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The Memory Foundation
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 26, 2026
3620 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an eARC of The Memory Foundation in exchange for my honest review!
This premise had drawn me in immediately, but unfortunately, the execution proves to be quite underwhelming. This had the potential to create something that brims with psychological suspense and wrap us up in these characters' headspace while they're dealing with the advanced technology at this mountainous facility. It could have gone for a real mindfuck. But instead, it makes the odd choice of restraining itself from deeply exploring that territory, and this leaves it to drag along with characters in whom I struggle to become invested. Sure, I can appreciate the claustrophobic atmosphere that traps me in this terrifying and isolating wilderness alongside these unfortunate individuals, but this isn't enough to compensate for how flatly the rest of the narrative comes across.
All in all, I'm officially rating The Memory Foundation 2.25 out of 5 stars, which I'm rounding down to two stars. I'm always up for a sci-fi thriller, and I wish this one could have been more riveting.
This premise had drawn me in immediately, but unfortunately, the execution proves to be quite underwhelming. This had the potential to create something that brims with psychological suspense and wrap us up in these characters' headspace while they're dealing with the advanced technology at this mountainous facility. It could have gone for a real mindfuck. But instead, it makes the odd choice of restraining itself from deeply exploring that territory, and this leaves it to drag along with characters in whom I struggle to become invested. Sure, I can appreciate the claustrophobic atmosphere that traps me in this terrifying and isolating wilderness alongside these unfortunate individuals, but this isn't enough to compensate for how flatly the rest of the narrative comes across.
All in all, I'm officially rating The Memory Foundation 2.25 out of 5 stars, which I'm rounding down to two stars. I'm always up for a sci-fi thriller, and I wish this one could have been more riveting.
December 3, 2025
A fairly original and surprising twist is insufficient to save an otherwise uncoordinated story. West assembles the building blocks of a great techno-thriller, but populates it with unlikeable characters who speak in unconvincing, exclamation point ridden run-on sentences. The story is buttressed by the premise of the remote research facility turned retreat and the history-making secret it protects, but the actual science is fuzzy. The project itself becomes cloudier rather than more concrete as the details are revealed, but the overall mad scientist vibe is transparent from the first page. The author is clearly familiar with the ingredients for a good thriller, so a future effort may get the recipe right.
Watch the swinging pendulum, you're getting sleepy--you'll be glad to forget The Memory Foundation. Try a Taylor Adams or Will Dean if you're looking for thrills.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
Watch the swinging pendulum, you're getting sleepy--you'll be glad to forget The Memory Foundation. Try a Taylor Adams or Will Dean if you're looking for thrills.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the Arc of this title.
The Memory Foundation is a dual POV story of two women and a place called the Memory Foundation. Advertised as an organization with goals to help dementia patients, the Memory Foundation is run by its founder, Wade Hunter. Investigative journalist Natasha (Tash) sets her sights on finding out as much as she can about the foundation to help her mother remember who she is. Lydia, Wade's wife, is a survivor of an accident who lost all of her memories before Wade found her in the snow outside of the foundation. The two women's stories collide when lies and secrets start to come out.
Over all, this book was just meh for me. I figured out the big 'twist' really quickly, and I just didn't care about any of the characters. I wanted more of the science aspect of this, or more of how the memory pods worked, or even to see the POV of someone while they are in the pod. A great idea, not very well executed.
The Memory Foundation is a dual POV story of two women and a place called the Memory Foundation. Advertised as an organization with goals to help dementia patients, the Memory Foundation is run by its founder, Wade Hunter. Investigative journalist Natasha (Tash) sets her sights on finding out as much as she can about the foundation to help her mother remember who she is. Lydia, Wade's wife, is a survivor of an accident who lost all of her memories before Wade found her in the snow outside of the foundation. The two women's stories collide when lies and secrets start to come out.
Over all, this book was just meh for me. I figured out the big 'twist' really quickly, and I just didn't care about any of the characters. I wanted more of the science aspect of this, or more of how the memory pods worked, or even to see the POV of someone while they are in the pod. A great idea, not very well executed.
December 17, 2025
Such an interesting idea and an eerie, isolated setting carried this one for me! The ideas around memory and control were so good, but the story never quite dug as deep as I hoped. Some twists felt predictable too. A solid, atmospheric read — just not unforgettable. ✨
Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda West, and Crooked Lane Books for an opportunity to read this ARC!
*** ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda West, and Crooked Lane Books for an opportunity to read this ARC!
*** ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
November 12, 2025
[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Memory Foundation releases May 26, 2026
Nestled in a remote alpine setting, is a tech-based medical research facility that focuses on memory loss.
Unfortunately for me, the big plot twist wasn’t really a twist at all. Having just read a dystopian book with an identical approach in navigating timelines and character identities, it was quite easy to spot the red herrings and predict the entire storyline within the first 12%.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Memory Foundation releases May 26, 2026
Nestled in a remote alpine setting, is a tech-based medical research facility that focuses on memory loss.
Unfortunately for me, the big plot twist wasn’t really a twist at all. Having just read a dystopian book with an identical approach in navigating timelines and character identities, it was quite easy to spot the red herrings and predict the entire storyline within the first 12%.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews