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Living Memory #2
Deadly Memory: Living Memory, Book 2
The past turns deadly in this sequel to the globe-spanning paleontology thriller Living Memory.
Ancient genetic technology drives world politics as China and the US vie for the power contained in Thailand’s fossil deposits. Deep in an underground CIA facility, Samira studies an unprecedented find, but fears her discoveries will be used as a weapon.
Meanwhile, from the depths of the ocean, a killer organism surfaces that hasn’t been seen in 250 million years. Will world powers share what they know in time to save humanity?
Ancient genetic technology drives world politics as China and the US vie for the power contained in Thailand’s fossil deposits. Deep in an underground CIA facility, Samira studies an unprecedented find, but fears her discoveries will be used as a weapon.
Meanwhile, from the depths of the ocean, a killer organism surfaces that hasn’t been seen in 250 million years. Will world powers share what they know in time to save humanity?
- GenresScience Fiction
Audible Audio
First published May 2, 2023
4 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
David Walton
11 books278 followersDavid loves to read science fiction and lives near Philadelphia with his wife and eight children. His latest series, LIVING MEMORY, is a thriller in which paleontologists save the world.
"Walton has brought hard sci-fi roaring back to life."
—The Wall Street Journal
“One of my favorite science fiction writers, Walton consistently delivers exciting thrillers packed with likeable characters and big ideas.”
—Craig DiLouie
"...gives the reader exciting insights into the threats and the promises that are coming our way."
—Vernor Vinge
"Walton has brought hard sci-fi roaring back to life."
—The Wall Street Journal
“One of my favorite science fiction writers, Walton consistently delivers exciting thrillers packed with likeable characters and big ideas.”
—Craig DiLouie
"...gives the reader exciting insights into the threats and the promises that are coming our way."
—Vernor Vinge
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 26, 2023
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/06/26/...
Deadly Memory is the second novel of David Walton’s thrilling sci-fi and paleontology mashup series, picking up the story directly from the end of the first book, Living Memory. The last time we were with them, our cast of characters were scattered across the globe. Having recently been ejected from Thailand where her expedition to excavate a mass grave of a new species of miniraptor was abruptly cut short, Samira is back home in Colorado, fuming at the loss of her dig site. Soon, however, she is distracted from her frustrations by a miraculous discovery by her new contacts at the CIA. Somehow, the US government has acquired a living maniraptor whom they have dubbed Charlie, but readers will of course know him as Prey, since we’d met him in the first book. From his flashback chapters, we had also learned that maniraptors were highly intelligent and technologically advanced, communicating with each other through scent.
Meanwhile, the work of Thai paleontologist Kit has caught the attention of Princess Mai Sirindhorn, which is how he suddenly finds himself appointed her new science minister. As the last surviving member of the royal family, the princess is still in the middle of fighting a deadly coup, but she also has a secret weapon up her sleeve. A mysterious substance had been found amidst the bones of the maniraptors which would allow whoever using it to dominate the will of others, but unfortunately, the princess is not the only one who knows about this domination scent. Everyone from the Chinese government to the leaders of the Thai criminal network want to get their hands on this dangerous substance, and back in the United States, Samira is distressed to learn that even the CIA plans to use Charlie to manufacture this powerful scent for their own purposes.
If you enjoyed Living Memory, chances are you will also enjoy Deadly Memory which continues the trend of rip-roaring, suspenseful and action-packed storytelling. That said, we do experience a brief slowdown in the opening as catch up with everything that has happened to everyone since the preceding volume, but we soon power through these sections into the meat of the narrative. In addition, this sequel also has a leg up on its processor by introducing another major element into the plot— that of the Julian virus, so named because it originated from an oil rig in San Julian Basin which has been drilling deep into the ocean floor.
If you’re thinking, “Oh man, not another pandemic story!” I can’t say I blame you. In the wake of COVID19, this topic has been a growing trend in fiction leading to potential fatigue, but I’m happy to report that Walton puts a unique spin on Julian to keep things interesting and fresh. For one, the virus is much more virulent and lethal, but it is the conundrum of its origins and how it relates to paleontology and dinosaurs in this book that is the real hook.
The multiple threads in this story also come together beautifully, seamlessly knitting together the pockets of dramatic action unfolding on opposite sides of the world. However, there is also a possible downside to the disparate story arcs which are undoubtedly moving further away from paleontology and more into the realm of political intrigue. For example, Samira’s storyline first begins with her efforts to bond with Charlie, developing ways to communicate with him, and eventually culminates in a daring plan to keep him out of the wrong hands. And in Thailand, even though we are seeing things through Kit’s eyes, it is Princess Mai’s character and role which becomes much more prominent as she leads her loyal subjects into a campaign to keep her throne. As intense and fascinating as this all is, there are clear tradeoffs, and we do get noticeably fewer flashbacks to the prehistoric past or scenes involving fossil digs, dinosaurs, and science.
