This was an enjoyable read with an interesting premise and engaging characters, and there are definitely YA readers to whom I'd recommend it. For me, two things kept it from being stellar.

First, I thought the alternate 80s in which it was set should have been more different. The author described how people had to spend time each day reviewing their memories etc. etc., but none of the previous 10 years of upheaval were reflected in 80s culture described. All the same songs, movies, etc. were popular. Wouldn't there be at least one new movie or band or song that reflected the effect of Memory Killer on the population?

Second, while I am a fan of series, I strongly feel that every book in a series needs to have its own complete arc. Niggling questions or hints about what's still ahead are great, but I felt that this book ended with way too many big questions left unanswered, which wasn't satisfying.

This book had a great premise - a plague that steals memories - and made some interesting choice (like setting it in an alternative 1980s timeline) but that unfortunately didn't stop it from feeling rushed and undeveloped. The World building was clever, but I had so many questions even at teh end of the book that I was really just left with a vague feeling of confusion.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book, it has all the makings for a fantastic read, however I found it hard to get into, purely because of the way language is used, it is incredibly wordy.

That being said, I adored being within a true dystopian novel again and definitely can see thus one being a favourite with YA readers.

An interesting YA dystopian past novel. As someone who grew up in the 80s, having the novel set in this time period was fun and I of course enjoyed all the references, even though it was a little overdone and heavy-handed at times. OK, we get it, this is the 1980s... The concept of inability to store/access memories without help from technology was interesting but the story dragged a bit. However, I was interested enough by the story to want to read the forthcoming sequel.

This one didn't really work for me. It was way too repetitive, for starters. I thought it sounded interesting, and the prologue started out strong. However, it quickly went downhill. I liked the 80s setting, but that was probably what I enjoyed the most. The premise is interesting, but the execution wasn't there. Questions raised in the story were never really answered, and if there's a sequel, I won't be reading it.

A solid 3.5 review

The story has an interesting premise and starts straight in with the action. I don't normally read these books, definitely had a spy vibe going on, but it was an enjoyable read. The characters were likeable and I personally like the split perspective chapters. The world is simple enough to understand and because it's tied to our world and society, it was easy to imagine.

So why not a 4 star review. The pace dropped off. Once the kids find the cabin in the woods, the story changed pace and direction. At this point I felt they became too complicit. The idea of memory knifing was great and ran like a movie but it suddenly felt like a different book. The school was forgotten, the bad people became good and the whole direction changed. There were little twists at the end, but it wasn't really explained how the beginning all fitted in and for me it was like reading two different stories at that point.

I would read a second instalment yes, and I would recommend, but I would hope the second book focuses on the memory knifing and less on the kids.

I had really high hopes going into this one, as it has honestly been such a long time since I last read a truly amazing dystopian/science fiction type of young adult novel. When the prologue started everything out with a bang, I thought I'd finally found the story I've been long waiting for, but sadly everything went downhill from there, and this one honestly left me highly disappointed.

I have to be honest and start by stating that I wasn't personally a fan of the setting being the late 1980's. It was an interesting idea, but I thought the execution wasn't handled the greatest, and I got weary of almost every single chapter highlighting the fact that the teens were listening to a particular song or artist from that era whenever they turned music on. It kind of started to feel like the author was just trying to overemphasize the fact that the setting was the 1980's, and it started to feel a little cringy.

I had quite a hard time following a lot of the story, and it especially seemed to drag throughout the middle. All of the set up for the memory loss pieces was kind of boring and hard to muddle through, and by the end of the story I'm still not sure I knew what was what concerning it, and I didn't really feel like I was invested enough to go back and find out.

I didn't feel that a lot of the questions that were raised throughout the story were answered, and while I did end up loving the crazy way it ended, I don't think this one intrigued me enough to want to go ahead and read a sequel if there ever is one.

Overall, I loved the ideas behind this one, but the execution wasn't done too well in my opinion, and it failed to hold my interest.

It won't personally be one I'll be recommending, but if you're a fan of dystopian/science fiction young adult novels, and enjoy books that are set in the 1980's, then this one might just be the book for you.

Final Rating: 2/5.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to advance read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such an interesting concept. The story grabbed me from the beginning and I found that I didn't want to put it down. The characters and mystery were compelling and I especially loved the friendships and witty banter. Also enjoyed the "alternative 1987" setting. Music and culture references were very fun. I was surprised by the mild profanity and taken-for-granted teen drinking (obviously common but not really necessary to the story IMO - and extra surprising from a Christian Fiction publisher? There was no Christ element but I did expect it to be considered a "clean" read at minimum....) As it ends with a cliff-hanger, I am looking forward to the next book.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I'm not gonna lie this is genre I generally don't read and I know why. Even though I finished the book I still have no clue what happened.

