Remember: A Prelude to the Existence Series

by Tara C. Allred

One invention and two men hoping to change the way humans connect-through memory exchanges-but days before it's released, one man realizes it may do more harm than good.Foster Grady pleads with doctors to give his dying wife a moment of reprieve. He wants her to experience his the ability to relive their life together through his memories. But when doctors refuse, terminal patient, Ashyr Harmon, convinces Foster to give him the chance instead.The exchange becomes Ashyr's lifeline and the two form a friendship and business deal which ignites dangerous consequences. 2021 KINDLE BOOK AWARD SEMIFINALISTREMEMBER is the origin story of the invention Em-Path and the dynamics of those involved with its creation. This story can be read first and adds to the overall interest and complexity of The Existence Series.OTHER BOOKS IN THE EXISTENCE SERIES Beyond the End, Book 1 Lies a Place, Book 2 For the Eternal, Book 3

Genres: Amazon

204 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2020

About the author

TARA C. ALLRED is an award-winning author, instructional designer, and educator. She has been recognized as a California Scholar of the Arts for Creative Writing and is a recipient of the Howey Awards for Best Adult Book and Best Adult Author. She lives in Utah with her husband.

Her published works include REMEMBER (The Existence Series), SANDERS' STARFISH and UNAUTHORED LETTERS (John Sanders Series), HELPING HELPER and THE OTHER SIDE OF QUIET, a 2015 Kindle Book Award Finalist and Whitney Award Winner.

To learn more about the author, visit www.taracallred.net.

Reviews

[Brittanymariko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book or novella was a very intriguing read. I feel like authors will often release a series before releasing their prequel. But I have a good feeling that the author needed the reader to know some characters and information before getting into the series. I like that the author isn't just throwing you into the deep end to figure out this new world. There is certainly a lot going on and I cannot wait to read the Remember Series. I like that this was a short novella to introduce me to the characters that seem like they will be vital to understanding in the series to come. I personally cannot wait to get my hands on Book 1 of the Remember Series, so it might just be one of those series!

While reading this novella, we get to know three vital characters who are furiously working to get a startup company off the ground. We get to know the founder, his extremely dedicated partner, and the girl that helps them find the investor that will market this new technology to the general public. We also start to question the appropriateness of a technology that has the potential to reveal a person's true thoughts and feelings. I love this element of how great technologies can be but also how potentially disruptive they can become as well.

I was intrigued by all three characters spotlighted in this prequel. I feel like I am often rooting for one character throughout a series but found I want the best for all three characters, but you also know that not all three characters cannot get what they want.

I am an avid reader and have already personally recommended this book to my group of readers. I also love a book club and look forward to talking about this series with my book club buddies.

[Laura Mckeighen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing this is an introduction to a series, I enjoyed the foundation this novella made for what's coming in future novels. Oftentimes, the foundational story is revealed throughout a book as flashbacks or even later as a prequel. It is refreshing to get the beginning of the story from the start.

My heart was with the three main characters as they pushed forward with a goal to make the world kinder and more compassionate. I also felt for them as they battled with the common experience of wondering whether the path you are set on is really the right path.

This novella had themes that are integral to being human. It made me think about my own character and experiences.

I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series to see the story unfold.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. I liked it a lot.

Allred brilliantly peels back layers on each of the three main characters lives in such a way that I found myself propelled from one chapter to the next to find out what happens. And now, after reading this, I am anxiously awaiting the release of the first book in the Existence series. If that's what a prelude is for: to set the stage, to introduce the characters, and to give enough of a backstory to hook the reader on the coming series, then Remember succeeds for me.

Being granted an opportunity to relive a moment in another person's life as though you are really that person is an interesting premise that lends itself to good book group discussions.

It is a novella, a short book that reads quickly. I think it would be appropriate for 14 and older.

Adult content:
Violence: Situational fisticuffs and domestic violence
Sex: Minimal
Language: None
Drug Use: None other than the drug the characters are developing

[Michelle Dennis Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book before and reread to refresh my memory before starting the next book in the series. This is a short novella that is a prequel to the other books. Allred says that you don't need to read this book in order to enjoy the others. But, if you're a person who likes the back story--like I am--then you'll enjoy this book.

Allred's writing style is fantastic. It sucks me into the story and I feel like I'm there. The story and the characters are very real to me. The idea of sharing memories in such an intimate way is intriguing, and like the character Mariana, one that I'm not totally comfortable with. I love the science fiction aspect of this, too, that is woven into the characters emotions and lives.

Excellent book. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[MR MARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little disappointing to be honest. Although developed around an interesting idea I felt it read like a book that had been rushed in an attempt to set the basis for a series of books. It appeared quite jumpy with time travel between chapters/sections which needed to be filled in my mind giving more background. It won't put me off the author as I have enjoyed her books in the past.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the arc of this book.

It was a quick read but I found that the time jumps in the series were clunky and I prefer a smooth transition especially in these types of books. It was so distracting for me that it stopped me from losing myself in the story whihmxh was written well.

[M. Garnet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an old story rewritten under new names and new titles. The author tried but didn't pull it off and as a reader I knew who the bad guy was early in the story. Sorry but I can't recommend this and it barely is a SciFi under one of the 33 sub genre. Now I am going on to a real SciFi to a ship and some scientist who are ten years away from Earth. A breath of fresh air.

[Katie Millar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fascinating premise. It was so entertaining but also a thinker. I have read most of the series and love them all!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Allred's writing style. Intriguing concept about sharing memories and the complications that could come from it. I started reading and had a hard time putting the book down. It's interesting to be so well acquainted with whom I assume will be the villain in the next book. Based on this book, I though I knew the basic plot line of the next book. However, the last bit made me think I didn't. I'm looking forward to reading the book that follows.