There is also the over-the-top nature of the premise which requires major suspension of disbelief, but again, if you are coming from Living Memory, you’ll already know to expect this. The finale was exciting and fun, but once more ends with a “to be continued.” That said, I am having a blast with this series and there’s no way I won’t be picking up the next installment. I was also very happy with my experience with the audio edition, narrated splendidly by Sofia Rowley, and I look forward to listening to more.
Deadly Memory is the second novel of David Walton’s thrilling sci-fi and paleontology mashup series, picking up the story directly from the end of the first book, Living Memory. The last time we were with them, our cast of characters were scattered across the globe. Having recently been ejected from Thailand where her expedition to excavate a mass grave of a new species of miniraptor was abruptly cut short, Samira is back home in Colorado, fuming at the loss of her dig site. Soon, however, she is distracted from her frustrations by a miraculous discovery by her new contacts at the CIA. Somehow, the US government has acquired a living maniraptor whom they have dubbed Charlie, but readers will of course know him as Prey, since we’d met him in the first book. From his flashback chapters, we had also learned that maniraptors were highly intelligent and technologically advanced, communicating with each other through scent.
Meanwhile, the work of Thai paleontologist Kit has caught the attention of Princess Mai Sirindhorn, which is how he suddenly finds himself appointed her new science minister. As the last surviving member of the royal family, the princess is still in the middle of fighting a deadly coup, but she also has a secret weapon up her sleeve. A mysterious substance had been found amidst the bones of the maniraptors which would allow whoever using it to dominate the will of others, but unfortunately, the princess is not the only one who knows about this domination scent. Everyone from the Chinese government to the leaders of the Thai criminal network want to get their hands on this dangerous substance, and back in the United States, Samira is distressed to learn that even the CIA plans to use Charlie to manufacture this powerful scent for their own purposes.
If you enjoyed Living Memory, chances are you will also enjoy Deadly Memory which continues the trend of rip-roaring, suspenseful and action-packed storytelling. That said, we do experience a brief slowdown in the opening as catch up with everything that has happened to everyone since the preceding volume, but we soon power through these sections into the meat of the narrative. In addition, this sequel also has a leg up on its processor by introducing another major element into the plot— that of the Julian virus, so named because it originated from an oil rig in San Julian Basin which has been drilling deep into the ocean floor.
If you’re thinking, “Oh man, not another pandemic story!” I can’t say I blame you. In the wake of COVID19, this topic has been a growing trend in fiction leading to potential fatigue, but I’m happy to report that Walton puts a unique spin on Julian to keep things interesting and fresh. For one, the virus is much more virulent and lethal, but it is the conundrum of its origins and how it relates to paleontology and dinosaurs in this book that is the real hook.
The multiple threads in this story also come together beautifully, seamlessly knitting together the pockets of dramatic action unfolding on opposite sides of the world. However, there is also a possible downside to the disparate story arcs which are undoubtedly moving further away from paleontology and more into the realm of political intrigue. For example, Samira’s storyline first begins with her efforts to bond with Charlie, developing ways to communicate with him, and eventually culminates in a daring plan to keep him out of the wrong hands. And in Thailand, even though we are seeing things through Kit’s eyes, it is Princess Mai’s character and role which becomes much more prominent as she leads her loyal subjects into a campaign to keep her throne. As intense and fascinating as this all is, there are clear tradeoffs, and we do get noticeably fewer flashbacks to the prehistoric past or scenes involving fossil digs, dinosaurs, and science.
There is also the over-the-top nature of the premise which requires major suspension of disbelief, but again, if you are coming from Living Memory, you’ll already know to expect this. The finale was exciting and fun, but once more ends with a “to be continued.” That said, I am having a blast with this series and there’s no way I won’t be picking up the next installment. I was also very happy with my experience with the audio edition, narrated splendidly by Sofia Rowley, and I look forward to listening to more.
May 30, 2023
The nitty-gritty: Another thrilling entry in David Walton's series, Deadly Memory delivers fast-paced action—and dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs. A deadly pandemic. A Thai Queen. An ancient extinction event. A group of dedicated scientists. What do all these things have in common? They are all elements in Deadly Memory, the exciting sequel to David Walton’s Living Memory. I had a blast with this book, but you do need to start from the beginning and read the series in order. Saying that, there are spoilers ahead for book one, so do be aware.
