✨ARC Review✨

Preservation by Lea Haney

Preservation is such an interesting read because the premise is unique. The story revolves around memory preservation and how it is used by the authorities (Archive) to control and manipulate people.

Mira, the FMC, is loyal, intelligent, and brave. These are characteristics that I love in FMCs because they’re not just damsels in distress. We find Mira in the middle of the chaos as she discovers distortions in a memory she preserved. This leads to adventure, betrayal, and heartache.

Callum, the MMC, is complicated because we don’t know where his loyalty lies. Is it with the Archive or Mira? Throughout the story, we are kept on a guessing game about Callum.

I love Ren and Tess. Ren is like a walking book of policy and procedures yet absolutely loyal to his friends. Meanwhile, Tess provides witty banter and comic relief. She is also smart and cunning.

Although the premise of the book is interesting, there are some things that I would have liked to happen. The description of the characters was very vague. I had an idea of what Mira and the characters looked like, but it was not clear. At some point, I questioned how old Mira and the other characters were supposed to be.

Likewise, the world building was unclear. We know of the two cities heavily emphasized in the novel, but not exactly where and when the world is set. Are we in classical or futuristic Earth? Is it another planet? Another timeline?

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It made me think about how important memories are and how they can be used to change us for the better or worse. Also, the cliffhanger made me look forward to reading the sequel.

3.5 stars *SPOILER FREE*
Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

I liked this book, but I really enjoyed the first half. The premise felt new and interesting. I could have read a full book on Mira’s memory collecting training and the day to day operations of Elena’s workshop.

Mira, in general, is a good narrator, but I felt that her personality was lacking. Her character traits besides the usual (loyal, smart, kind, & hardworking) there wasn’t much to her, and I couldn’t even tell you what she looks like. There was a scene where she looks in a mirror and absolutely no descriptions on her appearance.

I liked her dynamic and relationship with Callum, however, by the end of the book I did in fact forget that she is supposed to be 17. I think a lot of the book would make more sense if she was older, because how old is Callum??

Mira una aprendiz preservadora de recuerdos, se ve envuelta en una intriga peligrosa al recibir de su mentora Elena una esfera misteriosa que podría desestabilizar el orden impuesto por el temido Archivo.

Mientras huye con este objeto cargado de secretos, Mira se une a Callum, un inspector con lealtades divididas y un pasado entrelazado con el de ella. Juntos, enfrentan una red de engaños donde los recuerdos pueden ser manipulados, el amor está condicionado, y la verdad se oculta tras el vidrio.


Me pareció interesante el tema de guardar los recuerdos para poder atesorarlos eternamente y como el Archivo (el gobierno), vio su oportunidad de tener todo el poder con dichos recuerdos ya que al modificarlos, la gente olvidaría la realidad y viviría en una burbuja artificial.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.