An entertaining listen on audiobook. The time travel gets a little squirrely towards the end. I give it 4 recursive functions out of 5 - just like real recursion function I forgot to return something somewhere. ( )

** Free copy received from a Goodreads Giveaway **

Memory makes reality.

New York City cop Barry Sutton learns as much while investigating a shocking new phenomenon dubbed “False Memory Syndrome.” It’s a mysterious affliction driving its victims mad with memories of lives they’ve never lived.

Neuroscientist Helena Smith too believes in the way memories affirm reality – it’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that both allows a subject to preserve and relive their most precious memories.

But quickly Barry’s investigation takes a dangerous turn, as he runs into an opponent with the terrifying ability to both destroy memory, and use it against people. Only by working together with Helena will Barry be able to stop this threat – that or unmake the very fabric of the world as they know it.

Blending of a thrilling story with mind-bending theoretical science.

As usual, Crouch manages to take fascinating and complex science, make it accessible, and blend it into a terrifying thriller setting – all while without bogging down the story or character development.

In Recursion, the whole idea of memory is explored – what if we could take memories, manipulate them, change them, and therefore change reality? Who would we be if our most important memories were altered, erased? The result is a terrifying example of butterfly affect – what seems like a great idea for an individual, has shocking reverberations throughout society.

This makes for a great thriller – I was hooked from the first page. The idea of my reality changing, because someone else wanted to change their memory, was mind-boggling to consider. Though the plot was complex and full of theoretical science, at no point did I feel lost or like I couldn’t follow the story.

Possibly Crouch’s best-developed, most human characters thus far.

One of my biggest gripes with Crouch’s previous stories, was I felt I couldn’t connect with the characters. Typically, the main character was his most-developed, and the others were more like pawns to propel the main character’s story.

In Recursion, I empathized with all of the characters – even the villains’ motivations had me conflicted. Barry and Helena’s histories, wants and desires are fully realized. They are human – they are flawed and have everyday problems and worries. I wanted them to succeed.

The relationship and romance that blossoms in this story felt genuine and earned, yet both characters are independent entities. Unlike Crouch’s previous novels, there isn’t so much of the “damsel-in-distress” element. Helena is perhaps Crouch’s most powerful female character yet – she doesn’t need Barry to save her, but she wants him there.

Romance isn’t the only human emotion explored, there are also intense moments that deal with grief and loss. It really made me question – would I erase or change the memory of a loved one’s death, just to ease that pain? Would it be worth the cost?

Crouch has clearly improved on his character development, and over anything, it made this story a stand-out for me.

A mystery with many elements that connect at the end.

There are so many factors to this story that seem disparate, but they connect in a satisfying way at the end. Remember as you’re reading this – every clue matters, every scene has a point.

Would I recommend it?

Yes, yes, yes. Even if you aren’t a sci-fi fan, there are so many elements to Recursion that make it an ideal story. A fascinating thriller with added depth from some crazy science, making it fresh compared to most thrillers on the market. But what made Recursion stand out above Crouch’s other novels for me, was the in-depth character development. I loved these characters – they have stood out clearly in my mind in the months since reading, a VERY important quality in a story for me!

Review also posted on my blog. ( )

A good read though a bit scary at times, rather unique and I look forward to reading more of his work. ( )

This book lives up to its hype! It’s a relentlessly fast-paced and nerve-wracking time travel and alternate reality thriller that explores memories and identities.

Recursion has a lot of similarities with Dark Matter. They both explore the concept of space and time but presents different methods of how we might traverse them in the future.

I adored Helena. She’s strong, brave, and kind. However, Marcus Slade is the most memorable character for me. I think he’s the smartest of them all.

There’s a lot to keep track of with the shifting timelines, and at some point, even feels exhausting, but I still enjoyed the book a lot. Plus points for the tender and touching moments in the book.

“Life with a cheat code isn’t life. Our existence isn’t something to be engineered or optimized for the avoidance of pain. That’s what it is to be human – the beauty and the pain, each meaningless without the other.” ( )

Really enjoyed the entire trilogy. ( )