The story picks up soon after the shocking ending of Living Memory and alternates among several different groups of characters. A scientist who studies extinction events has just made a potentially deadly discovery as her team is drilling into Permian ocean sediment in the South Atlantic. Meanwhile, paleontologist Samira Shannon is back in Colorado, where a miracle has occurred. A maniraptor named Prey, who we met in the first book, has been brought back to life after surviving the asteroid that destroyed the rest of his kind.
Samira is dismayed to find out that Paula, the head of the research facility where Prey is being held for observation, has made an agreement with the government to extract pheromones from Prey for profit. This substance, which the maniraptors used to survive, has the ability to control the actions of others, and could turn out to be either a powerful research tool—or a terrible weapon. The more time Samira spends with Prey—now called “Charlie” by the team—the more she realizes that caging him for research is the wrong thing to do.
Back in Thailand, we follow Princess Mai Sirindhorn, a young woman who has also discovered what she calls the “domination drug,” and has used it in some very violent ways to help the oppressed people of Thailand. But the Chinese know about the drug and they want to seize it and take control.
Finally, a deadly pandemic called the Julian virus has just hit the United States and is spreading like wildfire. And when it threatens Samira’s family, she knows she must do everything possible to help find a cure.
All these story threads eventually connect in a thrilling finale, but getting there is a lot of fun too. Of all the different story lines, I enjoyed the scenes between Samira and Charlie the most, and I found their attempts at communication fascinating. Now you do have to suspend your disbelief a bit, since the idea of talking dinosaurs borders on the cartoonish, but the relationship they developed was very sweet. Samira is one of the few people in the story concerned with Charlie’s well being, and when she finds out what Paula is doing to Charlie, she comes up with a risky plan to save him.
I also loved the science in Deadly Memory. From the idea of being able to bring a dinosaur back to life, to the origins of the deadly Julian virus, to the fascinating idea of weaponizing Charlie’s pheromones, Walton appears to have done his homework. We learn even more about the maniraptor’s ability to communicate through their highly developed sense of smell, as well as the important role memory preservation plays in their society. Samira gets to experience Charlie’s memories first hand in some very cool scenes that almost seem like magic, but in fact they are based in science.
The only story line I didn’t really care about was the one dealing with Mai and the Chinese. We got a taste of Mai’s story in the first book, when she acquired the “domination drug” and used it to free the oppressed women of her country. I’m all for evil men who abuse women getting what’s coming to them, but is Mai really any better than them, using the drug to kill and control? I much preferred to spend time with Charlie and Samira who aren’t trying to hurt anyone, but simply want to learn from each other.
The final action sequence was very exciting, and I loved the way Walton sets up his story for the final book in the series. He also drops a shocking twist that is sure to add a lot of excitement to the finale, which I’m very eager to read. Readers who love stories that combine science and political drama with good old fashioned thriller elements will probably love this series too.
Big thanks to the author for providing a review copy.
Dinosaurs. A deadly pandemic. A Thai Queen. An ancient extinction event. A group of dedicated scientists. What do all these things have in common? They are all elements in Deadly Memory, the exciting sequel to David Walton’s Living Memory. I had a blast with this book, but you do need to start from the beginning and read the series in order. Saying that, there are spoilers ahead for book one, so do be aware.
The story picks up soon after the shocking ending of Living Memory and alternates among several different groups of characters. A scientist who studies extinction events has just made a potentially deadly discovery as her team is drilling into Permian ocean sediment in the South Atlantic. Meanwhile, paleontologist Samira Shannon is back in Colorado, where a miracle has occurred. A maniraptor named Prey, who we met in the first book, has been brought back to life after surviving the asteroid that destroyed the rest of his kind.
Samira is dismayed to find out that Paula, the head of the research facility where Prey is being held for observation, has made an agreement with the government to extract pheromones from Prey for profit. This substance, which the maniraptors used to survive, has the ability to control the actions of others, and could turn out to be either a powerful research tool—or a terrible weapon. The more time Samira spends with Prey—now called “Charlie” by the team—the more she realizes that caging him for research is the wrong thing to do.
Back in Thailand, we follow Princess Mai Sirindhorn, a young woman who has also discovered what she calls the “domination drug,” and has used it in some very violent ways to help the oppressed people of Thailand. But the Chinese know about the drug and they want to seize it and take control.
Finally, a deadly pandemic called the Julian virus has just hit the United States and is spreading like wildfire. And when it threatens Samira’s family, she knows she must do everything possible to help find a cure.
All these story threads eventually connect in a thrilling finale, but getting there is a lot of fun too. Of all the different story lines, I enjoyed the scenes between Samira and Charlie the most, and I found their attempts at communication fascinating. Now you do have to suspend your disbelief a bit, since the idea of talking dinosaurs borders on the cartoonish, but the relationship they developed was very sweet. Samira is one of the few people in the story concerned with Charlie’s well being, and when she finds out what Paula is doing to Charlie, she comes up with a risky plan to save him.
I also loved the science in Deadly Memory. From the idea of being able to bring a dinosaur back to life, to the origins of the deadly Julian virus, to the fascinating idea of weaponizing Charlie’s pheromones, Walton appears to have done his homework. We learn even more about the maniraptor’s ability to communicate through their highly developed sense of smell, as well as the important role memory preservation plays in their society. Samira gets to experience Charlie’s memories first hand in some very cool scenes that almost seem like magic, but in fact they are based in science.
The only story line I didn’t really care about was the one dealing with Mai and the Chinese. We got a taste of Mai’s story in the first book, when she acquired the “domination drug” and used it to free the oppressed women of her country. I’m all for evil men who abuse women getting what’s coming to them, but is Mai really any better than them, using the drug to kill and control? I much preferred to spend time with Charlie and Samira who aren’t trying to hurt anyone, but simply want to learn from each other.
The final action sequence was very exciting, and I loved the way Walton sets up his story for the final book in the series. He also drops a shocking twist that is sure to add a lot of excitement to the finale, which I’m very eager to read. Readers who love stories that combine science and political drama with good old fashioned thriller elements will probably love this series too.
Big thanks to the author for providing a review copy.
May 29, 2023
This dinosaur survived the Cretaceous Extinction.
His name is Sweet Blood of Easy Prey Just After Slaughter, but they don’t know that. He’s Charlie to them. He’s only about five feet tall, so he’s not unmanageably large. And now they’ve got him locked up deep underground in an impenetrable glass cell that prevents him from incapacitating them with the scents he generates for the purpose. Which he would be all too happy to do given the chance.
Because Charlie is a maniraptor with a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth—and he’s hungry. But in his day, sixty-six million years ago, Charlie was an astronomer—in fact, it was he who predicted the impact of the asteroid that drove his species to extinction, along with three-quarters of all the other plant and animal species on the planet at the time. And it was also Charlie, working with a handful of brilliant colleagues, who contrived to put him and dozens of others in his community into a form of suspended animation. Unfortunately, he’s the only survivor. And now he’s a prisoner of the United States government.
YES, CHARLIE THE DINOSAUR SURVIVED
So how, you might ask, did all this come about? Regrettably, you won’t know the full story unless you’ve read David Walton’s series starter, Living Memory. But in the fewest possible words, here’s what happened . . . A team of paleontologists working in northeast Thailand uncovered what could only be described as a dinosaur cemetery created for the purpose. And in unearthing the fossils they are assaulted with memories that take them back sixty-six million years ago to the lives those dinosaurs lived.
They’re memories triggered by scent. And one of the other scents the maniraptors generated is a deadly weapon—a scent that permits anyone to dominate everyone around him, bending others to his will. So, of course, that domination scent, which Charlie can create at will, is now a great prize. And both Chinese and American agents are struggling to capture it. Which explains why the CIA now has Charlie locked away so far from his homeland.
HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW . . .
Charlie’s captors underground in Colorado include several members of a high-powered team from the CIA and three paleontologists, the twin sisters Samira and Beth and Samira’s dissertation adviser, Paula. Samira works directly across the glass barrier from Charlie, determined to devise a way to communicate with him. She and her sister are furious that they’re powerless to share the news about Charlie with other scientists. The fact that a dinosaur survived, and that he’s as intelligent as they are, would shake their world. But the CIA has gagged them, intent on learning more about the domination scent to use it as a weapon.
Meanwhile, half a world away, events are rushing toward civil war in Thailand. The corrupt general at the helm of the government has sold out to the Chinese, who are calling the shots in the capital. And Princess Sirindhorn, the sole survivor of the royal family, has acquired enough of the domination scent to gain control over the immense criminal army behind the drug traffic. She is using her power to free thousands of young Thai sex slaves—and is plotting a campaign to seize control of the palace from the Chinese. Her new science minister, who goes by the name Kit, is advising her. And Kit is a home-grown paleontologist who had been part of Samira and Beth’s team that unearthed Charlie.
