THE LAST THING I REMEMBER

Mr. Klavan's gift for keeping us on the edge of our seats continues in this novel of a teenager trapped in a nightmare, no longer sure what is true. Charlie West's story raises the question: "What if I woke up in a world I didn't recognize, accused of crimes I don't remember, hunted by an organization I have no memory of joining?" The book manages to weave together the common details of everyday life with an extraordinary adventure.

This book brings together the importance of a humans values. Countless times Charlie has to decide what he values in life, and act accordingly. This includes his country, his family, and the love of his life to name a few. Along with a regular teen life a lot of us can relate to, it doesn't take long before becoming a page turner. Being the first book in a series of four, you won't learn about the whole story in this first read. At first, i thought it was a little too simple and spectacular, almost like a fantasy when you read about the miraculous things he does. But at the end, it leaves an incredible cliff hanger that eventually made me read the next three. As you go through the series, you will appreciate the first book more as the story unravels and reveals the true meaning for Charlie's actions.

I seriously can find nothing wrong with this book. Written in a simple, down-to-earth, first person style, it is still somehow well written. Klavan is a master. He seamlessly mixes current action with the necessary background information, giving you time to breathe and laugh before being thrown back into the fray. The main character is not the typical teenage boy you find in most novels. Though there is a girl he likes, he's not head over heels, and he actually knows what he believes and acts on it. Though there is a little blood and some fist fights(karate, actually), over all I would not call it a violent book. It is very intense, though; not for the weak of heart. The ending leaves you longing for the next book yet finishes nicely, unlike the Left Behind: The Kids books, which always leave you desperately hanging. So, I would recommend this to almost anyone! Tighten your seat belts and enjoy the ride!