Elite Memories: Memory Transfers Book 2

by David J. Gibson

As society collapses, is transferring human minds into animal bodies our only hope?

In the dystopian world of 2150, memory transfers between humans have become a carefully controlled mechanism of power—until everything goes terrifyingly wrong. Damon Najor, the privileged son of an authoritarian leader, finds himself unexpectedly transferred into the body of a sheepdog after a mysterious transfer gone awry.

As sentient animals suddenly begin receiving human memories, a dangerous conspiracy emerges. Shanya Tourni, the duplicitous lead scientist of this oppressive system, may hold the key to this unprecedented disruption. Meanwhile, Chatura Singh works in the shadows, risking everything to uncover the truth behind a global network of brutal control.

Hunted by security forces and struggling to survive, Damon must transform from a self-centered elite into a leader of a new sentient animal society. With the apocalypse looming, he becomes an unlikely hero in a desperate fight to expose the truth and challenge the brutal system that once kept his father in power.

Part biological thriller, part revolution, this gripping novel explores the thin line between humanity and survival when the powerful are challenged from the most unexpected places.

For readers The Hunger Games – The Maze Runner – Divergent – Animal Farm – The Handmaid’s Tale

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2025

Reviews

[Daniel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elite Memories is the debut novel of David J. Gibson, who has numerous nonfiction titles to his credit. Gibson is a botanist, and that helped him craft some poetic descriptions of nature in this novel. Elite Memories tells the story of a dystopian future with pollution causing worldwide illness and infertility. Humans are separated into Elites and Underlings. When the Elites fall mortally ill, their memories are transferred into the bodies of healthy Underlings. But Elites who have fallen out of favor with the authoritarian regime start getting their memories “lost” in the process. As it turns out, their memories are being transferred into nearby host animals: cattle, dogs, wolf, coyotes, bobcats, birds, etc. The main character, Damon, has his memories transferred to a sheepdog. The story follows the struggles of him and other former Elites as they adjust to life as animals in the wilderness. There are some original ideas in this novel, with plenty of plot twists to keep it entertaining.

[Monica Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally I could finish a book this good in a week. I had a family emergency but was finally able to finish.

What a thrilling ride! As an animal lover, it was a unique concept to have animals engaged in a battle using actual weapons and all sorts of animals teaming up. Loved the character growth as Damon went from being kind of a jerk, to caring about others besides himself.

I really hope the author writes a sequel!! I want to know what happens to all the animals and how it all ends.

[Sue Danells · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a dystopian world where men and women are divided by the circumstances of birth, this debut novel has a serious message to impart. The Elites, living in comfort behind secure walls, take their privilege to ultimate heights by securing young able bodies to have their memories transferred into, thereby ensuring mortality. When the process begins to go wrong those memories find their way to animals.
The essence of this novel is manipulation but when some of the top elites decide to take control, they hadn't bargained for their actions resulting in self-destruction. Animals find their voices, garner their own unique strengths and work together to fight for survival.

I enjoyed this novel, though I found it rather difficult to read due to repetition and information narrative where actions would have spoken louder. However I can see this being adapted as a cartoon, which would make talking animals easier for me personally, because I believe it has something to say, perhaps for young people growing up in such a rapidly developing society.

3 stars

[David]

Dear Readers,

I'm so excited about the response to the publication of Elite Memories. It's been out for a month and a half now and is starting to get some reviews, including a written review with lovely comments.

Readers tell me they like the novel premise of human-to-animal memory transfers and the character arc of Damon. One person told me they want to know where the animals go after the book closes - don't worry, a sequel is planned. First of all, I'm working on a prequel that digs deep into Shanya's character - is she a good guy or a bad guy?

Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading Elite Memories, and I look forward to seeing your reviews and reading any comments you have.

David J. Gibson