Dystopian YA fiction? You know the way to my heart! Brings me back to the days of the Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and Divergent series. I really enjoyed the concepts and theories of memory and dreams that were explored. I'm not sure I would have had this take place in the 80's, but I think that this would be a fun movie adaptation. And did we get set up for a sequel!? I'd be interested, especially if we find out about what happened with Freya's dad since we didn't get to see that at the end. I also thought that the playlist at the end was a nice touch. And I'm always in for multiple POV chapters.

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.)

This book not only transports us back in time to the 80s, but also depicts a world where a plague-like phenomenon called the Memory Killer is wreaking havoc. Here, humans need the help of artificial recall to remember most of their own memories. In this world, if you can recall upto three-quarters of your memories, you will need to use artificial recall only once a day and you are privileged enough to be out on your own past curfew without a ‘handler’. This makes you a ‘recollector’ and if you can only recall upto half of your memories, then you’re branded a ‘degenerate’. Basically, this is a "fear-based society where your inability to remember decides your fate." Brutal, isn’t it?

"In a world where memories are like currency, dreams can be a complicated business."

Trials are underway at Foxtail Academy for a new technology of keeping your memories from slipping past. Not everything is as it seems though, because something extremely fishy is going on within campus as Freya, Fletcher, Chase, and Ollie will soon discover for themselves. The pace picks up considerably once this group of friends bands together and gets down to work. But is what they find the ultimate truth?

"No matter how profoundly intimidating these dark, shadowy woods are, no matter how lost we may feel in a maze of naked trees, we’re on a mission, and there’s no turning back now."

The Memory Index is exceptionally successful in transporting the reader to this world haunted by loss of memories. There’s a lot of foul play going on which is the subtle undercurrent to the story and will definitely be a bigger part of the concluding book in this duology. I know I’m requesting an ARC the moment it is available!

NetGalley has enabled something amazing; getting to read a book before it is out in the world is truly a feeling like no other. And now, I even have the 80% badge to low-key brag about. Keep an eye out for this one when it comes out this August and it’s sequel next year. After that spectacular cliffhanger ending, it is definitely necessary to know how all this ends. Thank you @netgalley and the publisher for approving an advance copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"It’s time we reclaim our right to remember."

Hmm very interesting concept, but not that well finished, and I felt the book dragged for a while, but what really made me drop the stars was, how well things ended… sometimes is impossible for people to get perfect endings, and that was kind of what they got here, and with a couple of loose ends, and I am not sure I am interested enough to come back and read more if this book eventually get a sequence…

thank you NetGalley for the free arc and this is my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book, but it wasn't anything groundbreaking in terms of dystopian novels. Though I spent my middle grade years reading dystopian YA, which makes me feel like I have read way too much of it, but it was a good book!

Book received for free through NetGalley

I loved how unique this book and, once I fell in love with the characters, couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read more as it ended on a cliffhanger.

I had high hopes for this book, and then it fell flat. The same questions are asked repeatedly, and the teens don't really get any answers at the end of the book. I feel like, as a reader, I didn't get enough answers to make me want to invest in the next story.

This book was a great read, I love dystopian books so it was right up my alley. Very well written and the characters were believable.

WOW! I really enjoyed this novel - a perfect young adult introduction to dystopian writing.

Imagine a world where our memories are being slowly erased by a virus and the only way to restore them is through technology. Now imagine that this technology is controlled by a corporation that keeps secrets from the people it claims to be helping. This novel follows four teens - Chase, Ollie, Freya and Fletcher - as they are chosen to attend an elite school where new memory saving devices are being trailed on the students. Told in Freya's voice, this novel will take you on a scary journey into a dystopian past complete with an "I didn't see it coming" moment. Just make sure your eyes don't go gray while reading it........

This is a really interesting take on the young adult/science fiction genre! Honestly, the last third of the book really reminded me of the movie inception. The four main characters’ unlikely friendship is my favorite part and love their banter. The beginning pulls you into the novel, but lags until the plot begins to pick up in the latter second half of the book. I was a little frustrated when I got to the end of the book and was left with a huge cliffhanger. I didn’t feel like enough of the plot transpired. There were several instances of mild cursing which seems a little inconsistent for a Christian publisher. I am looking forward to a presumable sequel and finding out what happens next! 3.5 stars

An interesting premise for a story! I like something a little different now and then. It was a bit confusing at times, but overall good. The ending definitely leaves a possibility for a second book!
There is some swearing in this book., which is not my favorite thing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance e-copy of this book! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Memory Index by Julian Ray Vaca was so interesting and very intriguing.
I enjoyed Freya's character and also the side characters were interesting and well developed.
Honestly I didn't know what to expect going into this story, but once I started I couldn't stop!
Julian Ray Vaca's writing grabbed me and didn't let me go to till the very ending!
The story is honestly amazing.

Thomas Nelson,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.