"THE UNHAPPENING OF GENESIS LEE," by Shallee McArthur, Sky Pony Press, $16.95, 347 pages (f) (ages 14 and up)
In this young adult story of a dystopian society, the Mementi have the remarkable ability — and are cursed — to retain every memory they make. The regular people, known as the Populace, have moved into Havendale, the city originally built to be a safe place for Mementi.
The Mementi carry their memories around with them in beads known as Links that can double as necklaces, hair ornaments and bracelets, but memories can be stored in a variety of things. The Mementi avoid touching anyone and most everything so the memories aren't inadvertently shared.
It's easier and safer to be covered from head to toe all hours of the day because it's very disturbing to collide with another's memories.
The "The Unhappening of Genesis Lee" by Utah author Shallee McArthur is about Genesis "Gena" Lee and the other members of the Mementi society trying to coexist with regular people.
Neither trusts the other and when it's discovered that someone is going about stealing memory Links, the "Link Thief" touches off fear, rage and all kinds of problems for both groups.
Gena, who is a Mementi, with the help of a Populace boy named Kalan Fox, is trying to recover the missing link for her friend Cora, who is one of the victims, and figure out who the Link Thief really is.
It's dangerous for Gena, for her family and for her new boyfriend Kalan, who somehow knows things she cannot remember and the boyfriend she keeps forgetting because her memories are systematically siphoned away.
She doesn't know who she can trust. Even family and close friends surprise her.
The story has an interesting basic premise and McArthur has obviously worked hard on this fast-paced and unpredictable story.
However, the storyline is a bit confusing and there are some holes in the logic. There isn't quite enough depth and color to balance out the complexity and unrelenting danger and feels like it's not been completely thought out.
There's no sex, no foul language and no graphic description of the violence though people get hurt and some die.
If you go ...
What: Shallee McArthur book signing
When: Tuesday, Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Orem Public Library, 58 N. State St., Orem
Web: kingsenglish.com, oremlibrary.org, shalleemcarthur.com
Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with more than 35 years' experience, 17 at the Deseret News. Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com. Email: haddoc@deseretnews.com