Publisher: Hyperion
Publication Date: August 14, 2012
Format: ARC
Status: First in the False Memory series. Book two has an expected publication date of August 2013.
Source: Snagged at BEA.
Genre: Teen Thriller/Science Fiction
Other Info: This is Krokos’ debut novel.
Description and link from Goodreads):
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.
Part The Bourne Identity, part The X-Files, False Memory is a fast, fantastic read. Author Dan Krokos wastes no time getting started with the action, but neither does he pull any punches while introducing his characters. Miranda, our main character, woke up remembering two facts: Her name is Miranda North, and she’s 17. Other than that, her mind’s a complete blank. Well, except for those automatic responses she has–buying some clothes so she doesn’t stick out in the crowd, and searching for places to take cover. Miranda may not know much, but she knows these aren’t the actions of your average teenager.
Fortunately, someone in the crowded mall knows Miranda. Peter takes the bewildered girl home, and explains: she’s be trained from birth to be a lean, mean fighting machine. Things only get weirder from there, as Peter elaborates on her life as one of four teens raised together, and their strange, regulated, parent-less childhood. It’s a lot to take in, but Miranda doesn’t have the luxury of time. The remaining members of her team went missing when she did, and they’ve yet to be tracked down. Miranda has to process on the run, and reconciling herself to a life she doesn’t remember isn’t any easier when people are trying to kill you.
Usually, I don’t like it when authors write MCs from opposite genders. I nitpick and tear apart and whine about unauthentic voices. I didn’t have this problem with Miranda and Dan Krokos. In part, this is due to the fact that Miranda doesn’t have the time to be a girl, only a bewildered human being. However explosive the action is, though, Krokos doesn’t gloss over plot or characterization. Krokos does what The Lost Princessfailed to do–expands on the characters while the action is happening. How each character–from Miranda to Peter to Noah and Olive–responds to their many crises helps us to get to know them better.
False Memory evokes The Bourne Identity and The X-Files without ever feeling derivative. It takes the best of both creates and seriously enjoyable new tale. I had a lot of fun reading it, and I look forward to seeing more from Dan Krokos.
5 Matryoshkas: I would move in with this book.
Leave a Comment | |
|
|
|
I really enjoyed this one, too! The beginning was a little odd to me but once I got into the swing, I couldn’t put it down. And I agree about Miranda. She’s not a girly-girl anyway but she really does spend most of the time just bewildered.
I loved the beginning because it reminded me of The Bourne Identity–which I lurved. Also, I fell for Peter right away.
And, of course Miranda is bewildered. I’d be scared OUT OF MY MIND.
Ooh. Dual POVs from a girl *and* a guy’s point of view?
I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews on this one, but after reading yours, I might have to take a look. Great review!
Misa
Skyway Avenue Reads
What? Sorry, no, there are aren’t dual POVs. What I meant was that it’s told from the POV of a girl, but was actually written by a guy. The narration doesn’t alternate at all.
It was a great book, though, so I do recommend it.
This. Sounds. Amazeballs.
Oh, it was. You’d love it, Logan. I pretty much guarantee it.