Last Memoria

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Last Memoria

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.

4.5 stars. This book is a slow burn and the memory tectonics is confusing at times but the pay off is great. A wonderful exploration of memory and identity and how it shapes us. You follow two perspectives, Sarilla and Falon. Sarilla is a Memoria, someone who can steal memories from people. She's on the run from her king who wants to use her powers to be tyrannical to his subjects. Sarilla runs into Falon and two of his friends, Cedral and Havric, while on the run. What Falon doesn't know is that Sarilla has previously stolen his memories.

I really enjoyed this book, and how it kept you guessing the entire time and the memory stuff in play made it hard to trust whatever was happening in the scene to be a totally accurate read of the situation- you were always aware that the person was missing information. I also enjoyed how whenever a memory was added or removed from someone, how that person would change. I think it was a tad overexaggerated (for instance, if someone removed the memories I had of my wife, and then told me she was my wife, I highly doubt I would act cold and distant and rude to her because I would have the knowledge that I did share a life with her so I therefore must care about her. The characters in this book tend to characterize anybody they don't remember as “nobody to me” and I don't find that realistic). But as a commentary on the human condition and how our memories define us, it worked.

The main thing that prevented this book from being a full five stars was a very lackluster villain. The king is just being evil because...reasons. And every time he has dialogue, he's just cartoonishly bad for....reasons. I never understood his motivations or character and considering his actions set the entire story in certain directions, I really felt that loss. But otherwise, this book was well done.