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a_strix_named_strix's review against another edition
2.0
My god these characters are insufferable!
Win is irritating from page 1. Her dialogue is insufferable. "Data boner"??? At least she's a good friend. I didn’t want to punt her off of the face of the Earth about 30% of the time in the later parts of the book.
Neil is insufferable too. He's like many bad boys from this time period: an M&M with a bland interior and tragic backstory, coated in a candy coating of arrogance. Josh doesn't exist.
Our MC herself is bland, spoiled, and utterly incapable of making competend decisions. The plot is convoluted and nonsensical in many places, but had it not made its pivot to family drama, it had oodles of potential! That’s the frustrating part. It could've been so much better.
Win is irritating from page 1. Her dialogue is insufferable. "Data boner"??? At least she's a good friend. I didn’t want to punt her off of the face of the Earth about 30% of the time in the later parts of the book.
Neil is insufferable too. He's like many bad boys from this time period: an M&M with a bland interior and tragic backstory, coated in a candy coating of arrogance. Josh doesn't exist.
Our MC herself is bland, spoiled, and utterly incapable of making competend decisions. The plot is convoluted and nonsensical in many places, but had it not made its pivot to family drama, it had oodles of potential! That’s the frustrating part. It could've been so much better.
sophiaknudsen's review against another edition
3.0
This book was alright; not great, not bad. It was an odd genre, something like a mix of contemporary and futuristic YA. The time period was present, but the entire book was about a future technology that erases memories. This book was like a failed crossover. I did enjoy a few snappy comments here and there that got a giggle out of me! The characters were fair, just some teenagers, not very exciting or unique....But then there was the love triangle found in nearly every book. I just find it to be STUPID.... ugh. The plot was fairly enjoyable. Well, that's all I've got to say: just an overall *meh* book.
laughlinesandliterature's review against another edition
4.0
*I received this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*
I thought that Remember seemed like a really interesting concept when I looked at the synopsis, but this was better than I expected. Harper was a great character, and she really changed over the course of this book, but in really good ways.
I really felt for Harper when she lost her horse, I know the loss of a pet can be absolutely heartbreaking, and I thought Harper seemed like she was handling it pretty well. It seemed like it came out of nowhere that she wanted to get her memory softened, because she really didn’t seem like the kind of person who would do that. Then again, she is 17 and things are felt more deeply at that age. I also felt like I was reading about my high school relationship when she talked about her and Josh’s relationship. I felt bad for both of them because I know how much you don’t want to hurt the other person, but when you can barely stand to look at them it’s rough.
I thought that Harper’s moral compass was perfectly spot on. Yes, she was a teenager, but she knew what was right and wrong and wasn’t afraid to go up against the people that she loved in order to make sure that ethics were upheld. This story takes many twists and turns, and really there were quite a few surprises in this story that I didn’t see coming.
I didn’t like the relationship that ended up coming out of this story. It was a little too insta-love for my tastes, I definitely felt the chemistry between the two characters, but it just seemed to go from zero to 100% in like 4 pages. That’s just something that annoys me, as I would like a little more relationship building.
Eileen Cook wrote a wonderful book, that was well-written and had a great premise and characters. I’m giving this story 4 out of 5 stars. I really loved it, and I highly recommend it for people who like futuristic, science-fiction type stories!
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2015/02/remember-by-eileen-cook-review.html*
I thought that Remember seemed like a really interesting concept when I looked at the synopsis, but this was better than I expected. Harper was a great character, and she really changed over the course of this book, but in really good ways.
I really felt for Harper when she lost her horse, I know the loss of a pet can be absolutely heartbreaking, and I thought Harper seemed like she was handling it pretty well. It seemed like it came out of nowhere that she wanted to get her memory softened, because she really didn’t seem like the kind of person who would do that. Then again, she is 17 and things are felt more deeply at that age. I also felt like I was reading about my high school relationship when she talked about her and Josh’s relationship. I felt bad for both of them because I know how much you don’t want to hurt the other person, but when you can barely stand to look at them it’s rough.
I thought that Harper’s moral compass was perfectly spot on. Yes, she was a teenager, but she knew what was right and wrong and wasn’t afraid to go up against the people that she loved in order to make sure that ethics were upheld. This story takes many twists and turns, and really there were quite a few surprises in this story that I didn’t see coming.
