Spoiler alert! 🚨

DNF at 40%

This will probably be an unpopular review but I think the scope of this book was too great for this debut author’s writing ability. For such an emotional plot, I couldn’t bring myself to care about the main character. This is in no way saying that I don’t care about the subject matter, I just wasn’t compelled to pick up this book and continue reading, which was a shame as this plot-based novel could have been so exciting.

I think where it went bad for me was that I couldn’t believe the MC’s grief after Vincent’s death. I also didn’t understand that with so many well wishers surrounding him, the death of an experienced boxer at the hands of thugs couldn’t have been prevented. It was like something didn’t add up.

I understand the importance of writing about the book’s many themes (they drew me to this book in the first place) but I don’t think the author was experienced enough to take them all on at once. It was a good attempt but disappointing and I think the book has so much praise due to its themes rather than its execution (pardon the pun!).

Thank you to HarperNorth and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Remember, remember is a novel full of wonderful characters who are very well written, they seem like real people.

I don't know if enjoyed is the correct word for this book as there are some scenes that are hard to read, however I think the descriptions of violence etc could have been much more graphic. I think Elle Machray got the balance between not shying away from the brutality but not overdoing it either, perfectly.

I'm excited to see what books they release in the future.

Delphine is an escaped slave, eking a living in a brothel that caters for the exotic. Her brother has been promised his freedom if he succeeds as a boxer but this is denied him. His vicious master intends to send Vincent back to the West Indies so Delphine and a sympathetic MP decide to take the case to court. When justice does not prevail Delphine is set on a journey of revenge.
There are parts of this novel that are absolutely brilliant and I can forgive the 'alternative history' plot. However what spoils it is the the slight overemphasis on the LGBTQ aspect which just seemed a plot device too far. The research of 18th century politics is great, weaving real characters with fiction, and there is a passion in the writing that serves the novel well.

An absolute roller coaster of a book. Spanning from the plantations of St Lucia to the Palace of Westminster, Remember Remember follows Delphine, a black woman who has been treated abominably but continues to fight back and strike put for change.

Beautifully written, with fully realised, compelling, warts and all characters. It explores the question of what would happen if somebody tried to repeat the Gunpowder Plot 165 years later, focusing on righting the wrongs wrought by the British Empire on all those under its heel.

There were genuine "gasp out loud on public transport" moments when reading this. It's one of those books where you are desperate to finish to find the ending but don't want it to be over. Highly recommended.

The first part of this book had me hooked, I was so invested in the relationship between the siblings and how important they were to each other.

The 2nd part seemed to drag on, it's an exceptionally important read with the history elements, and I really enjoyed this, but just feel it could have been shorter.

No fireworks here.
This book started off very well introducing its characters and their background. Vincent is a slave and a boxer, his Master Lord Harvey has promised him he will be released from slavery if he wins his next match, he does win but the Lord goes back on his promise imprisoning Vincent on a slave ship. Delphine was another of the Lord's slaves, bought as a companion for his daughter Pearl, the two girls were friends and eventually lovers, they were set to run away together but Pearl backed out, Delphine has now been free for four years. Delphine and Vincent regard themselves as Brother and Sister as they were raised together. Vincent manages to escape but is caught and goes on trial as to whether he should be a free man or if he is still the property of Lord Harvey. Nick is Lord Harvey's nephew, he defends Vincent as people are paid to testify against him. A sympathetic and fair minded judge pronounces Vincent to be a free man after a long and complicated trial. As Vincent walks free to the cheers of many other slaves and liberals he is attacked.
Delphine is so upset about Vincent's fate that she plans to blow up the houses of parliament, this is where the plot seemed to get unreal for me. After many trials and tribulations Delphine manages to get a gang of smugglers on her side and tries to put her plan into action.
Their were pieces of philosophy throughout the book which drew attention to the plight of slaves, these were thought provoking.
Thank you Elle and NetGalley.

Remember, Remember is a fantastic Historical Fiction read, with an exquisite reimagining of history and characters that leap off the page and into your heart.

Elle Machray is a star in the making. This is such a brilliant concept - someone decides to re-enact the Gunpowder Plot and ties in silenced narratives and untold histories. It is, pardon the wording, explosive. Delphine is a character that will remain in my head and my heart for some time. She was driven, smart and angry to her core, traumatised and hurt beyond comprehension by a world and society that would not recognise her even as human. That kind of erosion of the self can only end in destruction and watching her turn it against those least expecting it is cathartic.

