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The Memory Thieves
What you don't remember can't hurt you...
Cyan has lived at the Elsewhere Sanctuary for as long as he can remember, freed by Dr Haven from dark memories of his past life. But when Cyan finds a mysterious warning carved into the bones of a whale skeleton, he starts to wonder what he had to forget to be so happy.
New resident, Jonquil, begins to resist the sanctuary's treatment, preferring to hold on to her memories - even the bad ones. So when Dr Haven resorts to harsher measures, Cyan embarks on a secret mission to discover the truth about the sanctuary...and himself.
"Marvellously visual and gripping" - A. M. Howell
Cyan has lived at the Elsewhere Sanctuary for as long as he can remember, freed by Dr Haven from dark memories of his past life. But when Cyan finds a mysterious warning carved into the bones of a whale skeleton, he starts to wonder what he had to forget to be so happy.
New resident, Jonquil, begins to resist the sanctuary's treatment, preferring to hold on to her memories - even the bad ones. So when Dr Haven resorts to harsher measures, Cyan embarks on a secret mission to discover the truth about the sanctuary...and himself.
"Marvellously visual and gripping" - A. M. Howell
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2021
8 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Darren Simpson
6 books27 followersDarren Simpson writes vivid, unruly fiction for older children and teens.
His debut novel, Scavengers, was a Guardian Best Book of the Year, and was selected for the national Summer Reading Challenge. The Memory Thieves was an Observer Book of the Month and a World Book Day Summer Read, while Furthermoor was Blackwell’s Children’s Book of the Month and a Waterstones Best Book of the Year. Darren’s stories have won awards and been translated into several languages. He’s been nominated twice for the prestigious Carnegie Medal.
His latest novel, Thirst, is out now.
Darren lives in Nottingham, where he works with the Literacy Trust to promote reading for pleasure. He loves using unusual settings to explore bravery, self-discovery, and the strangeness of the everyday.
If you'd like to find out more, visit darrensimpsonwrites.co.uk
His debut novel, Scavengers, was a Guardian Best Book of the Year, and was selected for the national Summer Reading Challenge. The Memory Thieves was an Observer Book of the Month and a World Book Day Summer Read, while Furthermoor was Blackwell’s Children’s Book of the Month and a Waterstones Best Book of the Year. Darren’s stories have won awards and been translated into several languages. He’s been nominated twice for the prestigious Carnegie Medal.
His latest novel, Thirst, is out now.
Darren lives in Nottingham, where he works with the Literacy Trust to promote reading for pleasure. He loves using unusual settings to explore bravery, self-discovery, and the strangeness of the everyday.
If you'd like to find out more, visit darrensimpsonwrites.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 12, 2022
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH 😚 It literally sets a captivating scene within the first few pages, I was so drawn into the story and loved the strange scenery. The main characters are all so different, Cyan: charming, polite and a little cockey, Ruby: Sarcastic, moody and kind under the surface, Teal: Anxious, loving and brave oh my gosh when he says “Teal time” HE HAS MY HEART 😭 I really loved the mystery, intrigue, action and plot twists this book has, the chapter names are so different and unusual and I loved that. But the deeper message of this book is an incredibly important one: trauma cannot be buried and suppressed and that doesn’t make it go away. The discussion questions and talking points at the back of the book are so good for kids, teens and adults alike. There was also great world building that really helped me imagine everything in my mind. Please PLEASE, read the memory thieves…it’s unforgettable 😏
August 23, 2021
Thought provoking powerful book
March 5, 2024
Mükemmeldi gerçekten. En iyi Distopya hayali. Tek kelimeyle anlatamayacağım çünkü tek kelimeyle anlatamayacağım kadar çok güzel şeyler var. Yalnız çok fazla iğneden dolayı biraz rahatsız olduğum için dört verdim. Kitapta hayattan haberdar olmayan arkadaşların birden adalarına yeni bir kızın gelmesiyle hayatlarının değiştiğini anlatan bir kitap. Cyan (pardon ama söylüyorum gerçek adı Nicholas Bromden) , Ruby, Teal ve Jonquil. Bir tür yolculuğa çıkıyorlar. Bir süre sonra Cyan yaşadıkları adanın bir belirsizlikten ibaret olduğunu orada kapana kısıldıkları ve düşüncelerini özgürce ifade edemeyeceğini fark ediyor. İşte tam bu sırada Ruby ile soluk soluğa bir özgürlük macerasına çıkıyorlar. Sonunda helikopterlerle giderken herkesin yapay mutluluk içinde olmaması ve gerçekten doğal bir şekilde gerçek hayata dönecekleri takdirde Doktor Haven’ın onlara unutturduğu gerçeklerle yüzleşecekleri korkusuyla adadan helikopterle uzaklaştılar. Yer yer insanlığa dair eleştiriler bulunan bu kitap hayatımın Distopyası.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
Wow! That was a really thought provoking book. Very strong characters and a fascinating plot. Think I've found a new author to follow.
