Book Shelf: Memory's Wake (Memory's Wake Trilogy #1) by Selina Fenech

Lost in a world full of monstrous fairies, a troubled sixteen year old has to find out who she is and why her memories were stolen before she is found by those who want her dead.

She takes the name "Memory" and knows she has just one goal - to find her way home, wherever that is. But this land is strange. No technology to be seen, and iron is banned, thanks to a pact the humans have with the magical creatures who share their pre-industrial era world. In her t-shirt and torn jeans, Memory knows she's different, even before she performs impossible magic.

Haunted by her past, chased by a dragon, wanted by the king and stalked by the strange, handsome savage that seems to know her, everyone is after Memory, and she suspects it's not just for her eye-catching outfit. Her forgotten past holds dangerous secrets that will challenge everything she believes and risk the lives of everyone she loves.
 
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Review:

Memory’s Wake is the first novel in Australian writer and illustrator Selina Fenech’s Memory’s Wake Trilogy and is a beautifully depicted and lyrical fantasy world full of magic, adventure and even the perfect hint of romance. 

Waking up in a forest, a confused teenager finds she has no memories of who she is and where she came from. Lost in a seemingly strange world, she finds herself assisted by another beautiful but secretive girl named Eloryn whom she meets in the woods. Taking on the name Memory, all Memory knows is that she must find her way back home. Hunted and chased by strange men, a tyrant king and a dragon, Eloryn and Memory find themselves racing across a magical land inhabited by both humans and fae alike. In a world with no technology and simple living, Memory knows she’s different in her torn jeans and multiple piercings, but as Eloryn and Memory try to determine who to trust—either the charming thief to tries to assist them, or the handsome but strange man who stalks Memory, Memory’s ability to harness dangerous magic make it clear that Memory’s past could change everything….

I have to say I enjoyed Memory’s Wake a lot more than I expected to. There’s an almost fairytale like quality to the story that blends well with the authors lyrical descriptions and vibrant fantasy world. In fact, I’m almost ashamed to say I haven’t read Memory’s Wake until now. As a fixture on the Australian fantasy scene, I have often seen Memory’s Wake and its author Selina Fenech at the various Supanova’s and Oz Comic-Con’s I have attended, but have never pursued the book further until now. I was very much entranced by the world Fenech has created and enjoyed this magical tale—wish I had read it sooner. 

Mysterious and magical, Memory’s Wake features all my favourite aspects of fantasy. I liked the childlike wonder that accompanied the story and that it was a light, softer kind of fantasy that included a lush Victorian fantasy setting, intriguing characters and plenty of magic and friendship to keep me entertained. The beautiful drawings that accompany the story and litter the novel are stunning additions to the story that enhance the reading experience. 

Memory’s Wake is delightfully told in third person and follows a number of characters, with Memory’s voice obviously an important one as well as Eloryn, Roen and Memory’s mysterious follower Will. I really liked all the characters and am already very invested in their tales, especially Eloryn and Roen who seem to be beginning a will-they-won’t-they forbidden romance. 

I very much enjoyed piecing things together and learning about Memory’s past in Memory’s Wake. Selina Fenech has plenty of tricks up her sleeve and some intriguing developments to the story are revealed. Can’t wait to read the second book in the trilogy, Hope’s Reign! 
 
Rating:
Source: Snagged as an Amazon freebie
Publisher: Fairies and Fantasy Pty Ltd              
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 16th 2011
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Final Thoughts: Beautiful and whimsical, Memory's Wake was a delightful fantasy and I can't wait to read more!