Memories of Tomorrow: Book One of The Tales of Aerym

The Tales of Aerym #1

by Noah Isaacs

For years, Aerym has felt that he was cursed, as if his very being was wrong. Some say that seeing isn’t always believing, but for Aerym, however, nothing could be farther from the truth. Fated to a life of catastrophe and ruin, the visions that plague Aerym's sleep always realize themselves, even when they depict his loved ones dying gruesome deaths before his eyes.

Now, years after he watched everyone and everything he had ever known burn to ash, Aerym finds himself with his sole remaining companion, Jasper. Lost and without purpose, they bide their time until the inevitable comes; when Aerym is warned of their imminent demise... Yet even now he doubts if he's strong enough to combat what's to come.

With little hope left for him and his friend, Aerym resigns to go far to the south, to the lands where magic is as common as war. To where he might get answers, and, if he's lucky, strength enough to gain control of his own life.

Memories and prophecies guide them on their path to salvation, but the past lies, and the future speaks only in tragedies.

Is it truly a blessing to know what's coming even if you're powerless to stop it?

Genres: Fantasy

313 pages, ebook

First published November 15, 2024

About the author

Noah Isaacs is an American fantasy and science fiction author of the TALES OF AERYM. He currently resides in Tokyo, Japan, where he received an MSc in astrobiology, and pursues a PhD in the same field.

Reviews

[Noah Isaacs]

I had a blast writing this book, and I hope you can enjoy reading it just as much. Thanks for taking the time to give an indie author a chance, it means the world!

[Dave Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories of Tomorrow by Noah Isaacs is a promising fantasy debut full of intrigue, lovable characters, and deft worldbuilding. Aerym and Jax are a fantastic duo and I so enjoyed following their hiking and adventures. They get embroiled in some schemes that are beyond what they’d signed up for and have to use their wits to stay alive. Isaacs does a really good job bringing the city to life and giving us so much to love about Aerym and Jax, and I can’t wait to read more about them in future books in the series. With that said, I wasn’t quite as invested in the flashback sections, though they did become more important as the book went on. All in all, a great debut. Isaacs is an author to watch!

[Ryan Bartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories of Tomorrow is the first installment of an epic fantasy following Aerym a young man haunted by dreams that, throughout the years, have shown him the inevitable deaths of everyone around him. Despite these visions he has always been a victim of fate.

In this dual timeline story we see Aerym as he travels with his best friend in present day as they stumble upon a bit more than they bargained for and the past as he recovers from the loss of his family after being plagued with his visions for the first time.
For me, this was a throwback to a nice classic fantasy feel with great character development and intrigue for future plot. I really enjoyed seeing the main character in two separate timelines learning how to deal with who he is and his visions. The mystery surrounding the visions Aerym with the unfolding events of the present kept me invested in the story and curious with where the story was going. I would say this is a little more of a slow burn than fast paced with minimal action until the end however the story and writing never left me bored. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

[Justin Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this early and I really enjoyed it. There’s a dual-timeline narrative going on here, and each chapter worked together to advance the sense of intrigue and pathos for the characters while also compelling me to keep turning the pages. The more I learned, the more I wanted to know. And by the end of the book I’m left with a great many questions about the future and past of these characters—I can’t wait to see what’s next.

On a more granular level, the flashback chapters were endearing and I really came to care for Aerym and his struggles, while the present-day adventures with Aerym and Jasper were funny, clever, thrilling, and sometimes tragic. These all balanced together really well.

Recommended if you like fantasy with some good banter, some complex mysteries, some tragic backstories, and a scattering of world-ending consequences hiding between exploration and action.

Can’t wait for book two!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book! I’m always in the mood for a new fantasy adventure and this book does not disappoint. It delivers fantastic character development, immersive world building and a gripping story that I did not want to put down.

Aerym, MC, is plagued with dreams of traumatic events that eventually come to pass. The book follows him and his friend Jasper as they prepare to leave on a journey to the “Monolith”, a place where Aerym hopes to find answers. The side quests and characters they meet along the way make the story a pure delight to follow. I particularly liked the “Interludes”, which were separate chapters dedicated to Aerym’s backstory. I thought that was a really unique way to vividly show vs tell his history.

