The Memory Hunter is a book wish a lush, interesting premise that doesn't quite survive execution. I adored the dystopian Appalachian setting, and found the mushroom-infested mountains a funhouse mirror version of my own local experience. The idea of using mushrooms to recover memories was incredibly interesting as well, and Tsai does a great job of building out the different implications of the practice (political, religious, etc). However, I just couldn't connect wit Tsai's writing style. I wished more time had been spent lingering on descriptions and sensations rather than diving into action. For what had the potential to be an incredibly visual novel, I couldn't always get a good sense of what was going on. I had similar issues with both the plot and the romance. It felt like the story was trying to be too much as once - a romance, a dystopian thriller, a religious horror - and rather than transcending genre as likely intended it just becomes tonally disjointed. I didn't find the characters memorable, which made it difficult to enjoy the romance. A really cool concept that just didn't play our like I was hoping!

There's a lot of great stuff in this book! The writing was lovely, easy to read, and leaned into the dreamy diving scenes to great success. I really loved the relationships between Key/Vale by the end (holy yearning!), Jing/Cal, and especially loved Burdock as a character. The world and premise were interesting and exciting to start.

I do feel the book lived in an awkward in-between space and never quite found its footing. It seemed like it wanted an atmospheric, ethereal vibe similar to Annihilation, but it also wanted to be plot-forward with the religious controversy at its center. The push and pull between these two wants left it in no-man's land and the pacing suffered for it. Some parts in the middle felt like nothing was happening and when things finally did happen, the stakes were not compelling enough to make me care. I didn't feel invested in the characters until the very end.

I'm sure more can be built upon this solid foundation in the following books, although for now I'm not quite sure if I'll pick those up. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the e-ARC.

I received a free copy from Erewhon Books via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Publish date July 29th.

I enjoyed Tsai's previous novel, Bitter Medicine, and I was excited for her SFF anthropology themed latest book. In The Memory Hunters, Key searches for memories of the past using hallucinatory mushrooms in a climate change-striken future where most technology has been lost. But when Key and her bodyguard Vale stumble upon a memory that contradicts established historical narratives, it sets them on a collision course with both the museum and the church...

The Memory Hunters is a subtly executed and contemplatively paced book. While the premise of using mushrooms to retrieve memories from hundreds of years ago initially appears to be fantasy, Tsai slowly reveals that Key’s world is actually a future version of our own, wracked by devastating hurricanes, heat waves, and an ocean that's slowly engulfing the land. Unlike many authors, Tsai doesn't make the apocalyptic setting obvious--it's primarily Key’s everyday world, and the hints that it's a version of the Appalachian South are subtle. In this world, history is revered, both as a practical means to extract lost technology and as the central focus of a church that worships memory and ancestors.

Key, or Kiana, is a bit of a difficult character. She's been raised like a princess of her city, as the heir presumptive to her mother's church position--not to mention her politically powerful father. She's rich, trained to be in the limelight, and bullheadedly self-centered. It's obvious that she expects special treatment, both in avoiding punishment and in gaining special privileges. I'm not sure I entirely liked her, but I do have to admit that her complex romance with prickly and cold Vale was well done. Key’s carelessness with Vale complicates the close bond they share as hunter and guardian, and the attraction both women have been suppressing. Understated and lovely.

A slow and thoughtful piece of climate SF about memory, belonging, and who has a right to history. Based on that ending, it's clear Tsai is planning a sequel, and I'm excited to read it. Recommended.

This one had all the makings of a lovely book: a deep-rooted tradition with a whiff of a cult, institutional competition and related politics, a genuinely kind and talented heiress with a heavy burden of expectations she herself and others put on her, a reluctant friendship and even more reluctant attraction between her and her easily triggered bodyguard, and a mystery leading to the origin of the entire social structure currently in place that the two stumbled on and will have to unravel.

What went wrong? Several things really, though it’s all and all an OK book. I personally thought the beginning was quite good, establishing the starting point of Key and Vale’s relationship that will develop and be tested throughout the story, as well as showing intriguing bits and pieces of the world building. For me, there was less political struggle between the Temple and the Institute than I would’ve liked: it sort of kept making a regular appearance but lacked the depth and detail to really make it shine. Most of the plot twists were predictable (the less-than-savoury past of the existing memory-related traditions, as well as Genevieve and Burdock’s respective plot lines), but I doubt this type of story could have followed a different template anyway. What put me off was the unnecessary repetition of some of the beats (for example, Key and Vale go through several rounds of “we’re friends, oh wait we’re not, no we are”), long monologues - both internal and external - that took away from the emotional tension of the scene, and Vale’s uncontrollable urge to solve any and all situations she finds herself in with violence, even when it is not only ill-advised but clearly suicidal. It just doesn’t read as real, and if there’s a real prototype for this sort of behavior, then I’ll admit that it can be realistic but still tedious.

All in all, a fairly fast read, though the first half of it trumps the second, in my opinion, and the ending doesn’t really give clarity to what will happen to the shaken ideological foundations of that world.

3.5 rounded up to 4

The idea behind the story was really intriguing, but I struggled to fully connect with it. There were parts I found confusing, and I was left wanting a bit more explanation. Things did pick up towards the end, which I appreciated, but overall it just didn’t quite work for me.

A fantasy romance story with a very original concept - certain people can see memories/history through the help of mushrooms.
The story follows two young women, Key and Vale. Key is one of the special individuals who can see the memories and Vale is the one to keep her safe. Which Key needs as she uncovers dangerous secrets.

The book was very interesting but the pacing was a bit off, there were parts where I felt quite bored.
The magic system was very interesting, the characters themselves weren't as bad as I expected given the reviews I've read. And I really enjoyed the romance too.
My favourite part was the diving/ the past getting uncovered.
I'm curious about next book.

I had so much hope for this book. The description really pulled me in and the cover is lovely. The story on the other hand was really hard to like. My biggest issues was the complex religious/cultural system of memories. I really did not understand why they were such a big deal. Overall I found the story a bit boring. Sorry. Others may love it. It just wasn't for me.

This book really drew me in. The concept of diving for memories in the ruins of old homes is fascinating, along with the discussion of how museums work, whether the things we find are meant for public consumption or not, whether the things we find deserve to be picked apart and preserved, or carried exclusively with the people who own them. The religious aspect is also fascinating, and much of this book reminded me of BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN. There’s a question of identity, not just in the work you do, but in the places you come from and the people you both surround yourself with, and grew up among. The characters are flawed and damaged, but that just makes them real.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me access to an eARC of this book.

I really don’t know how to write a review about this book as I don’t really know what I’m feeling.
It was okay but I also felt like I missed so much. And so much was also happening.
I needed more explanation regarding the temple and the museum. Like I needed more about everything.
They hunt for memories and dive into them, but like okay? What else? How does the museum show them off? Do they have a hologram of the memory or is it just more of an institution kind of thing?

My mind is just spinning with more questions than answers at this point.

I do have to say that I was bored mostly the whole of the book but things got more interesting after like 70%.

The premise is interesting but I was sadly not a fan.

Hmmm, I don't know how I feel about this book.
I loved Bitter Medicine, and was excited to read more romantic fantasy by this author.
This book unfortunately did not quite work for me. The pace was even, things either happened in a rush or they dragged aimlessly around.
Set in a dystopian world, the whole magic/mystic element was confusing - tripping on mushrooms (for gifted ones only) in order to uncover old memories and preserve them in a museum was just weird. And then there was the religious aspect of people treating these memories as some special blessings ...
I could have overlooked that if the personal relationship were better developed, or just felt more authentic.
The friendship was not quite friendship, the guradian-guarded was not quite clear, the love relationship only came through in the end.
I don't know, I kept wanting more and the book never fully delivered it.
It reads like the first in a series, but I don't know for sure and right now I don't know if I want to invest more time and energy in this world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this eARC.

I am giving this a very nearly 4 star rating, a 3.75 for several reasons.

This book has a unique premise and is very different to others I’ve read before. I loved how the author blended science and magic through the fungal memory recall system, basically tripping on past memories with the help of specific mushrooms. The city setting of this book gave me Arcane vibes which I enjoyed. The discursive writing style the author uses helped with the reader’s immersion into the memory dive scenes and really brought it to life with detailed sensual language.

This book raises important ethical questions regarding museums and curation practices, particularly from an anthropological perspective. The message from this book is clear right to the end: who has the right to tell a story that isn’t their own, and who has the right to dictate how ancestors from the past are depicted to the present.

I also really enjoyed that the romance was not the sole driving force of the plot but still played a significant role, and was so so much deeper and more intimate than simple chemistry and attraction, a beautiful sapphic relationship.

The only reason I’m notching down the rating is that I was a little confused at some parts throughout this book and I would have loved some more world building, particularly some more explanation on the whole fungal memory system and how that played into the religious aspect of the book. It almost felt like this could have been complete as two books but ended up as one with lots of plot and character building crammed in, but a bit of world building might have got cut.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, the characters, the plot, and the magic/science system. Just wish I got a bit more of it.

I was hooked in this story like a fish. It was a slow start but it was worth it. I found myself entertained in this adventure of memories. It was well written in a way that i felt the created world slipping in my mind as i read, a fantasy that kept me reading.

The storm-ravaged world, the tensions between public and restricted history, between preservation and the theft of cultural artifacts and memories are all very well done. Amongst it, privileged city-born Key and shore-born scrapper Vale are caught between conflicting loyalties and betrayals, and Key is trying to follow her saints-given vocation – to reveal the memories of how their faith began. Lots of angst, and trigger-warnings for non-consensual medical treatment. Will definitely pick up book 2.

The Memory Hunters by Mia Tsai is an interesting blend of sci-fi, fantasy and romance. While the concept is fascinating, the execution falls a bit short. The pacing is uneven—some sections drag with heavy exposition, while others rush through key emotional moments. The protagonist sometimes feels more like a vehicle for the plot than a fully realized character and I wasn't feeling the chemistry between her and her love interest. Though it doesn’t fully deliver on its potential, The Memory Hunters is still an interesting read for fans of cerebral sci-fi.

The author has potential, but the book often feels murky about the diving system and sequence of events— maybe on purpose, maybe not. A couple twists seemed predictable. I actually didn’t think the romance between the two main characters was super necessary. In terms of the rhetoric about memory and museums, as a social sciences major nothing huge was made and I’m not sure that Tsai got super in deep with the ethical murkiness of it— the characters are almost a little *too* good, like how in Star Trek nobody really questions the colonizing mission. Overall, this is a flawed but respectable debut that fans of Babel will enjoy.

The Memory Hunters centers around a society in which scientists extract memories via a complex process involving mushrooms and blood. The main character, Kiana Strade, comes from a family who lead the local religion’s temples, but she wants to escape that fate and work at the museum where memories are housed. Because of her family history, she can “dive” deeper into memories than anyone else, an ability which has both benefits and dangers.

As a diver and a member of high society, Kiana warrants a bodyguard, a feisty petite woman named Valerian IV, Vale for short, who is from a distant place, but was brought to the city to be trained as a guardian. There is a slow-burn sapphic romance between Kiana and Vale.

I like the idea of this fungi-associated religion and feel that it is fairly well elucidated and is interesting. Kiana on a “dive” discovers the origins of this religion, and that origin is somewhat less well elucidated and which to mind (at least in this physician) prion-associated brain illnesses like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and mad cow disease.

The climax is a tour-de-force with rapidly changing allegiances.

I was mostly interested in the museum aspects of the diving. Rather than return the memories to the descendants of those who had the memories, the recollections are housed in a museum. I felt this was somewhat like not returning the Benin bronzes to Nigeria. So there are some ethical considerations here as well.

I hate reading an entire novel and then having an abrupt ending signaling the work has been set up for a sequel.

Mia Tsai’s The Memory Hunters is a gripping dive into a dystopian future where history isn’t just remembered—it’s excavated from the blood. The story follows Kiana Strade, or Key, an archaeologist with the rare ability to unlock genetic memories, and her fiercely protective bodyguard, Valerian IV (Vale). Together, they navigate a world where the past holds dangerous secrets, and those in power will do anything to control them.

What really struck me was how effortlessly Tsai weaves together world-building and cultural nuance. The setting feels both futuristic and deeply rooted in real history, making the stakes feel all the more urgent. There’s an underlying tension throughout—between progress and preservation, between truth and power—that gives the book an emotional weight beyond just its action-packed plot.

The relationship between Key and Vale adds another layer of depth. Their dynamic is more than just bodyguard and charge; it’s built on mutual respect, quiet moments of understanding, and an unspoken connection that grows as the story unfolds.

This book isn’t just a sci-fi thriller; it’s a thought-provoking exploration of identity, memory, and who gets to control the narrative of history. Tsai’s writing is vivid and evocative, making The Memory Hunters an absolute must-read for anyone who loves speculative fiction with heart and intelligence.

The Memory Hunters by Mia Tsai, a good premise that simply didnt work for me, I do think others will enjoy it and thank you for giving me a chance with this book!

Review: The Memory Hunters by Mia Tsai

I had the chance to read an early version of The Memory Hunters, and while it has a fascinating premise, it didn’t fully live up to my expectations. Mia Tsai’s world-building is intricate, with a unique concept centered around memory archaeology, but the execution felt uneven at times.

The story follows Kiana Strade, an archaeologist who can dive into ancestral memories, and her bodyguard, Valerian IV, as they uncover a secret that threatens their society. The premise is strong, and there are moments of brilliance—especially in the exploration of history, identity, and the power of memory. However, the pacing dragged in places, particularly in the first half, where the world-building sometimes overshadowed the plot.

Kiana is an interesting protagonist, but I struggled to connect with her on an emotional level. Valerian had a strong presence, and their dynamic had potential, but their relationship felt underdeveloped. The romantic tension that Tsai is known for didn’t fully land for me, making their connection feel more like an afterthought than an integral part of the story.

That said, Tsai’s writing is solid, and fans of speculative fiction with detailed world-building will likely enjoy this. While The Memory Hunters didn’t completely hook me, I can see it appealing to readers who love slower-paced, concept-driven sci-fi with a touch of adventure.

Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book, the premise was amazing but unfortunately I couldn't get over the MC. She was just so stubborn and selfish. I could not connect to her at all and it caused me to dislike how she interacted with everyone.
I also found that the story and world building went around and around in circles.
Then the religious system was also confusing.

I will not be reading anymore of this world. Sorry.