I didn’t like the relationship that ended up coming out of this story. It was a little too insta-love for my tastes, I definitely felt the chemistry between the two characters, but it just seemed to go from zero to 100% in like 4 pages. That’s just something that annoys me, as I would like a little more relationship building.
Eileen Cook wrote a wonderful book, that was well-written and had a great premise and characters. I’m giving this story 4 out of 5 stars. I really loved it, and I highly recommend it for people who like futuristic, science-fiction type stories!
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2015/02/remember-by-eileen-cook-review.html*
klarry's review against another edition
1.0
What the hell. WHO ERASES THEIR MEMORIES OVER A GODDAMN HORSE!??? I couldn't even finish it, it was so stupid. I was really looking forward to this book too. HUGE let down.
silencia167's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally published on my blog, The Reality of Books. Check it out here: https://therealityofbooks.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/remember-by-eileen-cook/
Remember, by Eileen Cook, begins in the middle of the horse jumping circuit with a young girl named Harper and her horse, Harry. Harry and Harper win many awards together, but then one morning she wakes up and Harry is gone. Harper immediately turns to her father, the head of a company called Neurotech that pioneered the “Memtex” procedure. “Memtex” is a drug that helps to soften painful memories for people to help them get past their grief. When Harper’s father refuses to allow her the treatment, she seeks it out without his approval. Afterwards, she begins to suffer from increasingly weird symptoms, including hallucinations that she worries might be memories. The pictures that appear to Harper after the procedure cause her to go on a journey with one of the people protesting her father’s company, Neil, to find out what of her life is true and what’s a lie.
This is a book that is largely driven by its unique and interesting plot. I like the science behind it, though I found myself wanting to know a little more about how specifically the memtex worked and what areas of the brain it had to target in order to banish memories. The storyline was wonderfully planned out, with piece after piece falling into place in a way that kept me rapidly turning the pages. The fast pace really worked for me, especially after Harper got the procedure. From that point on, the book really moves forward. I also love that the book kept me surprised until the very end. I was like “Oh, I totally have this all figured out.” But then, I didn’t. Always a nice surprise.
Harper is a strong protagonist. I like the way she handles her situation and the way she approaches everything. I wish, however, that she wouldn’t have gotten the procedure. It would seem that she could have dealt with the loss on her own. However, that would have made this an entirely different book. I like Harper’s relationships and the way she interacts with Win, Josh, and Neil in such different ways. She comes across as a very realistic character, which made me care about her.
I hate Josh. I hate the way that he treated Harper, and I hate the way that he came across as flat on the page. Josh could have been a lot more than what he was as a character, and, without giving any spoilers, I think the ball got dropped in his department. Neil, however, really worked for me. I understood Neil’s motivations, and his function within the story. Neil worked really well with Harper both as a way to advance the plot and a way to make Harper a more likable character. Neil is the catalyst that changes Harper from a somewhat spoiled brat into a more relatable person.
The obvious theme in this book in memory. What things do we remember? Or rather, what do we want to remember? It is never easier to just erase what hurts us rather than work to move past the pain. We need to deal with what ails us.
This is a great, fast paced read. Yes, the first quarter is a little slow, but it’s totally worth it to push through. If you’re looking for something that is unique and entertaining, with a strong hand in a realistic future, then Eileen Cook’s Remember is perfect for you. 4 stars from me.
I received Remember as an ARC from Edelweiss/Above the Treeline. I was not paid to write this review. Remember is expected for publication on February 24th, 2015, by Simon Pulse.
Remember, by Eileen Cook, begins in the middle of the horse jumping circuit with a young girl named Harper and her horse, Harry. Harry and Harper win many awards together, but then one morning she wakes up and Harry is gone. Harper immediately turns to her father, the head of a company called Neurotech that pioneered the “Memtex” procedure. “Memtex” is a drug that helps to soften painful memories for people to help them get past their grief. When Harper’s father refuses to allow her the treatment, she seeks it out without his approval. Afterwards, she begins to suffer from increasingly weird symptoms, including hallucinations that she worries might be memories. The pictures that appear to Harper after the procedure cause her to go on a journey with one of the people protesting her father’s company, Neil, to find out what of her life is true and what’s a lie.
This is a book that is largely driven by its unique and interesting plot. I like the science behind it, though I found myself wanting to know a little more about how specifically the memtex worked and what areas of the brain it had to target in order to banish memories. The storyline was wonderfully planned out, with piece after piece falling into place in a way that kept me rapidly turning the pages. The fast pace really worked for me, especially after Harper got the procedure. From that point on, the book really moves forward. I also love that the book kept me surprised until the very end. I was like “Oh, I totally have this all figured out.” But then, I didn’t. Always a nice surprise.