I do have one complaint: It’s much too short! I needed several hundred more pages!

Highly recommend Memories of Tomorrow for fantasy lovers! I think you’ll enjoy it.

Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for my review. It was a pleasure!

[Kylynn Prendergast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you so much for the opportunity to review Memories of Tomorrow! 💜

From the very beginning, I felt like I was stepping into a fantasy role-play experience. The rich descriptions of the world really drew me in, and I loved how immersive the setting felt.
One of the things that made this book so enjoyable was Jasper's presence. His cheerful, chaotic personality made him a great companion for Aerym, and I found myself really enjoying their dynamic. He’s friendly and supportive, which is exactly what Aerym needs. I honestly wish we got more of his backstory, because I think there’s so much more to him than what we see.

As for Aerym, I didn’t connect with him as much as I have with Jude. That being said, the interludes did help me understand Aerym a bit more.
The story is very character-driven, and while there’s not a ton of action, that’s not a bad thing at all. Memories of Tomorrow is more about Aerym’s internal struggles and laying the foundation for a bigger adventure to come.

Fav quote: What is the point of life, if not death? It is the prospect of death that motivates people to greatness, to strive for things that they otherwise would not think is possible. It is the fear of death and what comes after that drives mortals to change, for without that fear there would be only stagnation. Life without death is meaningless. Life without death is not life, it is simply being.

Release date: 15th November✨

[Carina_inkdrinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts with a few swearing words (in a good way) , it was truly an amazing start to a series. Could not ask for a better first book.

Loved everything about it from the characters, story, world building to even the streets. I know the last part sounds weird. And it is, a person should love the streets in a book, right?

In this book, you follow aerym's past and present time where he's trying to stay away from trouble, but it has its way to find him. Both story line is excellent in their own way, and he hasn't an easy life in any of them.

I think probably my favorite character is this older guy you meet a little bit later from the start and just reminds me of a grumpy grandpa with a great sense of humor. The humor in this book is great. It's like not overly done as many other books may be suffering from, like it's too much. Here it's nice and just the right kind of jokes and amount of it.

There are not too many action scenes here. It has a few fights but you won't be finding it around every corner, which was a nice fresh breath of air to not have like 100 of pages with fighting and bloody scenes all over the place.

I'm sad that this book wasn't longer. I read it on my kobo, so I won't know exactly how many pages it is. But I'm guessing it's about 300 pages.

I absolutely recommend this book, and I hope you guys will give it a try.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of Memories of Tomorrow from the author!

4.5 stars- Memories of Tomorrow is an incredible debut novel that had me hooked from the first page. The world-building, character development, and all the twists and turns had me in suspense the whole time. Something else I love about this are the interlude chapters that go into Aerym’s backstory. It gave such insight into how Aerym is as a character and it also provided me so many questions because I continue to want to know how the events in his past connect with the current-day and I can’t wait to see how this continues when book two comes out. I also love so many of the other characters in this story like Jasper, Sadie, and Junie. My favorite character in the story though is an older man who is super funny and just gives me grumpy grandpa vibes. Lastly, if you love Eragon, Brandon Sanderson, fantasy, adventure, mystery, and The Shining vibes then I highly recommend reading this book! 🫶

[Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories of Tomorrow was a great book and a fun opening into a new fantasy series! Also my first ARC! I was so excited to get into this I canceled all my other planned reads (I don’t plan reads and you guys should know that by now 😂). This book was a lot darker than I was expecting! Aerym has really been through it he could really use a break but I don’t think he’s going to be getting one anytime soon. I do really appreciate when an author is mean to their characters. Though it got dark at some points there was also lots of humor and snark.

I will say that at a couple points the plot did feel a little disjointed, but it really came together at the end with a nice little reveal and a bit of a cliffhanger.

In any case this was a fun introduction to a new world full of snark, murder, and intrigue. And I am very excited to see where the story goes!

[Shattered Anthologies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories of Tomorrow is one of those debuts that instantly makes you think, “Okay, this author has a bright road ahead”. It’s a character-driven fantasy with a cosy, classic feel, slow burn, full of heart, and rich with atmosphere.

