Being part memoria allows Sarilla to steal memories with a single touch. But it also means she is a tool for the king to use against accused traitors. Forced to steal memories from the King’s enemies, Sarilla's mind is full of memories that do not belong to her. And it's becoming harder to grasp reality. When she runs away with her brother, she is forced to choose between the habits she’s fallen into and a life of freedom. But freedom is daunting and not easily won.
Last Memoria did not turn out to be anything like I expected. Sarilla’s character threw me because she isn’t the strong female lead I have grown used to. Was it frustrating at times? Yes, I wanted to yell at Sarilla’s choices, but Rachel Emma Shaw did a fantastic job portraying a girl emotionally attached to her abuser. Sarilla was filled with so much self-loathing that she was drowning throughout this book. Many choices she made because she believed they were her only option. Sarilla’s predicament fed the darker fantasy tones I was hoping to see, even if her character was not the most likable.
But Sarilla isn’t the only character point of view we experience. Halfway through the novel, perspectives switch to Falon. In the first half of the book, readers see through Sarilla’s eyes what the people think of memoria. In the second half of the book, you are allowed to experience firsthand how memoria are viewed. Though it doesn’t sound like it should be all too different, the resentment and prejudice against the memoria are so severe. And you’ll see the misconceptions and general lack of understanding surrounding what they can and cannot do. You begin to understand Sarilla’s self-hatred and how she has become accustomed to calling herself a monster.
I do wish more time had been spent with Sarilla’s family. Whether by her having flashbacks or more time spent with her brother. Given the large impact her family and their history have on the overall story, they should have had more page time to connect with readers. But where the family relationships fell short, Rachel Emma Shaw made sure the tension between Sarilla and Falon was on point. Toss in a six-month memory gap where Falon has no idea how he should feel and you have a wonderful mix of confusion and desire.
Last Memoria deals with heavy-hitting themes in a dark fantasy world. This is no light-hearted beach read. While it does not tip into grimdark, it certainly treads the line with the extent of cruelty shown against the memoria. A definite pick if you are searching for an interesting magic system and conflicted characters.
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High praise the magic system, the mythology, the romance ... everything!
I thoroughly enjoyed Last Memoria! High praise for this one. I’m absolutely looking forward to the next book. I feel like it’s a fantastic start to this duology. It follows a Memoria named Sarilla who has been forced by the crown to take people’s memories. Whether to make them forget, for information, for punishment – she’s been made to do it and she wants out. The more memories she takes, the closer to madness she falls and the more she’s burdened by the guilt of what she’s done. In her travels she comes across Falon, a man from her past whose memories have been taken. He doesn’t remember Sarilla but realizes she is a Memoria and seeks her help in regaining what he’s lost. He doesn’t understand why the man he loves has been acting strangely and knows it must be tied to those lost memories. He’ll do whatever it takes to get those pieces of his life back. But Sarilla has secrets of her own and just wants to be free from the king’s hold. I loved the mystery of this story, as well as the unique magic system around the Memoria. There is also a fascinating mythology to go with it and the romance is ... tantalizing, to say the least! 😉 It definitely had me on the EDGE of my seat multiple times and the action just kept going and going. If you like stories with characters forced on a journey together, slow burn romance, fantasy worlds with mysteries to solve, bisexual characters, broodiness and angst ... this is one for you. I read and listened to the audio of this one and highly recommend both formats!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2021
- Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed Last Memoria! High praise for this one. I’m absolutely looking forward to the next book. I feel like it’s a fantastic start to this duology.
High praise the magic system, the mythology, the romance ... everything!
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2020
It follows a Memoria named Sarilla who has been forced by the crown to take people’s memories. Whether to make them forget, for information, for punishment – she’s been made to do it and she wants out. The more memories she takes, the closer to madness she falls and the more she’s burdened by the guilt of what she’s done.
In her travels she comes across Falon, a man from her past whose memories have been taken. He doesn’t remember Sarilla but realizes she is a Memoria and seeks her help in regaining what he’s lost. He doesn’t understand why the man he loves has been acting strangely and knows it must be tied to those lost memories. He’ll do whatever it takes to get those pieces of his life back.
But Sarilla has secrets of her own and just wants to be free from the king’s hold.
I loved the mystery of this story, as well as the unique magic system around the Memoria. There is also a fascinating mythology to go with it and the romance is ... tantalizing, to say the least! 😉 It definitely had me on the EDGE of my seat multiple times and the action just kept going and going. If you like stories with characters forced on a journey together, slow burn romance, fantasy worlds with mysteries to solve, bisexual characters, broodiness and angst ... this is one for you.
I read and listened to the audio of this one and highly recommend both formats!
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Top reviews from other countries
- CarlyReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2020
Incredible read for all Dark Fantasy lovers
- GeorgeReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2020
A fast-paced, twisted fantasy thriller
