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Memory Kick by Torrens, C. M. (2013) Paperback
Lost and missing his memory, Qusay Drazi turns to the drug kick to ease his pain while warming beds to feed his addiction. His years on the space station have taught him nothing is free. Meeting Cameron, who seems to have no ulterior motives, leaves Qusay confused but hopeful that Cameron is different. When Qusay finds the courage to ask for help, he discovers a price on his head for the locked away memories.Cameron Miles believes people can turn their lives around, but his attempt to help Qusay unravels a slew of trouble, and they find themselves on the run from the CompCore corporation. When CompCore captures Qusay, Cameron realizes how much his feelings for Qusay have grown. Then he discovers what CompCore is after and how deeply it is buried inside Qusay’s mind. Cameron must decide how far he’s willing to go before the memory “treatments” leave Qusay a tattered and empty shell.
Paperback
First published November 7, 2013
87 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Torrens
7 books30 followersC.M. Torrens writes stories of characters and dark new worlds. People falling in love or finding it in dark and strange places and discovering hope in the bleak circumstances. Beyond that, she tries not to put herself into a genre box.
She lives in the Midwest with her furry canines, the fattest most spoiled corn snake ever to grace the planet and her wonderful family. She is often described as 'strange' but think that suits her just fine.
Contact Info
Blog: http://cmtorrens.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CMTorrens
Email: CM.Torrens@gmail.com
She lives in the Midwest with her furry canines, the fattest most spoiled corn snake ever to grace the planet and her wonderful family. She is often described as 'strange' but think that suits her just fine.
Contact Info
Blog: http://cmtorrens.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CMTorrens
Email: CM.Torrens@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 12, 2013
4.5
I preordered this because I had read another title from this author before
, and which I really enjoyed. The blurb did give me some hesitation because 1: I'm not a science fiction fan and 2: it dealt with substance abuse and tricks-themes that aren't at the top of my fave list. I'm glad I read this story, and although some of the subject matter did give me the queasies it was an engaging read all around.
Qusay has one certainty-nothing is free. He finds solace and numbness in drugs to deal with severe headaches and the constant fear of the gaps in his memory. Things that he knows one minute are gone in a fog the next. He makes his living turning tricks and his dealer Otis (UGH filthy disgusting #$%&) easily preys on Qusay when Qusay doesn't have enough for the drug of choice Kick. Under the influence, Qusay becomes victim to Otis and his twin Max's sadism. After barely escaping from the brothers latest perverted act, he literally bumps into Cameron.
When Cameron catches sight of Qusay's state, he only wants to lend a helping hand. He offers Qusay a meal and senses Qusay's instant wariness; the young man's personality changes from fearful to seductive in a flash, coming onto Cameron, obviously misinterpreting Cameron's intentions. But something pulls Cameron to Qusay and so he asks Qusay to accompany him for lunch for the rest of his stay in the station.
Little by by little Qusay opens up to Cameron and places his trust in him when he learns that Cameron works security, by asking Cameron to help find out who he is and where Qusay came from. But disappointment makes him run when Cameron asks about Otis-not knowing that Cameron is a bounty hunter that has his sights on Max and is not aware of Qusay's connection to Otis. But fate intervenes when Cameron's search for Max saves Qusay from the brothers' clutches. Feeling guilty when their simple search makes Qusay the subject of a bounty, Cameron takes Qusay off the station trying to evade the hunters on their tail.
In close quarters Cameron fights his growing attraction to Qusay as Qusay battles through withdrawal. When Qusay is captured, Cameron has to come to terms with his feelings in order to save Qusay from the man intent on breaking Qusay's body and mind.
Qusay (love the name), was an amazing character for me because with everything that he dealt with and everything he lived through he still managed to keep his sanity and his sweet nature-such a strong young man. I felt disgusted with his father's complete disregard of Qusay's pain, even after what he discovers at the end. I SO wished that Cameron had really punched the guy a good one.
Cameron I loved because of his gentle affection towards Qusay, something Qusay had never really experienced and just really really needed and more than deserved. I liked that Qusay's comfort was always a priority even before he fully realized what he felt.
I really enjoyed this novel, all the elements brought together worked well and of course the writing enhanced the experience. I thought the sci. would really lose me but in actuality I sometimes even forgot this was supposed to be science fiction. It was understated, easy to follow without me going huh?, and made this world easy to imagine in my head. The only thing that nagged me a little was Archer's whole obsession with Qusay's dad, but other than that definitely a thumbs up. Good reading.
I preordered this because I had read another title from this author before
, and which I really enjoyed. The blurb did give me some hesitation because 1: I'm not a science fiction fan and 2: it dealt with substance abuse and tricks-themes that aren't at the top of my fave list. I'm glad I read this story, and although some of the subject matter did give me the queasies it was an engaging read all around.Qusay has one certainty-nothing is free. He finds solace and numbness in drugs to deal with severe headaches and the constant fear of the gaps in his memory. Things that he knows one minute are gone in a fog the next. He makes his living turning tricks and his dealer Otis (UGH filthy disgusting #$%&) easily preys on Qusay when Qusay doesn't have enough for the drug of choice Kick. Under the influence, Qusay becomes victim to Otis and his twin Max's sadism. After barely escaping from the brothers latest perverted act, he literally bumps into Cameron.
When Cameron catches sight of Qusay's state, he only wants to lend a helping hand. He offers Qusay a meal and senses Qusay's instant wariness; the young man's personality changes from fearful to seductive in a flash, coming onto Cameron, obviously misinterpreting Cameron's intentions. But something pulls Cameron to Qusay and so he asks Qusay to accompany him for lunch for the rest of his stay in the station.
Little by by little Qusay opens up to Cameron and places his trust in him when he learns that Cameron works security, by asking Cameron to help find out who he is and where Qusay came from. But disappointment makes him run when Cameron asks about Otis-not knowing that Cameron is a bounty hunter that has his sights on Max and is not aware of Qusay's connection to Otis. But fate intervenes when Cameron's search for Max saves Qusay from the brothers' clutches. Feeling guilty when their simple search makes Qusay the subject of a bounty, Cameron takes Qusay off the station trying to evade the hunters on their tail.
In close quarters Cameron fights his growing attraction to Qusay as Qusay battles through withdrawal. When Qusay is captured, Cameron has to come to terms with his feelings in order to save Qusay from the man intent on breaking Qusay's body and mind.
Qusay (love the name), was an amazing character for me because with everything that he dealt with and everything he lived through he still managed to keep his sanity and his sweet nature-such a strong young man. I felt disgusted with his father's complete disregard of Qusay's pain, even after what he discovers at the end. I SO wished that Cameron had really punched the guy a good one.
Cameron I loved because of his gentle affection towards Qusay, something Qusay had never really experienced and just really really needed and more than deserved. I liked that Qusay's comfort was always a priority even before he fully realized what he felt.
I really enjoyed this novel, all the elements brought together worked well and of course the writing enhanced the experience. I thought the sci. would really lose me but in actuality I sometimes even forgot this was supposed to be science fiction. It was understated, easy to follow without me going huh?, and made this world easy to imagine in my head. The only thing that nagged me a little was Archer's whole obsession with Qusay's dad, but other than that definitely a thumbs up. Good reading.
February 21, 2014
I don't hate the book. I simply could not find one thing to make it worth my while for having read this. So it gets 1 star.
I wanted to enjoy this. But right off, my expectations were not met. I was looking forward to some thrilling sci-fi and got a sort of romantic mush instead. The plot jumped from one thing to another, and I never got the chance to fully understand and empathise with the characters. The only emotion I felt was in the first few pages . Then he wanders in Cameron's path. Both decide to trust each other for reasons unknown.
I tried to find this acceptable. But nothing worked for me. I don't have any negative feelings towards it. There's not even that.
I wanted to enjoy this. But right off, my expectations were not met. I was looking forward to some thrilling sci-fi and got a sort of romantic mush instead. The plot jumped from one thing to another, and I never got the chance to fully understand and empathise with the characters. The only emotion I felt was in the first few pages . Then he wanders in Cameron's path. Both decide to trust each other for reasons unknown.
