**Book Review: Unraveling the Mystery of Forgotten Pasts**

"Unraveling the Mystery of Forgotten Pasts" immerses readers into a gripping narrative right from the start. I found myself engrossed in the story as it introduces a man awakening on a boat surrounded by unfamiliar faces, all grappling with the same perplexing reality – total amnesia. The enigmatic aura envelopes me, as the characters share recent surgical scars while remaining in the dark about their own identities.

The plot gains momentum as cryptic messages materialize on the onboard computer, guiding us towards an enigmatic destination known as Point A. Strangers turned allies, we embark on a journey of survival, united by a common objective. Yet, as we journey further into the mist-shrouded waters, tensions escalate within our group, fueled by uncertainties about our memories, the origin of our predicament, and the haunting cries emanating from the enshrouded mist.

Throughout the story, I am drawn to the captivating blend of intrigue and mystery that initially captures my attention. The narrative's brisk pace propels me forward, enmeshing me in a tapestry of uncertainty and perilous suspense.

Despite the memory gaps afflicting the characters, I am able to discern their individual personalities, appreciating the nuanced portrayals that unveil their essential selves and complex depths. The narrative delves into the profound implications of memory loss, exploring how personal experiences and societal influences shape the essence of each character.

While thoroughly enjoying the intensity and unpredictability of the story, I find myself wishing for a more conclusive ending. An epilogue, I believe, could provide the final closure I crave, resolving lingering questions and providing a satisfying wrap-up to the narrative.

In summary, "Unraveling the Mystery of Forgotten Pasts" stands as an immersive, fast-paced thriller that skillfully interweaves mystery and suspense into its atmospheric storytelling. The story's exploration of memory, identity, and the unyielding pursuit of survival keeps me engaged from start to finish. As I become entangled in the tale's intensity and enigma, I am reminded of the power of a well-crafted narrative to transport readers into a world of uncertainty and intrigue.

Amnesia novels are incredibly hit or miss for me, and I'm sad to say this fell into the "miss" category. I can tolerate and sometimes even enjoy grimdark stories, but this was so relentlessly depressing that I struggled to stay afloat even amid an otherwise compelling mystery. It also swan-dove into one of the biggest pitfalls of amnesia trope books, which is flat, unexciting characters. This wasn't helped by the fact that nearly every character blunders into info-dumping territory at some point. A quick read but an ultimately unsatisfactory one.

Imagine waking up on a boat with no idea who you are and who are the other 6 people on the ship with you.

Red River Seven drew me in from the beginning. It reminded me of all the horror/mystery films I loved so much as a kid. My issue is with pacing. I felt it was a bit slow and anticlimactic. It often struggled to hold my attention. Despite that I really enjoyed the twist at the end.

I was shocked by some of the negative reviews for this book, I actually had a completely opposite experience!

The story starts off with a literal bang and a mystery. Why are there 7 people on a boat, and why can none of them remember who they are?

Then they start to receive cryptic instructions, and are asked “Do any members of the party display signs of confused thinking or unwarranted aggression?”

Things get pretty intense and crazy as it seems they are part of some psychotic experiment or life threatening mission (or both?).

Despite the characters having a memory issue, I thought they were all very interesting and the reader is able to get a decent idea of their personalities, their core IDs, what social constructs make them who they are…

I would’ve liked to know more past the ending… maybe an epilogue to just wrap things up nicely, but otherwise I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Orbit Books for a copy!

When the man awakens on the boat he does not know who he is or where he is going. He quickly finds others, all with amnesia, all with a tattoo of an author's name. The 7 survivors also discover a body...

What happens is the beginning of a perfect horror story - the 7 must begin to trust and rely on each other to survive - but can they? The tension is high and the idea of this story as a netflix movie is higher! #REdRiverSeven #orbitbooks #ajryan

This.. was a fast paced read. I love the amnesia concept, though some people would say it's overdone. I was constantly guessing what would be around the corner and was kept rapt until the end. This reads like a movie and that is hit or miss for me, but this one hit.

Fascinating read, with real mystery to start, and then a series of thrilling action scenes. I liked the resolution, it was not obvious and was not an ending I guessed. The world described is as grim as anything I can remember reading and had a weird fascination.
My one suggestion is to include an epilogue to draw a picture of the rest of the world and the results of the attack. The end felt unfinished without knowing what the effects were.