Memories, Lies, and Other Binds was a great Fall read – just on the edge of spooky season. It has vampires, witches, werewolves, and a gray organization. The book follows Zoey as she comes to terms with herself, her family, and the organization she has worked for for centuries.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Zoey Prescott doesn’t age, which gives the bookish demonologist plenty of time to focus on her work at the Research Institute of Demonic Entities and Rarities (RIDER). She’s also there to figure out why she stopped aging at twenty-two, even though the mind-bending hypnotherapy sessions to help her remember seem to cause more harm than good.
When a serial killer targeting powerful witches emerges, Zoey ignores her colleagues’s advice not to hunt for the murderous vampire responsible…who unfortunately happens to be her brother. RIDER won’t let Zoey slide a stake into her vile sibling’s heart alone. She joins her ex, who dumped her for a mortal (and no, she’s still not over it), and a fledgling witch who could be the killer’s next victim.
But when her brother claims he’s innocent and that a larger threat is about to shake both the human and supernatural worlds, Zoey becomes caught in a dangerous game of truth and lies.
Can Zoey choose the right side before a twisted conspiracy stains her soul?
My Thoughts
I struggled a bit with Memories, Lies, and Other Binds – not sure if the writing style just wasn’t for me, or if it needed more editing, or what. It felt very choppy and the pacing was inconsistent. Characters seemed a bit like prototypes and not fully formed. Same for the plot points, some seemed unnecessary and others were not quite predictable, but somewhat formulaic.
I enjoyed the overall storyline of Zoey coming into her own after being sheltered by RIDER. Her behavior was very teenagerish, which I assume was due to not being able to live her life or make her own decisions for so long, but it wasn’t really addressed. She had to overcome some programming and biases to see who she really is outside of the organization. The relationship with her brother was a bit flat, but I liked how it played out. I would’ve loved more Theo.
The epilogue was fun and set up the next book nicely. I look forward to seeing the characters developed further.
Overall, a solid debut with a beautiful cover. It will be a fun read as we gear up for spooky season.
Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC. Pub date is Oct 4, 2022 – just in time for my birthday!
It was the type of weather I loved most during Fall. The fiery red and yellow leaves poked through the gray, and the cool, wet air created an overall feeling of cozy leisure. The perfect weather (and excuse) for curling up with a blanket, warm drink, and a good book or research article – depending on how productive I needed to be that day.
Katy Foraker
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