At the center of the story is Aerym, a young man who’s spent most of his life haunted by dreams that always, frustratingly, come true, usually in the worst possible ways. The book jumps between two timelines: Aerym in the present, travelling with his best friend Jasper, and Aerym in the past, dealing with the first devastating effects of his visions. Both timelines work together beautifully, giving you a full sense of who he is, why he struggles the way he does, and what drives him toward the mysterious Monolith that promises answers.

The dynamic between Aerym and Jasper is easily one of the highlights. Jasper’s chaotic optimism and goofy charm balance Aerym’s quieter, heavier vibe in the best way. Their banter feels natural, and their loyalty to each other makes the journey feel genuinely warm and fun. Honestly, I’d gladly read entire chapters of just these two wandering around getting into trouble.

Isaacs’s world-building also deserves a shoutout. The city scenes, the small side quests, the little pockets of lore, they all feel lived-in and textured without needing giant lore dumps. The world expands slowly but steadily, especially once the plot gains momentum around the halfway mark. And when things do escalate, the final twist lands surprisingly well, one of those moments where you sit back and go, “Ah. There it is”.

The "Interlude” chapters, which dive into Aerym’s past, are another strong feature. They add emotional weight without bogging the pacing down, and they reveal Aerym’s trauma in a way that makes him more understandable, even if you don’t always fully click with him as a character. They’re also stylistically interesting, letting us understand Aerym’s past through scenes instead of straightforward explanation.

Now, for the one mild critique: the beginning is a bit slow. It takes a little while before you’re fully hooked, and early on there’s not quite enough emotional investment to make the initial tension hit as hard as it could. But once the story finds its rhythm, it becomes hard to put down. And if you’re someone who likes fantasy that takes its time building character relationships and mystery before dropping big reveals, you’ll feel right at home.

In the end, Memories of Tomorrow is a warm, intriguing, well-crafted start to a bigger adventure. It’s not heavy on action, but it shines in atmosphere, character interaction, and emotional depth. The only real downside? It ends too soon.

Verdict: A cosy, character-focused fantasy debut with a rich world, lovable duo, and a dual-timeline structure that keeps you turning the pages. Slow to start, but rewarding, heartfelt, and full of promise. Absolutely worth picking up, especially if you enjoy mystery, and emotional backstories woven into your fantasy.

Big thanks to the author for sharing a free eBook. It was such a treat to dive into this world!

[Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I often search for fantasy books to relax and enjoy the ride. Usually, what turns me away are things like explicit content, bad-handled worldbuilding or a hard entry point (I'm looking at you, "Way of Kings"). I was mad that I had to put down Gaiman's "Stardust" last Sunday (not a bad thing after we saw of him these last weeks), and I thought to myself that I wouldn't read Fantasy for some time. But then, I gave a second chance to "Memories of Tomorrow". I tried to read it a month ago, but the beginning didn't catch my attention. I wasn't in the right mood. But I was miserable this week and said: "Come here!" and I read it until I got invested.

Now, I'm invested.

I still think the beginning was a little lackluster. The only promise was the dream, and at this point, we aren't invested enough to care if one of them will die or not. The interludes added flavor and mystery to the story, but the present picked up steam only about 40% or 50% of the book. The world becomes more fleshed out and the characters more endearing. There are questions, and we want the answers. It's a slow burn, but an enjoyable one. It's impressive what the story did without actually starting the journey to the south until the very last act. Then, I was thinking: "Where's the climax? Is there a climax?" And then, I said: "Oh". And I really enjoyed the final twist. It will be interesting to know the dynamic of the story in the sequel and what happened further in Aerym's past.

I was puzzled when the author said he planned only a prequel novella and a sequel. This series could easily be a proper trilogy (I'm not counting the prequel), and I could see it only getting better from one volume to the next. It's hard to craft a good protagonist, but Aerym does his job and does not hinder our enjoyment. I think there's space for him to grow. Maybe the characters could grow more if they were in a party, I mean, a new one, by recruiting new members and establishing bonds, in classical fashion. I also think the story needs more sauce. The potential is there, in the world, in the magic system, in the mythology. And in the characters.

But overall, it's a decent start.

[Annie Condon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of Christopher Paolini and Melanie Rawn, Memories of Tomorrow is an epic adventure with excitement at every turn. The book features a main character with an intriguing curse, a fast-paced storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat, and a series of flashback chapters that I loved even more than the main plotline. Noah Isaacs is a great writer and does a fantastic job weaving this story together. The ending left me dying for more!

[Wojciech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories of Tomorrow is one of those debuts that instantly makes you think, “Okay, this author has a bright road ahead”. It’s a character-driven fantasy with a cosy, classic feel, slow burn, full of heart, and rich with atmosphere.

At the center of the story is Aerym, a young man who’s spent most of his life haunted by dreams that always, frustratingly, come true, usually in the worst possible ways. The book jumps between two timelines: Aerym in the present, travelling with his best friend Jasper, and Aerym in the past, dealing with the first devastating effects of his visions. Both timelines work together beautifully, giving you a full sense of who he is, why he struggles the way he does, and what drives him toward the mysterious Monolith that promises answers.

The dynamic between Aerym and Jasper is easily one of the highlights. Jasper’s chaotic optimism and goofy charm balance Aerym’s quieter, heavier vibe in the best way. Their banter feels natural, and their loyalty to each other makes the journey feel genuinely warm and fun. Honestly, I’d gladly read entire chapters of just these two wandering around getting into trouble.

Isaacs’s world-building also deserves a shoutout. The city scenes, the small side quests, the little pockets of lore, they all feel lived-in and textured without needing giant lore dumps. The world expands slowly but steadily, especially once the plot gains momentum around the halfway mark. And when things do escalate, the final twist lands surprisingly well, one of those moments where you sit back and go, “Ah. There it is”.

The "Interlude” chapters, which dive into Aerym’s past, are another strong feature. They add emotional weight without bogging the pacing down, and they reveal Aerym’s trauma in a way that makes him more understandable, even if you don’t always fully click with him as a character. They’re also stylistically interesting, letting us understand Aerym’s past through scenes instead of straightforward explanation.

Now, for the one mild critique: the beginning is a bit slow. It takes a little while before you’re fully hooked, and early on there’s not quite enough emotional investment to make the initial tension hit as hard as it could. But once the story finds its rhythm, it becomes hard to put down. And if you’re someone who likes fantasy that takes its time building character relationships and mystery before dropping big reveals, you’ll feel right at home.

In the end, Memories of Tomorrow is a warm, intriguing, well-crafted start to a bigger adventure. It’s not heavy on action, but it shines in atmosphere, character interaction, and emotional depth. The only real downside? It ends too soon.

Verdict: A cosy, character-focused fantasy debut with a rich world, lovable duo, and a dual-timeline structure that keeps you turning the pages. Slow to start, but rewarding, heartfelt, and full of promise. Absolutely worth picking up, especially if you enjoy mystery, and emotional backstories woven into your fantasy.

Big thanks to the author for sharing a free eBook. It was such a treat to dive into this world!

[Kristina-Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories of Tomorrow is an exciting debut that promises adventure, mystery, and compelling character dynamics. The story follows Aerym, a protagonist haunted by dreams that predict traumatic events, and his loyal friend Jasper. The novel captures readers' attention with its world-building, intriguing side quests, and a unique dual-timeline narrative that weaves seamlessly between past and present, which I personally love.

Isaacs brings the vibrant cityscapes to life, making readers feel as if they’re walking the streets alongside Aerym and Jasper. Every encounter and setting adds depth to the story, making a world full of personality and history. The “Interlude” chapters, dedicated to Aerym's backstory, reveal his motivations and struggles in a way that feels authentic and gives readers insight into his psyche. These interludes blend so good with the current-day narrative, adding emotional depth and intrigue as we uncover the roots of Aerym’s journey to the Monolith—a mysterious destination holding answers to his haunting visions.

Isaacs’s characters are lovable and layered, and I just love how quick-witted Jasper is in this story. The humor is subtle yet perfectly timed, balancing the story’s tension without overshadowing the serious moments. Aerym’s journey has its share of quiet reflection and action, allowing us as readers to enjoy both character development and the excitement of a well-paced journey .The story leaves us readers eager to explore the hidden connections between past and present, setting up for an exciting sequel !

