Harbinger of Books

I picked up this book in the library about two months ago, I did not read it and no real reason as to why. Then I started it and while I thought it was interesting, mostly this idea that you wake up with no memories, it was not as exciting as other books I had in my possession. At any rate I returned the book to the library with plans to recheck it out and finish it. Well a month passes and I finally got the opportunity to pick it up again and wow I am really glad I did.

For the synopsis, Myfanwy Thomas knows that her life is about to change because of a betrayal and she will be left with no memory of who she once was, so Myfanwy tries to prepare a life for her future self. Then one day it happens Myfanwy opens her eyes to someone new, she is surrounded by dead men, severely beaten and she has no idea who she is, BUT she has a letter to give her guidance. The letter clearly points out there are two options one join the dangerous world of the Chequy (think supernatural CIA) or run away and create a new reality for her. Myfanwy feels that she owes it to her previous self to figure out how and why she was betrayed.

The thing that makes this book so good is the duality of the same person; old Myfanwy and new Myfanwy. The old one is shy, meek and angry at herself the new one is assertive, strong willed and yet unsure. It speaks to Daniel O’Malley’s skill that he writes this character as both the same and yet so different. I absolutely liked her, I thought she was assertive yet vulnerable and I loved her wit. I loved that I was grasping at straws trying to figure out what would happen next and who was behind the nefarious plot.

I am so glad I went back to finish this book! It is definitely a classic. The story is really well done and thought provoking!