. . . BUT THAT’S NOT ALL
The Chinese are not sitting back waiting for events to unfold. Led by Colonel Feng Zhanwei of the People’s Liberation Army, they, too, have gained possession of the domination scent. And they’re using their power to force the United States out of Thailand and shift the country more firmly into the Chinese orbit.
And while all this drama is unfolding, another paleontologist has been drilling deep into the ocean bed from an oil rig in the San Julian Basin a hundred kilometers off the Argentine coast. She is searching for an explanation for the Permian Extinction, which killed ninety percent of all life on Earth more than 250 million years ago. But when she and her crew bring up a core sample, they inadvertently unleash a deadly ancient pathogen. And this sets off what comes to be called the Julian virus—a virus that’s immeasurably more lethal than COVID-19.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Walton (1975-) writes science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories. He is the author of a dozen books to date, of which seven are SF novels. In 2008, he won the Philip K. Dick Award for the best paperback science fiction novel published in the United States for Terminal Mind.
Walton writes on his author website that “I am a Christian. Unfortunately, these days Christianity gets associated with certain political views, most of which I do not hold. As a Christian, I am for the oppressed, the downtrodden, the helpless, the poor, the immigrant, and the refugee. I am for all voices being heard, and all lives being valued. I believe we gain knowledge and wisdom by listening to those who are different than we are and learning to understand what life is like from the perspective of those most unlike ourselves.”
His name is Sweet Blood of Easy Prey Just After Slaughter, but they don’t know that. He’s Charlie to them. He’s only about five feet tall, so he’s not unmanageably large. And now they’ve got him locked up deep underground in an impenetrable glass cell that prevents him from incapacitating them with the scents he generates for the purpose. Which he would be all too happy to do given the chance.
Because Charlie is a maniraptor with a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth—and he’s hungry. But in his day, sixty-six million years ago, Charlie was an astronomer—in fact, it was he who predicted the impact of the asteroid that drove his species to extinction, along with three-quarters of all the other plant and animal species on the planet at the time. And it was also Charlie, working with a handful of brilliant colleagues, who contrived to put him and dozens of others in his community into a form of suspended animation. Unfortunately, he’s the only survivor. And now he’s a prisoner of the United States government.
YES, CHARLIE THE DINOSAUR SURVIVED
So how, you might ask, did all this come about? Regrettably, you won’t know the full story unless you’ve read David Walton’s series starter, Living Memory. But in the fewest possible words, here’s what happened . . . A team of paleontologists working in northeast Thailand uncovered what could only be described as a dinosaur cemetery created for the purpose. And in unearthing the fossils they are assaulted with memories that take them back sixty-six million years ago to the lives those dinosaurs lived.
They’re memories triggered by scent. And one of the other scents the maniraptors generated is a deadly weapon—a scent that permits anyone to dominate everyone around him, bending others to his will. So, of course, that domination scent, which Charlie can create at will, is now a great prize. And both Chinese and American agents are struggling to capture it. Which explains why the CIA now has Charlie locked away so far from his homeland.
HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW . . .
Charlie’s captors underground in Colorado include several members of a high-powered team from the CIA and three paleontologists, the twin sisters Samira and Beth and Samira’s dissertation adviser, Paula. Samira works directly across the glass barrier from Charlie, determined to devise a way to communicate with him. She and her sister are furious that they’re powerless to share the news about Charlie with other scientists. The fact that a dinosaur survived, and that he’s as intelligent as they are, would shake their world. But the CIA has gagged them, intent on learning more about the domination scent to use it as a weapon.
Meanwhile, half a world away, events are rushing toward civil war in Thailand. The corrupt general at the helm of the government has sold out to the Chinese, who are calling the shots in the capital. And Princess Sirindhorn, the sole survivor of the royal family, has acquired enough of the domination scent to gain control over the immense criminal army behind the drug traffic. She is using her power to free thousands of young Thai sex slaves—and is plotting a campaign to seize control of the palace from the Chinese. Her new science minister, who goes by the name Kit, is advising her. And Kit is a home-grown paleontologist who had been part of Samira and Beth’s team that unearthed Charlie.
. . . BUT THAT’S NOT ALL
The Chinese are not sitting back waiting for events to unfold. Led by Colonel Feng Zhanwei of the People’s Liberation Army, they, too, have gained possession of the domination scent. And they’re using their power to force the United States out of Thailand and shift the country more firmly into the Chinese orbit.