Harper is a strong protagonist. I like the way she handles her situation and the way she approaches everything. I wish, however, that she wouldn’t have gotten the procedure. It would seem that she could have dealt with the loss on her own. However, that would have made this an entirely different book. I like Harper’s relationships and the way she interacts with Win, Josh, and Neil in such different ways. She comes across as a very realistic character, which made me care about her.
I hate Josh. I hate the way that he treated Harper, and I hate the way that he came across as flat on the page. Josh could have been a lot more than what he was as a character, and, without giving any spoilers, I think the ball got dropped in his department. Neil, however, really worked for me. I understood Neil’s motivations, and his function within the story. Neil worked really well with Harper both as a way to advance the plot and a way to make Harper a more likable character. Neil is the catalyst that changes Harper from a somewhat spoiled brat into a more relatable person.
The obvious theme in this book in memory. What things do we remember? Or rather, what do we want to remember? It is never easier to just erase what hurts us rather than work to move past the pain. We need to deal with what ails us.
This is a great, fast paced read. Yes, the first quarter is a little slow, but it’s totally worth it to push through. If you’re looking for something that is unique and entertaining, with a strong hand in a realistic future, then Eileen Cook’s Remember is perfect for you. 4 stars from me.
I received Remember as an ARC from Edelweiss/Above the Treeline. I was not paid to write this review. Remember is expected for publication on February 24th, 2015, by Simon Pulse.
tashalane's review against another edition
3.0
This reviews and other found at:
https://caughtupinbooks.wordpress.com/
This book was good. Not bad, not amazing, but good. It started off kind of slow for me. I was 24% into the book before it really started getting interesting. Even from there the pacing of the book was off. I would read a few pages and put it aside only to pick it back up and read some more and put it back down. It was like I could only handle the pacing for so long before I had to put it down for awhile. Until, it got to be around 50-60 ish % then it was going good. It was like Eileen finally got to her favorite part and took of with it. The pacing was better and before I knew it was over. Not like boom, only my God, it ended suddenly but it was going at a much better pace for myself and I quit paying attention to how far along I was until it was over. It got more interesting as it went along as well. I became more.. how do I put this..... engulfed?, entranced?, more into the story and less actually in reality. I need up liking the read. It is interesting to ponder what it would be like to have my memory partially erased. I don't think it's my cup of tea. I have a bad memory as it is. I don't need any help in that department. If you like sci-fi, fantasy this could be a read for you. Have you read it? What do you think?
https://caughtupinbooks.wordpress.com/
This book was good. Not bad, not amazing, but good. It started off kind of slow for me. I was 24% into the book before it really started getting interesting. Even from there the pacing of the book was off. I would read a few pages and put it aside only to pick it back up and read some more and put it back down. It was like I could only handle the pacing for so long before I had to put it down for awhile. Until, it got to be around 50-60 ish % then it was going good. It was like Eileen finally got to her favorite part and took of with it. The pacing was better and before I knew it was over. Not like boom, only my God, it ended suddenly but it was going at a much better pace for myself and I quit paying attention to how far along I was until it was over. It got more interesting as it went along as well. I became more.. how do I put this..... engulfed?, entranced?, more into the story and less actually in reality. I need up liking the read. It is interesting to ponder what it would be like to have my memory partially erased. I don't think it's my cup of tea. I have a bad memory as it is. I don't need any help in that department. If you like sci-fi, fantasy this could be a read for you. Have you read it? What do you think?
burstnwithbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I don't have much to say about this book, as it was honestly just okay. It's a YA mystery/thriller (if it's not, it's trying to be) and it's just quite predictable. It was a quick read and I didn't really mind it, but obviously that's not high praise for a book. I didn't care about the plot, the characters, or basically anything in this book. I loved the horses. let's focus on the horses.
alifromkc1907's review against another edition
4.0
Read more at http://rainbowreviews.wix.com/readingfree or on Instagram @RainbowReviewsKC
Gut Instinct Rating - 3.5
Story Line - 4
Writing Style - 4
Characters - 4
Excitement Factor - 3.5
Believability for type and topics - 5
Similarity to other books - 4
Cover art - 3
Title Relevance - 5
Emoji Meter:
Gut Instinct Rating - 3.5
Story Line - 4
Writing Style - 4
Characters - 4
Excitement Factor - 3.5
Believability for type and topics - 5
Similarity to other books - 4
Cover art - 3
Title Relevance - 5
Emoji Meter:
emtheauthor's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this one: it wasn't my favorite.