I tried to find this acceptable. But nothing worked for me. I don't have any negative feelings towards it. There's not even that.
February 11, 2014
I haven't read too many m/m sci-fi novels, but I like the combination of space stations, psychedelic drugs, and neural rewiring that Torrens features in this book. Qusay is a suitably vulnerable lost waif with an interesting mixture of bravado, sassiness and deep down, anger and frustration. Cameron, the bounty hunter, is pretty much an every man but with that inner heroic need to protect and rescue. When he finds Qusay peddling on the streets with no memory of his past, he just has to dig into the mystery.
I think one of my only nitpicks would be that though Cameron is supposedly a bounty hunter, not once did I get to see him actually doing anything related to his job. He might as well have been a captain or a merchant or a cop or pretty much anything. It's a small, nit, however. Overall the action and relationships carried me along, and I enjoyed it. The ending was quite thrilling.
The plot took some interesting twists that made the reader question who a person really is when they remember two different lives. I like how Torrens played with this development and how it eventually resolved itself.
Definitely recommend for those who love a good space opera.
I think one of my only nitpicks would be that though Cameron is supposedly a bounty hunter, not once did I get to see him actually doing anything related to his job. He might as well have been a captain or a merchant or a cop or pretty much anything. It's a small, nit, however. Overall the action and relationships carried me along, and I enjoyed it. The ending was quite thrilling.
The plot took some interesting twists that made the reader question who a person really is when they remember two different lives. I like how Torrens played with this development and how it eventually resolved itself.
Definitely recommend for those who love a good space opera.
December 7, 2013
What a great read! I went through it in one day. Liked both the main characters, and was pleasantly surprised how well the science fiction and romance elements were balanced. It got rather intense at times but I couldn't stop reading!
The ending did feel rushed, even a little unfinished, so I'm crossing my fingers for a sequel. I think there's plenty more the author could tell us about these characters. :-)
Oh, I also love the cover art. Is that beautiful or what?
The ending did feel rushed, even a little unfinished, so I'm crossing my fingers for a sequel. I think there's plenty more the author could tell us about these characters. :-)
Oh, I also love the cover art. Is that beautiful or what?
November 22, 2013
Original Blog Post: http://headouttheoven.blogspot.com/20...
Although I was not familiar with C.M. Torrens' works, reading the blurb for Memory Kick piqued my interest. There is nothing like a blurb that tells of a different story. As this is a science fiction, I just had to have this.
It was quite intriguing reading this book. The first chapter tells of an addiction and mindless sex, no thanks to the drugs Qusay had taken. After reading that chapter, I was ready to put this down, to be quite honest. As I am not usually a quitter by nature, I decided to persevere and grit my teeth. I thought this was just another one of those things and nearly regretted my choice. 'Nearly' being the operative word.
The story started to unfold and introduced us to Qusay without his mindless escape. In him, we find a character in so much pain and without memories. This made me curious how he got involved in the lifestyle of drugs and prostitution if there was no real backstory. This is when the title, Memory Kick, kicks the readers.
In comes Cameron. Bounty hunter by profession, he sees in Qusay a young man ready to be saved. Getting to know the young man, he gets curious on the whys of this individual. His lifestyle and profession were at odds with his whole personality. In a search for truth, the two men agree to search for the backstory. This is where the real fun begins.
The suspense of being hunted and running to safety, the mystery of Qusay's past, it is all so brilliantly told by the author it was hard to put this down. After that first painful chapter, it was impossible not to get sucked into the mystery that is Qusay.
As their running bring them to dangerous grounds, the characters begin to evolve. Cameron seeks to save Qusay who now finds he is not who he is. He is a victim of a mind wipe and the mystery unfolds just as their love for each other strengthens.
This book is a fantastic science fiction and the mystery and suspense were a bonus to the reader. Hard to put down, impossible to forget, the emotions this book can bring out from all of its readers make this a unique work. Yes, it could be quite painful to read at times, especially with the sensitive topics involved, but these were so very well handled by the author that there is no room for regrets.
Fantastic!