July 7, 2023
Gripping, imaginative, well-written and a lovely way to get young people thinking about the power of talking, the problems with bottling things up, and the grieving process.
April 28, 2022
5/5 ✨"Bazen yapacağın yolculuk varacağın yerden daha önemlidir." s.87
📚Kısaca kitabın konusundan bahsetmek gerekirse; arka kapak yazısında da bahsedildiği gibi Cyan, kendini bildi bileli kötü anıları unutturulan onlarca çocukla birlikte Başkabiryer'de yaşar. Sorgulamanın yasaklandığı bu terk edilmiş adada, geçmişinin karanlığından korunduğuna inanır. Fakat bir gün bir balina iskeletine kazınmış gizemli bir not bulur ve neyi unuttuğunu merak etmeye başlar. Aynı gün sığınağa getirilen biri unutturma tedavisine direnç gösterir ve acı verici de olsa hatıralarına sıkıca tutunur. Görevliler, geçmişini hatırlamasını engellemek için yeni arkadaşına daha sert tedaviler uygulamaya başladığında Cyan, Başkabiryer'in sandığı gibi olmadığını anlar. Kendisi ve sığınak hakkındaki gerçekleri öğrenmek ve arkadaşlarını kurtarmak üzere tehlikeli bir göreve çıkar.
📚Sevgili Darren Simpson‘un kalemi ile bu kitap sayesinde tanıştım. Anı Hırsızları hem macera hemde distopya türünde bir kitap olduğu için bu kitabı her yaştan okur çok rahatlıkla okuyabilir. Kitap kesinlikle çok sürükleyiciydi. Kitaba kelimenin tam anlamı ile bayıldım. Ne ara başladım, ne ara bitirdim inanın ben bile anlamadım. Cyan ve arkadaşlarının verdiği mücadele ve Başkabiryer’in aslında sandıkları gibi bir yer olmadığını keşfetmelerini bir solukta okudum ve bitirdim. En başında kötü anılarından kurtulmak için geldiğini zanneden Cyan ve arkadaşlarının iyi veya kötü anıların aslında insan hayatının ayrılmaz bir parçası olduğunu keşfetmesi ve Başkabiryer’den kurtulma macerasını anlatan harika bir kitaptı.
💭Peki siz "Kötü anılarınızı unutmak için bütün geçmişinizin silinmesine izin verir miydiniz?"
📚Kısaca kitabın konusundan bahsetmek gerekirse; arka kapak yazısında da bahsedildiği gibi Cyan, kendini bildi bileli kötü anıları unutturulan onlarca çocukla birlikte Başkabiryer'de yaşar. Sorgulamanın yasaklandığı bu terk edilmiş adada, geçmişinin karanlığından korunduğuna inanır. Fakat bir gün bir balina iskeletine kazınmış gizemli bir not bulur ve neyi unuttuğunu merak etmeye başlar. Aynı gün sığınağa getirilen biri unutturma tedavisine direnç gösterir ve acı verici de olsa hatıralarına sıkıca tutunur. Görevliler, geçmişini hatırlamasını engellemek için yeni arkadaşına daha sert tedaviler uygulamaya başladığında Cyan, Başkabiryer'in sandığı gibi olmadığını anlar. Kendisi ve sığınak hakkındaki gerçekleri öğrenmek ve arkadaşlarını kurtarmak üzere tehlikeli bir göreve çıkar.
