Memory Lost: Book 1 of The Memory Trilogy

by Glori Medina

Book 1 of The Memory Trilogy
What if you based your life on a lie?

In the planet Tatrax in the Dainne system, Cooper Hadley has made it to the top in his underground world. He’s the Security Chief of the Tunnel Corps as well as a Patrician, the most privileged class in the Kingdom. But when politics force him to marry, he needs a bride.

The perfect candidate is Wye Botero—his one-time best friend. But Wye's a Drone, a member of the lowest class, and she has hated privileged Cooper for ten long, lonely years, ever since he threatened to have her recycled. Permanently.

Wye is hiding a terrible secret about where her loyalties really lie. If she ends up in a fake marriage with the SecChief, what will happen when he finds out who she really works for? As the physical attraction between them grows, the two slowly learn to trust—but will it be too late?

After all, the supernova is coming.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Wanderer · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 55%.

I can’t even do my usual format with this one.

The bones were all there. The world was interesting, the world building solid at baseline, the potential twists and turns of the overworld were there. I could see the potential of this rich, vibrant post apocalyptic world, full of political intrigue and fascinating characters.

Unfortunately, the execution of it all lacked, and some choices were questionable at best (eg. one character kills his own father because his crush kissed someone else. Im sorry, but WHAT). There was very little in the way of explaining some aspects of the world, and the sheer repetition of the prose became tedious (recycled, recycled, recycled, bath, bath, bath, we GET it).

I kept reading in the interest of hoping that the novel would pick up, but got to 55% and decided it wasn’t worth my emotional energy anymore. If the author has beta-readers, I’d encourage them to find some who will clearly and concisely detail them ways to improve the execution of their writing, to add a more emotional element and not take the ‘show don’t tell’ quite so literally. This book caught my attention from its synopsis and has SO much potential, so I’m disappointed that I couldn’t finish it and love it as it ought to be loved.

[Meg Napier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read online that this book recently won awards as both “Best Debut Novel” and “Best of the Best” from a Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal writers’ group, and I was curious since I remembered meeting the author, Glori Medina, at a conference. I’m not normally a sci-fi devotee, but I decided to give it a try, and I was immediately hooked. Wye is a young woman trying to exist in a society that keeps her kind—drones—under strict control with little hope for advancement. Anyone who attempts to go against the system is subject to immediate “recycling.” But Wye once had hopes for a career and a future—hopes that were dashed when things went inexplicably awry with the abrupt termination of both her academy studies and her long-term friendship with Cooper Hadley. Now she’s a nobody and Cooper’s the SecChief of a totalitarian society hiding huge historical and geographic secrets. Fate reunites them, however, and while Cooper’s need for Wye’s help is politically based, proximity reignites the embers of an abiding love. Memory Lost is book one of a trilogy, and I’ll happily read the next volume as soon as it’s available.

[Phil DiPietro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A steamy, forbidden romance in a subterranean dystopia. Captain Cooper Hadely, philandering but hardworking heir semi-apparent in a corrupt and manipulative aristocracy falls for Wye Botero, a working-caste orphan girl who lives a half-step ahead of the rent and seems to find trouble wherever she goes. Wye is also fit, beautiful, and suppressedly in love with Cooper. Decisions must be made. Memory Lost is part An Officer and a Gentlemen and part Hamlet set in a cleverly constructed, post apocalyptic, far away world with rejuve treatments, manufactured blood infusions called nanites that alter people’s memories, and a nearby supernova threatening to explode. The plot cracks along. Wye and Cooper are helped and hindered by a colorful cast of supporting characters. Memory Lost is a fun and fascinating ride.

[Rose Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memory Lost started off a bit slow for me, it took a few chapters to really understand the world of Tatrax and its class system. But once the story picked up, I found myself drawn into the growing tension and chemistry between Cooper and Wye. Their relationship felt genuine and complicated, which made their emotional connection all the more satisfying. The mix of sci-fi elements and romance worked nicely once the pace settled in. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Stacy Gonzalez, did a really nice job bringing the characters to life and keeping the story engaging. By the end, I was invested in both the characters and the bigger story arc. A solid start to The Memory Trilogy, and I’m curious to see where it goes next!

[Suzette H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an engaging read! The world building, drew me in right away, and I found myself rooting for the protagonist, Wye and her potential love interest, Cooper. The balance between science fiction elements and the romance between the main characters, kept me hooked all the way to the end.

There’s some really nice character details and imagery throughout the whole novel. Take a chance on the first book in the series. Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Elizabeth Salo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Score one for the underdog

This is a sexy sci-fi novel for anyone that enjoys rooting for underdog. Friends to enemies to lovers with a twist.

[hicksj74 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to this book. I have 919 audiobooks, and those are the ones on Amazon’s Audible app. The narration was really good and the characters were well developed.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of the book and the details built into this new world. However, I felt that sometimes the story was just a bit slow.