Although I was not familiar with C.M. Torrens' works, reading the blurb for Memory Kick piqued my interest. There is nothing like a blurb that tells of a different story. As this is a science fiction, I just had to have this.
It was quite intriguing reading this book. The first chapter tells of an addiction and mindless sex, no thanks to the drugs Qusay had taken. After reading that chapter, I was ready to put this down, to be quite honest. As I am not usually a quitter by nature, I decided to persevere and grit my teeth. I thought this was just another one of those things and nearly regretted my choice. 'Nearly' being the operative word.
The story started to unfold and introduced us to Qusay without his mindless escape. In him, we find a character in so much pain and without memories. This made me curious how he got involved in the lifestyle of drugs and prostitution if there was no real backstory. This is when the title, Memory Kick, kicks the readers.
In comes Cameron. Bounty hunter by profession, he sees in Qusay a young man ready to be saved. Getting to know the young man, he gets curious on the whys of this individual. His lifestyle and profession were at odds with his whole personality. In a search for truth, the two men agree to search for the backstory. This is where the real fun begins.
The suspense of being hunted and running to safety, the mystery of Qusay's past, it is all so brilliantly told by the author it was hard to put this down. After that first painful chapter, it was impossible not to get sucked into the mystery that is Qusay.
As their running bring them to dangerous grounds, the characters begin to evolve. Cameron seeks to save Qusay who now finds he is not who he is. He is a victim of a mind wipe and the mystery unfolds just as their love for each other strengthens.
This book is a fantastic science fiction and the mystery and suspense were a bonus to the reader. Hard to put down, impossible to forget, the emotions this book can bring out from all of its readers make this a unique work. Yes, it could be quite painful to read at times, especially with the sensitive topics involved, but these were so very well handled by the author that there is no room for regrets.
Fantastic!
July 23, 2015
I really liked this author's writing style, and the story was interesting if a bit convoluted. In general, it was readable and had good continuity despite the complexity, which was impressive.
Qusay is a sex worker on a space station. In the universe this book takes place in, sex work is still somewhat stigmatized but is generally legal and not socially unacceptable. However, Qusay is also an addict. Cameron finds him and decides to try to help him. Meanwhile, Qusay is having memory problems. He thinks it is because of his addiction, but the pattern is suspicious.
The memory issues seemed kind of random, but the author tied it all together pretty well. Cameron and Qusay are a cute couple with decent, if not smoking hot, chemistry. The integration of the sci-fi and romance aspects was well balanced and didn't seem awkward.
I especially liked the author's use of detailed visual environments:
"The throughway was worn and stained, and the
walls, once painted a pale blue, were gray and chipped to the steel below. Many of
the overhead screens flickered on and off, unable to hold images for long. "
The universe feels very detailed and well fleshed as a result.
There is a bit of triteness and overuse of cliches. There is one point where Cameron says “I just want you to be more than you are.” I think this was supposed to be an uplifting something or other (he is thinking about how smart and wonderful Qusay is) but I think she misworded some cliche romance line or something, because who would want to hear that?
Also, I hate the romance cliche in which one partner thinks the other partner is cute when he's angry, and so conflicts are ignored. I find it infantilizing and dismissive. Those cliches made Cameron seem a bit paternalistic and condescending. For some time in the middle, the relationship didn't seem to have a clear progression, and both characters seemed very hot and cold.
But when things got tricky, and Qusay learned why his memory was so tricky, Cameron definitely became a more consistent character and the plot got more cohesive.
Qusay is a sex worker on a space station. In the universe this book takes place in, sex work is still somewhat stigmatized but is generally legal and not socially unacceptable. However, Qusay is also an addict. Cameron finds him and decides to try to help him. Meanwhile, Qusay is having memory problems. He thinks it is because of his addiction, but the pattern is suspicious.
The memory issues seemed kind of random, but the author tied it all together pretty well. Cameron and Qusay are a cute couple with decent, if not smoking hot, chemistry. The integration of the sci-fi and romance aspects was well balanced and didn't seem awkward.
I especially liked the author's use of detailed visual environments:
"The throughway was worn and stained, and the
walls, once painted a pale blue, were gray and chipped to the steel below. Many of
the overhead screens flickered on and off, unable to hold images for long. "
The universe feels very detailed and well fleshed as a result.
