Memory Clouds by Tony Moyle is a compelling YA Dystopian tale set in a world where technology rules, for better or for worse.
Before diving into this one, you’ll want to make sure your technology sources, your Apple Watch, SmartPhone, Google Home, Alexa, and other such things, are all turned off… trust me. You won’t want to think about someone listening or monitoring you as you enter this world that Mr. Moyle has created…
To be honest, I’m not big on YA Dystopian tales after getting burnt out after reading them back to back for basically two years in college. But when Mr. Moyle’s newsletter came out about this one, I knew I just had to give it a go! I’m so glad I did; I really enjoyed it!
Full Disclosure: I received an early release copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way. (I also purchased a copy of the final version as well.)
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Memory Clouds by Tony Moyle
In a world where thoughts are binding and everything lives permanently in the Memory Cloud, the fates of each 18 year old is determined by an assessment of all of their past memories and emotions leading up to their eighteenth birthday.
This process requires each person to give up their “old life” and jump right into their new one as soon as they turn 18. The fates are reported to have a 98% success rating, but what happens to that 2%?
When this tale begins, we meet Jake Montana, a young man who has just turned 18 in the year 2054. On this day, Jake receives his letter that will determine his future, and while he dreaded the change, he could have never imagined what was about to happen.
When I began reading this story, I really appreciated that the first couple of chapters explained a lot about the world through the main character as he was thinking things over or discussing the process with his family. This was such a great way to get the readers immersed in the world. While it was a ton of info, it didn’t stray into info-dumping thanks to the quick thoughts and notes from the main chapter or his family members. When reading books that have a strong element of sci-fi or technology, I really need that foundation of information to get into the setting.
After the main character received his letter, the story took off pretty quickly!
Speaking of- we should touch on the main character, Jake. Poor Jake liked his life how it was. He had a pretty good relationship with his family, he had a girlfriend that he loved, and he liked where he lived (I LOVE that he grew up in New Hampshire!!). Of course, as he was a teenager, he was certainly filled with the usual teenage angst. But in this case, considering the situation he was in, it was a double dose of angst…
I was so excited to meet Jake’s guides that would help him navigate his transition into the next part of his life. I LOVED his guide, Dinah. She was so innocent and hilarious! She really brightened many situations that they found themselves in. His other guide, Job, was quite the downer at times! The two definitely balanced each other out wonderfully.
Most of the other characters had quicker roles in the overall story, so I’m very curious to see who comes back in the next book!
I thought that the whole technology element was incredibly spooky… I mean, just the fact that the surgeries happen before you’re three and that you don’t have a choice about the matter is wicked unnerving. Also, thoughts being a binding measure?! Man, I would probably be in trouble all the time if that was a world I lived in… I mean, how many commercials for things have I caught myself thinking, “Oh, I want that!” Goodbye money!
It was equally interesting and terrifying when the author explained that sleep was prime time in the cloud as advertisers could pay to promote products and drive the messaging into people’s subconscious minds. How intrusive?!
There were also many timely and scary things included in this story. Things like the discussion of the current state of the world with the intense seasons, or how many places are now underwater because no one wanted to fix the problem with the environment that was a long time coming. Of course, with most of Tony Moyle’s work, this was paired perfectly with humor to keep the balance. For example, this passage:
“Ah yes, twenty-sixteen, that was the year it happened for me. Most people hated that year, but as far as I was concerned it was one of the best, a pleasure cruise compared to twenty- twenty.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, even those who weren’t born until a decade or two later.
Man, for most of this book, I found myself either totally spooked at the thought or outraged at the unfairness of it all. This is a story that certainly had me on a rollercoaster of emotions!
My Favorite Passages from Memory Clouds
Please note that these quotes were pulled from the Beta copy and may have changed before the final edition.
That’s the problem with statistics. People focus on the majority and ignore the minority.
“You won’t know what the future holds until you go out there.”
If guides were supposed to put protégés’ minds at ease, his had failed miserably. A day that started with a heavy dose of apprehension had been firmly overdosed on panic. Not only was Jake holding his future in his hands, but he also had no way of escaping it or the insufferable Dinah and Job whose contribution would endure until it was no longer necessary. In Jake’s view that moment had passed about thirty minutes after their arrival.
“Ah yes, twenty-sixteen, that was the year it happened for me. Most people hated that year, but as far as I was concerned it was one of the best, a pleasure cruise compared to twenty- twenty.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, even those who weren’t born until a decade or two later.
“I think it’s best described as ‘where have my testicles gone?’ cold,” replied Job graphically. “And all year around, too.”
Tight moleskin trousers clung to his legs with a belligerence that suggested the only way to remove them would be as a result of prolonged starvation. A white shirt was equally tight- fitting, although the buttons at the top had been loosened to at least allow his neck and head a fighting chance of surviving suffocation.
Job would probably deal with someone’s broken heart by confirming no one really liked them. He was an emotional sledgehammer and everything else was a nut.
Once Dinah hit her confessional stride, she wasn’t easy to stop. Like an excitable child, ignorant of other people’s waning interest, she bulldozed her audience’s attention spans on her own personal truth crusade.
It didn’t matter what mark someone placed on you, it only mattered what you chose to do with your life. Either let their judgement destroy you or prove everyone wrong.
My Final Thoughts on Memory Clouds
I loved that on one hand, there were strong feelings of despair and anger, but on the other hand there was love and hope, and that these feelings teeter-tottered back and forth throughout the entire story. I had so much fun learning more about this dystopian world and how everything functioned.
Like I said at the start of my review, YA Dystopian isn’t usually my cup of tea, but I’m very happy that I was given the opportunity to read this one! I cannot wait for book two to see what happens next!
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Thanks for reading!
What was the last awesome apocalyptic tale you read?
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This book sounds like something I’d love. Great review. I’ll have to add this to my wishlist.
Wahoo!! I hope you love it!
This one has been on my radar as something I would like. Your review has made me want to read it even more.
<3 I hope you enjoy the read when you get the chance to pick it up!
ooh sounds like a good one! I’m glad the information you needed in the beginning didn’t go into info-dumping.
<3