Book Recap: Memory's Wake by Selina Fenech

Cover Inspection:
Beautiful.
Wait til you see the illustrations
inside the book!

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):

In a culture of cravats and corsets, a troubled sixteen-year-old stands out in her t-shirt and torn jeans. She takes the name “Memory” because hers are stolen, and she’ll do anything to get them back. Lost in a world not her own, where magic and monstrous fairies are real, Memory has enough to handle j
ust trying to stay alive.

Chased by wizard hunters, hunted by a dragon, stalked by a strange, handsome savage, despised by the fae and wanted by the king himself – everyone is after Memory, and she suspects it’s not just for her eye-catching outfit. Her forgotten past holds dangerous secrets that will change everything.

Memory will fight to get back to a family and home she can’t remember but desperately desires, even at the cost of new friendships and romances. On the run with no name and no memories, she thinks she has nothing left to lose. She couldn’t be more mistaken.

Memory's Wake is a dark fantasy suitable for older teens and adults who enjoy young adult fiction.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	3.5
Plot	3.5
Writing	3.0
Characters	3.0
Ending	3.0
Overall Rating	3.0 Very Good! (89% to 92%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

LOCATION/SETTING:

The story is set in the imaginary world of Avall. It is a world of fantasy through and through. Here, there are fairies, trolls, and sprites. There are kings, queens, princes, princesses, dukes, and duchesses. There are wizards and dragons. The inhabitants of Avall use magic, although they try to control it. The main character was sort of transported in this world through a magical Veil. The story is set in the present period, but the modernities, such as telephones, of present life are completely unknown in Avall.

MAIN CHARACTERS:

There are about 4 characters that the book took into consideration. The first one is Memory. She is the girl in the book cover - black and pink hair, eyeliner, piercings. When she was dropped in Avall through the Veil, she was as empty as a newborn - "no name, no home, no memories," as said in the book. She has bruises all over her body, and she doesn't know how she got them. The second one is Elory. She's beautiful, blonde, and a bit on the plump side. She is the daughter of the Queen who was killed, and has an enormous amount of power. She was taken by a wizard named Alward when she was little, and was trained by him. Then there is Roen. He is the son of a Duke, who was friends with Elory's mother. A few years older than Elory, his parents hoped that they would be a match. But then, his parents were deposed, and since then, they lost their land and money, forcing Roen to become a street rat. Last is the savage man. Oh! The handsome savage man! Now this one is a complete mystery. Memory does not remember him, so why does he keep saving her whenever she finds herself in danger? I cannot say more about him without giving anything away, so you just have to see for yourselves!

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:
The story begins with Memory being dropped into this world that is completely unknown to her. She then met this beautiful girl named Eloryn, who she later on found out was the long lost princess of the strange land. Together, they embark on a quest to find out about Memory's past, and eventually, to bring back to Eloryn the throne that is rightfully hers. Of course, what is a fairytale without a handsome prince - in this case, a sort of prince. They are accompanied by Roen, a son of a former duke. What is so interesting about him is that he is royal-turned-thief. Memory and Eloryn met him when he tried to steal from the two girls. The three faced a lot - dragons, faeries, and hunters. This book is a rollercoaster ride, non stop action!

LOVE:

I love how this book generated all kinds of emotions in me. My heartstrings were pulled by Memory. In the story, she was completely ignored and set aside by people. All of them see only the Princess Eloryn, and how beautiful and important she is. I felt so bad for her. There was a point in the book that I hated all those around her. Despite all her misfortunes, she still tries to be a friend to Eloryn and Roen. And of course who could ignore the amazing illustrations? The author is every bit as talented as a writer, as she is as an artist. ** spoilers** I especially loved the illustration where Elory and Roen kissed. The illustration matched the details in the text. It was amazing! ** spoilers end **

NO LOVE:
I didn't like Elory's character. Whereas Memory is a kickass heroine, Elory is the complete opposite. A total damsel in distress, who is easily frightened, and needs someone to protect her always. I also got a bit confused with the first few chapters, there were a number of POVs that I need to absorb before I really got into each's story.

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

I love Memory. Her strength is just inspiring. The world basically threw rocks at her, yet she always manages to stand up and face them head on. Taking into consideration all of the pressures teens are facing today, I firmly believe that YA books should have heroines like her. While reading about her and her past, a line in the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley came to mind, "Under the bludgeonings of chance, My head is bloody, but unbowed."

FAVORITE LINE:

If you're worried for my safety, then worry that without you well I would suffer.

MUSINGS:
This book is a fairytale - a dark one. In Avall, there are things lurking in the dark that might kill you. The world was weaved beautifully, and described in detail. And I just cannot get over the amazing illustrations! I really hope there would be more in the sequel. Really looking forward to the second book!

DOODLES:

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:
Selina Fenech

SIMILAR READS:
The Modern Faerie Tales Series by Holly Black

CONTENT REVIEW:
profanity: mild to moderate
violence: moderate
sexual content: mild
mature themes: moderate (drinking)
age recommendation: 14+