The Unhappening of Genesis LeeAuthor: Shallee McArthur
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Rate: 4.5 Stars
Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Genesis Lee has never forgotten anything. As one of the Mementi—a small group of genetically-enhanced humans—Gena remembers everything with the help of her Link bracelets, which preserve memories perfectly. But Links can be stolen, and six people have already lost their lives to a memory thief, including Gena’s best friend.
Anyone could be next. Which is why Gena is less than pleased to meet a strange but charming boy named Kalan who claims that they’ve not only met, but that Gena knows who the thief is.
The problem is, Gena doesn’t remember Kalan, she doesn’t remember seeing the thief, and she doesn’t know why she’s forgetting things— or how much else she might forget. As growing tensions between Mementi and ordinary humans drive the city of Havendale into chaos, Gena and Kalan team up to search for the thief. And as Gena loses more memories, they realize they have to solve the mystery fast.
Because Gena’s life is unhappening around her.
The Unhappening of Genesis Lee is a highly unique and enchanting science fiction novel that centers around our main character, Genesis (who often goes by Gena), and how her life (as well as those around her) is 'unhappened.' Genesis is a member of the Mementi - a group of genetically-enhanced humans who never forgets anything due to Link bracelets, which are able to perfectly preserve memories. The only bad thing is Links can - and are - being stolen, which is killing people, including Gena's best friend. With a memory thief on the loose, Gena is incredibly skeptical when she meets Kalan - a strange and charming guy who swears that they've met before and that Gena knows who the memory thief is. Gena doesn't know what to believe because honestly - she doesn't remember meeting Kalan or knowing who the thief is. Gena realizes that she's forgetting things and begins to question what memories she's already lost. Gena and Kalan have to find the thief quickly because things between the Mementi and the regular humans are getting strained and threaten to throw their home of Havendale into utter chaos. Will Gena and Kalan be able to figure out the mystery behind the missing memories and catch the thief? Or will Gena's memory - and her life - be the next one stolen?
I normally don't read a lot of science fiction, but the description of this book sounded original and fascinating. I'm so glad that I decided to give it a chance, because it turned out to be absolutely phenomenal! There are so many unique and awesome elements and aspects throughout the book that it's hard to talk about them all. I loved Gena as the main character. She's a normal teen - as normal as you can be considering she's a Mementi. She has hopes and dreams along with fears and doubts - all of which made her incredibly realistic to me and I could easily identify with her right from the start. I loved watching Gena's character grow throughout the book. She starts off as a normal girl, a part of the Mementi, going about her life as normal. When the thief begins taking memories and people - including Gena's best friend - lose their lives, she jumps into action. As she works with Kalan to figure out the identity of the thief, she really matures both mentally and physically. She's ready to fight with everything she has to regain her memories and to stop the thief. She's smart, determined, and is prepared to do whatever it takes to make things right again. Her character goes through a pretty big transformation throughout the book and I loved rooting her on along the way. The plot itself was fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. Just when I thought I knew who the thief was or what was going to happen next - BAM - the author throws a curveball at me and I'm left back at square one. The world that the author created was amazingly detailed and had lots of vivid imagery - to the point that I could close my eyes and easily envision every last inch. Everything about this book - from the characters and the setting to the mystery full of twists and turns and the actual truth behind everything - was exceptional. It blew me away when I found out that this is the author's debut novel. It showcases her genuine talent as a writer and definitely puts her on the map in more than one genre. I know that I'll definitely be reading whatever she comes out with next, regardless of what genre it is, because I already know that the writing will be exceptional and her skills as an author will do nothing but improve (if that's possible!) over time. Very highly recommended for fans of science fiction and fantasy novels, along with readers who enjoy a fascinating plot concept and a story full of twists and surprises.
"Equal parts dark and delightful, McArthur's stunning debut takes an awesome SF premise and follows it deep into the maze of the human mind. I loved it so much I was jealous." – Dan Wells, author of the NYT bestselling PARTIALS Sequence
"A thrilling read from beginning to end, this stunning debut had me wishing I could record my memories to keep them safe! Just like Gena, I was desperate to discover the thief while at the same time hoping the story would never end." – Elana Johnson, author of the POSSESSION trilogy
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Shallee McArthur originally wanted to be a scientist, until she discovered she liked her science best in fictional form. When she’s not writing young adult science fiction and fantasy, she’s attempting to raise her son and daughter as proper geeks. A little part of her heart is devoted to Africa after volunteering twice in Ghana. She has a degree in English from Brigham Young University and lives in Utah with her husband and two children.
She is represented by Hannah Bowman of Liza Dawson Associates. Her YA sci fi novel, THE UNHAPPENING OF GENESIS LEE, debuts from Sky Pony Press Nov. 4, 2014.
And because people always ask, her name is pronounced "shuh-LEE." But she answers to anything that sounds remotely close.
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