False Memory by Dan Krokos

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.

Reviewed by Amanda on

2 of 5 stars

Share
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.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 6 September, 2012: Finished reading
  • 6 September, 2012: Reviewed