My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

Daniel has what is called "the memory". He has the ability to recall his past lives and can recognize the souls of those he's known. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties he does not forget who he was or whom he loved. For Daniel, throughout all his lives, has always loved Sophia (despite her name changes and altered appearances). Imagine dying and being reborn and still remembering (from a young age) what you did in your previous life, who your family was and whom you loved.... Daniel (and yes, he is always known as Daniel) does not forget.

The same cannot be said for Lucy (present day name for Sophia). She does not remember who Daniel is or their love that has transcended time. And although they have found each other over and over throughout the centuries, she always seems to forget the love that has always, and fatally, ended much too abruptly.

Alternating between the present day lives of Daniel and Lucy and their expansive history beginning in 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, you get a very in depth look at all the many layers of their relationship(s). I especially loved these times. Ms. Brashares did an amazing job in depicting the era, the landscape, the people, it was very detailed making it something I could envision, taste, touch and smell. Now I can't say how accurate these depictions are, but I was nonetheless satisfied with them. Obviously the narrator of these "past" chapters is Daniel and it's through these same chapters that you really get to know him. Daniel's voice is so soothing. He's is thoughtful, self-less, intelligent and his reflections really captivated me. But no matter the year, it's those moments when he finally encounters his Sophia that he truly comes to life for you. His love and his need to convince her that she loves him in return ... basically oozes off these pages. I have to say that I was swept away by the whole of this story. Call me a romantic fool, but I just could not help myself.

I absolutely fell in love with Daniel this book. The characters were incredible, the writing was compelling and the journey was one I would take over and over again. The ending (or lack thereof) left me a little freaked because it is a cliff hanger but, upon further examination, it has come to my understanding that there are two more books to Daniel and Lucy's story. Hooray! I can't praise this one enough. If you're a sucker for love (and who's complaining?), you should get yours hand on My Name is Memory asap.


** And just as a side not, (because I'm pyscho like that) did anyone else catch the similarities in the names (Daniel and Lucy) and even the whole "love that never ends" subplot to Fallen by Lauren Kate? Pretty freaky, yet somewhat interesting, huh? I'm just saying.**

My Review: