Book Review: "Memento Nora" by Angie Smibert

Title: Memento Nora

Author: Angie Smibert

Publisher: Marshall Cavendish

ISBN, PUB Date: 978-0761458296, April 2011

Reviewed by: Jennifer Shaw for Author Exposure

Memories are a large part of our lives, but what would you do if you lived in a world that wanted you to forget? Would you take a pill to wipe out a memory that is more like a nightmare?

Memento Nora is a dystopian novel set in the not-so-distant future, where terrorism is alive and well. The city is plagued with terrorist acts. Nora witnesses one of these bombings and the memory is almost more than she can bear. This nightmarish memory leads Nora to her first appointment at the local Therapeutic Forgetting Center. Will she take a pill and leave the memory of the bombing behind or rebel against it? The visit changes Nora’s life forever.

Dystopian novels have become a fast favorite of mine. I found the characters of Memento Nora to be interesting and likable. Nora’s rebellious nature was something I really didn’t see coming. She and her friend Micah made a great pair, each growing stronger as the plot unfolded.

The world building is important in dystopian novels, and I felt that the descriptions of Nora’s world were definitely lacking. While I enjoyed the overall story, it would have been much more intense with a vivid image of the city, the Therapeutic Centers, as well as Nora’s father and his employer.

Overall, Memento Nora was a nice and entertaining dystopian that is quite similar to Delirium. While I wanted to know more about the world itself, I still enjoyed Smibert’s writing style. If you enjoy a fast-paced, entertaining read, Memento Nora is definitely a book to add to your list. I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here. Maybe a better image of Nora’s world will be in the cards.