Highly recommend this cosy book, and I can’t wait to see what Noah Isaacs has in store for us in the next book! I just wished the book was a little longer, but I'm really not complaining.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories of Tomorrow starts slowly, and for the first half of the book I wasn’t as engaged as I hoped to be when beginning a new series. I struggled to connect with the characters and often found Aerym and Jasper difficult to distinguish from one another. Although the author clearly aimed to build a rich world, the early chapters offer little world-building or character backstory, which made it hard to feel invested.

The second half, however, really shines. The plot tightens, the story grows more intricate, and the overall momentum picks up significantly. By this point, the characters begin to feel more defined, and the narrative becomes far more compelling. By the end, I was genuinely hooked.

The conclusion sets up the next book nicely, leaving the heroes’ path wide open and creating real curiosity about where their journey will go. While the beginning was challenging, the payoff in the second half made the read worthwhile. If you find yourself losing interest early on, keep going, the story ultimately finds its rhythm and lands well.

[Jordan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read with an engaging narrative structure! We go back and forth with the main character Aerym as the story flips from the present day to interludes containing events from the past. This can be hard to pull off, but it's done seamlessly here, filling in gaps and answering questions as the plot progresses on certain points precisely when it needs to.

There's great worldbuilding here. We also get a glimpse of a magic system that seems super promising that I can't wait to read more about. Both the finals chapters of the main narrative and the interludes are gut punches that definitely set things up for the next book. And with book two having just released, this is a PERFECT time to get in on this!

FYI I own both the ebook and audiobook version of this. The production on the latter is stellar, something you don't always get with indie books.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I DNFd at 50%. The beginning was very good, it got me hooked, the characters are relatable, funny and tragic. Even though the writer tends to overexplain things a lot, at the start of the story it didn't bother me as much. BUT it has the saggy middle syndrome. And that's where the story lost me. It could use a few more round of revisions especially in the middle part. That said, it's clear that the author has a voice and talent, just inexperience and maybe impatience to release a book that's not a 100% ready to be released. I'm sure that with a few more rounds of revisions this book could've been unputdownable.

[Chandler Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to a series that I feel is going to to be truly great. The Author Noah Issacs has crafted story that has drawn me in. I am heading on to the prequel. Great story writing a plot that continues to grow including numerous flashes into the past. Aerym a great character that has life has been nothing but tragedy and loss. And Jasper his only friend left that hasn’t meet his end. I love the way dreams incorporate what will come into the future. Can’t wait to see the future of this series.

[Yanina Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is separated into two distinct timelines—the past, when Aerym was a child, and the current story. I enjoyed reading both timelines and getting to know the characters better as the book progressed. Though I was more interested in Jasper's character, especially towards the end! 👀 I felt for Aerym and the gloom that always seems to fall over his life, but I wasn't invested in him, at least not yet.

The author did a great job constructing the lore of the land and the world we are placed in, following Aerym & Jasper/ Aerym & Sadie. In the beginning, it was slow, but once you hit the middle point, it just takes off with some action.

The book seems to be just the start of a bigger adventure to be told, and it left me full of questions! Though I wasn't satisfied with where the second timeline left off! I don't mind the cliffhanger for the main timeline, but I felt like I needed more with the second one 😅 I'm dying to know what happened to Sadie & Junie! I wish I could say more, but I feel like I would be spoiling it 🙃🙃

Overall, I would recommend it to fantasy lovers looking for a darker short read. Noah Isaacs is an incredible indie author. I did enjoy his writing style, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

[LordTBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

MoT is a solid fantasy adventure debut with fluid prose, plenty of humor, and quite a few surprise twists along the way. The dual timelines can be a bit jarring in the early going, but you soon see how they weave themselves together. Would recommend to fans of Michael J. Sullivan.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and exciting read - didn’t want it to end! Excited to see how the story continues!

[Matthew Linton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story with compelling characters and a mysterious world. My favorite parts were the interludes reflecting on the MCd past. I look forward to reading book 2 to see how Aerym and his friends fare