📚Sevgili Darren Simpson‘un kalemi ile bu kitap sayesinde tanıştım. Anı Hırsızları hem macera hemde distopya türünde bir kitap olduğu için bu kitabı her yaştan okur çok rahatlıkla okuyabilir. Kitap kesinlikle çok sürükleyiciydi. Kitaba kelimenin tam anlamı ile bayıldım. Ne ara başladım, ne ara bitirdim inanın ben bile anlamadım. Cyan ve arkadaşlarının verdiği mücadele ve Başkabiryer’in aslında sandıkları gibi bir yer olmadığını keşfetmelerini bir solukta okudum ve bitirdim. En başında kötü anılarından kurtulmak için geldiğini zanneden Cyan ve arkadaşlarının iyi veya kötü anıların aslında insan hayatının ayrılmaz bir parçası olduğunu keşfetmesi ve Başkabiryer’den kurtulma macerasını anlatan harika bir kitaptı.
💭Peki siz "Kötü anılarınızı unutmak için bütün geçmişinizin silinmesine izin verir miydiniz?"
July 24, 2021
The Memory Thieves is a dystopian YA/middle grade novel. Set in a world where you can go to The Sanctuary, an island which will wipe away hurtful memories and keep you in a tranquil state for the rest of time. Cyan and Ruby blissfully go about their day not questioning anything, that is until Jonquil arrives and they start to question the life they are leading.
I’ve not read anything from Darren Simpson before, but I do own another of his books. I throughly enjoyed this fast-paced dystopian novel. The world building is quick and you get a real sense of place, especially when the characters are by the beach. I also enjoyed the different characters. The book looks like it’s middle-grade and is recommended for 11+ on Amazon, personally I feel this would be great for 13+ year olds, and the cover may just miss this part of the YA market. I has a slightly older feel to it in terms of content and ideas, I will be recommending it at school to years 8 and 9.
I’ve not read anything from Darren Simpson before, but I do own another of his books. I throughly enjoyed this fast-paced dystopian novel. The world building is quick and you get a real sense of place, especially when the characters are by the beach. I also enjoyed the different characters. The book looks like it’s middle-grade and is recommended for 11+ on Amazon, personally I feel this would be great for 13+ year olds, and the cover may just miss this part of the YA market. I has a slightly older feel to it in terms of content and ideas, I will be recommending it at school to years 8 and 9.
December 22, 2023
Anı Hırsızları’nı sevdim. Oldukça enteresan bir hikayesi var. Travma sahibi çocuklar, kötü anılarını unutmak için kendi rızalarıyla tüm dünyadan uzak bir tesiste tedavi görüyorlar. Ne kadar kötü olursa olsun acılarımızın da hayatın bir parçası olduğu, üzülmeye, ağlamaya da gülmek kadar ihtiyacımız olduğunu anlatan tatlı bir hikayeydi.
Ayrıca bu kitapta meşhur Küp(1997) filminden, Severance dizisinden esintiler yakalayabilirsiniz. Verdiği vibe aşırı benzer.👌🏼
Ayrıca bu kitapta meşhur Küp(1997) filminden, Severance dizisinden esintiler yakalayabilirsiniz. Verdiği vibe aşırı benzer.👌🏼
October 27, 2024
I enjoyed Cyan’s and Ruby’s lively personalities and banter, and the antagonist was a fun albeit static villain.
The plot’s straightforward and fast-paced, which is my personal preference in novels.
But what I especially loved was how the author described Elsewhere Sanctuary and the world around it: its shuffling walls, moonlit dunes, whale bones, quad bikes and towering shipwrecks. The scenes of the characters exploring these places stood out to me the most. They drew me into reading this book in the first place too, because the opening line was this:
“Cyan sat back against a huge curving rib. He was surrounded by a boundary of bone: a whale’s yellowing skeleton, stranded in the sand. His creased uniform stood out against the dunes, like a green bottle on a deserted beach.”
Oh man, what a visual. My other favorite moments have to be the . Ahh gorgeous.
Some things that made this a four instead of five star read for me: The occasional scene would’ve been less stilted if the author had given the other adult characters more… individuality? Personality? Especially
Either way, I appreciated the author’s message about how important it is to open up about your pain, and how hiding it can make your emotional struggle manifest into bigger health problems. It was a genuine message that came through in this story, and that really touched me.
The plot’s straightforward and fast-paced, which is my personal preference in novels.
But what I especially loved was how the author described Elsewhere Sanctuary and the world around it: its shuffling walls, moonlit dunes, whale bones, quad bikes and towering shipwrecks. The scenes of the characters exploring these places stood out to me the most. They drew me into reading this book in the first place too, because the opening line was this:
“Cyan sat back against a huge curving rib. He was surrounded by a boundary of bone: a whale’s yellowing skeleton, stranded in the sand. His creased uniform stood out against the dunes, like a green bottle on a deserted beach.”
