The Memory Hit

     Wow. This book. It is odd. It is exciting. It is intense. It is not what I expected it to be. The blurb I got from the publishers said it was about two people, Jess and Cooper and how their lives interact on New Years' Day because of a (fictional) drug called Nostalgex, that lets you relive memories. So I was expecting this drug to basically be all about this Nostalgex drug, and thought it had amazing potential. It wasn't though; BUT that didn't make the book bad, I actually really enjoyed the novel. While I do wish the author, Carla Spradbery, delved more into Nostalgex and the possibilities of it, she still crafted a wonderful suspenseful novel. My only complaints would be that it was a bit short, the ending was rushed, and it was hard at times to remember who's voice you were reading from - they weren't differentiated well.
     Basically, Jess is dating Luke, and was dating Cooper. Cooper's best friend is Jag, his ultimate sidekick. Cooper has a sister, Amy and Luke has a twin sister, Hannah. Then there's best friend Scarlet and the villains Leon and Whiteface.The scene set's up between a fire at Scarlet's house when Scarlet is talking to Luke with a conversation that Jess overhears and misinterprets. Then there's Cooper who has been sent to do a "dash and run" by Jag for alcohol, but find himself knocked out by Leon with a backpack full of Nostalgex and a bunch of money he now owes. The whole crowd collides at the hospital, and the book's adventure goes from there. There are so many questions that the reader has, that it keeps on turning page after page. What happened between Jess and Cooper? What's going on with Luke? How did Cooper end up with the Nostalgex? Who is the mysterious Whiteface?
    The novel takes place over a couple of intense action-packed days and in the last ten percent of the book, tragedy strikes over and over, along with solving the mystery of Whiteface.
     The Memory Hit is a YA thriller for sure, and I recommend it whole-heartily.