And while all this drama is unfolding, another paleontologist has been drilling deep into the ocean bed from an oil rig in the San Julian Basin a hundred kilometers off the Argentine coast. She is searching for an explanation for the Permian Extinction, which killed ninety percent of all life on Earth more than 250 million years ago. But when she and her crew bring up a core sample, they inadvertently unleash a deadly ancient pathogen. And this sets off what comes to be called the Julian virus—a virus that’s immeasurably more lethal than COVID-19.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Walton (1975-) writes science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories. He is the author of a dozen books to date, of which seven are SF novels. In 2008, he won the Philip K. Dick Award for the best paperback science fiction novel published in the United States for Terminal Mind.
Walton writes on his author website that “I am a Christian. Unfortunately, these days Christianity gets associated with certain political views, most of which I do not hold. As a Christian, I am for the oppressed, the downtrodden, the helpless, the poor, the immigrant, and the refugee. I am for all voices being heard, and all lives being valued. I believe we gain knowledge and wisdom by listening to those who are different than we are and learning to understand what life is like from the perspective of those most unlike ourselves.”
October 29, 2025
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the previous book. I liked that it shifted its focus from the domination-drug plot (more of that would have been too repetitive) to the Julian virus, but given that we all know what Covid was like, and the book refers back to covid at times, I'm still baffled at some narrative decisions. The Julian virus is many times more deadly than covid, so why, when all of Denver is under lockdown, does Samira go to do a TV interview in person? Does Walton not recall all the zoom interviews with experts we had during covid? And why is there no mention of masking?
The whole horseshoe crab subplot felt like Walton had learned one (1) fact about horseshoe crabs (they remain mostly unchanged from the Permian), and decided to build that into his search for a species that is immune to Julian. Which is fine and good, but there's another very important fact about horseshoe crabs that Walton is, unfortunately, unaware of: they are regularly used in vaccine development and testing (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/scienc...), to the point that pharmaceutical labs maintain vast stockpiles of the creatures in vampire-like blood-extraction facilities. So when Samira tells the CDC doctor that maybe they should investigate horseshoe crabs, the doctor has no reason to act as if that's a novel idea; and the little comment about moving heaven and earth to get some into a lab to study is really dumb. The crabs are already a core component of vaccine testing! It's trivially simple to grab a few from the facility next door!
Some plot elements were explained after the fact in a way that felt a little bit like a beta reader read a draft and said, 'waitaminute, why didn't they just . . .?' And the answer is that people got sloppy. The CIA tapped Gabrielle's phone and overheard a conversation about how she and Kit were planning a super-secret rendezvous in Mexico, but didn't actually bother to surveil her and follow her to that location? Yes, the narrative acknowledges after the fact, that was deeply foolish, and the CIA guy feels dumb about it. But still: a plot that depends on the enemy making sloppy mistakes is not as satisfying as one in which the good guys win by being smarter.
Finally, what good is hiding out in Oregon going to do? Charlie says he needs a proper pit, like the ones in Thailand, to develop a cure for Julian. And then we get all caught up in fleeing from the CIA and the misdirection to Mexico, which is the route they would take to get a ship to Thailand, but surprise! They go to Oregon. But . . . Oregon . . . doesn't have the pits? So . . . why . . . .? It doesn't work. It doesn't make sense.
The social commentary, which was effective but a smidge clunky in the previous book, is much clunkier here. Samira is all het up about being disrespected by male colleagues, but the thing is, she gets het up when her male colleagues are making Very Good Points, actually. Like:
'No, don't go in the enclosure with the dinosaur that ripped the arm off the last guy who went in there!' '
What, so men can go in, but women can't! How dare you challenge my expertise as a paleontologist, which is entirely relevant to a living creature that has proven its deadly aggression through past experience!!'
To be fair, I don't think Walton is trying to make Samira look bad here. I think he's trying to engage with feminism, which is laudable. But he doesn't really know what it looks like for female scientists to be disrespected, and so the scenarios he invents for her to get indignant about end up backfiring and looking silly.
Anyway, I don't think I'll read the next book. I'm mildly curious to know what happens next, but not enough to wade through the sloppiness of the plotting, the silliness of the feminism, and the, unfortunately, dreadfully wooden narrator in the audiobook. Improvement in any one of those things by itself might have changed my mind, but all three together is enough to put me off.
The whole horseshoe crab subplot felt like Walton had learned one (1) fact about horseshoe crabs (they remain mostly unchanged from the Permian), and decided to build that into his search for a species that is immune to Julian. Which is fine and good, but there's another very important fact about horseshoe crabs that Walton is, unfortunately, unaware of: they are regularly used in vaccine development and testing (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/scienc...), to the point that pharmaceutical labs maintain vast stockpiles of the creatures in vampire-like blood-extraction facilities. So when Samira tells the CDC doctor that maybe they should investigate horseshoe crabs, the doctor has no reason to act as if that's a novel idea; and the little comment about moving heaven and earth to get some into a lab to study is really dumb. The crabs are already a core component of vaccine testing! It's trivially simple to grab a few from the facility next door!
Some plot elements were explained after the fact in a way that felt a little bit like a beta reader read a draft and said, 'waitaminute, why didn't they just . . .?' And the answer is that people got sloppy. The CIA tapped Gabrielle's phone and overheard a conversation about how she and Kit were planning a super-secret rendezvous in Mexico, but didn't actually bother to surveil her and follow her to that location? Yes, the narrative acknowledges after the fact, that was deeply foolish, and the CIA guy feels dumb about it. But still: a plot that depends on the enemy making sloppy mistakes is not as satisfying as one in which the good guys win by being smarter.
Finally, what good is hiding out in Oregon going to do? Charlie says he needs a proper pit, like the ones in Thailand, to develop a cure for Julian. And then we get all caught up in fleeing from the CIA and the misdirection to Mexico, which is the route they would take to get a ship to Thailand, but surprise! They go to Oregon. But . . . Oregon . . . doesn't have the pits? So . . . why . . . .? It doesn't work. It doesn't make sense.
The social commentary, which was effective but a smidge clunky in the previous book, is much clunkier here. Samira is all het up about being disrespected by male colleagues, but the thing is, she gets het up when her male colleagues are making Very Good Points, actually. Like:
'No, don't go in the enclosure with the dinosaur that ripped the arm off the last guy who went in there!' '
What, so men can go in, but women can't! How dare you challenge my expertise as a paleontologist, which is entirely relevant to a living creature that has proven its deadly aggression through past experience!!'
To be fair, I don't think Walton is trying to make Samira look bad here. I think he's trying to engage with feminism, which is laudable. But he doesn't really know what it looks like for female scientists to be disrespected, and so the scenarios he invents for her to get indignant about end up backfiring and looking silly.
Anyway, I don't think I'll read the next book. I'm mildly curious to know what happens next, but not enough to wade through the sloppiness of the plotting, the silliness of the feminism, and the, unfortunately, dreadfully wooden narrator in the audiobook. Improvement in any one of those things by itself might have changed my mind, but all three together is enough to put me off.
November 25, 2023
A sequel to Living Memory, Dr. Samira Shannon establishes a connection with the dinosaur we met in the first story. Meanwhile, we return to Thailand, where Samira and her sister's Thai colleague Kit has allied with the new queen but suffer setbacks in their determination to rule Thailand independently. The book had a number of intertwining plots, eventually focused on a pandemic unleashed by scientific drilling that our dinosaur friend may hold the key to countering. The theme of CIA single-mindedness, regardless of human cost was a bit shallow and wore a bit as the story went on. The end was a bit more of a finish with a cliffhanger compared to the abrupt, see what happens next, finish the first book offered, but it's still not really a stand-alone book. Despite all this, it was an entertaining story, and I look forward to the conclusion in the third book.
July 21, 2023
Walton continues to deliver a fast-paced and enthralling plot that spans the globe, and encompasses the span of known history.
Particularly compelling is the main character’s relationship to her family, and Walton’s willingness to let them represent real people facing extraordinarily unreal circumstances.
The plot points are fun and exceedingly well-researched, with few holes to speak of. And even when the holes come, the narrative moves do quickly that you almost welcome the chance to catch your breath.
What will the third book bring? I can’t wait to find out!
Particularly compelling is the main character’s relationship to her family, and Walton’s willingness to let them represent real people facing extraordinarily unreal circumstances.
The plot points are fun and exceedingly well-researched, with few holes to speak of. And even when the holes come, the narrative moves do quickly that you almost welcome the chance to catch your breath.
What will the third book bring? I can’t wait to find out!
May 8, 2023
I closed this book feeling more strongly that I want book 3 than I did after the first. The characterisations are all strong, the story utterly compelling, and without doubt another amazing trio of stories to add to David's already staggeringly strong series of books. Bring on the climax!
May 18, 2023
audible:This was very good.I enjoyed it a lot! Sofia Rowley was a very good narrator. I look forward to the next book! was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 25, 2023
Enjoyable… I didn’t realize there was a third book coming and don’t think this one resolved enough plot to feel like a complete book. I like the spiritual dimension being brought in more with the parents… curious to see where that goes.
June 9, 2023
Even better than book 1.
December 28, 2023
Interesting circumstances and a fun read, if not particularly memorable.
July 7, 2025
A good read
The story gradually gets more exciting. A nice change from series that just repeat tired plot lines. Very well written and unique SciFi.
The story gradually gets more exciting. A nice change from series that just repeat tired plot lines. Very well written and unique SciFi.
October 7, 2023
4++
Deadly Memory continues the tale begun in Living Memory. There is enough background woven into this second book for a reader who has not read Living Memory to enjoy it, but it would spoil a lot of that book, so I highly recommend reading Living Memory first. Reading the first book first will also give you a fuller appreciation for the characters.
The book gets off to a somewhat slow start as it constructs the environment(s) where the main action will take place, but then there are three interrelated exciting stories. There are interesting interactions as the scientists explore their unprecedented find, which was probably my favorite part of the book. There is action and excitement as the US, China, Thailand, and other nations struggle to exploit and control the technology that was discovered. That action is not just international, and we see the struggle within the United States between the government and the scientists. Action scenes are well done but not overly prolonged. . Finally, there is the race to save humanity from a deadly threat that makes COVID look tame! The publisher has clearly been careful not to include any spoilers in the book description, and I do not want to either, so I will not say more.
Deadly Memory is more than just a good action story, though. The same features that stood out in Living Memory make Deadly Memory a highly enjoyable read. There is a bit of thought-provoking exploration of ideas like personhood . I especially like the warmth that is characteristic of Walton’s writing. The characters seem like real people who care about others, especially the paleontologist Samira. For example, there was a lovely passage when Samira hears about her mother working on relief supplies for people affected by the deadly threat, “Which got her thinking about her parents again, and why they drove her crazy despite their obvious love for her. She wanted to be free to pursue her own passions , but somehow their charitable work made her science seem trite. “
Deadly Memory ended on more of a cliffhanger than I would have liked, although I expect it will be resolved in the final book of the trilogy, Memory Reborn. On the other hand, it also contained a fun surprise that just might make me forgive the author as long as he promises to bring out Memory Reborn soon!
I received an advance review copy of Deadly Memory from the author, David Walton.
NOTE: Since my SF group is reading book 1 this month, I decided to reread #2 also, even though I justread it a few months ago. I think I enjoyed it even more the second time, especially appreciating the realistic characters (even the nonhuman) and the imaginative situation.
Reread for my SF group. Enjoyed it just as much the third time around
Deadly Memory continues the tale begun in Living Memory. There is enough background woven into this second book for a reader who has not read Living Memory to enjoy it, but it would spoil a lot of that book, so I highly recommend reading Living Memory first. Reading the first book first will also give you a fuller appreciation for the characters.
The book gets off to a somewhat slow start as it constructs the environment(s) where the main action will take place, but then there are three interrelated exciting stories. There are interesting interactions as the scientists explore their unprecedented find, which was probably my favorite part of the book. There is action and excitement as the US, China, Thailand, and other nations struggle to exploit and control the technology that was discovered. That action is not just international, and we see the struggle within the United States between the government and the scientists. Action scenes are well done but not overly prolonged. . Finally, there is the race to save humanity from a deadly threat that makes COVID look tame! The publisher has clearly been careful not to include any spoilers in the book description, and I do not want to either, so I will not say more.
Deadly Memory is more than just a good action story, though. The same features that stood out in Living Memory make Deadly Memory a highly enjoyable read. There is a bit of thought-provoking exploration of ideas like personhood . I especially like the warmth that is characteristic of Walton’s writing. The characters seem like real people who care about others, especially the paleontologist Samira. For example, there was a lovely passage when Samira hears about her mother working on relief supplies for people affected by the deadly threat, “Which got her thinking about her parents again, and why they drove her crazy despite their obvious love for her. She wanted to be free to pursue her own passions , but somehow their charitable work made her science seem trite. “
Deadly Memory ended on more of a cliffhanger than I would have liked, although I expect it will be resolved in the final book of the trilogy, Memory Reborn. On the other hand, it also contained a fun surprise that just might make me forgive the author as long as he promises to bring out Memory Reborn soon!
I received an advance review copy of Deadly Memory from the author, David Walton.
NOTE: Since my SF group is reading book 1 this month, I decided to reread #2 also, even though I justread it a few months ago. I think I enjoyed it even more the second time, especially appreciating the realistic characters (even the nonhuman) and the imaginative situation.
Reread for my SF group. Enjoyed it just as much the third time around
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