Forget Me Not

I am not sure what genre Id use to describe this novel- Im leaning toward contemporary sci-fi

From the opening line, its clear that the world presented is not what we think it is, as the protagonist Linda attempts to understand who she is

The novel takes place in the near future, where smartphones have been replaced by sheaths on our forearms, the world is dealing with the aftermath of the twin pandemics of COVID 19 and social media run amok, and virtual reality is commonplace

The most interesting character for me was the tech tycoon who, in his later years, is struggling to keep control on his world falling apart. Even near unlimited resources cant buy marital stability

Like Olivas first novel The Last One, this thriller explores the consequences of our modern culture on an individual who didnt necessarily choose to opt in

Ali has mastered weaving past and present to keep the reader turning the pages to see what happens next. She creates characters we can identify with and care about. She blends contemporary themes with a not-so-distant future that is believable. Brava!

Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

This is a hard story to classify. It has elements from thrillers, cold case examinations, relationships, and the effect of technology on society to name a few. Despite this, its easy to read. Whether Lindas struggling to integrate with a society she doesnt understand or Anvis on the hunt for some new tidbit not to share but just to explore, these elements are a natural extension of the story. The two main characters each offer a different perspective of the near future world they live in.

Linda’s life story went viral when it came out her mother had raised Linda in secret to replicate a sister who died. Twelve years later, shes had little success finding a place in the modern world. Linda longs to return to her feral upbringing rather than navigate the complexities of social interaction.

Anvi might be the more normal voice, but shes also the view of social media. She is an extrovert who doesnt shy away from strangers, and who asks potentially uncomfortable questions and ponders the problematic issues with social media. Anvi sees the need for a responsible voice at the heart of it. Shes driven by her studies of disinformation spread during the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the pandemic, only one example of contemporary events’ influence. Her perspectives on privacy, the Internet, and what needs to change offers a window into the story Linda can never be.

The development of their friendship is beautiful. Each step forward Linda makes pairs with a threat, whether provoked by Anvi or external to their growing bond. Lindas is a journey of discovery and trust, neither aspect a well-developed part of her character. Anvi must cross the treacherous ground others have filled with traps when they attempted to use Linda for their own benefit.

Whether its the debate about us being characters in a virtual reality simulation or how pre-knowledge influences how you interact, there are strong psychological and philosophical elements, and not just for Linda and Anvi. We learn about the people surrounding both women, now and years before, when those relationships influence the story present. Only Nibbler, Anvi’s dog, stands out as straightforward, and even that relationship goes through a few twists and turns. The threat of a media storm is also tangible, expanding the story out to touch many lives. The book is complex and complicated in a fascinating way.

Systematic bias, primarily race and economic, plays an underlying role in part because Lindas mother held her separate from society during her developmental years. She may not be affected by subconscious bias, but neither can she recognize when her actions play into them. The events between when she emerged and the story starts demonstrate the gap between classes. Her wealth, and her fathers, shelters her from the trials of her upbringing and even reintegration.

Anvi weighs in on this aspect as well, aware of the risks her skin tone imposes, especially when venturing out of Seattle. Washington has many places where color is as rare as an astronomically wealthy feral child. Shes also aware of the economic standing that sets the two of them apart. Linda sees her wealth as a burden requiring even more caution and decisions she doesnt want to make, but that doesnt change the opportunities it affords.

Every time I question the categorization as science fiction, I realize just how much the near future tech impacts the story. Its only slightly more advanced than where we are now in terms of wearable technology, virtual reality, and social networking. Reality itself comes in question in ways almost possible, or possible but little known, in our own time. But dont be fooled into thinking the story sees no value in technology as a positive influence. It has that potential as portrayed. This book should provoke many a fascinating book club or classroom discussion.

Ultimately, I enjoyed my time with these characters and the questions they raised. Little is as simple as it might first appear and the book should make you question your assumptions not once, but several times, as its story unfolds.

P.S. I received this Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in the hopes of an honest review.

Forget Me Not is a dark and unusual mystery/thriller set in the near future. Linda spent the first 12 years of her life in an isolated, walled off 20-acre wilderness in Washington state. She lived there with her mother, Lorelei, and her twin sister, Emmer. Her mother had little use or love for the girls and left them to see to their own needs. Together they would romp and play through the forests, lost in their games of make-believe. One day, her mother took Emmer away, and upon returning, told Linda her sister would not be coming back. Life continued on, but now filled with loneliness. What love she had found in her twin, couldn’t be replaced. Certainly, her mother wasn’t willing or able to try! One night, Linda witnessed something so disturbing that she climbed one of the forbidden walls and entered the outside world in total, fear of both what she was running from and the unknown world she now found herself in.

We first meet Linda as she is entering her apartment building in Seattle. She is a bit older, but still trying to make sense of this very strange and large world. Socially interacting with anyone was a nightmare of misunderstandings for her. People seemed to have conventions about such things, but she didn’t know what they were or what the people expected of her. It was all she could do to navigate through the interactions needed to gather supplies etc.

Oliva skillfully develops her characters and their relationships; they are both interesting and believable. I loved watching Linda develop and grow as she gets more used to her new world and even begins to develop some relationships. That alone would be a fascinating story! Readers learn that Linda is a publicly known person (or at least her story is very well-known) and when Linda learns of it, she is devastated. Her whole previous life as she knew it was built on a lie, and she is set adrift again. When people make the connection between Linda and the story, it is only through the kindness of one of her new friends that she escapes the clamor of those wanting to talk to her about it.

I didn’t care for the turns into the worlds of gaming and alternative realities. This is where the book soured for me personally. Still, I have enjoyed Ms. Oliva’s other works and look forward to doing so again. This just wasn’t it for me.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Ballantine for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel which is scheduled to be published on 3/2/21. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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