I absolutely loved the throughline of pursuing revenge and seeking consequences for terrible actions. That sort of justice is only afforded to the ‘right’ victims and Machray also illustrates how the legal systems cannot do enough when the entire system is rigged. It is tragic and heart-breaking and a steeling reminder of just how recent this history is, as well as how it continues to echo around the world and continue. This book burns with rage and fury. Delphine has to create her own justice because the world around her will never recognise the horrors enacted upon her and those she loves.

However, Machray also shows how that can consume a person entirely and obliterate the world around them for themselves. There is a singular pursuit that does not allow time for hope or love or any semblance of healing. The balance between these two is done so well, particularly with the introduction of a wonderfully complex romance thread that does not infringe on the impactful central themes.

Remember, Remember is a magnificent example of what Historical Fiction can do. It is breath-taking in its storyline, characterisation and sheer heart. In short, it is a marvel.

Set in the 1760s/1770s this tale begins with the story of Vincent, a slave who boxes for Lord Henry in the belief that when he has earned his weight in money he will receive his freedom. When that day comes Lord Henry denies the agreement and has Vincent arrested intending to sell him. Delphine enlists the help of Lord Henry's nephew, Nick, to fight his case that a slave once in England is a free man.
The second half of the book then moves on to a rewriting of the Gunpowder Plot and Delphine's attempts to change England and the government of the day. But it is not just freedom from slavery, but freedom and fair pay for the man in the street and freedom for women to have a say in their lives.
Good descriptions of London, interesting character portrayals and who to trust to keep your secrets.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Elle Machray/HarperNorth for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

This took me a lot longer to read than planned. A good storyline but I found it really slow going. The second half of the book had me more gripped to the story. The sidelines of love and friendship are what makes the book good. Wouldn’t be top of my list to recommend but still a good book.

I really, really enjoyed the theme of this book, it made me think, it made me cry. The first half particularly was exceptional. The second half was never going to match the brilliance of the first half. I’m so grateful to the publisher for the chance to read this book with much food for thought.

I have been waiting for this book since November 2022 and it did not disappoint.

Remember, Remember was gripping, heart wrenching, and full of hope. It was engaging and kept me hooked - I have never felt tension in a book like when reading Vincent's trial. This book could have taken so many turns and I never knew where we'd go and loved every second.
I attended the launch event this evening, and like Elle mentioned there, I am not usually one for quotes to open chapters, however the inclusion of real articles and quotes from the time were really impactful and I truly felt I was there.
This was one of those books where I could see every moment - I could see the movie in my mind playing out (and god I'd love this to be a movie, which is saying a lot given I rarely watch them!). It just felt... right?

Reading this felt similar to me as to when I read Les Miserables, and not just because of the themes of revolution. I am very much a light reader. I enjoy fast paced, quick reads that don't simmer. I like to get to the point and the action, no slow building, no setting up (even though it leads to a good reward, typically). But every so often a "simmer" book finds it's way to me and I relish in sitting, taking the story in bit by bit, allowing things to build up. I don't know what makes me latch on to some and not others, but Remember, Remember, like Les Mis (but significantly shorter and definitely much faster paced than the Brick!) had whatever it is I need.

Every character felt real. I cared about them - even if we only met briefly - and of course loathed some! For an author who has only been writing in this style since lockdown, this is beyond a talent. This reads like an author who has honed their craft for decades. I would be green with envy if I wasn't just so thrilled for them.
I cannot wait to read more from Elle Machray (I know it's one day post publication but can we have more now, please?)

A very interesting book! I enjoyed reading it. Thank you to the writer, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read it

This is a book of two halves and is a solid effort from a debut writer. The first half concentrates on the trial of Vincent, a slave promised his freedom, and his sister, Delphine, an escaped slave who has educated herself enough to act as an assistant to an MP who is a barrister. This was a strong, interesting and engaging narrative. Where the author lost me was the second half which sadly felt plodding and much less engaging for me. I struggled to find the motivation to finish as it all felt so unlikely.

I'd read this author again and hope this book is successful for her. Our history is shaming and novels about that period should be widely read.

I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting perspective on the slave trade and the so called legality of owning slaves on UK soil at the time. I thought Delphine was a great main character but still felt part of her was hidden. I loved the writing but thought the story needed more cohesion. Overall I am glad I got to read the ARC.

