This books has A LOT of triggers and will take you to some of the darkest places.

This book was by far the BEST read of 2024! I was always kept on the edge of my seat! I was questioning whether or not I was right about the outcome and the ending left me tearing up. I would love to read more books by Beck.

The character development for this book was absolutely phenomenal. Jeremy could be hard to love but you would always root for him. The way the book went from past to present was amazing. It was done flawlessly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jeremiah Beck for allowing me to read this Arc! I am not being compensated, and this is my 100% unbiased and honest review.

"Recollection" follows Jeremy Peoples, a school shooting survivor turned late-night radio host, whose complex character keeps readers engaged despite his frustrating decisions. While the novel's immersive exploration of Jeremy's psyche impresses, its pacing and divergent storyline, spanning over 500 pages, pose challenges. Multiple plot twists and seemingly inconsequential side characters contribute to a disjointed narrative, prompting reflections on its potential as a series or a more focused storyline. Despite its flaws, "Recollection" earns three stars for its depth and captivating tale, offering a challenging yet rewarding read.

Jeremy is a school shooting survivor with a perfect memory, a curse that causes him to relive some of his darkest and most traumatizing moments. While this book is on the longer side, I flew through it. It’s absolutely incredible. There are dual timelines, which work perfectly, and the story covers some pretty heavy themes, most importantly the theme of redemption. I loved this book and will recommend closer to publication day. Thank you for the opportunity to read!

I thought this book was very good. It kept me guessing and always had something different I needed to know in the next page. It was quite long and seemed a little wordy, but to know what happened, you had to read it. And I really wanted to know how this book ended. Great book

This novel is centered around Jeremy Peoples, a school shooting survivor that now works as a late night radio personality. Jeremy is a very dimensional character - he is haunted by his past mistakes and clearly desperate for redemption. He is also arrogant, rude, and frustratingly makes poor choice after poor choice throughout the book. It’s hard to know how to feel about Jeremy but I enjoyed being in the mind of such a complicated protagonist and I give the author props for his character development.
Where I struggled with this book was the pacing (at over 500 pages, it’s not a quick read) and the storyline. The plot took several sharp turns from what I thought it would be about. It almost felt like reading multiple books. There were side characters and events that felt so unimportant to the overall story that I wondered at times if they would be revealed to be hallucinations. I think I would have preferred this story if it was a series of 2 or 3 books about this character, or if it was trimmed down and more focused.
Overall, I give this 3 stars for the author’s ability to immerse the reader in the mind of his character, and a dark story I enjoyed reading. Thank you to Net Galley and the author for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Recollection" by Jeremiah Beck is a science fiction novel that explores themes of memory, identity, and the nature of reality in a thought-provoking and ambitious narrative. Beck's novel presents readers with a complex and intricately woven story that challenges their perceptions and invites them to contemplate the mysteries of the human mind.

The premise of "Recollection" is undeniably intriguing, drawing readers in with its exploration of memory manipulation and the consequences of tampering with the past. Beck skillfully crafts a narrative that unfolds across multiple timelines and perspectives, keeping readers engaged as they piece together the puzzle of the protagonist's fractured memories. The concept of memory as both a tool for self-discovery and a potential weapon adds depth and complexity to the story, offering readers plenty to ponder as they navigate the twists and turns of the plot.

The characters in "Recollection" are well-developed and compelling, each grappling with their own personal demons and moral dilemmas. Beck explores themes of identity and agency with nuance, delving into the complexities of human nature and the choices that shape our destinies. The interactions between the characters are richly drawn, adding depth to their relationships and driving the emotional core of the narrative.

However, while "Recollection" excels in its exploration of complex themes and its intricate plotting, it may prove challenging for some readers to fully engage with the story. The novel's nonlinear structure and frequent shifts in perspective can be disorienting at times, requiring readers to pay close attention to detail in order to follow the narrative thread. Additionally, the philosophical musings and existential ponderings that populate the novel may feel heavy-handed to some readers, detracting from the overall pacing and flow of the story.

Furthermore, while the world-building in "Recollection" is rich and imaginative, it may not be fully realized to its potential. Readers may find themselves wishing for more exploration of the futuristic setting and its implications for the characters and their journey. Additionally, some of the novel's more abstract concepts and plot twists may feel too ambiguous or esoteric, leaving readers with more questions than answers.

In conclusion, "Recollection" by Jeremiah Beck is a science fiction novel that offers a cerebral and challenging reading experience for fans of the genre. While its ambitious premise and thought-provoking themes are sure to appeal to readers looking for a deep and intellectually stimulating story, its nonlinear structure and philosophical musings may prove daunting for some. With its complex characters, intricate plotting, and imaginative world-building, "Recollection" is a novel that rewards careful attention and reflection, offering readers a unique and immersive journey into the unknown.

RECOLLECTION: A taut, emotionally heavy story of trauma and redemption
What if your memory was perfect, giving you the ability to remember the tiniest detail of every single day of your life? It sounds like a superpower, right? Well, to Jeremy Poeples, a popular and controversial rock radio host, it is more of a burden, because he is the survivor of a school shooting in the nineties, which led to the death of his girlfriend Sarah, and he remembers every single instant of it, and feels very guilty. I will not get into the specifics of how and why this is, because that would mean spoiling the book, but let me tell you that RECOLLECTION, by Jeremiah Beck, is the most tense and emotional thriller that I have read this year. Those who love the 90's will find a thriller chock full of references to the period. This novel is the most powerful anti-bullying manifesto of all time, perfectly showing how something so often regarded as a stupid, childish joke, can create actual, flesh-and-blood monsters. A powerful meditation on trauma, addiction, violence, death, survival, doubt and faith, RECOLLECTION gets a solid, solid ten out of five. This is a freaking masterpiece of the genre!

This by far has been one of my favorite reads so far this year and will definitely go into my top 10 for the year. It was gritty and emotionally charged and delved into the complex world of memory, redemption and the haunting consequences of our past.

Jeremy Peoples, who is our protagonist, possesses the ability of having a perfect memory, which is much more a curse than a blessing for him as this keeps him reliving some of his darkest memories. Jeremy is a radio talk show host who is battling guilt because he believes that he escaped blame for a horrific event that happened during his school years. His torment literally jumps off the page and consumes you as if you are experiencing it firsthand with him.

The suspense kept me turning the pages because I just wanted more... I had to know what was going to happen next. This was a thrilling plot with a lot of exploration with emotional and spiritual elements. Also, I am a huge sucker for anything that happens to take place during the 90s.

Some of the elements in the story can be very dark and disturbing for some people, so definitely go into with those things in mind. I feel like the topics were handled with sensitivity and nuance and it definitely added layers to the story's emotional resonance.

This was unputdownable and very thought-provoking. I loved the complexity of the situation and the suspense that was built along the way. This will definitely live in my head rent-free for a while because it was just that good.

I have to say, i selfishly always try to put myself in the protagonists shoes. There is normally something I can connect myself to within the character. This time, I didn’t have that. Jeremy was not a protagonist I was rooting for. Honestly, I just hated his attitude towards life. This is not to say I do not understand that Jeremy People’s had a rough life. I loved the character development through this book. Dispute the growth in his character, Jeremy still bothered me. Now, why did I give this 5 stars if the protagonist was terrible. Simply because despite all of that I truly enjoyed traveling to the 90s and reliving some tragic moments. The story was well written and had a really great format. I truly enjoyed the journey, even if it wasn’t my own.
I want to thank Jerimiah Beck & the publishers for the ARC from Netgalley.