There is a bit of triteness and overuse of cliches. There is one point where Cameron says “I just want you to be more than you are.” I think this was supposed to be an uplifting something or other (he is thinking about how smart and wonderful Qusay is) but I think she misworded some cliche romance line or something, because who would want to hear that?
Also, I hate the romance cliche in which one partner thinks the other partner is cute when he's angry, and so conflicts are ignored. I find it infantilizing and dismissive. Those cliches made Cameron seem a bit paternalistic and condescending. For some time in the middle, the relationship didn't seem to have a clear progression, and both characters seemed very hot and cold.
But when things got tricky, and Qusay learned why his memory was so tricky, Cameron definitely became a more consistent character and the plot got more cohesive.
January 10, 2014
3.5 stars
This was a very dark book. I normally eat up abused and victimized MC's who get their prince charming, but this poor kid kept getting victimized over and over and over again.
I enjoyed the writing, the story was good, the characters were great. Great pace, kept me entertained throughout the whole book, nice plot twists too.
This was a very dark book. I normally eat up abused and victimized MC's who get their prince charming, but this poor kid kept getting victimized over and over and over again.
I enjoyed the writing, the story was good, the characters were great. Great pace, kept me entertained throughout the whole book, nice plot twists too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2015
I enjoyed this one. It was clearly well thought out and I rather liked the characters. Well, Cam and Sai anyway. My only real complaints would be the jump into bed seemed too fast. And after it happened it seemed all the misgivings just went away and we're cured by love. Some of it was a little predictable, but not in a bad way. I just wish there had been more closure with Sai's father.
November 13, 2013
Excellent sci-fi story, I loved Cameron and Qusay. The only thing that bothered me was the abrupt way it ended, it seemed to just *boom* stop. Other that that I loved it.
November 27, 2013
4.5 rounded up. Just wish there was an epilogue of sorts.
August 11, 2016
Very good book but the ending is quite abrupt.
September 29, 2014
Good book, wish she went more into the lazurus project or why he was so good
May 17, 2019
it's okay, probably wouldn't read again though.
July 21, 2016
Qusay, is more than what he appears to be (a rent boy). He is in reality a smart computer hacker who was slipped a memory blocker by an over ambitious family servant who’s both sexually obsessed with Qusay and hell bent on destroying Qusay’s father. Whenever Qusay tries to recall anything about his past he gets migraines. in an effort to survive his life as rent boy Qusay does “drugs” and since the habit is an expensive one he trades his body so that he may buy more of it.
Enter Cameron, a private security / bounty hunter who spots Qusay and is immediately enamored. Cameron has a need to protect Qusay and doesn’t want him as another sexual conquest. Compelled to help the boy he scans him and unwittingly puts Qusay in jeopardy as every bounty hunter searches for Qusay in an effort to collect the handsome reward for his capture.
This is the first story I've ever read by Torrens and it was okay. My hang up is the ending. It fell very flat . There wasn't a clear explanation on the full import of Lazarus, how exactly did Quasar hide the info regarding Lazarus and finally: why was Archer, so obsessed with destroying Sai's ( Qusay’s nickname), father to begin with? These very important details are why this story is 2.5 star read for me. I was left with more questions than answers.
Enter Cameron, a private security / bounty hunter who spots Qusay and is immediately enamored. Cameron has a need to protect Qusay and doesn’t want him as another sexual conquest. Compelled to help the boy he scans him and unwittingly puts Qusay in jeopardy as every bounty hunter searches for Qusay in an effort to collect the handsome reward for his capture.
This is the first story I've ever read by Torrens and it was okay. My hang up is the ending. It fell very flat . There wasn't a clear explanation on the full import of Lazarus, how exactly did Quasar hide the info regarding Lazarus and finally: why was Archer, so obsessed with destroying Sai's ( Qusay’s nickname), father to begin with? These very important details are why this story is 2.5 star read for me. I was left with more questions than answers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2013
Good book but I agree that there should have been an epilogue at least - ended way too abruptly.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews