The Memory Eater by Rebecca Mahoney || Explore Generational Trauma and Grief in This Horror YA

The Memory Eater

A teenage girl must save her town from a memory-devouring monster in this piercing exploration of grief, trauma, and memory, from the author of The Valley and the Flood.

For generations, a monster called the Memory Eater has lived in the caves of Whistler Beach, Maine, surviving off the unhappy memories of those who want to forget. And for generations, the Harlows have been in charge of keeping her locked up—and keeping her fed.

After her grandmother dies, seventeen-year-old Alana Harlow inherits the family business. But there’s something Alana doesn’t know: the strange gaps in her memory aren’t from an accident. Her memories have been taken—eaten. And with them, she’s lost the knowledge of how to keep the monster contained.

Now the Memory Eater is loose. Alana’s mistake could cost Whistler Beach everything—unless she can figure out how to retrieve her own memories and recapture the monster. But as Alana delves deeper into her family’s magic and the history of her town, she discovers a shocking secret at the center of the Harlow family business and learns that tampering with memories never comes without a price.

Content Tags:

Perfect for readers who want:

• A thoughtful exploration into generational trauma and the way it’s passed down.
• Massive family secrets that slowly unravel.
• The power of memories . . . and the dangers of giving away even painful ones.
• A monster on the loose type thriller.
• Adorable friendship bonds.
• Super cute F/F relationship.

Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Quotes are taken from an unfinished product and may differ from the final version.

I’ve been on a horror kick lately, so when I read this description, I knew I had to read it! A horror book with a meaningful message? Can’t pass that one up. I absolutely love monster books where there’s more going on than what it seems like on the surface, and I knew this would be the case with The Memory Eater. Bring on all the secrets!

The Memory Eater explores generational trauma, grief, and what it takes to heal. In this fast-paced thriller, a teenager girl must protect her town from a memory-eating monster, while coming to grips with the gaps in her own memory.

I read this book in one day, I was so invested in finding out the truth behind the Memory Eater. This book is so freaking infuriating in the best possible way. It’s ridiculously easy to see how the generational trauma has been passed on through the Harlows, and the way the town itself perpetuates it. I don’t see how anyone could read this and not RAGE over the way Alana is treated. Mahoney does a wonderful job of not only creating a terrifying monster but examining the ways in which monsters are created.

There is a monster living on Whistler Beach. It not only feeds the town, but also feeds on the town.

On the surface, this may seem like a symbiotic relationship, right? Except for the fact that the Memory Eater is trapped like a beast in a cage . . . and the residents of the town live in fear of her getting loose. Not exactly the basis for a good relationship.

I absolutely loved the idea of the Memory Eater. On the surface, she seems mostly harmless, eating negative memories. Because who wouldn’t jump on the chance to give up their worst memories, right? Except the Memory Eater herself is terrifying. She’s known as a monster for a reason! The town only puts up with her for the revenue she brings in via tourists coming to have their memories eaten.

But what happens when a monster frees herself from her shackles and is turned loose on the people that have taken advantage of her for generations? That’s the idea at the very heart of The Memory Eater, and it’s such an interesting premise!

In the midst of this thrilling horror, Mahoney weaves a touching, thoughtful tale about generational grief, trauma, and the true worth of memories . . . even bad ones.

Not gonna lie, horror stories with a heartfelt message are some of my favorite. I love the dark, spooky vibe, but also a narrative that really makes me stop and think. Mahoney delivers both in this book. Because everything has a cost. Even losing memories.

The Harlows are the keepers of the Memory Eater, but they’ve dwindled down over the generations, until only Alana is left. She takes the family business seriously . . . but she (and the reader) have no real concept of what the family business means to start with. As the book progresses, you’ll get a much different view of the relationships between the Harlows and the residents of Whistler Beach. And let me tell you, it will make your blood boil!

Without giving too much away, the heart of this story is a group of people who are running away from their trauma the simplest way they know how: by forgetting it all together. Except they’re realizing that their choices may have unpredicted consequences and that not all bad memories are worth getting rid of.

Despite feeling like the world is on her shoulders and feeling like she needs to do everything on her own, Alana is surrounded by some pretty amazing characters.

Not gonna lie, this is definitely a flaw in her character, and a very frustrating one at that. Not just for the reader, but for the people around her. As the book progresses, though, it becomes a little more understandable why Alana feels like she alone needs to solve everything. Mostly because that’s the very thing she’s been told since she can remember. The Harlows are responsible for the Memory Eater and anything that happens to her, and as the last Harlow, that means it’s all up to her. Except it isn’t.

Which is a fact that her best friend, Rue, reminds her over and over again. So do Rue’s parents, who have known Alana since she was little and who have taken her in after her grandmother’s death. The relationship between Rue and Alana is just *chef’s kiss*. The friendship in this is so utterly wholesome and cute.

In the midst of all this, there’s a very cute will they/won’t they flirtation between Alana and her ex-girlfriend, Charlie.

This definitely isn’t a romance, even though there is some. The romance takes a back seat to everything else. Especially since neither Charlie nor Alana really know where they stand following their massive breakup months before. Except that they still care about each other, and when Alana seems to be struggling, Charlie refuses to sit by and watch her go it alone. As it turns out, just because you break up with someone doesn’t mean you need to stop caring about them.

The dynamic between Charlie and Alana is just too freaking cute. Even I, the least romantic person ever, have to admit that. Team Alana may not be large, but it’s made all the better by Charlie, who cares fiercely about her people. Even exes who have a habit of getting themselves into trouble and never listening.

About Rebecca Mahoney

Rebecca Mahoney is the author of The Valley and the Flood (out now from Razorbill), as well as the forthcoming The Memory Eater (Razorbill 3/14/23), and the co-creator of independent audio drama The Bridge. Rebecca is a strong believer in the cathartic power of all things fantastical and creepy in children’s literature - and she knows firsthand that ghosts, monsters, and the unknown can give you the language you need to understand yourself.

She studied Creative Writing at Brandeis University alongside Japanese language and literature, and spent three years in the world of US-Japan relations in Washington DC. She’s particularly inspired by classical Japanese ghost stories and their influence on the modern horror genre.

She currently works in academia, and spends her spare time cursing sailors at sea.

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