In a post-apocalyptic society where memories are extracted from fungal blood chalices and preserved by elite "memory hunters," a privileged academic and her working-class bodyguard uncover a suppressed truth that threatens the foundations of their world and forces them to confront the ethics of history, cultural ownership, and institutional power. As their investigation deepens and their forbidden bond intensifies, they must choose between complicity and risking everything to expose the past, even as the act of memory diving begins to consume them.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a post-apocalyptic, climate-ravaged world inspired by Appalachia, the novel follows Kiana 'Key' Strade, a privileged and talented memory diver, and her bodyguard Valerian 'Vale' IV. In this society, memories can be extracted from blood chalice mushrooms and experienced by specialized individuals, a process central to both religious and academic institutions. Key, destined for leadership in her family's temple, instead works for the Museum of Human Memory, where she uncovers a memory that contradicts official history. This discovery triggers political intrigue, personal danger, and a slow unraveling of both Key's mental state and the foundations of their society. The narrative explores the tension between museums, temples, and folk traditions, as well as the ethical dilemmas of cultural preservation, all while developing a slow-burn, sapphic relationship between Key and Vale, who must navigate their professional obligations, personal backgrounds, and growing feelings for each other.

Readers highlighted the book's exploration of memory, history, and the ethics of museum curation, particularly the metaphorical treatment of memories as cultural artifacts. The dynamic between Key and Vale, especially the bodyguard/princess and knight/lady tropes with a sapphic twist, was frequently praised for its tension and emotional complexity. The setting, with its climate change backdrop and references to the Decade of Storms, was noted for its atmospheric detail and the way it informed the characters' motivations and societal structures. Several reviewers appreciated the book's engagement with themes of class, privilege, and the preservation versus exploitation of culture, as well as the nuanced depiction of family obligations and the impact of trauma and inherited memory.

A significant number of readers found the worldbuilding and the mechanics of memory diving confusing or underexplained, with some expressing difficulty understanding how the fungal memory system worked or how the various institutions related to each other. Pacing was a common concern, with many noting that the story dragged in the middle or that the plot felt circular and slow to progress. Characterization also drew criticism, particularly regarding Key's selfishness and lack of growth, Vale's self-doubt, and the underdevelopment of supporting characters such as mentors and romantic rivals. The romantic subplot, especially Vale's relationship with her boyfriend Jing and the handling of bi representation, was seen as unnecessary or poorly integrated, and some readers felt the stakes of the central mystery were not sufficiently high or clearly articulated. Several reviewers also noted that the book left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the broader implications of the world and the institutions within it.

The book is the first in a planned series, with many reviewers noting that the ending leaves multiple plot threads unresolved and sets up for future installments. The narrative blends elements of fantasy, science fiction, dystopia, and queer romance, and incorporates academic and anthropological themes. The story raises questions about who has the right to preserve and interpret history, the impact of climate change on cultural memory, and the power dynamics between institutions and individuals. While the book received a mixed reception, with an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 from 139 ratings and 112 reviews, it generated discussion about the intersection of memory, identity, and societal control, and several readers expressed interest in continuing with the series to see how these themes develop further.