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The Forgetting (The Forgetting, #1)

Sharon Cameron

Start date: November 1, 2016

Finish date: November 30, 2016

Discussion: Stand Alone

Why we're reading this: It won the poll for the stand alone BOTM
[close] It won the poll for the stand alone BOTM

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What Members Thought

Jan 07, 2017 Lindsey Learn rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult

Sharon Cameron wrote Rook, which was one of my favorite books last year. Naturally, when I saw The Forgetting on the shelf at the library, I snatched it up. Cameron knows how to write a suspenseful story and a timely romance. I like that she takes her time with the romances in her books; it makes them more realistic. Her books also keep you guessing about character motives and trustworthiness.

Nadia is an interesting character. It’d be hard to depict her correctly in a movie, because she has so m Sharon Cameron wrote Rook, which was one of my favorite books last year. Naturally, when I saw The Forgetting on the shelf at the library, I snatched it up. Cameron knows how to write a suspenseful story and a timely romance. I like that she takes her time with the romances in her books; it makes them more realistic. Her books also keep you guessing about character motives and trustworthiness.

Nadia is an interesting character. It’d be hard to depict her correctly in a movie, because she has so much inner dialogue. She doesn’t talk to people. She’s unique with her lifelong memories, which makes her feel vulnerable in relationships that could be forgotten too quickly. So she keeps her distance, watching others and exploring outside the wall. Along with Gray, Nadia begins to uncover the mystery of “the forgetting,” and why they must remain behind the wall of Cannaan.

“Don’t forget, Gray the Glassblower’s son has said to me. Twice.
And he’s said it to the only person in Canaan who never has.”

The first half of the book is slow moving, but I never felt bored. Nadia and Gray’s story really picks up in the second half when the origins of Canaan and the forgetting start to unravel. Generally, the premise of the story felt familiar for the young adult market. Utopian-like society lives behind a wall and beyond it is a mystery to them. I’m giving this book 3.5 stars instead of 4, simply for originality’s sake.

Would I let my teen read this book?
Cameron is a safe author for teens. She writes a clean, good story about youth challenging the standard for living, and believing they can make a difference. And if you or your teen liked Rook, you’ll appreciate The Forgetting.

Age recommendation: 13

Language – none
Drugs & Alcohol – none
Sex – A few passionate kisses and embraces, but few graphic details
Violence – There is reference to a whipping, several people are killed – one gets knocked over the head, the other stabbed

For more reviews, visit my blog, FickleLit. ...more

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Jan 09, 2017 Ashley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science-fiction, 2017

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I loved this book so much I was done in two days.

Oh, The Forgetting. The author made one very critical error, which is almost the only reason I chopped off one of my stars.

I know I marked this with "spoiler", but let me be clear: do not read this if you haven't read the book, because I'm about to destroy it for you.

Ready?

WHY THE F WOULD YOU NAME THE TREES "FORGETTING TREES"???? Oh my GOD. WHY???!!!!!! Here's the deal: without that, I *might* have had a tiny inkling of what was causing the For I loved this book so much I was done in two days.

Oh, The Forgetting. The author made one very critical error, which is almost the only reason I chopped off one of my stars.

I know I marked this with "spoiler", but let me be clear: do not read this if you haven't read the book, because I'm about to destroy it for you.

Ready?

WHY THE F WOULD YOU NAME THE TREES "FORGETTING TREES"???? Oh my GOD. WHY???!!!!!! Here's the deal: without that, I *might* have had a tiny inkling of what was causing the Forgetting, but when Nadia mentions them for the first time, my instant thought was literally: "forgetting trees? Well shit. Why don't you just murder all of the trees? Chop them down? Anything?" And then I thought: "nah. There's just no way the trees cause the Forgetting. If that were the case, this would just be so easy."

It could have been, but instead many people died.

If they never called them Forgetting trees, there wouldn't be any clue as to what *exactly* was causing the loss of memory. But alas, there it was. Twelve years is certainly enough time to figure out how to kill one species of trees. You know, the ones with the buds that bloom once every twelve years. Like as in the exact number of years between forgettings. It's understandable that no one would write that in their book and remember, but then why would they be called Forgetting trees? *despair*

Otherwise, I am in love with this world. I am in love with the entire plot. I thought it was beautiful and seamless. I was actually SURPRISED by parts, which is difficult for me to achieve, since I subconsciously figure out most keystones before I encounter them (and I hate this about being me.) The fact that this was actually in an Earth-is-where-we-came-from non-fantasy SHOCKER, I was impressed and captivated because I was SURE this was a lone-standing nation in some other galaxy with no connection to "us". Beautiful.

Nadia is likable, and so is Gray. They have substance and they're not perfect. I didn't love the constant referral to their titles ("glass-blower's son", etc.) as it was a bit too often, but otherwise the inner speaking of Nadia was easy to listen too and she didn't annoy me (accomplishment.)

Beautiful story. Creative and innovative. I can't wait for the companion! To any fan of the genre, I couldn't recommend this title more. A super fun and easy read. ...more

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