The Memory Eater

An orphaned teen striving to keep her family’s business afloat propels this delicately crafted fantasy from Mahoney (The Valley and the Flood). For two centuries, the Harlow family has served as caretakers to the Memory Eater, a monster magically imprisoned in the caves of Whistler Beach. Now, 17-year-old Alana, a queer, white-cued overachiever, and the last Harlow in Whistler, has taken over the family business guiding clients into the monster’s cave, where the customers’ unwanted memories are offered as meals. Following an incident in the caves, Alana has been experiencing gaps in her memory, and when she can’t recall the spell that keeps the monster contained, she realizes that these gaps aren’t a result of a concussion—the Memory Eater has been sneaking bites out of her memory, and has now escaped. To save Whistler, Alana must figure out how to retrieve her memories from the creature by digging into her family’s long-buried history, unearthing perilous secrets along the way. Via poetic prose, darkly ominous ambiance, and Alana’s witty, undeniably teen voice, Mahoney movingly addresses themes of atoning for past mistakes, confronting intergenerational trauma, and overcoming grief in this unforgettable read. The supporting cast is intersectionally diverse. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kari Sutherland, KT Literary. (Mar.)