London, 1770. Siblings Delphine and Vincent were brought to England a decade ago by their owner, Lord Henry, and while Delphine escaped enslavement, Vincent struck a deal with his owner that he would be granted freedom eventually.

When Lord Henry reneges on the deal, Vincent - with the help of Delphine - seeks justice through the legal system. But when that fails, Delphine is forced into extreme action to secure safety for Vincent, for herself, and for other enslaved and formerly enslaved people in England.

A gripping and pacy read, Remember Remember combines historical fact with alternative history. While the first half is enjoyable historical fiction in the vein of Stacey Halls, at times I struggled to engage with the characters as I didn't feel I 'knew' them well. It was in the second half, when the story shifts into a different gear with a thrilling reimagining of the Gunpowder Plot, that I felt properly gripped, and raced through the end of the book in one late night.

What an astonishing book - beautiful, powerful and inspiring.

Vincent and Delphine are colonial slaves brought to England on a cruel master's whim from their place in St Lucia. Their stories unfold and are intertwined with real and imagined changes to the law and English attitudes along the way.

Especially Delphine's story is inventive and inspiring, and as she follows her path the novel highlights the plight of many others in Georgian London and beyond.

This book will stay with me for its simple and direct writing, its well-rounded and believable characters, and its unbreakable belief in hope.

Thank you to a netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me this free ebook in return for a review.

I’m a real sucker for alternative history and that was what caught my eye about this book. Although having read it most of the alternative part of the history is at the end and not really covered in the central plot.

We follow Delphine and Vincent who have been brought to London by Lord Harvey the owner of the St Lucian plantation where they were born and how they are fighting for their freedom. One of the things I loved about this book was its desire to face the truth about how black people were treated in the UK in the 18th century - a topic that really isn’t covered often in fiction. And the fact is that despite there being “no slavery” on English soil at this time, in practice there was. Delphine is a runaway slave and Vincent is working as a boxer for his owner. Working towards freedom that is sadly denied that.

The main thrust of the story is the idea of creating a gunpowder plot that was successful. But rather than considering what would the world be like if 160 years after Guy Fawkes someone did it, the narrative works towards the new gunpowder plot and only gives us a little insight into what might be the aftermath - which to be honest, I found a little be disappointing.

I also kind of felt that, there’s a reason that there’s never been a second attempt at Fawkes’ plan; during the English Revolution and the times of turmoil for the country when our European neighbours were revolting we never attempted a wholesale destruction of our institutions. Why not? This book misses something by not explaining that adequately.

However the thing that makes it 5 stars for me is the characters. I loved them all, particularly Delphine of course and Colin who is just great! The concept of following black people centre stage in London in 1770s who have escaped slavery and do have their own agency is just so intriguing that this fresh perspective makes up for someone of the more negative aspects. It reminds me of the film Belle which is about the mixed race niece of Lord Mansfield who appears in this novel, which is one of my favourite ever films. If we are to learn the history of people who are black and British it is important that novels and films like these are made and consumed. I also loved that the British empire was the enemy. Not something to be proud of, or pretend didn’t happen, but something we need to address as the source of our nation’s continued wealth.

So overall, I genuinely recommend this and will be looking out for other books by this writer.

A well plotted and thought provokin alt-history novel, a good example of speculative fiction that bring us to London in the XVII century and deals with issues like slavery, injustice and what meant to live on the border.
Great characters, excellent storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is very much a book of two halves. The first is the legal case of a young slave who is fighting for his freedom. Apparently it is along the lines of a real case and it read very much as if this is what happened at the time. The second half takes a more fantastical approach, it took me a while to settle with the rather abrupt sea change, to the extent that I started to question my knowledge of history and start googling explosions in the Houses of Parliament.
I enjoyed the vast majority of the characters, I found Pearl's sudden reappearance as a member of gang of Merry Men, doing good in the underworld slightly incongruous.
All in all if you can park the discombobulation of the two halves you are in a for a rollicking read.

The gunpowder plot reimagined. A story of two halves. It begins with Vincent and Delphine slaves taken from there homeland and bought to London to work for Lord Harvey. We follow Vincent's fight for freedom through the courts and the consequences that occur afterwards.
Well researched and written, the characters are well fleshed out and I was rooting for Delphine the whole way through!
A fantastic Debut! Can't wait to read more from the author Elle Machray