Book Review: The Hidden Memory of Objects by Danielle Mages Amato

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The Hidden Memory of Objects
Author: Danielle Mages Amato
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: March 21st 2017
Review Source: Balzer + Bray

Megan Brown’s brother, Tyler, is dead, but the cops are killing him all over again. They say he died of a drug overdose, potentially suicide—something Megan cannot accept. Determined to figure out what happened in the months before Tyler’s death, Megan turns to the things he left behind. After all, she understands the stories objects can tell—at fifteen, she is a gifted collage artist with a flair for creating found-object pieces. However, she now realizes that her artistic talent has developed into something more: she can see memories attached to some of Tyler’s belongings—and those memories reveal a brother she never knew.

Enlisting the help of an artifact detective who shares her ability and specializes in murderabilia—objects tainted by violence or the deaths of their owners—Megan finds herself drawn into a world of painful personal and national memories. Along with a trusted classmate and her brother's charming friend, she chases down the troubling truth about Tyler across Washington, DC, while reclaiming her own stifled identity with a vengeance.

The Hidden Memory of Objects is about a girl who seeks answers to her brother's death; the police say it was a drug overdose but Megan knows her brother and with the help of friends she uncovers the truth.

Grief is never easy. The death of a loved one is never easy; we always want to know exactly what happened and if something could've been prevented. I understood exactly why Megan wanted answers and even though it pained her she still marched ahead and stopped at nothing to seek the truth.

While Megan is seeking answers, she discovers truths about her brother that left her shocked but she also finds herself own self along the way. In the beginning, Megan was closed off to the world and as the story progresses she sees things and people in a new light.

The Hidden Memory of Objects had a couple of twist that I liked especially where the main character can touch certain objects and get glimpses of the past; that is how she starts to uncover what really happened to her brother.

Danielle Mages Amato debut novel is a unique and amazing read; readers are going to enjoy this story of grief and hope and even enjoy some cool memories of the past.