda, constantly on the run, learning new (and often weird) things in every page. I don’t want to give the story away, but suffice to say that it involves, kick-ass, navy seal teenagers with a special (and very scary) paranormal power that are being trained for the greater evil. The writing was straightforward, and the book was a breeze to read.


False Sight, the next book in the series, is due to come out in August of next year, and I will definitely read it.


About the cover: The cover makes me think about a thriller: the couple running and the blue mist seem intense and a bit creepy. I like it!

[Amanda]

Original review (10/1/2012): http://onabookbender.com/2012/10/01/review-false-memory-by-dan-krokos

2.5

I can’t believe I’m actually going to say this, but… this book didn’t have enough angst in it for me. With Miranda’s total and complete emotional upheaval and everything that is done with her memory, I needed more to connect with her and feel her pain–feel that she was real. In some ways, she acts robotic almost, and I had a hard time caring about Miranda and the other characters. If your entire world is turned upside down, wouldn’t you experience something tremendous and crazy? She was too bad ass for me. I want a little softness and vulnerability in my strong female leads.

A love triangle makes an appearance in False Memory as well. Not only am I not a fan of love triangles (as many of you already know), but I also had trouble connecting with Miranda’s feelings for each of the two boys. I wanted more angst between Miranda and her old boyfriend; I wanted the relationship to be volatile and mirror what went on between them. Instead, Miranda dealt with everything pretty well. Likewise, I didn’t understand the relationship between Miranda and Peter and why that blossomed. It just…happened.

I initially liked the premise of this book, with genetically-altered teens and a plan to bring the world into chaos. It was good. But then it kept expanding and widening, and eventually the plot just became too much and I stopped trying to track each new twist and turn. Part of me wonders if I’m simply not the right target market for this book. It’s entirely possible. I’m a very character-driven reader (excepting, for the most part, mysteries), and this book didn’t hit the right notes for me in the character department.

[Ashley]

booknook — Young Adult book reviews

Wow! False Memory totally took me by surprise! I first read the blurb and was kind of iffy about it. I have no idea why because it sounds SO AWESOME! Elite force of genetically-altered teens? Uhh, totally cool! But for some reason the blurb wasn't clicking with me, so I almost passed up this book. But I'm so glad I didn't! Because holy crap it is awesome! False Memory is like.. a young adult Bourne Identity!

The story is told from Miranda's point of view, but really it's about her and her three friends. I have to say, it was so refreshing to read a book about a group of friends. Almost all the books I read these days are about one girl and one guy, or one girl and her one best friend, or maybe one main character with a few side characters who don't show up that much. But False Memory is about Miranda and her three closest friends, and they all support themselves brilliantly throughout the entire book! They're not just small side characters; they all play huge roles and I loved that!

This book is one of the most action-packed books I've read lately. It is such a page turner! It is over 300 pages but I whipped through it so quickly (almost in one sitting) because I couldn't get enough! Every page is so intense and full of action, disaster, plan-forming, or deliciously complicated romance! I was amazed at my inability to put this book down! I didn't expect this book to be so addicting!

The romance is really, really interesting. Basically, before Miranda's memory got wiped she was dating Noah. We catch glimpses of their old relationship through flashbacks and it seems totally cute! But then Noah wipes her memory "to protect her" and she has no idea who he is.. and she starts falling for Peter! Oh my god! So yeah, there's kind of a love triangle. Or even a really weird love square, actually.. but it's awesome! It totally made me think: if you were in love with someone and then your memory got wiped, would you fall in love with that same person again? I felt like I was Miranda because I felt the same way she did about the two different guys. Noah is the guy she feels like she's supposed to fall in love with, because they technically are (or were) dating. But she feels herself actually falling for Peter, but she feels guilty about it and really unsure. As for me, I loved Noah in the flashbacks, but I liked him less in current time. Probably because he wiped Miranda's memory "to protect her" and I hate it when guys do something like that without letting the girl have a say! But Peter on the other hand, is the white knight who comes in to rescue Miranda! Swoon!

False Memory had me completely on edge. I was ripping through the pages, I fell in love with the characters, I was biting my nails anxiously during the fight scenes (bad habit, I know), and had the hardest time deciding which guy I should root for! There are so many twists and turns! As soon as you think you've figured it all out, Krokos catches you off guard with an insane new plot twist.

I don't know why I didn't expect to love this book, but I did! It's definitely one of the most intense and interesting books I've read so far this year. I definitely recommend False Memory to anyone who likes kickass teenagers, military experimental fighting squads, conspiracy, and a complicated but swoon-a-licious romance!