Oh man, what a visual. My other favorite moments have to be the . Ahh gorgeous.
Some things that made this a four instead of five star read for me: The occasional scene would’ve been less stilted if the author had given the other adult characters more… individuality? Personality? Especially
Either way, I appreciated the author’s message about how important it is to open up about your pain, and how hiding it can make your emotional struggle manifest into bigger health problems. It was a genuine message that came through in this story, and that really touched me.
July 27, 2021
Spoiler Warning!
As soon as I saw the title and description of The Memory Thieves I was intrigued, it is SO different to other children’s books out there at the moment, I couldn’t wait to read! It is fresh and exciting, with just the right levels of perplexity and peril to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The author’s crafting of the sanctuary and the world it inhabits, down to the finest details, was fantastic. The idea of the lockets, the ever-changing rooms, uniforms, and furniture to disorientate the residents is a brilliant concept. The manipulation was well thought out (including how some of this could be used in the character’s favour later in the story).
It was interesting to see that while the main characters are friends initially, they are not that close or bonded, of course, how could they be when they only knew each other on a surface level? Not fully understanding each other’s tendencies or triggers, and making fun of each other because of this. Seeing the understanding and empathy grow between Cyan and Ruby, as well as the two of them in regards to Teal was heart-warming. Learning that talking to each other and expressing their feelings wasn’t a bad thing, and that actually whilst it sometimes can be painful it is better to remember and receive support, than block things out be isolated, suffering in other ways. Then working together to fight against the evil Dr. Haven and rescue the imprisoned residents (as well as themselves) made for an epic adventure.
This is a magnificent story for children. Whilst regarding the intense subjects of trauma and mental health with sensitivity, the sinister undertones and moments of peril keep you on the edge of your seat, remaining a fun and engrossing read.
I thought it wonderful that at the end of the book the author explains his reasons for writing the book, as well as discussing mental health, the importance of talking about feelings and empathy. It even includes questions to prompt further discussion -great for our student book club!
A big thank you to Usborne Books and Netgalley for the e-arc to review.
As soon as I saw the title and description of The Memory Thieves I was intrigued, it is SO different to other children’s books out there at the moment, I couldn’t wait to read! It is fresh and exciting, with just the right levels of perplexity and peril to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The author’s crafting of the sanctuary and the world it inhabits, down to the finest details, was fantastic. The idea of the lockets, the ever-changing rooms, uniforms, and furniture to disorientate the residents is a brilliant concept. The manipulation was well thought out (including how some of this could be used in the character’s favour later in the story).
It was interesting to see that while the main characters are friends initially, they are not that close or bonded, of course, how could they be when they only knew each other on a surface level? Not fully understanding each other’s tendencies or triggers, and making fun of each other because of this. Seeing the understanding and empathy grow between Cyan and Ruby, as well as the two of them in regards to Teal was heart-warming. Learning that talking to each other and expressing their feelings wasn’t a bad thing, and that actually whilst it sometimes can be painful it is better to remember and receive support, than block things out be isolated, suffering in other ways. Then working together to fight against the evil Dr. Haven and rescue the imprisoned residents (as well as themselves) made for an epic adventure.
This is a magnificent story for children. Whilst regarding the intense subjects of trauma and mental health with sensitivity, the sinister undertones and moments of peril keep you on the edge of your seat, remaining a fun and engrossing read.
I thought it wonderful that at the end of the book the author explains his reasons for writing the book, as well as discussing mental health, the importance of talking about feelings and empathy. It even includes questions to prompt further discussion -great for our student book club!
A big thank you to Usborne Books and Netgalley for the e-arc to review.
July 25, 2021
What you don’t remember can’t hurt you…
Cyan has lived at the Elsewhere Sanctuary for as long as he can remember, freed by Dr Haven from dark memories of his past life. But when Cyan finds a mysterious warning carved into the bones of a whale skeleton, he starts to wonder what he had to forget to be so happy.
New resident, Jonquil, begins to resist the sanctuary’s treatment, preferring to hold on to her memories – even the bad ones. So when Dr Haven resorts to harsher measures, Cyan embarks on a secret mission to discover the truth about the sanctuary…and himself.
This is an intricately constructed dystopian world, a mixture of what we know blended with sci-fi … an island where the tide went out and never came back again, no wildlife, an invisible boundary shield, a building that can reset its rooms (like 3D Tetris), tracking devices, clocks with no hands, memory suppressing drugs and teenagers who just want to forget.
The themes tackled in this story are difficult ones and raise many ethical questions. Guilt, sorrow, medically induced memory loss, secret experimental drug trials.
Through the story, the author helps us to see that all our memories, experiences and feelings make us who we are, mould us into the people we become. Just because you cannot remember a key event or person does not mean you are no longer unaffected, even subconsciously.
Despite the difficult themes and my worry for what comes next for the characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was engrossed in the lives of the characters and the world they inhabited. This is the first book I have read by Darren Simpson but it definitely won’t be the last.
Thank you to NetGalley and Usborne for the eARC.
Cyan has lived at the Elsewhere Sanctuary for as long as he can remember, freed by Dr Haven from dark memories of his past life. But when Cyan finds a mysterious warning carved into the bones of a whale skeleton, he starts to wonder what he had to forget to be so happy.
New resident, Jonquil, begins to resist the sanctuary’s treatment, preferring to hold on to her memories – even the bad ones. So when Dr Haven resorts to harsher measures, Cyan embarks on a secret mission to discover the truth about the sanctuary…and himself.
This is an intricately constructed dystopian world, a mixture of what we know blended with sci-fi … an island where the tide went out and never came back again, no wildlife, an invisible boundary shield, a building that can reset its rooms (like 3D Tetris), tracking devices, clocks with no hands, memory suppressing drugs and teenagers who just want to forget.
The themes tackled in this story are difficult ones and raise many ethical questions. Guilt, sorrow, medically induced memory loss, secret experimental drug trials.
Through the story, the author helps us to see that all our memories, experiences and feelings make us who we are, mould us into the people we become. Just because you cannot remember a key event or person does not mean you are no longer unaffected, even subconsciously.
Despite the difficult themes and my worry for what comes next for the characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was engrossed in the lives of the characters and the world they inhabited. This is the first book I have read by Darren Simpson but it definitely won’t be the last.
Thank you to NetGalley and Usborne for the eARC.
July 25, 2021
On the Island of Elsewhere young people come to forget. All their needs are met as they undergo the special treatment to erase their past bad memories and keep them calm and content. Time means nothing here and there is nothing to worry about. In the Sanctuary, Cyan, our hero, meets a new resident, Jonquil, and shows her the ropes on the instructions of Dr Haven, the doctor in charge. It is a futuristic place and everyone seems well, but the reader is about to embark on a voyage of discovery alongside Cyan and his friends.
Now, if you have read Darren’s previous book, Scavengers, you will know that he is a great writer with imagination by the bucketload. Well this book is just as good but also different. This for me is the sign of a great writer. This book is a rare thing, a sci-fi novel for middle grade readers (it reminded me slightly of Maze Runner in some ways) where there is a gradual realisation that things may not be what they seem. I loved the details - the rooms which reconfigure themselves, the specialist ‘treatment’ that the guests receive and the surroundings of the Sanctuary itself.
This is an adventure and a mystery and once you have started reading you will find this book hard to put down. I will certainly be getting hold of a copy any way I can to put in our Primary School library for our KS2 children to enjoy. Thank you Darren, I wonder what you will come up with next…?
Now, if you have read Darren’s previous book, Scavengers, you will know that he is a great writer with imagination by the bucketload. Well this book is just as good but also different. This for me is the sign of a great writer. This book is a rare thing, a sci-fi novel for middle grade readers (it reminded me slightly of Maze Runner in some ways) where there is a gradual realisation that things may not be what they seem. I loved the details - the rooms which reconfigure themselves, the specialist ‘treatment’ that the guests receive and the surroundings of the Sanctuary itself.
This is an adventure and a mystery and once you have started reading you will find this book hard to put down. I will certainly be getting hold of a copy any way I can to put in our Primary School library for our KS2 children to enjoy. Thank you Darren, I wonder what you will come up with next…?
October 20, 2022
This book was chosen to be one of the 4 shortlisted books in the Portsmouth Book Awards earlier this year. And, as the librarian running the event in the school, I was obligated to read it before the students so I could facilitate the discussions around it.
I remember before I started this book that I found the premise intriguing and looked forward to seeing how it landed. But after reading it, I have to admit it fell through a little. Every cliché and trope you'd expect to see turned up to *not* surprise us in this book, and unfortunately, they weren't handled in a good enough way to still be enjoyable rather than predictable.
I can see this being a good kid's book, but for someone that's read probably way too many books all containing the same stuff, this one let me down a little. Still good enough to enjoy at the start, but the ending we've all seen a thousand times.
I remember before I started this book that I found the premise intriguing and looked forward to seeing how it landed. But after reading it, I have to admit it fell through a little. Every cliché and trope you'd expect to see turned up to *not* surprise us in this book, and unfortunately, they weren't handled in a good enough way to still be enjoyable rather than predictable.
I can see this being a good kid's book, but for someone that's read probably way too many books all containing the same stuff, this one let me down a little. Still good enough to enjoy at the start, but the ending we've all seen a thousand times.
July 29, 2021
I absolutely loved this book!
This is a middle grade book (I'd say leaning towards YA so maybe early teens suitable) when young individuals go to The Sanctuary to forget things that happened to them in the past. They have bad memories wiped and are given new identities. Everything seems great initially but then something doesn't seem right. Our main character Cyan attempts to find out what is really going on behind the scenes at The Sanctuary, as well as to find out more about himself.
This book deals with themes such as loss, friendship, feelings and mental health - all handled very well. It was fast-paced. Would thoroughly recommend.
This is a middle grade book (I'd say leaning towards YA so maybe early teens suitable) when young individuals go to The Sanctuary to forget things that happened to them in the past. They have bad memories wiped and are given new identities. Everything seems great initially but then something doesn't seem right. Our main character Cyan attempts to find out what is really going on behind the scenes at The Sanctuary, as well as to find out more about himself.
This book deals with themes such as loss, friendship, feelings and mental health - all handled very well. It was fast-paced. Would thoroughly recommend.
January 27, 2022
A wonderful little romp through forgetfulness. The Memory Thieves was a mix between The Promised Neverland and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, though without the more fantastical elements.
What I liked the most about this story were the characters and their ability to solve problems. Sometimes I read books where it feels like the plot is dragging the characters along. The Memory Thieves was different as Cyan and Ruby were the ones forging a clear path through the story with their decisions and actions.
I'll certain look to buy Scavengers and pre-order Furthermoor.
What I liked the most about this story were the characters and their ability to solve problems. Sometimes I read books where it feels like the plot is dragging the characters along. The Memory Thieves was different as Cyan and Ruby were the ones forging a clear path through the story with their decisions and actions.
I'll certain look to buy Scavengers and pre-order Furthermoor.
January 30, 2022
3.8/5 STARS
This book deserves more attention! I initially took interest in this book solely on the title, and I didn’t have much expectations with the few reviews on Goodreads. Boy was I pleasantly surprised with the detailed world-building, captivating characters, plot twists and a lesson on emotional well-being. It reminds me of “The Maze Runner” where a group of friends uncovered a sinister dark secret that lies within the treatment facility - Sanctuary.
Definitely looking forward to Darren’s next book!
This book deserves more attention! I initially took interest in this book solely on the title, and I didn’t have much expectations with the few reviews on Goodreads. Boy was I pleasantly surprised with the detailed world-building, captivating characters, plot twists and a lesson on emotional well-being. It reminds me of “The Maze Runner” where a group of friends uncovered a sinister dark secret that lies within the treatment facility - Sanctuary.
Definitely looking forward to Darren’s next book!
April 3, 2024
3.75
This had the exact sort of setting that I liked - Isolated. Somewhere like a boarding school, or a cruise ship, or a prison. This books absolutely would've rated higher if we'd got more exploration of the place. I never really felt like we were in the sanctuary and it felt to me like the author was just desperate to get to the climax of it all rather than give it time to build.
You know in these sorts of stories that it won't be innocent, but I always enjoy that part of a dystopia where you can pretend it's a utopia and I just never really got that in this one.
This had the exact sort of setting that I liked - Isolated. Somewhere like a boarding school, or a cruise ship, or a prison. This books absolutely would've rated higher if we'd got more exploration of the place. I never really felt like we were in the sanctuary and it felt to me like the author was just desperate to get to the climax of it all rather than give it time to build.
You know in these sorts of stories that it won't be innocent, but I always enjoy that part of a dystopia where you can pretend it's a utopia and I just never really got that in this one.
August 23, 2021
Adventures in Amnesia
A superb setting, protagonists you root for and a villain that deserves every boo and hiss you can muster... A well-paced, intriguing story. Perhaps not quite as tense or gripping as Scavengers (the author's first book) but I'm splitting hairs because both are great. There are hints of Total Recall and One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and certainly this felt like it was aimed at upper MG readers or even early teens. Can't wait to see what Mr Simpson comes up with next.
A superb setting, protagonists you root for and a villain that deserves every boo and hiss you can muster... A well-paced, intriguing story. Perhaps not quite as tense or gripping as Scavengers (the author's first book) but I'm splitting hairs because both are great. There are hints of Total Recall and One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and certainly this felt like it was aimed at upper MG readers or even early teens. Can't wait to see what Mr Simpson comes up with next.
September 11, 2021
Totally enthralling story. If something really bad happened to you, would you want to forget? That's what happens to the children at the Elsewhere Sanctuary. But then a new resident turns up who wants to talk about her experience before she forgets. How will this affect those around her?
Really thought-provoking and it is easy to empathise with the characters who want to forget and want to remember.
Really thought-provoking and it is easy to empathise with the characters who want to forget and want to remember.
May 17, 2022
The concept around this book is interesting and, at least to me, unique. A sanctuary has been set up to help children with trauma forget. A mixture of therapies, drugs, constant disorientation and isolation from the world helps the children repress their memories, and live a strange existence playing in amongst sand dunes and whale bones. But a sinister under belly is revealed when a new resident does not react to the therapy so well. Very intriguing premise.
July 2, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, well read via Audible. The concept of a company removing memories that are too painful sounds tempting but what happens when the children who made this choice discover that their present memories are also being tampered with and that those children for who memory suppressing hasn’t worked, are being experimented on? Only four stars because it got a bit slow in the middle.
January 18, 2025
O kadar güzeldi ki,kelimeler yetmez anlatmaya.Kapağı çok ilgi çekici gözükmüyordu ve bu sebeple yazdan beri bekletiyordum.Ama kitaba başlama kararı aldım ve iyi ki bu kararı almışım.Ciddiyim ve bütün samimiyetimle söylüyorum kitap EFSANE ve okunmayı FAZLASIYLA HAKEDİYOR.Fakat içerisinde iğne vs. olduğu için bazı kısımlarda iğrendim ama yine de güzeldi.Bence okuyun okutun,kapağına da bakmayın.Tam kışın yorganın altına girip okunmalık
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2022
This book was absolutely amazing and I found myself not wanting to put it down. I found it gripping right from the start and was eager to find out what was going to happen next with the crazy doctor!! This was the first book I've read by this author and now I really want to read more. A brilliant read!!!
August 11, 2025
it was a great book, the contents of the books were expectable but the way it was presented and the visual representations of each scene were top-notch, it was as if you were the character, the book was very thought-provoking, all-in-all it is a book you must try at least once, especially if you're a beginner to books, and reading.
July 17, 2022
4.25 stars. Captivating from the very beginning, this is a fresh and well written intriguing adventure about importance of memories, no matter how painful. It's better to deal with your emotion that to bury it, and ignorance is not always bliss. Wonderful read.
January 22, 2023
Descriptive immersive storytelling right from the first page this books draws you into a world where memories vanish. Would love to have a follow up on the characters and how they face their future with memories.
July 7, 2023
this book was okay at best. i couldnt bring myself to properly get into it. 200 pages in and i was BORED OUT OF MY MIND. most the character writing was good. i liked most the characters. it was a great idea but it couldve been portrayed better.
September 7, 2023
i think that this book was amazing, the description was very good. the only thing is that i wish there was more context in some parts, as i kept reading to find out but there never was an explanation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
I loved this book!!! The whole idea of it, with it being a car crash turned into something amazing. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about look at the Acknowledgements.) This book is just 🤌🤌🤌. The Memory thief’s is so intriguing and wonderful.
July 4, 2025
Such a thrilling sci-fi read! I could not stop reading. So well paced and well crafted with dynamic characters that you root for. Such a stunning message about life and the hardships we face. Such a great read!
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