The premise sounded so cool and intriguing, but the delivery was a struggle. The writing wasn't good, the characters didn't connect for me, the instalove was just too much, and the plot ended up not being nearly as interesting as I'd hoped. It was a really great idea—and some of the mystery aspect was why I kept reading—but overall, a disappointment. The story had a great chance to dig deep into complex ideas and issues, such as the human brain and memory and how trauma effects a person, but it barely skimmed the surface and came off supremely superficial.
Not for me.
Rated 1.5/5 for a good idea and a couple of funny lines
The premise sounded so cool and intriguing, but the delivery was a struggle. The writing wasn't good, the characters didn't connect for me, the instalove was just too much, and the plot ended up not being nearly as interesting as I'd hoped. It was a really great idea—and some of the mystery aspect was why I kept reading—but overall, a disappointment. The story had a great chance to dig deep into complex ideas and issues, such as the human brain and memory and how trauma effects a person, but it barely skimmed the surface and came off supremely superficial.
Not for me.
Rated 1.5/5 for a good idea and a couple of funny lines
pagesplotsandpints's review against another edition
4.0
Initial Impressions 2/15/20: It's been a long time since I finished a print copy of a book in one day but I didn't want to put this one down! I got about halfway in the morning and then picked it back up again the afternoon so I could see how it all tied together and how it ended!
I fell in love with Eileen Cook over WITH MALICE and her books have actually been on my TBR since 2012 when I added THE ALMOST TRUTH (but I still don't have a copy of that one...) so when I was looking into what to read to knock some more off my blacklist TBR, I knew this book had to be one to read soon!
There were a few beliefs I had to suspend in order to read the book. The concept was about a company that was able to "soften" painful memories so they weren't as all-consuming or painful, so I had to assume this would work. I also had to let it slide when the main character sneaks in to have the procedure which would like never, ever be possible. Even when you have a minor medical procedure you have to show ID and they check your birthdate 100 times to make sure you're the right person and they're doing the right thing to you, so there's no way she could have just snuck in to have this done under someone else's name and the medical staff would just accept that she was who she was by giving her name.
Anyway! Those things aside, the book was really enjoyable. I liked the story overall and there were a few things that I thought would be predictable and were and a few things that I thought would be predictable and surprised me! I loved Eileen Cook's storytelling ability in WITH MALICE and REMEMBER also had some great pacing, revealing things at the opportune time while still holding enough back to make me want to finish this book in a day and not put it down! I've only read two of her books so I can't really say how her writing has grown from one to the other, and they were also different types of stories even though they both held the elements of a mystery/thrillers, but it does feel like the character development grows (this was the earlier book so I didn't read them chronologically) and it definitely makes me more interested in reading more!
I fell in love with Eileen Cook over WITH MALICE and her books have actually been on my TBR since 2012 when I added THE ALMOST TRUTH (but I still don't have a copy of that one...) so when I was looking into what to read to knock some more off my blacklist TBR, I knew this book had to be one to read soon!
There were a few beliefs I had to suspend in order to read the book. The concept was about a company that was able to "soften" painful memories so they weren't as all-consuming or painful, so I had to assume this would work. I also had to let it slide when the main character sneaks in to have the procedure which would like never, ever be possible. Even when you have a minor medical procedure you have to show ID and they check your birthdate 100 times to make sure you're the right person and they're doing the right thing to you, so there's no way she could have just snuck in to have this done under someone else's name and the medical staff would just accept that she was who she was by giving her name.
Anyway! Those things aside, the book was really enjoyable. I liked the story overall and there were a few things that I thought would be predictable and were and a few things that I thought would be predictable and surprised me! I loved Eileen Cook's storytelling ability in WITH MALICE and REMEMBER also had some great pacing, revealing things at the opportune time while still holding enough back to make me want to finish this book in a day and not put it down! I've only read two of her books so I can't really say how her writing has grown from one to the other, and they were also different types of stories even though they both held the elements of a mystery/thrillers, but it does feel like the character development grows (this was the earlier book so I didn't read them chronologically) and it definitely makes me more interested in reading more!