The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron Series: The Forgetting #1
Also in this series: The Knowing
Published by Scholastic Press on 9/13/16
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Pages: 416
Source: BEA
My content rating: YA (Nothing more than kissing, Some violence but nothing really shown)
My rating:
What isn't written, isn't remembered. Even your crimes.
Nadia lives in the city of Canaan, where life is safe and structured, hemmed in by white stone walls and no memory of what came before. But every twelve years the city descends into the bloody chaos of the Forgetting, a day of no remorse, when each person's memories – of parents, children, love, life, and self – are lost. Unless they have been written.
In Canaan, your book is your truth and your identity, and Nadia knows exactly who hasn't written the truth. Because Nadia is the only person in Canaan who has never forgotten.
But when Nadia begins to use her memories to solve the mysteries of Canaan, she discovers truths about herself and Gray, the handsome glassblower, that will change her world forever. As the anarchy of the Forgetting approaches, Nadia and Gray must stop an unseen enemy that threatens both their city and their own existence – before the people can forget the truth. And before Gray can forget her.
This book. I LOVED this book! I was in a serious reading funk when I started reading The Forgetting—not a slump because I had actually read a couple of really good books, but nothing that truly excited me. Nothing that gripped me from the very beginning and made me super eager to pick up my book anytime I was forced to put it down. The Forgetting was that book for me. I actually went into it with relatively low expectations because my mom read the book first and she was going to write a review for me, but she kept forgetting about it. (Literally. We laughed several times because she’d be like, “What book did I read that you wanted me to review?” and I’d laugh and say, “The Forgetting!”) But I honestly don’t know how she could forget it because I definitely couldn’t! (She later told me that she wasn’t actually forgetting the book, just the name—but I still blame her for not telling me how spectacular it was and making me read it immediately.)
What Fed My Addiction:
- The concept. I was hooked right from the very start of this book because I was so intrigued by the concept. A whole town that forgets absolutely everything every twelve years? Sign me up! (Well, not for the town—I don’t want to live it, but I definitely want to read it.) I hadn’t read the blurb again right before reading the book, so I’d forgotten that Nadia was the only person in the town who remembers. Her struggles with this were fascinating to me. Imagine living in a family that has completely forgotten you. Worse, imagine that you know secrets about your family: things you weren’t supposed to remember and that no one else does.
- The mysteries. The mystery of why everyone forgets combined with wondering what the people who run the town are up to (it’s obvious something isn’t right about the way that the town is run) kept me turning the pages furiously. And the more the story unfolded, the more shocked I was—I honestly didn’t see almost any of the answers coming and each new revelation made me want more, more, MORE!
- Painful relationships. Before all of those answers are revealed, the plot centered quite a bit around Nadia’s relationships with the people around her. She’s tried to distance herself from most people, in anticipation of the next time they will forget her. Her family relationships are the most complicated. Her little sister (who was an infant for the last Forgetting) adores her, but her older sister seems to think that Nadia is the source of all of their mother’s problems (their mother is more than a little unstable and gets especially upset when she finds Nadia missing after the Resting—the time that they sleep, since they live somewhere where it’s light for two months and then dark for two months—which happens occasionally since Nadia often spends the Resting over the wall). Nadia’s complex relationship with her family members is a central focus of the book, and I was fascinated to find out how it would all end up.
- The romance. Nadia certainly isn’t looking for romance, especially not right before the Forgetting. The idea of falling in love with someone who will simply forget you in a month or two is pretty unappealing. So when Gray worms his way into Nadia’s life and her heart she’s understandably hesitant. But Gray is sort of irresistible—I adored him, so I can understand why Nadia falls for him so hard and why, in the end, she’s desperate to keep his memories intact. I was shipping these two hard!
What Left Me Hungry for More:
- Ummmm … I’m wracking my brain here, but I can’t really come up with anything. The only thing I can think to say is that I’m actually sad this is a standalone because I want MORE!! (But I’m actually really happy it’s a standalone because we got the complete story and I don’t need to wait a year to find out what’s going to happen.)
So, in case you haven’t figured this out yet, I adored this book. It’s the most unique, creative story I’ve read in a very long time and I easily give it 5/5 stars. This is a new All-Time Favorite!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via #BEA16 in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
About the Author:
Sharon Cameron was awarded the 2009 Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for her debut novel, The Dark Unwinding. When not writing Sharon can be found thumbing dusty tomes, shooting her longbow, or indulging in her lifelong search for secret passages. (Read her more fun bio HERE.)
This sounds soo good! Gah. I wish I picked it up last weekend. :/
You should have!!! Now I’ve just added to your list of must-get books! 🙂
This sounds perfect. It’s going on my TBR list. Is it a standalone?
Yes, it’s a standalone, which was a bonus in my book!
Oh wow, this sounds fantastic. I LOVE the premise and that you didn’t guess the twists or reveals. I do like that it’s a standalone, even if it’s sure to make me want more too. It just makes it easier to read!
-Lauren
Yes, I definitely agree that standalones are better because I don’t have to wait for the next book!
Okay, this was one I was really excited for, and you’ve made me even more excited for it now! Your review definitely gives me a better idea about what it is going to be about, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Great review! Now, waiting till I can get a copy. 🙂
I hope you love it as much as I do!!
This sounds like a really wonderful book. I’ve seen it around, but hadn’t really paid attention. It is coming out on audio tomorrow as well (and will be on New Audiobook Releases list). I have just now requested that the library get it (and put me on the hold list).
I also loved this book! I know it doesn’t seem like it since I could never remember the name of it is “The Forgetting” 🙂 My real problem is once I start a new book I have a hard time remembering details of the last book. I would blame it on my age, but seems like that has always been a problem for me. Although it seems to have gotten worse since I now read so many books and also listen to audio books. But I really did enjoy reading this book. I also like that it is a stand alone. It is nice to have a book that finishes the story in one volume for a change.
This doesn’t sound like my typical book, but I trust your reviews, Nicole!! <3
I’m going to have to bump this up on my TBR list – it sounds fabulous! So glad you enjoyed it so much — great review!
I am so glad you loved this one!! I was already excited to read it anyway. Now I need it DESPERATELY!! Great review!
Gosh I loved this book so much! I really liked Cameron’s first three books, but this one is definitely my favorite of her published works. Science fiction in YA is rare, but I love it when we find some good one!
Anyway, I’m glad you enjoyed this book too! Fabulous review, Nicole. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
A near-perfect stand-alone book, you say? How is any of us supposed to resist? Great review, Nicole!
ps: are you going to RT in Atlanta next year?
A Dystopian that is a standalone?! I don’t think I’ve ever read one of those! This sounds like a lot of fun and addicting, thanks for letting me know about this book!
I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately (same situation as you) so I may have to pick this one up! It sounds really interesting (and I love the color of the cover). Great review!
That’s one heck of a recommendation! I guess I “have to” read this now. Great review! I hope I love it even half as much as you did.
Yep, you have to. Totally required. 🙂
Well another awesome find from BEA. I totally want to read this and love the premise! Adding to my Amazon wishlist!
I’m in between books, and haven’t found anything I really want to pick up. Thanks for the review, I think this will be the perfect book for me to read next.
Yay! I’m glad I could help you find a new book to love!