Many thanks to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for an advanced copy of this novel. 

re·cur·sion /rəˈkərZHən/
noun
MATHEMATICS•LINGUISTICS
1. the repeated application of a recursive procedure or definition.

I think it’s fair to say, even if a reader perused every single review of this book, they would not have a clear picture of what’s to come. Recursion is so utterly complex and mind-bending, it can’t be described except by saying in frustration, “Just read it!”

BLURB:

Memory makes reality. That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.

Neuroscientist Helena Smith already understands the power of memory. It’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious moments of our pasts. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent. 

As Barry searches for the truth, he comes face-to-face with an opponent more terrifying than any disease—a force that attacks not just our minds but the very fabric of the past. And as its effects begin to unmake the world as we know it, only he and Helena, working together, will stand a chance at defeating it.

But how can they make a stand when reality itself is shifting and crumbling all around them?

This book is exactly what I have been waiting all year for — wholly unique, in-depth, and properly executed. My attention was captured from the first chapter and my mind did not wander. I was fully immersed as a reader should be, anxious to find out what was to come, only to be angry when I would meet an interruption or could not read fast enough. I think Blake Crouch did an incredible job of slowly feeding this story to his readers. The complexity of the plot could have easily been lost in translation, but Blake’s intellect and prowess as a writer shines through in the pacing. With touches of romance, suspense, sci-fi, and dystopian stirred together to create one spectacular story, this book will be one to satisfy readers of all genres. As someone who finds conspiracy theories interesting, the subtle expansion on the Mandala Effect as the clear inspiration for this story made me excited. It was fun to get into Blake Crouch’s mind for this ride through time and memory. This was time-travel on crack!

Recursion held every facet I seek in every book I pick up. It was literally unputdownable and fully consumed my mind, as I’m sure it will continue to do in the days to come. I rarely hope for books to become movies, because I think it ruins the experience for readers. However, I could clearly see this book becoming a fascinating movie or tv series I would run to see at a moment’s notice.

As I rave about this novel, I have to say, there were a few minor issues for me as a reader. To say there is a repetitive nature to this novel would be an understatement. Toward the latter half of the book, I was wishing things could have been sped up a bit or edited down to get to the conclusion. By that point, I understood the intent of the story and was ready to see the characters do something different. These repetitive moments we not boring by any means, but I’m impatient. I also wished I had a chair to go back and make Blake Crouch rewrite the last sentence of this book. Nonetheless, this was a top-notch read and I’m shook (I’ve never used this word before, but this review requires it). Pick this one up tomorrow!

Rating: 5 stars

Purchase on Amazon.

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