Title: Mnevermind 1: The Persistence of Memory
Author: Jordan Castillo Price
Cover Artist: Jordan Castillo Price
Publisher: JCP Books
Buy Link:
Genre: Paranormal M/M
Length: Novel (50,250 words)
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
A Guest Review by jeayci
Review Summary: This book felt like a fantastic first date that ended abruptly, full of excitement and promise that leaves you edgy and eager for the second date, when you’ll finally start to really get to know this intriguing person (or story, as the case may be).
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 was a fascinating adventure and exploration of mind and memory, with heroes outside the “norm” for m/m. I also loved that they were both something other than the classic, youthful perfection of the typical m/m romance hero. That said, this story wasn’t particularly heavy on romance. So if you’re in the mood for a romance, I’m not sure this is the book. And if you want a HEA ending, I definitely wouldn’t recommend this one.
The ending was a bit more abrupt than I’d have preferred, with a twist that I thought was unexpected and perfect, but it was NOT a HEA. Not even a HFN, but not because anything was particularly wrong at the end; rather, the end of the book was just the beginning of the romance. There’s supposed to be a sequel, and there darn well better be! I don’t regret having read this now, but I think I’d have been happier to have read it when I could immediately dive into the next one, because this felt more like a serial (which I hate) than a series (which I love). The distinction I’m making there is that in a series, each installment is (or should be) a complete story unto itself, whereas installments in a serial are a tease that leave you with the mental/emotional equivalent of blue balls as you wait for more.
I also had a moment of confusion when the “Life is Awesome” pack suddenly became the “Life is Fabulous” pack about halfway through the story. I wondered if it was a typo, or if the character was being snarky, or what was intended. Now I think it was just overlooked in edits, which were otherwise excellent, but I’m mentioning it in the hope that other readers won’t be jarred the way I was.
The story of Daniel’s relationship with his father was as poignant as it was fascinating, and I’m eager to see where it goes. There was a great cast of well-rounded secondary characters I’m looking forward to seeing more of. Soon, please! This book felt like a fantastic first date that ended abruptly, full of excitement and promise that leaves you edgy and eager for the second date, when you’ll finally start to really get to know this intriguing person (or story, as the case may be).
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juliesmall1959 : I would have a combination of both. Been there done...
JLoves2read : Isn't it hot!! I had to use it!!
Gigi : GIF!!!!!!!
Hey y’all, sorry for the delayed reply! For some reason my spam filter suddenly, randomly decided that the newer replies were spam, even though others have gone through fine for months… 😕
Anyway, Sharvie, I’m glad my review helped you. I’m sure you’ll love this one, but it does sound like you’ll be happier reading it when the series is complete. Or at least Book 2, if that has more of an ending.
Wave, we’re definitely different that way! I thought The Rifter looked great, so I carefully ignored it until it was complete. 😆 I’m sure you’ll love this one too.
Nope, Majken, no vampires or shifters in this one. You’re safe, enjoy! 😀
I’m with Sirius, except, not even the lovely JCP will make me read vampires, those just bore me (unlike shifters, those squicks me out big time, yuck)
I haven’t read this one yet, I’m trying not to read her books too fast so I wont run out 😉
(Just to be sure, no vampires or shifters in this? *looks hopeful*)
I have read all of JCP’s books except this one – I’m that big a fan. I love, love love all of her series including her vampires which I have in print. I’ll be getting to MNevermind soon. Thank you for such a great review
Jess and I don’t mind that the book is unfinished if it’s going to be a series. 😀
If I can follow The Rifter series for 10 books I can follow this one.
JCP is an automatic buy for me, so this is already sitting on my to-be-read bookshelf. Yes, I have that big of a to-be-read list. And that big of a crush on JCP.
I’m really glad I read your review though cause I, like you, can’t stand the serials. I don’t need a HEA or a HFN, I’m even okay with unhappy endings. But I do want an ending.
So I will have to put this one on the back burner, for now, as I know I will want to read this and the follow-up together. Drat.
Good thing I have an entire bookshelf of books to read.
I enjoyed this too, and am very much looking forward to the next part.
When I used to read fan fic, I wasn’t fond of Works in Progress, so it’s hard for me when a published author does something similar. I guess I’m just too impatient!
I don’t read WIPs. Not unless I’m beta reading them, then that’s different. But otherwise? They just frustrate me too much!
This is probably my favorite work by this author (which is saying a lot). Any word on when the sequel is scheduled to come out?
I have no idea! I looked around a bit, but didn’t see anything. I think I saw some mention somewhere (like in someone’s review, not anything official) that this is a serial rather than a series. Which would explain a lot ( :curse: ), and maybe have some bearing on the timing?
Exactly my impression – I loved this one and I NEED the next part of the story because with all the marvelous world-building it feels like we are just ready to begin the actual adventure…
…with all the marvelous world-building it feels like we are just ready to begin the actual adventure…
Yes, that’s it exactly! I loved it, but I was also kinda ticked off to have it just suddenly be over like that… :grumble2:
I looooved this book ( am a fan girl can’t you tell?
and I hate that term but really don’t know what else to call myself when it comes to her works since I loved almost everything she wrote. Maybe one day I even will be able to read her vampires.:)), but completely agree with you – ending was very abrupt and second part cannot come fast enough for me.
LOL yeah, I know she’s a favorite of yours! I tend to love her books, but definitely wouldn’t call myself a fangirl.