BOOK REVIEW: In the Hope of Memories by Olivia Rivers

Title: In the Hope of Memories
Author: Olivia Rivers
Publication: March 16, 2016
Publisher: Red Sparrow Press
Genre: Teens, YA Fiction
Pages: 404

SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)

Right before dying of a rare heart condition, Hope Jackson sets up a scavenger hunt across New York City using her graffiti art. The directions she leaves her four closest friends are simple: Solve the clues hidden in her art, and they’ll solve the problems haunting their lives.

Together, the four teens take to the streets of New York to complete Hope’s scavenger hunt and fulfill her dying wishes. But in order to unravel the clues hidden in Hope’s graffiti, her friends will have to confront their personal demons head on.

REVIEW:

When my book club recommended this book for our reading I was a little excited. It was an author I had not heard of and a book I’d never even seen. I love finding hidden gems. Plus, I’m a sucker for a good YA Fiction novel.

In the Hope of Memories by Olivia Rivers was not my favorite when I first started. The main characters are four teens from all different walks of life with one thing in common. A friendship with Hope. I found these individuals when they first came together to be VERY annoying. Eric was short tempered and egotistical at times. Adrian was irritating, and not with his quirks. Just his general personality turned me off. Kali was bratty and whiny. The only one I didn’t have an issue with was Sam. I found Sam refreshing and interesting to read about.

While the beginning of the story did not give me good feelings, I found the longer I read and the more these characters grew to like each other and defend each other, I enjoyed the book more. I think that maybe it was part of Rivers goal. These characters were well thought out and detailed. I think they were meant to be disliked and then learn a lot from each other. I also loved the premise of the story that Hope knew to get these people out of their comfort zones so they could get past their issues.

This book is filled with issues of all sorts that a lot of authors don’t like to touch on. It talks of suicidal thoughts, OCD and anxiety, cutting, debilitating injuries and deformities. I love all the hard hitting topics and felt it definitely brought this book up to another level in the end. It also wasn’t a happily ever after like usual. These kids had real problems and those problems don’t just disappear, but they definitely started working on them and I loved that.

I would recommend this book to those who love YA Fiction, but not your sappy or lovey dovey kind. This is a different type of reading with some pressure on your chest.

STAR RATING: 4/5

Pick up your copy of In the Hope of Memories by Olivia Rivers on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and check your local bookstore. Also make sure to add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave feedback for the author when you are finished. Also make sure to check out more from author Olivia Rivers on her website HERE!

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *