The Persistence of Memory (Mnevermind: Book 1)

Title:  The Persistence of Memory  (Mnevermind: Book 1)

Author:  Jordan Castillo Price

Publisher:  JCP Books

Length:  194 pages

Rating:  B+

Quad Shot of Love

Blurb:  Every day, Daniel Schroeder breaks his father’s heart.

While forgetting your problems won’t solve them, it does seem like it would make life a heck of a lot easier. Daniel thought so once. Now he knows better. He and Big Dan have always been close, which makes it all the more difficult to break the daily news: the last five years were nothing like his father remembers.

They’re both professionals in the memory field—they even run their own memory palace. So shouldn’t they be able to figure out a way to overwrite the persistent false memory that’s wreaking havoc on both of their lives? Daniel thought he was holding it together, but the situation seems to be sliding out of control. Now even his own equipment has turned against him, reminding him he hasn’t had a date in ages by taunting him with flashes of an elusive man in black that only he can see.

Is it some quirk of the circuitry, or is Daniel headed down the same path to fantasy-land as his old man?

Review:  This series is awesome. This is the first book in a trilogy and all of the books must be read. While there isn’t a cliffhanger per se, it does end with things up in the air and an awareness that there is very much left to be told of the story. So I recommend getting all three books and devouring them back to back. They’re addictive.

Daniel is so sad when we meet him. The reason that his life is full of so much work and a sense of drudgery is tragic and leaves him feeling immense guilt. He’s a good son and a very snarky, but sweet man. (I like snarky and tough). He’s also a sexy man with some mileage and wisdom. (I love when we get to read about a man who’s a little more seasoned and experienced.)

Circumstances have beat Daniel down and he’s willing to go along with it. Living in his father’s basement, exhausted from working two jobs, overwhelmed by the strain of breaking the news of reality to his dad daily and the ugly results, lonely and in that place beyond horny where you don’t really even think about sex much anymore.

Then he starts to see this really hot guy while he’s acting as thought sherpa in the mnems at work. He’s trying to figure out what could be happening. It’s not possible to be talking to someone like they have been. At first he thinks maybe he’s in his own happy mnem. Then he worried he’s finally cracked and is losing his mind. But then he realizes that his fantasy man might be someone he could find in real life and suddenly life isn’t so bad. Now if only he can convince his fantasy man to give him a chance outside of the mnems.

I don’t want to spoil things with the mystery man so I’ll keep my opinions about him for the next review. Let me just say that he’s confusing and contradictory and completely amazing. He’s not going to be easy, but I don’t think Daniel wants easy. I think Daniel can appreciate and enjoy a special man like the one he finds when he gets to know his fantasy man.

Big Dan and Daniel are so close and have such a great relationship. Best friends and business partners as well as being father and son. It was heartbreaking seeing what happened to them every time Daniel had to tell Big Dan that he’d lost the last five years of his life and that everything was altered from what he believed. While Daniel broke his father’s heart every time, the situation and his father’s reaction broke Daniel’s heart as well. Losing, even for a few hours or a day, the camaraderie and approval was very painful.

The idea of the mnemography is fascinating and has so much potential. I can’t help wondering if it’s possible and we won’t all one day be doing something similar. The men are both innovators in the field and it is a bond between them beyond their obvious physical attraction to each other.

These books aren’t the traditional romance. They’re gritty and layered with complications and flawed characters who don’t fit the norms or our expectations. They are wonderful and entrancing and I’m totally, happily hooked. I have to go and read the next book now, I have to know what happens to these people and how things will work out for them. Go buy all three books asap, (Book 3 becomes available on February 24, 2015). You won’t want to wait and you probably won’t be able to stop until you’ve read all three. I know I’m looking at a sleepless night. I can’t wait!

Reviewed by Nina